MEEKER | By mayoral proclamation, June 22 has been designated as Bike to Work Day in Meeker, with encouragement from Mayor Kent Borchard for residents to participate. The proclamation comes with the announcement that a small grant has been procured through the Meeker’s Main Street program, Project 45, for 11 new bike racks that will be installed throughout town in coming weeks.
The board postponed an agenda item for discussion of a memorandum of understanding with the Bureau of Land Management surrounding the Ute Park Trail System.
Trustees approved a special event liquor license for HopeWest’s second annual cornhole tournament fundraiser to be held on July 9 at the Fairgrounds. Last year’s event was considered successful and it’s hoped this year’s event will be at least as popular.
Michele Morgan was reappointed to another three-year term on the town’s planning commission. All seats are now filled on the five-person commission which includes Leif Joy, Morgan, Jared Harvey, Jim Kendall and Greg Hanberg.
Trustees approved a lease agreement with Colorado Workforce for space on the second floor.
Town Clerk Lisa Cook explained the new Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) statewide program that will provide employees with paid leave for medical emergencies or to care for a family member once sick leave and vacation time are exhausted. Premiums will be paid through payroll, similar to the way unemployment insurance premiums are paid. Cook said the state is still finalizing rules and processes for the program and the town has the option to “opt out.” With a 50/50 match in premiums, the cost to the town is estimated at about $5,400 a year. Trustees moved to postpone making a decision to participate until September. The program is expected to begin taking payments in January 2023, with benefits coming available in 2024.
Trustees were divided evenly three to three on a decision to approve a bid for the Circle Park Riverfront Project, putting Mayor Borchard in the position of tie-breaker. He voted yes to accept the low bid from SWCA for $158,520. The bid will begin the engineering and planning process for improvements to the riverfront, a project to be completed in conjunction with the Eastern Rio Blanco Metropolitan Recreation and Park District.
A planned review of the town’s financial support for recycling through Overton Recycling was delayed until business owner Lee Overton can attend and provide firm numbers regarding the financial viability of the program. During budget discussions last fall the board scaled back its support from $15,000 a year to $7,500, with a promise to review the support after six months.
“We’re all pretty much in favor of negotiating something,” said Mayor Pro Tem Travis Day, with board agreement.
Etheridge updated the board on the town’s mag chloride project, saying there is only one company on the Western Slope providing the service now, and that the town “got lucky” and is on the schedule for June 28.
Etheridge said the town’s parklets will be installed later this week in front of Chippers and the Meeker Sweet Shop.
The Town’s grant application through the Office of Just Transition was only minimally funded, and Etheridge said she is working to get answers to questions about reapplying for the next round, when that round will open up, and continuing to plan for that with a consultant. The representative from the OJT is expected to attend a July meeting with the board.
Town Attorney Melody Massih said she will work with trustees Tiffany Jehorek and Travis Day to improve the town’s staff evaluation form.
Trustee Scott Nielson, who serves as the town’s representative on the Meeker Housing Authority (MHA) board, provided an update on the MHA, which manages the town’s Section 8 housing regulated by HUD. The 18 single units at The Pines and 15 family units at Karen Court “maintain almost 100% occupancy.”
Nielson said previous boards had fallen behind on HUD audits as far back as 2004, and at the same time HUD “lost” the MHA. The current board has gotten audits completed through 2019 and HUD is “pleased with their progress.”
By NIKI TURNER – editor@editorht1885.com
