The Haxtun-Fleming Herald - What can we reason but from what we know? -Alexander Pope

The Fleming Town Council met for their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, July 14 at the Fleming Community Center. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Pro-Tem, Stefan Betley at 6:01 p.m. The following council members were present: Levi Lowe, John Stone, DeeAnn Christopher and Nancy Glaspie. Sue Einspahr arrived at 6:06 p.m. and presided over the meeting. Ken MacCrone was absent. Also present were Debbie Rose (left at 8:48 p.m.), Michelle Asfeld, Clay Gorman and Keith Beck.

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

Public Comment: None.

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

Treasurer’s Report: Gorman stated the General Fund contains $112,517.64, Electric Fund $62,945.64, Water Fund $52,275.37, Sewer Fund $-7,697.94 for a NOW account total of $220,040.71. The MMA balance is $2,538.92 and the CTF balance is $9,457.93 for a total of $232,037.56 in all accounts. Gorman discussed the second quarter year to date budget. He told the council Colorado Rural Water will add the bypass pumping and the land purchase to the zero percent interest loan. Gorman discussed putting the funds back into the CD that had to be cashed in to pay Velocity for the sewer project. The Council asked Beck get prices for safety clothing. A motion was made and seconded to reimburse Hobbs for electrical safety boots, all voted and the motion passed.

Gorman told the Council that CIRSA paid just over $13,000 for storm damage expenses. A motion was made and seconded to approve the Treasurer’s Report, all voted and the motion passed.

Clerk’s Report: Asfeld told the Council she emailed the Employee Handbook to CIRSA to review. Foreseeing a lengthy meeting, she asked the council to bring their recommendations for the handbook to the August meeting for updating.

Electric Report: Beck said in June the Town experienced three storms within three days. Five poles were broken and repairs were extensive. The downed poles caused black outs and brown outs. He said residents of the Town were very understanding and he appreciated their patience. The major damage has been fixed, but the town is waiting for equipment to be repaired before street lights can be repaired.

Water Report: Beck said he is still waiting for the insurance adjuster to determine if the skunk that got in the transformer was responsible for the destruction of the well pump. The pump may be covered by insurance.

Sewer Report: Beck talked about having a one-yard trash dumpster delivered to the sewer ponds to use for cleaning out the sewer screen for the ponds. The Council asked for a gate to be put up at the access to the sewer ponds and a fence to be built around the pump station. Beck would like to plant grass around the sewer ponds and outside the fenced area for erosion control.

Streets: Beck would like to have the sidewalk broom repaired. He will start working on potholes on main street.

Health and Safety: Einspahr told the Council that code enforcement and health and safety need to have frequent meetings. The Council is updating enforcement ordinances and violation letters need to be sent out. Einspahr will assist in writing letters for enforcement. If a citation is sent to a renter, a copy will be sent to the property owner.

Parks and Recreation: Glaspie told the Council that it appears someone cut one of the swing seats at the playground.

The Council asked Gorman to contact NKC Railroad and ask them to clean up the used railroad ties. The Council also discussed its options for having things cleaned up at the mobile home park.

Action Items: A motion was made and seconded to accept Resolution #3-2020 regarding a ballot question on term limits, all voted and the motion passed.

A motion was made and seconded to accept Resolution #4-2020 regarding a ballot question concerning the publication of ordinances by title only, all voted and the motion passed.

The Council reviewed Ordinance #1-1993 concerning trees. Beck would like the Council to place a restriction on planting trees on property lines. The Council will consider his request. Beck said if the town must remove any or part of a tree, the resident is responsible for the tree disposal. The Council will make their recommendation at the next meeting about what should be done with the tree pile.

The Council will consider changes to Ordinance #3-1993 concerning burning. The addition to the Policy Concerning Burning is to call the Logan County Dispatch before you burn anything, they will walk you through the burning procedure.

A motion was made and seconded to accept Planning and Zoning Ordinance #5-2020, on the first reading, all voted and the motion passed.

A Planning and Zoning Public Hearing will be Aug. 11 at 6:15 p.m. followed by a Town Council Public Hearing at 6:30 p.m. for Planning and Zoning Ordinance #5-2020.

A motion was made and seconded to terminate a town employee for cause, all voted and the motion passed.

The Council decided to hire two part-time seasonal people to assist with mowing, weed trimming, spraying and various duties determined by Beck.

Discussion Items: The Council determined that engraving the names of service members on the Memorial Wall at the cemetery will be paid for by the Town of Fleming.

Council Concerns: None.

Executive Session: None.

Workshops: None.

Adjournment: A motion was made and seconded to adjourn at 9:20 p.m., all voted and the motion passed.