Meeker’s Board of Trustees spent most of the post-Labor Day regular meeting reviewing another round of amendments to the long term lease with the Eastern Rio Blanco Metropolitan Park and Recreation District for managing town-owned park properties. Rec district executive director Sean VonRoenn told the board during a joint meeting last month that the rec district wanted to make the contract “more nimble.” After reviewing suggestions and proposed amendments, the board agreed to approve the contract contingent upon acceptance of their proposed changes.
Trustees also approved a liquor license transfer for Powell Park Investments, LLC (dba Ma Famiglia).
Town Clerk Lisa Cook updated the board on a required decision regarding the Family and Medical Leave Insurance program approved by Colorado voters in 2020. The FAMLI program is a state run paid family and medical leave program, similar to unemployment insurance, that will provide up to 12 weeks of paid leave for employees with a personal or family medical issue.
Municipalities have the option to “opt out” of the program, for which payments by employers and employees are set to begin Jan. 1, 2023. Benefits will not begin until 2024. Employees can also opt in individually. Cook said of 16 emails sent to employees, six indicated they would participate if the town did, and two would participate if the town opts out.
The town will be able to revisit its decision in the future and opt in to the program later. For now, trustees approved a resolution to opt out of the FAMLI program.
The board went into executive session to determine strategies for negotiations and instructing negotiators at the end of the meeting Tuesday.
Special to the Herald Times
