City Council - Regular Meeting

Just a reminder to anybody out there in the audience who wants to make public comment tonight, make sure you sign up on the sheet that's right at the end of that little divider out there.

OK. All right, we're good there, OK.

I'd like to call the regular Florence City Council meeting for Monday, August 3rd to order. Please stand for the pledge. Roll call, please.

Councillor Van Houten. Here. Councillor Stiefel. Here. Councillor Mergelman. Here. Councillor Gardner. Here. Councillor Stone. Here. Councillor McKinnon. Here. Mayor Wolf.

Here. First order of business is a presentation on San Juan Batista Cemetery.

Good evening, Council. I'd like to say that History Colorado is the state's official historic preservation agency, and last year they launched an initiative called Colorado Heritage for All, and it's a statewide historic preservation effort focused on expanding the stories represented on the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties. This was in recognition of Colorado's 150th anniversary, The incentive seeks to identify and recognize historic places associated with communities and stories that have been underrepresented. They had a goal of 150 sites added to their state registry by the end of 2026, and they currently have over 100 right now. Last year a conversation with History Colorado was started to potentially see if San Juan Bautista Cemetery was eligible for nomination to the state registry. They gave the acknowledgement that it would potentially be eligible and then therefore the official nomination form was with the approval of the San Juan Bautista Cemetery Association, was submitted in May to History Colorado and officially approved in July. Tonight I do have some of the association here. I have not received the official plaque from History Colorado yet, but once we receive that, that will be given to them. And I believe you guys have a celebration planned this fall? Yeah, come on.

Come on up to the podium. I was hoping you had a representative or two here.

I would also like to state that this nomination form could not have been done without all the people before who had done all the research, Skye Stewart on her book, Carol Fox, who is no relation, all the information and research that she did, the Florence Archives, and the Pioneer Museum.

Thank you, my name's Rick Archuleta, and I'm the president of the San Juan Bautista Cemetery Association, and we have a number of the members here with me tonight, including Sherry Sky Stewart that wrote, has written this book, and I wanna donate this to the city, so you can have one. just as the history about the cemetery so we are very thankful to get this award i've got to thank ashley for doing a lot of the work we had to go back and get our archives and a lot of it was in spanish from 1903 and so we ciphered through that and you did a very good job of doing that and I'd like to say when we do get the plaque and we will have a day at the cemetery where we will set the plaque. And if you haven't been out there, come out there sometime. It's an interesting piece of not only Colorado history, but Florence history. So like many of us, all of us here except Sherry, have several generations of family members buried out there. It's very special to us here in Florence. So thank you and thank Ashley for helping us get the designation and I'll let her know when sometime later this fall we'll have a day where we will put the plaque up and invite you all to come out. Thank you again. Anybody else like to say anything? Go ahead, Sherry.

I'm curious, how many of you have been out there?

Good deal.

Yeah, as Rick said, I don't have, well, I have roots here. I've been in Colorado for probably 40, almost 50 years. So I'm not a native, but I'm close. And when I first saw this cemetery, there is something sacred about it and special. I know those are words that we all use, but there is, and this was the very first book that I wrote. And it was a springboard to all the other books I've written. So I'm very grateful to the Cemetery Association that allowed me to write the book, because they did ask their permission. It was a beautiful space. So please go out there. Have other people go out there. It's off the beaten path. You can't see it from the highway. But it is amazing. And I'm thinking the next step will be to get on the Florence Historical Register, right?

Okay, very good. Well, thank you. Carlin, can we get a photo of the group up here with the book and Cherry in the middle and Ashley with them?

All right.

And Mayor, if I could, Ashley has spent a lot of time and a lot of her own time doing this and ensuring this. This is very special to her. The historic preservation in general is very special to Ashley. So I would like to say thank you to Ashley and working so hard for this. I know all the hours on the weekends that she put in coming in here to do this. So thank you, Ashley, for for doing this for our community.

Because I know I got an email from the state people about it. And so I forwarded it to you and said, do you guys know about this? And I come back and said, oh, yeah, Ashley's been working really hard on this a lot. And so again, great job. All right, item four, public comments. We had no one sign up for public comments, so we'll move on to item five, consent agenda. Item A, consider the minutes. B, consider approving expenditures for July 23rd and July 31st. Approving a liquor license for Paradise Liquor. a temporary use permit for the Florence Merchants Association, temporary use permit for Louie's Place, temporary modification of premises for Louie's Place, and ratification of emergency facility and land use agreement that we had with the USDA Forest Service for water during the Aspen Acres fire. At this time, does any council member like to pull any of these items?

I would like to pull item E and F.

Okay, ENF have been pulled. Any others? All right, this time we'd like to entertain a motion to approve consent agenda items A, B, C, D, and G. I'll make a motion to consent agenda A, B, C, D, and G. Do we have a second? I'll second. All in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed? All right, motion passes. Item E, consider approving temporary use permit for Louie's Place.

I pulled that one, both items, because I have questions on the permits for them. I know that they're planning on 200 to 300 people, and my concern is the security for this event and how they plan on providing that.

Yes, great question. So when I met with the applicant, I was very diligent in talking about the entry and exit points for this type of event. The city of Florence has not seen like a street dance from Louie's in a couple years. So I did suggest that they, obviously all of the boundaries surrounding a temporary use permit are movable, right? So in the instance of an emergency, a barricade could be moved for mass exodus. But as far as tagging people coming in and monitoring people coming out with alcohol, there is one entry and exit which you will see on the map that's been provided by the applicant. And my understanding is that they will be carting people not only coming through the gates, but also at the bar. Thank you.

Yes.

Was there any concern from surrounding neighbors, that the band will be outside band playing until 11 o'clock?

As far as I know, that's been communicated, and they have signed off on the petition. So no, I have not heard of any concerns regarding the ban on South Pikes Peak.

And the signatures required, there's only five. Yes. So it's lacking in signatures.

It is lacking in signatures, but those are the five businesses that would be directly affected. That's just what they provided in their application.

Okay, I have a question on the boundaries on the map. Are they leaving room on the sidewalk for people to walk by? Like maybe on the west sidewalk or opposite or?

The boundaries will go wall to wall and will take over the sidewalk. Okay, so a citizen has to walk around the block to go?

Yes. To their, yeah, other businesses, okay. Yes, yes.

Can you remember when was the last time we had an outside band, street dance type thing playing until 11 o'clock?

I think I was in high school when I remember that there was a band and a concert downtown. So 10 years.

And this isn't associated with Pioneer Day?

They are piggybacking off of Pioneer Day. Normally the Elks Club provides the dance and the entertainment for the Pioneer Day celebration. And Louie's volunteered or there was some sort of collaboration for Louie's to spearhead it this year.

And I remember it being a very popular activity for Pioneer Weekend. I mean, with all the celebrations. And when Louise no longer did the dance, it was a big letdown. So it was a popular event. Yes.

That's what I've heard.

Any other questions from council?

And I also just wanna make it clear too that given some previous experience with temporary use permits, the main event holder of that weekend is obviously the Pioneer Day Association and they did have conversations with the representatives of that board to ensure that this was an okay use. So it sounds like everything is kosher and good to go there as well.

Oh, security.

What about it?

Someone to help monitor the crowd.

they they have staff members there and they will have a security person at the entry and exit point if that's something that you would like is for them to provide a couple extra men of security you can absolutely make that in your motion contingent of course i would like that okay

Okay, would someone like then to make a motion and if you want to add language to it, please make that really clear. So do we have to do E and F separately?

Yes.

Okay, this would be for E considering temporary use permit for Louie's Place. So which one would be the best to add the security onto?

E, item E. Item E, okay.

Okay, I'd like to make a motion to accept item E, approve the temporary use permit for Louie's Place as presented, contingent on proof of special event coverage, and also to additional security.

Do we have a second?

A second.

All in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed? All right, motion passes as amended. Item E. Anybody have any additional questions for that? I mean F, excuse me, F. Okay, does someone consider making a motion to approve F?

I'll make a motion to consider approving the temporary modification of premises for Louie's Place for the street dance. Do we have a second?

I'll second. All in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed? Okay, motion carries. Old business. Consider adopting the second reading of ordinance 6-2026. City planner.

Ordinance 6 is the designation of the First Baptist Church of Florence at 201 East 2nd Street. This was originally presented to council on July 20th. The first reading was approved by council. Do you have any questions pertaining to the staff report or any other items that you'd like to discuss before we proceed?

Okay. Any questions at all? If not, consider a motion.

I'LL MAKE THE MOTION TO MOVE THAT THE FLORENCE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE THE SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE 62026 DESIGNATING THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF FLORENCE OR THE BELL TOWER AS A LOCAL HISTORIC LANDMARK AND LISTING IT ON THE LOCAL HISTORIC REGISTRY BASED ON THE FINDINGS OF FACT OUTLINED IN CHAPTER 15.60.080 of the Florence Municipal Code and in consideration of the recommendation of the Historic Preservation Commission and the testimony during the City Council public hearing.

Do we have a second?

Second.

Roll call, please.

Councillor McKinnon? Yes. Councillor Stone? Yes. Councillor Van Houten? Yes. Councillor Murgleman? Yes. Councillor Gardner? Yes. Mayor Wolf?

Yes. All right. All business can adopting the second reading of ordinance number seven. That's 2026.

Yes, this ordinance is also designating the Lobach block at 125 East Main Street to our local historic registry. This information and the ordinance was originally presented to Council July 20, and was approved on the first reading as well.

Any questions? Okay.

I'D ALSO LIKE TO MAKE THE MOTION THAT THE FLORENCE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE THE SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE 7-2026 DESIGNATING THE LOWBACK BLOCK AS A LOCAL HISTORIC LANDMARK AND PLACING IT ON THE LOCAL HISTORIC REGISTRY. based on the findings of fact outlined in chapter 15.60.080 of the Florence Municipal Code and in consideration of the recommendation of the Historic Preservation Commission and the testimony during the City Council public hearing.

We have a second.

I'll second.

Roll call, please.

Councilor McKinnon? Yes. Councilor Murgleman? Yes. Councilor Van Houten? Yes. Councilor Gardner? Yes. Councilor Stone? Abstain. Mayor Wolf?

Yes. All right, new business. Consider adopting Ordinance Number 8, 2026, in order to approve the designation of the Morgan Building at 109 West Main Street as a local historic landmark.

so this building was built in 1900 according to Florence Municipal Code outlines the criteria for designating on a site on her local historic registry the preservation Commission held a public hearing on July 28th to consider the application for the Morgan building. The commission anonymously voted to approve the Morgan building and met the findings of fact related to historical and architectural significance as outlined in Florence Municipal Code and recommended to city council to approve its designation as a local historic landmark. Did you have any questions pertaining to the staff report and any of the other sections?

historical background or statement of significance Any questions, I know I appreciate the detail that this comes to us with It gives us all the information we need yes Any no questions? Is there anybody from that would like to make public comment? I don't want to make public comment.

I'm just a representative for that building.

And I would love to ensure our kids own it. OK. All right. Anyone like to make a motion?

I'll make the motion that the city Florence City Council approved the first reading of ordinance eight dash two zero two six designating the Morgan building as a local historic landmark and placing it on the local historic registry based on the findings of fact outlined in chapter one five point six zero point zero eight zero of the Florence municipal municipal code In consideration of the recommendation of the Historic Preservation Commission and the testimony during City Council public hearing We have a second second Roll call please councillor McKinnon.

Yes councillor stone. Yes councillor Van Houten. Yes councillor Murgleman. Yes councillor Gardner. Yes mayor wolf.

Yes. I Item 7B, consider adopting ordinance number 9-2026, approving the designation of St. Alban's Episcopal Church at 307 East 2nd.

Again, this staff report and ordinance outlines the criteria. through our municipal code to designate a site to our local historic registry the preservation Commission did meet on July 28th they did have a public hearing to consider the application they voted unanimously to approve the finding of facts related to historical significance for this site and recommended it to City Council Do you have any other questions pertaining to the staff report?

Any questions? Would anybody like to make a comment or have any discussion from? And if you do, please come up to the microphone. Okay. Anybody have any questions? I kind of had just a...

I guess I just have a comment. This is our first church to actually add to the local? No, the Baptist Church is the second. But that was already in the... No. Okay.

Are you talking about the Baptist Church, First Baptist Church? Yeah. No, that was not.

But it's in the state and local? No. I mean the state? No. It is not. Okay. Okay.

I was just okay. I was just curious. It says the original construction was 1898 and the original owner was Fran Oh, does it say original?

I'm sorry Apparently not. No, okay the present the present owner That would make it really old Strike that strike that portion.

All right. Do we have a motion, please?

I'll move that the Florence City Council approve the first reading of Ordinance 9-2026 designating the St. Albans Episcopal Church as a local historic landmark and placing it on the local historic registry based on the findings of fact outlined in Chapter one five point six zero point zero eight zero of the Florence Municipal Code and in consideration of the recommendation of the Historic Preservation Commission and the testimony during the City Council public hearing.

We have a second.

I'll second.

Roll call please.

Councillor McKinnon. Yes. Councillor Murgleman. Yes. Councillor Van Houten. Yes. Councillor Gardner. Yes. Councillor Stone. Yes. Mayor Wolf.

Yes. All right, council reports. Brenda.

I attended the parade on Saturday. It was a very nice turnout. It was hot, but it was very nice. They did a very good job.

Rudel. I went to the city-city-county meeting a week or so ago. I think the highlight of my week was attending the fair. It's such a grand thing to see after the years we put in with one of the worst fairs in the state, to see what it's gone to. Just really, it's good for the whole county and good for us. I attended the potty party at the park. Only thing, I've had people call me and tell me how good a job we did. And the parade was fun, the parade was fun.

Yeah, the the bathroom has been like well received. I get a lot of compliments. So thank you everybody I also attend the city city meeting And I participated in the parade with the Historic Preservation Commission And that it was a good parade. We had a good time. I also attended a webinar for the historic preservation and and there's some changes coming and to section 106 so i know ashley is watching that for us so the merchants downtown have put up some flags the banners they replaced some that were down there and they're on the 100 200 east and 100 200 west They're different colors, and they have the address up there. So it's trying to help people identify what blocks you are at up there. And they've been doing some marketing for us. Anyway, in the newspaper, they've been doing a lot of advertising. In the shopper? In the shopper, right, yeah. Okay, that's all.

I just want to say thanks to the parade committee. You guys did an amazing job, so thank you so much, and it was a great parade. I appreciate it.

Gail? I also enjoyed the potty party. And I was going to bring wrapped toilet paper, but I didn't, so... Okay.

All right, mayor's report. Again, I attended both the parade and was able to participate in that. I just wanted to give a thanks to the committee, especially for honoring all the veterans that were there. I think that was a real special part of that whole event. City-city council meeting, thanks to Cortland and the staff for hosting that here, having to move things around in here. appreciate that I attended a couple senior coffees and it's again just joy just to go down there and and talk with those there at the senior coffee and then you know here are some concerns from citizens or you know here are some you know get some thank yous and you know there's good things going on to hear that I stopped in at the chamber meeting I hadn't been there in a long time now Tammy's our rep there and she was there for that again they have to go through their planning for all their events and Oh, the other thing I did is on my way up to Montana, I stopped at Range View, Colorado and at their city-owned RV park and just gathering information. I know one of those big concepts that someday, maybe down the road, we've got some city properties that might be amenable to that type of use and talk to the people that run their parks up there and got some good information, got some good contacts. I passed that all along to our city clerk. That's all I have. City Manager.

Thank you, Mayor. I have some news. and I hope you guys all noticed a little closer a little closer we moved the seats up because I did see the struggling with hearing with that so I hope you guys have noticed that step one step two is say goodbye to the monitors because we're going to an alternate thing Cortland has a project. So we are going to go to some smaller monitors and some smaller electronic devices. So that is I know that is something I've been asked a lot about. So we are going to change that and we'll repurpose this. So directors, you'll get some new well-needed monitors. So we'll switch them out and they'll go to good use, just not up here. So we're hoping to have that done next by next council meeting. So I think that will be well appreciated. I'm excited about it. Couple other things, the bathroom. I'm so excited that everybody appreciated that. It was such a positive thing and look forward to doing many more as we complete our projects and pass them out. We should celebrate all of that, because that is definitely money that the citizens entrusted us to do. One notice with that, there will be soap there, I promise. I know they're not there. We're waiting for the containers and John will have soap, I promise. Because we do want people to wash their hands. Brandy will be at the farmer's market this week. That is very well, I think everybody appreciates that having somebody to talk to. So we'll continue with that. Brandy will be there with me this week. Podcast. We are ready to do number four. So I think it'll be about economic development and so forth. But if anybody has an idea for a podcast or something they'd like to see, shoot it to me. I'm open. We will continue. And we need the clicks. So watch it. Go on YouTube and watch it and get information and give ideas. Because that is really a fun thing to do. I told Steve we're the Regis and Kathy Lee podcast. of Florence. Dave, our inspector, passed his test, so we're super excited. We are back to having our certified building inspector, Dave Wales, so we're very excited to have him. He is also the assistant fire chief of Florence, so everybody knows him. We did mail out, and this was something that was asked at the drought, our drought Q&A we had that Brandon and myself and Erin Wood were at. We did mail flyers to every household. We didn't mail the whole one, but we mailed just that real cool flyer that gives them the outline and the basic information. So everybody should be receiving that in their mail. Hopefully, put it on your fridge. Just put it on your fridge. We're also going to put a little QR code on each water bill. So we heard what you said, and we're working on it. So we did that. The chip seal, love that we're getting these chip seals done on the gravel roads, but they're not done. They're curing and then they'll be back. So if there is something, some question you have, just let me know and we'll let you know, but they're not 100% done. So there is still one more step to do on that. Other than that, did anybody have any questions for me?

No question, but I want to say thank you for the budget workshop. It went really well. I learned a lot, always do. So thank you, Lori. You're welcome.

Oh, and if you haven't seen Ed driving around, we have our Pam went back to the office. She took a new role. And we now have Ed and Matt. And Ed, stop by, say hi. He is very excited to be in code enforcement. So I have two very excited people. And that's hard to find in that job. So... He better stay for a long time. But he loves this community. So for him, it's about cleaning up and getting our community to look as proud as we are about it.

And on my trips around town, I'm starting to see a little bit of cleanup going on. I know the city has sent out quite a few notices. And slowly but surely, some people are getting some places cleaned up. I know we're doing some abatements too.

Yep, we are. We don't want to.

I know you don't.

We do not want to. And we do have a very forgiving ordinance that gives plenty of time. But we are ready to step in when we need to. And I will tell you, we had a... two scheduled and we got one done on Saturday. And one, the owner did it themselves. So it's working and we're we're making progress. I know it's not as quick as everybody wants, but we're we're working on it.

All right.

See the attorney anything? No news for me. Okay, that's good news. Yeah. So the clerk

Just a reminder that the 2026 pool season will end on Tuesday, August 11th, which is next week. So if you have a punch card, make sure that you go as frequently as possible so that you can use all your punches. We will shortly thereafter drain the pool and start prepping it for the August 24th, 2026 pool project construction. So that'll be aimed to be done before January of 27.

Oh, good. And now. Drain it?

Yeah.

OK. All right. Brandon, anything from water? No. Any questions for me? No. I just say I give you kudos for all the work you do, the emergency we had, and just helping out with the Aspen Acre Fire. I don't know. A lot of people don't understand. You know, we helped, the city helped out a lot with water resources for that fire. I think we were one of the main contributors for all of that, and it's just something that, I don't even think there was a question about it, doing it. I mean, we just stepped up, did our part with that. All right, anything else? Okay, at this time, there had been thought of having an executive session. Would somebody like to make a motion to that?

I'd like to make a motion pursuant to CRS 24-6-4024 a B and E to discuss real property lease interests receive legal advice regarding City Hall lease agreement and and instruct negotiators regarding tenant agreement for the Chamber of Commerce and Florence Historical Archives. Those invited besides council members will be Cortland and Lori. Well, you're automatically invited, aren't you? Do I have to say legal attorney, Mr. Dan, too, please? I do. I did. Thank you.

Say a second for that.

I'll make a second.

Okay roll call, please Council mckinnon.

Yeah, cancer Gardner. Yes cancer Van Houten cancer Murgleman cancer stone. Yes mayor wolf.

Yes all right, we will adjourn to executive session at 7 0 7 and When we're done with executive session, we will return back here and open up the regular meeting Probably make a real brief statement before we adjourn

Millie.

Millie.

Millie.

Millie. Bye. Bye.

We're doing a tavern talk.

Okay.

Working with the museum is like herding cats.

Okay.

And if you say anything, I'll tell you.

My lips are sealed.

But you had been over there, and you had looked at a lot of the weird stuff that's in the... Okay. A lot of that had to do with water and power, and people have no idea. So the idea had come up that the last month was going to be water. Well, most people, eh, okay, we understand. But if we could get a picture of you and the hunk of the weird machinery, because you had been talking to Gail and somebody else, and you said, oh, this is a something something, and it does this, and that's a something something, and it does that. Well, we wanted to make that the base of the water cavern talk. Okay. Okay, so the problem is working with the museum is like shooting at soap bubbles. Okay. But the archive, we document stuff. So if we can, at your convenience, if we could get you to walk us through, we'll take the picture of the thingamabob, the water thing. Before or after the tavern talk? It's up to you, because their tavern talks bounce all over the map, and we can't do that. So we'll document what your thing, because your part of it is a whole week presentation. I mean, the picture, and then what the modern gizmo would look like.

So that's exactly what we did. So we looked at everything they had there, and a lot of what they had is, so there's a section of water main, there's a section of old service line, then a meter, and whatnot. So we were talking about comparing then to now.

Exactly, and that's what we want.

So we brought in a model Of what we have now. That's exactly what, and we want to get it documented. So this Wednesday at 9 a.m., I have a meeting with Susie at the museum. I don't think it would take too long. So maybe if you guys want to come tag in around 9.30, then we can take a picture, we can talk a little bit. I think me and Susie, it shouldn't take too long. We should be done by 9.30, I would think.

Okay, because the problem was that with the archive, we have to document and get this stuff done like a month ahead of time because the information and the cookies and plugging it into the survey and all that. So we can't have somebody say, okay, we're going to change the whole month focus, which they did. And so... water was the last one and so we're packaging up that whole month because what we do is the tavern talk and the elements of four weeks are buried in that okay and so at the farmers market we push the information and there's four different so gradually the people start to Oh. All right. And so with us, it's like poster and graphics. They walk by and they think, wow.

Wonderful.

So that's what we do at the pharmacy. But all that graphic information, it isn't done overnight. Sure. So this is September that we're looking at for water. Now, we don't know when her tavern talk's going to finally land. I think it's August 22nd. Yeah. Yeah.

Yeah, Saturday, August 22nd.

So the elements that are going to be in that tavern truck, whatever, for September is each one of the four weeks. Okay. So if it's a hunk of water main, then it would be water mains around here, what they're made of, Digging up crosswalks to put water mains under them. Stuff that people actually see. So we're packaging up September and we know that you were coming in and we wanted to make sure that we got your information. So that's the basic documentation.

So let's do that Wednesday. let's just call that a kickoff and then if if we if we need to meet again and have another chat we can certainly do that yeah because you are a resource and that's what

Thank you.

Oh no, not at all. You have a good night.

Yeah, no, this is

All right, 742 and I call the regular city council meeting back to order. We have come out of executive session and would just like to say no formal action was taken. We've asked negotiators and see staff for more information concerning the current City Hall leases and the future vision for City Hall. Any last things from anybody? Do we have a motion to adjourn?

I'll make a motion to adjourn.

Do we have a second?

I'll second.

All in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed? Okay. City meeting is adjourned at 743.