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Monument Town Planner Mike Davenport resigns

Below: Former Monument Assistant Town Manager and Town Planner Mike Davenport is shown providing testimony during the May 2003 hearing on Kalima Masse’s appeal of the denial of an application for a business license to restart operations at the derelict concrete batch plant on Highway 105. Davenport resigned his position with the town effective Nov. 19. More photos...

More photos...

King’s Deer house fire discussed at Tri-Lakes FPD board meeting, Nov. 18

More photos...

At the regular meeting of the Tri-Lakes Fire Protection District Board of Directors on Nov. 18, Chief Robert Denboske reported on the Nov. 13 King’s Deer house fire on Bardsley Place pictured above.

Denboske also announced that Station 2 is now open and in operation, although it was not open at the time of the King’s Deer fire.

The board also held a hearing and unanimously approved inclusion of the 43 lots in Whistler Ranch Filing 2 and unanimously approved accepting a petition for inclusion of a 300-acre parcel east of Highway 83 on Hodgen Road.

At the end of the meeting, the board held an executive session to discuss pay scales and education and training.

Denboske reported that the Nov. 13 fire started in the attic and "had gotten a pretty good head start" before emergency personnel arrived. He noted that there were two injuries, but fortunately neither injury was major. One Woodmoor/Monument firefighter fell from the roof and suffered a broken elbow. Another injury occurred when the garage ceiling fell, striking a Tri-Lakes firefighter. He noted that the Tri-Lakes and Woodmoor/Monument engines ran out of water before the first tender (water truck) was set up.

OCN later learned the fire started because a joint in the chimney for the gas fireplace had rusted and leaked hot gases that ignited the roof.

Director and district treasurer John Hildebrandt said that based on this incident, the homeowner recommends that other homeowners install smoke alarms in their attics.

Hildebrandt added that the builder of the house inspected the damage and concluded the house could be repaired by replacing the ceilings and everything above them and by fixing the water damage.

Denboske said he has been asked whether having Station 2 open would have made a difference. He said, "I can’t say it would have." He added that the districts involved in fighting the fire need to hold a meeting to review the incident.

Hildebrandt reported that as of the end of October, expenditures stood at 82 percent of the budgeted amounts, which is 1.3 percent less than the anticipated level at this point in the year. He said income stands at $1.2 million, which is 92 percent of the expected amount for the year.

He then reviewed draft budgets for the district and the fire authority being formed with the Woodmoor/Monument Fire Protection District. He noted that some items in the fire authority budget are split 50-50 between the two districts, some are split 60-40 based on the assessed values of properties in the two districts, station expenses are split 1/3–2/3 based on the number of stations in each district, and some expenses are assigned 100 percent to one or the other of the districts.

Hildebrandt said the Tri-Lakes budget totals $1.45 million and the Woodmoor/Monument budget totals $1.11 million, so the fire authority budget is $2.56 million.

He said the only items changed from the budget prepared by former Woodmoor/Monument district Chief David Youtsey were salaries and insurance. He added, "Due to the mismatch in accounting line items, we have to go for a year to see where we are."

He noted that a group insurance policy combining the Tri-Lakes and Woodmoor/Monument personnel would provide "more benefits at no or little additional cost to the districts."

Hildebrandt reported that year-to-date receipt of ambulance revenue is $208,000; projected ambulance revenues for the year will be $230,000 to $240,000.

Denboske reported as follows:

Ron Thompson, assistant chief and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Coordinator, reported as follows:

Director and architect Rick Barnes, reported as follows on completion of Station 2 on Roller Coaster Road near Highway 105:

The board held a hearing on the petition for inclusion of the 43 lots in Whistler Ranch Filing 2. The petition was signed by all of the property owners and was unanimously approved.

The board also unanimously voted to accept a petition for inclusion signed by the owners of a 300-acre parcel on Hodgen Road east of Highway 83.

It was announced that the purpose of the executive session was to review pay scales and education and training matters.

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The Tri-Lakes Fire Protection District board normally meets at 7 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month at the district firehouse, 18650 Highway 105 (near the bowling alley). In order to approve the 2005 budget prior to the required filing date of Dec. 15, the next meeting is scheduled for Dec. 9 at 7 p.m., preceded by a meeting of the fire authority at 6 p.m.

For more information, call Chief Denboske at 481-2312 or visit www.tri-lakesfire.com.

On Nov. 4, before the boards of Woodmoor/Monument and Tri-Lakes Fire Protection District (W/MFPD, TLFPD) could vote on the creation of a fire authority to conduct operations in both of their districts, W/MFPD Secretary Bob Harvey resigned, saying he had been excluded from a series of executive sessions that had been held to form the fire authority.

Harvey read his letter of resignation (which was dated Nov. 2 and published in the Nov. 6 OCN, stating he believes the firing of W/MFPD Chief David Youtsey was illegal. Harvey said he believes that the organization of the fire authority and selection of its leadership structure was also carried out in secret, in violation of state open meeting laws (often called "sunshine" laws) that require public meetings on issues involving special districts. He added that even he had not been included in these meetings. "You have excluded me as a board member and constituents of the district in an inappropriate manner," he wrote.

After Harvey finished reading his letter, Sibell and TLFPD President Charlie Pocock said "Thank you, Bob," and Harvey left the building. There was no other response by any member of either board to his resignation or his list of charges.

The boards went on to approve a fire authority intergovernmental agreement (IGA) document and elect the officers of the fire authority without any opposition. TLFPD Treasurer John Hildebrandt then gave a detailed presentation on the fire authority’s organization and staffing, as well as budget policies and procedures.

W/MFPD board member Jeremy Diggins did not attend the joint meeting. TLFPD board member Keith Duncan arrived after all of the votes were taken. As the IGA does not take effect until Jan. 1, 2005, the meeting could not be conducted as a fire authority meeting; until then, they are considered joint board meetings.

Pocock said "We’ve been working on this project since June" and said they have been meeting in executive sessions with attorneys to draft the fire authority document, lending support to Harvey’s assertion. "All board members have read and approved the fire authority document," he said. Pocock said he had gotten Duncan’s proxy by phone before the meeting.

TLFPD first approved the IGA (4-0) and then W/MFPD approved it (3-0). After the agreement was signed, the four officer positions of the new fire authority were voted on, with only one candidate nominated for each position and no discussion. Officers are Pocock, chairman; Bob Hansen, vice chairman; Rod Wilson, secretary; and John Hildebrandt, treasurer. Rob Denboske will be the chief of the fire authority starting Jan. 1.

Hildebrandt then gave a lengthy presentation on the organization and finances of the fire authority. He said he worked extensively with former W/MFPD Treasurer Diggins and his recent replacement, Hansen, to align the Woodmoor/Monument financial spreadsheets to be identical to those of Tri-Lakes in terms of costs and line numbers.

The name of the fire authority was announced as Tri-Lakes Monument Fire and Rescue.

In addition to Denboske being named chief, the following fire authority positions have also been filled:

As is TLFPD operational practice, the assistant chief will also be the chief medical officer and a paramedic. A W/MFPD full-time firefighter wanting to become battalion chief for the TLFPD Roller Coaster Road station would have to become a TLFPD employee (or vice versa); then, if the fire authority were broken up, that firefighter would stay with the district that owns the respective station.

Hansen noted that he had "learned only last Thursday night" that W/MFPD Administrative Assistant Donna Arkowski would be staying on after Chief David Youtsey was fired on Oct. 26. However, when informed of Hansen’s statement, Arkowski later said she had never indicated to anyone that she would be resigning prior to this joint meeting. Arkowski said she had been directed to not attend or record any of the public or executive session joint board meetings for the W/MFPD board, all of which took place at the TLFPD station.

Hildebrandt gave examples of different methods of cost sharing that he said were incorporated into the IGA. No copies of the IGA were distributed at the meeting.

Costs that will be divided in a 2:1 ratio (Tri-Lakes has two stations, while Woodmoor/Monument has one) are those that directly apply to individual fire stations, such as cable TV. Costs that will be divided in half include legal costs for creation of the IGA and fire authority accounting costs. Tax-based costs will be divided in a 60/40 ratio, since the assessed value of property in the Tri-Lakes district is about 1.5 times that of Woodmoor-Monument; they will include office supplies and clerical staff work. Utility costs will be billed back to the individual district boards, which then funds the fire authority account that is owed.

He noted that district apparatus will be inventoried and become part of the fire authority’s inventory. "If the fire authority breaks apart, it all goes back to where it came," Hildebrandt said.

In addition, he said, as of Jan. 1, pay will be made equal and insurance benefits will become equal.

"We’re going to prove to the community that this is a good thing," Hansen said. "We’re not doing anything we weren’t doing before. We’re bringing it all together. We’re not going to lose anything—paramedics, the Woodmoor station. Whoever started these rumors is against the process."

Citizen questions were then answered primarily by Hildebrandt, with occasional additional comments from other board members as noted below. Some of the questions asked during the meeting were:

Why doesn’t the assistant chief come from W/M? Since Assistant Chief Jim Rackl resigned, Woodmoor/Monument has had no assistant chief.

Will paid full-time staff from Woodmoor/Monument be assigned to a Tri-Lakes station? Not at this time. They will stay at Woodmoor/Monument unless they ask to be moved and hired by Tri-Lakes.

How will closest force response be performed? After the Roller Coaster station opens, Woodmoor/Monument will no longer dispatch its fire engine east of Furrow Road, but will continue to serve the Jackson Creek area, even though this area actually lies in the Tri-Lakes jurisdiction. Currently, the W/MFPD engine goes to all Tri-Lakes calls east of I-25 with no reimbursement by TLFPD for these operations. There will be no reimbursement to W/MFPD for its engine’s responses to Jackson Creek calls under the IGA either. The TLFPD ambulance serves the entire W/MFPD jurisdiction, with all revenues retained in the Tri-Lakes ambulance enterprise account.

Several board members indicated that this policy was normal mutual aid. However, mutual aid actually means that one county fire district requests assistance from another district after being dispatched. The current closest force response agreement between TL and W/M pre-arranges mutual aid between the two by having both districts dispatched simultaneously for calls in either district. Woodmoor/Monument does not compensate Tri-Lakes for its assistance to downtown Monument.

Is it true that the W/MFPD mill levy will not drop to 7.0 mills? Its mill levy will remain at 9.92 mills for 2005. That may drop perhaps a mill or half mill at a time, but it is hard to predict since the assessed value of property in W/M remains fairly flat, while it tends to rise in TL. It may never get down to 7.0 mills, and will depend on how much of the personnel costs for a completely full-time staff can be reduced by hiring and using volunteers (to include TLFPD volunteers) at the Woodmoor Drive station.

Hansen said that eventually he hopes that both districts are paying 7.0 mills, since he is a taxpayer in the Woodmoor/Monument district but TLFPD may have to raise its mill levy to 7.5 or 8.0 in the future. The fire authority and Woodmoor/Monument boards will work toward cutting the Woodmoor/Monument mill levy as much as the budget permits.

However, the effect of TABOR on a built-out district is difficult to predict. Tri-Lakes’ assessed value will continue to grow as more developments are completed, including significant commercial revenue sources. This revenue growth may offset a possible shortfall in future revenue in W/M.

Hansen added that demonstrating their expected operational efficiencies to eligible electors of both districts will pave the way to a ballot issue finalizing the future consolidation into a single district.

Hildebrandt said that former W/M Treasurer Diggins had advocated cutting his district’s mill levy to 7.0 mills by relying on consumption of the cash reserves until costs could be reduced by changing to a mixed full-time/volunteer staff. However, that plan was not adopted because of the need to maintain a budgetary cushion as more equipment is purchased for the Roller Coaster station through bonds taken by TLFPD.

Hansen said his goal was consolidation in January 2006, but Sibell disagreed, saying that was too soon for a vote by constituents. Hildebrandt said there was still much to learn about costs and revenues as operations change. He added that he would not advocate consolidation unless he was sure there would be no deficit in either district so taxes could be eliminated as an issue.

My concern is Woodmoor/Monument’s cash reserve is being handled by a Tri-Lakes administrative assistant. Will one of the districts change accounting firms since both districts use the same firm now? No, Hildebrandt said. There will be an "open process" for revenue and expenses, and different auditors will be assigned to each district from the accounting firm. In a year or two, the combined annual revenue will be about $3 million, while combined expenses, he believed, will be about $2.5 million.

How many stations will there be at build-out for both districts? Do developers have to donate land for them? Another station will be needed in Jackson Creek and perhaps another in the Forest Lakes subdivision, which is located near the end of Baptist Road on the west side of the railroad tracks. Developers are not required to donate land to a district but do make donations or pay cash-in-lieu to the town of Monument within the town’s boundaries.

Why is TLFPD including properties in areas beyond the district’s ability to respond in a timely manner? Tri-Lakes has agreed to provide fire protection east of Highway 83 where none existed previously since some protection is better than none, regardless of response times. TLFPD is also working on a future agreement with the Black Forest Fire and Rescue District, which is planning to build a new northern station that would be closer to these parcels than the Roller Coaster station. When that station is built, Tri-Lakes will look at de-inclusion of these distant eastern parcels. Tri-lakes can only suggest, however, that the owners of these properties should seek inclusion by Black Forest.

How many board meetings will there be in 2005? Initially, the fire authority may need more than one board meeting per month, but the two districts will only need to hold individual board meetings every two or three months.

The joint board meeting adjourned at 8:33 p.m. The two districts’ boards will continue to meet individually until the authority is in place in January. No joint meeting for December was announced. Previous joint meetings have been scheduled for the first week of the month.

The Woodmoor/Monument Fire Protection District (W/MFPD) Board met on Nov. 23. President Si Sibell was excused, having undergone quadruple bypass heart surgery on Nov. 22. Recording Secretary and Administrative Assistant Donna Arkowski did not attend the meeting, having resigned on Nov. 22. No reason was given for her resignation. Vice President Rod Wilson chaired the meeting.

At the end of the meeting, Bill Ingram was appointed to replace former secretary Bob Harvey, who resigned on Nov. 2. Ingram was also appointed treasurer for the board. Tri-Lakes Fire Protection District (TLFPD) Assistant Chief Ron Thompson also attended the meeting.

When the public was asked for comments, Ken Ford, the only W/MFPD constituent in attendance, noted the "pathetic turnout for a board meeting" with so many important issues being decided. He then asked a number of questions about the district’s draft 2005 budget, which forecasts a reserve of $649,331, down from the 2004 end-of-year balance of $694,798, and about the fire authority (FA) intergovernmental agreement (IGA) that was signed by the Woodmoor/Monument and Tri-Lakes boards on Nov. 4.

Ford’s questions are in italics.

Are there any limitations on the approximately $600,000 in W/MFPD reserves for 2005? Treasurer Bob Hansen said he had spent considerable time with TLFPD Treasurer John Hildebrandt rearranging the Woodmoor budget’s line items and figures to fit into Hildebrandt’s Tri-Lakes budget spreadsheet. The final W/MFPD budget must be approved by Dec. 15. He added, "They will pay $194 per year more than us."

Are there any limitations in the fire authority agreement on how W/MFPD equipment and capital can be used? Board member Jeremy Diggins said that Woodmoor funds are controlled only by the Woodmoor board. Hansen said that Woodmoor is not going to assume the Tri-Lakes debt.

Is there any specific wording that places restrictions on how W/MFPD equipment and capital can be used? Hansen said he’d have to research that.

Are there any restrictions in the fire authority agreement on deploying W/MFPD equipment assets outside the district to Jackson Creek? Hansen did not respond directly; he said there is no station there at this time.

Is there any wording in the fire authority agreement that prevents that from happening? Hansen said that all W/MFPD vehicles are in the Woodmoor Drive station. Thompson said that Tri-Lakes may move their ladder truck to their Station 2 on Roller Coaster Road.

Then there is no wording in the fire authority agreement that prevents deployment of W/MFPD assets to another station in the Tri-Lakes district? Wilson said that Woodmoor trucks move to other stations temporarily during an automatic aid call. The North Group automatic aid agreement only applies to structure or wildland fires, which are a very small percentage, typically less than 5 percent.

Woodmoor/Monument engines are now covering all calls in Jackson Creek for Tri-Lakes? What else may be required of Woodmoor near Highway 83? Is there any wording in the fire authority agreement that prevents W/MFPD assets from being deployed to the Roller Coaster station or the future Jackson Creek station in Tri-Lakes? Diggins said that the fire authority chief, TLFPD Chief Rob Denboske, could deploy the force and its assets however he thought was best for the overall benefit of the taxpayers.

Is there any wording in the fire authority agreement on permanently moving a Woodmoor/Monument engine to a Tri-Lakes station? Thompson said that Tri-Lakes plans to put a high volume pumper, ambulance, and brush truck, but no tender, at the Jackson Creek station. He said that W/M paid for the equipment in the Woodmoor Drive station and it should stay there.

Is there any wording in the fire authority agreement that prevents an engine that is purchased with Woodmoor/Monument funds from being permanently redeployed to a Tri-Lakes station? Hansen said that all assets will be inventoried and then turned over to the fire authority for its use. He said the board would keep ownership of the Woodmoor assets, like Tri-Lakes. Diggins added that for overall safety, the assets would be deployed where needed for the best overall good. The goal is a full merger with Tri-Lakes. Hansen said that the consolidated district would like to bring in Donald Wescott. He reviewed the wording of Article 6 of the agreement for Ford. Ford asked for a copy of the IGA. Hansen said he had up to 72 hours to provide a copy of the agreement. However, Diggins e-mailed an electronic copy of the IGA to Ford and OCN the day after the board meeting, as requested.

A review of the document reveals that there is no wording in the fire authority agreement that prevents the transfer of any assets, cash, or equipment, from Woodmoor/Monument to Tri-Lakes.

Hansen said the district did not have to provide a copy of the draft budget for 2005 he had distributed. However, Diggins corrected him, noting that any document discussed by the board is a public record. Hansen provided Ford with a copy of the draft budget for 2005.

Have there been any executive session meetings since Oct. 26? None were posted. Hansen said there had been none.

When will the next joint board meeting be held? When will it be posted? Hansen said the joint meeting would be held on Dec. 8 or 9, and the boards would individually approve their budgets for 2005 at that same session. Diggins said the meeting would be posted three days prior.

Before the board voted on accepting the minutes, Hansen asked to make a comment about a report in the Nov. 6 issue of OCN that implied "I was the bad guy and fired the chief." He denied saying that former Chief David Youtsey could be terminated with no severance because he would not immediately sign a separation agreement. Hansen said, "I would want to hear the tape," then said that the words reported in the article were not his intent.

Diggins suggested continuing a decision on the minutes until Hansen could listen to the tape, but Hansen declined. He added that Youtsey requested that the termination process be held in open rather than executive session, and that the board was not trying to embarrass or harm Youtsey in any way.

The minutes were approved unanimously (3-0) without revision; regarding the interaction between Hansen and Youtsey, the minutes read:

"Mr. Hansen read a letter addressed to Chief David Youtsey, which had been previously prepared by the board, and signed by Chairman Si Sibell, informing the chief that his job has been terminated as a result of the fire authority being formed with Tri-Lakes FPD. The termination was characterized as a layoff for operational efficiency and economic reasons, as the fire authority would perform all necessary services. Chief Youtsey was offered a choice of three different separation packages: 1. Resign and accept the separation package and agree to the separation and release agreement; 2. Accept a layoff for operation efficiency and economic reasons and accept the separation and release agreement; 3. Be terminated and receive only accrued vacation and sick time payouts and no separation pay or benefits. Mr. Hansen explained that the difference between options 1. and 2. is how Chief Youtsey wishes to have the resignation worded. Chief Youtsey responded that he was not prepared to sign any documents or make any decision until he had first met with an attorney. Mr. Hansen advised that the board had contacted their attorney, who had prepared the letter and separation agreements. Mr. Hansen moved that in lieu of any designation of an option by Chief Youtsey that his termination as fire chief be effective as of this, with no separation pay or benefits; second by Mr. Wilson; motion carried with three in favor and Mr. Harvey voting against the motion."

OCN stands by the report on this event.

The board unanimously approved the purchase of a multi-function copier/scanner for the station’s communications center, not to exceed $300. Garner said the district’s large "$1,000 copier costs more to repair than buying a new one." Garner asked the board to authorize him to make discretionary purchases up to $300 within the approved budget. However, there was no motion or vote to approve his request.

Wilson reported that Ingram had written a letter to him volunteering to fill Harvey’s vacated board position. Diggins noted Ingram’s previous involvement in district activities during the election and as a volunteer performing public relations and policy manual review activities. He was unanimously appointed a board member.

Following a half-hour executive session on personnel issues that began at 7:55 p.m., Ingram was unanimously appointed board secretary. The board also unanimously approved the 2005 employee pay scale and structure. There was no explanation of either document, nor were copies provided to citizens attending the meeting.

Hansen suggested that Tri-Lakes administrative assistants Paula Robbins and Linda Ousnamer perform payroll duties for Woodmoor/Monument for the rest of 2004, following Arkowski’s resignation. Thompson agreed that this was a workable interim solution.

Hansen said that under Youtsey’s proposed 2005 budget, revenues exceeded expenditures by $193. He said there would be more discussion at the joint budget meeting in December, but he said he did not expect many changes from the draft he distributed earlier in the evening.

In response to Ford’s questions about the size of the district’s end-of-year reserve, he reviewed the history of the deceased Woodmoor/Monument firefighter whose retirement account of $348,744 passed to the district because he had no heirs, producing a reserve of about $708,000.

Hansen added that Tri-Lakes spends all their revenue every year, with no reserve to roll over to 2005. Ford responded, "Then shouldn’t the surplus be given back to the voters?" Hansen said no because Youtsey’s budget showed that the reserve would be gone by 2014, assuming no mill levy increases for those 10 years.

There was a lengthy dialog about the TABOR and Gallagher Amendment exemptions and district property assessments in the future, as well as service levels and the contrasting procedures for consolidation versus inclusion of the fire districts. Diggins reiterated the philosophy of demonstrating operational improvements through the IGA before asking taxpayers to vote for merger into a single entity, which is irreversible. If operations under the IGA are not going well, the agreement can be dissolved, he added.

Thompson explained the Tri-Lakes philosophy on lease-purchase of its new engines and ambulance to avoid incurring further debt. A grant of $47,000 will also help pay for a fourth ambulance. He said that committees of firefighters will again be used in future decisions on deployments of FA assets in the four planned stations.

Thompson said an ambulance will also be placed in their future Jackson Creek station because they cannot work out a closest force response arrangement with Wescott.

In response to Ford’s question about Tri-Lakes serving distant areas in Black Forest that were recently included into the district, Thompson said there are no plans for Tri-Lakes to merge with Black Forest and they will rely on mutual aid only. If Black Forest builds a new northern station that is closer to these developments, Tri-Lakes will consider allowing the residents to request de-inclusion so they can switch to Black Forest.

Ford said that none of the board’s election promises of lower mill levies, consolidation, and retaining the Woodmoor station will be met in 2005. In response, Hansen said there are limits on what the board will approve and that if the fire authority tried to close the Woodmoor Drive station, he would vote for withdrawing from the IGA. Earlier, he had said that Woodmoor/Monument’s 9.92 mill levy could not be cut because planned revenues barely exceed 2005 expenditures, with only a $193 surplus. In conclusion, Hansen said, "What you fail to comprehend is this board is not turning it over to" Tri-Lakes, and moved for adjournment.

The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m. The next board meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Dec. 28.

Donald Wescott FPD board, Nov. 10

On Nov. 10, the board of Donald Wescott Fire Protection District (DWFPD) reviewed and approved most aspects of its draft budget for 2005 and reviewed the seven bids received earlier in the day for expansion of Station 3 on Gleneagle Drive.

There has been an exceptional amount of additional special ownership tax revenue this year, about $66,000 extra, with possibly $11,000 more to come. This revenue comes from new vehicle taxes collected by the state that are then distributed to a number of agencies. Some of this revenue has been used to purchase additional equipment.

Chief Bill Sheldon proposed that the following purchases be made with the rest of the extra revenue: CPR mannequins ($1,953), small medical items ($1,400), training at Fire Leadership Challenge 2004 ($3,400), replacement tires for two fire trucks ($2,700), license fees for new channels to be added to the district’s VHF and 800 MHz transmitter/repeater equipment ($3,500), Red Alert computer program for management of required reports and certification updates ($5,500), and a new server computer for this program ($1,200).

Chief Sheldon also gave the board a list of large-ticket items he plans on purchasing in 2005. This list includes five sets of bunker gear ($7,500); 600 feet of 3-inch hose ($7,500); 500 feet of 1¾-inch hose ($1,500); 800 Mhz upgrade to APCO 25 for 21 radios at $400 each ($8,400); and an air compressor ($1,500).

It is unknown whether the $8,400 will need to be included in the budget for 2005 or a later year. There may also be an additional cost for wiring the air compressor, which is to be installed in the new engine bay when it is built.

Board President Brian Ritz noted that the board always estimates the special ownership tax revenue conservatively and this year’s additional revenue was welcome but can never be planned for. The board unanimously approved Sheldon’s purchase requests.

The board has been considering what to include in the expansion for several months. The expansion will be on the north side of the station and will now extend east beyond the rear access to the engine bays, into the north end of the parking lot. In addition to adding a third engine bay plus new administrative offices, the board has considered options for creating a conference room, as well as new storage and mission support space. A new parking lot has been added as a bid option, to replace what’s lost in the redesign.

The seven bids submitted include 12 optional costs for the conference room, replacement of one or more of the four current engine bay doors, replacement of one or more of three existing parking lot light poles, replacement of part of the concrete front driveway, construction of a 12-space parking lot, and replacement of exterior lighting.

The board must decide which of the options to build; the prices of the expansions and options vary widely in the bids, complicating the selection of the builder as well as the options. However, the board did indicate that at a minimum, the new engine bay, office spaces, workout area, and parking lot should be built.

The final cost figure that must be approved will also include the costs of additional support equipment, such as a new air compressor to be mounted in the new bay, new office furniture, new beds, exercise equipment that will help qualify the district for health-and-wellness-related grants, and a server for a new computer network to interconnect each room in the expanded building. Also included are tighter figures for contingency fees and performance bonds and a new parking lot to avoid street parking on Jessie Drive.

One plumbing HVAC contractor pointed out that a gas line was missing from the bid proposal drawings. There will probably be a $1,000-$2,000 addition to these bids as a result. The board is now estimating that the construction costs will be about $410,000.

Board member Kevin Gould, who is an architect, said he will continue to work with the architect hired to direct the bidding process. Sheldon will consult with the Better Business Bureau as well as county and other licensing agencies on past performance by the three lowest bidders. A decision will be made by mid-December on the successful bid.

Sheldon reported that the Colorado Springs Fire Department’s 2025 plan does not call for construction of city stations to cover annexed areas south of Northgate Road for the next 8 to 10 years. In the interim, DWFPD will continue to provide fire and emergency medical service and provide mutual aid to CSFD Station 19. This arrangement has been in place for several months.

Sheldon and Ritz said that the Tri-Lakes Fire Protection District (TLFPD) is not negotiating with Wescott for medical support in the Tri-Lakes jurisdiction east of I-25 between Higby and Baptist Roads, and has not been for several months. Although Tri-Lakes Treasurer John Hildebrandt had stated this was the case at the Nov. 4 joint board meeting announcing the formation of the fire authority, TLFPD board member Keith Duncan told Ritz this was not so.

Wescott will continue to respond to fire calls in these adjacent communities according to mutual aid agreements. However, it will not respond to nearby medical calls unless specifically requested by the Tri-Lakes or Woodmoor/Monument Fire Protection District.

Sheldon said that the district’s Christmas dinner is scheduled for the evening of Dec. 11 at the Cactus Rose restaurant.

Sheldon reported that the Franktown Fire Protection District had been unanimously approved to join the North Group at the group’s meeting on Nov. 12. Tri-Lakes and Woodmoor/Monument did not attend that meeting. Sheldon said that with the recent addition of Franktown, this new membership would result in a significant realignment of the current agreement that specifies which equipment each participating district automatically sends to a fire within each district and what equipment they will move to an emptied North Group station in reserve.

The selection of equipment sent to the fire or to another station depends on what kind of fires are typical in a particular district and how many hydrants and/or cisterns and ponds are available, as well as what kind of training and expertise supporting districts can provide.

Assistant Chief Vinny Burns reported that there were 94 calls in October, bringing the totals for the first nine months of the year to 1,151, compared to 1,297 for the same period in 2003, a decrease of 11 percent. Within the district, there were 53 calls, including 42 medical, 4 traffic accident, 3 automatic alarm, 1 structure fire, 1 odor, 1 rescue, and 1 service call. Out-of-district mutual and automatic aid calls totaled 41, including 2 structure fire and 39 AMR ambulance calls.

Burns also pointed out that while there has been a decrease in the number of runs overall, there has been an increase in those inside the district.

The meeting went into executive session to discuss personnel matters from 9:10 to 10:25 p.m. The following action was taken: Employees—including firefighters, the administrative assistant, and the chief—will receive a 5 percent raise for the 2005 budget year.

The next meeting of the board will be held on Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. in Station 2 at 15000 Sunhills Drive. The final budget and certification of the mill levy for 2005 will take place at that meeting. Board meetings thereafter are normally held on the third Wednesday of the month.

The North Group chiefs unanimously approved the addition of the Franktown Fire Protection District, increasing the number of firefighters and equipment available for regional automatic aid for structure and wildland fires in northwest El Paso County and southern Douglas County.

The additional fire trucks will result in a realignment of the matrix that lists what equipment will be dispatched to these types of fires and also what equipment will be moved to emptied stations for secondary calls. Franktown has at least two of its three advanced life support ambulances always on 24-hour call, with a paramedic in each, to provide mutual aid to neighboring North Group districts.

The Larkspur Fire Protection District announced the planned delivery in mid-December of a Pierce 3,500-gallon tender equipped with portable storage tanks. The Falcon Fire Protection District was also invited to participate in the meeting and in future North Group training events, in anticipation of also joining the group.

No representatives from the Tri-Lakes and Woodmoor/Monument Fire Protection Districts attended this meeting.

Franktown Deputy Chief David Woodrick said that his district would be adding two new 3,000-gallon tenders to Station 2 near Cherry Valley by Highway 83 and Greenland Road, in the south end of their district. The new tenders will be equipped with two 3,000-gallon portable water storage tanks to be used for water shuttles in areas without hydrants. Franktown will keep the existing 1,500-gallon tender at that station as well, along with the current pumper and brush truck.

Two new bays are being added to the existing three; they will be completed by the end of the year. Franktown is also planning to build a fourth station in the near future and has automatic aid agreements in place with Castle Rock and Parker Fire Protection Districts.

Woodrick also asked that each of the North Group districts provide a list of equipment that will be available as they prepare for an Insurance Service Organization (ISO) inspection. Availability of additional equipment is one factor that is used to determine the ISO rating for a district and the insurance rates paid by its constituents.

Donald Wescott Fire Protection District Chief Bill Sheldon said that the automatic aid matrix needed to be revised to reflect the added available equipment. Black Forest Fire and Rescue District Chief Dave Ury said the matrix "has always been a dynamic document, and should be revised every six months.

Ury also said he had been appointed to direct fire and hazardous materials planning for the Department of Homeland Security’s operations in El Paso County. Part of his initial activities will include development and publication of the South Central Regional Fire/HAZMAT Instruction Manual.

Nationwide, regions are beginning to take over the development of planning documents and training exercises. Ury added that within two months, counties can begin to apply for federal grants to support these actions and asked the other chiefs for their support in organizing them.

Copies of new just-revised national Emergency Response Guides were passed out to each district. Copies of the lengthy Fire/HAZMAT Instruction Manual will be distributed via compact disc to each of the county’s 23 fire agencies. Ury added that work to be done on fire and HAZMAT action plans includes:

Ury added that a PowerPoint briefing on the new capabilities needs to be prepared and delivered to all participating agencies. He then noted that the Firewise program for homeowners in these five counties has suffered, as property owners have "not paid much attention due to more rainfall." Plans for implementation will also be discussed at North Group training officer meetings.

Sheldon announced the award of a $45,000 Department of Homeland Security grant to the Palmer Divide Public Safety Group. This is the second Homeland Security grant awarded to Palmer Lake Police Chief Dale Smith on behalf of the group this year; the first was for $71,000.

The grant includes $22,000 for planning, $21,000 for training (including overtime payments to participants), and $2,000 for travel expenses for consultants. The scenario for the exercise is a terrorist incident at Lewis-Palmer High School. Two previous exercises organized by the group have shown the need for personnel in each kind of public agency to become familiar with the terminology and procedures of other agencies that would be required when confronting terrorist actions.

An organizational meeting for the exercises was subsequently held among participating emergency agencies on Nov. 18. Another meeting with District 38 leaders is scheduled for Dec. 22 at 8 a.m. at the "Big Red" district headquarters building, to further plan for a scenario that includes securing and evacuating the school following a terrorist bombing attempt.

Sheldon said that the cost of upgrading 800 MHz fire agency radios in use throughout the county is up to $400 each. Total cost of the federal grant being sought to add federal bands of radio frequencies in addition to county and state frequencies is about $7 million. Under the grant, the county’s share of the cost for the upgrade from the APCO 16 to APCO 25 standard would be 20 percent.

Ury introduced the newly appointed Black Forest assistant chief, Brandon Payne. Black Forest Assistant Chief Franklin Blaha announced that his district would be offering several types of CPR training classes in the first quarter of 2005. The North Group’s upgrade training for Firefighter I certification has just been completed.

The group’s plans for Firefighter II certification, which was to be held at Woodmoor/Monument, have been dropped due to the resignation of their former assistant chief Jim Rackl. Plans for having him offer this North Group training at an alternate location will be discussed at a future meeting. Rackl serves as a volunteer firefighter for Wescott and is a member of the resource allocation task force for the Colorado Springs Fire Department and the fire science advisory board at Pikes Peak Community College. He continues to teach several firefighting certification classes at the college as well.

The meeting adjourned at 2:22 p.m. The next North Group meeting is scheduled for Dec. 8 at 12:30 p.m. at the Woodmen Valley Fire Protection District.

Town Council Workshops are designed as a forum to discuss items to be considered at formal town council meetings. They are generally held on the first Thursday of every month.

Mayor Nikki McDonald called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Trustee Max Parker was absent.

Dianne and Jerome Schroeder outlined a request for a business license for Eye-Magination Arts. The company will produce custom computer graphics, game software, jewelry, and fine arts. After requesting comment from council members and the audience, and receiving none, McDonald added the license request to the consent calendar for the regular council meeting on Nov. 11.

Bob Miner, chairman of the Board of Adjustments, proposed a set of modifications to Ordinance 6-2004. The ordinance as written changes the composition of the board membership to include a member from the town council and the planning commission, and more explicitly defines the responsibilities of the board’s operation. Key among Miner’s suggested modifications was an assurance that the board’s chairperson and vice-chairperson be citizen members.

The council discussed several scenarios under which citizens might not be able to occupy both leadership positions on the board. They agreed to rewrite the ordinance to ensure that the chairperson is a citizen member and that the vice-chairperson be the town council or planning commission member only if no citizen stepped forward to accept the position.

Miner stated that the current board members were in agreement with the ordinance as written and would likely not object to the suggested changes. All agreed that the quorum for board meetings be set at three members. Terms for the chairperson and vice-chairperson are one year.

The council briefly discussed Ordinance 7-2004, which defines restrictions on the use of razor or concertina wire on fences. Town attorney Larry Gaddis had suggested that the lowest height at which the wire could be placed was 8 feet above ground. Trustee Trish Flake clarified that the ordinance states the bottoms of concertina or razor wire can be no lower than 8 feet.

Trustee Chuck Cornell said that at the last Water Committee meeting, members agreed to allow residential water rates to return to the year 2000 levels. No change was proposed for commercial users. The committee agreed to a figure of 69 million gallons of water production per year for planning purposes, which is the number of gallons used in the most severe drought encountered to date.

Cornell said that $404,000 will be needed just to cover costs through 2005, and the plan provides for up to $574,000 in revenues (which is highly dependent on actual usage for the period). Any surplus will be added to the Enterprise Fund reserves for contingencies and emergency repairs. The Enterprise Fund contains collections from water usage fees, as opposed to the Capital Improvement Fund, which retains collections from new tap fees.

He noted that the committee recognized the need for reserves and said that the current Enterprise Fund reserve amount is approximately $130,000. He suggested a maximum cap on reserves in that fund of $750,000, but doubted that the town would ever reach that figure. Cornell also complimented the members of the Water Committee for their professionalism and willingness to reach a compromise that was acceptable to all.

Council members discussed other variations in the residential rate structure that might account for different water usage scenarios—particularly if 2005 turns out to be a year with higher than average precipitation. Cornell said that with the 2000 rate structure, punitive usage rates don’t begin until individual usage exceeds 20,000 gallons per month. He said that in winter, 93 percent of town water users remain under the 20,000-gallon threshold.

He suggested that the council review the rate structure every six months to ensure that they stay consistent with usage and precipitation data, to which the council agreed. McDonald asked Town Clerk Della Gray to revise Ordinances 3-2004, 4-2004, and 8-2004 to reflect these suggestions and prepare them for formal vote at the town council meeting on Nov. 11.

Randy Jones of RKJ Construction reviewed his progress with various entities involved in approving his Elephant Acres development project. He produced three sets of revised plans that have been approved by Town Engineer Paul Gilbert.

The plans include the extension of Meadow Lane to Westward Lane as required by Gilbert and requested by Fire Chief Julie Lokken. Jones noted that the cul-de-sac has been designed with a 100-foot diameter and that all easements had been included as requested in previous council and planning commission meetings.

Flake stated that the town still needed a letter of credit as part of the application, but the amount on the letter would be dependent on whether or not the road was to be paved. If the road is asphalt, the shoulders would need to be 8 feet wider, which further increases the road’s cost, according to Jones. He stated that the easements had been increased to 40 feet as Gilbert had requested, and that the storm water drainage plan would be posted at the property.

Flake read from a letter sent by Diana Humphreys of the Army Corps of Engineers to Jones. The letter raised a concern about the development’s impact on water levels in aquifers, but McDonald noted that this is not an issue that the town of Palmer Lake would address. She said that Jones had the right to drill a well if he wanted to do so.

Several town residents had comments. Gary Atkins, who is also a member of the Palmer Lake Planning Commission, noted that the Road Commission recommended paving the extension of Meadow Lane. Tim Nolan stated that the connection between Meadow Lane and Westward Lane doesn’t provide a second access route to the development since it connects to Meadow Lane on its south side.

However, Roads Supervisor Bob Radosevich stated that the extension mandates the connector road because of its length. He also said that the revised set of plans provided by Jones indicated asphalt as the road surface.

Tom Day asked the council what steps needed to be taken to vacate Clio Avenue. He owns properties on both sides of the road. Trustee Gary Coleman said he would contact Parker to convene an emergency Roads Commission meeting to decide this issue.

No other business was presented to the board, so the meeting was adjourned at 9:12 p.m.

After intense discussion in its Nov. 11 meeting, the Palmer Lake Town Council decided to keep residential water rates at current levels. The vote on Ordinance 3-2004 was tied, with Trustees George Reese, Max Parker, and Chuck Cornell voting in favor, and Trustees Brent Sumner and Gary Coleman and Mayor Nikki McDonald opposed. Trustee Trish Flake held the deciding vote and, after hesitating a few minutes, voted against the ordinances after deciding that the administrative costs to return to the year 2000 rate structure were too high.

The council also approved revisions to the Charter of the Board of Adjustments and approved developer Randy Jones’ application for a road construction permit to extend Meadow Lane.

McDonald called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. She welcomed the attendance of several Boy Scouts and Scout leaders from Troop 524.

Fire Department volunteer Maren Nieses received a certificate of appreciation from the town for her numerous volunteer and charitable activities.

A motion to approve all items on the consent calendar passed unanimously. Before asking for committee reports, McDonald noted that Parker and Coleman had switched committee responsibilities. Parker now heads the Roads Committee, and Coleman heads the Community and Economic Development-Buildings Committee.

Parker said that Coleman and Roads Supervisor Bob Radosevich had talked with resident Tom Day about vacating the unimproved portion of Clio Avenue. The Roads Committee recommended in favor of the vacation, as there is little chance for additional development on that section of the road. Bob Miner, chairman of the Board of Adjustments, said the vacation requires approval from the council and then approval from the board. A motion to approve the vacation request carried unanimously.

Coleman reminded everyone of the annual chili supper Nov. 27. The evening will conclude with the lighting the Palmer Lake Christmas star.

He said it appears that the roof of the firehouse will need more extensive repairs than originally expected and that an estimate of the cost for repairs is being generated. He noted that the town hall building also requires some maintenance work, but most of that work is cosmetic only.

Flake said that an application for Palmer Lake to be included in the Tree City USA program has been submitted. If accepted, it would mark the town’s 23rd year of participation.

She stated that she is interested in forming a citizen committee to assist with various parks and recreation activities. Anyone interested in participating should contact Kathy at the town hall office.

Reese said there were 122 calls, 3 arrests, 20 cases, and 16 citations for the month of October. This compares with 117 calls, 6 arrests, 27 cases, and 14 citations in September.

Sumner reported 1 fire, 9 medical, 1 wildland, and 4 mutual aid calls for October. For the year to date, the Fire Department handled 176 calls, of which 59 were for mutual aid. He said 75 children from Palmer Lake Elementary School kindergarten and preschool visited the firehouse during Fire Prevention Week.

Cornell noted that water usage for the month of October had dropped. He deferred discussion of residential water rates to the appropriate line item on the meeting agenda.

McDonald stated that William Hoffman from CTL Thompson, Inc. had looked at the geology and soil conditions of Palmer Lake. He determined the lake is leaking and proposed that the town fund a complete study, including recommendations for repair. He estimated that the study would cost between $6,000 and $7,000.

McDonald said that the lake restoration fund currently contains about $10,000. She said the findings were good news, because it gave the town a place to start. Cornell added that the council could figure out how to fill the lake once the study is completed.

A motion to approve funding for a complete study by CTL Thompson, Inc. was approved unanimously.

Lupe Foster of 149 Shady Lane requested a business license for His Lights, a retail candle sales business. Coleman verified that a sales tax license had been secured. The council unanimously approved the request.

Two IGAs between the town and Pikes Peak Regional Building were presented to the council for annual renewal. The basic agreement with Regional Building provides the town with construction and building inspections. The other IGA defines the services provided to Palmer Lake by the Regional Floodplain Administration, which is a part of Regional Building.

Kevin Stiltson explained how the Regional Floodplain IGA had been changed to include an automatic annual renewal feature and eliminate some out-of-date regulations. Automatic renewal under the revised wording in the new IGA occurs each calendar year unless the council takes steps to preclude renewal, terminating the agreement. Both agreements were unanimously approved.

The council considered Ordinance 6-2004, which defines a set of changes to the composition and responsibilities of the Board of Adjustments, known more commonly as the Variance Board. Modifications suggested by Miner at the Nov. 4 town council workshop were included in the ordinance.

Town Attorney Larry Gaddis stated that the ordinance as originally proposed would have given the Board of Adjustments too much power, so he scaled back its scope to include a more appropriate list of five responsibilities. The council unanimously approved the ordinance with the full set of Gaddis’s modifications.

McDonald initiated discussion of Ordinance 3-2004, a proposal to return residential water rates to their year 2000 levels. She said she favored keeping the rates at their current levels, partly because of the town’s lack of experience with operating costs for the new well. The council recently removed water restrictions, placed in 2002 to minimize the effects of several years of drought, as the first step in the rate review process.

Cornell countered that the numbers supplied to the Water Committee did not support continuing the existing rate structure. He expressed concerns that revenues collected for water usage at the current level would exceed the amount necessary to cover costs and contingencies. "The water system is not there to be a cash cow for the town." Cornell said the town covers its costs with the $28 per month base rate.

McDonald said she was concerned that returning to pre-drought rates would encourage people to relax their watering habits. The town might have to later reverse their position, and in so doing hurt residents who made commitments based on the lower rates. Cornell noted that the council always has the option to change the rates as needed, to adapt to changing usage and precipitation patterns.

Gaddis recommended that if council members feel water usage will continue to grow, then they should continue to build the Water Enterprise Fund, to take advantage of any surface water rights that may come on the market. He also noted that if the ordinance is to go into effect sooner than 30 days from its adoption, the council is required by law to designate the change as an emergency measure.

Several members discussed the use of surface water as opposed to well water. Parker said that since the drilling of the new well was paid for with money from a bond issue, town residents should receive the benefit of water from that well. McDonald added that the cost for water extracted from the well decreases as more water is used. Cornell and Gaddis stated that well water should be viewed as a backup to surface water, which should remain the primary water source for the town.

Coleman said the amount of water that’s in the reservoirs as of March 15 each year is earmarked for the town. He recommended keeping the rates as they are until that date, at which time the town will know how much of its needs can be satisfied with surface water.

Cornell moved to accept the ordinance as written, with an exception for pipe diameters larger than ¾ inch and water usage less than 20,000 gallons per month. Reese seconded the motion. Parker, Cornell, and Reese voted for the motion; McDonald, Coleman, Sumner, and Flake voted against, and the motion failed. Flake initially attempted to abstain, but Gaddis told her she had to vote according to town regulations, since she had no reason to recuse herself from the discussion or the vote.

The council next considered Ordinance 7-2004. The ordinance limits the use of concertina and razor wire to applications in which the bottom edge of the wire is no less than 8 feet above ground. Parker asked about the penalty for violating the ordinance; Gaddis replied that the penalty is up to a $1,000 fine and one year in jail. The ordinance passed by unanimous vote.

Developer Randy Jones once again appeared before the council to request approval of a road construction permit for an extension of Meadow Lane and a connector road between Meadow and Westward Lanes.

McDonald asked Jones if the Preble’s meadow jumping mouse study had been completed. Jones said he has yet to receive a letter promised him from Barbara Spagnola of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Gaddis said that the road project would be put on hold if approved by the council and a study finds that the mouse is present in the project area.

Flake asked when the council would receive Jones’ letter of credit for the project. Town Clerk Della Gray said that the letter follows receipt of the building permit for the road. Jones noted that the Regional Floodplain office and the Army Corps of Engineers is also required to sign off on the plan once it has been approved by the town council.

Parker asked about the Meadow Lane–Westward Lane connector road. Roads Supervisor Bob Radosevich stated that the connector is a required part of the project and will be paved with asphalt, but that the current plans didn’t reflect the paving. He suggested that the plans be revised to show that and added that Jones will need to conduct a geotechnical survey of the road base to determine the ultimate requirements for the surface.

Parker stated that the plans showed a 125-foot diameter easement for the cul-de-sac but that the paved surface is only 100 feet in diameter. Fire Chief Julie Lokken said the extra room is to accommodate a water shuttle and complimented Jones for his assistance in getting that added to the plan.

Parker also said he received an unsigned letter from some town residents expressing their concerns and that Jones had addressed all their concerns except one involving the impact to underlying aquifers. Parker said that was not something Jones would be responsible for.

Flake asked about the procedure that needed to be followed for the permitting process. Parker said that once the council approved the permit request, the Corps of Engineers would issue its permit, and all remaining contingencies would need to be satisfied. These include the town council’s receipt of the mouse study letter from Spagnola and Jones’ letter of credit. Radosevich added that Jones would then need building permits for every house to be constructed in the development.

The council voted unanimously to approve the road construction permit be issued to Jones, subject to those conditions.

Discussion of the 2005 budget was on the agenda for the meeting, but Flake suggested that the discussion be delayed to give the trustees more time for review. McDonald agreed to hold a special town council session, open to the public, to discuss the budget, on Nov. 17 at 6 p.m.

No other business was presented for the council to consider, and McDonald adjourned the meeting at 9:17 p.m.

On Nov. 15, the Monument Board of Trustees (BOT) reviewed the draft 2005 budget during a work session before the regular meeting. The board approved the annexation of the 45-acre Labib parcel on Old Denver Highway, as well as the Preliminary/Master/Zoning Plan, the final PD Site Plan, and Filing 1 Final Plat for the 32-acre Trails End subdivision on that parcel. The board also approved the Final Plat for the Aston Industrial Park, which will be built on the other 13 acres of the Labib parcel.

The board continued reviewing the draft budget that had first been presented at a special meeting on Nov. 1. Nearly all of the items in the 21-page budget remained relatively unchanged from the 2004 amounts. Town Manager Rick Sonnenburg noted that the final general fund balance in the draft 2005 budget was $300,287.

State law requires that the ending balance be at least 10 percent of the planned general fund expenditure, which was $2,989,068. The current budgeted ending balance exceeds this minimum by $1,381. Any added budget expense more than this $1,381 "cushion" will require a cut from some other planned spending. The trustees had very little money for the additional projects and personnel that were requested in this budget work session by invited guests and staff.

The board recently asked Sonnenburg to have a consultant prepare a manpower study to analyze committee and department head requests for additional staffing in 2005. The consultant’s report on adding people to the town staff arrived on Nov. 12, too late to include in the material distributed to the trustees for review ahead of time. The report’s contents were discussed briefly at this meeting and in more detail at the subsequent Nov. 22 special meeting (see page 19 for that report).

Some estimated revenue and expenditure figures in the 2004 budget were adjusted based on previous work session discussions, BOT decisions and actions during the year, and updated data on new commercial revenue sources. Sonnenburg grouped them into two categories for BOT discussion:

Some of the changes made to the 2005 budget included:

Sonnenburg also invited three groups to address the board: the Police Advisory Committee (PAC), the Historic Monument Merchants Association (HMMA), and the Parks and Landscape (P&L) Committee.

John Stearns of the PAC proposed that the board allocate about $5,000 in 2005 for a further study by OZ Architecture to develop a conceptual design for a new Police Services Building. OZ produced the preliminary study on what should be included in a combined police station and town hall building as part of a downtown development study in July 2003.

Stearns said that the subcommittee on station design had discussed the standards contained in the International Association of Police Chiefs construction guide with OZ, which would produce some renderings and a potential site plan. He added that the subcommittee could not move forward in planning until the BOT determined whether the police headquarters would be part of a large town hall as considered in the first OZ plan or be a stand-alone building with perhaps an attached courtroom and support facilities.

Stearns said a decision on one of the three options must be made soon if the town wanted to initiate a ballot issue in April to provide funding by a new mill levy or bond issue. He also asked for $5,000 for an open house and notices required for the ballot issue.

Mayor Byron Glenn indicated it was too soon to make a decision on the size of the lot needed for each of the three options. Trustee George Brown said that only a stand-alone police building with no court facilities was fiscally possible for the foreseeable future. Stearns said the only site that seemed feasible for that police-only option at the present time would be in the Wahlborg addition. Town attorney Gary Shupp said advertising for the ballot issue process would need to begin in mid-February.

Sergeant Rick Tudor, who is the acting police chief (Chief Joe Kissell resigned on Nov. 5), said the court will outgrow the meeting room in Town Hall within two to three years. Brown said that adding upper stories to Town Hall would require a very expensive elevator and that there is insufficient parking available. Stearns agreed, adding that the courtroom would have to be on the first floor, making the option unworkable.

Trustee Tommie Plank said that "lots of other presentations need to be made before a decision." There was general agreement that the earliest a ballot issue on financing could be ready would be next November.

The HMMA made the same presentation endorsed last month by the P&L Committee. They requested a new matching appropriation of $22,500 to beautify five settings in old downtown.

Folk Arts Gallery owner Lucy McGuire said the HMMA promises to match the town’s $22,500 by delivering about $65,000 worth of vegetation, building materials, and labor to finish the five separate projects that would make downtown "look like a town and feel like a town, presenting a pleasing appearance." Pankratz Art Gallery owner and P&L Committee Vice Chair Linda Pankratz said the gardens would "make visitors happy" before they arrive to shop. She proposed that the funding come from the board’s 2005 discretionary fund.

Brown said they wouldn’t get all $22,500 and needed to prioritize the list of projects, which includes: