PALMER LAKE, COLORADO
Town Council Meeting - Record of Proceedings

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SEPTEMBER 13 , 2007

The Palmer Lake Town Council meeting was called to order by Mayor Parker at 7:05 p.m., September 13, 2007.

Attendees:

Trustees:
Mayor Parker
Allen
Coleman
Flake
Jack
Miner
Stafford

Attorney: Gaddis
Audience: 14

Pledge of Alliance: Trustee Jack

October Planning Commission Liaison - Trustee Allen (October 8 and 15, 2007)
November Planning Commission Liaison - Trustee Coleman (November 12 and 19, 2007)
December Planning Commission Liaison - Trustee Flake (December 12 and 19, 2007)

 

Item #3: Approval of Agenda

TRUSTEE MINER MADE A MOTION TO AMEND THE AGENDA WITH THE ADDITION OF 9A - MONUMENT TOWING, SECONDED BY TRUSTEE JACK. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

TRUSTEE JACK MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED, SECONDED BY TRUSTEE STAFFORD. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Item #4: Consent Items:

  1. Approval of Minutes - August 7, 2007 Special Meeting
  2. Approval of Minutes - August 9, 2007 Special Meeting
  3. Approval of Minutes - August 9, 2007
  4. Approval of Minutes - August 16, 2007 Special Meeting
  5. Payment\Ratification of Bills - Aug 2007
  6. Business License - The Fresh Cup Roasting Company

TRUSTEE ALLEN MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT ITEMS AS PRESENTED, SECONDED BY TRUSTEE COLEMAN. 6 AYES, 1 NAY - MOTION CARRIED.

Trustee Flake stated she had voted Nay due to not being able to review the documents.

Item #6: Forest View Acres Water District - Richard Crocker and Barbara Reed-Polatty

Richard Crocker thanked the Town for their assistance during the water outage in their district by reading a resolution and presenting a plaque in appreciation.

Item #7: Committee Reports

Mayor Parker - Mayor's Report

  1. Attended a special meeting with members of the Pikes Peak Regional Water Authority. We discussed the status of annual fees for the USGS Transit Loss Model and associated meters.
  2. Met with Gary Barber, water consultants, and Town Staff to discuss applying for a Colorado Water Conservation Board grant. Trustee Stafford will report in more detail.
  3. Attended the monthly Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments meeting. There will be a Regional Transportation Roundtable meeting Tuesday, October 2, 2007 at the First Presbyterian Church Weber Street Center, 105 North Weber in two sessions: the first from 1-4, the second from 6-9. Pre-registration is at ppacg.org. The purpose of this forum to get public input in shaping the future of transportation in the region. It is also the 40th anniversary (June 2007) of the founding of PPACG. There will be a reception October 11th at the Pioneers Museum at 6 PM. A little known PPACG fact is that the first chairman of the PPACG in 1967 was one of our own, Stan Johnson of Palmer Lake.
  4. Reminder - The bears are getting for hibernation. Per Municipal Code 17.10.010, it is unlawful to attract animals by leaving garbage outside.

Trustee Allen - Police

August 15 - September 13, 2007

  1. 4 day Criminal Trial (Felony) (4 Officers in Court)
  2. 15 case follow-up's
  3. 4 Department of Human Services referrals
  4. 45 Agency assists with Monument/ El Paso County/ State Patrol and Fire
  5. 3 Traffic crashes
  6. 3 Alcohol related arrests
  7. 2 Warrant arrests
  8. 1 Criminal trespass auto
  9. 1 Criminal mischief
  10. 1 Business Burglary
  11. 1 Runaway
  12. 1 Motor vehicle theft
  13. 1 Federal related theft
  14. 1 Secret service assist/ Fraud related
  15. 1 Harassment

20 Traffic and Dog related citations
31 Traffic written warnings

Trustee Allen stated the format may change significantly.

Trustee Coleman - Fire

  MTD YTD
Medical Calls 7 75
Fire Calls 14 36
Wildland Fire Calls 4 19
Traffic Accident 2 14
Public Assist 0 13
Public Contact 0 11
Other 1 25
Total Calls:
28 193
Mutual Aid 14 49
  1. PLVFD trained with other North Group Fire Departments at a live gas fire training held by Aquila at Black Forest Fire Station #1.
  2. PLVFD exhibited the engine and a brush truck at "Big Engine Day" at Palmer Lake.
  3. PLVFD trained with Larkspur FD and Jackson 105 FD on a wildland fire as well as a house that had been donated for a training burn.
  4. PLVFD purchased a new computer and 3 power inverters for the trucks with funds received from the 2007 Tri-Lakes Women's Club grant.
  5. PLVFD will participate in the Tri-Lakes Emergency Preparedness Fair to be held on September 15th at Lewis-Palmer High School.
  6. Address signs are for sale through the PLVFD. Assistant Chief Reynolds is organizing a door-to-door walk.

Trustee Allen stated that Chief Gilliana had indicated that addressing was a key issue for residents.

Trustee Flake requested data pertaining to the ambulance agreement be available for next month's meeting.

Trustee Flake - Parks and Recreation\Buildings

BUILDINGS

We are in the process of getting bids for the concrete work that is needed at the Town Hall and Library/Museum buildings' handicap ramps and stairs.

PARKS & RECREATION

  • The Palmer Lake Recreation Area Master Plan Steering Committee did not meet in August. A site plan is still being developed by El Paso County. At the last meeting of the Lake Master Plan Update Steering Committee, Tim Wolken asked if we wanted to hire an outside firm or utilize the available, but limited, resources through the County staff for the generation of a preliminary site plan. As a group, we elected to utilize County resources if it was reasonably feasible. Last week, Bill Fisher of the Streetscape Committee met with Neil Katz, Architect for the Lake, of El Paso County and they were able to collaborate on some of the concepts Neil was working on for the site plan. Although it has pushed our timeline out a bit, I still believe that we are working in decent proximity of the original timeline. As matters steadily unfold with ATL and the state of the lake, water rights, etc., I don't mind that it is taking a bit more time.
  • I spoke at length to Josefine Jones of Colorado Humanities. She gave me a lot of good information of the Chautauquas that have received grants through their organization. She stated that if we revised one of the other assemblies, and used the same theme, we would be in a better position for funding as well as being able to use the same presenters, etc. Some communities are doing 1-day Chautauqua and others up to 7 days of activities. An interesting theme being studied this coming summer in Greeley is the Civil War. I am looking for someone who is interested in a revival of the Chautauqua who could chair a committee to look into grants, programming, etc. Since Palmer Lake held the first Chautauqua in the State, it would be awesome to relive one.
  • We are in the process of working on the welcome sign at Centennial Park. We will remove some old junipers, put in a red concrete curbed flower garden in the shape of a star, remove the old flag poles, as a flag would interfere with the height of the pine trees on both sides of the sign; we'll keep all plants low and put the spotlights back on the sign. After the South end is done, we'll do the North.
  • Park & Rec is planning a wonderful event in October to honor the volunteers in our community. We are working on specifics, but the celebration will take place at PinZ, our new bowling alley. We are hoping that having the event will also get folks in to see the newly remodeled bowling facilities as well as promote the sport of bowling. Please watch for invitations and flyers!

Trustee Jack - Roads

  • We are still doing road repairs from the torrential rains.
  • We had road culverts cleaned with a "vactor" truck. The hourly cost of the "vactor" truck was $210.00 per hour. They cleaned for 2 days.
  • We opened other culverts with the water from the MTI line flush.
  • Monitored utility street cuts.
  • Assisted issuing land use permits (LUP's) & zoning issues.
  • Equipment maintenance.

Trustee Jack reported that his first roads committee meeting there was positive dialogue from several citizens.

Trustee Miner - Economic and Community Development

Attended the Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce Leadership Forum
  Gave an update on the Streetscape to include:
     The receipt of the "Safe Passage to Schools" grant
  Identified the need for the following:
     Increased interface between the County Parks Master Plan and the Streetscape
     Urged the utilizes companies to put their wires underground along The Streetscape

Established a monthly breakfast meeting with Cathy Green, Town Manager of Monument
  Discussed the following:
     The dependency of each town on the other regarding water rights
     The meeting schedule of the passenger train feasibility study
     Code enforcement

Attended the Monument Town Council meeting
  Discussion regarding Code Enforcement and the possibility of sharing the costs of an employee

Met with Chief Shirk regarding a program for emergency preparedness for consumers. Brian Jack has more details.

Met with Jen Martin regarding revisions to the Sign Codes.

Attended the Streetscape meeting
  Update on the engineering
  Coordination between Streetscape Design committee and Planning Commission regarding design recommendations for new signs.
  Study of different financial districts for funding improvements
  Field trip to other communities
  Community Art from Tri-lakes Views

Trustee Stafford - Water

Water Report for the month of August 2007

Surface Water Total Gal 4,889,000 Acre Ft 15.00
Well A2 Total Gal 2,423,000 Acre Ft 7.44
Well D2 Total Gal 0 Acre Ft 0.00
Total Gal Produced 7,312,000 Acre Ft 22.44
Gal / Day Avg 235,871 Acre Ft 0.72

Scheduled Maintenance
The Meter to measure water to the lake has been installed and inspected. We are waiting on the flow testing.

Unscheduled Maintenance
A 12 inch line came apart and required repair.

There were no water violations and Mr. Orcutt is to be commended on his diligence and the dedication to the quality of our water.

I attended two meetings since our last meeting. The first was with Mr. Gary Barber and several other town representatives including our Mayor. We discussed the possibility of filing for a grant that could secure funding to update some of our water infrastructure and possibly aid us in filling the lake. Mr. Barber indicted that we would have to compete for this funding. There are several million dollars available at a state level and it is dedicated to small towns just like us. The Town engineer and Mr. Orcutt are compiling information to put in an application with a target date of the end of October.

The second meeting was with the Awake the Lake committee. They will be making a presentation at tonight. They have been working very diligently to get water in the lake. Their meeting was open to all the members of the council and their recommendations represent the feeling of members present at their meeting. I hope that I can help with communication with this group and the Town Council.

Since this is my first report I solicit your input for items that you would like to hear about in my monthly report. Thank you to all who have given me information this month.

Bob Miner - Fountain Creek Watershed - excused

Jeff Hulsmann - Awake the Lake

After considerable discussion, the following motion was made:

TRUSTEE MINER MADE A MOTION TO PUT 20 ACRE FEET OF WATER INTO THE LAKE WITH A MAXIMUM OF 10 ACRE FEET BEING TAKEN FROM THE RESERVOIR AND THE BALANCED BEING PURCHASED FROM WOODMOOR WATER AND SANITATION, SECONDED BY TRUSTEE JACK. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Jeff Hulsmann stated it was the opinion of the ATL Committee members that there was a conflict of interest with Attorney Sperling working for both Woodmoor and Palmer Lake.

Trustee Allen stated he did not give her permission to go to the State regarding using direct flow water rights. Collectively, the trustee's stated they were not happy with Attorney Sperling regarding her public attitude and the response time to the town.

Attorney Gaddis responded that Attorney Sperling acted in the best interest of the town. Expects are expected to tell the town what they need to do and protect their interest. There are not enough good water attorneys for every entity in Colorado. A lot of entities share an attorney.

Town Staff - Clerk Gray

  1. Am currently getting quotes for concrete work in five areas:
    1. Up-ramp to the library - repairs and sandblasting the lower wall
    2. Down-ramp wall to the museum (the one to the left of the ramp) to clean it up as much as possible
    3. Ramp at the town hall
    4. Smooth the repair at the front steps hall
    5. Rebuild the back steps area of the town hall In looking at the front steps of the police station, I will be getting a quote for this work also.
  2. Am scheduling repairs to the interior of the town office.
  3. 6 of the town vehicles need their windshields replaced. This work has been scheduled for Friday, September 14.
  4. Have once again been contacted by Front Range Flu Shots LLC and, with council approval, will be hosting a flu shot clinic on October 6. Notice will be posted, ads put in the newspapers, notice sent by email and through the water bills. At our last flu clinic, 100 flu shots were given. The clinic is open to all citizens from anywhere. If there are any business owners who would like to schedule flu shots at their place of business, Front Range Flu Shots can be contacted directly.
  5. Tri-Lakes Chapel would like to deliver approximately 500 pumpkins, with candy attached, to residences. Does anyone have any concerns with this offer?
  6. Family Circle Magazine contacted the town office to let us know that Palmer Lake will be featured in their November issue. A Palmer Lake resident was interviewed. Towards the end of October I will contact them and they will send out an advanced copy.
  7. Met with Trustee Flake regarding the upgrades to the entrance sign at the ball field.
  8. Attended the meeting with Mayor Parker and Trustee Stafford regarding possible money available for water upgrades.
  9. Attended the monthly meeting of the Streetscape Committee.

Item #6: Business License Request - GNR Communications - Gary & Ruthanne Rohrback

The applicants were instructed to contact the Town Office regarding obtaining their Sign Permit.

TRUSTEE COLEMAN MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE BUSINESS LICENSE REQUEST FOR DNR COMMUNICATIONS, SECONDED BY TRUSTEE MINER. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Item #7: Minor Subdivision - Lot 2, Block 9, Elephant Rock Acres, Filing No. 3 Jody Newton\Masterworks

LLC TRUSTEE ALLEN MADE A MOTION TO TABLE TO NEXT MONTH AND TO PROPOSE THE APPLICANT REVISES THE APPLICATION TO AMEND TO 2 LOTS, SECONDED BY TRUSTEE COLEMAN. MOTION AMENDED BY TRUSTEE COLEMAN AND ACCEPTED BY TRUSTEE MINER AS TO READ 'TO SHOW ON THE MYLAR THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION: CORRECT OWNERSHIP, 2 LOTS AND THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE CURVE IN THE ROAD DEEDED TO THE TOWN ACROSS LOT 18 AND TO PROVIDE PROOF OF OWNERSHIP'. 5 AYES, 2 NAYS. MOTION CARRIED.

Item #8: Senior Citizen Center - Chuck Roberts

Trustee Allen asked this item be returned to the October 2007 agenda when Mr. Roberts will be able to be in attendance. Reminder the Tri-Lakes Senior Citizens Social will be held Saturday, September 29th at 11:00 a.m. at School District 38 Administration Building.

Item #9: Ratification of Employees

Full-time Employees to be ratified:

Employee Department\Position Date of Hire
Jeremie Dunda Entry Level Water 5-21-2001
Phil Donner Police Officer 7-1-2004
Kathy VanTuinen Admin\Water Staff 10-11-2004
Cynthia Beers Police Admin Staff 12-22-2006
Joe Lundy Police Officer 1-18-2007
Caleb Vance Police Officer 4-12-2007

TRUSTEE FLAKE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE RATIFICATION EMPLOYEES, AS LISTED, WITH THE VARIOUS HIRING DUTIES AS FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES, SECONDED BY TRUSTEE ALLEN. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Item 9A - Monument Towing

Trustee Miner asked for an opinion as to whether the parking violations (parking of company vehicles and vehicles for sale) were addressable under the business license or if it was a code enforcement issue.

Attorney Gaddis stated he would need copies of the business license, minutes of the meeting approving the license, ordinances and what zone the business is located in.

TRUSTEE MINER MADE A MOTION TO DIRECT ATTORNEY GADDIS TO LOOK INTO THE VIOLATIONS REGARDING PARKING AT MONUMENT TOWING, SECONDED BY TRUSTEE COLEMAN. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Item #10: Public Input - none

TRUSTEE MINER MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN AT 10:04 PM, SECONDED BY TRUSTEE COLEMAN. MOTION CARRIED UNANMOUSLY. Approved as written or amended this 11th day of October, 2007.

Max Parker, Mayor
Della Gray, Town Clerk

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42 Valley Crescent, Palmer Lake, CO 80133
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