The Cortez City Council voted on Tuesday to grant annual discounts on city services to members of government boards and commissions and to some other volunteers.
Discounts for city volunteers previously were discussed at several recent council workshops. As council members agreed at their July 11 workshop, the discount will come in the form of a $75 certificate to be used at the Cortez Recreation Center and other city facilities.
The board also voted on previously discussed issues including the decision to waive some construction fees for the new Bridge Emergency Shelter building.
City Manager Shane Hale presented two versions of a discount resolution at the meeting. One would apply only to volunteer members of city boards and commissions. The other would apply to certain other volunteers as well, particularly those at the Colorado Welcome Center, the Cortez Public Library and the Cortez Police Department. Council members had already agreed on July 11 that the discount would not apply to them.
“The police department has some victim’s advocates that don’t necessarily work tons of hours, but they work on weekends and get called in the middle of the night,” Hale said. “We also have a couple of people at the library that spend a lot of hours volunteering.”
After a brief discussion, the council voted unanimously, with Mayor Pro Tem Ty Keel being absent, to approve the second version of the discount, opening it up to nongoverning volunteers at the discretion of the heads of their departments. Hale said the city has about 46 potential volunteers who could qualify for the discount, though some volunteer positions currently are vacant. The discount will be nontransferable and valid for one year, and can be used at the Recreation Center, Conquistador Golf Course or the Cortez Outdoor Pool.
The council also unanimously approved a resolution waiving the Bridge’s plan review and building permit fees, and $7,800 of its water tap investment fees, during construction at the North Park Street site.
“The Cortez City Council believes that every decent society should treat all persons with dignity and respect, which includes ensuring no one dies from exposure from sleeping outside during inclement weather,” the resolution stated.
During its meeting the city council also:
Awarded a $148,949.42 bid to Daniel’s Concrete, the lowest bidder, for a concrete cost-share program to help some city residents and business owners repair or install sidewalks on their property. Approved the first reading of two ordinances: one that would amend the city code on the management of sewer backflow prevention devices and cross connections; and one that would amend the city code’s rules on public consumption of alcohol to allow alcoholic drinks to be served in the new parklet that the Sunflower Theatre plans to build on Main Street. Both ordinances will be submitted for final approval in public hearings on Aug. 8.Passed a resolution allowing Hale and the city accounting clerk, in addition to Finance Director Kathi Moss, to invest and transfer city funds.
