MEEKER | Meeker’s new Chamber of Commerce director, Sara Stephenson, presented her first update to the town’s Board of Trustees on March 18.
Projects in the works for the Chamber include a replacement plan for the lightpole banners downtown, the placement of parklets this summer outside of Mountain Charisma and TX Tea, researching a “more permanent solution” for the banner over Market Street, a tourism grant for brochures, a new social media marketing strategy focusing on the interests of retirees and millennials, and the acquisition of equipment for use in the Business Center (on the third floor of the Meeker Town Hall building). Also under consideration are “flags in buckets” to be used by pedestrians crossing Market St. to improve visibility and safety.
The board held a public hearing for a new retail liquor license for Off the Olive Branch owners Alexis and Matthew Stone. The license, according to Alexis, will allow them to “bring things in that complement” their selection of gourmet and specialty food items. The license would not allow for on-site consumption. The new space will be called On the Grapevine.
Reese Harvey, representing White River Liquor, presented a last-minute objection to the issuance of the retail license based on previous use of the space by a previous lessee, challenged the allowed distance based on a “precedent set in Cedaredge,” and claimed the schematic for the space is incorrect, suggesting a tavern license would be more appropriate.
Town Clerk Lisa Cook said comments in opposition to the application were received after the published deadline, noted that several licenses — including a retail liquor license — have been previously issued for the same location, and said the statute for distance has not been changed by the state of Colorado regardless of a decision made in Cedaredge.
The board approved the license application, which will now go to the State of Colorado for review.
Trustees also approved a special event liquor license for the Lions Club West Annual Convention, to be held at the Fairfield Center on March 28-29, and corrected a resolution to reflect the correct statute number and adding new rules to comply with the state statute for tastings and samples.
Municipal Judge Jay Edwards identified a conflict of interest with a municipal court case schedule for April, and asked the town to appoint an associate municipal judge, something the town “hasn’t ever needed to do” before. The other candidate for the municipal judge position, Tim Graves, was contacted and he said he was interested.
Staff Updates:
• Town Manager Mandi Etheridge said the Circle Park project is “going well from all perspectives.”
• Public Works superintendent Tobey Willey said the town pumped 10M gallons of water in February, and that they are looking to fill a utility person position.
• Police Chief Ed Thompson said there were four arrests in February.
