Town trustees heard the results of a housing assessment conducted earlier this year by Ayres Associates. The purpose of the assessment was to understand the current housing market and identify opportunities to support attainable/affordable housing units; identify gaps and unmet needs in the market; and identify housing strategies and policies to guide actions over the next five to 10 years.
The consulting firm sent out 764 survey postcards and conducted some stakeholder engagement meetings to get feedback from the community to build the report and create strategies for the town to move forward with tangible steps. The firm got a 27% response rate (73% in town) on the survey with 55% of respondents having lived in Meeker for more than 10 years. Overall, respondents indicated single-family homes as the greatest need.
At current interest rates and an average income for a household of four in Meeker (approximately $84K) buyers could theoretically afford a $241K home, or approximately $2,000 rent per month.
Also included in the assessment were statistics on current housing. Of all the homes in Meeker, 60% were built before 1980. Only 0.56% were built after 2010.
The age, condition and relative price of homes, a lack of “quality” long-term rentals, and concerns from survey respondents about “losing rural character” were also included in the assessment. A final report and strategic plan will be presented to the board in February by Ayres Associates.
In regular business, trustees approved a special events liquor license for the Lions Club for the Dec. 30 dinner/dance at the Fairgrounds in conjunction with Meeker Skijor. The board also appointed Stacie Kincher to replace Sean VonRoenn on the Meeker Housing Authority board.
The 2024 Town budget was approved as presented. Town Clerk Lisa Cook said they should know by the end of December what the new assessed valuation will be following the state legislature’s special session to approve a property tax relief bill after Proposition HH failed in November. The budget was passed with an estimated value calculated in case Proposition HH had passed, resulting in a $23K reduction in property tax revenue for the Town.
A public hearing has been set for Jan. 9 to hear public comment on a liquor license application for the Family Dollar store. The group that owns the franchise is seeking approval to sell beer and wine in their Colorado stores.
Members of the Rio Blanco County Golf Association requested $9,600 from the town to cover the cost of leasing 12 golf carts for the 2024 season. The Association is looking for a manager for 2024, and facing challenges with the replacement of an antiquated irrigation system. The course was inadequate for tournaments in 2023 due to the old irrigation system. Trustees approved the contribution with a recommendation the association seek out some public-private partnerships or other funding opportunities.
Trustees approved a bid award for the downtown streetlight luminaire replacement to low-bidder LOGIQ. The board had requested sample lights from two different bidders. Those sample lights were installed by White River Electric Association downtown. Upon installation, it was determined that one of the styles would require significantly more time and labor and additional fittings that would need to be hand-crafted. Staff recommended the LOGIQ bid for approval at $133,066. The new fixtures will be fully dark sky compliant.
After a lengthy discussion about the project engineer for the Meeker Riverfront Project, trustees split their vote on engaging with the original firm, GEI Consulting. Mayor Kent Borchard cast the tie-breaking vote in favor.
