Public Works Director Kevin Schorzman acted as interim town manager during the July 8 meeting. All trustees were in attendance with Ross Kribbs joining via Zoom. A quickly-approved consent agenda included meeting minutes, special event licenses for a Stepping Stones fundraiser (Sept. 19) and Cowboy Up (Aug. 22) and accounts payable.
During general public comments, Pam Zentmyer asked for better management at the new pool construction site. She described a truck making deliveries obstructing vehicles turning from Main to 7th with no posted warning and no visibility for motorists due to the construction fence. She also observed work vehicles occupying most of the Sopris Park parking on the west side of the park, and she suggested asking the workers to park across from Town Hall instead.
During general trustee remarks, Colin Laird announced he joined the West Mountain Regional Housing Coalition and Thistle ROC to ask the Garfield County Commissioners for a contribution toward purchasing two mobile home parks to convert them to a resident-ownership model. “They did not say ‘no;’ they did not say ‘yes,’” he detailed. Laird also stated an offer has been made on behalf of the residents. “Fingers crossed we can get across the finish line.”
Schorzman, in his interim capacity, elaborated on a July 3 press release asking Carbondale residents to curtail potable water usage (see this week’s Scuttlebutt). Schorzman explained how a broken pressure reducing valve on a pipe transporting water from the Nettle Creek treatment plant is reducing the flow to about 100 gallons per minute, which just matched demand on Monday, July 7. “We’re not in a crisis mode yet, but we’re very, very close,” he said.
Until the problem is fixed, which could take a few weeks, Carbondale residents are asked to reduce their potable water usage, primarily by not watering outdoors (unless with ditch water) between the hours of 10am and 3pm so storage tanks can refill. Odd-numbered addresses are asked to water on odd-numbered days, and even addresses on even days. These measures are voluntary and the Town will enact restrictions if necessary.
Next, Justin “Chester” White returned before the trustees with a hotel and restaurant license application for Sprazzo, a new Italian cuisine concept at 689 Main Street. The application was swiftly approved. “Thanks for continuing to invest in Carbondale,” commented Mayor Ben Bohmfalk.
Jordan White, general manager at La Raza, stood behind his restaurant’s modification of premises application for outdoor dining — just in time for Mountain Fair. Bohmfalk suggested it will be important to pay attention to how this plays off with the Fair’s open container perimeter extending to Main Street this year. The application was approved.
Tammy Tucker, representing Wember, then delivered an aquatic center project update. It’s been an “exciting month,” she stated, with the building taking shape. Trustee Jess Robison asked for clarification regarding the project’s procurement policy. She pointed out language describing how cumulative change orders with a single contractor exceeding $100,000 should be reviewed by the Board of Trustees.
Schorzman’s understanding was this didn’t apply when the overall project cost was not increased. He said that adhering strictly to the policy in relation to cumulative costs could result in short-noticed special meetings so as not to delay the project.
After some discussion, a motion was made to clarify the policy, authorizing staff to proceed as long as any single change order does not exceed $100,000 or increase the total project budget. All voted in favor, minus Christina Montemayor who said she felt confused.
Aquatics Coordinator Brian Froelich then delivered a fundraising update, stating they’re $123,239 away from meeting the minimal goal. Funds raised beyond that, through grants and donations, will reduce the amount of Town reserves spent.
Lastly, trustees were asked to consider selling solar panels to Holy Cross Energy for $92,831. Schorzman said the Town is over 100% cost recovery for the panels with nine years of savings and “I don’t know what we’d do with them” if not sold. Following staff’s recommendation, the sale was approved unanimously. Because the panels were purchased from the Wastewater Fund, that money will return there.
Trustees then entered executive session “for advisement on potential property acquisition,” stated the agenda.