IGNACIO TOWN BOARD MEETING MINUTES e s C e e ee e, 6 Monday, February 10, 2025 = 6:00 PM a 09 e C. € 69 CD Co 6? e> Ch Remote Public Meeting ? Only 6 & pignacio Roofel Cudlvre I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER: Mayor Craig called the meeting to order at 6:04 PM by leading in the pledge of allegiance. II. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Clark Craig, Mayor Pro Tem Alison deKay, Trustee Audrey Atencio (arrived 6:10 PM), Trustee Tom Atencio, Trustee Jeremy Schulz Absent: Trustee Joseph Atencio, Trustee Jordan Bulwan III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mayor Craig asked if there were any changes to the agenda from the Board Members or staff. Ms. Dunton stated that Eva Lewis will not be able to make the meeting due to illness. Mayor Craig said we will simply skip that agenda item; he called for a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Action: Trustee Schulz moved to approve the agenda as presented; Mayor Pro Tem deKay seconded the motion. Mayor Craig called for a roll call vote; the motion passed unanimously. IV. PUBLIC COMMENTS Mayor Craig stated that our policy is to not take public comments during a Zoom meeting; we look forward to any public comments at our next regular in-person meeting. V. CONSENT AGENDA A. Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes from January 13, 2025 B. January 2025 Accounting Reports Mayor Craig called for a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Action: Trustee Schulz moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented; Trustee Tom Atencio seconded the motion. Mayor Craig called for a roll call vote; the motion passed unanimously. VI. STAFF REPORTS A. Police Department Mayor Craig asked if there were any questions regarding Chief Crume's written report. There were none. B. Public Works Mayor Craig stated that Mr. Mickey is under the weather; he asked if there were any questions on Mr. Mickey's written report, and there were none. He asked if Mr. Mickey had anything to add to his written report. He did not. C. Clerk / Treasurer Monday, February 17, Town Hall will be closed in observance of President's Day. Thursday, March 6, is the Joint Work Session with the La Plata Board of County Commissioners. Town Board Meeting Minutes 02-10-2025 1 AV Upgrade is completed with touch to speak and touch to mute. Two other items will be changed: there will be a speaker projecting into the audience, the microphones on the dais will be routed under the dais SO there are not a bunch of wires in the room, and the microphones for the staff tables will be wireless. D. Town Manager Mr. Garcia expressed appreciation for the Board's willingness to meet via Zoom due to the baçked-up sewer line at Town Hall. Grants: waiting on final approval of $462,000 in Prop 123 Grant Funds; Mayor Craig and Mr. Garcia will present to the State Housing Board virtually tomorrow. These funds will be for Rock Creek Phase II. Sewer rate for 2025 from Tribe included water loss from the fiber optic water main break that happened in February of 2024. Because of staff changes in the Southern Ute Utilities Division, the response to our request has been slow. At this point we have received word that they are willing to revise the rate, but we have not seen the new rate yet. The Town has passed on the 4.6% CPI-U that the Tribe had put on the other utilities. There may be a need to revise the sewer rate we charge our customers based on what they charge us in that revised rate; we will keep the Board posted. Mayor Craig gave a shout-out to Shirley Diaz who was attending the Zoom meeting; she has been assisting Mr. Garcia and himself in the Prop 123 Grant Application and the presentation that is scheduled tomorrow afternoon. Mr. Atencio asked if there is a required match to the Prop 123 Grant; there is not. Mr. Garcia stated that the Prop 123 Funds will provide $77,000 for each of 6 homes in Phase II (which consists of 11 units), and those homes will have lower AMI income requirements in the deed restrictions. E. Attorney Working on water rights diligence case and assisting Mark with rezoning of sale of lot to Irrigo, LLC. Letter drafted to Board on that subject matter. Mayor Craig clarified that the Board has not received that letter yet. Mayor Craig dismissed staff that did not need to remain in the meeting. VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Rock Creek Housing Project Update Mr. Garcia stated that, as a follow-up to Mr. Liberman's report, he wanted to inform the Board that the Planning Commission will be meeting on Wednesday to review the rezoning request for Irrigo and will make a recommendation to the Town Board. This recommendation, as well as the letter from Mr. Liberman, will be in the packet for the March meeting. The Town Board has the final approval/denial authority on rezoning requests. First home was set today! Have already set 2 complete homes in a matter of four hours. Open House is scheduled for Wednesday, 10-2, with key stakeholders, dignitaries and general public. Second floor bedroom views are beautiful! Ongoing work with IHOI and La Plata County on funding for infrastructure, which has been completed with IHOI and Town monies. La Plata County has the Town's funding request for $700,000 that would repay the Town and that was our match for the infrastructure project; ARPA Funds used for design and engineering on this project. There will be EHOI Funds left after infrastructure is complete; we have asked if these Town Board Meeting Minutes 02-10-2025 2 funds can be used in the construction phase; contract amendment has been submitted. There is also about $75,000 in County Funds left over after infrastructure that we are asking if we can spend in the vertical build. We currently have 3 pre-approved buyers; several others are working on prequalification process. VIII. NEW BUSINESS A. Ignacio Creative District Report - Eva Lewis Eva is not here; moved to March meeting. B. La Plata County Early Childcare Investment Strategy Presentation - Sarah Tober/Heather Hawk Sarah Tober, La Plata Economic Development Alliance (LPEDA) Executive Director, expressed appreciation for the opportunity to present to the Board. She shared the mission of LPEDA and talked about the partnership between LPEDA and the Early Childcare Council of La Plata County (ECC). Heather Hawk is the Executive Director of the ECC; she also expressed appreciation for the opportunity to present to the Board, and shared the mission of ECC, which has been in operating for 28 years. Sarah stated that workforce housing and childcare needs go hand-in- hand when attempting to build a strong and stable workforce. She shared the various research modalities used in gathering statistics, as well as sharing the grim realities ofthe current situation. Heather shared the good news of the plans that are in place, especially as it relates to Ignacio specifically. The current childcare availability cares for only 1/3 of the need. There are three areas of investment: 1. stabilize work force by raising childcare employee educator wages and recruiting more qualified staff to catalyze the production of 420 new childcare slots over 3 years; 2. increase physical capacity by providing loans, grants, and start-up funding for new facilities and upgrades to existing facilities; 3. Childcare Champion Initiative that would give employers an opportunity to provide discounts and perks to early childcare educators. She went into detail on each of these investment areas, including how this will assist the ISD that has incorporated the Early Childhood Learning Center; she shared investment partners that are already in place; she discussed the implementation strategy. Sarah reviewed the expected outcomes and economic impact, and requested that the Town of Ignacio consider adding this to the Budget for 2026. Some of the questions from the Board: what is the financial commitment that is being requested? No specific amount, as the budget allows; another option for support might be a land donation for building a childcare facility in Town. Durango partnered with LPEDA on a REDI Grant; perhaps the Town of Ignacio can apply for a REDI Grant to assist with this project. How do we know how many children in Ignacio are in need of a facility like this? Heather has been working with Chris deKay and Melanie Brunson to track this, and there is a childcare shortfall of about 150 slots. Is there an effort to bring the Tribe into this conversation? No interest; growth fund has stated that childcare is not an issue for them as an employer. Board Members expressed interest in and support of this program and plan, as well as expressed appreciation for the presentation. Trustees Audrey Atencio and Tom Atencio stated they would like to meet with Sarah and Heather. Mayor stated that on March 7 at noon, Tiffany Chacone will be at the Ignacio Community Library representing LatinX and addressing childcare from the Hispanic perspective. He extended the invitation to Sarah and Heather to attend that meeting. Sarah and Heather both expressed appreciation for the support of the Board. Town Board Meeting Minutes 02-10-2025 3 IX. TRUSTEE REPORTS Mayor Craig was at the Capitol last week; although representing Club 20 at that event, people know him as the Mayor of Ignacio and Ignacio is recognized by the State. Board Members expressed appreciation for Mayor plugging for Ignacio at the State level. X. MISCELLANEOUS None XI. ADJOURNMENT Being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 7:01 PM. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be on Monday, March 10, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Abel F. Atencio Community Room and via Remote Public Meeting. 03/10/2025 Clark Craig, Mayor Date Fagps Dunton Attest: Tuggy Dunton, Town Clerk Town Board Meeting Minutes 02- 10-2025