Montrose, CO — City Councilors met for a work session Monday morning, September 18, to meet a number of new employees, review a potential new subdivision, review applications for a grant program, and review possible revisions to the city’s Charter.
Mayor Barbara Bynum and councilors Dave Frank, Doug Glaspell, David Reed, and Ed Ulibarri met in the City Council Chambers at the Elks Civic Building along with city staff.
The following is a summary of the primary topics discussed during the meeting.
Watch the meeting here.
INTRODUCTION OF NEW CITY EMPLOYEES
City Councilors were introduced to a number of new employees who were hired to backfill a number of open positions.
- Jackey Vroman, HR Generalist
- Deno Scott, Parks & Special Projects Worker
- Jody Moreland, Court Clerk
- Nicolas Carmona, Utilities Worker
- Ashley Chambers, Streets Division Worker
- Karl Steinkopf, Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator
- Anabel Diaz, Accountant/Customer Service Supervisor
OSPREY ADDITION ANNEXATION
City Councilors were presented with the proposed Osprey Addition annexation application and the associated zoning.
City Planner William Reis said the Osprey Addition is a proposed annexation of approximately 9.53 acres in size. The property is divided into two tracts, both located on the north side of E Oak Grove Rd. Tract 1 is a residential property, currently addressed as 1665 E Oak Grove Rd. Tract 2 is a small sliver of right-of-way. It is within the City’s Urban Growth Boundary, City of Montrose Sewer Service Area, and the City of Montrose Water Service Area. An annexation agreement is required.
Proposed Zoning:
- Tract 1 – 5.10 acres “P” Public District and 4.26 acres “R-4” High Density District.
- Tract 2 – 0.16 acres “R-3A” Medium High-Density District
The application will come before the city’s Planning Commission in October and then a hearing before the City Council in November.
COMMERCIAL KITCHEN GRANT APPLICATION FOR TOASTY - ALL DAY EATERY
City Councilors were presented with an application for a commercial kitchen grant for a new restaurant currently under development at 1341 Mayfly Drive.
City Manager Bill Bell said if councilors approve the request, the applicant will receive $176,283.46 to support the purchase of a kitchen to be used by the Toasty – All Day Eatery. The kitchen will be the property of NMTC at CO QALICB, LLC, and will remain with the building.
Councilors will vote to approve or deny the application at a future council meeting.
COMMERCIAL KITCHEN GRANT APPLICATION FOR EATERY NORTH
City Councilors were presented with an application for a commercial kitchen grant for a new restaurant currently under development at 614 N 1st Street in downtown.
City Manager Bill Bell said if councilors approve the request, the applicant will receive $107,697 to support the purchase of a kitchen to be used by the Eatery North. The kitchen will be the property of Sterling Garns and will remain with the building.
Councilors will vote to approve or deny the application at a future council meeting.
REVIEW OF PROPOSED CHARTER REVISIONS
City Councilors were presented with an update about possible revisions to the city’s Charter. Any changes to the city’s Charter require a vote of the public to be approved.
City Attorney Ben Morris said that, several months ago, the City Council directed two of its members (the mayor and mayor pro tem) to meet with city staff to review the Charter and make recommendations. This group has now convened several times and has reviewed the Charter in its entirety.
It identified certain sections of the Charter to be forwarded to the full City Council with its recommendations for revisions. These are sections the group found to be in need of updates or clarification, due to changes in the law and best practices. Morris presented the changes to the council on Monday.
It is expected that these changes will be discussed section by section with the full City Council in a public work session. Changes that are agreed upon by a majority of the City Council will be compiled into an ordinance and referred to the voters for their consideration at the April 2024 election, likely as a single ballot measure.
GENERAL CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION
City Manager Bill Bell said the staff wanted to put on hold an appraisal to purchase railroad property that runs through town.
STAFF COMMENTS
Staff and council members are working to finalize the schedule for the 2024 budget adoption. Staff is seeking to host a public open house to review the budget before the council votes to approve the budget in November and December. More information about the open house and a schedule for its approval will be available soon.
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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 and on-demand through the city’s Public Meetings Portal.