Gigi Dennis

The meeting included council roll call and confirmation of a quorum despite excused absences. Discussion proceeded with the approval of the consent agenda, which covered the minutes of the February 5th regular meeting and accounts payable. Key agenda items included an update on the Tactical Emergency Medical Services (TEMS) program, detailing responses to critical incidents in 2025 and 2026, and an update on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) multi-purpose brownfields grant. The brownfields discussion covered remediation of blighted properties for asbestos, lead, and mold, including progress on City Hall, the golf course pro shop, 117 Adams, and the Old Whispering Pines Motel. The challenges related to demolition permits and the cost of compliance with state rules were noted. Furthermore, an update was provided on the Federal Highway Administration Safety Streets Action Plan (SS4A grant), which focuses on creating a safety action plan based on crash data and community input to prioritize street improvements.

The meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer. The agenda was modified to include the voting for a new council member to fill a vacant seat after the initial swearing-in sequence. The consent agenda, including minutes from the December 18, 2025, regular meeting and accounts payable review, was approved. A significant portion of the meeting involved swearing in multiple officials: Mayor Becker, Council Member Parasio Nano, Judge John Stanger, Counselor Brad Crowell, Police Chief Charles Shefflin, and Council Member John Kale Bradshaw. Council Member Victor Sigola was appointed to fill a two-year term seat vacated by Council Member Watson, who resigned for health reasons. Kale Bradshaw was appointed to the four-year term council seat. Citizen comments included expressions of excitement regarding new appointments, particularly the new police chief, and concerns about issues in 2025 such as drug activity and homelessness impacting the business district. A representative from U.S. Senator Michael Bennett's office introduced himself and offered assistance with federal issues and grant applications.

The meeting agenda included modifications to appoint Terry Carroll, Monty Schae, and Cheryl Smith to the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) board. Further appointments included Justin Pepper and Damen Ariano to the Planning and Zoning Commission, and Barry Carroll to the URA board. A key discussion involved a request for approval to apply for the Dolia Energy Mineral Impact Grant, seeking $1 million in additional funding for a shortfall at the wastewater treatment facility, with the match coming from secured USDA funding. Additionally, the Council discussed and presented the 2026 fee schedule, specifically proposing an increase for vendor event fees from $5 to $25, and discussing compliance requirements for food trucks regarding business licenses.

The meeting commenced with an invocation and roll call, establishing quorum. Agenda modifications were approved, including the removal of item G2A and the rescheduling of items L1 and N4. The consent agenda, which included the minutes of the January 8th, 2026 regular meeting and approval of accounts payable, was approved. A new council member, Victor Sabella, was sworn in, and Lauren Howard was appointed as Mayor Pro Tem. A significant discussion focused on L1, the contract agreement for third-party building permit services, following the termination of services by Rio Grande County. The council awarded a two-year contract to Comprehensive Building Code Services, noting the compensation structure is based on a percentage of collected fees. The Planning Department provided updates on foundational projects for 2026, including progress on the land use development code and municipal code chapter 5 nuisance revisions, both under review by the City Attorney. The intensive work establishing the new Building Services department was detailed, highlighting a high volume of permits issued early in the year relative to the previous year's average. Updates were also given on the URA board, GIS negotiations, and ongoing support for grant-funded projects, with presentations on the EPA Brownfields grant and the Safe Streets for All Safety Action Plan deferred to the next meeting. Citizen comments were then opened, limited to three minutes per speaker.

The meeting included agenda modifications to add a five to ten minute presentation from a representative of the USDA Rural Development regarding funding programs for rural communities, including affordable housing, business and industry support, solar energy projects, and community infrastructure for water/wastewater systems, broadband, and essential facilities. Scheduled appearances also featured a presentation on the Sky-High Stampede multi-purpose building improvement, detailing past upgrades to facilities like grandstands and the skate park, and plans for structural improvements and pool demolition. A business owner also presented a proposal to create an online platform to provide immediate support and coaching services to existing local businesses and to recruit new businesses, highlighting the availability of fiber optics and favorable land prices in the area.