TRE TOVHOF BUENA VISTA CO  MINUTES OFT THE BUENA VISTA BOARD OF TRUSTEES  REGULAR MEETING Tuesday, September 24, 2024  MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES ARE A TRANSCRIPT OF THE GOVERNING BODY'S ACTIONS RATHER THAN A VERBATIM RECORD OF DELIBERATIONS. Work Session at 6:00 PM -2025 Budget Preview and Department Priorities  Mayor Libby Fay, Trustees Maggie Huyck, Gina Lucrezi, Andrew Rice, Devin Rowe, and Cindie Swisher attended the work session. Also present were Town Administrator Brian Berger, Town Treasurer Phillip Pucket, Deputy Treasurer. Jana Schumann, Airport Manager Jack Wyles, Public Works Director Shawn Williams, Police Sergeant Megan Mitchell, Recreation Director Shane Town Treasurer Phillip Puckett reviewed the 2025 budget timeline, including public hearings, work: sessions, and the Board adopting the budget on December 10, 2024. Puckett also reviewed the Trustee's Strategic Goals and key outcome areas previously identified by the Board and guided Staff when setting priorities while working on the draft budget. The  Basford, Planning Director Joel Benson, and Town Clerk Paula Barnett.  identified goals include the following. Environment: Planning for Growth Water: Supply and Storage Infrastructure: Connectivity Community: Planning and Housing  Economic Vitality: Business Retention and Recruitment  Puckett discussed the Operating Changes and Assumptions for 2025 with the Trustees, which As structurally balanced budget with recurring revenues that cover operating expenses Carryover projects that were budgeted in prior years but were not completed and the unspent funds rolling into the fund balance, which can be utilized ini the next budget period. These can look like deficit spending, but we characterize them as carryovers Carryover is the process by which unobligated funds remaining at the end ofa 12-month budget period may be carried forward toi the next budget period to Inflation has eased ("2.6% 2023-2024), but we face significant cost increases, such as  include the following.  plus priority capital projects  cover allowable costs int that budget period  liability and health insurance BOARDO OF TRUSTEES OF THET TOWNO OFE BUENAVISTA  Page 1of8 September 24, 2024  Regular Meeting    O Change Employee Health Insurance plan and provider from CEBT/UMRto Increase liability deductibles uo/halty/wemlorcemen, o Employee Payl Plan: 2.6% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) plus a 1.0% merit Community Grant allocation of 1% of budgeted sales tax revenue ini the amount of  USI/CIGNA (level funded) to save $192,000  increase  $58,300 Fund Transfers  $360,000 General Fund to Capital Improvement Fund $100,000 Marijuana Fund to Capital Improvement Fund $30,000 Conservation Trust Fund to Capital Improvement Fund  O $150,000 General Fund to Airport Fund  Puckett reviewed the revenue projections, which slowed down over the past twelve months  and have flattened out in 2024.  Sales Tax  Since 2001, sales tax revenues have increased on average 6% year toy year, but we  are in a slow growth period 2002, 2009, 2011 through. July the remainder oft the year)  2000 - 2013: 3% annual growth <- Steady growth with three down years in 2014 - 2022: 12% annual growth <- High growthperiod 2023 - 2024: 1.9% annual growth <- Slow growth period with flat 2024 2025 Budget = 1% increase over 2024 (Year to date actuals plus projection for 5% increase in property tax revenue. TABOR limits annual revenue growth, regardless of property value increases (temporary reduction of mill rate) Interest rates on cash and investment accounts remain higher thanpre-2024 In case of emergency or unexpected decline in revenue: 27% restricted reserve policy plus TABOR reserve plus restricted for debt service plus  Other revenue changes  unrestricted fund balance  Airport Manager. Jack Wyles, Public Works Director Shawn Williams, Police Sergeant Megan Mitchell, Recreation Director Shane Basford, and Planning Director. Joel Benson provided the Trustees with a summary of their department's vision, goals, responsibilities, current staff counts, challenges, and opportunities encountered in their departments sO far in 2024 and  projects and critical changes in 2025. BOARDO OF TRUSTEES OF THET TOWN OF BUENA VISTA  Page 2of8 September 24, 2024  Regular Meeting    Berger discussed the 2024 highlights, projects, and key changes in 2025 for the Administration, Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, Clerk, Town Hall, and Elections  departments.  An in-person/Virtual regular meeting of the Board of Trustees was called to order by Mayor Libby Fay at 7:08 PM, Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at the Buena Vista Community Center, Pinon Room, 715 E. Main Street, Buena Vista, Colorado, having been previously noticed in  accordance with the Colorado Open Meetings Law.  ROLL CALL  Attendee Name Libby Fay Maggie Huyck Gina Lucrezi Andrew Rice Micha Rosenoer Devin Rowe Cindie Swisher  Title Mayor Trustee Trustee Trustee Trustee Trustee Trustee  Status Present Present Present Present Absent Present Present  Town Staff Present: Town Administrator Brian Berger Town Treasurer Phillip Puckett Public Works Director Shawn Williams PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Fayl led the pledge of allegiance. AGENDA ADOPTION MOTION NO. 01:  Town Attorney. Jeff Parker via Zoom Planning Director Joel Benson Town Clerk Paula Barnett  MOVE TO APPROVE THE AGENDA.  RESULTS MOVER SECONDER: AYES:  CARRIED Trustee Huyck Trustee Lucrezi  Huyck, Lucrezi, Rice, Rowe, Swisher  BOARD OFT TRUSTEES OFT THE TOWNO OF BUENA VISTA  Page3of8 September 24, 2024  Regular Meeting    CONSENT AGENDA  Approval of matters that are routine in nature that require review and/or approval, i.e., minutes and reports. (Professional. Service. Agreements [PSA] that exceed. $25,000.00 require the Consent  Agenda to be approved by a Roll Call vote).  A. Minutes  1. Board of Trustees Regular Meeting = September 10, 2024 2. Tree Advisory Board = August 1, 2024 3. Planning & Zoning Commission - September 4, 2024 B. Town Administrator Report C. Town' Treasurer Report D. Recreation Director Report E.A Airport Manager Report  F. Adoption of Resolution No. 65, Series 2024, entitled, "AI RESOLUTION OFT THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR THE TOWN OF BUENA VISTA, COLORADO APPOINTING WENDY GORDON AS A REGULAR VOTING MEMBER OF THE  TREE BOARD.  MOTION NO.C 02:  MOVE TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.  RESULTS MOVER SECONDER: AYES:  CARRIED. Trustee Swisher Trustee Lucrezi  Huyck, Lucrezi, Rice, Rowe, Swisher  PUBLIC COMMENT  Liz Morgan, 1205. San. Juan Avenue, Buena' Vista, Executive Director ofthe Buena Vista Chamber of Commerce, requested $45,000 in funding from the Town to assist the Chamber and its Welcome Center to survive and thrive in 2025. Morgan stated it is typical for a town to offer from $25,000 to $65,000 in support of a local welcome center, which is standard practice throughout the state. Morgan stated the funds would be used to cover part of the rent and utilities at the Welcome Center. Conduct fire safety, leave no trace, and responsible recreation messaging and outreach to keep the town safe. Grant writing and fundraising for the Welcome Center and build capacity for Welcome Center operations and communications. Elaine Wolf, 1101 River Park Road, Buena Vista, Chamber of Commerce Board member, stated she moved to Buena Vista in 2020 and has been a small business owner for most of her adult life. Wolf volunteered at the Welcome Center this summer and asked the Board to consider  investing in the Chamber of Commerce and Welcome Center.  BOARDO OF1 TRUSTEES OF1 THE TOWN OFE BUENA VISTA  Page 4of8 September 24, 2024  Regular Meeting    Cathy Harbick, 18502 Vista Drive, Buena Vista, Chamber of Commerce Board member, spoke in support of Morgan's request for funding from the Town for the Welcome Center. Harbick, former owner oft the Arrowhead Point Campground and a current realtor, stated she believes in Colleen Fitzgerald, 16403 County Road 356-10, Buena Vista, spoke on behalf of the Trails Advisory Board. Fitzgerald discussed how trails strengthen connectivity throughout the community, enhance the lives of residents and visitors, get students safely to and from school, and improve environmenta services. Fitzgerald stated the Town needs to maintain its trails and explore connecting the Railroad Trail to the new stoplight on Baylor. Add bike lanes and added signage to the bike-trail systems. Fitzgerald shared that sometimes it cannot wait another year or more until improvements are made, and the Town and Advisory Board must devise creative  the Chamber and what it provides to the community and visitors.  ways to accomplish projects. Business Items Cottonwood Lake Consideration  Terry Scanga, General Manager/Chief Executive Officer, and Gracy Goodwin, Water Resource Specialist/Grant & Projects Implementation Manager with the Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District (UAWCD), provided the Trustees with an update on the Cottonwood Lake Dam & Spillway Improvements project. Goodwin reviewed that UAWCD iss seeking a grant from the Colorado Water Conservation Board's' Water Supply Reserve Fund toi finance the Cottonwood Lake Dam and Spillway Improvement project. The proposed redesign project would increase dam safety, the capacity width of the spillway from 41 feet to 501 feet, the bypass capacity from 360 Cubic Feet Per Second (CFS) to 540 CFS, and the releasable storage by 63.6 acre-feet. The project would also increase the usable water supply on Cottonwood Creek for UAWCD and the Town. The estimated project cost is $917,010, with contributions from the Arkansas Basin Roundtable, UAWCD, and the Town's portion of $220,082.  Construction is scheduled to begin in the fall of2 2025.  Mayor Fay asked if Cottonwood Lake would be dredged. Scanga said no and explained that the high cost of dredging does not offset the amount of space gained. Trustee Rice asked if there would be a fluctuation in the water levels in Cottonwood Lake. Scanga stated it depends on  Mother Nature, the water demand, and water exchanges.  MOTION NO. 03:  MOVE TO PROVIDE. A LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR THE UPPER. ARKANSAS WATER CONSERVANCY  DISTRICT WSRF GRANT APPLICATION.  BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF1 THE TOWN OF BUENA VISTA  Page! 5of8 September 24, 2024  Regular Meeting    RESULTS MOVER: SECONDER: AYES:  CARRIED Trustee Rice Trustee Rowe  Huyck, Lucrezi, Rice, Rowe, Swisher  Water Rights Overview  Planning Director. Joel Benson presented an overview of the Town's water rights to the Trustees. The existing water rights portfolio and availability include the following.  10.0 Cubic Feet Per Second (CFS) Town Water right I non-irrigation season (Not adjudicated for storage, and new rights would be needed to. store water) 3.0 CFS Thompson and Priori rights on Cottonwood Creek- irrigation season (Not adjudicated for storage, and new rights would be needed to: store water) 0.88 CFS of Cottonwood Irrigating Ditch (CID) subordinated to St Charles Gorrel Ditch water is used for the gallery system (Dry-up credits possible, not Leesmeagh Ditch requires dry-up of Big Meadow. Any development proposed for Big Meadow should require immediate dry-up cooperation (no 50 Acre Feet from Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District (UAWCD)- purchased in May of 2024, and the Town could purchase additional water Bray-Allen is being evaluated, with water court filing expected in 2024  Mesa, therefore not included in 3.0  advised)  covenant exists) May of 2025  Dryfield - strategic plans associated with this right  Benson reviewed Project Water, which is purchased annually. Currently, there are 1,000 acre feet (AF) of water stored in Twin Lakes (approximately ten years' worth of water) and water from the Colorado River is not counted on for long-term dependency. Buena Vista is allowed to store up to 75 AF in Cottonwood Lake, and the dam rebuild project will give the Town about 40 to 45 AF of storage. Currently, there is no storage at Rainbow Lake. There is inexpensive augmentation water used for Well No. 2 and evaporation off of the Town Pond and sports Benson reviewed potential water, which included the possible creation of a plan to offset St Charles Mesa, which is Cottonwood Irrigation Ditch water that has been adjudicated and is new useable water. Bray-Allen water rights that are post-adjudication with an unknown quantity. Leesmeagh Ditch, aka Big Meadow, has been adjudicated, has no covenant, and the dry-up is unknown. The use of Dryfield is being investigated, and other water in the area brought in by developers is unknown, including augmentation certificates. Benson gave a brief  fields.  overview oft the Court Decrees. BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THET TOWN OFE BUENA VISTA  Page 6of8 September: 24,2024  Regular Meeting    Benson shared several strategicq questions that he feels the Trustees and Staff should be  asking.  Are there limits to growth based on traffic, services, schools, etc.?  Will Town contemplate a fifth well? Ifso, when? What does growth lookl like when Well Can the Water Allocation Policy be adapted sO development does not only pull from When do we accept water augmentation certifications, and under what conditions? How can the Town improve the sophistication oft the water accounting and incorporate the single-family equivalent (SFE) calculations and water dedication for development? Trustee Lucrezi asked why the Town cannot store water. Benson stated that water storage must be addressed when the water right(s). go through the water court, and you must have a place to store the water. Benson stated that the Staff plans to include water storage in current Benson and Scanga discussed opportunities for creativity with water exchanges and trades with UAWCD, the Town, and other entities with water resources. Scanga suggested that the Town focus on the potable water delivery system to identify leaks that could increase the water: supply and decrease unaccountable water loss. The recommended standard level of water loss is 10%, and the Town exceeds that number. Sanga stated that reducing water loss is  Four is completed? the General Category?  and future water purchases and water court.  an opportunity for water conservation. Public Hearing 105 Barnwood Drive  Mayor Fay reviewed applicant Lenny Eckstein had withdrawn the application to rezone the  property.  TRUSTEE INTERACTION  Trustees reported on or commented about recent and upcoming events, activities, and topics. Mayor Fay gave a brief housing update and opportunities for affordable workforce housing in Puckett shared with the Trustees the next steps in the 2025 Budget process and that they will Puckett also thanked the media for providing information on the number of housing units under construction in Buena Vista and estimated completion dates that will offer a wide range  the Salida area.  have access to ClearGov to review and comment on each budget line item.  ofhousing opportunities.  BOARD OFT TRUSTEES OF THE7 TOWN OFE BUENA VISTA  Page7of8 September 24, 2024  Regular Meeting    Trustee Swisher commented that the Chamber of Commerce's request for $45,000.00 is much higher than allocated in previous budget years. Trustee Swisher stated she would liket to help them but does not know if that will be possible with the requested Capital Projects and flat Berger reviewed the transition process for the Planning Director, which has begun, and Benson has agreed to stay on as Planning Director through the application and hiring process, which is  revenue source.  projected to go through mid to late November.  MOTION NO. 04: ADJOURNED AT 8:47 PM.  THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE BOARD, THE MEETING BE  RESULTS MOVER: SECONDER: AYES:  CARRIED Trustee Rowe Trustee Rice  Huyck, Lucrezi, Rice, Rowe, Swisher  Respectfully submitted:  X61 Libby Fay, Mayor  DAT Paula Barnett, Town Clerk  *  B  INCORPO DnI  BOARDO OF TRUSTEES OFT THE TOWNO OFE BUENA VISTA  Page 8of8 September 24, 2024  Regular Meeting