MEEKER | Mayor Pro Temp Chris Lockwood called the first meeting of 2025 to order for the Meeker Board of Trustees. Mayor Travis Day and trustee Charles Day were present by telephone. The board heard updates from Rhawnie McGruder with the Eastern RBC 911 board and Meeker Chamber of Commerce Board President Josh Harrison.
McGruder said there will be another increase to cell phone surcharge fees effective Feb. 1. The fee will increase to $2.12.
Harrison announced the departure of Chamber Executive Director Stephanie Hanson. The board had “approximately five applicants” for the position and the new hire — Sara Stephenson — will be fully on board in February. Hanson is assisting with the transition process.
Trustees approved a bid award for a new motor grader to replace the existing model with is more than 30 years old. The winning bid was from Wagner Equipment for $284,000 with an $18,000 trade-in on the old grader.
As per usual, lengthy discussion was held concerning the renewal of the Ute Park Permit Agreement for David Smith Ranches. In past years discussion has revolved around whether it’s appropriate to have cows residing on town-owned designated open/park space. This year’s discussion revolved around the possible damage to the grass and soil during severe drought. Trustees eventually approved the permit.
With less discussion, the board also approved the Ute Park Permit Agreement for the Meeker Classic. Director Maym Cunningham told the trustees her board plans to research, at their own expense, the feasibility of replacing some of the electrical infrastructure at the site to circumvent problems that have come up in the past year or two.
Town Manager Mandi Etheridge updated the board on the Circle Park Project, noting that the contract has been issued for $1.6M, with mobilization of equipment and supplies for construction — and closure of Circle Park and the trail to the cemetery — beginning this month.
For those wondering where the advertising banners over the intersection of Market and Seventh disappeared to after they were reinstalled last month, Etheridge said during a late December storm, heavy winds caused the banners to sag low enough they were caught by a semi, which took them on a ride to Craig. The system will need to be reevaluated in its entirety, Etheridge said.
Etheridge also discussed the progress on the Community Wildfire Protection Plan, and trustees brought up listing Robert Street as a secondary egress for Sage Hills in case of fire.
