Montrose, CO — City Councilors met for their regular meeting Tuesday evening, November 15, to consider a number of ordinances and resolutions, hear a sales tax report for the month of September, and review the city’s budget for the third quarter of 2022.
Councilors Dave Frank, Doug Glaspell, David Reed, and Ed Ulibarri met in City Council Chambers along with city staff. Councilor Barbara Bynum joined via the Zoom platform.
The following is a summary of the primary topics discussed during the meeting.
Watch the meeting here.
NATIONAL ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AWARENESS MONTH & NATIONAL CAREGIVER MONTH PROCLAMATION
Mayor David Frank read a proclamation declaring November 2022 as National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month & National Caregiver Month.
Frank said Alzheimer’s disease is the seventh-leading cause of death, affecting more than 76,000 Coloradans among 6.5 million Americans and more than 50 million people around the world. The disease is a progressive neurodegenerative brain disorder that tragically robs individuals of their memories and leads to progressive mental and physical impairments, for which there is currently no prevention or cure.
The impact of Alzheimer’s extends to the loved ones of those with the disease, including 159,000 Colorado family members and friends who provided an estimated 184 million hours of unpaid care in 2021 at a value of over $3.7 billion.
"The City of Montrose recognizes the efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association to raise funds and promote awareness to fight Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders, thereby improving the quality of human life for those living with the disease and their care partners and bringing us closer to finding a cure," Frank said.
SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY PROCLAMATION
Mayor David Frank read a proclamation declaring November 26, 2022, as Small Business Saturday in the City of Montrose and urged the residents of our community, and communities across the country, to support small businesses and merchants on Small Business Saturday and throughout the year.
According to the United States Small Business Administration, there are 33.2 million small businesses in the United States. They represent 99.7% of firms with paid employees, are responsible for 62% of net new jobs created since 1995, and employ 46.8% of the employees in the private sector in the United States.
Frank said 79% of consumers understand the importance of supporting the small businesses in their community on Small Business Saturday and 70% report the day makes them want to encourage others to shop small, independently owned retailers. Additionally, 66% report that the day makes them want to shop small all year long, 58% reported they shopped online with a small business, and 54% reported they dined or ordered takeout from a small restaurant, bar, or café on Small Business Saturday in 2021.
“The City of Montrose supports our local businesses that create jobs, boost our local economy, and preserve our communities,” Frank said.
CALL FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
No members of the public came forth with comments.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
City Councilors voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the October 31, 2022, special City Council meeting and the November 1 regular City Council meeting.
The city’s archive of past meeting minutes can be found on the new Public Meetings Portal and at CityofMontrose.org/ArchiveCenter.
2023 BUDGET APPROVAL - ORDINANCE 2599
City Councilors voted unanimously to approve Ordinance 2599, on second reading, concerning the 2023 City of Montrose Municipal Budget. The amended ordinance fixed a small clerical error in the original ordinance. The council also approved Resolution 2022-16 to formally adopt the 2023 Municipal Budget.
Finance Director Shanni Wittenberg has delivered several budget presentations since October. For more information about the city’s budget visit.
ORDINANCE 2600 - SECOND READING
City Councilors voted unanimously to approve Ordinance 2600, on second reading, to amend the zoning designation of the Eagle Ranch P.D. Filing 1, Amendment 3, Outlot 1 from "R-2" Low Density District to "R-3A" Medium High Density District.
The council held a public hearing before voting to approve the zoning.
ORDINANCE 2601 - FIRST READING
City Councilors voted unanimously to approve Ordinance 2601, on first reading, amending the zoning district designation of 820 6650 Road from “R-2” low-density district to “R-5” low-density/manufactured housing district.
Planning Manager Jace Hochwalt delivered a short presentation about the ordinance before the council formally voted to adopt the first reading of the ordinance.
HILLTOP NORTH ADDITION ANNEXATION
City Councilors voted unanimously to approve the annexation of the Hilltop North Addition into the City of Montrose.
City Planner William Reis said the Hilltop North Addition is a proposed annexation that is approximately 10.01 acres in size. The parcel is located east of 6600 Road, addressed as 540 6600 Road. The property is within the city’s Urban Growth Boundary, the City of Montrose Sewer Service Area, and the Tri-County Water Service Area. Annexation of this property will allow for future multifamily residential development.
The council approved Resolution 2022-17, Findings of Fact for the Hilltop North Adition, before holding a public hearing about the annexation.
Following the public comment period, the council voted unanimously to approve Ordinance 2602, on first reading, for the formal annexation of the Hilltop North Addition into the City of Montrose.
ORDINANCE 2603 - FIRST READING
City Councilors voted unanimously to approve Ordinance 2603, on first reading, providing for the zoning of the Hilltop North Addition as a “R-4” high-density district.
ORDINANCE 2604 - FIRST READING
City Councilors voted unanimously to approve Ordinance 2604, on first reading, to add the historic Montrose Electric & Power Company building, located at 44 South Grand Avenue, to the city’s register of historic buildings.
City Planner William Reis delivered a presentation detailing the building’s history in the City of Montrose and the building’s qualifications for joining the city’s historic register.
ORDINANCE 2605 - FIRST READING
City Councilors voted unanimously to approve Ordinance 2605, on first reading, to add the historic Montrose Radium Ore Sampler building, located at 112 West Main Street, to the city’s register of historic buildings.
City Planner William Reis delivered a presentation detailing the building’s history in the City of Montrose and its qualifications for joining the city’s historic register.
STAFF REPORTS
Finance Director Shani Wittenberg delivered the sales, use, and excise tax report for September 2022.
Wittenberg also delivered a third-quarter budget review for the council detailing expenditures and tax collection through the third quarter of the 2022 fiscal year.
Read the reports in their entirety here.
YOUTH CITY COUNCIL
Youth City Councilor Ciana Beller delivered a report about the new council’s term, stating that the council is planning to host a Rock the Rec event and work in nursing homes to help local senior citizens.
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All City Council meetings are recorded and made available online via the city’s website and cable channels 191 for Charter subscribers and 970 for Elevate subscribers. Replays of council meetings are also broadcast at 6 p.m. on the same channels on days that the council is not in session.
In addition, each regular meeting is archived on the City of Montrose’s YouTube channel.
Residents can watch all regular City Council meetings and work sessions live or on-demand through the city’s Public Meetings Portal.
For more city news visit CityOfMontrose.org.