Monte Vista PD Chief Lopez resigns


MONTE VISTA—Monte Vista City Council met for a brief meeting on Thursday, June 15 with all of the council members in attendance. After approving the consent agenda, council accepted the resignation of Lori Ybarrondo from the Vali Theater Advisory Board “with regret.”
Kyle Logan from the city’s auditing firm, Logan and Associates, presented the results of the city’s annual financial audit from the 2016 fiscal year. Logan explained in order to complete their audit, they took samples of transactions from different department and verified bank statements with banks and debt holders and verified the city’s revenue streams. Logan stated “the city’s financial statements are in compliance with generally accepted accounting practices and accounting principles,” and he rates the city’s audit as “the best a local government can get from an auditing firm.” One problem was found when Logan reviewed the $750,000 the city receives in federal awards, within the sewer treatment and expansion project one contractor was not checked with the appropriate “suspension and debarment” verification process to ensure the contractor had not been barred from doing any work with federal funds but Logan noted the issue “was not significant enough for us to change our opinion.” Logan stated “policies and procedures are in place so financial reporting is accurate.”
In the management letter portion of the audit, Logan noted there were again no significant auditing adjustments or disagreements in the samples tested. Occasionally some departments were missing the appropriate receipts for credit card transactions and some purchase cards were charged over the limit fees but Logan stated that was likely the result of billing date confusion which was a minor issue in the 2016 audit of the 2015 fiscal year as well. Logan thanked City Finance Director Heather Hixson, City Administrator Rob Vance and interim Finance Director Debbie Phillips for their help.
Gary Johnson with the Monte Vista Neighborhood Watch spoke during citizen comments, following up on his endeavor to get Independence Day events in Monte Vista. Johnson explained he had an extensive conversation with City of Monte Vista Recreation Director Jaime Hurtado and decided to hold the event on Saturday, July 1 to maximize attendance. There will be a community picnic/BBQ with hotdogs and hamburgers provided by Neighborhood Watch and sides will be a potluck brought by attendees as well as Mushball games. The event will help to raise awareness of the Rio Grande Prevention Partners/ Communities that Care substance abuse prevention efforts as well as Urianna Acosta’s fundraising efforts to return to the Shriners Hospital in Philadelphia for more medical procedures this August. Johnson requested between $400 and $500 from council to advertise the event in the form of flyers, posters and banners. Council did not motion on the request because citizens’ comments are not acted on during the same meeting.
Human Resource Coordinator Courtney Baker presented the city manager’s report in the absence of Vance. Baker read a letter from Rio Grande County Administrator Roni Wisdom requesting the city take the lead on a Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) grant for wastewater treatment research. The county is already the lead on another REDI grant and did not want to potentially create any problems with administering two. Council unanimously agreed to accept the lead on the grant. Baker also reported the coordinators of the Hot Rod Dirt Drags sent a thank you note to the city for their efforts putting on the events.
Police Chief Evan Lopez gave what turned out to be his final report to council, announcing his resignation, because he has accepted a patrol position with the Alamosa Police Department, stating “It’s been a rough year for me… for the last 15 years it has been very fun except for this last year.” Lopez stated he will still serve on the Monte Vista Fire Department and Ambulance Service and added, “I enjoyed working with you all and I have made a lot of friends.” Council accepted his resignation with regret and thanked him for his work with the city.
Lopez reported in the month of May MVPD had 1,800 calls for service, 198 citations and took 113 reports including three drug cases and four burglaries. Lopez also stated three other officers are currently testing for Colorado State Patrol but their acceptance has not been confirmed yet.
Jim Belknap gave the Information Technology (IT) report with high praise for the whole IT department. Belknap reported the city had recently been attacked by a virus which was blocked from creating any damage because of the IT department. Belknap stated “the entire staff should be commended” and noted it was a much more progressive, positive step to see than where the department was a year ago.
In a follow up to last Tuesday’s budget work session, Councilman Jason Lorenz motioned to put a moratorium on any capital purchases without the prior approval of city council for the remainder of 2017. Councilman Joe Schlabach gave a council report about his attendance at the Upper Rio Grande Economic Development Council (URGEDC) meeting. The URGEDC has been working with other municipalities to get them to sign on to the Valley-wide economic development agreement but had run into some issues with towns off of the Highway 160 corridor. With more specific conversations with some of those municipalities, they have been able to address their concerns that the agreement would not help them, and have received confirmation from the town of San Luis. The URGEDC is also discussing the possibility of creating more internships around the Valley for Adams State University and Trinidad State Junior College students.


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