- Comprehensive PUD Amendment, Plat and Site Plan for Triview water tank
- Title 2 Code Repeal and Readoption
- Old Denver Road Annexation Proceedings
- Loop Water Authority IGA Amendment
- Review of Draft Financial Policies
- Designation of finalists for town manager
By Chris Jeub
The Monument Town Council began its April 21 session by solemnly acknowledging the recent passing of Councilmember Jim Romanello, who had served the community with dedication since his 2018 election. In a moment of reflection, all councilmembers shared memories of Romanello’s commitment to transparent governance and constituent outreach, and held a brief moment of silence in his honor.
Everyone from the dais remembered Romanello warmly. Mayor Mitch LaKind lamented, “I’m missing a leg to kick under the dais tonight,” recalling that after they ran against each other for mayor in 2022 Romanello confided he was glad he hadn’t won, and added, “I’m going to miss him.” Councilmember Laura Kronick, choking back tears, said, “We hugged, bantered, argued, and laughed. Farewell, my friend.”
Marco Fiorito reflected on Romanello’s dedication and spirit of cooperation. Mayor Pro Tem Steve King observed, “We started out on opposite sides of things, but we ended up coming together. Whatever we disagreed on, he would always come back and pat me on the back.” Interim Town Manager Madeline VanDenHoek noted, “He always wanted the best for the town,” and Councilmember Sana Abbott added, “I will miss that raspy laugh of his.”
The council announced plans to place a commemorative bench along the Santa Fe Trail in his honor.
Comprehensive PUD Amendment, Plat and Site Plan for Triview water tank
In a single unified action, the council approved all three steps necessary to expand the Triview Promontory Pointe Water Tank Facility. First, Ordinance 07-2025 amended the Sanctuary Pointe Phase 3 Planned Unit Development (PUD) to reassign 1.1 acres of open space for district use. By rezoning that newly created lot from PUD to public, the town formally consolidated it with the existing 1.37-acre tank site, creating a contiguous 2.47-acre parcel capable of housing a second 1.5-million-gallon tank.
Next, Resolution 22-2025 ratified the Final Plat for Triview Utilities Subdivision, subdividing Sanctuary Pointe Filing 8 into a 1.1-acre Lot 1 and a 24.4-acre remainder, then merging Lot 1 with the existing district property to legally define the expanded site.
Finally, Resolution 23-2025 approved the associated Site Plan, which includes new landscape buffers, fencing upgrades and construction details for the additional tank. The council emphasized the importance of the added screening along adjacent residential areas and unanimously endorsed the technical design elements.
Title 2 Code Repeal and Readoption
By a 6-1 vote, the council enacted Ordinance 08-2025: a wholesale repeal and readoption of Title 2 (Administration & Personnel) to conform local code with the November 2022 Home Rule Charter and to streamline department structures under the town manager. Among the changes, Police Department rules were realigned under manager authority, finance director duties were updated, and antiquated provisions—like obsolete municipal judge bond requirements—were removed. Councilmember Sana Abbott cast the lone dissenting vote, questioning whether some Charter references might complicate future amendments.
Old Denver Road Annexation Proceedings
Resolution 25-2025 initiated annexation of the Old Denver Road area (Annexation Petition 24-2025), finding the petition in substantial compliance with C.R.S. § 31-12-107. The council authorized staff to prepare the formal annexation ordinance and to schedule the required public hearing later this spring. Proponents noted the area’s adjacency to existing town services and its potential to support future residential development.
Loop Water Authority IGA Amendment
Continuing regional cooperation, Resolution 27-2025 amended the intergovernmental agreement establishing the Loop Water Authority. Director of Public Works Thomas Tharnish explained that the revised terms address voting thresholds and cost-sharing formulas among member districts. Though councilmembers rejected the original proposal in the April 7 meeting, their concerns were addressed in the April 21 meeting and unanimously approved the updated Loop Water Authority IGA Amendment.
Review of Draft Financial Policies
In the final discussion of the evening, Finance Director Jennifer Phillips presented proposed updates to the town’s Financial Policies Manual. Key changes include raising the target for general-fund reserves from 16% to 20% of annual operating expenditures; specifying that long-term capital projects be financed with a mix of pay-as-you-go, debt, and grant funding; and tightening investment criteria to prioritize safety and liquidity. The council directed staff to model the reserve increase’s impact on upcoming budgets and to return with a public-hearing draft on May 5.
Designation of finalists for town manager
After a closed executive session, the council unanimously approved moving two candidates forward in the town manager search. Mayor Pro Tem King reported both interviews went “very well,” naming Madeline VanDenhoek and Sylvia Simpson as the finalists. These names will remain public for two weeks before final approval.
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The Monument Town Council usually meets at 6:30 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of each month at Monument Town Hall, 645 Beacon Lite Road. The next meetings are scheduled for Monday, May. 5 and 19. For more information, call 719-884-8014 or visit www.townofmonument.org. To view upcoming agendas, complete board packets, or download audio recordings of past meetings, visit https://monumenttownco.documents-on-demand.com and click on “Town Council.”
Chris Jeub can be reached at chrisjeub@ocn.me.
Other Monument Town Council articles
- Monument Town Council, March 5 – Residents discuss Monument 2040 Plan (4/5/2025)
- Monument Town Council, March 3 and 17- Monument Town Council tackles planning, water issues, and community events (4/5/2025)
- Monument Town Council, Feb. 3 and 18 – Discussions on code enforcement, PPRBD, Jackson Creek, and Silver Key Senior Services (3/1/2025)
- Monument Town Council, Jan. 6 and 21 – Monument enters new year with Legislative Platform, Buc-ee’s opposition (2/1/2025)
- Monument Town Council, Dec. 2 and 16 – Council faces $3.9 million budget shortfall, hears call for fiscal sustainability (1/4/2025)
- Monument Town Council, Nov. 4 and 18 – Monument Council addresses budget, watershed, community initiatives (12/5/2024)
- Monument Town Council, Oct. 7 and 21 – Council discusses finance, nonprofit work, employee survey (11/2/2024)
- Monument Town Council, Sept. 3 and 16 – Council discusses budget deficits, strategic spending, future priorities (10/5/2024)
- Monument Town Council, Aug. 5 and 19 – Council charts future with key budget, development, and management decisions (9/7/2024)
- Monument Town Council, July 31 – Special Town Council Meeting Results in Town Manager’s Dismissal (8/3/2024)
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