By Chelsea McNerney-Martinez
MONTE VISTA—The Monte Vista City Council addressed a number of topics at last Thursday’s meeting ranging from the water rate hearing (see related article) to declaring arbor day, swearing in officers, approving water restrictions, reviewing outreach and hearing citizens’ comments.
Council’s first action was to postpone their appointment to the council seat vacated by former councilor Joe Schlabach until the May 3 meeting. The candidates will be interviewed by council on Wednesday, May 2 at 6 p.m. Only two residents submitted letters of interest: John Camponeschi, a history teacher at MVMS, and Kathy Lorenz, who did not mention her current employment in her letter, but she is currently the president of Neighborhood Watch and is the wife of former councilor Jason Lorenz, who did not seek reelection in 2017.
Mayor Dale Becker proclaimed Arbor Day as April 27, 2018, noting some of the history of the holiday and emphasizing the important multiple roles trees and their products have in the everyday lives of citizens before noting Monte Vista will have a celebration at Marsh Park at 10 a.m. on Arbor Day.
Police Chief John Rosecrans completed the oath of office for new officers in the City, including Jeffrey Huff, the new Code Enforcement Officer, and two new police officers: Tyler Harford and Ezekiel Sisneros. Huff and Harford had their badges pinned on by their wives and Sisneros was joined by his mother and his four children. Harford has previously served on the Saguache Police Department and Sisneros at the Rio Grande County Jail. Huff is a former DOC officer.
Rosecrans also presented an outstanding service award to Officer Michael Martinez, who explained an incident with an elderly person being cited for shoplifting cat food at Safeway. Martinez, noting he was “an animal lover myself” purchased the cat food out of pocket and brought it to the person’s home because he didn’t want the cat to go hungry. Rosecrans noted Martinez did not tell anyone about the act of selflessness, Judge Barbara Zollars told him about it after speaking to the elderly person in court. “That’s the kind of thing that happens here every day… I appreciate you,” Rosecrans told Martinez.
Scott Deacon, a local firefighter and member of the local chapter of the Brother’s Keepers motorcycle club (a club exclusively for current and retired firefighters), presented a request to council to shut down a half block at Jefferson Street and Second Ave. for the first annual Thunder in the Valley motorcycle rally on June 16. Stars and Strikes will be hosting the majority of the event on their premises, which will be a fundraiser for the San Luis Valley Veterans Coalition. Council approved the event request and donated $200. Councilor Kathy Ellithorpe thanked Deacon for his efforts advocating for Monte Vista when the club originally wanted to hold the event in Alamosa, “…what a good thing to have in our community.”
A citizen came before council during the citizens’ comments portion of the meeting with concerns about the space behind Big R gathering tumbleweeds, which then blow south into nearby residences. The citizen noted he spent seven hours recently cleaning the weeds out of his yard, to almost no avail, and has seen several bad situations in the area including a vehicle “totally engulfed” by the nuisances. The citizen noted Huff had come to his home and provided as much assistance as possible but the cty and residents need to do something about the space generating the weeds.
Camponeschi also added he lives near there and a fire in 2009 nearly reached their homes because the area is not kept and presents not only a fire hazard but also attracts more rodents. Huff noted he is exploring the options for an “amnesty day” for decreased or no fees to use the dump so landowners can get their properties cleaned up and take pride in the city.
Following a recess for the special hearing for the water rate proposal, City Manager Forrest Neuerburg gave a presentation on the city’s strategic plan for 2018-2023. The plan is based on a set of core values. Short term goals for the next two years include “renovating and re-imagining Ski Hi, moving forward with urban renewal, planning for city’s physical infrastructure, cleaning up crime issues, improving customer service and internal/ external communications, evaluating resources vs. cost of operations, fostering more community events and fostering economic and community development.” Long-term goals over the next five years include “making facility improvements—Ski Hi Park, growing the city (expand city limits), fostering better customer service, enhancing economic and community development, reducing crime, safe community, continually improve infrastructure, and foster fiscal responsibility, financial stability and financial health.”
Council then voted on resolution 04-2018, exercising the city’s right to implement lawn watering restrictions due to the drought the area will be in this summer. Public Works Director Rob Vance and Neuerburg are currently working on a water efficiency plan, with this being one of the first steps.
Chief Rosecrans’ staff report included working on the National Night Out scheduled for this August and exploring ways to reduce the stigma of the drug take back container at the PD. In one month this location has collected about 12 pounds of expired medications. The PD will be participating in National Police Week (May 13-19) ceremonies and will be in a procession that will start in South Fork and drive to Alamosa, going through Monte Vista at approximately 4:30 p.m. on May 16. Rosecrans would like to see as many supporters on the sidewalks along Highway 160/First Ave. as possible.
Vance presented the public works report, which centered on the options for the street sweeper. Due to the high costs of repair or a new sweeper, the city is exploring options to extend its life for as long as possible. Council approved Vance’s plan to reduce sweeper use to downtown areas once a week, followed by one section of town once a month, for a total of about 80 hours of use per month.