Akron town
The Akron Town Council met on Monday, February 6th. Mayor Brandon Hill ordered a meeting, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
There were no amendments or additions to the agenda. The minutes of the January 3, 2023 meeting and his January 2023 bill were approved.
Washington County Commissioner Giselle Jefferson reported on behalf of
county. Colorado House Bill BH 23-1054, drafted by Republicans Lisa Frizzell and Byron Pelton, says most real estate is revalued every odd-numbered year. The bill establishes a one-time exemption by making the reassessment cycle starting January 1, 2021 a four-year cycle, with the next reassessment starting in 2025 instead of his 2023. will do so.
Under current law, the actual value used for valuation purposes will be reduced by $30,000 for commercial property and $15,000 for residential property for the 2023 property tax year. This bill would repeal those cuts. The measure also sets the assessment rates for nonresidential and multifamily real estate for the 2024 property tax year, bringing them to the same tax rates as for the 2023 property tax year. Finally, the bill ensures that the actual value of real estate used for valuation purposes will not increase by more than 5% between 2022 and 2025. .
In a letter from Washington County Rep. Harry Thompson, Commissioner Jefferson reported that this will have a significant impact on the county over the next three years. The towns of Akron and Otis see a significant drop in income. Commissioner Jefferson encouraged the Trustees to visit Senator Pelton for more insight when the opportunity arises.
Randy Hayes of Colorado Plains Regional Airport was not present, so town clerk Dencia Reich made a brief report. They submitted a grant application and Reich, with the help of John Horne, researched several other comparable airports that had been awarded terminal grants. and they’ll catch about three people to reach out and get more information. So we are all working together to help where we can.
Washington County Sheriff Robbie Farrow said he’s been in his new office for almost a month and has been busy but excited and happy to be in the position. The presence of two police officers on the premises limits the ability to patrol and puts a burden on others until they can hire someone. But thanks to the commissioner, they were able to offer a sizable starting salary, making them more competitive.
The department is looking into the possibility of sending sponsored personnel to the academy and has booked two slots at the Otero Law Enforcement Academy this fall and hopes to fill them up, but in the meantime We would like to hire at least one person. Sheriff Furrow added that they are in the process of renewing their pound license. They haven’t had a handler for his K9 Sirius since Deputy Brotton left, but two deputies were interested in taking over. After an interview the department chose Trent Negley, where he began training for four to six weeks at Brighton. The K9 program is expected to be back up and running in mid-April.
Sheriff Furrow said he appreciates the monthly meetings with the board of trustees to help with communication, adding that he feels productive. We plan to strongly encourage more people to sign up. He’s been talking to Ryan Saffer of his WY Communications and they’re trying to make an effort to get people to sign up through social media, newspapers, and maybe even a booth on fair and crazy days.Signing up is free. , information can be found at the Akron Town Hall or its website (www.townofakron.com).
Trustee Susan Watson asked Sheriff Farrow how many inmates the judicial center currently has, and he said about 44. staff. He said he could easily replenish the center this week, but needed more trained staff.
Back on Code Red, Commissioner Jefferson said he met with road administrators to discuss mechanisms to let people know to leave county roads if they are impassable. Sheriff Farlow said Code Red is absolutely available for that.
Mayor Hill asked Sheriff Farrow about a special event request for the Akron Elk at the March 17 NRA Gala. Special event permit approved.
In public comments, members of the Akron Lions Club said they had been brainstorming ideas for the past few years to update the “Town of Akron” signs on the four corners of the town because they were old and outdated. As a club, they see it as a community need. Possible ideas included stucco, stone, or brick signs, and members had several design ideas to present to the council. It will be about 12 to 16 feet wide.
Members were asked about who/companies they wanted to put other logos in there, but felt it would be easier to handle it alone to keep things simple when it comes to maintenance and maintenance. commented that if they let the Lions do this, what if other organizations, such as elk or sorority, want to put up a sign. I felt that I should look for another project. Lyons said if he wanted representation there, he might be able to work something out, but he didn’t want it as something that was continuous and changing. I supported it greatly. Town attorney Matt Richardson commented to be sure to discuss with property owners where each sign is.
Additionally, the Lions used to have a phishing clinic every year, but they still have a committee and want to do it again this year. Lyons said he was waiting for the town to host a grand opening at the pond and didn’t want to get ahead of it. He said he was in contact with the agency. Lions will attempt to contact DOW to arrange the event once dates are determined. Lyons added that if the town decides to hold some sort of grand opening at the pond, they’d love to participate.
In new business, the contract for the town manager position was executed by the state, and the next order of business was a job description review. The council approved directing Mayor Hill to sign the grant agreement.
As an unfinished agenda item, the Board approved Resolution 23.05 amending the date of the Town Annex hearing.
Public works director Shane Watson said CDOT will get two more bridges, and Lawrence Construction will pay monthly for spaces near town shops, as needed, after June 30, 2023. He said he would like to extend the lease. In a written report, Shane said the ice slicer may be trying to help with ice on the road. A question was asked about backing up with water and gutters. I was asked if I was concerned about the impact of ice and snow on my gutters, or if it would be beneficial to put out a public message asking people for help in front of my property. Unfortunately, it doesn’t help much until everyone ends up on the same page.
Raish said he has already received two applications for the pool manager position and will still be advertising. She ordered a “stay away from the ice sign” for the pond, but it hasn’t arrived yet. I opened the road by the clubhouse of the golf course. Commissioner Britani Kusel asked whether it would be beneficial to purchase gates to close roads, adding that the sheriff’s office had purchased water rescue rope kits when needed. believes public works should have discretion over whether and when to close roads. Tickets may be issued if signs are posted or roads are closed and individuals are on the ice. The Board then discussed the annexation and scheduled a working session for 27 February.
Raish said the senior center’s board will review the charter to see if they are fulfilling their duties. They want to get some grant money and have to work with the town to update the location. Raish said senior centers could one day become like golf courses without administrators. So will the town manage it, will they just hire someone to clean it up, or will they hire someone to manage it? there is.
The library report said they hadn’t hired anyone yet, but they had four applicants.
Without going into an executive session, attorney Richardson provided a brief update on the Brandon case, particularly in response to various motions to dismiss.
Trustee Jared Jefferson said they’re still working their way into the master plan. I plan to meet in a few weeks for this.
Trustee Ariella Gonzales-Vondy spoke about the rejuvenated Main Street program grant. She attended her January webinar to detail how much and how often the town can apply. She wants to form another board of trustees and a committee, and she wants to talk with Chamber to create a committee and also include members of the community. The council had a lengthy discussion on improving Main Street.
Gonzeles-Vondy raised the possibility of moving the meeting time to 6:00 pm. The council agreed to seasonal hours of 6:00 pm from October he until April and 7:00 pm from May he until September. Attorney Richardson will draft a resolution for the next meeting.
Susan said the Chamber of Commerce held elections at its last meeting. Their next meeting is at 11:30 am on February 21st. They’re still talking about a Christmas tree on Main Street and trying to come up with an artificial tree so they don’t have to buy one every year. expensive. As an overview, the small one (7 feet tall, 4 feet base) is about $10,000. Reich thought it might be part of the grant. Susan ended by saying their shredding event will take place on Tuesday, April 25, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the Farmers State Bank parking lot.
Mayor Hill asked Reish if there was an opportunity to contact the city of Yuma about the recycling program. She said she came from the county side because they took her grant and split it into Yuma County. Mayor Hill said he had received inquiries from some people about reviving the recycling program, Kusel said she and Lori Baer had investigated in the past and contacted the Yuma County company. said it was considering obtaining more information from
The Board then entered an executive session before adjourning the meeting.
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