MONTE VISTA — The Colorado Lottery presented the prestigious Starburst Award for the Chapman Park project and City Council members took turns examining it last Thursday.

Matt Robbins, a community relations specialist with the Colorado Lottery, presented the City of Monte Vista with the Starburst Award for the Chapman Park renovation project.

He praised the City for the “Walk To Creede” program. Chapman Park has recently been refurbished with a new pavilion, additional playground equipment, and a walking path.

Robbins said 100 percent of the Lottery proceeds are used for parks and recreation projects, and two billion dollars have been raised for this purpose over the last 25 years. He said of the Chapman Park project, “our judges thought it was the perfect example of a great asset that was able to come into a community (to) refurbish an already-existing park that was otherwise underutilized,” said Robbins.



Other business

In other business, during the process of approving the consent agenda, Councilor Rose Wilson noted Valley Monument’s entry in the accounts payable, and Mayor Don Schall said it was past due. She said she mentioned it so that it would be in the record.



Leading Edge moves to Monte

Pam Self presented information regarding the upcoming school bond and mill levy on this year’s ballot, during the citizen’s comment portion of the meeting.

Donna Wehe then gave a report regarding the Small Business Development Center, stating that they were “almost financed for next year.” She said the Leading Edge Program has moved to Monte Vista and there are now nine businesses involved. The meetings are held at the library in the basement on Tuesday nights.

Materials she recommended for small businesses include the Colorado Business Resource Guide, The eMyth, a book, a CD that provides information regarding sales techniques, a start-up kit for starting a small business entitled Limited Liability Company, a book called Schedule C, and another book entitled Gorilla Marketing. She said she uses these materials to help clients.



Liquor License renewed

The council approved a liquor license renewal for Hunan’s Chinese Restaurant.



City budget unveiled

During the City Manager’s report, Don Van Wormer and the Council worked out plans for attending an out-of-town meeting. The City’s budget was provided to the council and Van Wormer said a copy would be available at the front desk, for the public to look at. A budget workshop was scheduled for 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16.

A transportation-funding meeting will be held Oct. 23 in Alamosa and Van Wormer asked if any of the councilors would be interested in attending. All of them committed to attending.

Van Wormer announced a webinar regarding liability for public officials on Oct. 24.

The national economic situation regarding public investments was discussed,. Van Wormer said assets equal to the investments are held in safekeeping if financial institutions the city has investments in should fail



Parks and Recreation report

Mike Bork presented his report, discussing the sports programs, Monte Marketplace, the haunted house and parks watering schedule. He thanked the City for its support in obtaining the Starburst Award. “That’s a pretty prestigious honor among the parks and recreation staff in Colorado,” said Bork.



Graffiti and snow removal

Police Chief Jim Gallegos told the council about a three-tiered probation program, wherein those on probation could do city beautification, graffiti and snow removal. Monte Vista would be working with Alamosa to implement the program. He also told them Alamosa obtained grant money that contributed to the low cost of supplies for Monte Vista.

Requirements would be that Monte Vista feed the participants.

An incentive for those who work in the program is that, if a person works eight hours, he or she receives 16 hours toward their probation obligation. Gallegos said this tends to make people take “ownership” of their community, making them care about things like graffiti. Councilor William Spicer suggested finding a way to identify elderly people who could use help with snow removal.



It’s a secret, for now

Before adjourning, the council went into executive session, to discuss “matters that might be subject to negotiations.” They did not announce the discussion topic, however, the city has been discussing the procurement of property in downtown Monte Vista.

The next City Council meeting will be held Oct. 16.