ADMINISTRATOR’S MONTHLY UPDATE
for the TOWN BOARD OF TRUSTEES and the MANCOS COMMUNITY
September 2016
This Monthly Update is a supplemental report for inclusion in the Town Board of Trustees agenda packet, distributing to the community, and for posting on the Town website. It is for informational purposes. Items herein may or may not warrant Board of Trustees discussion, and do not require action unless noted on the meeting agenda.
SEEKING TOWN HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD MEMBERS
Volunteers are being sought for a new five-member board that will be tasked with helping to protect and preserve Mancos’ architectural, historic and cultural heritage through its designated historic structures, sites and districts. Interested individuals having an interest and knowledge of local history and culture should contact Town Hall. One member may be a resident of the 81328 zip code outside of Town limits; however the rest of the members shall be town residents. The Historic Preservation Board may be composed of either professional or lay members and shall be selected, as much as possible, from the fields of history, architecture, landscape architecture, architectural history, prehistoric or historic archaeology, planning, or related disciplines such as the building trades, cultural geography, cultural anthropology, real estate, or law.
CAPITAL ASSET INVENTORY PROJECT COMPLETED
Staff has been working with SGM, Inc., an Engineering and planning firm, to develop a thorough inventory of the town’s capital assets, assess their condition, and plan for replacement and repair schedules. The project is funded by the Department of Local Affairs. This information will be updated through a software system and will assist staff and elected officials in planning for future improvements, budgeting for their replacement, and regular maintenance of these assets.
CHANGES TO VACANT/INACTIVE TAP FEE STRUCTURE
At its regular meeting on August 24, 2016 the Mancos Town Board of Trustees voted to increase the fees for tap holders on vacant or inactive status to a higher monthly minimum. The current fee of $5.00 per month for a vacant/inactive sewer or water tap has not been increased since 1990. The monthly minimum charge for water and sewer customers has increased several times since that period to keep pace with the rising costs of providing this important service and to help pay for ongoing improvements to the system. Beginning with the October utility bill that customers will receive in November, the new monthly fee will be $18.36/month for water and $18.14/month for sewer. This will be the monthly bill until August of 2017 while the tap is on vacant or inactive status. Starting in August of 2017, the water and sewer rates will increase for all holders of vacant and inactive taps to the current monthly minimum that all customers are paying. There are significant operational and capital costs to the town to maintain the water treatment and distribution and sewer collection and treatment systems, regardless of whether the tap is active. This “availability of service” is a substantial cost for the town which should be more equitably distributed among all tap holders.
DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS UNDER REVIEW
Members of the Board of Trustees and the Planning and Zoning Commission are reviewing proposals for two subdivisions. First, eight single family homes are being proposed in the Creekside Phase II subdivision at the north end of Beech Street and Angel Way. The homes will be a continuation of the design of the first phase. A second subdivision is under review at the west side of town on North Monte (north of Hwy 160). Two adjacent landowners are planning to subdivide their lots from two to five parcels. The new front parcels are being proposed for rezoning to Highway Business District and a future streets plan and easements are under discussion.
REMINDER FOR YARD WASTE DROP OFFS
There are two free yard waste drop off days remaining this year. On Saturday September 17th and Saturday October 15th from 8 am to noon, the town will open up its yard waste site at Road 39 north (approximately one mile north of Hwy 160) for disposal of grass clippings, tree branches, leaves, and other yard waste. There is low quality mulch available at no charge.
ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS (ADUs) UNDER REVIEW
In response to requests from the Mancos community, the town is considering allowing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in residential zoning districts, with restrictions. ADUs may be attached or detached from the primary structure (a single family home). The unit will be separate living quarters and will have its own entrance, parking and address. The Planning and Zoning Commission and the Board of Trustees is discussing the issue at upcoming meetings. Members of the public are invited to share their thoughts on this issue.
