ROCKY FORDCITY COUNCIL
November 22, 2016
Rocky Ford City Council met in regular session at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 22, 2016 in Council Chambers. Mayor Sitton called the meeting to order. Oaths of office were administered by City Clerk Cheryl Grasmick to Rich Geist, Charles Pattie and Rachel Patrick who were newly-elected as successor candidates at the November 8, 2016 coordinated general election with Otero County. After the new Councilmembers took their seats, Mayor Sitton called for roll. Those present at roll call were:
Mayor: Jarold Sitton
Councilmembers: Susan Jung, J.R. Thompson,Charles Pattie, Rachel Patrick, Rich Geist,
Leon Ortega
Staff: Interim City Manager Gary Cox, City Attorney H. Barton Mendenhall,City Clerk Cheryl Grasmick
Others present:Kimberly Adams, Ray Gonzales, Mickey Bethel, Angelo and Michelle Griego, Justin Bethel, Tim Moore, Troy Morgan, Carol Coates, Julie Geist and daughter, Dallas & Joann Geist, Sally Cope, Steve Culver, Tom Westmoreland, Peggy Meyer, Norman Kincaide, Hal and Elaine Barnes, Ron & Nancy Aschermann, Ruth Freidenberger, Barbara Macklin, Bill Butler, Nicole DyckRoberts, Susan Bumstead, Brian McCaig, Dorothy Perea.
Mayor Sittonledthe Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Councilmember Thompson asked that the special event permit for the Arkansas Valley Exposition & Fair Association, listed as “K. New Business”, be moved to Approval of Agenda as a consent item. Councilmember Jung asked to reporton the Christmas lunch under “Item O. Mayor/City Council Special Reports and Updates”. Councilmember Thompson moved to approve the agenda with the change and addition as noted. Motion was seconded by Councilmember Jung. Voting results were:
YESJung, Thompson, Pattie, Patrick, Geist, Ortega, Sitton
NONone
Motion carried 7-0.
The consent item approved was the special event permit for the Arkansas Valley Exposition & Fair Association on December 2, 2016 at The IDEA Place, 408 N. Main Street, Rocky Ford, CO.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Councilmember Thompson moved to approve the minutes of the regularNovember 8, 2016Council meeting as presented. Motion was seconded by Councilmember Jung. Voting results were:
YESJung, Thompson, Pattie, Patrick, Geist,Ortega, Sitton
NONone
Motion carried 7-0.
CITIZEN’S REQUEST TO SPEAK TO COUNCIL– None
PRESENTATIONS/HEARINGS– None
STAFF REPORTS AND UPDATES
Interim City Manager Cox asked Fire Chief Ray Gonzales, Senior Finance Accountant Kimberly Adams, Police Chief Mickey Bethel and the Rocky Ford Police Officers who were present to introduce themselves to Council and the audience. Following the introductions, Interim City Manager reported on the next items:
- He received the signed copy of the contract for excess water capacity storage today. It is in effect for 4 years.
- He met with Fire Chief Gonzales at the site of the new Public Safety Building. Everything is on schedule except for the people that are cutting the metal for the building and will be putting it in place.Project is behind about 9 weeks.
- Interim City Manager Cox said that he, Kimberly and department heads have been working very hard on the 2017 budget these past two weeks.Budget deficit will be well over $500,000 by end of year. He asked Council for any help or ideas they can offer with the budget to get it straightened out. Council will need to meet with himself and the department heads in as many budget workshops as possible before the final reading for the budget ordinance next month.
OLD BUSINESS – None
NEW BUSINESS-None
RESOLUTION CONSIDERATION – None
ORDINANCE CONSIDERATION
Councilmember Thompson moved to approve Ordinance #920: An Ordinance Summarizing Expenditures And Revenues For Each Fund And Adopting A Budget For The City Of Rocky Ford For The Calendar Year Beginning On The First Day of January, 2017 And Ending On The Last Day of December, 2017 on first reading as presented. Councilmember Jung seconded motion. Voting results were:
YESJung, Thompson, Pattie, Patrick, Geist, Sitton
NOOrtega
Motion carried 6-1.
Following a suggestion from Councilmember Thompson, Senior Finance Accountant Kimberly Adams provided Council with the figures to write in each account budget line item for the budget appropriations ordinance. Following discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Thompson and seconded by Councilmember Patrick to table the proposed budget appropriations until such time as final figures for the budget can be determined and presented. Voting results were:
YESJung, Thompson, Pattie, Patrick, Geist, Ortega, Sitton
NONone
Motion carried 7-0.
First reading for proposed budget appropriations ordinance will be December 13, 2016. Council must have the final reading at the regular December 27, 2016meeting or schedule a special meeting later in the week.
CITIZEN’S REQUEST TO SPEAK TO COUNCIL– None
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL – SPECIAL REPORTS & UPDATES
Councilmember Jung moved that Council furnish a Christmas Lunch for City Employees from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on December 14, 2016, with items to be provided and costs to be determined by Councilmembers. Motion was seconded by Councilmember Thompson. Voting results were:
YESJung, Thompson, Pattie, Patrick, Geist, Ortega, Sitton
NONone
Motion carried 7-0.
Councilmember Thompson attended the recent Otero County Landfill (OCLI) and Otero Partners Inc (OPI) meetings as the designated alternate. He provided Councilmembers with a written report on the meetings.
Mayor Sitton met with the Tree Board last night. It was an interesting meeting where they listed their accomplishments but determined that their budget will be tight next year. The Tree Board is made up of volunteers, as are several other City committees. Much is accomplished through the efforts of the volunteers. He will meet with Action 22 on December 2nd in Pueblo to start process of looking for a new executive director for their board.
ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA
- Final Reading for budget Ordinance #920.
- First Reading for budget appropriations Ordinance #921.
- Mill Levy Resolution
- Committee Appointments
Council will be advised of Budget Work Sessions once dates and times are determined.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
City Attorney Mendenhall reported that he will contact Tami from CIRSA to schedule a presentation to Council, preferably in December. Please let Bart know what dates and times work best so they can coordinate a work session. Tami will discuss the city manager-council form of government and other aspects of government, along with the duties and perils of service as a councilmember. City Clerk Grasmick was asked to sign up the new Councilmembers with Colorado Municipal League (CML) for their newsletter and other publications. Mayor Sitton will contact Sam Mamet regarding meeting sometime with Council.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilmember Thompson moved to adjourn. There being no further business, Mayor Sittonadjourned meeting.
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Jarold Sitton, Mayor
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Cheryl Grasmick, City Clerk
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