Tuesday, June 16, 2009

May 21, 2009

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Town of La Jara was called to order by Mayor Austin Valdez at 7:03 pm. The roll was called. Present: Paula Medina, Patrick Montoya, Tiffanie Polkowske, Larry Zaragoza and Mayor Austin Valdez. Absent: Earl Haslett, and Henry Schimpf. Also present: Maintenance Supervisor Keith Martinez, Chief of Police Richard Pena, Town Clerk Priscilla Schimpf, Building Inspector Joseph Trottner, Town Attorney Ray Valdez and Town Manager Bill Yohey. Guests: Kendra Baroz, Erica Martinez, Leroy Polkowske, Dan Martinez, Craig Cotton & Dwight Martin-Division of Water Resources and Larry Sisneros. Those present recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

A motion to go into executive session to discuss pending litigation with Pete Cordova was made by Paula and a second by Patrick. Motion Carried. The Board adjourned to the executive session at 7:08 pm.

At 7:25 pm the meeting was reconvened by Mayor Austin Valdez. No action was taken.

Guests:
Annette Chavez – La Jara Youth Baseball. She couldn’t make it to the meeting tonight but sent a letter and asked Patrick to request the donation for her program. A motion was made by Patrick and seconded by Larry that the donation as budgeted in the amount of $400 be paid. Motion Carried.

Kendra Baroz – She was here asking for permission to open a Tanning and Nail Salon in her home. She mentioned that she is licensed and would advise all clients of the pros and cons of tanning. The address at which she would locate at is 106 Polk Ave. She also asked her neighbors how they felt about her opening this type of business and got signatures. Ray suggested for her to go through a Special Review Uses application which is a $25 fee and may have to have a hearing upon the Planning Commission Board. It takes about 1 month to process. Ms. Baroz left at 8:15 pm.

Erica Martinez – She was also her to ask the Board’s permission to open up a Snow Cone Stand at her home located at 27 Haven Lane. It was stated that if done at her home they would also have to go through a Special Review Uses application. It was stated that if the unit was going to be mobile though and done on Main St. they would only have to purchase a business license. Keith mentioned that there are some people that do business out of their homes and didn’t have to go through this process and was wondering how this is controlled. It was said that the Town Board is not aware of these businesses. A motion to waive the $25 fee for the Special Review Uses was made by Patrick and seconded by Tiffanie. Motion Carried. Ms. Martinez left at 7:43 pm.

Craig Cotton – Division Engineer of the Water Resources. He is here to inform the Board of the new rules and regulations for ground water. He also was here to give options that are available for the town. Dwight Martin also from the Division of Water Resources explained what his role is and invited the town to contract in his sub-district. Contracting with Dwight’s sub-district would benefit the town by not having to augment the wells. Augmenting the water would be very complicated and costly. Ray explained that our wells were at one time exempt because they are domestic. Craig stated that now anything that pumps 50 gallons per second is exempt but anything beyond is not. They do take into account that our sewer system is a return for our water. Craig stated that Alamosa feels the same but although they do have surface rights. It will be a long process but will eventually happen. This is something for everyone to think about. Ray asked Dwight if they have approached Capulin – he stated they have not. Mr. Cotton and Mr. Martin left at 8:10 pm.

Dan Martinez – He was here to discuss Glory Days. He wants to expand it this year. He has been in contact with a carnival out of Arizona. They will setup on July 31st and run August 1st & 2nd. They are looking at putting it at the Family Dollar parking lot or at the Catholic Church. Austin stated to make sure they have insurance. It was also mentioned that they will need more security for the carnival. They suggested for Dan to check with the volunteer security that works for the Pioneer Days. The board agreed to have a carnival. Mr. Martinez left at 8:20 pm.

Leroy Polkowske – He was wondering what the issue and status with Cooley is. He stated that he feels it needs to be speeded up because it is hurting everyone not just the town. Mr. Polkowske left at 8:26 pm.

Reports:

Town Manager: Bill informed the Board that the Planning Grant letter to DOLA for the Sewer Lagoons has been okayed by Deb Downs. Also let them know that the Town Hall roofing is just about done. Van Iwarrden is doing a great job. Bill stated that the Senior Center is having problems with the gas, they have gas smells. Bill has been checking on it. Tiffanie asked if there has been any word on the GOCO Grant and Bill stated that we have not heard anything as of yet. Bill also met with Estella Cole about the Historical Planning Grant and it is on the go – they will let us know more in two more weeks. The report was accepted upon a motion by Paula and a second by Patrick. Motion Carried.

Building Inspector: He reviewed his written report with the Board. Ray asked Joseph if he includes a notice to the owner/applicant stating that the contractor, material man, suppliers and laborers under the law have the right to impress on the property a mechanic’s lien in the event they don’t get paid. Joe stated that he doesn’t so he will get together with Ray to get going. The report was accepted upon a motion by Tiffanie and a second by Larry. 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 Tiffanie. Motion Carried.

Police: Richard let Larry know that his concern with the buses speeding has been addressed. Lots of warnings have been given but will give tickets next time. Larry stated that he has seen a big difference. They discussed the posting and they decided to leave the sign at 15mph up through out the whole year. The police report was accepted upon a motion by Tiffanie and a second by Patrick. Motion Carried.

Maintenance: Keith informed the Board that the manhole behind Ann’s CafĂ© is backed up and they can’t get the snake in there it needs to be jetted. He got a quote from Rocky Mountain Septic and the total will be around $500 to $600. It was okayed by the Board to go ahead and get it done. He also mentioned to the Board that there were four refills of the dumpster (roll-off) but Keith does ask for the police in the future to watch what is dumped in there on weekends.
There was a couch and some tires dumped in there. He mentioned that he has run into problems with people tampering with the water meters, they are trying to turn off because of leaks and such. It was suggested to purchase yellow warning tags to put on the meters. Tiffanie stated that her rental on 110 2nd Street’s water was never turned off when she called the Town Hall to notify to turn off. Priscilla stated that she did call Maintenance to turn off the water and Keith stated that he did turn off because he even checked the outside water to make sure it was off. It was suggested to buy a lock for when it gets turned off next time.
Keith also stated that one of the bushes-trees that they planted at the church was cut down and then they replanted another tree. It took along time to plant all those bushes-trees. He also asked the Board’s permission to place the ad in the Valley Courier for the Summer Mosquito Sprayer Driver and they agreed to go ahead and place the ad. Keith will check with Alamosa about spraying two times a day everyday and they don’t recommend doing so because it could be harmful for the public. Keith will get with Priscilla to place the ad in the paper. The maintenance report was accepted upon a motion by Patrick and a second by Paula. Motion Carried.

Trustees:

Paula – Passed around the Graffiti Ordinance from Alamosa. It was asked how the Community Service is coming along. It was stated that there has already been one guy who came to work with Keith and Paul. Keith mentioned that a 17 year old was sent to us but they were uncomfortable with that situation and Priscilla had nothing for her to do at the time. It was suggested to have Beans and Things cover their window so that all the storage items are not visible to the public.

Patrick – Had nothing to report.

Tiffanie – Buhr’s called her to ask if the Shawcroft land becomes annexed will that affect their trucking business. It was discussed.

Larry – Stated that Ray will have to explain the Graffiti Ordinance.

Austin – Had nothing to report.

Attorney: Shannon Hoyt was convicted in Municipal Court for improper backing, she appealed. It is going to trial June 1st. Ray asked if the Board wants him to pursue. It was discussed. A motion to send Officer Lucas Sowards with Ray prepping him to fight it was made by Patrick and seconded by Tiffanie. Motion Carried.
Ray stated that Homeland Security is requiring towns that have utilities to adopt a red flag policy (identity theft). Ray drafted a resolution and Ray explained the resolution contents. Ray advised that the Town Clerk and Assistant read and implement the rules in the resolution. A motion to adopt Resolution No. 2009-4 regarding red flag policy (identity theft) was made by Paula and seconded by Patrick. A roll call vote was taken: Paula-yes, Patrick-yes, Tiffanie-yes, Larry-yes and Austin-yes. Motion Carried.
Ray informed the Board that he has decided not to go the CML Annual Conference, the meeting will not quite fit his needs and thought he would save the town some money.

Clerk: The Board reviewed her written report. It was brought up that the signatures on the Safety Deposit Box at the Community Banks of Colorado need to be changed. A motion to take the existing people Larry Buhr, Janice Coombs and Helen Hutchins off the signature card of the Safety Deposit Box #374 due to no longer being associated with the Town and put Austin Valdez, Henry Schimpf and Priscilla Schimpf on the signature card of the Safety Deposit Box #374 was made by Patrick and seconded by Larry. A roll call vote was taken: Paula-yes, Patrick-yes, Tiffanie-yes, Larry-yes and Austin-yes. Motion Carried.
Paula asked how it was going with finding a cover for Priscilla during her maternity leave. It was stated that not too well. Priscilla posted it at Trinidad State Junior College, Adams State College and Rocky Mtn. SER. We have got one application in and it was passed around for the Board to review. The report was accepted as presented upon a motion by Tiffanie and a second by Paula. Motion Carried.

Approval of Minutes: Regular Meeting April 16, 2009 – Motion to approve minutes with adding in the Shawcroft annexation information was made 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 Patrick and a second by Larry. Motion Carried.

Other Business: The question of why did the Judge refund Billy Gonzales fine/ticket money came up. It was stated that it should have not been done, once paid the person is pleading guilty. Finding another judge was discussed. Ray and Richard will meet with Judge Miller to confront him on these issues once again.
Review Mileage Rate Increase – The Board discussed the issue. We now pay $0.32 which is indicated in the Personal Policies. The standard mileage rate by the IRS is at $0.55. A motion to increase to $0.42 from $0.32 was made by Larry and seconded by Paula. Motion Carried.
Paula asked Keith how the transfer for their retirement plan went from American General to Knights of Columbus. Keith mentioned that they had to pay two months in advance out of their pockets. Priscilla stated that she called Cassandra on the situation and she was not available so she spoke with Steve and he said it shouldn’t be a problem to reimburse them the town’ match portion. He wanted to check with Cassandra on the procedure for doing this though and Priscilla has been playing phone tag with her but as soon as she speaks with her she will get them reimbursed. Keith stated that he does feel more secure now that he switched retirement companies.
Richard stated that there were no prior bids for the 1999 Ford Crown Victoria. It was said to re-advertise with a minimum bid starting at $1,500. There being no further business a motion to adjourn was made by Patrick.

Meeting adjourned at 10:35 pm.

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