PALMER LAKE, COLORADO
Town Council Meeting - Record of Proceedings

June 12 , 2008

The Palmer Lake Town Council meeting was called to order by Mayor Cressman at 6:19 p.m., June 12, 2008.

Attendees:

Trustees:
Mayor Cressman
Coleman
Jack
McDonald
Stafford - excused
Reynolds

Attorney: Gaddis
Audience: 20

Item #2:  Trustee McDonald made a motion to enter into Executive Session for Personnel, seconded by Trustee Coleman.  Motion carried unanimously.

Item #3:  Trustee Jack made a motion to exit Executive Session at 6:42, seconded by Trustee  McDonald.  Motion carried unanimously.

Break:  6:42 pm to 7:02 pm

Pledge of Alliance: Trustee McDonald

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 Coleman.  Motion carried unanimously.

Item #4:  Consent Items:

1. Approval of Minutes - May 8, 2008
2. Payment/Ratification of Bills - May 2008
3. Business License – Palmer Lake Farmer Market – Diana Dickson

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

Item #7:  Committee Reports

Mayor Cressman – Mayor's Report
 
Attended 2 meetings of the PPACG. 

Trustee Coleman - Fire
2008 CALLS:

1. Community Wildfire Protection Plan: Public informational meetings were held on May  16th and May 22nd. Attendance was minimal.
   
   Additional meetings have been scheduled for the following dates:
   
               Thursday, June 19       6:00pm Glen Park                        Extreme Gardening
               Wednesday, June 25    7:00pm Palmer Lake Town Hall       Firewise Landscaping

2. PLVFD Firefighters trained at the Fort Carson Burn Tower on May 17th.

3. PLVFD Firefighters lighted the Palmer Lake Star in honor of Memorial Day.

4. 24 Hours of E-Rock Bike Ride: The PLVFD assisted with the ride on Saturday, May 31st at the Greenland Open Space Trailhead in Larkspur. Approximately 800 riders participated.

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

6. 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.

Trustee Jack – Roads

• Coordination of the acquisition of millings from Schmidt Construction (CDOT-I 25) and Rocky Mountain Materials (El Paso County – Gleneagle). We received 500 tons of millings from EPC. We are still receiving millings from Schmidt. To date we have received over 7,000 tons. The coordination included: preparing areas for stockpiling material, obtaining light plants for placement of the millings, message boards, flaggers, County Line Road reclamation.
• We also received a few 100 tons of excess material from I-25 from the “chain up area.” That material was placed for the extension of the parking area in Centennial Park.
• Worked on drainage repairs on Glenarm, High St., and Dixie.
• Received 75 tons of “Ice Slicer” and 4,400 gallons of dust suppressant.
• Miles and Dan have been working nights in order to receive the millings from I-25. 
• A final tally of tonnage will be available in next month’s report.

Trustee Jack reported that he had acquired picnic tables from Colorado Springs through their surplus program.

Economic and Community Development – No report

Trustee McDonald – Parks & Recreation/Buildings

1. Columbine Festival - Saturday, June 14, 2008 from 12 noon to 3:00 pm
               Columbines, Drinks, Popcorn
               Music by Otis Shaw
2. The Cub Cadet is in the shop for repairs
               Phillip and Steve have been working hard on trying to keep up with the mowing before the 4th of July celebration

Buildings:

1. Phillip has been working on replacing the railings around the kitchen porch area.  He will start upgrading the handicap railing as time permits.

Trustee Stafford - Water (Mayor Cressman)

The Surface water plant has been out of priority since 21 May. This requires us to pump water from our A2 well. This water costs the Town more money to produce.
The water department’s 1997 Chevy pick up required significant repairs this month and on the way back its transmission failed. A replacement vehicle was purchased and the cost is represented in this months water capital improvement expenditures.

I attended a meeting of the Pikes Peak Regional Water Authority. Mr. Miner and I met with Mr. Terry Scanga of the Upper Arkansas Water District at his offices in Salida. The Upper Arkansas group could provide us with water management and legal expertise. Mr. Barber with the PPRWA advised against entering in a formal relationship at this time.

Trustee Reynolds – Police

1. Chief Ferrin
   
   During Gene's first week (May 19), a meeting was held with him, Della, Mayor Cressman, and myself to review the Police budget for the remainder of the year.  Of special importance were high vehicle maintenance costs and unbudgeted overtime for officers.
   
   A second meeting was held with just Gene and myself June 3.  He gave me an update on all he’s been doing and I was very impressed with his professionalism and leadership entering into a difficult situation.  He is currently in Breckenridge at the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police Annual Conference.
   
   
2. Officer Certification
   
   Chief Ferrin updated the Peace Officers Standard &Training (P.O.S.T) certifications for all except for one part time officer.  That officer will not be on shift until the certifications are complete.
    
3. New Vehicle
   
   A new police vehicle was ordered on March 11 of this year and was expected to be delivered in May.  It was initially delayed until June and later delayed again until August.  Chief Ferrin was able to locate through a different source an equivalent vehicle for approx $3,000 less.  He has since cancelled the original order and placed the order for the other one.  One difference is that it will need to be transported from Illinois to Colorado.  Arrangements still pending.
    
4. Officer Laptop Computer and Printer
   
   Officer Donner has submitted a proposal for a "ruggedized" laptop to be used by the officer on duty.  Uses are access to documentation and uploading of information for truck inspections, access to data from the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office including GPS and mapping, and the ability to write call reports without going back to the station.  The proposal is currently under review.

Chief Ferrin presented a Commendation for Officer Philip Donner for his apprehension of a suspect alleged to have committed an assault on security personnel at PPC College.  Officer Donner followed the suspect into Douglas County and was able to take the suspect into custody.

Chief Ferrin congratulated Sgt. Tezak for her participation in a hit and run in Monument.  Sgt Tezak found the vehicle, then followed the suspect and took her into custody.

Bob Miner – Fountain Creek Watershed

The Army Corp of Engineers will be scheduling a meeting to discuss the contents of the final report which is due in either July or August, 2008.

Jeff Hulsmann – Awake the Lake

The Fishing Derby went well.  The lake has dropped approximately 1.5” in the last 2 weeks.  The committee has made contact with the railroad regarding drainage issues at the north end of the lake.  A meeting is being set for next week.  Mayor Cressman and Trustee Stafford will be invited.

Jeff Hulsmann – Fireworks

The 2008 booklets are ready.  The show will be simulcast by 92.9.  Bracelets are on sale for $2 each, t-shirts are available for $15 each.

Staff:  None

Item #8:  Request for a Minor Subdivision – Robin Grunder and Gary Welty
            71100-11-004, Lot 1, Blk 9, Replat of Blk9, Elephant Rock Acres

As requested, the applicant submitted a copy of the mylar for approval.

Trustee Jack made a motion to approve the Minor Subdivision for Robin Grunder and Gary Welty with the provision that the notes include the verbaige that driveway access will be from Circle Dr., seconded by Trustee Reynolds.  3 Ayes, 2 Nays, motion carries.

Item #9:  Status Report on the Tri-Lakes Senior Citizen Program – Chuck Roberts

Chuck reported that the Senior Center is doing very well.  A complete copy of his presentation is available at the Town Office, upon request.

Item #10:  Approval of Palmer Lake Master Plan Update

Trustee McDonald made a motion to approve the Palmer Lake Master Plan Update as an update to the Comprehensive Plan, seconded by Trustee Jack.  Motion carried unanimously.

Item #11:  Safers Grant – Trustee Coleman

The Safers Grant would enable the fire department to hire a Volunteer Coordinator (Fire Chief).  The grant provides for a five year program in which the federal share decreases every year.  At the end of the 5 year period, the town can either continue funding the employee position one-hundred percent or has the option of terminating the position.

Item #12:  Community Development Block Grant (HUD)
IGA with El Paso County Economic Development Division the Resolution 3 -2008

Trustee Jack and Attorney Gaddis both expressed concerns with the limitations for applying for any Community Development Block Grants that would be placed on the Town.  After discussion, it was determined that further research needed to be conducted.

Trustee McDonald made a motion to table Item #12, seconded by Trustee Jack.  Motion carried unanimously.

Item #13:  Public Input

Gail Wilson, Tri-Lakes Center for the Arts, stated that the art center would be holding its 10th anniversary celebration on July 12, 2008.

Roger Mosley asked for council to look into the possibility of adopting a form of ‘dark skies’ to limit the amount of light pollution.  Mayor Cressman stated he would assign the task to the Planning Commission.  Clerk Gray stated she would contact the CML Clerk’s list to see what ordinances are already in place in other communities.  Susan Miner asked that attention be given to the streetscape plan.  Trustee Jack stated he would be conducting a survey regarding the current level of street lights.

Jeff Hulsmann asked for the status of the Safe Routes to School Grant.  Trustee Jack responded that we are waiting for the survey to be completed.  It is anticipated the survey will be completed sometime within the next week.

Trustee McDonald made a motion to adjourn at  9:56 pm, seconded by Trustee Jack.  Motion carried unanimously.

Approved as written or amended this 10th day of July, 2008.

John Cressman, Mayor
Della Gray, Town Clerk

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