Fleming Town Council hires Justin Hickey following closed-door meeting

The Fleming Town Council met for their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 8 at the Fleming Community Center. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Sue Einspahr at 6:30 p.m. The following council members were present: Stefan Betley, DeeAnn Christopher, Nancy Glaspie, John Stone, Ken MacCrone and Levi Lowe. Also present: Clay Gorman, Keith Beck and Michelle Asfeld.

Additions/corrections to the agenda: Betley asked to move the hiring of the maintenance person to after the Executive Session. Einspahr asked to address the Christmas Festival during public comment. A motion was made and seconded to accept the Agenda as amended, all voted and the motion passed.

Public comment: Einspahr discussed different options for the Christmas Festival. The proposed events will be on the Town website, flemingcolorado.us

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 $127,917.92, Electric $96,637.43, Water $99,354.98, Sewer $104,304.62 for a NOW Account total of $428,214.95. The MMA balance is $2,541.58 and the CTF balance is $10,043.02 for a total of $440,799.55 in all accounts. The Town CD has a balance of $262,218.45. Gorman presented the final reading of the 2021 Budget to the Council. A motion was made and seconded to approve the 2021 final budget, all voted and the motion passed.

A motion was made and seconded to renew the CD for another three months, all voted and the motion passed.

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

Clerk’s report: Asfeld contacted Highline Electric inquiring about their electronic smart meters. Gorman discussed the possibility of a grant from American Public Power Association to help cover the cost of the electronic smart meters. Beck talked about the possibility of using electronic smart meters for water readings. More research will be done.

Asfeld also visited with a representative from SpotOn about setting up a credit card account so customers can use their credit card to pay utility bills and utility deposits. She added that she would like to put the credit card pay option on the town website. The representative will meet with her later this week about the cost and set up fees.

Electric report: Beck reported that a new metal pole with a concrete base was put at South Logan and Denver.

Water report: Marine Diving Solutions inspected the water towers. They found a problem with the hatch at the north tower. A hose was replaced on the chlorinator.

Sewer report: The entrance gate to the sewer lagoon is finished.

Streets: Beck said the alleys will be graded in the near future. He praised his crew for their work on the Christmas decorations.

Health and safety: Code Enforcement was discussed. Follow-up will take place concerning violations that need to be addressed.

Parks and Recreation: Betley discussed the details for the Splash Pad at the North Park. NextEra Energy will help fund the Splash Pad with a $25,000 donation. Maintenance of the basketball and tennis courts was also discussed as was the lighting.

Action Items: A motion was made and seconded to accept Resolution #5-2020 concerning the Supplemental Budget and Appropriation for the Electric Fund, all voted and the motion passed.

A motion was made and seconded to accept Resolution #6-2020 concerning the Supplemental Budget and Appropriation for the Water Fund, all voted and the motion passed.

A motion was made and seconded to accept Resolution #7-2020 summarizing the expenditures and revenues of the budget, all voted and the motion passed.

A motion was made and seconded to accept Resolution #8-2020 appropriating sums of money for the General Fund, all voted and the motion passed.

A motion was made and seconded to accept Resolution #9-2020 appropriating sums of money for the Electric Fund, all voted and the motion passed.

A motion was made and seconded to accept Resolution #10-2020 appropriating sums of money for the Water Fund, all voted and the motion passed.

A motion was made and seconded to accept Resolution #11-2020 appropriating sums of money for the Sewer Fund, all voted and the motion passed.

A motion was made and seconded to accept Resolution #12-2020 appropriating sums of money for the Conservation Trust Fund, all voted and the motion passed.

A motion was made and seconded to accept Resolution #13-2020 to certify the Mill Levy, all voted and the motion passed.

Christmas bonuses were discussed. A motion was made and seconded to give the active employees a Christmas bonus, all voted and the motion passed.

Discussion Items: The Council discussed the possibility of selling the Town Shop and building a new shop. The Council decided to put an ad for sealed bids on the town website, flemingcolorado.us, as well as in The Haxtun-Fleming Herald stating that sealed bids will be due Dec. 22 by 4 p.m. and the Council reserves the right to refuse any or all bids.

Council concerns: none

Executive Session: At 8:11 p.m. a motion was made by Glaspie and seconded by Stone to go into Executive Session according to Section 24-6-402(4)(f) under the Colorado Revised Statutes to discuss personnel matters for hiring an assistant maintenance person, all voted and the motion passed.

At 8:29 p.m. a motion was made by Betley and seconded by Glaspie to conclude the executive session and return to the regular meeting, all voted and the motion passed.

A motion was made and second to hire Justin Hickey, full-time (up to 40 hours a week) for the assistant maintenance person starting at $12.32 per hour, with a 90-day probation period with insurance and a possible raise after the probation period, all voted and the motion passed.

Upcoming meetings: special meeting on Dec. 22 6:30 p.m. at the Town Hall to open sealed bids for the sale of the town shop.

Adjournment: a motion was made and seconded to adjourn at 8:35 p.m., all voted and the motion passed.