Wellington Board of Trustees 11/12/24
by Nanci Wendland
Main Topics
A revised map of the Boxelder Creek Dam has been released. The revision will affect area residents and requirements to carry flood insurance.
A 5% increase will be effective Jan. 1, 2025, for water, wastewater, and capital investment fees.
Bee Lake Productions LLC, which provides the annual July 4 fireworks show in Wellington, had its contract renewed for 2025 at a cost not to exceed $56,230.
The meeting began early with “Executive Session pursuant to C.R.S. 24-6-402(4)(f)(i) to discuss personnel matters concerning the Town Administrator, under circumstances where the Town Administrator has not requested an open meeting.”
Nathan Ewert, Deputy Director of Public Works & Engineering showed the board a revised map of the Boxelder Creek Dam. It identifies which residents would be affected by flood. In early 2021, Larimer County released a preliminary flood insurance risk study, which showed potential to impact several new subdivisions in Wellington. The floodplain impacts would be:
- 67 properties moved into the floodplain which would require purchase of flood insurance if the owners have a federally backed mortgage.
- 10 properties moved into the floodway and are not allowed to rebuild if there is substantial damage to their property.
All affected residents will be sent notices with instructions on how to apply for flood insurance. A map of the affected areas can be found on the Colorado Hazard & Mapping Risk MAP Portal.
Trustee Weigand recommended residents contact their insurance company for verification.
All items on the Consent Agenda were approved.
- Oct. 22, 2024, regular meeting minutes
- Resolution No. 54-2024: A resolution authorizing the temporary closure of portions of State Highway 1/Cleveland Avenue within the town of Wellington during the Annual Parade of Lights event on Dec. 7, 2024.
- Contract for outside counsel for utility franchise agreements.
- Resolution No. 55-2024: A resolution approving the renewal of the lease of the parking lot at 3736 Cleveland Avenue.
- Resolution No. 58-2024: A resolution calling for a special meeting on Nov. 19, 2024.
Meagan Smith, Deputy Director of Public Works & Utilities presented two ordinances addressing a 5% increase in the 2025 fee structure for water, wastewater, and capital improvements.
- Ordinance No. 11-2024 establishes the fees paid by residents for water and wastewater. This ordinance was approved by a vote of 6-1 in favor. Trustee Tietz voted No.
- Ordinance No. 12-2024 establishes a 5% increase in fees for connection to the water and wastewater systems by capital improvement projects. The increase was unanimously approved.
The board reviewed the fee structure and brought attention to the difference in the base rate between single family residences (higher base rate) and mutli-family residences (lower base rate) (page 47-50 of the packet). Most trustees believed the base rate should be the same for both. Mayor Chaussee said there is a difference in cost to get water to each single-family residence as opposed to a multi-family building.
Trustee Tietz proposed allocating $1.5 M from the General Fund to help residents with a one-time bill credit of $333. Tietz said this could help residents who still owe last summer’s increases, or it will offset the 2025 proposed increase. Mayor Pro Tem Mason and others said they would not support this idea.
Trustee Daily asked that every resident spend 10% more in Wellington. She said this would bring in more Sales Tax revenue. The mayor and other trustees pointed out that Wellington needs more economic development with commercial mainline businesses. Trustee Cannon agreed that Wellington residents need more places available to spend an additional 10% percent.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 p.m.
Documenter Nanci Wendland
Next Meeting: Nov. 19, 2024, 6:30 p.m. online Zoom, or in-person at The Leeper Center, 3800 Wilson Avenue, Wellington, CO
Members Present
Trustees: Rebekka Daily, David Wiegand, Ed Cannon, Lowrey Moyer, and Shirrell Tietz. Mayor Pro Tem Brian Mason and Mayor Calar Chaussee.
Others Present to Note: Town Attorney Dan Sapienza; Town Administrator Patti Garcia; Planning Director Cody Bird; Finance Director/Treasurer Nic Redavid; Deputy Director of Public Works Meagan Smith; Deputy Town Administrator Kelly Houghteling; Deputy Director of Public Works and Engineering Nathan Ewert.
Documents
From the Wellington Board of Trustees website: “The Mayor and Trustees are elected at large for terms of 4 years; the Town opted out of term limits. The mayor presides at all meetings of the Board of Trustees and has the same voting powers as any member of said board. The public is always welcome to attend these meetings.”
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