RBC I The Rangely Board of Trustees welcomed new member Don Davidson on Aug. 10. Davidson was sworn in by Town Manager Lisa Piering and said he was grateful to accept the position to serve the Town of Rangely.
Piering advised the board of changes to the agenda beginning with discussion and action to approve a request for $1,500 sponsorship for the Rangely Rockin’ Bulls event and Spartan Showdown College Rodeo. Piering suggested using marketing budget funds which are still available and the board approved.
The board discussed action items regarding solar lighting on Kennedy Drive path including submitting a grant request to Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado in the amount of $10,000 for the installation of solar lighting. This grant will require a 50% match. Several board members had questions about the project. Trustee Trey Robie asked about the warranty and was told the panels will have a 10-year warranty. Mayor Andy Shaffer asked about the total cost and Piering advised the total cost includes purchase, installation and shipping costs and that town labor will be used for the installation. The board approved the motion, followed by further discussion and action regarding the Kennedy Drive path included approval for receipt of an AARP grant for $5,000 from the Colorado Main Street Program and receipt of two mini-grants of $2,500 also from the Colorado Main Street Program for installation of the solar lighting. Piering informed the council that these
funds are available without formal application or a need for approval from the council. The actions provided notification to the board that the town plans to access these resources for the Kennedy Drive Path project.
Informational items include the La Mesa Waterline Notice to residents regarding work beginning Aug 12, 2021, and order of work in the affected areas. Door hangars will be placed 24 hours in advance to notify residents. Any questions or concerns should be directed to the Town office at 970-675-8476. In the report submitted by Kelli Neiberger, gas line inspections have occurred on La Mesa as well where Moon Lake is installing new electric lines.
The Town of Rangely Gas Department received an award from the American Public Gas Association for safety. This is the fifth year the department has received the award.
Fireworks for Septemberfest are a go, and Trustee Tim Webber announced the need for volunteers for the event.
Piering provided an update from Rio Blanco County Public Health regarding COVID cases. Recommendations are still to get vaccinated and wear masks to protect our neighbors.
Chief Ti Hamblin of Rangely Police Department reported securing approximately $5,400 dollars of reimbursement training money from Colorado POST, Sgt. Garner attended Field Training Officer School in Grand Junction, Chief Hamblin attended Intoxilyzer Instructor recertification in Denver and DRE/ SFST Instructor recertification in Durango. Sgt. Garner and Officer Millard also attended Intoxilyzer training in Snowmass. For patrol a total of 286 incident calls occurred with a majority for assist to other agencies and citizen’s assist. Only four of the calls were for property crimes.
Rio Blanco County Commissioner Ty Gates called in to provide a short list of updates including praise for RBC kids at the county fair and work on broadband expansion and engineering on the broadband blueprint (internet) to cover several areas on the edges of Rangely where service is spotty. Commissioner Gates also shared that a grant was approved from the FAA that will be used to make improvements at the Rangely Airport and runway.
Janet Miller was present to provide an update on code enforcement, highlighting 23 cases of weeds on property, five cases of refuse and one junk vehicle in July and at least 16 cases in August thus far. Regular maintenance and cleaning are ongoing and shared updates from White River Village, most importantly that handicap access ramps along White Avenue have been replaced. Miller praised Alicia Cushman’s hard work and ambition. Cushman recently joined the department and “has cleaned White River Village from top to bottom” and truly been an asset to the department. Piering highlighted Miller’s work as the town’s horticulturist and her efforts in maintaining the beauty along Main Street. Miller and her department report watering and care of Town flowers daily and weekly fertilization.
By KATIE KING | Special to The Herald Times
