TOWN OF DE BEQUE BOARD OF TRUSTEES PUBLIC MEETINGPUBLIC HEARING MARCH 25, 2025 The regular meeting/public hearing of the Board ofTrustees was held on March 25, 2025, at 6:00 p.m, in the Community Center, 381 Minter Avenue, De Beque, Colorado. Present were the following: Mayor: Shanelle Hansen Trustees: Cindy Farris, Sarah Hambrick, NJ Fulmer, Vern Bruse, and John Giffin Absent: Walter Wood Staff Present: Town Manager Care' McInnis, Town Clerk Lisa Rogers, Town Treasurer Katherine Boozell, Deputy Marshal Shawnie Higgins, and Marshal Bob Dalley Mesa County Staff: Commissioner Cody Davis, Commissioner Bobbie Daniel, Commissioner JJ Fletcher, Undersheriff Matt King, County Attorney Todd Star, and Jacque Berry (Lighthouse Project) Also Present: Diane Sandelin, Jeanette Refior, Mark Gerhard, Dick Latham, and Scott Hoyer (CPW) CALL TO ORDER: The: meeting was called to order at 6:07 p.m. by Mayor Shanelle Hansen. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. ROLL CALL: Roll call was taken, and a quorum was present. DELETIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO THE AGENDA: Ms. McInnis asked that items C and D be pulled from the consent agenda. She also asked that the executive sessions be taken in reverse order. PRESENTATION - TOWN OF DE BEQUE/SCHOOL DISTRICT 49JT ART CONTEST - ROUND ONE: Several times ofyear the Town of De Beque holds an art contest with the school. The winning drawing will be displayed on the Old Fire House window, and the winner receives $50.00. The Board of Trustees along with guests and the community were invited to vote on which drawing they liked the best. PRESENTATION - MESA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TOWN HALL: The Mesa County Commissioners along with other staff from Mesa County discussed topics that were important to the community. Resurfacing roads, how to help the homeless population, and the 29 Road interchange were among the topics discussed. Mayor Hansen thanked Mesa County for coming down and remembering the De Beque Community. TOWN OF DE BEQUE BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGULAR MEETING/ PUBLIC HEARING MARCH 25, 2025 PRESENTATION - TOWN OF DE BEQUE/SCHOOL DISTRICT 49JT ART CONTEST - ROUND TWO: For round 2, all drawings that were not voted for were removed. The Board of Trustees along with guests and the community chose their favorite drawings from those that remained. A drawing which depicted a backdrop ofthe American flag behind mountains and trees was chosen as the winner. MPROMPTU PRESENTATION - COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE - SCOTT HOYER: Scott Hoyer (CPW) stated that he had taken over Alfred Romero's position as District Wildlife Manager for the De Beque area. He has worked in the Rifle/Parachute area for about 12years. He will be coming back next month to give a more formal presentation. Trustee Farris welcomed him. Trustee Fulmer shared a story about spotting al black bear last summer. Mayor Hansen thanked Mr. Hoyer for coming in. OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT: Trustee Hambrick asked ift there was any update on the artwork on the table at the park. Ms. McInnis stated that Marge told her that it was already cleaned up. Trustee Hambrick stated that she heard that the bandit who had been breaking into cars had been apprehended. Marshal Dalley stated that they knew who did it and had evidence but had not yet made an arrest. Diane Sandelin showed a flyer that realtor Dan Savoca had mailed out. Ms. Sandelin stated that there were a few events missing and were concerned that the public would think that Mr. Savoca and the Town were working together. The only concern is if there is misinformation. Mayor Hansen stated that she did similar type marketing when she was a realtor. BOARD COMMENTS: There were no Board comments. TOWN MANAGER REPORT: The next Steering Committee (Comp Plan) meeting will be Thursday, March 27th at 6:00 p.m. There will be an existing conditions analysis. There will also be discussion surrounding the first survey questions. Rick Engineering will also be doing community engagement through door-to-door and pop- ups at local events. On April 22nd the next regular BOT meeting, Sam Light (General Counsel for CIRSA) will be conducting a Board training and review. All Board members were emailed a copy of the Marshal's policies. It is quite voluminous, and staff did not want to kill a forest of trees. There is a copy at Town Hall for anyone' 's review. These updates occur as legislation and best practices change. There is no action needed tonight, but feel free to reach out to the Marshal ify you have any questions. From time to time, there are questions regarding what is going on within Mesa County. Please note the sheet in the packet that has links to all sorts of resources. Feel free to share with constituents. There is a new Public Works employee. Braydon Conway will be a Maintenance Worker II and will be starting March 315t. With irrigation season coming, Sam is glad that he is on board. TOWN OF DE BEQUE BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGULAR MEETING/ PUBLIC HEARING MARCH 25, 2025 The deputies, Sam Flores, and Ms. McInnis will be conducting interviews for the open position of Code Enforcement Officer on Monday, March 315t. The auditors completed their on-site visit. The process is actually very time consuming. The audit does not end with the site visit, but it is nice to have that part completed. There are two separate website projects underway. The first is with Civic Plus who has been retained to recodify our code and get it online in a more user-friendly format. Updates should be almost immediate after the Board makes any modifications (adopts new ordinances or amends existing). We should get the proofs on Monday and then have 45 days to review. Two months after that, it will be finalized, and copies shipped to us. The second project involves our website itself. The Town received a SIPA grant to cover the work fully. The project is making its way through the department heads for review and revisions. Ms. McInnis and Sam Flores met with CDOT again regarding the I-70 interchange. The topic of discussion was the light poles and there is nothing new regarding that conversation. Over the years, the State installed expensive light poles at or near the on and offi ramps along State roadways. They then claimed that the individual commumitiemunepalines were responsible for the upkeep, repair, and replacement of the poles. Some communities have rejected this notion and are suing the State. It looks like prior Town administration accepted ownership of the poles, and now CDOT claims we must cover the cost associated with the poles now. This is very expensive. Ms. McInnis and Mr. Flores discussed with CDOT the fewest number of poles in strategic locations to try to minimize the costs. The Scholarship Committee met tonight and created their timeline. Student applications are due by April 24th. Interviews will be held April 29th. Results will be released to the School on May 1St. Staffi is collaborating with the Business Incubator Center by participating in the upcoming Enterprise Zone Redesignation. This is very important for tax breaks and the like for our local businesses. At April's Board meeting, you will see an agenda item to adopt the latest building code that was adopted by Mesa County. The Town has a contract with Mesa County Building Department (MCBD). This is a good opportunity to have the Building Department come to Town and explain what they will and will not do. Marshal Dalley, Deputy Meyer, and Ms. McInnis toured the Town with Darrell Bay from MCBD. There are new updates regarding broadband. NeuComm and the Town have worked hard on redesigning the route for the fiber due to the railroad's refusal to let the Town go over and under with the original route. The new route goes east after the bridge, north under the railroad, and then west again. The Town has negotiated with Mahogany to pass through their property if we provide a hand hold should they ever want to connect. It will cost the Town $10.00. Now it is up to the railroad again. Otherwise, the project is moving along very well. The shelter should be fully manufactured by April 215. Riley Scott, Congressman Hurd' S Chief of Staff, toured the Town including the water plant last Tuesday. Little did either of us know what we were going to need to accomplish between last Thursday afternoon through Monday at 5:00 p.m. Ms. McInnis explained that she would go into more detail later on in the agenda. The final rendering of the mural for the side of Town Hall is in the packets. Any more edits would be at an additional cost. The Town is grateful to The Flower Collective and Roan Creek Bikes for their generous donation. TOWN OF DE BEQUE BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGULAR MEETING/ PUBLIC HEARING MARCH 25, 2025 CONSENT AGENDA: a. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: February 25, 2025 b. BILLS AND EXPENDITURES: February 2025 Discussion Before Motioning on the Consent Agenda: Mayor Hansen asked ifanyone had any questions or comments on the Consent Agenda items. There were none. Motion: Trustee Hambrick motioned to approve all items on the consent agenda except for C and d. Trustee Giffen seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0. REMAINING BILLS AND EXPENDITURES: EXPENDITURES RELATED TO THE COUNTRY STORE: Motion: Trustee Farris motioned to approve expenditures related to the Country Store. Trustee Hambrick seconded the motion. Mayor Hansen abstained. Motion carried 5-0 with 1 abstaining. DISCUSSION AND ACTION REGARDING RESOLUTION 2025-07: AUTHORIZATION FOR AN APPLICATION TO THE COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF LOCAL AFFAIRS FOR THE PURPOSE OF SECURING A GRANT TO OBTAIN ENGINEERING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE DE BEQUE RIVER PARK: Ms. McInnis explained that she had asked for the funding under another resolution previously. She stated that the cost ofthe assessments had gone up from $154,000.00 to $350,000. The previous ask had a matching of $100,000.00. This resolution raises that to $200,000.00. Mayor Hansen asked if there were any questions. There were none. Motion: Trustee Farris motioned to approve Resolution 2025-07. Trustee Hambrick seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0. DISCUSSION AND ACTION REGARDING RESOLUTION 2025-08: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING TOWN STAFF TO RECEIVE GRANTS AND DONATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF A MULTI-USE TRAIL SYSTEM ON TOWN LANDS, AND AUTHORIZING DISBURSEMENT OF THESE FUNDS: Ms. McInnis stated that the Town is asking to be a pass-through and administer the grants and donations that may come in for the trail system. Jeanette Refior asked how the community would know that funds were coming in. Katherine Boozell stated that the funds would come into a restricted account and that there would be reports generated. She stated that it would also show in the audited financial reports. Ms. Boozell stated that the funds would be their own line item. Ms. McInnis read from the resolution related to matching funds and donations. Iti is not a part of the general fund. Trustee Giffin stated that he would be abstaining, but he wanted to point out that the new trail plan is currently designed for hiking and biking --not for horseback riding or UTVS. TOWN OF DE BEQUE BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGULAR MEETING/ PUBLIC HEARING MARCH 25, 2025 Motion: Trustee Hambrick motioned to approve Resolution 2025-08 with item b being restricted to mountain biking and hiking. Trustee Farris seconded the motion. Trustee Giffin abstained. Motion carried 5-0 with 1 abstaining. DISCUSSION AND ACTION REGARDING RESOLUTION 2025-09: A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SPENDING OF UP TO $60,000.00 FROM THE TOWN OF DE BEQUE'S WASTEWATER FUND TO REPAIR A RETENTION POND IN THE EVENT CONGRESSIONAL FUNDS ARE DELAYED, FROZEN, OR PULLED BACK: Ms. McInnis explained that this was an urgent ask. The Town was awarded 1,246,000 in 2023 for wastewater projects. Replacing the liners was a part of those projects. Two liners are in very bad shape. The status of the congressionally directed spending is unknown at this point. There are sufficient funds in the wastewater fund. Trustee Farris stated that this needs to happen. Motion: Trustee Hambrick motioned to approve Resolution 2025-09. Trustee Farris seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0. DISCUSSION AND ACTION REGARDING RATIRICATION OF RESOLUTION 2025-10: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TOWN TO REQUEST CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING APPROVAL TO FUND MUNICIPAL WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS: Ms. McInnis explained this what she had referred to earlier with having to. jump through hoops. This is a different ask. Itis for a secondary water source. The Town does not have one. De Beque is the only municipality on the I-70 corridor that does not have one. This is a prior ask, but due to the state of the federal budget process a new ask needs to be submitted. Ms. McInnis stated that due to the urgency of deadlines, she went ahead and submitted the ask. The Board could deny, and Ms. McInnis will withdraw the application. Trustee Fulmer asked what a secondary source was. In the event of an emergency, the Town needs to have a backup water source that it can rely on. It would be a well that could be drawn from ifthe Town is unable to pull from the Colorado River. Motion: Trustee Hambrick motioned to approve Resolution 2025-10. Trustee Farris seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0. DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION REGARDING TOWN BEAUTIFICATION PROJECTS: The Board discussed potential projects to spend the $20,000 Beautification budget. Mayor Hansen stated that she would like to see the vacant lot surfaced SO that it looks nice and is not a muddy mess. Several ideas were discussed including benches and flowerpots for the new sidewalks and a nice pathway to the fire pit. The Board came up with the following list of priorities (in order of importance): surfacing the overflow parking lot, contact Mesa County regarding horseshoe pits at the new Community Center, wayfinding marquis, and landscape the area containing the new marquis and fire pit. TOWN OF DE BEQUE BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGULAR MEETING/ PUBLIC HEARING MARCH 25, 2025 Ms. McInnis asked ifthe Board would take the public hearings out of order as Mark. Gerhard had been waiting quite a while. CALL THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES PUBLIC HEARING TO ORDER: Mayor Hansen called the hearing to order at 8:40 p.m. Ms. McInnis explained that this matter was to change the definition of active facility to allow for seasonal operation of retail marijuana facilities. She explained that Mr. Gerhard along with his attorney, Mr. Volkman had approached the Town regarding the matter. Ms. McInnis stated that all legal requirements for posting had been met. Mayor Hansen asked ifthere were any public questions or comments. Mr. Gerhard asked about an offramp from I-70 closer to his facility. Ms. Mcinnis explained the purpose of the public hearing and asked to address his concerns regarding the topic at a different time. Mr. Gerhard explained that he did not think he would be able to stay in business at all ifhe was not allowed to operate seasonally. He stated that the new shops in Grand Junction were affecting his business greatly. He would like to be able to be open from May 12th (this year) to Labor Day. Ms. McInnis stated that seasonally was defined as no less than three consecutive months during each calendar year. The business must also be approved to operate seasonally. Mayor Hansen asked ift there were any Board questions. There were none. ADJOURNED BOARD OF TRUSTEES PUBLIC HEARING: Mayor Hansen adjourned the hearing at 8:48. DISCUSSION AND. ACTION REGARDING ORDINANCE 550 (SERIES 2025): AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 5.22 RETAIL MARIJUANA LICENSING, SECTION 5.22.030 "DEFINITIONS" TO PERMIT THE TERM ACTIVE FACILITY TO INCLUDE FACILITIES THAT OPERATE SEASONALLY: Motion: Trustee Hambrick motioned to approve Ordinance 550. Trustee Bruse seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0. CALL THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES PUBLIC HEARING TO ORDER: Mayor Hansen called the hearing to order at 8:49 p.m. Ms. McInnis explained that this matter was just a housekeeping matter to clean upi inconsistencies in the code. Ms. McInnis stated that there were some inconsistencies in different sections regarding payment plans and billing after shutoff. Ms. McInnis stated that all legal requirements for posting had been met. Mayor Hansen asked if there were any public questions or comments. There were none. Mayor Hansen asked if there were any Board questions. Trustee Hambrick asked what the changes were. Ms. McInnis referred the Board to the red line version in the packets. She stated that there were contradictions regarding payment plans. Trustee Hambrick that she thought that we had discussed TOWN OF DE BEQUE BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGULAR MEETING/ PUBLIC HEARING MARCH 25, 2025 shutoffs before. Ms. McInnis explained that Staff was going above and beyond and spending a lot of time trying to get people to pay their delinquent utility bills. Once services are shutoff, there are significant consequences including an $85.00 reconnection fee. ADJOURNED BOARD OF TRUSTEES PUBLIC HEARING: Mayor Hansen adjourned the hearing at 9:02. DISCUSSION AND ACTION REGARDING ORDINANCE 547 (SERIES 2025): AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 8 OF THE DE BEQUE MUNICIPAL CODE, SECTION 8.04.090 PERTAINING TO PAYMENT PLANS AND RECONNECTION OF UTILITIES AFTER DELINQUENCY, AND SECTION 8.04.120(B) PERTAINING TO APPLYING DEPOSITS TO DELINQUENT UTILITY PAYMENTS: Motion: Trustee Hambrick motioned to approve Ordinance 547. Trustee Giffin seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0. CALL THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES PUBLIC HEARING TO ORDER: Mayor Hansen called the hearing to order at 9:04 p.m. Ms. McInnis explained that this matter is largely to satisfy requirements for the Congressionally Directed Spending and to make sure that Staff can move projects along smoothly. Some ofthe dollar amounts that are in the code are too low for current times. Town Manager spending limit may seem large, but she could only sign for those items ifthe items were already budgeted and approved previously. Ms. McInnis stated that all legal requirements for posting had been met. Mayor Hansen asked ifthere were any public questions or comments. There were none. Mayor Hansen asked ifthere were any Board questions. There were none. ADJOURNED BOARD OF TRUSTEES PUBLIC HEARING: Mayor Hansen adjourned the hearing at 9:09. DISCUSSION AND ACTION REGARDING ORDINANCE 548 (SERIES 2025): AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 2.10.040 METHODS AND PROCEDURES FOR SOURCE SELECTION AND SECTION 2.10.050 PURCHASING AUTHORITY AND PROCESS OF THE DE BEQUE MUNICIPAL CODE TO CLARIFY THE SOURCE SELECTION PROCEDURES BASED ON CONTRACT AMOUNT, INCREASE THE EMERGENCY PROCUREMENT SUM, PROVIDE GUIDANCE ON PROCUREMENT PROCEDURES FOR FEDERAL FUNDS, AUTHORIZE THE TOWN MANAGER TO EXECUTE CONTRACTS OF BEHALF OF THE TOWN WITH A NOT TO EXCEED COST OF $150,000.00 WHERE: THE CONTRACT IS WITHIN THE SUMS BUDGETED BY THE BOARD OF1 TRUSTEES OR AN OUTSIDE FUNDING SOURCE AUTHORIZED BY THE BOARD; AND WHERE ALL PROCUREMENT PROCESSES HAVE BEEN DULY COMPLETED: TOWN OF DE BEQUE BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGULAR MEETING/ PUBLIC HEARING MARCH 25, 2025 Motion: Trustee Hambrick motioned to approve Ordinance 548. Trustee Farris seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0. CALL THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES PUBLIC HEARING TO ORDER: Mayor Hansen called the hearing to order at 9:11 p.m. Ms. McInnis explained that state law says that municipalities cannot prohibit natural medicine. The Town can adopt rules surrounding local licensing. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended mirroring the rules surrounding the marijuana licensing. Ms. McInnis stated that all legal requirements for posting had been met. Mayor Hansen asked fthere were any public questions or comments. There were none. Mayor Hansen asked ifthere were any Board questions. There were none. ADJOURNED BOARD OF TRUSTEES PUBLIC HEARING: Mayor Hansen adjourned the hearing at 9:14. DISCUSSION AND ACTION REGARDING ORDINANCE 549 (SERIES 2025): AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 5 OF THE DE BEQUE MUNICIPAL CODE, ADDING SECTION 5.23 NATURAL MEDICINE LICENSING: Motion: Trustee Farris motioned to approve Ordinance 549. Trustee Hambrick seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0. RESUME PUBLIC MEETING: DISCUSSION TO ENTER DXECUTIVE SESSION: a. EXECUTIVE SESSION: An executive (closed) session pursuant to C.R.S. Section 24-6- 402(4)(e)(I) for purposes of determining matters that may be subject to negotiations and developing strategy for negotiations with respect to a temporary employment appointment. b. EXECUTIVE SESSION: An executive (closed) session pursuant to C.R.S. Section 24-6- 402(4)(f)(I) for purposes of discussing personnel matters relating to creation of a new position or department for Town Staff, but not involving any specific employees who have requested discussion of the matter in open session; any member of this body or any elected official; the appointment of any person to fill an office of this body or of Mayor Hansen asked for a motion to enter executive session b. Motion: Trustee Hambrick motioned to enter executive session. Trustee Giffin seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0. TOWN OF DE BEQUE BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGULAR MEETING/ PUBLIC HEARING MARCH 25, 2025 As the executive session was called to order with at least 2/3 quorum in agreement, Ms. Rogers excused herself once the recording was going. Executive session b began at 9:20 p.m. Executive session b was adjourned at 9:54 p.m. Mayor Hansen asked for a motion to enter executive session a. Motion: Trustee Farris motioned to enter executive session. Trustee Hambrick seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0. As the executive session was called to order with at least 2/3 quorum in agreement, Ms. Rogers excused herself fonce the recording was going. Executive session bl began at 10:03 p.m. Executive session a was adjourned at 10:11 p.m. RESUME PUBLIC MEETING: Ms. Rogers returned to the meeting. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Hansen asked ift there was a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion: Trustee Hambrick motioned to adjourn the meeting. Trustee Farris seconded the motion. Meeting adjourned at 10:14 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Approved by the Board of Trustees Sowsls A S Lisa M. Town Clerk Shanelle dimfopo Rogers, Hansen, Mayor SEAL SOLORADO