The Town of Nucla in its regular meeting Feb. 11 discussed annual allocations, including the Region 10 membership for $1,275.34, the Montrose County Sheriff’s Posse donation for $500 and Dark Sky Alliance membership for $30.
Nucla’s trustees also approved the $9,900 fee for RPI Consulting, for work in land use and development code updates. The work included 60 hours and eight topics. While the town only had $2,000 budgeted, Town Clerk-Manager Jessica Davis said the gap could be filled by taking funds from other areas.
The board tabled a discussion of the intergovernmental agreement with Montrose County Planning & Development, which was on the agenda. Trustees said they needed more time to look at documents.
The board discussed and approved a banking agreement with Citizens State Bank, a procedure that puts protections in place for dispersing money. The plan requires more than one town signature for transactions and has a cap of $2,000.
The Drought Water Resolution was up for discussion, and that was also tabled, because trustees wanted to look more closely at water restrictions for different users.
In the biggest news, Mayor Pro Tem Tim Pierce’s work in proactively addressing the main waterline has come to culmination. After months of research, bids, communication and other paperwork, the board approved going for the Energy Impact Assistant Fund (EIAF) Grant, a 1:1 matching grant through the state’s Department of Local Affairs. Approximately $200,000 is needed for the $350,000 grant, and Pierce proposed allocating Just Transition monies.
Naturita approved $100,000 and will share the burden. The main waterline does serve both communities. The 12-inch pipe is 50 years old, on 2900 Road, made of asbestos-concrete and has a life span of 50-100 years.
The funds will cover two things: a video inspection of the pipe and also a secondary assessment of the pipe’s material. Pierce said results will show the thickness of the line’s wall, plus potential deterioration. He said both methods were important.
The grant was due Friday, Feb. 13. Pierce had been told by state officials that Nucla’s application would be well received, and the West End has a high probability of being awarded.
Pierce told trustees the main line could be used in the future as Nucla’s service line, and a new mainline serving both communities could be built; cost of that is estimated at $1.5 to $2 million.
The West End housing meeting was scheduled for Feb. 11, but that was postponed and will happen in the next few months.
In her report, Davis said Nucla was awarded a $10,000 Colorado Housing Finance Authority grant, for Nucla Community Center Upgrades. Davis added she’s working on computer and technology upgrades too, since staff are having issues with their operating systems and programs.
She reminded trustees of the Nucla Public Library book sale, Feb. 20-21. She said books are being sold for donation only, and all in the community are encouraged to come by and see what’s available.
Public Works has been working on cattail mitigation at the reservoir and relocating otters.
The town has yet to hire the code enforcement officer, as the previous candidates have not returned the call to come interview. There is one new prospect, however.
At the end of the meeting, trustees went into executive session to discuss “negotiations,” “developing negotiations” and “water rights.”
