Granger sworn in at Sept. 13 Rangely meeting

The Rangely Board of Trustees met on Sept. 13 with no public hearings or public input. During the meeting, the Board accepted the resignation of Trustee Alisa Granger. Before the meeting, the Board interviewed candidate Ron Granger to take her seat and swore him in at the end of the regular meeting while conducting new business.

Trustee Don Davidson provided brief updates about the Cogency Solar Project and the White River Area Emergency Preparedness (WRAP) group. The Cogency Project is moving along, although slower than expected. The WRAP group is hopeful to begin certifications through the feds and state to formally support first responders in the event of emergencies. In the event of catastrophic disasters or power outages, the town may quickly exceed its capacity to provide for the needs of a population in crisis. Having extra hands trained and certified to help bolsters the community’s welfare and resilience in the face of such a challenge.

Town Manager Lisa Piering provided her update with highlights including meetings with Christine Rambo and the Colorado Small Business Development Center Network (SBDC). These meetings included Keely Ellis, McKenzie Webber and Jeannie Caldwell representing Rangely and their respective departments. Plans to meet with the Congressional Direct Spending team about processes for matching grants are underway. Kickoff for the Wolf Creek Reservoir project has begun with environmental assessments. The Headworks project is continuing to move forward. Kelly Neiberger and the Gas Department are installing gas lines on the backside of Ridgeview, just beyond La Mesa off of Kennedy Drive. This coming week Public Works will install the remaining solar lights on the Kennedy Drive path. The town will be conducting budget and employee reviews. Branch and debris burning on Purdy Road are about one-third completed. The burning is hindered when citizens dump debris that cannot be reduced by burning. People are dumping their debris at this site instead of taking it to Rangely Trash Services. Piering noted and apologized that mosquito spraying was not as effective as expected.

In new business the board:

◆ Discussed the animal shelter, which Mayor Andy Shaffer flagged on the check register due to the high costs of spaying and neutering. The animal shelter’s responsibilities include the animals’ health and safety. The Rangely shelter also holds animals for the Town of Dinosaur, and Rangely bills Dinosaur for the lodging costs.
◆ Approved the liquor license renewal for El Agave Mexican Restaurant.
◆ Approved a contract with Built Form Lab LLC to update the Town of Rangely Comprehensive Plan, including a housing assessment in the amount of $8,000 to be paid as per the contract attached. Building Forms founder Robin Hanrahan is described as experienced and creative. Piering is very optimistic about this contract. The Board and Piering discussed that the Town would pay the more significant portion of this contract in 2023. The Town hopes this contract will support efforts to increase housing availability in Rangely.
◆ Discussed in detail a contract with Elk Mountain Technology to assess and negotiate cost for a phone system and reporting system to upgrade the Town of Rangely’s Dispatch Center in the amount of $9,500. The county dispatch center has moved to a different system, and may not be able to communicate with Rangely dispatch when the town’s license expires. The project will include an assessment and equipment. Billing for the project will be segmented with the max cost budgeted at $9,500. Shaffer expressed curiosity about the town’s contribution vs. the 911 Board. Both entities must invest in this project to ensure the town and county can communicate effectively. Trustee Todd Thayn, who serves on the 911 Board, said the 911 Board had discussed the equipment cost for this project. After lengthy consideration, the Board moved to pass this action.