PALMER LAKE, COLORADO
Town Council Meeting - Record of Proceedings

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MAY 8, 2008

Mayor Cressman called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm, May 8, 2008.  Upon motion duly made, seconded and passed unanimously, the Board went into executive session dealing with a personnel issue.  Upon motion duly made, seconded and passed unanimously, the Board came out of executive session.  At 7:00 pm, May 8, 2008, Mayor Cressman called the regular session to order.  Regarding the Personnel issue of the Executive Session, the following motion was made.

Trustee Jack made a motion to place a letter describing the incident of April 9, 2008 into the employee file for a period of not less than 180 days.  The letter to be removed at the discretion of the new Chief of Police after the 180 day period, seconded by Trustee Reynolds.  Motion carried, 5 ayes, 2 nays.

Attendees:

Trustees:
Mayor Cressman
Allen
Coleman
Jack
McDonald
Stafford
Reynolds

Attorney: Gaddis
Audience: 26

Pledge of Alliance: Mayor Cressman

June Planning Commission Liaison – Trustee Coleman (no meetings)
July Planning Commission Liaison – Trustee Jack (July 9 and 16, 2008)
August Planning Commission Liaison – Trustee McDonald
September Planning Commission – Trustee Stafford

Item #3:  Approval of Agenda

Trustee McDonald made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Trustee Stafford.  Motion carried unanimously.

Item #4:  Consent Items:

  1. Approval of Minutes - April 14, 2008
  2. Payment/Ratification of Bills - April 2008

Trustee Jack made a motion to approve the Consent Items, Seconded by Trustee Stafford.  Motion carried unanimously.

Item #5:  Committee Reports

Mayor Cressman – Mayor's Report
 
Mayor stated he is proud to be here as Mayor and feels that he is up for the challenge and asked for the continued support of the current board, employees and the public.

Trustee Allen – Police

Trustee Allen reported the Police Department 70 agency assists showing that the mutual aid agreement is working well.

Trustee Allen stated that he had served as Mayor Pro-tem for the past 2 years and that he was respectively resigning from that position.

Trustee Coleman thanked Trustee Allen for all of his work as Trustee and as Mayor Pro-tem.

Trustee Coleman - Fire
2008 CALLS:

MTD YTD
Medical Calls 6 38
Fire Calls 7 23
Wildland Fire Calls 4 9
Traffic Accidents 1 4
Public Assist 1 3
Public Contact 0 4
Other 5 17
Total Calls:
24 98
Mutual Aid rendered to other fire departments 9 28
  1. Community Wildfire Protection Plan: Public informational meetings have been scheduled for the following dates:

                Friday, May 16        7:00pm Palmer Lake Town Hall   Videos, handouts, discussion.
                Thursday, May 22    7:00pm Palmer Lake Town Hall   Videos, handouts, discussion.
                Thursday, June 19    6:00pm Glen Park                    Extreme Gardening
                Wednesday, June 25 7:00pm Palmer Lake Town Hall   Firewise Landscaping

    We encourage all residents of Palmer Lake to work with their neighbors on this community project to help protect our town. Residents who participate in fire mitigation on their property are asked to take “before & after” photos and to keep track of the amount of time spent on mitigation. This information should be submitted to the PLVFD as documentation for the CWPP grant.

  2. 24 Hours of E-Rock Bike Ride: The PLVFD will assist at the ride on Saturday, May 31st at the Greenland Open Space Trailhead in Larkspur.

  3. Elephant Rock Bike Ride: The PLVFD will operate Aid Station #7 at Palmer Lake on Sunday, June 1st.

  4. Controlled Burns: The PLVFD will be doing some controlled burns in the parks and around the Lake, time and weather permitting.

  5. 70th Anniversary Celebration: The PLVFD is celebrating its 70th anniversary of service to Palmer Lake residents in 2008. An anniversary weekend is scheduled for sometime in August Details to follow.

REMINDERS:
***Place house numbers so they are visible from the street.***
For a $20 donation, the PLVFD will install address signs for Palmer Lake residents. Call 481-2902 for appointment.

Parks and Recreation/Buildings – No report
BUILDINGS
PARKS & RECREATION

Trustee Jack – Roads

Began training for Dan Orcutt, new Road Technician.  Familiarization of equipment, roads, drainage, etc.

Attended meeting regarding sanitary sewer on County Line Road.  I have determined that it is in the best interest of the Town to not allow the sewer line in the road bed. The costs would be way over budget at this time.

We have begun some drainage work on Walnut/Crescent and on High, Glen Arm and Dixie Streets.  Visit the website, www.PLStreets.org for further information.

Dust control was scheduled to begin toward the end of May, but with the milling project, it could be delayed.  We are still trying to work out the details so we don’t have to delay that important project.

Economic and Community Development – No report

Trustee Stafford - Water
2008 Month of April Water Report - Max E. Stafford.


SW Total Gal

5,578,000

Acre Ft

17.12

Well A2 Total Gal

0.00

Acre Ft

0.00

Well D2 Total Gal

0.00

Acre Ft

0.00

Total Gal Produced

5,578,000

Acre Ft

17.12

 

 

 

 

Gal / Day Avg

185,933

Acre Ft

0.57

 

 

 

 

Excess credit / deficit

 

 

 

1 - 30 April

0.00

Acre Ft

0.00

       
Income      
Water Revenue 37202.09    
Late Charges 1320.00    
  $38522.09    
Expenditure      
Water Admin 20310.00    
Water Operations 14214.59    
  $34,524.59    
Water Cap      
Income 0.00    
Expenditures 32739.21    
  32739.21    

I attended a meeting of the Pikes Peak Regional Water Authority and participated in their trip to Stonewall to view the proposed water storage facility. We have received 13 proposals for a new water special council and are recommending Harvey W. Curtis and Associates. Mr. Curtis practice is located in Englewood Colorado and resides in Larkspur.

Trustee Stafford made a motion to approve the contract for Harvey W. Curtis & Associates as Special Water Council, subject to Attorney Gaddis’ approval of the contract, seconded by Trustee Allen.  Motion carried unanimously.

Bob Miner – Fountain Creek Watershed

There was no meeting of the Fountain Creek Watershed this month.  The Army Corps of Engineers have moved 3 bridges located in Palmer Lake to priority 1 status.

Jeff Hulsmann – Awake the Lake

The Fishing Derby will be held June 7, 2008.  The lake has dropped approximately 1.5” in the last 2 weeks.  The committee is still attempting to make contact with the railroad regarding drainage issues at the north end of the lake.

Staff:  Trustee McDonald

Trustee McDonald stated that a meeting of FRERC will be held Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 7:00 pm at Pinecrest.  Everyone is encouraged to attend to hear about the possible gas drilling on Mt. Herman.

Item #6:  Business License Request – Castle Rock Jeans & Apparel – Christopher Beard

Mr. Beard stated their business consists of online retail of women's Christian/non-Christian clothing.  At this time, they do not have any sales from the physical location, but may in the future.

Trustee McDonald made a motion to approve the business license for Castle Rock Jeans and Apparel, seconded by Trustee Jack.  Motion carried unanimously.

Item #7:  Business License Request – The Junktion – Bonnie Krueger/James Schubauer

Ms. Krueger stated they will be offering new and used furniture, household items and books. 
A sign will be placed directing the public to additional parking at the end of the Depot Restaurant..

Trustee Jack made a motion to approve the business license for The Junktion, seconded by Trustee Stafford.  Motion carried unanimously.

Item #8:  Business License Request – Four Great Winds Kite Company – Brian Osterholt

Mr. Osterholt could not be in attendance.  Clerk Gray spoke on Mr. Osterholt’s behalf.  There will be no traffic at the residence, the kites will be sold at special town events such as the Farmers Market and the Fishing Derby and on Kite Day.

Trustee Allen made a motion to approve the business license request for Four Great Winds Kite Company, seconded by Trustee Coleman.  Motion carried unanimously.

Item #9:  Lucretia Vaile Museum Expansion – Bob Kirby

Mr. Kirby, representing the Historical Society, presented a drawing of the proposed expansion to the museum.  The expansion will in line with the north extension.  Drainage will be improved.

Trustee McDonald made a motion to approve the expansion of the Vaile Museum, seconded by Trustee Stafford.  Motion carried unanimously.

Item #10:  Tentative Approval of Palmer Lake Master Plan Update

Clerk Gray explained that due to a time constraint El Paso County Parks asked for tentative approval of the plan.  The plan will then be formally presented to the Planning Commission and will be brought back to Council for their approval.  The plan has been in the works for approximately 1 year, with input from citizens of Palmer Lake.

Trustee McDonald made a motion to grant tentative approval of the Palmer Lake Master Plan Update, seconded by Trustee Stafford.  Motion carried unanimously.

Item #10A:  Discussion\Approval – Hiring of Gene Ferrin, Palmer Lake Chief of Police

During the last month a remarkable list of requirements have been satisfied to ensure Gene Ferrin could be hired by Palmer Lake to be our Chief of Police.  To accomplish all that was necessary in a short period of time without taking as single short cut became a real challenge.

As many of you probably know, a detailed selection process took place to find the best possible candidate to become the next Palmer Lake Chief of Police.  After completing the entire process, Gene Ferrin was selected as the applicant most fitting the needs of our town.  Then came the required follow-up actions to make his hiring possible.  All necessary background checks have been satisfactorily completed, a psychological evaluation completed, an occupational health evaluation has been done, and an employee briefing by the Town Clerk has taken place.

Sounds simple, but trust me, to get this done in a brief period became a real challenge.  It was a fast track plan that required the help of Gene Ferrin, the Town Staff, the Monument Police Chief, our Police Department, and many others.  I can tell you that the community spirit is alive and well in Palmer Lake.  Take a look at the welcoming panel the Palmer Lake Elementary School prepared to welcome the Ferrin Family.  It is signed by every single student and teacher in the school.  Also, many citizens have commented that they whole heartedly welcome the Ferrins and several businesses have expressed that they wish them the very best.  Bonnie Allen prepared the western theme table and coffee was donated by the Speedtrap.

The bottom line is that every requirement has been satisfied and I believe we are prepared to take the next step.

Trustee Allen made a motion that Eugene Ferrin be hired by the Town of Palmer Lake to be Chief of Police and that he be sworn in as the Palmer Lake Chief of Police by the Town Clerk not later than May 16, 2008.  His firest official day as Chief will be the day of his swearing, seconded by Trustee McDonald.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mayor Cressman welcomed Gene Ferrin and stated that the community is very fortunate.

Item #11:  Public Input

Barbara Dalyrmple – 278 Walnut – thanked Trustee Jack, Bob Radosevich and Dan Orcutt for their work on Walnut.

Mrs. Dalyrmple expressed concern with the nuisances (garbage, etc.) at some of the homes in Palmer Lake.  Officer Vance reported that he has begun an aggressive code enforcement campaign to address these issues.

Jane Garrabrant, 723 Eaton, read a letter thanking the volunteer fire department for their support during the Ft. Carson fire.

Acting Chief Sgt. Tezak thanked the police officers for their hard work and support and extended her congratulations to Gene Ferrin .

Mayor Cressman recommended Trustee McDonald as Mayor Pro-tem.
Trustee Jack made a motion to approint Trustee McDonald as Mayor Pro-tem, seconded by Trustee Coleman.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mayor Cressman made the following changes to the Trustee Committees:
            Trustee Allen – Economic/Community Development
            Trustee Reynolds – Police
            Trustee McDonald – Parks & Recreation/Buildings

Mayor Cressman thanked Trustee Allen for all of his hard work with the police department and especially in the selection of Gene Ferrin as Chief of Police.

Trustee McDonald made a motion to adjourn at  8:41 pm, seconded by Trustee Coleman.  Motion carried unanimously.

Approved as written or amended this 12th day of June, 2008.

John Cressman, Mayor
Della Gray, Town Clerk

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