Monticello Council discusses Loyds Lake trail

Members of the Monticello City Council received updates on infrastructure projects, discussed non residents on advisory boards and approved equipment purchases as part of their latest meeting.
Assistant City Manager Megan Gallegos provided an update on the work at Loyds Lake at the August 25 meeting. 
Three new metal pedestrian bridges have been installed along the walkway around the lake replacing old wooden bridges. The bridges came in significantly under budget at $80,000 compared to an initial $300,000 grant estimate.
The city plans to reallocate the funds toward paving trails, widening parking lots, installing new picnic tables and exploring options for a new restroom facility at the lake.
On the other end, the city sewer project remains stalled due to a single hold out for an easement. City Manager Kaeden Kulow warned that the city risks losing $233,000 in matching funds if the easement is not secured. Staff is exploring contingency options such as prepurchasing pipe to meet funding deadlines.
Members of the city council nominated Kim Henderson to represent the city on the County Health Department Board. Mayor Kevin Dunn and Kulow interviewed Henderson and Greg Adams and noted both were highly qualified and enthusiastic.
While the city nominates the position, the San Juan County Commission will ratify the appointment.
Members of the council also discussed residency requirements for city advisory boards.
In 2022 the city council decided that members of the Monticello City Planning Commission should be city residents due to its regulatory powers over zoning and land use.
Gallegos noted that other advisory groups in Monticello including parks, beautification, and airport committees for Monticello have all benefited from county participation.
Members of the council discussed implementing a ratio, possibly requiring 75 percent of committee members to be city residents.
Council also discussed reducing the Airport Committee’s five year terms to three or four years to match other boards. Draft revisions of these changes will be presented at a future meeting.
The city council also ratified expenditures above the $5,000 staff authorization limit.
One purchase was a $9,500 purchase of a used tractor, street sweeper and brush hog from another municipality. The equipment costs will be split among the city parks, streets, airport, water and sewer departments as the equipment will be used across multiple departments.
The council also approved $7,800 in unexpected repairs to the city’s mini excavator.
The council was also informed of an upcoming $7,000 rental for a track skid steer to repair storm-damaged golf cart paths and to clean up local drainage 
City staff and council also highlighted an upcoming community day of service on September 9. Local youth and civic groups will weed sidewalks and paint curbs along Main and Center streets.