RIDGWAY TOWN COUNCIL

MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING

JUNE 9, 2021

CALL TO ORDER

The Town Council convened via Zoom Meeting, a virtual meeting platform, pursuant to the Town’s

Electronic Participation Policy, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Mayor called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. The Council was present in its entirety with

Councilors Beck, Ferrelli, Grambley, Lakin, Schuyler, Mayor Pro Tem Meyer and Mayor Clark in

attendance.

CONSENT AGENDA

1. Minutes of the Regular Meeting of May 12, 2021.

2. Register of Demands for June 2021.

3. Renewal of Hotel/Restaurant Liquor License for the Chipeta Sun Lodge.

4. Renewal of Restaurant Liquor License for Panny’s Pizza.

ACTION:

It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Meyer, seconded by Councilmember Grambley and unanimously

carried by a roll call vote to approve the consent agenda.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

5. Acknowledging the 25

anniversary of Pam Kraft as the Town Clerk/Treasurer

The Mayor read a proclamation honoring Pam Kraft for 25 years of service to the Town as the

Clerk and Treasurer, and proclaiming June 26

as Pam Kraft Day.

ACTION:

It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Meyer, seconded by Councilor Grambley and approved by a

unanimous roll call vote to adopt the proclamation honoring Pam Kraft for 25 years of service to

the Town.

PUBLIC REQUESTS AND PRESENTATIONS

6. Proclamation declaring June as Immigrant Heritage Month

Robyn Cascade presented a proposed proclamation declaring June as Immigrant Heritage

Month, Mayor Clark read the proclamation.

Speaking from the audience in support, Giovanni Mendoza, Justin Perry and Robyn

Cascade.

Town Council Minutes

June 9, 2021

Page 2

ACTION:

Mayor Pro Tem Meyer moved to declare June as Immigrant Heritage Month. Councilor Lakin

seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously on a roll call vote.

7. Request for use of rights of ways during the Old West Fest for wagon rides and horse parade

Eve Becker Doyle requested use of rights of way during the Old West Fest in September for

wagon rides pulled by draft horses which will load and unload at the post office and travel

along N. Lena, Charles, Fredrick and N. Railroad Streets; and a horse parade which will have

a precession around Hartwell Park along the four streets which border it.

There were questions from the Council.

ACTION:

Councilor Lakin moved to approve the application for use of rights of ways for the Old West Fest

wagon rides and horse parade, Councilor Grambley seconded, and the motion carried

unanimously on a roll call vote.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

8. Application for Transfer of Restaurant Liquor License for Lazy Dog Saloon; Applicant: Lazy

Dog Saloon LLC; Owner: Denise Ransford; to operate at 153 Highway 550

Staff Report from the Town Clerk dated June 4, 2021 presenting an application to transfer

the restaurant liquor license for Lazy Dog Saloon.

The Clerk explained the application filed on May 13, 2021 will transfer the license from Buddy

Young to Denise Ransford, to hold the restaurant liquor license for Lazy Dog Saloon at 153

Highway 550. The license will include the restaurant, existing patio to the south side of the

building and a new patio to the west side of the building.

ACTION:

It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Meyer to approve transfer of the restaurant liquor license for

Lazy Dog Saloon to Denise Ransford, seconded by Councilmember Schuyler, and carried on a

roll call vote.

9. Adoption of Ordinance No. 04-2021 Amending Section 3-2 “Sales Tax” of the Ridgway

Municipal Code to Adopt Uniform Definitions to Address Sellers with No Physical Presence

in the Town

Staff Report from the Town Clerk/Treasurer dated May 4, 2021 presenting an ordinance for

adoption pertaining to economic nexus and marketplace facilitators.

The Town Clerk noted the ordinance was introduced at the previous meeting and will provide

uniformity with Town definitions pertaining to sales tax remitters, to align with statewide

language to assist out of state sales tax remitters.

Town Council Minutes

June 9, 2021

Page 3

ACTION:

Mayor Pro Tem Meyer moved to adopt Ordinance No. 04-2021 Amending Section 3-2 “Sales Tax”

of the Ridgway Municipal Code to Adopt Uniform Definitions to Address Sellers with No Physical

Presence in the Town, seconded by Councilor Grambley the motion carried unanimously on a roll

call vote.

POLICY MATTERS

10. Revocable encroachment permit application for use of Town property at 1015 Clinton Street

Staff Report from the Town Manager dated June 3, 2021 presenting application from Cheryl

and Kevin O’Brien for use of right-of-way at 1015 Clinton Street.

Manager Neill explained the encroachment permit will allow the continuation of placement of

an existing 27x8 foot shed which has been located on the right of way for 35 years.

Applicant Cheryl O’Brian stated the application is being made “due to a complaint by a

resident”.

There were questions from Council, and discussion with the Town Attorney. It was noted the

permit is not transferable and if the property is conveyed it would not transfer to a new owner.

Joanne Mularz stated “the shed blocks the whole road” and “doesn’t allow anyone else to

use the road”. She further stated “they are asking to continue to use this to run a business

out of there”; noting “its an entire half of a street”, “not an alleyway”.

It was noted by the Council the permit is only for encroachment of the shed, not for use of

the alley. The Mayor noted “historically undeveloped rights of ways have been used” by

residents.

ACTION:

Moved by Councilor Lakin to approve the revocable encroachment permit for the O’Briens,

seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Meyer, and carried on a roll call vote with Councilmember Grambley

voting no.

11. Weed management practices on Town property

Town Manager Staff Report dated June 4, 2021 requesting discussion regarding staff working

in conjunction with the Ouray County Vegetation Manager to address various weed issues,

in relation to the Town’s policy prohibiting the use of herbicide applications on public property.

Ouray County Vegetation Manager Julie Kolb gave a presentation on the types of noxious

weeds in the county. She noted the growth of the weeds “reduce biodiversity”, alter nesting

and foraging for wildlife, decrease water resources, and some are hazardous to grazing

horses and cattle. She displayed a map of the Town depicting areas “infested” with three

species leafy spurge, hoary cress or white top and russian knapweed. She noted the

County’s priority is to eliminate and eradicate the species, and stated “as Weed Manager I’ve

made many manners of eradication control available”, “but it’s getting out of control in the

Town’, “its getting away from us” noting some of the species have a caustic sap and 30 foot

tap roots.

Town Council Minutes

June 9, 2021

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There were questions from the Council. The Council directed staff to work with Ms. Kolb to

update the weed policy; educate the public on the need for changes; approve the use of

herbicides in certain applications after notifying chemically sensitive residents; and continue

to try and use natural removal as much as possible.

12. Professional Services Agreement with Logic Compensation Group for development of a

Classification and Compensation Study

Staff Report dated June 4, 2021 from the Town Manager presenting an agreement with Logic

Compensation Group for development of a classification and compensation study.

The Manager reported the project will survey the current municipal government salary market

in comparison to the Town, review existing classification and compensation plans, and make

recommendations to ensure positions are internally equitable and externally competitive. A

request for proposals yielded four bids for the project, which is contained in the fiscal year

budget. Staff is recommending retaining Logic Compensation Group for development of the

study at a rate of $21,000.

ACTION:

Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Meyer, seconded by Councilor Grambley and unanimously carried by

a roll call vote to authorize the Town Manager to execute the Professional Services Agreement

between the Town and Logic Compensation Group for the development of a Classification and

Compensation Study.

13. Discussion regarding alignment of Railroad Street

Town Manager Staff Report dated June 4, 2021 presenting an update on the alignment of

Railroad Street.

The Town Manager reported the realignment of north and south Railroad Streets has been a

priority for decades, and was addressed during the RAMP Project but was prevented due

to an existing federal grant for parks improvements. In 2018 Council received options for the

re-alignment through development planning for the co-housing project. Council expressed

concerns with the proposed price and requested staff to obtain an appraisal of the property

and contact the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) regarding the alignment.

There were comments and discussion by the Council. It was agreed to pursue the alignment,

a long term solution being installation of a round about instead of a traffic signal. Staff was

directed to pursue alignment; look into available transportation funds to correct hazards at

the intersection; begin discussions with CDOT regarding placement of a round about; work

to place the project as a priority in State planning; and research grant funds through the Main

Street Revitalization Program.

There were comments and questions from the public with Tom McKenney and members of

the co-housing project addressing the Council.

14. Order declaring a local disaster related to the COVID-19 pandemic

Staff Report dated June 3, 2021 from the Town Manager presenting the declaration of local

disaster implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Town Council Minutes

June 9, 2021

Page 5

The Town Manager reported the current emergency declaration is slated to expire on June

. There were questions from Council, and it was agreed there is no reason to continue to

extend the order, and to let it expire.

15. Modified to Electronic Participation Policy for Regular and Special Meetings

Staff Report from Town Manager dated June 9, 2021 presenting a proposed amendment to

the Electronic Participation Policy.

Manager Neill stated on March 19, 2020 the Mayor adopted the Electronic Participation

Policy to allow conducting meetings by telephone or other electronic means of participation

during the pandemic. The policy was amended in April and June of 2020, and current

modifications will allow use at times when a local disaster emergency has not been declared.

ACTION:

Councilor Schuyler moved to adopt the Town of Ridgway Modified Electronic Participation Policy

for Regular and Special Meetings, seconded by Councilor Grambley the motion carried

unanimously on a roll call vote.

16. Emergency Ordinance No. 05-2021 Extending Temporary Amendments to the Zoning

Regulations Related to Temporary Signage

Staff Report dated June 3, 2021 from the Town Manager presenting the background on a

temporary amendment to sign regulations to allow use of portable signs by businesses.

Manager Neill noted in May of 2020 Council adopted a temporary amendment to sign

regulations which relaxed signage for businesses and allowed the use of portable signs.

There was discussion by Council, and it was agreed to extend the regulations through

August; staff was directed to work with the Planning Commission and discuss possible

permanent amendments to the sign code.

ACTION:

Mayor Pro Tem Meyer moved to approve Emergency Ordinance No. 05-2021 Extending

Temporary Amendments to the Town’s Sign Regulations as written. This would extend the

temporary amendments to August 31

. Staff is directed to work the with Planning Commission

to amend the sign regulations. The motion was seconded by Councilor Schuyler and carried

unanimously on a roll call vote.

17. Letter of support for Ouray County Historical Society’s funding request to the State Historic

Fund

The Mayor presented a proposed letter requested by the Ouray County Historical Society to

support a funding request made to the State Historic Fund for rehabilitation of the museum.

ACTION:

Moved by Councilor Lakin, with a second by Mayor Pro Tem Meyer, the motion to approve signing

the letter supporting the Ouray County Historical Society funding request to the State Historic

Fund was adopted on a roll call vote.

Town Council Minutes

June 9, 2021

Page 6

18. Letter of support for Ouray County’s funding application to launch the Ouray Recreation and

Conservation Alliance

The Town Manager reported Ouray County is applying for funds to create a Recreation and

Conservation Alliance through Colorado Parks and Wildlife grant funds. If formed, he

announced, the Town would become a member of the Ouray Recreation and Conservation

Alliance (ORCA) to address tourism, conservation, wildlife and agricultural needs.

ACTION:

It was moved by Councilor Lakin, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Meyer and unanimously carried

on a roll call vote to authorize the Mayor to sign the letter to support Ouray County’s funding

application to launch the Ouray Recreation and Conservation Alliance.

19. Letter of support for Ouray County Food Pantry

Mayor Clark presented a request from the Ouray County Food Pantry for a letter of support

to use during fund raising.

ACTION:

Councilor Lakin moved to sign the letter of support for the Ouray County Food Pantry. Councilor

Grambley seconded the motion which carried unanimously on a roll call vote.

20. Approval of special event in Hartwell Park for the Voyager Youth Program

The Town Clerk presented an application from the Voyager Youth Program to hold a special

event in Hartwell Park, and use of the stage, on July 25

from 2:00 to 8:00 pm.

ACTION:

Councilmember Lakin moved to approve use of the stage and Hartwell Park for the Voyager Pride

Event on July 25th. The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Meyer and the motion carried

unanimously on a roll call vote.

MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS

Councilor Lakin asked the Council to consider adopting Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, to be in

conformity with the County. The Council agreed and directed the Town Manager to enact

the fire restrictions.

Mayor Pro Tem Meyer questioned the use of Laura Street for construction of the Space to

Create Project, and noted line of sight to stop signs is being obstructed. There was

discussion and the Town Manager was directed to contact the contractor and find a solution.

Councilor Lakin presented an update on the CC4A committee.

Town Council Minutes

June 9, 2021

Page 7

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Pam Kraft, MMC

Town Clerk