MEEKER | Town Manager Mandi Etheridge told Meeker’s Board of Trustees Tuesday that she contacted Coulter Aviation to check on availability for aerial mosquito spraying this year and learned that owner Lanny Coulter has retired his aerial spraying operation. Coulter suggested contacting Mountain Air Spraying in Craig, but said they are busy. Etheridge said she has called and emailed several times, but has not received a reply.
The county and public health department have been supplying larvicide in the form of “dunks” that provide safe, non-toxic mosquito control for up to 30 days. The dunks can be placed in standing water to prevent mosquito larvae and are being provided at no charge to county residents. Etheridge suggested using funds budgeted for aerial spraying to procure a supply of mosquito dunks to be made available to town residents. Once the larvicide is available, the town will notify residents.
Wolf Creek Project delayed
Etheridge and Mayor Kent Borchard attended an update on the Rio Blanco Water Storage Project (Wolf Creek Reservoir) on Tuesday at the Bureau of Land Management office. Borchard said they were told that a recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court redefining “waters of the United States” will further delay progress on the proposed reservoir.
In other business:
– Trustees approved appointing Amanda Smith to the Meeker Planning Commission. Smith was the sole applicant to fill a vacancy. A resolution will be passed at the next town board meeting to make her appointment official.
– Approved a $1,500 donation to the Rio Blanco Fire Protection District to help fund the annual 4th of July fireworks display.
– Approved, contingent on additional details, the Circle Park Meeker Riverpark Request For Proposals (RFP). Trustees Chris Lockwood and Travis Day voted nay, expressing continued concerns about the plan details. Trustees Wendy Gutierrez and Scott Nielsen voted aye. With Melissa Kindall and Tiffany Jehorek absent, Mayor Borchard cast the deciding vote. Once the additional amendments are made, Etheridge will submit the RFP.
Town staff updates:
Public Works: A water line replacement project on Garfield Street is underway and paving for 11th and 12th streets is scheduled for the end of July. Public Works Superintendent Russell Overton said water use is “way down,” nearly half of normal for this time of year, thanks to cooler, wetter weather. The department has replaced 305 street signs throughout town and are about to start the annual street painting project.
Police Department: According to Meeker Police Chief Eddie Thompson, the department responded to 325 calls for service in May, resulting in six citations and three transports to the Moffat County Detention Center.
Community Development: The housing assessment is underway, and a community housing workshop is set for July 20, said Town Planner Carly Thomson.
Town Clerk: The annual audit presentation has been delayed to July, according to Town Clerk Lisa Cook. The Town is working to get the land use code codified and up on the website.
Town Manager: Etheridge said the town has been awarded a Colorado Department of Transportation Revitalizing Main Street grant for $150K to replace the lumieres on the downtown streetlights. They’ll meet with White River Electric Association to get specs for the fixtures before going out to bid.
BY NIKI TURNER
