City Council - Regular Meeting

Miss Curtis roll call please.

May your social here Council member Cozad Council member Ertialis here Council member caper here Council member Garcia here Council member boy yet here Council member parks here.

All right next on the agenda is public comment audience participation for items not on the agenda public comments are limited 3 minutes per speaker speaker was signing the sheet next to the podium and address the Council from the podium the Council will not take any action at this meeting in response to any public comments anybody want to get up.

Thank you. Good evening, Mayor and Council Members. I am here tonight to speak about a very specific issue, the denial of restroom facilities for residents who are peacefully exercising their constitutional rights. This is not about whether someone supports Cargill. This is not about whether someone supports the union. This is about whether members of our community should face unnecessary obstacles while exercising rights that are protected by the Constitution. The workers participating in these protests are not outsiders. They are members of this community. They are homeowners, taxpayers, parents, grandparents, and church members, volunteers, customers of local businesses, and our neighbors. Many of them have spent years helping support Fort Morgan's economy and community. These residents are already carrying an enormous burden. They have been locked out of their jobs, and many do not know what their future holds. They do not know how long the situation will last. During times like these, people naturally look to their community for support. They look to the city that they have invested in, contributed to, and helped build. They look to local leaders to ensure that their rights are respected and that they are treated with dignity. Yet these same residents are now being told they cannot have access to basic restroom facilities while participating in a lawful protest. No one is asking for special treatment. No one is asking the city to take sides in a labor dispute. What people are asking for is simple human dignity. A constitutional right is not truly accessible if people must choose between exercising that right and meeting basic human needs. How are the elderly residents expected to participate? How are people with medical conditions expected to participate? How are pregnant women expected to participate? How are residents expected to remain engaged in a peaceful protest for hours at a time without reasonable access to restroom facilities? The denial of restroom accommodations may not prevent speech entirely, but it creates barriers that make it harder for residents to exercise their rights. It discourages participation and places burden on the very people our local government is supposed to serve. Constitutional rights means very little if they only exist when convenient. I respectfully ask the city to remember that it is first responsibility to the people of Fort Morgan, not to any corporation, not to any labor organization, but to the residents who call this community home. These workers are our neighbors. They are part of Fort Morgan. They have contributed to this community for years. And now during one of the most uncertain and stressful times in their lives, they are counting on their community to support them, not by taking sides, but by ensuring they can exercise their constitutional rights safely, reasonably, and with dignity. The question before us is not whether these residents should be protesting. The question is whether our city will remove unnecessary barriers for its own people or whether it will continue to make exercising those rights more difficult. Thank you.

Thank you. Anybody else? Have you already signed in, man? Yes.

Okay. Thank you. Uh, good evening. Hello. My name is David. I am a member of the American Communist Party. Uh, 1700 cargo workers, uh, nearly one in five people in this town have been shut out of their jobs for weeks now. and the only thing that they asked for was porta potties and the city said no and here's actually where i want a clear answer because the city has now given two uh differing reasons for that no so the city manager said that they were denied on the grounds that and i quote uh we didn't want to look like we were siding with either cargill or the teamsters now i'm hearing that the permits were denied because the paperwork was filed late so i guess my question is which is it It sounds like the real reason was given, but now some bureaucracy is being used as a cover. But denying someone bathroom access, a very reasonable and humble request is taking a side. And it's the same side employers like Cargill and Amazon take every day. Inside the plant, workers are denied the time. Outside it, they're denied the toilet. When you deny someone bathroom access, you've already chosen. And I guess another point that I would like to make, too, that the people of this town are with the workers here and local residents and local businesses have stood behind them. So the only one refusing them a place, I guess, for that bathroom access has been the city council at this point. So you guys control the water, the zoning, the agreements, and to an extent also the port-a-potties. So you guys can fix that. And just as a reminder too, just to give you guys a sense of the historicity of this moment, The last time American meatpackers walked out of their jobs was in, like, 1985, right? So that was the Hormel strike. So now 3,800 workers struck in Greeley, the largest meatpacking strike in this country in 60 years now. And workers at Denver Processing have voted to strike. And now, when negotiations stalled, Cargill locked out 1,700 workers right here in Fort Morgan. So this is not a routine labor dispute. This is actually an historic moment, and it will be remembered which side this council stood on. Thank you. Thank you, sir.

Hi. I'd like to, I agree with what was said about the porta potties and I'd like to move on to the removal of the picnic tables and the trash cans from City Park. On the website for Glen Miller Park, it does state that picnic tables are present. So I'm curious why they were removed. I heard one person was told that they were removed for mowing and that they would be brought back for Thursday in the park for the concert. But why would they be removed for days on end when they have been there previously? Same thing, there are dumpsters over on Beaver, but there's no actual, the trash cans were removed, and the trash cans being used by the laborers are ones provided by the teamsters. So I think, you know, sanitation, with the porta-potties, with the trash cans, and as well as the ability to have a picnic lunch or just sit down for a few minutes at a park bench or a picnic table is also being denied, not just the workers, but just all of the residents of this community. And I'd like to know why that decision was made. Thank you.

Thank you. anybody else all righty see you none we'll move on to the next agenda approval of the resolution of the minutes in the may 19th meeting miss curtis

Thank you. Your minutes from the May 19th, 2026 regular meeting are in your packet as presented.

Entertain the resolution.

Yeah. And I'd like to make a resolution to approve the May 19th city council minutes.

Second. Yeah. The resolution by Jim parks, the second by John caper roll call please.

That resolution carries unanimously.

Right next on the agenda recognition of business of the month missing.

Good evening. The owner of our Business of the Month selection came to Fort Morgan in the early 1990s to work at Cargill and quickly fell in love with the Fort Morgan community. After 13 years, he and his wife, Anna, were bitten by the entrepreneurial ship bug and have become valued Fort Morgan business partners for the past 18 years. Tonight, it is my honor and privilege to announce that LVA restaurant has been selected as this month's business of the month recipient for its valuable contributions to our community. Each month, this distinction is given to a Fort Morgan business that excels in such areas as pride in their business, top notch customer service, operational growth, active involvement in area organizations and programs, and community contributions that assist in creating a better quality of life. Gabriel and Ana Pablo entered the food scene with their San Miguel food truck, which still serves customers today in front of AutoZone. Through operating it, they gained cooking skills, developed signature dishes, and acquired business operational skills and savvy. Several years later, they opened their first restaurant, San Miguel, in a small building off Ensign Street. When a highly visible building on Platt Avenue became available to purchase, the Pablo family decided to expand again, and El Valle restaurant became their newest venture a year and a half ago with its own unique menu of delectable dishes, including breakfast items. The restaurant offers both on-site and off-site catering for both workplace meals and large events. In fact, El Valle has catered weddings that included more than 350 guests and the larger space and operations of the venue have allowed them to serve such larger gatherings much easier than in the past. A considerable investment both in the interior as well as the exterior of the building was made in turning the former garage and auto body shop into a pleasant sit-down restaurant where customers can enjoy the homemade tortillas, sopes, and gorditas that Ana prepares weekly in its kitchen. El Valle is open seven days a week, like their other food establishment, and employs 12 to 15 employees among the trio of businesses in order to serve local as well as traveling patrons. El Valle has received high recommendations from both of these groups, including these comments. from Captain Bob. We flew into Fort Morgan yesterday and drove into town looking for breakfast. This was one of few restaurants open today on a Sunday and the parking lot was full. That was a positive sign. My friend ordered an omelet that he said was awesome and I had the country breakfast that was also abundant and very delicious. Good friendly service and delicious food. My breakfast was $10.99. I will definitely return. Traveler Jennifer LaVoya adds, the food and service were wonderful. We found this place by accident on the first leg of our long road trip. We will definitely be stopping in again on our way back home. Even locals have positively remarked on El Valle's service and atmosphere with such comments as this one by Kate McBride. Wide variety of food options for every meal of the day with generous portion sizes that won't leave you hungry. There's plenty of seating, a friendly atmosphere, and you'll notice lots of locals enjoying it too. A great sign. Definitely worth giving it a try. The Pablo family continues to support the community they became a part of 32 years ago by contributing to various fundraisers such as the Fort Morgan High School football team and various downtown merchant promotions. The business is also a member of the Fort Morgan Area Chamber of Commerce. El Valle serves as an example of the hard effort and tenacity it takes to establish and grow a small business. The lessons learned and the proceeds from that small food truck actually are what funded the restaurant located at 129 West Platte Avenue 16 years later. Please join me in congratulating and thanking our June Business of the Month selection, El Valle, for their outstanding efforts and contributions this business provides in order to make Fort Morgan a great place to live, work, and enjoy.

I appreciate those kind words. My parents, they've been working so hard for basically their whole lives, and they're really appreciative of all you guys' support. And then I just want to say thank you to all you guys, and I want to say thank you for all our workers that are making it possible for you guys to enjoy our food. And thank you, guys. I appreciate everything.

You're welcome. Next on the agenda is presentation and possible action on amending the 2026 HBP payment. Mr. Nation.

Yeah, we wanted to bring this change order forward. It's one of those situations where with the shutdown that's currently going on over at the Cargill facility, we have some asphalt road that's still in front of there that's in really bad condition. And so we talked to the company that we gave the contract to to do the rest of our paving around town, Martin Marietta, and said, you know how quickly do you think you could get in there and do a quick mill and overlay on that asphalt because typically we're fighting truck traffic in there and it just makes it impossible to get in there and do it and so this is one of those change orders that if they're still not any you know functioning you know work going on a plant we would be able to get in there yet in June and do this project if we approve this change order tonight If things would come together and the work work stoppage ends we just make this change order go away and then we'll figure out how to pave it later at a later date. So so what you have in front of you is a change order request for we're asking for approval for a $104,000 just in case we get into something that we need a little more money for but this would allow us to get over there and fix the remaining asphalt in front of Cargill on our road so happy to answer any questions.

So this would be done before the end of June, if we say yes?

Yeah, as long as I can get the geomat and everything in, we would get it done yet in June.

So the 104 is, because I read those little red letters on the bottom that said that... that there might be a problem with getting the oil and stuff?

Oh, they always put that in their quotes. Oh, they always put that there. Okay, fine. That's standard language and an asphalt quote from an asphalt company. Because of the current events. Okay, fine.

Thank you. That's all I wanted to know.

And it's one of those things that's just because I I can hear the discussion of the audience we would work with the teamsters letting them know what 3 days we would be over there doing the work so we would not keep them. You know in the dark about this we would let them know when we need to get in there and fix that road.

Entertain a resolution.

Your honor make a resolution to amend. the 2026 HPV paving project contract, Martin Marietta materials in for the amount of 104,000. Second.

All right. I have a resolution by John caper, a second by bill Garcia. Roll call please.

That resolution carries unanimously.

Thank you. Alrighty. Presentation and possible action on resolution. First reading. an ordinance amending the portion of Chapter 21 Municipal Code. Mr Watkins.

Good evening, Mr Mayor and Council Members. For those of you that don't know me, I'm Rocky Watkins, Chief Building Official for the City of Fort Morgan. I'm here tonight to speak with you about recent Colorado mandates and updating city building codes to the 2024 ICC codes. City of Fort Morgan Building Department locally enforces the 2015 international building codes, which are now more than a decade old and outdated by three code cycles. They're lagging in modern construction practices, safety advances and energy efficiency. The city also enforces the 2018 international energy conservation code, plumbing code, fuel gas code and has adopted by reference the national electric code as adopted by the state of Colorado. so we asked the question why update the icc codes in 2022 the state of colorado legislate legislature passed house bill 22-1362 which in part requires that any jurisdiction that enforces building codes and updates any building code after july 1st 2023 and before june 30th of 2026 must adopt a minimum standard of the 2021 international energy conservation code along with the Colorado model electric ready and solar ready code. After July 1st, 2026, the bill requires that any jurisdiction that adopts or updates any building code after July 1st must adopt Colorado's low energy and carbon code or an equivalent or stronger code. The Colorado Low Energy and Carbon Code incorporates and enhances the 2021 and 2024 International Energy Conservation Code and the Model Electric Residential Solar Ready Code. So then you're going to ask why change any codes now unless we're absolutely mandated by the state of Colorado. According to the Colorado Energy Office, if a jurisdiction has previously adopted the National Electric Code or the State Plumbing Code by reference, and they are not already enforcing the 2021 or 2024 International Energy Conservation Code and the Model Electric Ready and Solar Ready Code, Then they are required to adopt at least 2021 International Energy Conservation Code and the MER SRC by June 30th, 2026 or the MLECC after July 1st, 2026. I spoke with the state of Colorado electrical inspector for our area and he said that the state will be updating the NEC as soon as fall of 2026. The city of Fort Morgan Building Department has reviewed and analyzed different options to meet state of Colorado mandates. Option one is to adopt 2024 ICC building codes, including the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code, excluding the National Electric Code, International Plumbing Code, International Fuel Gas Code, which will still follow suit with state adoptions, and adopt the 2023 model electric ready and solar ready code prior to July 1, 2026. This option would be the most beneficial and cost effective for contractors, homeowners, and developers. Option two would be to keep the 2015 building codes, excluding NEC, IPC, and fuel gas code, which will still follow suit with state adoptions. adopt the 2024 international energy conservation code and the 2023 model electric ready and solar ready code prior to july 1st of 2026. this option would create a significant division between building codes and energy codes likely requiring significant investment to meet more stringent energy code requirements Option three would be to do nothing until the NEC and IPC is updated by the state of Colorado. This option would then require the adoption of the Colorado low energy and low carbon code. This option would require significant investment as a pathway to all electric zero carbon construction. The building department is recommending the adoption of the 2024 international energy conservation code as it appears to include flexibility for contractors and developers that is not part of the 2021 international energy conservation code. The design of the 2024 ICC codes include several revisions that offer cost saving measures and focus more on a minimal net cost increase for residential construction over the 2021 residential codes. A jurisdiction is allowed by the Colorado Energy Board to follow a phased implementation plan for the updated energy plan so long as full implementation is achieved within 8 to 12 months of adoption. While local governments are allowed to amend the energy code, they cannot decrease overall energy efficiency of the minimum requirements. A phased implementation plan is currently being drafted by the building department with the help of Shoom's Coda, who is funded through a grant provided by Excel. Key components of the code updates mandated by the state of Colorado focus on energy efficiency, energy usage and energy loss. These greater efficiencies are accomplished through structural thermal envelopes with more stringent requirements for insulation, windows, doors, air sealing, and increased efficiency rating of new appliances. With these tighter restrictions comes additional efficiency testing and documentation requirements as directed in the 2021 and 2024 International Energy Code. The state of Colorado is also pushing to lower carbon emissions by requiring adoption of the Model Electric and Solar Ready Code as published in June 2023 by the Colorado Energy Board and Colorado DOLA. This Model Electric Ready and Solar Ready Code is intended to regulate the design and construction of new buildings to prepare these buildings for solar, electric vehicle charging, and electrification of building systems. This code is also intended to provide flexibility while balancing upfront construction costs with future retrofit costs to accommodate these systems. The code official, designated agent, or designated agency shall be required to perform inspections set forth in this code to verify compliance with this code as stated in Section 104.2 of the Model Electric Ready and Solar Ready Code. Commercial buildings greater than 10,000 square feet will be eligible to request a partial waiver to the requirements of the code if they meet specific requirements as laid out in section 102.2. These commercial projects could be eligible upon appeal to receive a partial waiver if the substantial cost differential of compliance with this code exceeds 1% of total mechanical, electrical, and plumbing construction costs, inclusive of all materials and labor. when authorized, certain requirements of this code may be waived to the point that remaining requirements cost differential reaches 1% or less. Relative to other cost impacts of the recommended code updates, it must go without saying that the cost of construction has significantly increased through the years. The cost impact from 2015 to 2024 has shown a transition of moderate cost increases related to 2018 and 2021 codes to a more neutral impact with the 2024 ICC codes. Updating to the 2024 I-Codes will likely increase initial construction costs, primarily due to increased energy efficiency standards. However, these initial costs will offset with lower energy bills, fewer structural failures, and lower building maintenance costs for the owner. Building codes through ICC are designed to be updated on a three-year cycle. Enforcing the 2015 ICC code creates risk and inefficiencies in construction. 2015 codes lack advancement in fire safety, structural improvement, and improved construction materials and methods. Structures built with better quality and more sustainable materials will last longer, decrease lifetime cost of ownership through decreased energy usage, and fewer improvements while extending the construction lifecycle. As materials and methods of construction changed through advancements in technology, the state of Colorado has focused on bringing our state to the forefront of code administration and energy efficiency. The adoption of 2024 international codes is a proactive step towards protecting our community, not only from increasing severe weather threats, but from the state of Colorado energy codes that do not make sense within the city of Fort Morgan. It is my recommendation as the chief building official of the city of Fort Morgan that the city council make a motion and pass an ordinance to adopt 2024 ICC codes with amendments and exceptions as written and adopt the model electric ready, solar ready code along with these code changes prior to June 30th, 2026. Adopting these codes now will, for the time being, protect the city from the state of Colorado's push to become zero carbon by the year 2050. And in recent updates by Morgan County, Morgan County is also looking at adopting 2024 international codes, including the International Energy Conservation Code. City of Brush is also adopting the 2024 International Energy Code. This move will allow contractors and developers to work consistently across jurisdictions. Any questions? Did I put you all to sleep?

Any questions? I guess, Rocky, what I understood is you are wanting for us to recommend or make a resolution to approve option one of the format. And option three would totally is not within our community desires or wishes.

Right. Option three, if we follow that option, we would be required to adopt the low energy carbon code as soon as August of this year.

which would be a lot of expense to people building.

If we stayed with the 2015 building codes and adopted the carbon code, as I call it, we, the contractors and developers would have to put in a lot of money even to bring the building up to the standards to meet the low energy carbon code.

Thank you. Appreciate that clarification that even with the 2024 one,

they still have to put in the EV ready, the solar panel ready, and all that kind of stuff, correct?

Yes, with any code adoption, you'll be required to adopt the EV ready, solar ready, and electric appliance ready.

This is kind of like choosing between the lessers of eagles, I mean this is as far as some of us are concerned, this is the state getting in our businesses on home rule once again I'll get on my soapbox 11 more time. But this is the state of Colorado dictating to us that they don't believe that we know what we can do as home rules communities and so. They've now legislated these things into effect and so we're not in a position to fight this on the home rule status because of the way they've done this and so this is we either do this or we go the other direction and all of a sudden we're telling people they can't put in gas ranges or gas you know fire furnaces and things like that and so they want us to go all electric and so we're trying to hold that one off as long as we can. We can put the solar stuff in, people may not put solar panels on their roofs, great. But if we have to tell them that they can't put in a gas furnace, that becomes a little more of an issue. And so, but that's it. I'll get up myself.

One thing I'd like to say about the electric ready, solar ready code is all that it's requiring contractors to do at this point is to provide the space and label, PANEL BOXES FOR THE BREAKERS THAT THEY WOULD NEED FOR THAT. ALLOW THE SPACE ON THE ROOF FOR THE SOLAR PANELS. PUT IN THE CONDUITS THAT THEY'LL NEED TO RUN THE ADDITIONAL ELECTRIC LINES, THINGS LIKE THAT. SPACE IN THE GARAGE OR PARKING SPOT FOR THE EV CHARGER IF SOMEBODY DECIDED TO PUT THAT IN.

OKAY. I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY THAT THANK YOU TO CITY FOR DRAGGING THEIR FEET AND ADOPTING THIS. but we always sit in meetings and all they talk about is making things more affordable to build and homes more affordable. And if you look this up, this House Bill 22, 1362, it will raise the prices of building homes from $6,000 to $30,000. So, I mean, I know we have to do it, but I'm just saying it's not a good thing.

The reason that I'm recommending the 2024 energy code is because it gives different pathways and options for contractors to follow to help them save costs on building homes.

I understand that. I'm just getting on my soapbox.

So you're recommending them come in and put this infrastructure in prior to going to put in all the...

They have to. They would have to follow in the electric ready code, yes. Electric ready code is mandated by the state of Colorado with any code changes. And I want to stress too that when the electric code updates, because it's adopted by reference by the City of Fort Morgan, that would then push us to also adopt the model low energy carbon code, which includes the model electric ready code.

So one thing here, sometimes these are tough pills to swallow. For me, it's another matter of change is inevitable. This is one of those changes that is coming. I would rather, you know, get on top of it and support it. My question is that we're currently requiring contractors to test in for licensing. This is not part of their current testing. How do we work that out with the contractor?

So any contractors that test before July 1st can stay with the 2018 test. If they decide to test after we adopt these codes, then they would be required to test with the 2024. OK. Thank you. But any contractor that has already tested and passed the ICC test will not at this point have to retest.

OK. Thank you.

key word at this point right at this point yes at this point we won't have to adopt a low energy carbon code all righty thank you for all that information that was a lot that's very good okay guys i'm going to turn resolution i'll go ahead and make a resolution for the first reading of the ordinance amending portions of chapter 21 of the fort morgan municipal code by adopting by reference the 2024 international mechanical code, fire code, existing building code, international energy conservation code, 2023 Colorado model, electric ready and solar ready code, and to request to set public hearing for June 16th. Second.

I have a resolution by John Caper, a second by Jim Parks. Roll call, please.

Our resolution carries unanimously.

Thank you.

I'm sorry.

All right. Next on the agenda. Council acting as zoning board of appeals for public hearing on a request and variance to set back regulation 700 West Platte Avenue and 718 West Platte Avenue. Mr. Raker.

Good evening, Mayor and members of the City Council. This is a variance request to vary from the reversed corner lot setback requirements. Akron Auto is making this request because they would like to protect their vehicle stock from hailstorms that we get sometimes in our fine city. Location is at 700 and 718 West Platte Avenue. Their proposal is to place a vehicle canopy or carports on the side of each building. So on the side of the 700 West Platte would be on West Avenue. And then on the 718, it'd be on the opposite side.

Hey Tom, just... Just for clarification, this is a public hearing. Did you read the script for the public hearing? No. Yeah, let's read through the script and do this correctly. Sorry about that, Tom.

We jumped the gun. Well, yeah, this is a public hearing. Keep public comments to the issue before the council. Each speaker is asked to limit comments time to three minutes unless the speaker represents a group of citizens. in which event additional time may be allowed. Please respect these limitations. I reserve the right to limit public comment. This is inappropriate under these guidelines or otherwise improper. I also reserve the right to limit testimony or questioning that is repetitive, cumulative, or argumentative or not pertinent to the issues that are set limit to the duration of the testimony if I determine it to be necessary in light of the number of persons who have right to testify. First, Ms. Curtis, has this been legally noticed?

Yes, Mayor, on May 15th.

Next presentation, Mr. Aker.

All right, we'll start over. This is a variance request by Akron Auto. They're located at 718 West Platte Avenue. What they're requesting a variance from is the setback requirements for a reversed corner lot, which required the accessory structure to be as far back as the average of the front of the buildings on either street. In this case, it's West Avenue. And why am I forgetting the other street? Weston Platt. Weston Platt. So to do that, they'd need to come to get a variance. What they would like to erect is what I call a vehicle canopy. You see them all over, especially in the metro area. Akron's got them. There are several places around the area that could use them, or a big carport. So what it will do is provide shelter and they've spec'd them large enough to where they can put the majority of their vehicles under the cover if a hailstorm was being predicted. The applicant is here and can speak to more detail. And then also what staff would recommend if it is approved We'd recommend that there be a condition that is attached that says the variance is allowed as long as it remains as a auto dealership, if it's either one of the buildings or both should be sold. If it becomes something else, then the cannon piece would need to be removed. And with that, I can't answer any questions.

Nothing. Okay. Next we'll hear comments from the applicant. If any, does the applicant wish to address council?

My name is Logan with Akron Auto. This is my co-salesman. He manages our Fort Morgan store. His name is Braden Sampson. We're just asking for this change of the variance request just so we can put as large of structure in to cover up as many of our cars as we can. We have a very similar structure, just much, much larger at our Akron location. That's a significant benefit to cover up and prevent our inventory from getting damaged. Big deal, we just don't want to lose any of our cars, do potential damage. So it just takes a lot of time to acquire, recondition, advertise for sale. If that does happen, I mean, it could be a big detriment to our business. That's the main reason for the request. We also Just here this last year, got into selling these structures through the name of the manufacturers, Eagle Carports. We've been moving a bunch of these over at our Akron store. We've sold a few at our Fort Morgan store. These would also serve as a dual benefit to use as a demonstration model to show people what's possible, what they can get, what will be delivered on site and built and erected for them. So having both of these on both of our lots, the main location at 700 West Platte and at 718 across the alley would just be an added benefit. Let's just help ensure that we can continue to do business in case there is an abnormal severe weather event.

might just add that the the design of these two carport canopies um are for a reason i mean they they fill a spot in our in our lot that actually lays out with the property the carports are designed to match the existing buildings that are there um so it's not going to be like a sore thumb type of situation it it all kind of lives with each other and and goes with the property And then I would hope that if you guys have any questions that we would love to answer them at this time.

We have some renderings in the packet. Are these actual renderings of what the structures are going to look like?

They're really close to what we'll look like. We've been kind of working on this for the last couple of years. Finally took the step to submit the variance and talk to you guys tonight.

Any public safety issues regarding fire access or anything like that No, it's one of those that that's why we're bringing it forward as we feel that it's acceptable Thank you Any other comments All right next next we'll hear public comment any here wishes to speak on this issue.

I All right, seeing none, if there's no one else in this public who wish to speak on the issue, I'll ask the city clerk if any oral or written comments were submitted to the clerk's office prior to this hearing.

There were none.

All right. We'll now proceed to council discussion. Are there any options or questions for the council or discussion of the council? Seeing none, there's nothing further. Discussion by council, I entertain a motion to close.

Motion to close.

All right any all in favor I any say no. All in favor. Well action, Mister Wilson. Good evening, mayor and council proper action on this matter is by resolution on a request for variance for a setback right from the set rack regulations at a 707 18 West Avenue. All righty, entertain a resolution.

Yeah, and I'd like to make a resolution on a request for a variance from setback regulations at 700 and 718 West Platte.

Second. Got a resolution by Jim Parks, a second by Bill Garcia. All in favor? Roll call, please. There we go.

That resolution carries unanimously.

All righty. Next on the agenda. You bet. Thank you. Thanks is the 2027 budget calendar.

Mister nation miss book out, yeah, I she's here in the back, but I'll I'll take this this will be a short discussion tonight. We kick we normally kick off our budget discussions and talk about what we're looking at for employee pay adjustments going into 2027 just in light of everything that's going on, you know on a global scale local scale everything like that we're just not prepared to make any recommendations at this time so This item will be just tabled until further when we can get to a better understanding where we are on with the local economy and everything. And so we will go ahead and conclude and finalize the salary surveys that are being prepared there in their final. kind of stages right now but we'll just go ahead and finalize those and get our consultants done with the work and then just hold on to those results until we know what we can do with them so be happy to answer any questions and i'm sure jennifer would love to come up here and answer any questions for you too all right seeing none um reports

Mr. Nation.

Okay, since my microphone's still on. At the next meeting on June 16th, we will have our auditors in. These are new auditors to us, and so Klinger and Hagerman will be in with Casey to discuss the draft audit report for you. And then we will do the actual second reading in the public hearing of the codes that we were just talking about rocky and then on the budget calendar, this will be the meeting that will start with the utility funds will go through the electric fund the gas fund and the sanitation funds with you. Right now we're just proceeding forward with zero change budgets from 2026, but that could change. But at this point, I needed to give the managers a target, and so that's where we're going. So when we make a presentation in two weeks, you're going to see budgets that should be very similar to the 2026 budgets that you saw last year. And the one other thing I was gonna report on we did go to the bond market today for the wastewater project very interesting to Go through this process. So this morning they Started taking offers on the 50 plus million dollars that we needed in bonds. They leave the offer period open for 90 minutes We received over 50 million dollars worth of offers in the first seven minutes of the offerings I KNOW AND SO SO BY THE TIME IT WAS DONE WE'D IN NINETY MINUTES WE'D RECEIVED OVER SIX HUNDRED AND TWENTY SOME MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF OFFERS FOR THE BONDS WHICH THEY SAID WAS VERY FAVORABLE VERY SURPRISING It was one of the things that they were letting us know that there was approximately $9 billion worth of money being funneled because the bonds are being paid off and then that money goes back in the markets and everything. We had 41 unique institutional and retail investors, including some large players like Vanguard and Invesco. We were able to actually reduce the basis points on it by almost 15 basis points. And then our net interest rate, you guys had authorized us to go up to 6%. Our net interest rate on the bonds will now be at 4.87%. So we got in below 5%. So yeah, I think that was very good news. And so everybody was very happy with that. It was very surprising for some of us. It was interesting to watch it all transpire. And then we had a follow-up phone call to be told what had happened. But anyway, so we are now fully... moving forward with the bonds that we will have in place and so we will have necessary funds to move forward with the project that project is out to bid currently We did have a pre-bid meeting on that and had a lot of people show up. I can't even tell you how many companies are there. It was standing room only out at the wastewater plant with all the general contractors and subcontractors that were interested in bidding on that project. So once we get bid numbers back, I think that's early July, we will bring a recommendation for a contractor on that project by the end of the month.

Okay, that's all I got for you today. Awesome, Mr. Brown.

Basically right now we're still working on trying to get the K9. I'm still in the process of purchasing one of those. Biggest problem is waiting on the vehicle to get done. We're told probably in July we'll have our vehicle. So just kind of coordinate that. And we're just a little bit closer to getting our range done. Got a few more things to take care of and we can start using our range again, which will be really nice.

Awesome. Alright, bids, meetings and announcements. Miss Curtis.

The only bid we have open right now is for the wastewater treatment facility expansion project and it is due June 25th at 3 PM and then the few meetings that are coming up. Are June 10th at 12 PM. It's the airport Advisory Board meeting out at the airport. June 16th will be back here at 6 PM and June 22nd. There is a Planning Commission board meeting at 430 here.

Alrighty. This meeting is now adjourned.