Parks, pot on board agenda

Talk of sister city in Europe is also planned

On the heels of a discussion that initiated in March, the Mancos Town board is considering approval of an organic parks maintenance plan.

The plan would entail hiring an additional seasonal parks employee to focus solely on weed removal through mechanical and other means. The plan also means turf maintenance at Boyle Park via field-top dressing, leveling, aeration, as well as the purchase of organic fertilizer, organic park signage, and spot treatment for low-impact areas.

The total estimated annual cost is between $10,650 and $11,650, with the possibility of that lowering once the turfs are in good health. Funds would come from the Conservation Trust Fund or the General Fund.

The town board is also considering some amendments to the process for medical and retail marijuana business licenses. The item was brought to the board's March 28 and April 8 meetings.

According to paperwork filed to the town board, the majority of the changes are to "streamline the application process for both medical and retail marijuana applications, changes, transfers, etc."

Other items up for discussion only include:

Via ordinance, changing the distance requirement for liquor licenses in relation to schools from 500 feet. Several smaller towns with schools close to commercial districts- Ignacio, Idaho Springs and Steamboat Springs- have reduced the distance requirement.

Partnering with Feins, France, to become a sister city. Feins town council has reached out to Mancos to inquire about interest in partnering as sister cities, a relationship that fosters democracy, establishes cultural linkages and information exchanges. Feins is a farming community in northwestern France known for dairy and beef production, as well as it its apple orchards. The town's population of about 920.