MEEKER | At last Tuesday’s regular meeting for the Meeker Board of Trustees, held Nov. 5, trustees heard an update from Gayle Langley and Traci Stoffel, representing the Main Street Program for the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), along with Meeker Chamber Director Stephanie Hanson. Langley and Stoffel highlighted new jobs, businesses, and public-private investments that have been created, as well as the benefits of consulting services, mini-grant funding, and technical assistance provided through the program. Trustees did not have any specific questions for the Main Street team.
Trustees did have plenty of questions about the contract and plans for the Circle Park renovation project, a joint effort with the Eastern Rio Blanco Metropolitan Recreation and Park District. The project is a continuation of the Town Park renovation that was completed several years ago. Progress has been held up by multiple conflicts, including delays in receiving plans, and then plans that generate new concerns.
Issues discussed by the board and impacted property owners include concerns about a planned ramp for handicap access to the river and the potential impact on ice jams, as well as traffic, trash and trespassing concerns. Trustees also shared concerns about proposed lighting plans and the need to balance security with potentially attracting people to the park after hours. Also of concern is river access from Third Street not being too wide, to avoid commercial riverboat access, and to maintain the current river flow. Signage will be required for the public regarding river access points and restrictions.
“If the board stands strong, there will be a shifting of the project,” said Mayor Travis Day, regarding the concerns about the cost of returning to the engineers for redesigns and resolving potential liabilities.
Etheridge, in her notes on the meeting, said, “I believe the best, next step is to ask both full Boards [Town and Rec] to meet jointly, with the engineer and contractor present, to determine the direction for the project.”
Trustees went on to review Meeker Municipal Code Title 18 regarding land use code updates. “It is a living document,” said town planner Carly Thomson, noting that making changes as needed is to be expected.
The planning commission recommended adding a definition for a fence and updating fencing regulations, along with some other recommendations about vacating right-of-ways. The board approved those recommended updates.
Town Manager Mandi Etheridge requested and reviewed multiple updates to codes that were discussed by the board, including adding new streets within town limits, updates to RV parking/camping restrictions, among others. Those items will be addressed by ordinance at a future meeting in a public hearing.
Etheridge said they received positive feedback from DOLA regarding the Garfield Street water line application and expect to hear back by the end of the month.
