Tuesday, June 16, 2009

April 16, 2009

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Town of La Jara was called to order by Mayor Pro-Tem Henry Schimpf at 7:03 pm. The roll was called. Present: Paula Medina, Tiffanie Polkowske, Henry Schimpf, and Larry Zaragoza. Absent: Earl Haslett, Patrick Montoya and Mayor Austin Valdez. Also present: Maintenance Assistant Paul Naranjo, Chief of Police Richard Pena, Town Clerk Priscilla Schimpf, Building Inspector Joseph Trottner, Town Attorney Ray Valdez and Town Manager Bill Yohey. Guests: Larry Winget, Conejos County Citizen, Larry Sisneros and Dan Martinez. Those present recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Guests: No speakers present.

Reports:

Town Manager: Bill mentioned to the Board that Adelmo Medina came by to see him because he was concerned about the trees by the Catholic Church that the Town had planted awhile back. They are dying and would like to see them replaced. Bill stated some prices on different kinds of trees. He asked how the Board would like to handle this situation. The purchase of the trees needs to be done by April 30th to get the discounted price of $50. Bill will contact Ruth at Green Spot to find out what trees would work out best. A motion to purchase trees when Bill finds out the information from Ruth was made by Tiffanie and a second by Larry. A roll call vote was taken: Paula-yes, Tiffanie-yes, Henry-yes, and Larry-yes. Motion Carried.
Bill mentioned that the State Senate is trying to pass a collective bargaining law for the police. If this bill is passed then we will have no say so of what their salary amount will be. Bill will get more information on this and let the Board know of its status.
He informed the Board that Van Iwaarden has started the roofing work here at the Town Hall and they are very cordial about the way they do their work, very happy with them. The Historical Project is going good.
Paula stated that the ground breaking for the Nursing Home went very well. Bill’s speech was great. Tiffanie also attended.
Senator Bennett will be here Sunday, April 19, 2009 at 1:30 to 2:30 at the Senior Citizens Center. The report was accepted upon a motion by Paula and a second by Larry. Motion Carried.

Building Inspector: He reviewed his written report with the Board. The report was accepted upon a motion by Tiffanie and a second by Paula. Motion Carried.

Court: The Board reviewed the Municipal Judge report. The report was accepted as presented upon a motion by Larry and a second by Paula. Motion Carried.

Police: Paula asked about how the investigation for the burglary at the Pharmacy was going. Richard stated because it is ongoing investigation he can’t report on it until next month. He was asked when he usually notifies the DA for an incident like this one. Richard said when a reasonable suspect is in place and all the facts are compiled. Bill and Ray thought that he should have notified the DA (David Mahoney) immediately because of the fact that were involved. Larry Sisneros agreed with Bill and Ray that the DA should have been contacted immediately so that they could help with the investigating. Paula asked if the DA is involved does it make the process faster. Richard stated that it doesn’t.
Larry was concerned with the 15mph speed limit by his house; he asked if it also applies to bus drivers. He stated that there are a few buses that go way past 15mph by there. The police report was accepted upon a motion by Tiffanie and a second by Paula. Motion Carried.
Maintenance: Paul brought up that Summer Help for Mosquito Spraying was in the budget so they are going to be placing an ad in the paper for that position.
He also mentioned that they are looking into buying 4-wheelers to put the tanks for the Round Up (Weed Killer) spray. Paul passed around quotes – they would be paid for out of Conservation Trust. A motion to have Keith and Paul purchase what is necessary and sufficient for their weed spraying, mowing, etc. was made by Paula and a second by Tiffanie. A roll call vote was taken: Paula-yes, Tiffanie-yes, Henry-yes, and Larry-yes. Motion Carried.
Paul also mentioned that they went out and met with Reynolds Engineering to locate the water and sewer availability for the new Nursing Center.
They also went and checked on Jimmy Vigil’s water pressure. They will need to dig and re-tap the meter in order for him to get more pressure. The maintenance report was accepted upon a motion by Tiffanie and a second by Larry. Motion Carried.
Trustees:
Paula – Had nothing to report.
Tiffanie – Had nothing to report.
Henry – Had nothing to report.
Larry – He did follow-up on the Graffiti Clean-Up and it was stated that we need an ordinance before we do this. He will continue to do follow-up.

Attorney: Ray mentioned that he talked to the Land Use Office in regards to renaming the Joe Chavez St. They suggested we do a survey but Ray thinks that we shouldn’t have to because it is already on the plat. We will need to notify all the residence of the street name change and 911 after the resolution is passed. It will be put in the W/S bills. It was thought that a ceremony/ribbon cutting would be nice to be done. It was asked if the Community Service agreement had been done. Priscilla stated that yes and there has already been a La Jara citizen that did community service for Keith and Paul.

Clerk: Priscilla informed the Board that the water and sewer bank accounts are both at low amounts due to paying Pete Cordova over the months. She also mentioned that the Sewer Project Loan payment in the amount of $18,750 and the Water Loan Payment in the amount of $5,000 from the CWRPDA are due May 1, 2009. Priscilla thought we may have to cash in a CD to cover these loan payments. A motion to cash in CD #12264 in the amount of $29,185.28 to cover the loan payments was made by Larry and a second by Tiffanie. A roll call vote was taken: Paula-yes, Tiffanie-yes, Henry-yes, and Larry-yes. Motion Carried. Priscilla stated that if they can extend the payment due date on the loans at CWRPDA then she won’t cash the CD in until the maturity date of 5/15/09. The report was accepted as presented upon a motion by Paula and a second by Larry. Motion Carried.

Approval of Minutes: Regular Meeting March 12, 2009 – Motion by Tiffanie, 2nd by Paula. Motion Carried.

Follow-Up of Minutes: None.

Approval of Bills:The bills were approved for payment upon a motion by Larry and a second by Paula. Motion Carried.

Other Business:
Larry Sisneros was recognized and he asked if the new Police SUV that was ordered was approved by a quorum or full board. The answer was no; Paula, Henry, Tiffanie and Larry knew nothing about it until now that it was mentioned. It was stated that the vehicle ordered is a 2009 Ford Explorer and the purchase price is $27,000. Richard stated that he was told to order it by Austin and Patrick. Ray stated through Colorado Law it is a 7 person board not a 1 or 2 person board. Ray stated that the Board could cancel the order but the dealer could bring up all their lost and could still hold the Town liable to pay for it. Ray spoke with Jeff from CML and he stated that it was definitely an unauthorized purchase even though it was in the budget. He said the budget is merely a guideline. Ray also got a hold of Cassandra (Martinez and Associates) and she stated the same. Larry stated that he is appalled by this especially for such an expensive purchase; all the vehicles they got now are working great and there is no need for another vehicle. Dan Martinez mentioned that he doesn’t want to be involved because he is part of the Police Department but stated there are too close of relations with Board members and Police Force that it is going to cause conflict. A motion to have Richard call first thing in the morning Friday, April 17, 2009 to cancel the order was made by Paula and seconded by Larry. A roll call vote was taken: Paula-yes, Tiffanie-yes, Henry-yes, and Larry-yes. Motion Carried.

DOLA Planning Grant Sewer System – Bill explained the description and process of the grant. This would be used to regulate the lagoons. Deb will give us the grant right off the bat, match of $5,000 but would not have to worry about for awhile. Bill gave the Board a preliminary plan from Cort Nickel. Ray asked about the stimulus package money and asked if we can get any of it. Bill is looking into. A motion for Bill to apply for the DOLA Planning Grant in the amount of $35,000 plus $5,000 match was made by Tiffanie and a second by Paula. A roll call vote was taken: Paula-yes, Tiffanie-yes, Henry-yes, and Larry-yes. Motion Carried.
Historical Planning Grant – Bill had a meeting with Estella Cole from the Historical Society Fund last month. This grant would help with the foundation, plaster, etc. and the whole building would have to re re-evaluated by Belinda Zink. Grant amount is $35,000. Bill also stated that the person who wrote up the grant is asking for a fee of $600. A motion to go ahead with the Historical Planning Grant as proposed by Bill which would include matching funds of $9,948 and $600 needed to pay grant writer was made by Paula and a second by Larry. A roll call vote was taken: Paula-yes, Tiffanie-yes, Henry-yes, and Larry-yes. Motion Carried. Bill mentioned that CIRSA will pay for one person to attend one day at the Annual Meeting (mileage, $64-meals and $268-lodging). The Board told Bill to go ahead and attend. Ray asked for the Board to think about him attending the attorney’s section of the annual meeting.

Paul brought up changing their retirement plan from American General to Knights of Columbus’s retirement plan. Ray will look into further. A motion to approve all eligible members moving their retirement plans from American General to the Knights of Columbus following contingency from CML was made by Paula and a second by Tiffanie. Motion Carried.

Ray stated that Richard brought up the Dog Ordinance of 1975 being all out of whack. When it was amended in 1992 it only involves dog at large. Ray will work on revamping the whole ordinance instead of amending. There being no further business a motion to adjourn was made by Tiffanie and a second by Paula.

Meeting adjourned at 9:18 pm.

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