Please feel free to share this flyer with anyone who might be interested!

We’ll kick off the challenge with the New Year’s Day 5K Walk/Run on January 1^st.  With a late morning start time, you’ll have plenty of time to wake up, then come on down to the Scout Hut to register between 9 and 10.  The event starts from the Scout Hut at 10, proceeds along the Monarch Spur Trail, and will finish back at the Hut.  Make it extra fun by wearing a costume or funky get-up.  Prizes will be awarded to the top male and female finishers, as well as best costume!  Only $10 to participate, and all ages and abilities are welcome.

As part of the Challenge, we encourage you to track your participation on the 2012 Fitness Challenge log.  Pick up your copy at the pool, or find it online at www.SalidaRec.com/fitness.  You’ll find instructions for awarding yourself points for completing different activities, and a log to keep track of your points.  Anyone who logs at least 15 points will be entered into a random prize drawing, and top point scorers will be awarded prizes as well.  Prizes will all be geared toward helping you keep your commitment to an active and healthy lifestyle.

Finally, Salida Recreation and Hot Springs Aquatic Center are offering a punch pass good for discounted fitness classes during January and February.  Each $40 pass is good for 12 of any of the classes offered by Salida Recreation, plus 1 Zumba® class.  This brings the price per class down to nearly $3!  You can purchase them now as a gift, or a commitment to yourself, and they will be available during January and February.

The holidays are a time for celebration and enjoyment, and the New Year is a chance to renew commitments and challenge yourself to be your best.  The 2012 Fitness Challenge is a chance to participate in a structured 9 week program than encompasses nutrition and fitness—and most things are completely free!  You can, of course, pick and choose any of the activities to participate it, but we think the whole 2 months will be a great experience!

FREE TUESDAY SEMINARS (Scout Hut, 6-7pm):

January 3^rd: “Goal setting: Dr.’s Fitness Prescription & Guidelines”
January 10^th: “Exercise Myths and Exercise Prescriptions”
January 17^th: “10 Things You Never Thought Counted As Exercise”
January 24^th: “Affordable & Healthy Superfoods”
January 31^st: “Nutrition Myths & Food Journaling”
February 7^th: “Veggie Jeopardy & Sundae School”
February 14^th: No lecture.  Happy Valentine’s Day!
February 21^st: “Mind Over Matter: Maintaining Healthy Habits”
February 28^th: “Self-Care & Maintenance Goal Setting with R.N.”

FREE SATURDAY WORKOUTS:

Agenda:

Call meeting to order

Roll Call

Appointment of a Substitute Municipal Judge

Executive Session: For the purpose of determining positions relative to negotiations, developing strategy for negotiations, and/or instructing negotiators, under C.R.S. Section 24-6-402(4)(e);  and the following additional details are provided for identification purposes: To discuss property negotiations.

The petitions need a minimum of 25 signatures. Each signor must be a registered elector residing within the City limits. No registered elector shall sign more than one nomination petition for each separate office to be filled.

The 2011 City election ballot will list the Mayor position open for a two-year term and three City Council positions open. Each City Council position is a four-year term. One of the two seats in each ward is open.

Every registered elector, 18 years of age or older on the date of election (November 1, 2011) may be a candidate and hold office in any municipality, if he/she has resided in the municipality and council ward for a period of at least 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the date of the election. In case of annexation, any person who has resided within the territory annexed for the prescribed 12 consecutive months shall be deemed to have met the residency requirements.

The positions for Mayor and Council receive a small stipend for their services. The Mayor is paid $250 per month; Council Members receive $150 per month.

Remember:

• August 2, 2011- Is the first day to pick up nomination petitions at the City Clerk’s office and begin circulating.
• August 22, 2011- Is the last day to file nomination petitions with the City Clerk’s office.

Please encourage anyone interested in running for the available seats to come by City Hall, 448 E. 1st Street, Suite 112, Salida, CO 81201 and pick up a petition.

If you have any questions, please call Janella Martienz at 530-2630 or stop by anytime.

Calls regarding problems caused by our urban deer population have become increasingly common at City Hall. Some residents want to see the deer gone from city limits. Others love the deer and encourage them with food and water in their yards. Several communities has wrestled with this issue, which brings out strong opinions from residents. We encourage you to be informed about the issue.

“The City Council is very appreciative of the time and energy that Peter has put into the court.  His presence will be missed and we all wish him the best in his latest quests,” said City Administrator Jack Lewis.  Council will now seek resumes from prospective applicants interested in becoming Salida’s Judge.  Being a court of record means that the next judge must be a licensed attorney.  Applications will be accepted until August 12th.  Council will interview and hopes to select the next judge prior to the court date in September.  Interested parties should send their resume to the:

City of Salida

448 E. 1st street, Ste. 112

Salida, Co  81201

or email the administrator:  administrator@cityofsalida.com

I will restate why the rates have gone up.  First,  the energy, chemicals and other necessary items to treat and transport water have gone up in price and will continue to go up.   Second, the High Zone Water Tank was paid for with a loan that was supposed to be covered by developments to the north and west of town.  As we all know the developments did not happen and so the users of the water system must now cover that loan.  Thirdly, the purchase of the Vandaveer water rights was paid in a lump sum when the rumor of a lawsuit regarding the lack of a TABOR saving clause in that deal was threatened.  There have been other costs associated with the maintenance of an aging water system.

The bottom line is without a rate increase the City would default on the High Zone Tank loan.  The long term problems a default would cause are serious, so the City Council opted for a rate increase.

To add to people’s confusion regarding the need for a rate increase is the lack of understanding of the nature of municipal funding.  The Water/Sewer Enterprise Fund must stand alone and maintain its ability to function solely on the fees it collects.  No sales taxes, grants or other municipal funds can be used to support the day to day operations of an enterprise fund or its enterprise fund status is lost.

You should have heard by now that the first quarter of Salida’s sales tax collections have been good.  Know that sales tax revenue cannot legally be used to support the enterprise fund.

The real point of this article is to use the water rate increase to explain  the difference between the City of Salida employees and the City Council members you have elected.  Regarding water and sewer service, it is  the City’s employees that run the water plant and our other two water sources.  They also maintain and replace the water and sewer lines and run the waste water treatment plant.  Other duties include the collection and accounting of all fees collected by the City.  They do not make the policy that determines how those funds are spent and what fee amounts shall be levied.   It is the City Council that makes the policy that determines your water rates.

It is inappropriate to take out your frustration regarding fee increases of any kind on the employees of City Government.  They are doing the job they were directed to do by the City Council.  There was a year for input regarding the rate increase you will see on your bill the first week of July.  Very few people showed up to express their opinions.   If you are angry now regarding the rate increase call or e-mail your public officials.  Anger and discourtesy to the City’s employees is misdirected.

Yes, past Councils thought development would pay for projects.  They believed, as many in this country believed, that the economy  would forever ride the wave of prosperity caused by the housing bubble.  They were wrong.   As I have said many times,  future Councils will have to deal with mistakes this City Council has made.   Such is the reality of citizen officials.

To repeat, treat everyone as you yourself would like to be treated.  That includes all local governmental employees.  If you have an issue contact your elected officials.  They are the ones who make the policy.

Mayor Chuck Rose

June 2011

June 3, 2011

The Denver & Rio Grande Western Hospital is the last surviving structure in Salida that was constructed by the railroad.  The structure at 448 E. First Street now makes up the eastern end of the Touber Building and houses City Hall.

The City received grant funding in 2010 from the Colorado Historical Society’s State Historic Fund to be used for exterior rehabilitation of the original building first constructed in 1900.  The project is now approaching completion.

The project scope of work included a variety of items such as masonry repair, painting, rehabilitation of the wooden balustrade, repair of the original porch ceiling and installation of two historic replica doors on the southern façade.  All of the improvements are on the exterior of the building and many are very evident, especially the new doors facing First Street.

When the Salida Hospital District announced they would move to a new medical campus and put the old hospital up for sale, there was concern that it would be demolished and replaced by new development.  In 2007, the City of Salida designated the 1900 portion of the hospital and portions of the surrounding grounds as a local landmark.  This provides for design review of exterior alterations to the building regardless of ownership and makes the site eligible for funding through the State Historical Fund.  The State Historical Fund obtains money through taxes on gambling revenues in Colorado.

The total cost of this project, including architectural services, was projected at $ 263,192.  We anticipate completion will be under budget by $ 3,922.  Of that amount over 73% of the cost or $ 186,823 is being provided by the State Historical Fund.  The remaining $ 66,230 is being shared by the City and Chaffee County as co-owners of the building with an additional contribution of $ 6,217 of staff services and grant administration.  As with the Touber Building remodel project which received almost $ 2 million in grant funds, we continue to leverage local dollars with grant funds to complete community projects.

The City and County are pleased to have been able to acquire and breathe new life into the old hospital.  It is our hope that the current rehabilitation and restoration work will ensure this building remains an important and functional local landmark for many years to come.  Please stop by and see the work that has been completed on this historic community structure.

After speaking with the President of the NRC and Salida City Administrator, Jack Lewis, I will state these facts:  As of this moment there is no deal.  During the 8 months to investigate the protest filed by one of the bidders, bond rates have significantly risen.  This changes the financials of the project.  This has to be dealt with by a modification of lease costs by the USFS.  Until a lease is signed by the USFS and Department of Wildlife, making the project financially feasible, there is no deal.

Hopefully I can clear up some misconceptions regarding the Natural Resource Center 63-20.   First the creation of the 63-20 corporation protects the City from any financial outlay or default responsibilities.  There are two exceptions.  If the Forest Service and the DOW default by not paying their lease fees and the result is the 63-20 also defaults, the land committed to the project by the city would be foreclosed upon and become the bond companies property.  Simply, the 18 acres or so of the Vandaveer property committed to the NRC project is the collateral for the bond that funds the project.  That bond is paid by the Forest Service and Department of Wildlife’s leases.  Secondly, there are two city employees on the board of the NRC 63-20 and one past County Commissioner.  When the city employees are working on the NRC they will not be available to do City business.  This is supported by the City Council in that the City Council placed the Natural Resource Center on the top of their priority list.  The Council understood the trade off at the time they stated their priorities.

There have been questions regarding who foots the bill for the water and sewer service the Natural Resource Center will need?  There is already sewer at the proposed NRC site.  The placement of water service and meters is also the complete financial responsibility of the NRC 63-20 and will not be an additional burden on the water or sewer users of Salida.  The City Council could choose to install a larger water line to service future development.  Those costs would be born by the Water/Sewer Enterprise Fund.  That decision has not been discussed by the Council yet.  I do expect the issue to come up.  The 63-20 is also responsible for all development tap fees and charges associated with the project.

All incidental and other costs incurred by the NRC are the 63-20’s concern not the City’s.  For example all development, bid presentation  and legal costs are the responsibility of the NRC.  Up to now, all the associated costs are speculative until a contract is siged and money starts coming into the NRC coffers.

Finally, after the lease is paid off, the project becomes the City of Salida’s and the Natural Resource Center 63-20 is dissolved.

Remember the Natural Resource Center is not a reality yet.  No leases have been signed although negotiations are underway.

Mayor Chuck Rose

May 27, 2011

The Planning Commission hears applications related to land use in the City and advises the City Council on related matters.

The Recreation Advisory Board advises the City Council on matters relating to parks, trails and recreation.

The City is also seeking volunteers for the Board of Appeals. This board hears appeals of decisions by the building official.

More information on each of these boards can be found on their web pages at www.cityofsalida.com under Boards and Commissions.

Please fill out and submit the Application for Boards and Commissions to be considered for appointment to these boards. The City Council will next be considering applications at their June 7th meeting. Applications should be submitted to Janella Martinez, City Clerk, on or before Wednesday, June 1st to be considered on the June 7th agenda. Please contact Dara MacDonald, Community Development Director with any questions about the Planning Commission or Board of Appeals and Theresa Casey, Recreation Director about the Recreation Advisory Board.

Again, please accept our sincere apologies for the inconvenience of the past few days and we will see you in the pool.

Again, please accept our sincere apologies for this inconvenience and we will see you in the pool.

Article source: http://cityofsalida.com/2011/05/pool-closed-today/