Roy Lemke

The meeting commenced with a roll call confirming a quorum. Key discussions centered on approving the agenda, which involved reordering the agenda items for time efficiency. The primary old business discussed was a proposed land swap with Creststone Charter School. This discussion involved significant legal and environmental considerations, specifically regarding conducting a Phase One and potentially Phase Two environmental assessment of the affected parcel, particularly due to concerns about an existing landfill section and inholdings. The lawyer advised that assessing only a portion of a plot is tricky and recommended surveying the entire parcel (Track 1). The cost of this assessment (up to $30,000) was noted, with the Charter School indicating willingness to cover it. Subsequent steps in the land swap process involve defining easements, addressing road access (like Birch Street), determining annexation versus subdivision pathways for property changes, and establishing a contract to compensate the Charter School for the environmental assessment expense, regardless of whether the swap proceeds, while navigating municipal regulations against multi-year commitments. Further discussion touched upon future water projects, drainage considerations, and the impact of diminishing public school enrollment versus charter school growth.

The meeting involved initial discussions regarding agenda approval, which included modifications such as adding a trustee report section and deferring the attorney's report until after lunch. Key discussion points centered on the 4th of July event planning, including securing grant funding, booking bands, and arranging for six portable toilets, while noting that trash pickup coordination remains outside the organizer's duties. A significant portion of the meeting focused on addressing severe town financial difficulties stemming from improper bookkeeping practices in 2021, 2022, and 2023, specifically noting incorrect use of the accrual method instead of cash basis, which inflated assets with uncollected fees. The finance committee reported on the urgent need to update bank signatories due to ongoing litigation and to establish new bank accounts as budgeted. Furthermore, there was concern raised over unrecorded COVID relief monies (ARPA funds) and the failure to submit a required report to the State of Colorado by the deadline, though later clarification suggested the spent funds for park improvements were eligible uses. A request to increase a staff member's hours temporarily to assist with financial clean-up was made, alongside discussion on deferring a costly QuickBooks system upgrade.

The meeting, conducted both in person and via Zoom, established procedures for timely completion of town business, including rules for participation and time limits for citizens' comments. Key discussion points involved procedural matters such as moving reports (including clerk's, attorney's, and finance committee reports) to a subsequent meeting on March 24th due to lack of review time or readiness. There was a specific discussion regarding the budget resolution, requiring reapproval after setting a new date for a public hearing, potentially on April 14th, due to audit documentation not being available.

The session concluded an executive session, followed by a motion to officially close it. Discussions in the open session addressed property boundary and setback requirements, particularly concerning encroachment issues and the necessity for an official survey from a surveyor to clarify property lines, especially in relation to specific streets like Lime Street and Pinion Street. There was deliberation on who should request the survey (the Building Inspector, the Town Administrator/Clerk, or the Town Engineer) and how to proceed concerning a specific building foundation that may violate setback requirements based on different interpretations of property lines derived from existing plans and pins. Further discussion involved an inspection report noting setback requirement non-compliance and a potential conflict regarding a school currently surveying an area. The board also addressed the compensation for an inspector dealing with these complex issues and the need to find original blueprints predating current setback standards. Finally, the agenda included postponing another executive session concerning personnel matters, contingent upon resolving current informational gaps.

The meeting commenced with procedural reminders for hybrid participation. The agenda included additions concerning an authorized audit extension and a special noise permit application. Discussion involved citizen comments, including a request for the entire board to resign due to alleged issues with misappropriation of funds and municipal code violations, and an update on the successful Fourth of July event which raised approximately $112,000. There was also discussion regarding the ongoing funding requirements for a community stage project and citizen input concerning a potential music sound ordinance. Correspondence reviewed included a resident's concern regarding late fees for sewer bills despite a long history of timely payments, prompting a discussion about policy review to potentially reward consistent payers, and a request for improved maintenance and availability of public restrooms in the town park, citing issues with vandalism and trash. Additionally, funding status for the International Dark Sky Community certification sign was reported, and matters regarding the misapplication of a hydrant fee payment were addressed.