Fleming Town Council agrees to extend Town Hall hours for trial period

The Fleming Town Council held their regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023. Due to weather conditions, the meeting was also accessible via Zoom. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Stefan Betley at 6:30 p.m. The following council members were present: Andrew Muller, Cathy Castillo, Bill Langridge, Suzanne Wales and Bonnie Jackson. Alex Gapter was absent. Also present were Aaron Neilson (via Zoom), Kerry Brown (via Zoom), Lewis Frank (via Zoom), Michelle Asfeld (via Zoom), Justin and Milinda Hickey and Keith Beck.

Additions/Corrections to the Agenda: Betley asked to rearrange the agenda due to on-line Zoom participation. It was moved and seconded to accept the agenda as modified, the motion passed unanimously.

Public Comment: No public comment.

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

Maintenance Report: Beck reported the maintenance department has been moving a lot of snow. The Town leased a payloader, which really came in handy during the last snowstorm. The battery was replaced in the 1990 flatbed pickup. A few repairs have been made to the dump truck.

Treasurer’s Report: Frank presented the Treasurer’s Report. It was moved and seconded to approve the Treasurer’s Report, all voted and the motion passed.

Clerks Report: Asfeld informed the Council that the Logan County Chamber will recognize the Town of Fleming in February.

Action Items:

1. It was moved and seconded to designate the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Fleming Town Hall as the regular council meeting, the motion passed unanimously.

2. It was moved and seconded to designate the Fleming Town Hall, the Fleming Post Office, the First National Bank and on the town website as official posting places for the Fleming Town Council Agenda, the motion passed unanimously.

3. It was moved and seconded to designate the South Platte Sentinel as the official newspaper, as it is delivered free to every household, the motion passed unanimously.

4. Betley presented the audit engagement letter from Lauer Szabo and Associates. After a brief discussion it was moved and seconded to retain Lauer Szabo and Associates for the annual audit, the motion passed unanimously.

5. Following the successful ballot question that was put before the Fleming voters in the November election, it was moved and seconded to adopt Ordinance #1-2023-Changing the Town Election from April to November, the motion passed unanimously.

6. A motion was made and seconded to approve a liquor license for a new establishment in Fleming. Per State Statute, a voice vote was recorded. All council members voted aye, the motion passed.

7. There was a discussion regarding the Town reimbursing an employee for a Commercial Driver’s License physical. It was moved and seconded to reimburse the employee for the cost of the physical without any stipulations, the motion passed unanimously.

The Council expressed their thanks to the maintenance department for all of the snow removal and the weather conditions they endured to get snow removed.

Executive Session: At 7:25 p.m. a motion was made and seconded to enter into Executive Session, Section 24-6-402(4)(a) C.R.S. for the purpose of discussing the sale or purchase of a property. All voted and the motion passed.

At 7:45 p.m. a motion was made and seconded to conclude the Executive Session and return to the regular council meeting. All voted. Motion passed.

It was moved and seconded that the Town seek legal advice to discuss the intricacies of a transfer of ownership of a building. All voted and the motion passed.

Discussion Items: Betley discussed extending the Town Hall hours one night a week so people that work out of town would still have availability to meet with the town clerk to pay utility bills, pick up a building permit or the community center keys. It was decided to do a trail period for the extended hours. The Town Hall hours on Wednesday will be 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. The Wednesday hours will be revisited at the April meeting.

The Snow Removal Policy was addressed. Asfeld was instructed to add “church parking” to the policy.

Upcoming Meetings: Council meeting, Feb. 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the Fleming Town Hall.

Adjournment: A motion was made and seconded to adjourn at 8:10 p.m., the motion passed unanimously.