Johnstown Town Council 10/7/24
by Nanci Wendland
Main Points
- Funding of $77K was approved for an investigation into a termite infestation and the potential need for city mitigation in the Colony subdivision.
- An ordinance to prohibit burning trash and refuse within the city limits was approved.
- The council approved the Final Plat and Final Development Plan for the Bella Ridge Golf Course.
- A resolution was approved with modifications to create four new Metro Districts.
All items on the Consent Agenda were unanimously approved:
- Sept. 16, 2024, Meeting Minutes
- Resolution No. 2024-44: Administration of Oaths of Office by the Chief of Police
- Resolution No. 2024-45: Acknowledging receipt of the 2025 preliminary budget
- September 2024 list of bills
Details are provided in the packet.
A resident of the Colony subdivision, Ms. Swanson, attended the meeting to discuss the continuing termite infestation on her property and how it has worsened since the 2018 flooding. Swanson told the council how she has repeatedly treated her home for termites. She said none of the treatments have been successful, and now she has termites inside her home. The original floors in her home are wood and the termites have eaten through that. Swanson said she replaced her wooden baby crib with one made of plastic just to be safe. Swanson also said the siding and trim of her home is falling off due to termite damage. She is concerned about the termites reaching her ceiling and roof trusses, possibly disturbing any asbestos in her ceiling. Swanson said she is aware of other properties nearby having problems. She is asking the board for help and fast. Swanson said, “Termites are not on a timeline, and they are moving fast.”
Mayor Duncan said he wants to make sure the town does their due diligence by conducting a Geo-survey of the property and surrounding areas. Duncan wants to know the root cause of the infestation and whether it’s a town problem that could possibly get bigger with time. Mayor Duncan also said if the infestation is linked to the 2018 flooding, the town has funds set aside for flood mitigation and those funds could be used to mitigate the infestation. Town Manager LeCerf said he needs to understand how termites exist in an arid climate, and wonders if this could be a groundwater problem.
The council approved allocating $77,000 from the general fund for a termite inspection and geo survey of the Colony subdivision.
An Intergovernmental agreement for use of a Special Improvement District between the town of Johnstown and the Granary Metropolitan District Nos. 1 and 3-9 was approved. Special Counsel Carolyn Steffl said this agreement is for the addition of a swimming pool and lockers rooms within the Granary subdivision, and to make traffic and road improvements around the subdivision. Steffl said there is a $30M-dollar cap with interest not to exceed 12%, and the developer and builders are responsible for this debt, not the end-users (homeowners). The homeowners will be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the pool and locker rooms as part of their Homeowners Association (HOA) fees.
Ordinance No. 2024-259 was approved which prohibits the burning of trash and refuse within the town of Johnstown. Johnstown already has an ordinance prohibiting open burning; however, it did not specify what could or could not be burned. This ordinance specifies trash and refuse as prohibited burning.
The council approved. Resolution 2024-46: Filing No. 1 Final Plat and Final Development Plan for subdivision case no. SUB22-0008. This filing is for the Bella Ridge Golf Course being developed by the Podtburg family, owners of 448.32 acres of land. Stephanie Podtburg represented the family at the meeting. She said they are an avid golf family and always saw this land as a good spot for a golf course. The first filing is for the playable course design and layout only. They want to grow grass as soon as possible. Podtburg said structures and amenities such as a driving range will be designed and brought for council approval later.
Johnstown doesn’t currently have its own golf course. Residents at the meeting said this is an amazing addition to Johnstown, and that the town could consider hosting golf tournaments with potential to bring more business and revenue to the town.
Resolution 2024-47: Approving the Service Plan to create four new Metro Districts was approved with modifications. Legal Counsel Carolyn Steffl requested four new Metro Districts for a brand-new subdivision that has not been named yet. These districts will be for capital improvements such as water, sewer, and traffic infrastructure. District 1 will be the coordinating/control district who secures and issues the debt. Districts 2-4 will provide the financing through a mill levy to the end-users (homeowners).
Council members Paranto and Menzies were concerned about the subdivision having a control district, which can take power away from the homeowners. Attorney Robert Rogers with White Bear Ankele legal firm explained how Metro Districts are replacing Homeowners Associations (2:14:00 of the recording). Rogers also explained that in the event any changes are needed by the Metro Districts, the Service Plan states that those changes must be approved by the council. Rogers said he believed that was a good safeguard for the use of a control district. Paranto disagreed and the Service Plan was modified to remove the term ‘Control District’ to an ‘Overlay District’ with the idea to give future residents more control over debt and financing decisions.
The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Next Meeting
Oct. 21, 2024 @ 7:00 p.m. 450 S. Parish Ave., Johnstown, CO 80534, or online Town of Johnstown Facebook page.
Members Present
Mayor Michael Duncan; Mayor Pro Tem Chad Young; Council Members: Jesse Molinar, Jr, Dee Anne Menzies, and Andrew Paranto.
Absent
Council members Damen Berg and Dianne Morris.
Others Present
Chief of Police Jeff Strossner; Town Manager Matt LeCerf; Deputy Town Manager Mitzi McCoy; Town Clerk Hannah Hill; Town Attorney Avi Rocklin; Planning & Development Director Jeremy Gleim; Angela Swanson, resident; Special Counsel Carolyn Steffl; Attorney Robert Rogers, White Bear Ankele.
Agency Mission (from the Johnstown website): “Enhance the quality of life of our residents, businesses, and visitors through community-focused leadership.”
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