Two Cortez council members stepped down on Tuesday and passed their duties on to two newcomers.
Council members Tom Butler and Jim Price were replaced by attorney Jill Carlson and retired electrician Tim Miller, who were elected in the April 5 election. Carlson and Miller beat out Monica Plewe and Sonja Horoshko in the election.
Price thanked the council members for his time on the board and hoped for success for the new council’s run.
“I am glad to have served,” he said. “I wish you nothing but the best.”
Though Butler’s time on the council came to an end, he was appointed to the city Planning and Zoning Board on Tuesday.
“I am grateful for the people who got me here,” he said.
Mayor Karen Sheek and Mayor Pro Tem Ty Keel were re-elected on April 5. They were again affirmed as mayor and mayor pro tem.
Keel nominated Sheek to continue as mayor on Tuesday, and the council unanimously voted in Sheek’s favor. Keel said Sheek has been selfless in her leadership.
Sheek said she was looking forward to her term as mayor and working with the council members.
“I thank the council for your faith in me,” she said. “It’s a joy to work with all of you, and I’m glad to do it again.”
Councilman Bob Archibeque nominated Keel for mayor pro tem. He commended Keel for his work.
“He’s done an awesome job,” Archibeque said. “We want to continue moving forward.”
Keel said he enjoys working with the council and looks forward to his next term.
The council on Tuesday authorized the mayor to sign an intergovernmental agreement with Colorado Department of Transportation regarding access and traffic management on U.S. Highway 160 in Cortez. The agreement is not binding or final, but it highlights projects that may be of future priority for the road stretch, such as access points for businesses and crosswalks.
One project of high priority included in the agreement is the installation of crosswalks across the highway near McDonald’s and Taco Bell. With the new Montezuma-Cortez High School, pedestrian traffic in that area has increased and a crossing there is necessary, Police Chief Roy Lane said. Crosswalks with flashing signals might be installed there, and the next step for that project would be a feasibility study, City Manager Shane Hale said.
The council also approved the purchase of 144 membrane vacuum filter cartridges for the city water treatment facility. The manufacturer, Evoqua Water Technologies, offered the city of Cortez the opportunity to buy the cartridges at half price at a cost of $79,200. Public Works director Phil Johnson said the cartridges will last 10 years.
The council also authorized Hale to sign a five-year $260,724 lease purchase agreement with software company E-Force for a police department software package.
Board appointmentsCouncil members assumed the following roles on various boards:
Parks and Recreation advisory board: Bob ArchibeuqueLibrary Advisory Board: Karen SheekGolf Advisory Board: Ty KeelMesa Verde Country Board: Karen Sheek, Shawna McLaughlin and Jill CarlsonMontezuma County Economic Development Association Board: Tim Miller and Jill Carlson (alternate)Cortez Cultural Center Board: Tim Miller Historic Preservation Board: Jill Carlson.The council also approved liquor license renewals for Fiesta Mexicana Family Restaurant, 430 Colorado Highway 145, and Tequila’s Mexican Restaurant, 1740 E. Main St., as well as a special event permit for an employee appreciation barbeque to be held on May 14 at the Parque de Vida amphitheater.