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OCN > 2410 > Palmer Lake Board of Trustees, Sept. 12 and 26 – Board considers church’s request to use Elephant Rock property

Palmer Lake Board of Trustees, Sept. 12 and 26 – Board considers church’s request to use Elephant Rock property

By James Howald and Jackie Burhans

At its board meetings in September, the Palmer Lake Board of Trustees (PLBOT) considered a request to hold a large church picnic at the town’s Elephant Rock property. The board authorized Mayor Glant Havenar and Reid Wiecks, chair of the Parks and Trails Commission, to sign a letter of intent with the Palmer Divide Soccer Club. Town Administrator Dawn Collins proposed reallocating money for the Palmer Lake Elementary School construction project between funds in the town’s budget.

The board passed three ordinances and a resolution, and discussed how to handle an unofficial stop sign at the intersection of Commercial Lane and Circle Road. The board heard administrative reports and a presentation from Stacy Delozier, the town’s Public Works supervisor. Havenar read a proclamation concerning the 11th annual Creek Week cleanup effort.

Both meetings included executive sessions, after which no actions were taken.

Proposed picnic raises questions

Collins told the board she had received a request from a church wishing to hold a picnic for up to 700 attendees at the Elephant Rock property in summer 2025. Collins said she did not know how to respond and wanted the board to determine how the property could be used by the public, adding she wanted to be careful about setting precedent. Collins said the town would need to spend money to develop the property for use by the public.

In her summary of the issue in the board packet, she mentioned that the property would need to be brought into compliance with building codes as well as regulations regarding roadways and drainage before it could be used by the public. Some aspects of the infrastructure would need repair, she said. The town was spending about $10,000 per year on the property, and projects such as asbestos removal were in addition to that amount, she said.

Resident Atis Jurka said he had concerns about opening the property.

The board took no action following Collins’ remarks.

Soccer club seeks support

Collins asked the board to consider a Letter of Intent (LOI) to enter into an agreement with the Palmer Divide Soccer Club. The LOI, which precedes a Memo of Understanding, is necessary to allow the club to pursue grant funds.

Julian Drummond, a founder of the club, said the goal was to develop the south end of the lake as a soccer field with artificial turf and amenities such as bleachers.

According to the LOI, the club would have first right of refusal for scheduling practice and game times.

The board voted unanimously to approve the LOI.

Direction sought on funds for Palmer Lake Elementary School roadwork

Collins told the board that the water line replacement that was required as part of the improvements to roads near Palmer Lake Elementary School was nearly complete. She asked the board to consider altering where the funds to replace the water line were allocated in the town’s budget.

Collins proposed reallocating revenue and expenses from the General Fund to the Water Fund, resulting in a reduction in the fund balance for the General Fund of $194,959.

Collins said if the board agreed to the reallocation, she would bring back a formal amendment to the budget in November. The board gave Collins the go-ahead.

Ordinances and resolution

The board passed three ordinances and a resolution:

  • Ordinance 11-2024, which amends the town’s municipal code to include the fee for littering in the town’s Master Fee schedule.
  • Ordinance 12-2024, which moves the rules regarding parks to section 12.12.060 of the town’s municipal code.
  • Ordinance 13-2024, which gives the town clerk the authority to approve applications for liquor sales at special events.
  • Resolution 49-2024, which revises the town’s policy for lighting its star to include lighting the star for one day in remembrance of the events of Sept. 11, 2001.

Stop sign to be official

Collins said that, as part of Alpine Essentials transition from a wholesale to a retail marijuana business, an unofficial stop sign had been installed by a tenant at the intersection of Commercial Lane and Circle Road.

According to a memo included in the board packet, Police Sgt. Eugene Ramirez and Interim Chief of Police Adam Lundy reviewed the situation and found that police officers could not issue valid citations for failure to stop at the unofficial sign. They said they had received several complaints from residents regarding failure to observe the sign.

The board voted to replace the unofficial sign with a sign owned by the town, which would enable police officers to write valid citations.

Administrative reports, Public Works presentation

Collins gave administrative reports at both board meetings. She said budget meetings were taking place internally. She reported only one volunteer had come forward asking to serve on the advisory committee formed to develop a financial plan for the Elephant Rock property and suggested that the board postpone the deadline for requests to serve on the committee.

At the Sept. 26 meeting, Collins said recruitment continues for the water operator and accounting clerk positions of the town’s staff. Job offers had been made for the public works maintenance and code compliance positions. Four interviews have been scheduled with applicants for the chief of police position.

Collins reported that the town’s insurance costs had risen by 12.6%. Asbestos abatement in the cabins at the Elephant Rock property was halfway completed and the pickleball courts at the lake are open.

Stacy DeLozier, recently hired as the town’s Public Works supervisor, told the board the mission of the Public Works Department was to provide responsible, efficient, cost-effective services and public works to the residents of the town. The department’s vision was to enhance the quality of life of the residents, to maintain parks and keep roads safe, consistent with the goals of the board. He said the department was short-handed.

Creek Week proclamation

Havenar read a proclamation declaring Sept. 28 to Oct. 6 to be the 11th Annual Creek Week of 2024. She presented a certificate to Alli Schuch, executive director of the Fountain Creek Watershed District. Schuch said volunteers had removed 150 tons of trash from the Fountain Creek watershed. Wiecks said that on Sept. 28 volunteers would gather at the Glen Park tennis courts at 9 a.m. to remove trash from Monument Creek.

Executive sessions

The Sept. 12 board meeting was preceded by an executive session to discuss leasing a portion of the Elephant Rock property, a possible annexation, conveying and obtaining property, accounting for certain funds in the General Fund or the Water Enterprise Fund, addressing issues involved in the Petition to Disconnect filed by the United Congregational Church, and evaluating the town administrator. No votes were taken after the executive session.

The Sept. 26 meeting was followed by an executive session to evaluate the town administrator.

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The next regular board meetings are scheduled for Oct. 10 and 24. Meetings are held at the Town Hall. See the town’s website at www.townofpalmerlake.com to confirm times and dates of board meetings and workshops. Meetings are typically held on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at the Town Hall. Information: 719-481-2953.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me. Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me.

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