The Yuma City Council was presented the 2025 preliminary budget during its regular meeting last week.
Mayor Tim McClung was in attendance along with Mayor Pro-tem Jerome Benish, Dan Baucke, Marc Shay, Zach Diaz and Vanessa Dischner. Terri Frame was absent.
The preliminary budget was described as a “turn the lights on budget” meaning it includes only the necessary services.
City Manager Scott Moore pointed out that even doing just the bare necessities, the General Fund revenues do not keep up with expenses by $278,000. He said staff was looking to council for directions on how to balance the budget.
McClung said that would be the focus of this past Tuesday’s budget workshop. The council had just received the preliminary budget, so the members would need some time studying it before the workshop.
Street paving
It appears some street paving the council wanted done this year might have to be delayed to 2025.
The council had directed Moore to have Fourth Ave. from Main St. to Albany St. and from Main to Ash St. to be paved, along with Third Ave. from Main St. to Ash, as well as the intersection at N. Birch St. and W. Hoag Ave.
SEH would be the firm in charge of the paving. The firm voiced concerns about getting it all done in 2024 as requested.
Moore and McClung visited with SEH recently, and the council was presented a memorandum of that conversation. McClung said SEH provided a detailed timeline of all that had to be done. He said that several things have to be done as dictated by law, such as handicap considerations.
McClung said there is no way the work would get done this season, adding that he wished this conversation would have been held much earlier in the year.
“It turns out to be a lot more than anticipated, and a lot more expensive,” McClung said.
Pool timeline
Moore provided a timeline for the swimming pool project during last week’s meeting, as presented by Miller & Associates.
Bids from contractors were to be opened this past Tuesday, October 22. There will be a preconstruction meeting on November 6, and then construction meetings throughout the project.
Substantial completion is set for May 15, 2025, and final completion on May 31, 2025. Moore said Larry Steele with Miller told him there are multiple contractors interested in the job, and all are fine with the timeline.
The council approved several purchases for the pool during last week’s meeting. The pool equipment purchases were from Swimtime, Commercial Recreation Specialists, and United States ThermoAmp Inc.
Fee schedule
The council approved a resolution updating the city’s fee schedule.
Building permit fees have been streamlined, Moore told the council. The fees now include the cost of building inspector visits. Building permits are $100 for up $5,000 of construction, and it goes up from there for each additional $1,000. Moore noted the fees also cover administrative costs at City Hall. The penalty from starting a project before getting a permit is increased from $70 to $150.
Recreation fees for youth sports is being increased from $25 to $35. The team sponsor fee for summer youth teams is going up to $350, and the women’s volleyball fee is now $200.
The food truck permit fee is set at $50.
Many liquor licensing fees are dictated by state statutes.
The fee schedule for dog impoundment was explained. It is difficult to determine if dogs coming into the pound have been vaccinated. Prairie Winds Veterinary Clinic now is in charge of the city pound. It suggested the first day of impoundment set at $75 to cover vaccination and a wellness check, as well as getting chipped. The fee is $35 per day after that.
City Attorney Kathryn Sellars stressed to the council that fees are in place to cover the city’s costs, and are not intended to be profit-driven.
More meeting
The council approved a resolution updating the Public Records Policy, as well as agreements for services with High West Cleaning LLC for janitorial services at the Yuma Police and Fire departments.
A resolution ratifying a construction contract with Millan Asphalt and Crushing LLC was approved, not to exceed $191,00, for the pothole filling project. The project total cost is $300,000.
A public hearing was held prior to the second reading of the ordinance amending the Yuma Municipal Code concerning food trucks. Moore said letters were delivered to the vendors, in English and Spanish, but there was one that could not be delivered.
A couple was in attendance to ask some questions. They spoke Spanish, so Diaz served as the translator. They had questions about where food trucks could be located, and when the ordinance would go into effect.
It will be two weeks from last week’s meeting date. The council unanimously approved the second reading.
The second reading of another ordinance amending a lease and easement agreement for solar energy with SE Municipal Colorado, LLC, was approved. SE Municipal will be installing solar panels in an area at the wastewater treatment plant that is not be used for anything. There was no comment during the public hearing prior to the vote.
The council discussed a draft of a procurement policy. The council made it clear it wanted provisions for local bidders, and determined that “local” would mean being in Yuma’s zip code.
Moore provided estimates for installing a new sprinkler system at Veterans Park. He said the current one is so old it is not practical to fix it. It was determined to see how much it would cost for a new system from the sidewalk to the water. Moore said Evergreen provided a quote for $37,227, and he will get other quotes if the council decides to pursue the project.
An executive session was held for about one hour at the end of the meeting. It regarded the interpretation of contract terms between the city and a third party, and possible termination of the contract.
No action was taken when the council returned to open meeting, except to adjourn.