RV parks ordinance passes second reading

Saratoga Town Council holds hearing and okays ordinance for second reading, hears updates on USFS water project, CCCOG project amounts, healthcare meeting

Before the Saratoga Town Council met at their regularly scheduled time of 6 p.m. on Dec. 4 at the Saratoga Town Hall, a public meeting on the second reading of Ordinance No. 848 was held.

During the public meeting mayor Ed Glode, and council members Will Faust and Richard Raymer, listened to the public’s comments. Council member Steve Wilcoxson joined the council at 6 p.m.

One question from the public was what would happen if a relative came in their recreational vehicle (RV) and parked in the driveway for ten days. The ordinance would allow a RV to be there for five days, but ten days could possibly need a permit.

Jon Nelson, chairman of the Planning and Zoning said the ordinance was a guide that had not existed prior.

“Ultimately where we have gone over the process is from having an ordinance, having a municipal code, that nobody wanted to enforce because it didn’t make sense to enforce, to having something that is enforceable and therefore the restrictions were loosened in a number of different areas,” Nelson said. “Paths were provided for different things to go through a process where there was no path before.”

Once the meeting on Ordinance 848 concluded, the council got started.

The agenda, minutes for the town council meeting of Nov. 20 and the financials were quickly approved. The total the town council consented to pay was $174,916.14.

Jason Armbruster, district ranger for Brush Creek/Hayden Ranger District, introduced himself then he talked about the municipal sewer and water project going on at the Saratoga forest service office.

“I guess you have noticed the contractor has mobilized at the site that began Nov. 26 and they are making some progress,” Armbruster said. “As of yesterday, they have installed about 400 feet of sewer line and once that is complete they will proceed installing the water line and we hope to wrap it all up by mid January.”

He said Chuck McVey from public works had been out to the site frequently to monitor the work since weather could be a factor in stopping the project. He said a design firm had been engaged to help residents near the project to hook into the sewer and water line.

Raymer thanked Armbruster for his update. He said that the public works director had not communicated to the council or the joint power board for water and sewer the project was underway. Armbruster said he could come to the next joint powers board meeting to give an update. Raymer thanked him for offering.

Raymer told the council of the events of the Carbon County Council of Government (CCCOG) special meeting held on Nov. 28 (See “Cut, Cut, Cut” on page 1 of the Dec. 5, 2018 Saratoga Sun).

“It took not quite two hours, but in the end CCCOG shaved down about $2 million dollars and we ended up with the final number of $7,932,440,” Raymer said. “Everybody there cut substantially back on their original projects. It was a great effort.”

He said Saratoga, Encampment and Rawlins did not bond while Hanna did a partial bond. The towns did this to help get the percentage down which saved millions. By not bonding, funds will not be available up front as if they had bonded. The towns that didn’t bond would have to wait to fund their projects as taxes come in.

The council approved a chamber of commerce event application and open container permit for the fishing derby to be held Jan 19-20.

Raymer told the council the recreation department was hosting a Ladies Night Out on Dec. 6. Lisa Burton, recreation director, added that exercise bikes had been ordered and would arrive about 10 days. The next meeting is Dec. 17.

Police chief Robert Bifano said the new officer, Kyle Murphy, had been hired and the department was getting all the necessary paperwork pulled together.

Jon Winter, director of public works, was not present and Raymer reiterated he had tried to get in contact with Winter several times through texts and phone but had heard nothing back.

“One of the biggest things I think we need to address is the fact that the downtown district is not being attended to,” Raymer said. “I have seen firsthand and witnessed the last few days slipping and falling of people trying to get on the sidewalks.”

He said he tried to make contact with Winter to take care of it.

“I don’t know how the council wants to deal with this, but I think this is a major problem,” Raymer said. “I’m at the point where I am ready to take my own truck and deal with it (sidewalks).”

Wilcoxson said this was a personnel situation and should be dealt with in executive session.

Raymer said he was being transparent.

“I am just trying to get everything in the open,” Raymer said.

“I am just giving my personal opinion, but I think this all falls into personnel and should be talked to in executive session,” Wilcoxson said. “That is what it is for.”

“From downtown Bridge Street it is dangerous and the disabled area is not plowed, this is a serious issue,” Saratoga resident Nancy Jansa pointed out. “I think this a priority that needs to be dealt with.”

Raymer gave an overview of what public works had sent as a report to the council.

New tires were put on loader costing $3,963. He said one last load of rotomill had gone out. Maintenance was performed on all plow trucks. Water/sewer was working on the lagoon dry well. Repairs were done on the water truck and ongoing training of a new employee.

Wall lights for the east side of the swimming pool had been received and two light poles for Good Times Park had been delivered, all from the Bridge Street Bargain grant.

The small pump at the Hobo pool went out. A new pump was installed on Dec. 4. Water temperatures should go back to normal.

Faust said at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 12 at the Platte Valley Community Center there would be a meeting of the Platte Valley Health Care Sustainability Project, Corbett Medical Foundation and HMS for a second formal public input session.

“We are trying to keep topics fairly focused and narrow,” Faust said. “We don’t have the final question yet on what we are asking the audience, but I do know we are going to have introductions of the new staff members from the Corbett Medical Building and I think it will be worthwhile for everyone to meet them.”

He said the main part of the meeting was to give the public an opportunity to ask questions of HMS.

“I encourage everyone to come,” Faust said.

Next on the agenda was the second reading of 848, read aloud in its entirety by Faust. Ordinance 848 amends sections 18.58.010, 18.58.020, 18.58.040, 18.58.060, 18.58.070, 18.33.340, 9.12.020, 5.30.020 and 18.09.020 of the Town of Saratoga municipal code regulating recreational vehicle parks.

After Faust finished, Raymer complimented the planning commission on the hard work and time they had put in for Ordinance 848.

Wilcoxson said he didn’t understand why the ordinance had to be decided before the new mayor and new council took power.

“This is not an emergency, so we don’t have rush this,” Wilcoxson said.

Faust asked Wilcoxson what he had a problem with concerning the ordinance.

“It would 18.58.060 where it is refuse disposal,” Wilcoxson said. “To me it is way too vague and I don’t know how we can control flies and mosquitoes.”

After the discussion ended, the vote was three in favor of approving the second reading of Ordinance 848 with Wilcoxson opposed.

The next scheduled meeting is at 6 p.m. on Dec. 18 at the Saratoga Town Hall.

 

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