Town council off to smooth start

RBC I Rangely Town Council got off to a smooth new year with their Tuesday evening meeting. During the public input time, Wes Noris asked that the cul-de-sac he lives in be plowed. After discussion regarding whether the land was public or private, and the difficulties in getting large trucks into the area to plow, council member Brad Casto said, “If it is ours we will do our best.” Elaine Urie said, “We will be glad to work with you.”
In the report from officers, Debbie Karschner with the gas department said they are working hard now “to keep people warm and safe.” She presented an information sheet with the town usage and invited any questions. John Kenney kept his public works report very short saying they are busy with “snow removal and maintenance.”
In new business, a motion was made and seconded to pass Resolution 2011-1 supporting the grant for local park and outdoor recreation planning from the state board of the great outdoors Colorado for the Rangely community trails. The grant is for walking and hiking trails and upgrades in the area.
Liquor license renewals for Kum ‘N’ Go and Rangely Liquor were both passed as was the special events permit for the Rangely Chamber’s annual “Crab Crack.” Elaine Urie said, “It is a great addition to the community.”
The action to transfer funds from the Building and Grounds 1046-800 to the Public Works Department 1060-800 in the amount of $100,000 was passed as the town manager Peter Brixius said, “There is capital funding but not in the right spot,” and added that “even with the transfer, both funds are under budget.”
The agreement for the management and maintenance services between the Town of Rangely and the Western Rio Blanco Metropolitan Recreation District was also passed. Brixius and WRBM director Tim Webber both appreciated the cooperation. WRBM will maintain parks, fields, etc. and the town will cover any work needed on parking lots or new buildings if that should come up.
Tim Webber discussed Elks Park being given to WRBM and the agreement to maintain the park and give it a million dollar face lift while ensuring the Elks name stays with the park. He stated they had to dip into the fund slightly but it still maintains $3 million (double what it was when Webber was hired). There will be new bathrooms and pavilion improvements made.
There will be a meeting with SGM to review the water treatment plant master plan Jan. 25 and Brixius said the project will be between $4.5 to $7 million, as the current plant is 36 years old and something needs to be done in the next three to five years.
The annual “Crab Crack” will be at the CNCC banquet room Feb. 12 from 6 to 10 p.m. There will be a meet-and-greet with Russell Gorge today from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at CNCC.
Before closing, Tim Webber brought up the idea of a joint meeting between the town council and WRBM as they did last year and it was well received by the council. He said they are having a similar meeting with the school board Feb. 14 with the primary topic of discussion being WRBM taking over the sports program to free up money for teachers in the district.