RANGELY | Kelli Neiberger addressed the Board of Trustees with updates from the gas department and offered an opportunity to ask questions about the January gas bills for Rangely residents. Town Manager Lisa Piering clarified that payment plans would be offered before shut-offs occur. Changes to the department’s processes have been implemented, and more changes will be considered. Neiberger is happy to talk to anyone who has concerns.
The gas department is absorbing all operational costs for January — the gas bill only covers their cost and transportation costs for the gas supply. Trustee Todd Thayn asked Neiberger when “hedging” for January costs needs to be done. Hedging is a risk management strategy to offset investment losses by taking an opposite position in a related asset. In this case, prepaying for natural gas at a low price helps ensure a low-cost gas supply for the customers. The contract for January 2023 was arranged in December 2018. An increase in hedging is a possibility. Piering stated the Town would be increasing its purchases going forward. Index prices have been very low for years.
Neiberger stated that the current situation is “unchartered territory” as the methods for and ability to forecast natural gas needs are changing. The gas department has arranged mitigation to ensure that February and March bills will not be so outrageous. Usage did not decline in February because of multiple days of below-freezing weather. Piering said other towns and cities are also experiencing an increase in cost.
Mayor Andy Shaffer summarized the issue and how the industry operates with demand and supply. When other states have cold snaps and draw on the supply, costs and supply become unstable. Shaffer requested a work session to review the data and trends to create a new plan for hedging Rangley’s supply.
Neiberger said her department has also been helping with snow removal and an apartment renovation at White River Village and are planning for a Colorado Intergovernmental Risk Sharing Agency records inspection on March 7 and employee training (usually begins in February but has been moved to March/April because of snow and ice).
Town manager Lisa Piering offered her update to the Board. Citizens are encouraged to “chip away” at drainage areas to remove snow and ice, as the town does not have ample staff and equipment to access every location. Marketing efforts are increasing, with Hometown Heroes banners as one of the leading efforts. The Town is looking at grants and opportunities to secure funds for projects in process.
Robin Hanrahan of Built Forms Lab presented strategies introduced through community input for the town’s 2024-2044 comprehensive plan, noting the plan is designed to be a “living document” that can be adapted as the community’s needs change.
Trustee Tim Webber questioned some of the possibilities of growth and the variable of population growth, and also asked whether establishing a creative district for the Tank of Sonic Arts would be based on physical boundaries or a tax district. Webber was told it would be a physical boundary.
Board members also discussed the need for a grocery store. Piering stated that a larger grocery store would hurt all the small businesses in town and that grocery prices out of town do not vary much from what costs are in town at White River Market. That store just received the Chamber’s Business of the Year award for 2022. Mayor Andy Shaffer suggested revisiting the comprehensive plan annually in February. Trustees voted to approve the plan.
The Town of Rangely plans to go after up to $1 million in grant funding from the Office of Just Transition and another $1 million in grant funding from the Department of Local Affairs Energy/Mineral Impact Assistance Fund to pursue the Cogency solar project. Both grant applications were approved at the Feb. 28 meeting.
In other business, trustees approved a liquor license renewal for Rangely Liquor Store, and kennel licenses for Katelyn Carlson at 155 S. White Ave and 355 Lake Ave. Trustees had expressed concern about conflicts of interest because Carlson is the town’s code and animal enforcement officer, but Piering explained that in the event of conflict of interest other town employees would be able to make inspections.
It was also noted that positions are available on the Rangely Community Garden’s board of directors.
By KATIE KING | Special to The Herald Times
