STERLING,COLORADO
APRIL 10, 2012
STATE OF COLORADO )
COUNTY OF LOGAN )ss
CITY OF STERLING )
As required by the Colorado Sunshine Law, the meeting was posted timely in the City Hall lobby more than twenty-four hours in advance of the meeting.
Reverend Ed Bigler, Christ United Methodist Church, gave the invocation. Mayor Joy led the Pledge of Allegiance.
The City Council of the City of Sterling, Colorado, met in regular session in Council Chambers of City Hall, on Tuesday, April 10, 2012. Mayor Joy called the meeting to order at7:00 p.m.
Councilmembers present:
Mayor Joy
Councilmembers Brigham
Brungardt (formally Delgado-Diaz)
Flores
Hershberger
Lawson
Rice
Also present:
City Manager Kiolbasa
Deputy City Attorney Matuszczak
City Clerk Forbes
Parks, Library and
Recreation (PLR) Director Hungenberg
Public Works Director Allen
Personnel/HR Director Kenton
Parks, Cemetery and
Forestry (PCF) Superintendent Appelhans
Citizens present: 17
CONSENT AGENDA:
Councilmember Brungardt made a motion to take agenda items E and D off the consent agenda. These items are the retail liquor store license and tastings permit for Nick’s 3rd Avenue Liquor. Councilmember Hershberger seconded the motion. By a seven-yes vote, the motion was approved.
Councilmember Brungardt made a motion to approve items A through C on the consent agenda. Councilmember Lawson seconded the motion. By a seven-yes vote, the motion was approved.
Items on the consent agenda were: City Council minutes of March 27, 2012, application for renewal of tavern liquor license for Chester’s Pub, LLC located at 324 West Main Street, application for renewal of hotel and restaurant liquor license for Gallagher’s River City Grill located at 1116 West Main Street.
APPLICATION FOR RENEWAL OF RETAIL LIQUOR STORE LICENSE AND APPLICATION FOR RENEWAL OF TASTINGS PERMIT FOR NICK’S 3RD AVENUE LIQUOR, INC. NICK’S 3RD AVENUE LIQUOR – 115 SOUTH 3RD AVENUE:
Councilmember Brungardt expressed concern over the number of violations noted on the applications for Nick’s 3rd Avenue Liquor. There was discussion. Council asked if the owner could come to the meeting, as they would like to address the violations.
Councilmember Brungardt made a motion to have the owner of Nick’s 3rd Avenue Liquor come to the next regular Council meeting to hear their version of the violations prior to passing the renewals. Councilmember Flores seconded the motion. By a five-yes and two-no vote, the motion was approved. Voting was as follows:
Brungardt yes Flores yes
Brigham no Rice no
Hershberger yes Joy yes
Lawson yes
COMMUNICATION AND PERSONAL APPEARANCE OF NON-SCHEDULED CITIZENS BEFORE THE COUNCIL:
None
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES UPDATE:
- Master Plan – City Manager Kiolbasa advised Council that the Planning Commission would be meeting Thursday to review the Requests for Qualifications. They would like to send out the requests for proposals to all three firms and have them be back by May 15. They are asking for a member of Council to be present when they come back.
- Nuisance – Information is being gathered. It was discovered that Fort Morgan has the same issues that Sterling has.
- Scalva Homestead – The City has requested auction services. This will be a publication.
- Electronic Media – City Manager Kiolbasa advised it was up to Council what format they wanted to use to access the information. There was information in the packet regarding what other cities use.
- Beautification – Later on the agenda, Council will hear a presentation regarding this.
- S Curve – The feasibility study is in progress.
- Department Head Report – The first report will be tonight.
- Other items are the community organizations of each ward and neighborhood revitalization.
Mayor Joy would like to have the Quiet Zones brought back to the top of the list. City Manager Kiolbasa advised this study is complete. He will have Connie get in touch with the Council to see which ones do not have it. He reminded Council that it is an average of $280,000 per crossing.
NEW BUSINESS:
DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORT:
Finance Director Forbes gave an update on the Finance Department.
APPOINTMENT OF DANIEL L. JONES OR ROBERT A. MCCARTY TO THE PERSONNEL BOARD:
City Manager Kiolbasa reminded Council that these applications have to go to Council for their review 30 days prior to the meeting. Councilmember Brungardt asked regarding the application for Pennelope Skoglund. City Manager Kiolbasa advised he thought that her application was for the Parks, Library and Recreation Board. Councilmember Brungardt advised it was for both. She had a copy of the application and passed down for all the Councilmembers to see.
Councilmember Brungardt made a motion to appoint Robert McCarty to the Personnel Board. Councilmember Rice seconded the motion. By a seven-yes vote, the motion was approved.
PRESENTATION OF LIONS CLUB PROCLAMATION:
Present to address Council was Mr. Wilmer Johnson and Mr. Randy Bang from the Lions Club. They advised Council that they are hosting the Northeast Colorado District Convention. Mayor Joy read the proclamation and presented it to them.
PRESENTATION OF ARBOR DAY PROCLAMATION:
Present to address Council was Mr. Dave Appelhans, Parks, Cemetery and Forestry Superintendent. Mayor Joy read the proclamation and presented it to him. PCF Superintendent Appelhans invited everyone to the celebration on April 20 at 1:30 p.m. by the new tennis courts.
PRESENTATION OF HISTORIC DISTRICT:
Present to address Council was Bernice Artzer Mills. Ms. Mills was asking permission from Council to create a Historical District. She presented a slide show. She advised Council that there are funds available for historic preservation; however, surveys need to be done to find out if the City can be a historic district. The cost of this is $35,000. There is a grant that the City could get to cover the costs; however, the grant process is approximately two years. This survey would determine what buildings would be part of the district.
Mayor Joy asked regarding putting together a steering committee to explore this option. He advised that Sterling Urban Renewal Authority (SURA) has put funds toward the matching of the grant, but he is unsure if they would want to come up with more if the City does not use the grant process.
Councilmember Brigham asked regarding pursuing funds from Logan County Economic Development or the County Commissioners.
Present to address Council was Mr. Marc Cittone, Department of Local Affairs (DOLA). Mr. Cittone had a PowerPoint presentation on the Colorado Main Street Program. He advised Council that this is a downtown management program. He usually partners with the City, the Chamber or Economic Development.
Council asked the cost for being involved. Mr. Cittone advised that DOLA does not charge, however, there is a membership to the Downtown Colorado Incorporation, which is $1,000. There was discussion regarding how this corresponds to the Historical District.
Council then went back to the discussion of the request for the $35,000 survey for the Historical District. Council advised they would like to see if SURA, Logan County Economic Development or the County would be willing to come in with funds to assist in this. Ms. Mills advised she would present to the County.
Present to address Council was Mr. Chris Delgado. Mr. Delgado advised Council that the business owners are frustrated because nothing is going on with and pointed out that there would be economic advantages of the Historical District.
Regarding the Main Street Program, it was decided to have Mr. Cittone come back and give a full presentation and invite business owners in the downtown area. City Manager Kiolbasa will be getting with Mr. Cittone to setup a date.
REQUEST FOR FUNDING FOR ART:
City Manager Kiolbasa advised Council there are three issues being looked at. The request for the sculpture, the request for a mural and the request for exhibiting photos in vacated buildings. He advised that he has spoke with Ms. Alexis Ertle who is getting bids for the pictures to exhibit in the vacant buildings, therefore the funding request is not ready tonight.
Present to address Council was Mr. Bernie Mathis. Mr. Mathis advised that Ms. Karen Foote has come up with ideas regarding the mural; however, she has not come up with the exact dollar amount. The project being looked at this evening was the bronze life size antelope sculpture. This would be delivered for no charge and the total cost of the project would be $18,000.
There was discussion of current donations of material and labor that is being looked at to fund the sign by the Welcome Center.
Mr. Mathis advised Council that there is a background skyscape mural that could possibly be funded through the arts reserve.
Councilmember Flores made a motion to purchase the bronze life size antelope for the cost of $18,000 with the money coming out of the art reserve. Councilmember Hershberger seconded the motion. By a seven-yes vote, the motion was approved.
RESOLUTION NO. 4-1-12, SERIES OF 2012 – A RESOLUTION BEFORE THE CITY OF STERLING, LOGAN COUNTY, COLORADO APPROVING A CONSENT TO AND ASSIGNMENT OF LEASE RELATING TO THE PIONEER PARK CONCESSION STAND LEASE:
City Manager Kiolbasa advised Council that this resolution approves the assignment of the Pioneer Park Concession Stand Lease between the City and Russell Silvey d/b/a Silvey Concessions, to Greg Brubacher and Vanessa Davis, d/b/a G and V Concessions. The assignment does not release the present Lessee (Silvey) and he remains liable under the lease.
Councilmember Brungardt made a motion to approve Resolution No. 4-1-12, Series of 2012. Councilmember Lawson seconded the motion.
By a seven-yes vote, the motion was approved.
FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 2, SERIES OF 2012 – AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE WOOLERY SUBDIVISION OF LOTS 1 THROUGH 9, BLOCK 4, HOMEBUILDERS ADDITION TO THE CITY OF STERLING, LOGAN COUNTY, COLORADO:
City Manager Kiolbasa advised Council that the Planning Commission held a public hearing on the Subdivision application submitted by Affordable Rental Limited Liability Company, and found that the application met all requirements of Chapter 18, Subdivision. The Planning Commission recommended approval of this subdivision. The subdivision will be known as the Woolery Subdivision of Lots 1 through 9, Block 4, Homebuilders Addition to the City of Sterling, Logan County, Colorado. This ordinance sets forth findings by City Council and approves the subdivision and plat.
Councilmember Brigham made a motion to introduce Ordinance No. 2, Series of 2012. Councilmember Lawson seconded the motion. City Clerk Forbes read the ordinance by title.
City Manager Kiolbasa advised Council that this is the area of North 10th Avenue and West Main Street. By a seven-yes vote, the motion was approved.
SALARY COMPRESSION:
Personnel Director Kenton advised Council that they received a report produced by City Manager Kiolbasa regarding the salary compression. This is due to not having a true merit increase system. Due to changes in the pay grades for recruitment, some employees are making the same amount as new hires and they have been here more years. This does not affect all employees. This is approximately $29,000 to correct the salaries, and including the payroll expenses there would be a net expense of approximately $35,000.
Council questioned why staff did not look at all employees. It was explained that they looked at the area the compression was seen in most.
Councilmember Brigham advised he felt this was a step in the right direction; however, he would like to see them look at all employees. City Manager Kiolbasa advised that they could come back for the second step later.
Councilmember Brigham made a motion to authorize the dollars to fund the first step and ask that the second step of the pay grade be brought back for review in six to eight weeks. Councilmember Rice seconded the motion. By a seven-yes vote, the motion was approved.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS:
CALL FOR A SPECIAL MEETING – APRIL 17, 2012 AT 3:00 P.M.:
City Manager Kiolbasa advised Council that this would be an executive session with Mountain States Employment Council.
City Manager Kiolbasa advised there is a water meeting regarding the water table at the Gary DeSoto building on April 11.
The CML conference is scheduled for June 19-22. The CML District I meeting is on Thursday, May 17, in Brush.
City Manager Kiolbasa advised Council of the up-to-date information regarding sales tax audits. The City has a company called Revenue Recovery that does the audits. If the City looks at the amount spent on the audits versus the additional revenue brought in the City is approximately $48,000 ahead. He went over the different criteria that is used in determining if there is an audit.
City Manager Kiolbasa advised Council that the City submitted three names to the CML “If I Were Mayor” contest. He asked how to honor the students. Council felt the students should be brought in to be acknowledged and purchase a savings bond.
City Manager Kiolbasa advised Council that he received a request allowing off highway vehicles on City streets. There was further discussion regarding this. Council asked for more information.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business to come before Council the meeting adjourned at 10:27 p.m.
MAYOR
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK
