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 Wednesday, 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, Ken MacCrone and John Stone. Also present were Bill Langridge, Bonnie Jackson, Michelle Asfeld, Lewis Frank, Joelle Gapter and Keith Beck.

Approval of the Agenda: Betley added “appoint council member” following the Clerk’s Report. It was moved and second to accept the agenda as amended, all voted and the motion passed.

Public Comment: None.

Media Relations Coordinator report: Joelle Gapter reported that she has been researching grants.

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

Treasurer’s Report: Frank provided the treasurer’s report. The fund balances are as follows; General $213,944.65, Electric $88,407.57, Water $127,970.08, Sewer $109,675.63, for a NOW Account total of $539,997.93. The Money Market Account balance is $2,547.94. The Conservation Trust Fund balance is $14,805.65. The total of all accounts is $557,351.52. The CD matured today and was reinvested for another three months. It was moved and seconded to approve the treasurer’s report, all voted and the motion passed.

Clerk’s Report: Asfeld reported that the next court date will be Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022 if needed. She also thanked the maintenance crew for their time they have spent on the Christmas lights and decorations.

Bill Langridge was appointed to the Town Council.

Electric Report: Beck reported that he’s been working on an issue with an electric meter.

Water Report: Beck reported that the pump is leaking at the primary well. M&S Drilling has been contacted and hopefully they will be here the first of the week to try to resolve the issue.

Sewer Report: Beck reported that the construction company that was hired by NextEra/Niyol has been trying to locate the sewer line for the NextEra/Niyol maintenance building.

Streets: Beck reported that they have been blading streets as time and weather permits. Beck is interested in purchasing a snowblade to put on the front of the Town pickup. The Council gave Beck permission to order the blade.

Health and Safety: Stone updated the Council about the ordinance violations. Betley discussed some ideas he would like to see with the Non-Conforming Use Permit.

Parks and Recreation: Tom Goss trimmed 17 trees at Heritage Park.

Action Items: A motion was made and seconded to approve the third and final reading of Ordinance #2-2021-changing North Railway Street to Railway Street, all voted and the motion passed. Asfeld will make sure it gets recorded with the Logan County Clerk and Recorder.

A motion was made and seconded to adopt Resolution #3-2021-Supplemental Budget and Appropriation (Water Fund), all voted and the motion passed.

A motion was made and seconded to adopt Resolution #4-2021-Summarizing Expenditures and Revenues, all voted and the motion passed.

A motion was made and seconded to adopt Resolution #5-2021-Appropriating Sums of Money for the General Fund, all voted and the motion passed.

A motion was made and seconded to adopt Resolution #6-2021-Appropriating Sums of Money for the Electric Fund, all voted and the motion passed.

A motion was made and seconded to adopt Resolution #7-2021-Appropriating Sums of Money for the Water Fund, all voted and the motion passed.

A motion was made and seconded to adopt Resolution #8-2021-Appropriating Sums of Money for the Sewer Fund, all voted and the motion passed.

A motion was made and seconded to adopt Resolution #9-2021-Appropriating Sums of Money for the Conservation Trust Fund, all voted and the motion passed.

A motion was made and seconded to adopt Resolution #10-2021 to certify the Mill Levy, all voted and the motion passed.

A motion was made and seconded to certify the 2022 Mill Levy, all voted and the motion passed.

The Council read resignation letters from DeeAnn Christopher and Nancy Glaspie. It was moved and seconded to reluctantly accept the resignations on the dates stipulated in the respective letters, all voted and the motion passed.

The Council opened the sealed bids received for the four pieces of excess equipment. High bids were: 1967 Dodge flatbed truck, $2,175; 1967 Ford dump truck, $1,000; John Deere riding mower, $601.50; and a five foot Bush Hog three point mower, $100. It was moved and seconded to accept the high bids submitted, all voted and the motion passed. Successful bidders will be contacted and asked to pick up their equipment before Dec. 31.

Employee Christmas bonuses were discussed. It was moved and seconded to recognize the seasonal and current employees with a $100 bonus.

The Council discussed utility rates with a final decision not to increase rates at this time.

Executive Session: At 8 p.m. it was moved and seconded to go into Executive Session, Section 24-6-402(4)(e) under the Colorado Revised Statutes to discuss employee wages, all voted and the motion passed.

At 8:17 p.m. a motion was made and seconded to conclude the Executive Session and return to the regular meeting, all voted and the motion passed.

Discussion Items: It was moved and seconded to adjust employee compensation, all voted and the motion passed.

A motion was made and seconded to hire Steven Asfeld for the full-time assistant maintenance person with a 90-day probation period and health insurance after the probation period, all voted and the motion passed.

Upcoming Meetings: The next Town Council meeting will be Jan. 12, 2022 at 6:30 p.m.

Adjournment: A motion was made and seconded to adjourn at 8:20 p.m., all voted and the motion passed.