MEEKER | Rhawnie McGruder, RBC Dispatch Center Supervisor and Luke Pelloni, Meeker Fire Chief and President of the Eastern Rio Blanco 911 Board, presented the annual report and budget for the 911 Board to the Town of Meeker on Tuesday, Jan. 24 at the regular meeting of the board of trustees.
McGruder said the main capital expense in 2022 was for a radio backup system for $45K. No capital projects are planned for 2023, but the 911 board is saving money to prepare for replacing dispatch radios when they reach “end of life” in five years. The estimated cost for replacing those radios is $400K.
Surcharges on phones — used to fund dispatch services — were increased as of Feb. 1, 2023. McGruder, Pelloni and Sheriff Anthony Mazzola thanked the Town of Meeker for its support of the dispatch center.
Trustees approved a new tavern license for Blanco Wine & Whiskey, and approved (contingent on state licensing approval) a special use permit for a childcare facility to be operated by Sandra Mills. Trustees also approved a permit for the use of Ute Park for the 2023 Meeker Classic Sheepdog Championship Trials.
Consideration of a renewal of the lease for David Smith Ranches to use Ute Park for cattle grazing and hay production was tabled after a motion made by Trustee Melissa Kindall. She believes the town is not being adequately compensated for the use of town property and that discussion of other events or activities at Ute Park has been tabled in consideration of how they might impact the cattle.
Former mayor and Meeker Classic representative Regas Halandras noted the town has no water rights of its own for Ute Park and installed a $60-70K watering system to use Smith Ranch irrigation water. “Barring Smith Ranches right now, you don’t have water,” Halandras said. Adding a town water line to the property was estimated at $1 million “a long time ago.”
The item was tabled until the Feb. 7 meeting to allow time for additional research.
In staff updates, Town Clerk Lisa Cook presented the unaudited fourth quarter financial report for 2022, saying all departments came in under budget and no reserves were used.
Cook said only three Meeker businesses are impacted by the new bag fee requirements: Family Dollar, Valley Hardware (Ace), and Samuelson’s True Value. At those three establishments, patrons need to bring their own bags or plan to pay the 10-cent fee per plastic bag.
In public works, most of the staff’s time has been spent keeping the streets plowed and removing snow.
Town Manager Mandi Etheridge requested a special meeting to open bids for the Shaman Trail water line replacement project. Those bids are due Feb. 14. Etheridge also said a partial design plan for Circle Park Phase II is available for review and will be on the ERBM website.
The Meeker: Project 45 Main St. program requested the town’s permission to apply for an Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado technical assistance grant for $5,000 toward the purchase and installation of an over-the-highway banner system.
The board went into executive session to conference with Town Attorney Melody Massih at the end of the meeting.
BY NIKI TURNER | [email protected]
