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OCN > 2511 > Monument Town Council, Oct. 6 and 20 – Retiring Facilities Superintendent Ron Rathburn recognized

Monument Town Council, Oct. 6 and 20 – Retiring Facilities Superintendent Ron Rathburn recognized

By Marlene Brown

At the Oct. 6 meeting, the Monument Town Council (MTC) recognized retiring Facilities Superintendent Ron Rathburn. He has over 39 years of employment with the town and is the longest-tenured employee in Monument history. Rathburn was able to thank everyone for the work and service that had been done over the years. The meeting was in recess so that the council could thank Rathburn personally.

Above: At the Oct. 6 meeting of the Monument Town Council retiring Facilities Supervisor Ron Rathburn receives a standing ovation for his 39 years of service to the town. Screenshot from video posted by the Town of Monument.

Two proclamations and an ordinance were approved unanimously:

  1. National Veterans Small Business Week, Nov. 3-7. Events will be hosted across the country, highlighting information about the resources available to veterans, service members, and military spouse entrepreneurs. They help receive transition assistance for Boots to Business and develop their business plans, receive marketing tips, and access government contracting opportunities. Brandon Eldridge, executive director of the Small Development Center (SBDC), will host the 18th Annual Veterans Small Business Conference on Nov. 7 at the Great Wolf Lodge, 9494 Federal Dr., Colorado Springs. For more information, see https://sbdc.colorado.gov/center-locations/pikes-peak/veterans-small-business-conference.
  2. Eldridge asked that the town also proclaim Saturday, Nov. 29, as Small Business Saturday in the Town of Monument. Small Business Saturday was created in 2010 to encourage local holiday shopping at the local scene and is the last Saturday in November.
  3. Ordinance No. 17-2025 (no. corrected per ordinance 10/20/25) approving a Real Property Transfer from El Paso County and entering into an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) accepting obligations regarding first an IGA regarding compliance and stewardship of certain parcels of the New Santa Fe Regional Trail. The county owns and maintains the New Santa Fe Trail between Baptist Road and the Town of Monument. There has been a request by the adjacent owner of parcel number 7126000024 for two crossings of the trail to service the Santa Fe Park development, two vehicle crossings, and two pedestrian crossings. Approval to modify the regional trail must come from the National Park Service, the county, and the town, so it needs an IGA regarding compliance and stewardship of certain parcels of the New Santa Fe Trail.

Mayor Mitch LaKind and Council Member Chad Smith were appointed to the Economic Development Committee.

John Howe spoke to the Council during Public Comments. He thanked the town and its staff for their support regarding the book he and Michael Weinfeld wrote about the history of Monument Cemetery, and they have been giving presentations to several groups in the area.

Atis-Jurka of the Town of Palmer Lake thanked the Council for its support of Palmer Lake during the Buc-cee’s negotiations.

After several comments by the Council members, the Council moved into an executive session regarding the Town Manager’s employment contract. The executive session lasted two hours, and the meeting was adjourned at 10:34 p.m.

At the regular Town Council meeting on Oct. 20, the town engineer proposed to update to the Public Works and Engineering Department manual to reflect new street design details. Monument has been using Colorado Springs criteria for the design of streets. The new manual will take about six months to produce and will reflect the 2025 budget and reviewed and used 2026. The Council approved the update unanimously, 7-0.

A second resolution requested a new design for the Public Works site building provided by the town engineer. Funding was allocated in the 2025 budget. The storm drainage pond will be designed to be included within the design of the building. The Council approved it unanimously.

Finance requested to renew Worker’s Comp insurance. It was approved unanimously.

The town manager’s report was given by Jennifer Phillips, finance manager. Town Manager Madeline VanDenHoek was absent from the meeting. The document can be found on the town’s website. The sales tax report showed several businesses that are in arrears of their reporting and sending their collected sales tax to the town and the state. Some of the businesses are waiting for their corporate offices to respond to notices.

Mayor Mitch LaKind reported that the El Paso Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) declined the application of Planning Commissioner Chad Smith to the Water Shed District Committee. The Council will write to BOCC to request they re-examine his application and to further discuss the town being involved in the watershed projects, both membership and financially.

The Council moved into an executive session to work on negotiations with large corporations that are looking into moving to a new proposed shopping area on Jackson Creek Parkway.

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The Town Council usually meets on the first and third Monday of the month at the Town Hall, 645 Beacon Lite Road at 6:30 p.m. For more information, contact townofmonument.org or call 719-481-2894

Marlene Brown can be reached at marlenebrown@ocn.me.

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