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By Stephanie Alderton
Journal Staff Writer
The Cortez City Council has a busy agenda planned for Tuesday night’s meeting.
Starting at 7:30 p.m., the council will hold four public hearings on zoning issues and an amendment to the city code on parking for recreational vehicles. The council will also vote on the first reading of an ordinance that would replace the current city code on sales and use tax in an effort to simplify the tax process for businesses. A council workshop scheduled for 5:30 p.m. will include discussions on the upcoming Montezuma-Cortez School District bond issue, a change order for the city’s fiber project and several other topics.
At the city council’s Sept. 12 meeting, council members voted unanimously to approve the first reading of an ordinance that would fix what City Attorney Mike Green called a “typo” in the city code regarding RV parking. The code currently prohibits owners from parking RVs and trailers on city property for any length of time, and the new ordinance would merely prohibit overnight camping on that property, which Green said was its original intent. Several town residents spoke up during that meeting’s public comment period to say they would prefer to leave the code the way it is.
In Tuesday’s other public hearings, the council will vote on a final plat for a minor subdivision on Cedar Street, a preliminary plat for a Montezuma County public facilities subdivision on Driscoll Street and a change to the KSJD Radio premises on 8 E. Main St.
Council members will also vote on the first reading of an ordinance designed to repeal and replace a section of the city code regarding sales and use tax. According to an introduction by city finance director Kathi Moss, the new ordinance would help bring the town’s definitions of “taxable items” in line with those of other municipalities in the state. Moss wrote the current definitions are too different from those in other parts of the state, which makes the process of filing tax returns more complicated for local businesses that have to deal with companies outside Cortez. She said the new ordinance would remove a potential hindrance to businesses hoping to move to Cortez.
During the workshop before the meeting, council members will hear a presentation from Matt Keefauver and Dan Porter on the bond issue that the school district plans to put on this year’s election ballot. Kelly Kirkpatrick will also give an update on Mesa Verde Country tourism, Public Works Director Phil Johnson will give a presentation on a water and trash bill, and General Services Director Rick Smith will lead a discussion on a change order for the city fiber project, which will be up for a vote during the regular meeting. Parks and Recreation Director Dean Palmquist will also present a request for permission to hire a full-time superintendent at Conquistador Golf Course.
Other agenda itemsDuring the regular meeting, the council will also:
Vote on a resolution that would establish two-hour parking on Veach Street.Consider awarding a Gateway Monument Project construction bid to the Stone and Paver Company for $43,900.Consider approving a change order to Dak Drilling for the city’s fiber expansion project in the amount of $340,548.60. Hold a public comment period.