Vote to give employee raises follows executive session

The Fleming Town Council met for their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 10 at the Fleming Community Center. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Pro-Tem, Stefan Betley at 6:30 p.m. The following council members were present: DeeAnn Christopher, Nancy Glaspie, John Stone, Ken MacCrone and Levi Lowe. Sue Einspahr was absent. Also Present were Clay Gorman, Keith Beck and Michelle Asfeld.

Additions/Corrections to the Agenda: Betley asked to add Regional Opportunity Study to Discussion Items. A motion was made and seconded to approve the Agenda as amended, all voted and the motion passed.

Consent Agenda: A motion was made and seconded to approve the Consent Agenda, all voted and the motion passed.

Treasurer’s Report: Gorman presented the Treasurer’s Report. The General Fund contains $123,438.31, Electric $92,456.11, Water $101,007.44, Sewer $115,815.97 for a NOW Account total of $432,717.83. The MMA balance is $2,541.04 and the CTF balance is $10,041.48 for a total of $445,300.35 in all accounts. Gorman reviewed the second reading of the budget with the Council. A motion was made and seconded to accept the second reading of the budget as presented, all voted and the motion passed.

A motion was made and seconded to approve the Treasurer’s Report, all voted and the motion passed.

A motion was made and seconded to increase the water base rate by $3 per month, all voted and the motion passed.

Clerk’s Report: No report.

Electric Report: Beck reported that two electric poles have been replaced and seven or eight need to be looked at with the possibility of being replaced.

Water Report: The hatch on the north water tank and the south water tank will be inspected on Friday, Nov. 13 by Marine Diving Solutions.

Sewer Report: Beck will place sand and gravel around the sewer building. He also informed the Council that the garage door at the new sewer building isn’t closing properly and will need to be adjusted. Beck said a cattle guard will be put under the entrance gate to the sewer lagoons.

Streets: Beck thanked Harold and Mary Lee Kues for the gravel that was used on the streets.

Health and Safety: Code Enforcement was discussed. Beck will report the violation to the town hall, a Notice of Ordinance Violation will be mailed out and if the violation isn’t corrected, the Code Enforcement Officer will be called. A motion was made and seconded to make Beck and Hobbs enforcement officers, all voted and the motion passed.

Parks and Recreation: The North Park was discussed. Some of the recreation possibilities include resurfacing the basketball court and putting up a fence, some new playground equipment or a splash park. Betley and the committee will continue to research possible alternatives.

Action Items: The CIRSA Optional Coverage Quotes were discussed. A motion was made and seconded to accept the 2021 Blanket Accident Insurance Data Collection CSWAMP Policy for Community Service Workers Quote, all voted and the motion passed.

A motion was made and seconded to accept the 2021 Equipment Breakdown Coverage, all voted and the motion passed.

A motion was made and seconded to accept the 2021 Occupational Accidental Death and Dismemberment Coverage for all employees, all voted and the motion passed.

A motion was made and seconded to accept the 2021 No Fault Water Line Rupture and/or Sewer Back-up Coverage, Option I, all voted and the motion passed.

Discussion Items: The Fleming website is functional. Asfeld put the web address on the utility bills so that everyone who receives a utility bill has access to the town website.

The Council inquired about the help wanted ad. Asfeld reported that one resume has been turned in so far for the full-time maintenance job opening.

Beck looked into a bucket truck. He felt the best option would be to do some upgrades to the bucket truck the town currently owns.

The Department of Local Affairs emailed the town a Regional Opportunity Study concerning the coronavirus and how it has impacted the community.

The Council discussed the electronic smart meter changeover so the meters will be read electronically and not manually. The Council determined that a letter of intent will be sent to MEAN.

Executive Session: At 8:23 p.m., a motion was made by Lowe and seconded by MacCrone to enter into Executive Session pursuant to section 24-6-402-(4)(f) C.R.S. for the purpose of discussing personnel matters regarding employee performances/evaluations, all voted and the motion passed.

At 8:33 p.m. motion was made by Stone and seconded by Glaspie to conclude the Executive Session and return to the regular meeting, all voted and the motion passed.

The Council discussed wages for the town employees. A motion was made and seconded to increase wages, all voted and the motion passed.

Upcoming Meetings: Public Hearing for the 2021 Budget on Dec. 8 at 6:15 p.m. at the Fleming Community Center.

Fleming Town Council regular meeting will be Dec. 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the Fleming Community Center.

Adjournment: A motion was made and seconded to adjourn at 8:44 p.m., all voted and the motion passed.