PALMER LAKE, COLORADO
Town Council Meeting - Record of Proceedings

MAY 10, 2007

The Palmer Lake Town Council meeting was called to order by Mayor Parker at 7:07 p.m., May 10, 2007.

Attendees:

Trustees: 
Mayor Parker
Allen
Coleman
Finan
Flake - excused
Girlando
Miner

Attorney: Gaddis - excused
Audience: 17

Pledge of Allegiance:  Trustee Finan

June Planning Commission Liaison- Trustee Allen (June 13 and 20, 2007)
July Planning Commission Liaison – Trustee Coleman (July 11 and 18, 2007)
August Planning Commission Liaison – Trustee Finan (August 8 and 15, 2007)

Item 3:  Approval of the Agenda

Trustee Allen made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Trustee Coleman.  Motion carried unanimously.

Item #4:  Consent Items

• Approval of Minutes – April 18, 2007
• Payment\Ratification of Bills – April 2007
• Approval of New Business License – Optimum Efficiency Restaurant Consulting

Trustee Allen made a motion to approve the consent items, as written, seconded by Trustee Coleman.  Motion carried unanimously.

Item #5: RMRA (Rocky Mountain Rail Authority) – Catherine Green – Town of Monument

Ms. Green stated she was not representing the Town of Monument, but the Rocky Mountain Rail Authority.  Ms. Green presented the following information:

• The Rocky Mountain Rail Authority was established to receive funding to conduct a feasibility study for high speed passenger rail.  Any government entity may join RMRA.  Each entity that passes the Intergovernmental Establishing Contract will have representation on the Board of Directors.  No money is attached to this representation.
• Rail takes up to 33% of traffic off the road during peak hours in the most heavily congested corridors.
• Rail reduces travel time.
• Rail will develop tourism markets in Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico.
• Rail is environmentally sensitive.
• Trains encourage better land use patterns. 
• RMRA is proposing high speed train service from DIA to Glenwood Springs and from Colorado Springs to Fort Collins.
• Train service is also planned between New Mexico and Fort Carson and between Fort Collins and Wyoming.  A East/West route is planned to the boarder of Utah.
• As a Federal designation under the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency or ISTEA, the first step is to designate the Rocky Fountain Corridor as the 11th High Speed Rail Corridor.
• A feasibility study must be conducted to receive this designation.  CDOT has offered RMRA a 1.246 million dollar grant, with a match of 20%, $311,000.  This money has already been raised, but RMRA may be asking for money from the entities in the future.

Mayor Parker and Trustee Allen recommended the issue be deferred until after Attorney Gaddis has an opportunity to review the documents.

Trustee Miner stated she would volunteer to be the represented to the RMRA wherever and when ever the authority meets.

Item #6:   Committee Reports

Mayor Parker – Mayor’s Report

• Attended the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments meeting where several legal items regarding transportation for this area were discussed.
• Attended the monthly meeting with members of the Pikes Peak Regional Water Authority.  We discussed effects of the recently ended legislative session, potential for interconnects for non-potable re-use water and strategies for securing a renewable source of water for the region.
• Met with the Water Committee to review applications and interview candidates for the open Water Operator position.

Trustee Allen – Roads

• Began the set up for Lower Glenway paving project.  Letters have been hand delivered to every home that will be affected.  We anticipate completion on June 8th.
• Ordered and received 4,500 gallons of Mag Chloride in preparation for the start of Dust control season.  We anticipate beginning around mid-June.
• Attended Streetscape meeting and Bob was assigned to set and meet with CDOT, the Mayor, Trustees Allen and Miner, along with the Project Management Team, Dave Wilson, Bill Fisher and other interested parties at the Palmer Lake Sanitation building in order to do a brief overview of the Sidewalk Grant.  A second meeting was set for Monday, April 30th for the scoping meeting that is a necessary definitive for the grant.  Thank you to Palmer Lake Sanitation for the use of their conference room.
• Plowed and sanded 15” of snow during the last storm bringing the total accumulation for this season to 170”.
• The Road Department assisted the Water Department with the installation of two live water main taps.
• Continued to repair damages done to equipment caused by the harsh winter.

Trustee Coleman – Fire

• Had a good turnout for the Easter Pancake Breakfast.
• Opened the Town Hall during the snowstorm to assist stranded motorists.  2 stayed overnight at the home of a fire department member.
• The controlled burn for the Hermosa house has been set for Sunday, May 20th.  The North Group will be participating as a joint training.
• The PLVFD will operate an Aid Station for the “Elephant Rock Bike Race” on Sunday, June 3rd.
• 2 members of the PLVFD attended a WMD Awareness Class on April rd.
• Please place house numbers so they are visible from the street.  The Department, in conjunction with Wal-Mart, will offer large house numbers at a cost of $20.00 per set.

Trustee Finan  – Police

• Chief Gilliana stated his department was focusing on these 3 areas:
• Administration:

Evidence Room becoming compliant.
Job Descriptions and hiring process.  Council must formally approve these changes.
Records Management
New Computers
Change and\or review procedures.

• Training:

Become POST compliant.
Have developed an eight week training manual (147 pages).  Each new officer must complete this program.
Officer Donner will be training in commercial truck safety.

• Operations:

Establishing and identifying the chain of command.
Have a proactive group of officers.  Sergeant Tezak has taken on the task of organizing the 4th of July police procedures.  Officer Donner is currently looking into code enforcement.
Officer Fife is now part-time and has transferred to Manitou Springs full-time and Officer Vance has transferred to Palmer Lake full-time and will remain part-time with Manitou Springs.
 
Trustee Flake – Parks and Recreation and Buildings - excused

• Mayor Parker reminded everyone of The Columbine Festival which will take place on Saturday, June 9th, at the Town Hall and Village Green.  We are attempting to have the Blue Seal Air Force Band as live entertainment.

Trustee Girlando – Water

• A meeting of the Water Committee was held to interview for the Responsible Operator in Charge position.
• The water rate structure will need to be addressed.  Water revenue is currently operating in the red.

Trustee Miner – Economic and Community Development

• Attended the Chamber of Commerce meeting.  The EDC will be meeting in July.  High level decision makers from around the county, public and government entities, will be in attendance.
• Held the regular monthly meeting of the Streetscape Committee.  The committee is working on an organization chart, what types of committees, establishing the channels of communication and the method of voting on issues to be presented to the council.

Bob Miner – Fountain Creek Watershed

• Mayor Parker stated  that at the last PPACG meeting it was reported the Fountain Creek Visioning Committee had lost $80,000 from the EPA.  Bob confirmed this fact.
• The funding for the Fountain Creek Watershed is back in review.
• Bob referenced the fact that the Town of Monument is not a member of the Watershed.
• INV-Energy’s plan to build a power plant southeast of Fountain had been approved by El Paso County’s Planning Department.
• The files from the 1999 flood pertaining to Greeley Boulevard may be requested.

Fireworks Committee – Carol DeBlois by Jeff Hulsmann

• Fundraising is going well.
• The committee is working with Palmer Lake Police and Fire regarding parking, traffic control and safety.  Jeff will make contact with land owners regarding possible parking areas.
• Possible shuttle service will be provided.
• Jeff is attempting to get a radio station to broadcast our chirographic show.
• Tri-Lakes Orchestra and Choir will be performing.  (40 member and 50/60 member)
• A 32 page booklet is being produced in conjunction with Tri-Lakes Chamber and the Sertomas.
• Festivities start in Palmer Lake around 3:30 pm.
• Possible Dunk Tank, Inflatable Park and Old Fashioned Games.

Awake the Lake – Jeff Hulsmann

Trustee Allen read a presentation on the history of various committees committed to filing Palmer Lake.  Jeff asked for council’s support in directing the Town’s Water Attorney to being the process of filing for junior storage rights.

Trustee Miner made a motin to direct and authorize Attorney Roni Sperling to proceed with the filing of the junior storage water rights for the lake and to update our augmentation plan at a cost not to exceed $20,000 to be provided by the Awake the Lake Committee, Seconded by Trustee Finan.  Motion carried unanimously.

Staff Report:

Drive-by-Chipping will begin May 14 through Labor Day.  The cost will be $50.00 per hour.

Break: 9:10 – 9:15

Item #7:  Request for a change to a PUD – Mission Training International – Mark Ennis
421 Highway 105, Palmer Lake

Mr. Ennis provided proof of representation as requested.  The request is to enclose the area under the existing deck at the rear (Highway 105 side) of the building

Trustee Finan made a motion to approve the request for a change to a PUD for Mission Training International, seconded by Trustee Miner.  Motion carried unanimously.

Item #8:  Request for a Conditional Use in a CC Zone – Hwy 105 – Jim Fitzgerald
represented by Guillermo Moratorio (Alma Construction Corp.)

The request is to sell kits for sheds at this location. Planning Commission recommended a split rail fence be built along Highway 105.

Trustee Girlando made a motion to approve the request for a Conditional Use in an CC Zone by Alma Construction Corp., seconded by Trustee Miner.  Motion carried unanimously.

Item #9:  Request for a Minor Subdivision – Sharon Smith – Illumination Point Subdivision 71090-01-009, Lot 2, The Meadows Subdivision

The required recorded easement for access from Highway 105 was provided.  The reception number for the easement will be included on the Mylar.  CDOT has indicated the proposed access is acceptable.  The applicant will continue the application process for highway access with CDOT.  As requested by the fire department, Clovenhoof Road, on the west of the property, will be kept open for fire access.

Item #10 – Ordinance 1 -2007 – Regulation of Possession of Marijuana in the Town of
Palmer Lake.

Item #11 – Ordinance 2 -2007 – Regulation of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia in the Town
of Palmer Lake.

Item #12 – Ordinance 3 -2007 – Regulation of Illegal  Possession or Consumption of Ethyl
Alcohol by Underage Persons in the Town of Palmer Lake.

At workshop the question arose regarding the possible 15 days incarceration clause.  State law indicates the need for this clause.  All three ordinances are self-explanatory, one motion was made to approve all three.

Trustee Miner made a motion to approve Ordinances 1, 2 and 3 of 2007, as presented, seconded by Trustee Coleman.  Motion carried unanimously.

Item #13:  Public Input

Jeff Hulsmann asked for council approval to light the star at the end of the show on July 4th and that Sharon Smith would provide red and blue lights.

Trustee Coleman responded he would speak with the fire department.

Trustee Coleman made a motion to allow the Star to be lit on July 4th, with colored bulbs being provided by Colorado Lighthouse, seconded by Trustee Miner.  Motion carried unanimously.

Trustee Miner made a motion to adjourn at 9:40 pm, seconded by Trustee Allen.  Motion carried unanmously.

Approved as written or amended this 14th day of June, 2007.

Max Parker, Mayor
Della Gray, Town Clerk

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