The Cortez City Council on Tuesday discussed and voted on a number of agenda items.
Update on injured council memberMayor Karen Sheek said Councilman Mike Lavey will be in rehab in Grand Junction until March 1 as he recovers from a Jan. 28 car crash.
Council members at the workshop discussed the possibility of Lavey attending meetings via phone call or video chat. City Attorney Mike Green said Lavey could listen in on meetings, but the City Council would need to pass an ordinance to allow Lavey to participate in meetings electronically.
Sheek said Lavey probably will be unable to physically attend meetings for two or three months. Green said Lavey might be back before City Council is able to review and pass such an ordinance.
Finance director proposes changeFinance Director Ben Burkett started a discussion regarding a new way of accounting for shared services. For services that all departments use, like payroll or email, he proposed coming up with a method to charge each department their fair share.
Burkett said that would help the City Council understand exactly how much it costs the city to provide its various services, like water, and help them determine where they want to spend money. Councilman Orly Lucero said he appreciates that Burkett is thinking outside of the box and coming up with ideas to improve the city.
Brain Awareness WeekThe City Council proclaimed March 11 through 17 as Brain Awareness Week. The Four Corners Dance Society is hosting a series of “social dance” events throughout that week at Stormy’s Gymnastics, 20 W. Main St., intended to help people with dementia, stroke or brain injury.
Golf simulation permit approvedThe City Council approved a conditional use permit that will allow Micah and Anett Rudosky to expand the use of “Fitness Gym” at 2310 E. Empire. The couple recently opened a year-round golf simulation business adjacent to an existing CrossFit gym.
Declined signing air quality letterCouncilman Gary Noyes made a motion to decline signing a letter of support from the Statewide Hydrocarbon Emissions Reduction Task Force and the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission. The two groups have asked local officials to support their recommendation that air pollution rules currently applied to just Front Range be applied statewide.
Councilman Orly Lucero said it’s more regulation. Mayor Karen Sheek was the only member who voted in favor of signing the letter of support.
Public hearings set for liquor licensesThe Wigglin’ Pig and the new golf simulation business on East Empire, called “Fitness Gym,” are seeking new liquor licenses. The public can express support or opposition to the proposed liquor licenses at two public hearings set for Feb. 26 at City Hall at 7:30 p.m.
Montezuma Park bandstandOn first reading, the City Council voted to rezone Montezuma Park to Open zoning and to allow theaters as a permitted use in that zone. The two changes would allow the Cortez Retail Enhancement Association to install a $30,000 bandstand at the park for the Third Thursday summer market series.
The City Council discarded a recommendation made by the Planning Commission last week to allow theaters as a conditional use in the open zone and instead made theaters a permitted use in that zone. City Manager John Dougherty said most land in Open zoning is city property and would not need a public process to review theaters proposals.
sdolan@the-journal.com
