Special to the HT
MEEKER | Town of Meeker trustees heard an update from Meeker Chamber Director Sara Stephenson during the Oct. 21 meeting. Stephenson said the Chamber has 184 members now, and has organized three farmers’ markets, the Fourth of July parade, Oktoberfest baskets with a local shopping drive, and are planning for the Ashes to Action event this Saturday, upcoming Veterans Day luncheon, and holiday events.
The Meeker Lodging Tax Board granted $9,000 for brochures and promotional videos targeting millennials and retirees. Elk Creek gave a donation to help with the Market Street banner replacement project.
Michele Morgan and Emily Gerloff have been elected to the Chamber board, which will be focused on tourism in 2026.
In staff updates, Public Works Superintendent Jak Kilduff said the department has been patching water leak repairs, installing the fluoride machine, winterizing Ute Park, dealing with issues on three of the six wells, and will begin trimming trees soon.
Town Planner Carly Thompson has been working on applying for the Small Business Administration designation. She said they’ve received five applications and are hoping to get a few more. The Yampa Valley Community Foundation’s Wildfire Relief Fund awarded a total of $25,000 to eight applicants who were impacted by the fires.
Liquor license renewals were issued for White River Liquor and Ma Famiglia, and a special event license was issued for the Pioneers Association dinner and dance, according to Town Clerk Lisa Cook. Cook said all departments are under budget for this time of the year with the exception of systems development, due to completion of projects for the year.
In regular business, town trustees approved a special event liquor license for the Lions Club to serve at Ashes to Action on Saturday, Nov. 1.
Trustees also considered and approved conditional use permits for 925 7th St. and 600 Garfield St. to be short-term rental properties.
A six-month extension for the submission of the final plat application for the Rohn Ridge development was granted. Shawn Bolton, representing Tru Sport Lodge, LLC, said “no one is willing to take a bite of it right now” given the current financial conditions and interest rates, but noted the project is “about 95% shovel ready” for an interested developer. If the six-month extension expires, the project will have to start the process over again.
Trustees had a lengthy discussion about the proposed amendment to the ERBM lease agreement, with a joint meeting between the two boards scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 28.
Town Administrator Mandi Etheridge acknowledged Thompson’s work to organize the request for donated funds from the Yampa Valley Community Fund, and noted that between $12K-15K for the fund was raised at Smoking River Brewing Co.’s Oktoberfest celebration.
Etheridge also said an intergovernmental agreement regarding the library board application process is in the works for the county and the town and the library and a draft agreement is expected at the Nov. 4 meeting.
