by Becky Olson
The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees for the Town of Westcliffe was held on July 18th, 2023 and convened as scheduled at 5:30 p.m. in Patterson Hall. All Trustees were present and proceedings commenced after recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and unanimous adoption of the consent agenda.
Moving right into old business: The Trustees unanimously adopted the updated Custer County Emergency Operations Plan and then spent a fair amount of time discussing the proposed amendments to the town’s restaurant outdoor seating ordinance. That item was ultimately tabled to next month’s meeting after it became apparent more clarifications, edits, and harmonization with the town’s sidewalk ordinance were needed before the Trustees could vote to adopt the proposed amendments. Finally, the Trustees unanimously adopted a new purchasing policy that clarifies decision making authority for items already approved in the annual budget. Town Manager, Caleb Patterson, volunteered to develop a checklist to be used when the town sells real estate to ensure all applicable considerations are taken into account for disposition of town real property.
Up first in new business was Round Mountain Water and Sanitation District’s (RMWSD) Director, Dave Schneider, with the district’s second quarter report. Mr. Schneider reports the district is working with the Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District (UAWCD) on building a reservoir to store water RMWSD purchases through augmentation as they are not currently able to store quite enough to meet the demands of the district and maintain reserve levels needed for wildfire preparedness. Mr. Schneider reports his ongoing efforts to work with the state health and environment department to obtain approval for the new wastewater treatment facility. The ongoing issues and delays relate to the chicken-and-egg situation the state has RMWSD trapped in: they won’t issue final approval on the wastewater plant until it’s fully operational, but the district can’t afford the cost of the full plant without the assistance of state and federal grants, which can’t be applied for without final approval from the state. Mr. Schneider continues to explore creative funding sources to close this gap.
In other new business, the Trustees voted to re-purpose grant funds originally meant for new windows in Town Hall to replacing windows in the town’s maintenance shop. There was then a lot of discussion around a proposed update to the municipal code with regard to defining responsibility for repairing sidewalks. No action was taken on this item and it was tabled until next month when town attorney, Clay Buchner, can present an updated proposed amendment to that part of the code. A Parks advisory committee which consists of two trustees, the town manager, and three citizens that will act as an advisor and liaison between the trustees and the Parks committee was formed by unanimous vote. Finally, the Trustees regretfully accepted the resignations of Trustees Gary Frickell and Cathy Snow. Mr. Frickell’s resignation was effective immediately and Mrs. Snow’s is effective at the end of July. Interested parties are invited to apply, and Trustee George Mowry was named Mayor Pro Tem effective August 1st.
In Staff Reports town Public Relations Consultant, Tabatha Erb, reported on the various activities she’s undertaking to improve communication between the town and residents and business owners. There are several social events planned for the next few upcoming months to create opportunities for the town’s trustees, employees, and residents and business owners to come together. Town Clerk Kathy Reis reported the 2022 audit is finally complete, grants are being pursued to complete the sidewalk loop around town, and the electric vehicle (EV) charging stations being installed by the town will now be installed behind Jess Price Memorial Park instead of in the Rosita parking lot as originally planned. The meeting closed with Mr. Patterson providing quick updates on all of the projects he is heading up, including repairs in the parks, lane striping, floodplain mapping, road repairs and more. With no further items or public comment, the meeting was adjourned. by Becky Olson
The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees for the Town of Westcliffe was held on July 18th, 2023 and convened as scheduled at 5:30 p.m. in Patterson Hall. All Trustees were present and proceedings commenced after recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and unanimous adoption of the consent agenda.
Moving right into old business: The Trustees unanimously adopted the updated Custer County Emergency Operations Plan and then spent a fair amount of time discussing the proposed amendments to the town’s restaurant outdoor seating ordinance. That item was ultimately tabled to next month’s meeting after it became apparent more clarifications, edits, and harmonization with the town’s sidewalk ordinance were needed before the Trustees could vote to adopt the proposed amendments. Finally, the Trustees unanimously adopted a new purchasing policy that clarifies decision making authority for items already approved in the annual budget. Town Manager, Caleb Patterson, volunteered to develop a checklist to be used when the town sells real estate to ensure all applicable considerations are taken into account for disposition of town real property.
Up first in new business was Round Mountain Water and Sanitation District’s (RMWSD) Director, Dave Schneider, with the district’s second quarter report. Mr. Schneider reports the district is working with the Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District (UAWCD) on building a reservoir to store water RMWSD purchases through augmentation as they are not currently able to store quite enough to meet the demands of the district and maintain reserve levels needed for wildfire preparedness. Mr. Schneider reports his ongoing efforts to work with the state health and environment department to obtain approval for the new wastewater treatment facility. The ongoing issues and delays relate to the chicken-and-egg situation the state has RMWSD trapped in: they won’t issue final approval on the wastewater plant until it’s fully operational, but the district can’t afford the cost of the full plant without the assistance of state and federal grants, which can’t be applied for without final approval from the state. Mr. Schneider continues to explore creative funding sources to close this gap.
In other new business, the Trustees voted to re-purpose grant funds originally meant for new windows in Town Hall to replacing windows in the town’s maintenance shop. There was then a lot of discussion around a proposed update to the municipal code with regard to defining responsibility for repairing sidewalks. No action was taken on this item and it was tabled until next month when town attorney, Clay Buchner, can present an updated proposed amendment to that part of the code. A Parks advisory committee which consists of two trustees, the town manager, and three citizens that will act as an advisor and liaison between the trustees and the Parks committee was formed by unanimous vote. Finally, the Trustees regretfully accepted the resignations of Trustees Gary Frickell and Cathy Snow. Mr. Frickell’s resignation was effective immediately and Mrs. Snow’s is effective at the end of July. Interested parties are invited to apply, and Trustee George Mowry was named Mayor Pro Tem effective August 1st.
In Staff Reports town Public Relations Consultant, Tabatha Erb, reported on the various activities she’s undertaking to improve communication between the town and residents and business owners. There are several social events planned for the next few upcoming months to create opportunities for the town’s trustees, employees, and residents and business owners to come together. Town Clerk Kathy Reis reported the 2022 audit is finally complete, grants are being pursued to complete the sidewalk loop around town, and the electric vehicle (EV) charging stations being installed by the town will now be installed behind Jess Price Memorial Park instead of in the Rosita parking lot as originally planned. The meeting closed with Mr. Patterson providing quick updates on all of the projects he is heading up, including repairs in the parks, lane striping, floodplain mapping, road repairs and more. With no further items or public comment, the meeting was adjourned.