Town of Fleming's budget hearing set for Dec. 11 at 6:30 p.m.

The Fleming Town Council held their regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Stefan Betley at 6:30 p.m. The following Council members were present: Cathy Castillo, Bill Langridge, Alex Gapter and Bonnie Jackson. Suzanne Wales attended via phone. Andrew Muller was absent. Also present were Keith Beck, Lewis Frank and Michelle Asfeld.

Additions/Corrections to the Agenda: Betley asked for additions or corrections to the agenda. Jackson asked to have the Firemen's Christmas celebration added under Discussion Items. It was moved and seconded to approve the agenda as amended. The motion passed unanimously.

Public Comment: None.

Consent Agenda: A motion was made and seconded to approve the consent agenda, consisting of the October minutes and bills. The motion passed unanimously.

Maintenance Report: Beck reported some issues with maintenance equipment. He also told the Council of a meeting to be held in Imperial, Neb. by MEAN on Dec. 12 at 11 a.m., to talk about the possibility of sharing an area electrical lineman crew. Beck will be conducting a required water test before the end of the month. Trees were removed that had been planted over a sewer line. The maintenance employees are addressing an issue with one of the lift station pumps at the sewer ponds. Beck and Hickey have been grading streets as time permits. Beck also asked the Council to discuss possible options to address a number of barking dogs on the south side of town.

Clerk's Report: No Report.

Treasurer's Report: Frank presented the Treasurer's Report. It was moved and seconded to approve the Treasurer's Report. The motion passed unanimously. Frank then shared the revised 2025 budget with the Council and a short discussion followed. The Council also discussed their decision to move some investment funds to ColoTrust.

Executive Session: It was moved and seconded to go into executive session, C.R.S. Section 24-6-402(4)(f) for the purpose of discussing personnel matters regarding employee evaluations. The motion passed unanimously. The Council went into executive session at 7:20 p.m. The Council concluded the executive session at 7:39 p.m. and returned to their regular meeting.

Action Items:

The Council discussed salary/wage adjustments for employees. It was moved and seconded to approve pay increases for the employees as discussed. The motion passed unanimously. It was then moved and seconded to adopt the second reading of the budget, with the previous adjustments. The motion passed unanimously. There will be a Public Hearing for the 2025 Budget on Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 6:30 p.m. followed by the Town Council meeting at 6:45 p.m. at the Town Hall.

It was moved and seconded to renew the Equipment Breakdown Coverage with CIRSA for 2025. The motion passed unanimously. It was also moved and seconded to renew the Occupational Accidental Death and Dismemberment Coverage with CIRSA for 2025. The motion passed unanimously.

Resolution #6-2024 Cemetery Land Agreement/Contract was briefly discussed. It was moved and seconded to give the Mayor the authority to enter into said contract on behalf of the Town. The motion passed unanimously.

Resolution #7-2024 ColoTrust was discussed. It was moved and seconded to pass said resolution. The motion passed unanimously.

A MOU between DOLA, CU Denver and the Town of Fleming was discussed. The MOU is needed for the CU Denver students to work on concepts for remodeling/adding on to the Town Hall. It was moved and seconded to enter into this MOU. The motion passed unanimously.

Discussion Items:

With Muller absent, no cost estimates for an equipment building were presented. The Council will now look at submitting a grant application in April 2025.

Mayor Betley provided the Council with some background from a prior agreement between the Town of Fleming and Niyol Wind regarding the use of residential streets to access their property. Niyol Wind has submitted a Building Permit for an additional building on their property. Betley suggested that the Council consider a short-term Variance to allow Niyol Wind to gain access to their property from Highway 6. A Public Hearing for said Variance will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 6:30 p.m. at the Town Hall coinciding with the 2025 Budget Public Hearing.

Jackson talked to the Council about participating in the Firemen's Christmas celebration on Sunday, Dec. 15. A simple craft project for kids was discussed along with providing hot chocolate.

Upcoming Meetings:

-Effective Governance meeting on Dec. 5 in Sterling from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

-Public Hearing on Dec. 11 at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall for Niyol Wind Variance and the 2025 Budget.

-Town Council meeting on Dec. 11 at 6:45 p.m. at Town Hall.

-MEAN Resource Sharing meeting on Dec. 12 in Imperial, Neb. at 11 a.m.

Adjournment: A motion was made and seconded to adjourn at 8:30 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.