by Charlotte Burrous
—March 21, 2022
Many many citizens are still not happy with some things that are happening in Florence. It seems neither are the members of council.
On Tuesday, March 22nd, six of them resigned. The only one left is the mayor, who said he would not resign after a citizen asked him to during the Monday night meeting.
When asked what happened to cause the council to resign, Interim City Manager Tom Piltingsrud said he wasn’t sure.
Councilor Mike Vendetti, who is on his second term, said everyone but the mayor had resigned.
“We just felt really powerless,” he said. “(If) you have no more city council, the state is going to run the town. I was the last one to leave. I originally said by statute, the city manager is responsible for hiring and firing of all city employees other than the judge, city attorney and the city manager himself. That is in statute. City council
cannot tell the city manager who to hire and fire. That’s a problem. There was an off ramp and we put it out there. The only one we got left is Villagrana.”
The resignations began when Interim City Manager Tom Piltingsrud received notice from Councilor Melissa Hardy after the meeting on Monday. The next day, the others resigned one by one.
The resignations come on the heels of an executive session which residents could not attend.
During the regular meeting, resident Tim Jordan spoke to council about a different resignation. “I’m asking you, Paul [Villagrana], for your resignation, effective immediately,” he directed to the mayor during the guest speaker portion.
Without blinking an eye, Villagrana said, “I will tell you, ‘no’. I was voted [in] by 500 people. I will represent 500 people.”
Jordan reminded him it was his time to speak.
“You’re not maintaining control,” Jordan continued. “You’re not having leadership. That was very apparent in executive
sessions. You have criticized residents for coming up to this podium of speaking half-truths. When I asked you about who they were, you refused to answer it. You’re still bickering about the alleys that council resolved several years ago. Your city is facing lawsuits. You’re named in it. Either stand up, grow a backbone and do your job or step off.”
Jordan referred to a dispute that Villagrana had during one of the recent Downtown Merchants meetings when one of the business owners reminded him the alleys were the city’s responsibility, not the residents.
After Jordan spoke, a few citizens clapped their hands, praising Jordan for standing up.
In the meantime, no one knows what happened in the executive session, which must have been contentious.

UPDATE: Florence Announces Special Election

by Charlotte Burrous
During a short Florence City Council on April 4th, Mayor Paul Villagrana announced a special election to be held.
“As you know, six of our city council, members resigned recently,” he said. “As a result, the city will hold a special election on Tuesday, August 2, 2022, to elect six new council members. Under Colorado law, August 2nd is the earliest election date we can set.”
Florence citizens who would like to run for City Council will need to gather 25 signatures from registered voters in their ward. The packets may be picked up from the City Clerk, starting at 11 a.m., April 5th and petitions must be returned by 4:30 p.m. April 25th to the City Clerk. Polling places will be announced at a later date.
After the announcement, citizen Sandra Orecchio Roberts asked if at some point the candidates will learn what the findings are after an investigation takes place.
The mayor said the new council would know what undertakings are facing the new council members.
“I know there have been city managers being looked at and the job has been posted,” Roberts said. “There’s one candidate. Will it be possible for the new seated council to suggest additional postings and additional applicants be brought in for further interviews or will the new council be stuck with what the previous council has already done?”
“New council can do what they wish regarding a new city manager,” replied Interim City Manager Tom Piltingsrud.
“I worked with you (Tom Piltingsrud) for a long time and you are as honest as the day is long,” Roberts said. “I appreciate what you’ve done. Paul thank you for staying. It’s not easy. I remember the old city council and when the going gets tough, you should stick it out and if you’re not part of the cause, then you can be part of the cure.”
After reviewing the bills, the meeting was closed.