MEEKER | Park planning and proposed improvements were on the agenda for Meeker’s Board of Trustees on Tuesday, May 16.
Trustees and staff discussed the process for developing RFPs (Requests for Proposals) for the Circle Park Phase 2 improvements planned with the Eastern Rio Blanco Metropolitan Recreation and Park District (ERBM). Subcommittee members Chris Lockwood and Travis Day both expressed a need for full plans for the project to be made available in a timely fashion, and Meeker resident David Smith asked if the drainage culvert near 10th Street has been addressed in the plans to improve parking, a walking path, and river access. Staff and the board agreed that topic needs to be brought up with ERBM.
The board also reviewed and approved a Vision Statement and Strategic Plan for Ute Park based on public input and discussion at a prior workshop.
“This is what we would use as a guiding document moving forward for anything regarding Ute Park,” said Town Manager Mandi Etheridge.
The vision statement identifies Ute Park as “a gathering place for multipurpose recreation and agricultural uses.” The vision statement and strategic plan will be applied to specific permits and amenities requested at the property, taking into consideration community benefit, balancing competing interests, stewardship of the property, and future needs of the community.
The strategic plan outlines the three easiest goals for immediate achievement at the site, including hiking and trail maintenance, a bike pump track — not for motorized vehicles, and educational and informational kiosks.
Meeker resident Kristine Hicken, who lives near Ute Park’s east side, said she’d heard rumors about motorized events planned at the site. The board clarified that no motorized events are planned.
In staff updates, Thomson said the planning commission has a vacancy again, after they received notice of resignation from Jim Hanks.
Public Works Superintendent Russell Overton said his department just completed placement of more than 300 street signs. Some signs were stolen, others were old and needed to be replaced. Overton also said the arrival of necessary supplies for pothole repairs is expected on Thursday and that patching will begin soon.
In mayor’s remarks, Mayor Kent Borchard addressed concerns about the heading printed with a letter to the editor from the Rio Blanco Water Conservancy District indicating the town’s “support” of the Wolf Creek Project after the town agreed to be a cooperating agency with the Bureau of Land Management. The town’s official position on the Wolf Creek project is “neutral,” Borchard said.
BY NIKI TURNER | [email protected]
