MEEKER | In the lengthiest topic of discussion at Tuesday’s regular Meeker Board of Trustees meeting, Mayor Kent Borchard said he met with a consultant from the Langdon Group, the firm hired to gather public input on the Rio Blanco Water Storage Project (aka Wolf Creek Reservoir). Borchard shared his research into the project, noting a lack of a specific funding plan and comparing the projected timeline and cost estimates for the Wolf Creek project to similar project timelines and cost estimates in Colorado, Wyoming and Texas.
“We may want to reconsider the letter of support from March of 2017 when there wasn’t much information available,” Borchard said. “We have a lot more information available now and we should at least reconsider the situation.”
Other trustees brought up additional questions and possible options regarding the town’s support. The topic will be revisited at a later date.
Town of Meeker trustees opened bids for a Housing Assessment and Action Plan from consultants ranging from $59.9K to $99.9K. The Town has $60K in grant funding to apply to the plan and another $50K allocated in the budget if needed. Staff will review the bids and make a recommendation to the board at the next regular meeting.
Trustees passed a resolution approving the sketch plan for the Rohn Ridge Subdivision. Trustees and the Meeker Planning Commission met last week to review the sketch plan. The proposed subdivision in the area around Pioneers Medical Center would include several phases. Developers have 24 months to come back to the board with a preliminary plan.
After Trustee Tiffany Jehorek suggested requiring the use of certified weed-free hay at Ute Park events at the last regular meeting, Town Manager Mandi Etheridge reached out to permitees and spoke with Public Works. The board agreed to revisit the topic at an upcoming workshop regarding Ute Park.
The board also approved a requested letter of support for Xcel Energy to apply for federal funding to address “grid resiliency and innovation” as it relates to wildfire mitigation.
In staff updates, Etheridge reported a “minor spate of traffic sign thefts over the last few weekends.” The signs will need to be replaced.
By NIKI TURNER – editor@editorht1885.com
