October 19, 2020 Video Board Meeting
Transcript
Describer:
AGENDA
Board of Directors
Monday, October 19, 2020, at 4:15 p.m.
7404 Yorkshire Drive, Castle Pines, CO 80108
Board of Directors Meeting
Monday, October 19, 2020, at 6:00 p.m.
7404 Yorkshire Drive, Castle Pines, CO 80108
1. Call to order the regular meeting/pledge of allegiance.
2. Roll call/announcement of quorum/disclosure of potential conflicts.
3. Consider approving October 19, 2020 board meeting agenda.
4. Consider September 21, 2020 board meeting minutes.
5. Opening public comment period (three-minute maximum per person).
6. Project updates and insights from the City of Castle Pines’ designated liaison to the CPNMD board of directors, Councilwoman Deborah Mulvey.
7. Open Space Manager’s report
8. Finance Director’s report.
9. Consider approving financial report and items from Finance Director.
10. Consider approving and/or ratifying payables for
General Fund & Debt Service Approve $0.00 Ratify $101,980.35 Totals $101,980.35
Enterprise Funds Approve $0.00 Ratify $346,996.56 Totals $346,996.56
Electronic Payments (all funds) Approve $0.00 Ratify $80,464.69 Totals $80,464.69
Total Expenditures Totals $529,441.60
11. Legal Counsel’s report.
a) Status of CPNMD’s possible water & wastewater utility unification with the Parker Water & Sanitation District (PWSD).
12. District Manager’s report.
a) Quarterly Clean-up Castle Pines Days will commence this Wednesday,
October 21, 2020, from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m., in Coyote Ridge Park. As we
coordinate future efforts with the City, we will add additional Clean-Up Castle Pines Days basis to the Calendar of Events section of our website homepage.
13. Directors’ matters.
a) Consider RESOLUTION 2020-10-19-01 in support of the City of Castle Pines’ Ballot Question 2A and, if voter approved, concerning CPNMD’s offer to work with the City to simultaneously deliver two essential capital infrastructure projects next year, thereby saving taxpayers millions of dollars in bond-repayment costs.
14. Closing public comment period (three-minute maximum per person).
15. Adjourn
Castle Pines North Metro District (CPNMD) Board of Directors
RESOLUTION 2020-10-19-01
Concerning CPNMD’s endorsement of City of Castle Pines’ Ballot Question 2A and, if voter approved, concerning CPNMD’s offer to work with the City to simultaneously deliver two essential capital infrastructure projects next year, thereby saving CPNMD taxpayers and City residents millions of dollars in bond-repayment costs.
WHEREAS, pending voter approval of what we view as the City of Castle Pines’ essential street-funding measure, Ballot Question 2A, on the November 2020 ballot, the City intends to reconstruct most of Castle Pines Parkway and Monarch Boulevard; and
WHEREAS, in its September 10, 2020, letter to the City, CPNMD offered to accelerate the replacement of CPNMD’s existing water main — located adjacent to Castle Pines Parkway between Yorkshire Drive and Buffalo Trail — and to relocate that new water main beneath Castle Pines Parkway; and
WHEREAS, on September 23, 2020, the City responded to CPNMD’s written offer and, pending voter approval, committed itself to work with CPNMD for the financial benefit of all residents and property owners in our community; and
WHEREAS, if residents and property owners approve the City’s Ballot Question 2A, then CPNMD will participate in the project in a manner, first, shave up to four million dollars off the City’s proposed thirty million dollar bond issue, second, cut seven-to-ten million dollars off the City’s maximum-possible sixty million dollar debt-repayment and property tax burden, and third, trim three-to-five years off the City’s thirty-year, bond-repayment term — all while delivering two capital infrastructure projects of vital importance to Castle Pines’ residents and business community next year;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
1) for the benefit of all CPNMD taxpayers and Castle Pines residents and property owners — and in solidarity with the City of Castle Pines — the CPNMD Board of Directors supports the City of Castle Pines’ Ballot Question 2A and urges residents and property owners to vote ‘YES’ on Ballot Question 2A; and
2) if voters approve the City’s Ballot Question 2A, CPNMD will enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the City to complete the joint project and commit four-million dollars to be used to reduce the City’s proposed thirty million dollar bond issue, cut seven-to-ten million dollars off the City’s maximum-possible sixty million dollar bond-repayment cost, and trim three-to-five years off the City’s proposed thirty year bond-repayment term.
Adopted and approved this 19th day of October 2020.
Describer:
The video starts on graphic with a white background and forest green letters which says “Castle Pines North Metropolitan District October 19, 2020”. The meeting opens on a shot of all board members present.
Vice President Robert Merritt:
Okay. At this time, we'll get things started. I'd like to welcome everybody in the audience and the audience at home. I'm Robert Merritt, and I'll be heading things up tonight for David McEntire, our president and Director. He had to step away for a, unforeseeable obligation. So I'd like to call to order the regular meeting and start with the Pledge of Allegiance. If you would join me.
Describer:
The board members and the audience rise from their seats and recite the Pledge of Allegiance, as the camera pans from left to right from the board to management staff to the audience and back to the board. When they are done, they sit down again.
All Speak:
I Pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Robert:
Okay. Like I said, I'd like to call, to order. And by doing that, we'll do a roll call. And, so we do have a quorum and, Directors, please acknowledge that you are present and please, disclose any conflicts of interest that you may have.
Board Member Director Denise Crew:
Director Denise Crew. Present no conflicts.
Board Member Director Chuck Lowen:
Director Chuck Lowen. Present. No conflicts.
Board Member Director Chris Lewis:
Director Chris Lewis. * Issue with microphone* Conflict.
Board Member Director Robert Merritt:
And Director Robert Merritt. Present. No conflicts.
Robert:
That moves us on to item number three. We'll consider approving the October 19th, 2020 board meeting agenda that we've all gone over. And I'd like to put a motion. Does anyone would like to make a motion.
Board Voting All Speak:
Chuck:
Mr. Vice President, I'd like to make a motion that combines, if possible, items number three, approving the October 19th, 2020 board meeting agenda and including, approving September 21, 2020 board meeting minutes. I make a motion that we approve both. I’ll second. I second.
Board Voting All Speak:
Okay, we have a motion on the floor by Director Chuck Lowen, seconded by Denise Crew. And, any all in favor? Say I. I. All opposed, I, all opposed. Motion passes.
Robert:
Before we get to, far down the line, I would like to, actually acknowledge, before we get totally started, I want to take a moment and, thank and honor my neighbor and our colleague, Director Chris Lewis.
Christopher is participating in this meeting while on active duty in an undisclosed location overseas. His commitment to this board and by extension, to the people of Castle Pines is wonderful. Thank you. Christopher as a neighbor and friend and colleague, in my opinion, we owe you a debt of gratitude for your service and our community and country. I'm honored to have you as a colleague here.
Would anyone else like to say something to Chris?
Chris:
Thank you. It's definitely an honor. And definitely, my duty to be here. I appreciate the opportunity to serve the community, and I appreciate the opportunity of the board and staff to allow me to participate from this undisclosed location.
Robert:
Well we enjoy having you appreciate it. Okay, so no further ado. We'll continue on with opening public comments.
For three minutes. I didn't receive the paperwork, so I guess nobody wants to speak this evening, so we'll just close number five, opening public comments for the three minutes per person. Moves us on to number six. Project updates and insights from the City of Castle Pines our designated liaison to the Castle Pines North Metro Districts Board of Directors.
Council woman Deborah Mulvey, please step to the podium as you have. And, please limit your remarks to more than no more than ten minutes, please. Thank you and welcome.
Describer:
Council Woman Deborah Mulvey, rises and comes to podium facing the board to the right of audience seating and to the left side of the board, near staff seating which is adjacent 90 degrees to the board and to the audience.
Council Woman Deborah Mulvey:
Thank you. And I appreciate the limitation. Thank you for your service, Mr. Lewis. I know that other my council members also do so as we have a, former member of active duty on our council as well.
And the main issues, as you will recall with City Council are is our ballot measure 2A. I'm available to answer any questions about that. That's for the road project for Monarch and Castle Pines Parkway. It's we went over it in detail last time, so I won't belabor it. The new matter relating to it is an interesting proposal by a gentleman who considers himself a founder of the city to utilize, and I'm summarizing here to utilize the metro district revenues and a mill levies for the city's roads.
The city has not endorsed or even considered that proposal, because it considers itself to be a separate and distinct governmental entity from this one. We do not meddle in each other's affairs, although we do cooperate with one another. So the city will await your own actions on your own, prerogatives. And if we do at some point receive revenue from any source, be it from your contribution for, the project that's going to be co phased for the pipeline, or the piping work under Castle Pines Parkway or from the Lagae land deal, or increased revenue from our own mill levy that will all go towards debt service.
That seems to be the big issue. And so we are not going to weigh in on whatever this body chooses to do with its own mill levy. With respect to, we've done a lot of work with respect to City Hall. There's a lot of questions surrounding that. The only clarification I wish to provide is that that is in the budget.
It is a proposal by staff. And as with your body, staff comes to us with a proposal. Statutorily it's due, or by our charter, it's due by the end of September, and it is then considered by city council. And then we then as a body decide whether or not to proceed with it. That doesn't mean it's a done deal.
It doesn't mean it's going to happen. And it may not happen. It may not happen for the amount or for the size or or any other aspect of it. And so while the communication may not be as everybody wishes, the fact remains that this budget is proposed and it will be considered on November 10th and in a study session and a meeting with public comment, and then again on December 8th.
And so, the and in the budget, the proposal. So far is to take the proceeds from the Lagae land deal and dedicate those for the purpose of additional road maintenance. And if a city hall is built, then to finance it in another way. And again, the word if is is emphasized because City Hall, the City Council hasn't done anything to approve that.
There's a bunch of other things that we've worked on. The Covid numbers are increasing. We expect Tri-County Health to extend this order. But as you're aware, we have opted out of that in our falling under the state's extended mask mandate order. So, it we do fall into level one, which is which you are aware of because you have a facility that you rent out, and that small gatherings, ten people and large gatherings indoors, 50%, capacity.
And so we don't expect that to change, although we are in a by county, as you may be aware, a period of mitigation to hopefully have the numbers decrease and we have another meeting with elected officials with Tri County to determine if we remain in the lower numbers. And it looks like we are in the 5 to 6 range on the on the positivity figure.
So, we may be going down in, in a range in numbers. And so that's positive. And so we hope to be able to stay in level one. As far as the schools concerned, they're going back this week to in person they have their enrollment is down by 2100 children. They're trying to find out where they are.
And then, they have 4000 online only, but they do have extensive three point Covid, protections that, which is mask distance, mask wearing, distancing and touch surface protection. And they are also doing ash decisions, which is a significant thing for the city. So they made an emergency decision that the canyon's residents and the Castle Valley residents are going to go to Buffalo Ridge, or rather Timber Trail and Buffalo Ridge, respectively.
Initially, their consultants wanted them to go to Parker, which we opposed. And, they've now decided that they're going to revisit that because their enrollment is down, which is why I brought the issue up about their enrollment. So we are going to be, weighing in on that. And so we would encourage anybody with children, that is, only people with children in the school district get the survey.
So if you happen to get a survey, please do answer it. If you wish to keep our community together at school. And so I'm happy to answer any questions.
Robert:
Okay. I like to open it up this time to the Directors, for a discussion.
Chuck:
And Deborah one is a hearing issue. When you started your dissertation, you said that there was a gentleman that requested or asked us asked you if there were another means to fund 2A and I didn't. I didn't hear what you said he was asking you to do or consider.
Deborah:
It wasn't directly asked to the city. In response to some comments on next door, namely a Q&A information post he proposed as a founder of the city as a he calls himself that the old 2007 ballot measure, which allowed the city to use the mills of the metro district for water and wastewater if the metro district were to have dissolved and give up its 19 mills, and so he proposes to take that authorization and to re craft it and somehow use that to fund the roads.
That would obviously by your knowledge of your processes require a number of steps and a number of, things, I'll put that bluntly and plainly. So we have chosen, because it was never presented to the city and because you are an independent entity, we are not weighing in on that.
Robert:
I can address that, to, Mister Gilbert's comments. Yes. And, that we have no comment at this time, but we'd love to invite him, to come individually, Covid in mind and have a meeting with him, for his comments, whatever he needs. And, we can further that discussion. But at this no time at this time, we don't have a comment. Thank you.
Chuck:
Deborah, my second question, if I understand that you mentioned that the municipal building, if approved, was going to be funded by the proceeds of the Legae property.
Deborah:
That was the original idea. And what staff proposed in the alternative is, as I mentioned, staff proposes the budget. And in those staff proposed budget, the proceeds of the land deal have been proposed instead for roads, which makes quite a few people more comfortable. And that the building then would be funded by CLP certificates of participation, which is a debt, and that makes other people feel uncomfortable. And so that's something we'll be considering.
Chuck:
Going back to the Legae land was that donated to the city?
Deborah:
There were two plots donated to the city, one outright and the other with a condition that if it's not developed for a Rec or community center, within five years, it would be sold back for minimal consideration. We believe that there would be some discussion were that to occur. Thank you.
Denise:
I just one question. Going back to Tri-County Health, I think I lost my way on that. I know at the beginning of Covid, Douglas County had talk or Castle Pines specifically had talked about not being part of Tri County or opting out. Where do we stand on that now? Are we still under Tri County Health?
Deborah:
Yes. The process was Tri County Health. It consists of Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas County. And in the beginning of the Covid, pandemic matter, there were concerns. And so the Douglas County invoked its one year notice requirement to leave Tri-County health and that was required to initiate any change in the agreement, whether it be reform or leave. There was no other way.
And so where it stands presently and shortly after that notice was invoked, was to initiate reform negotiations, in other words, to change the structure so that Douglas County has more say in how it's managed under the Tri County health framework. And so, for example, decisions were made initially that the stats and data would be aggregated for all three counties and decisions would be made for all three counties, no matter that Douglas County had different statistics.
So if Adams County had a higher incidence Douglas County and had Douglas County had lower incidence rates, Douglas County would still have to have the stronger mandates that Adams would. Other things that occurred was that were seen as inequitable, that needed reform, were things like Douglas County had no testing sites that were free, and we were given reasons for that.
But the if somebody from Douglas County wanted to get tested, they had to go to Adams or Arapahoe County, because that's where that there were a lot of reasons. But basically we didn't have any. They closed all the women's clinics in Douglas County, but not in Arapahoe and Adams County. So we really felt, as a collective, that some reform needed to be made.
And so in the initial discussions, there was a proposal that Tri County health made and it wasn't fully meeting the needs. And so it was rejected and negotiations continue. And so that's where we are now. Okay. Thank you. Yeah.
Robert:
Did Chris want to jump in on that at all? Okay. Well, I have.
District Manager Jim Worley:
Can I ask a question, sir, if you don't mind. Thank you. Being an optimist of which I am, assuming approval of 2A on November 3rd. Is the project going to be phased part the first phase from what I'm understanding, I just want to make sure I've got it right would be roughly Legae, maybe a little bit further east up to Monarch. It do you know?
Deborah:
I don't know what the actual phasing would be, but it will be phased.
Jim:
It will be phased. Okay.
Deborah:
Because, are two reasons. The first is that in order to not phase it, we'd have to undergo the expensive night time and overtime and triple overtime. And that's super expensive. And that would inflate the cost of the project tremendously.
Secondly, you know, we don't want to tie up and our residents don't want to tie up the the intersections and whatnot in the traffic. So much. So that's why the phasing, we're still going to condense it down as much as possible. As far as what's first, I think the bigger issue on that may be coordination with your project, because I think there is a strong interest to make sure we do that.
And I understand there are logistics with engineering that need to be worked out as well as with, whatever may be coming to pass with your plans with Parker.
Jim:
Thank you. Appreciate it.
Robert:
Okay. Appreciate that first and foremost, initially, I got to tell you, I was not a fan of 2A, but after looking at everything, looking at the documents, and then looking at the.
The interest rate is about the best, I think that we can expect. And with the additive with this board, being able to offer a collaboration of putting the new water main in as the road is disrupted will save the city millions of dollars. Millions of dollars is what it's projected. So I'm kind of excited about it now.
But initially looking at it, it seemed like a steep climb. So. But thank you very much for your comments.
Deborah:
Thank you. I did forget one thing. There's there was a lot of questions and answers about asphalt versus concrete. And you know, the, the we we do believe that it's going to ultimately be concrete for the reasons I previously stated, but we're still going to bid out both because that's the right thing to do.
And there is a very strong requirement for how the bidding goes. So I don't want there to be a feeling that somebody out there made some decision on their own by consulting with some experts. It's still going to be bid out for both. But I do agree. And you know, we do still thank this body for, you know, agreeing and offering to co phase it and any savings or are is so narrowly crafted that any savings have to go back to debt service.Thank you.
Robert:
Thank you. We're excited about that. And thank you for your time. And thank you for being here. Okay. That moves us right along to, Open Space Manager's report.
Jim:
You have the report in front of you. Craig was here earlier during the budget workshop. He covered some of these items. One thing I want to emphasize, and and we're actually looking forward to
And that's this coming, Wednesday morning, 7:30am to 9am, I believe Ken. That we're going to have a community clean up. We we are gonna supply gloves, basically, bags. We'll start out at Coyote Ridge we may be able to go some other spots. One of the things we were going to do also was to clean up the graffiti.
But knock on wood, it's slowed down if not stopped to be honest with you. And I don't want to jinx it, but, so we're not going to have any graffiti to clean it up, but look forward to that. And we've had good response. Ken sent out some information has some good response from from relatives. 21 is that what you said?
Roughly 21 people. So that's great. So we'll be out there. Hopefully all of you or Chris it might be hard for Chris to get here, but the rest of you, if you can, Wednesday morning, 7:30 Coyote Ridge, we'll have, hot chocolate and some other munchies there too, to chew on, but it's a good opportunity to get the group together, and we're going to try to do that on a quarterly basis, weather dependent.
And so I just want to let you know about that. If there's other questions.
Chris:
I do want to comment, I when I read this, I was actually I thought it was a great, a great idea and a good opportunity for the community to get together here and help us to, do something that would benefit us all, but also based on all the, you know, the graffiti and, issues we've been having over there.
It's I think everyone coming together to do the cleanup definitely was was good. So I will be there in spirit. So you guys have a good time.
Jim:
Thank you Chris.
Robert:
I appreciate it. And look forward to joining you this Wednesday. Just two days from now, 7:30am in the morning. And, hopefully it's the temperatures that have been keeping these breaking cans away.
Jim:
I don't think it's supposed to do anything weather wise until Friday, so you should be in good shape, I hope. But I think school has help with the graffiti. But we'll. We'll see. Thank you.
Robert:
Okay. Any other discussion from the Directors? Being none.
Chuck:
Oh, there was a discussion earlier. If it's not appropriate to talk about it now, let me know. But I was concerned about the open space trails and the cost associated with that. And Deborah, raised, I think, a very important issue we should consider, is that, the cost of asphalt versus the cost of concrete concrete's very expensive.
It's going to take a lot more to keep those trails in shape with a higher density concrete than with asphalt. Asphalt might break up faster. It's easier to repair. I'm just wondering if we should not look at at least 1 or 2 bids together with our concrete bids for asphalt and get a pretty good idea, because we we have lousy soil out here.
It moves, it shifts, it disappears. And if we're always repairing concrete, the cost is going to be a lot more expensive than in repairing asphalt for the roads. I understand, for the trails, it doesn't get the traffic that the roads get. So I would like to just put that out there and ask if we can consider that Jim.
Jim:
We'll do that. We'll get some cost for both. I think that's a pretty simple thing to do and find out where we go from there. Perfect. You bet.
Robert:
Excellent. For the record, what's the name of the gentleman, David, that takes care of that? David Anderson. Anderson. Thank you. Okay. Any more discussion? That moves us on to the finance finance Director's report Eric Harris. Appreciate it. Thank you.
Describer:
Financial director Eric Harris approaches the podium.
Financial Director Eric Harris:
Good evening board I'll keep my remarks short as we just endured an hour and a half, budget work session. I sent out a supplementary packet on Friday that included the financial report. With that, cash position of that report, because it included the budget packet was on, unfortunately, page 267.
Pretty large packet, approximately $50.4 million across all funds that are, in the district's bank accounts as of October 9th, 2020. Real quickly, we did have a we will have a presentation of claims, and we'll get to that here shortly of approximately $529,000. A couple of very brief comments. Just following up, water usage is continuing to be high, but we're dialing in those costs.
Property taxes are collected in the 99th percentile. We're almost fully collected for the year, and we're going through some, minor updates. I'm working with CRS on the reporting still, associated with the utility billing system. So really hopeful to get some additional reports out of, out of that system. It's just an older software system on the back end that the billing software is utilized, that we utilize.
So we'll get those reports and hopefully here by the next month for the collections reports that we've discussed in prior meetings. But I am not. I don't have any challenges or issues with the reporting to date. But just that additional detail. We’ll get that plugged in and analyzed. But with that, if there's any any questions I can certainly entertain that or else we move on to the ratification of claims.
Robert:
That opens us up for a discussion for the directors. I’m good. Okay. Just wanted to thank you, Eric, for the detailedness that we endured for an hour and a half with you. And if you could just summarize, for the residents, the state of the union, as you expressed to us at the, your summation of all those numbers, facts and figures and accounts and balances that we just went through?
Eric:
Certainly so this is a culmination of a record of several months. We started at the start of July, looking at each department and, looking at expenses and moving that through updates to the district's rate case. As well as to, get to a proposed budget that we reviewed at a work session prior to this meeting.
Status of affairs, the district is in great financial health. As we all well know, the legacy debt, which we, it was paid off a couple of years ago. And so that we were able to meet all of our obligations to date and projected to meet all our future obligations, as well as we look out strategically over the next couple of years. We're able to recognize and take advantage of the interest rate markets and looking at, you know, what makes sense to pay off first versus what used to be held in investments.
Also, able to have, as mentioned before, have those cash reserves to look at our future capital programs as we look at, major potential major strategic changes, for the services that this district is to provide. And so, the district is well capitalized, like I said, able to meet our obligations. And potentially, looking at we have certain call dates here in the near future, to pay off those obligations ahead of time on debt that is structured for many, many years out.
So pay ahead on term, recognize those interest rate savings and keep moving forward. So, but yes, like I mentioned, health is very well as a recognition of those capital, those cash balances, and able to get vendors, hooked up and looking at, maintaining the capital assets and, and as we look at expanding the system, including everything down south, plugging that into our system as well, we'll be able to maintain that. So, yes, health is very well.
Robert:
Appreciate that. Thank you so much. And before we get on to ratifying first, I believe we have to consider the motion of approving the financial report just for the month of September, 2020. So, someone want to make a motion?
Chuck:
I'll make a motion that we approve the September 2020 financial statement.
Robert:
Do we have a second? I second it.
Board Voting All Speak:
Okay. We have a motion on the floor to approve that financial report month of September 2020. All in favor? Say I, I, all opposed. I say nay, motion passed.
Robert:
Okay. We'll go down to, consider approving and ratifying the pay payables for check numbers 25517 through 25581 for September 10th, 2020 through to October 9th, 2020 from the General Fund and Debt Service to ratify $101,980.35. And from the enterprise funds of $346,996.56, and electronic payments of all funds of $80,464.69, for a grand total to be, ratified of $529,441.60.
Would someone like make a motion for that?
Denise:
I'll make a motion to approve the ratification of payables for the month of September 10th through October 9th, 2020.
Robert:
And do we have a second motion on the floor?
Chuck:
I second it.
Robert:
We have a second motion on the floor to approve and ratify the payables for the check numbers 25517 through 25581. Any discussion?
Board Voting All Speak:
All in favor, say I. I. All opposed say nay, and motion passes.
Robert:
All right. Moving right along. We have the Legal Counsel's report.
District Legal Counsel Kim Seter:
You have a status report in your packet that lists a number of items and how they're moving forward. Just a quick update on Parker Water and Sanitation District. We had another big meeting earlier, last week, and everything is just coming in positive. So I did not receive comments back on the inclusion agreement.
So I've gone back in and am starting to update that myself and were planning on bringing it to you in November. Not final product, but a draft that'll be well along for you for you to review. And then the second item in the report is on the middle of page three. It came to Jim's attention that the signs in the parks said that they were open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., November to March, and 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. April to October.
But our rules and regulations said they were open from dusk to dawn. So in order to make sure that it's easy for the sheriff to enforce those rules, have attached for you a resolution number 2020 10 1902 changing the rules and regulations to the same language that's on the signs in the parks. If you want to take up that resolution.
If you're ready to, you certainly can. It's right after the legal status report.
Denise:
Does this just mean replacing signs?
Kim:
No. It leaves the signs as they are and changes the language in the rules and regulations.
Denise:
So there's no cost, no expense. Nothing. Just make everything match. Yes. Got it. Okay.
Robert:
Okay, I'll start that. I'd like to make a motion for the district rules and regulations for the parks to stay open from dusk to dawn. The sign says 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., November through March. And 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. April- October in order to ensure enforcement by the sheriff's office. And we suggest and making a motion to change these r&r’s to say the same things on the sign.
Board Voting All Speak:
All in favor? All right, let's go with the motion on the floor. Second. We have a second motion on the floor. All in favor, say I. I. All opposed say nay. Motion carries. Thank you.
Kim:
That's everything for me. Unless you have any questions.
Robert:
That opens up to discussion. Any Directors have any questions? Nope. Okay, we'll close that for now. Thank you. Thank you very much. Moving on to the district manager's report.
Jim:
Thank you sir. On the agenda you already saw about the Castle Pines cleanup day. So I'm going to say it again. See you Wednesday morning at 7:30am for Castle Pines Cleanup Day. Look forward to that. Couple other items number one, this room will be and what are they calling?
And a polling center, an election polling center. So, actually, what's going to happen tomorrow morning about 8:00am. There's going to be a locksmith Acme. I think it is. A locksmith is going to come in here, and there's going to be a person from the elections office physically here. And the door behind all of you that goes down into the theater.
They're going to change the lock on that door. Give us the old lock and we'll hold on to that. Any keys that go to the new lock is totally with the county. We will have no way to get into that room. And so they're going to come out here tomorrow and change those locks probably in about a week, week and a half.
They're going to start putting some stuff in there. So this will be a polling location center for the election for those who want to either drop off ballots or come in and vote. So after that's all over and they get all their work done, they'll come back in and change the lock out, because I didn't want any of us to have any keys to any voting stuff, if that makes sense.
So just to let you know that that's going to happen actually tomorrow, the change that lockout. Another important issue and this may not register much right now, but we use citywide banks for our lockbox. If you write a check and send it to a post office box, citywide banks is the one that handles that for us. They are outsourcing their lockbox service.
And so I was in a conversation today with them. And what's going to happen is we're going to end up having a different P.O. box for those who mail their check in to. It's actually going to go to a Dallas address instead of a Denver address, but it's still going to be handled the same way. People just write the check still, to us, it goes to our lockbox.
It just travels a little bit further to get to the lockbox. One of the concerns I have is over a period of time, someone may not remember or know that that's changed because we don't automatically put an envelope into your utility billing. And so we've worked out with a bank that they will will have in essence two lockboxes.
It's not for even, you know, for everybody necessarily figure out where they're writing a check to, but they still write it, send it to the same spot. The Denver lockbox will actually continue to serve those checks that come up to their until the end of January. So between now and the end of January, we're going to have a pretty good campaign, a bill insert, which is going to be very recognizable, for those who write their check payable a district, you're going to mail it to a different location.
We're going to put it on our website, Ken’s going to do an email blast. And so we're going to try to reach as many people as we can. We estimate that to be about 8 or 900. I think that they use this service the lockbox service. So what will happen February 1 If someone hadn't made a change, then they'll write a check.
They'll stick in an envelope to P.O box and it'll be returned to them. Which, if they hadn't heard by then that there's a change in that, they will certainly know then. So chances are they'll pick up the phone to us and say, well, what's going on? And we'll say they'll be a change. So not everybody is going to remember this, but if you write a check for that over time, you will.
So that'll hopefully be a smooth transition. And nobody will know any difference, still be deposited in our account with City Wide Bank and everything be taken care of. Just a physical, different location, if that makes sense to you. The last item and now I'll address anything you may have in my report. You know, the last few months we've been trying to find a a home for Smokey.
We just had another fire. If you saw another fire started, I think in Boulder County, I think it was Saturday. Went to like 8700 acres or something. Yeah. So we're not out of the woods yet. So we've been trying to find locations that we could put Smokey, and the meter signs and I and I want to thank the county. Douglas County has bellied up to the bar and said, let's work with you on finding a location.
So I met last week with some representatives of, of Douglas County. Michael Penny was with me from the city. So we've identified a particular location on the west side, I won't go into detail on that yet, because we still have to get approval from physically where this land is, be Denver parks. And so Denver would have to approve us to put this location there.
So we'll keep you posted on a little bit more. I'm supposed to be involved in a meeting tomorrow with Denver to talk about that. That may get a little bit delayed. So I just want you to know, we're still still pushing that peanut forward, and and it's a very important thing, as we all know, especially this year with the fires we've had, the fire risk and dangers.
And so I'll let you know more as we go along. So I don't have any other comments unless you have some questions or comments toward me.
Robert:
I just have a comment real quick. Oh, Chris, go ahead.
Chris:
So that that was one of the questions that I had. I read the report on that, and I was briefed on some of the meetings that you guys had.
And actually, I think it's really good. Well, two things. One is we, what's our process for approving the request for the monument that the city wants to put. Right? You know, I think I mentioned that last month. Do we have a process and how it's progressing for approval? But I see here on the on the notes that we also recommended that the city meet with our design team to incorporate it with the drought pack.
So, let me ask the first question, then I'll come back and comment, what's our process for approving the request?
Jim:
At last month's board meeting the board gave direction for me to set up a meeting, with at that time, Sam Bishop, who had made the request on the behalf of the city. This is coming in, monarch from the north part of the city coming in.
And and the city has a new game plan for monumentation on both sides of the road. That spreads out enough to where it gets into our land. So they need approval from us for an easement. I believe it's the terminology. And so we met with, with Sam a couple of days after the board meeting, Chairman David and I met with him and said look DTJ did the design for these monuments.
And, and one of the things when we originally talked to the city about a potential for Smokey was, you need to look at our sign code and, and if you have some issues with that, get a licensed sign person, I'll call it to, to make an argument on your behalf that this should go in there based on, on the code.
And so what what David and I basically told Sam was, we'd like to see if we can get this taken care of with Smokey, too. And so would you go back to DTJ and ask them to incorporate a potential of how this might look with, with a nice document they gave for the signs. And so we haven't gotten any response on that yet.
Does that help you, Chris, on on what you were talking about?
Chris:
Yes it does. I just want to make sure that, it was quite clear that the request to us the Metro District was actually progressing. And that we had a process in place, and we were pretty transparent on what it will take, he said to get an approval. So that was my first, attempt. Then my comment that, you know, it's actually, quite, quite nice to see that, you know, with, one meeting that we had or you had and David had with the Douglas County, that there was a resolution almost and, and actually, immediate offered to locate our sign in one of the locations that we wanted to.
So we wanted to have it , you know, at the 3 entrances, to the community. And it's good to see that cooperation. I'd like to see a lot more of that. So good job. And that, you know, I think it sounds like this is progressing well, and we'll definitely look forward to seeing our first sign go up.
And hopefully we'll be able to see, you know, as you mentioned, this is part of the drought mitigation plan. And we do have fires going on. So it's incumbent on everyone, all of us, to work together to have some plan out there and something to essentially notify the residents of the community. Where do we stand. Thanks.
Jim:
You bet. Thank you.
Robert:
Excellent. And, the collaboration is wonderful as well. Councilwoman Mulvey wanted to make a comment as well as the process that Chris asked about and if she would step to the podium and make that comment, and, here we go. Thanks.
Describer:
Councilwoman Deborah Mulvey approaches the podium.
Deborah:
First, I, too, would like to thank the county commissioners for considering your request. It was brought to my attention as well, particularly, on this subject. And, I would I would mention on, on a personal level, the matter hasn't been brought to City Council's attention, but I did some looking into it and looking at the sign myself. And I this location that I was apprised of shortly before the meeting, that you're considering does seem rather apropos because, our consultants from the county actually said that the greatest danger would be from wind coming up from 25, causing the greatest fire danger, actually, from the canyon area.
It's actually a greater fire danger to the un-forested area than there is to the forested areas, ironically, so it does seem to be apropos. And I expressed to some of you what my views are. I think it's more appropriate to do so at city council. But the mayor did share with me today that the matter will finally be brought to city council soon.
I just don't know when I am not the setter of the agenda. So I can report that to you.
Robert:
Okay, I appreciate those comments. And, look forward to enhancing Castle Pines with Smokey the Bear. Give it a little more character and the renovated trails are exciting. And of course, Eric Harris is saying that we're financially sound.
Look forward to all of it. So, thank you very much. Well, that leaves it up for the Director. Just finished with that? Okay, so we'll move on from Directors district manager's report onto Directors matters. So we know that, we have the 2A, to speak of. I can open up discussions if everybody wants to do that.
Or we can hold discussions on anything else before we discuss 2A. What do you guys think? Chris, are you okay with just going straight to 2A?
Chris:
I am good, I'm ready.
Robert:
Okay. All right. So, what we have in front of us is, consideration of the resolution 20201019-01, in support of the City of Castle Pines ballot question 2A. And if voter approved, stressing if voter approved concerning the Castle Pines North Metro Districts’ offer to work with the city simultaneously deliver two essential capital infrastructure projects next year, thereby saving taxpayers millions of dollars in bond repayment costs. Open it up for discussion.
Chuck:
I. Anytime you can save dollars. I think that the constituents should be in favor of it. I don't speak for them, but, I know for myself I would prefer to see the roads torn up once, not twice or three times. And I'd like to see some significant dollar savings for all of us irrespective of the fact we need the infrastructure, we need the roads, we need the water service. We should get it done now as opposed to later.
Robert:
Thank you for that.
Denise:
I think I wanted to basically agree with you, Director Lowen. It only makes sense if we're going to have a major improvement to the city streets that we cooperate with that and and do our best to be fiscally responsible as we've tried to be and save money doing this. So, I myself am 100% behind it, and we'll see what happens after the election.
Chris:
Yep. So, I definitely, you know, I'm totally in support of this, this resolution also, it will certainly save the community a lot of money. Well, it'll save the city a lot of money if we do it together. And, you know, this is definitely one of those things where you see a symbiotic relationship, where, again, the cooperation, we can all benefit.
And you know, it, it has the financial benefit. It has the benefits of being able to have the citizens not being impacted more than once if we do it together. So all in all, a win.
Robert:
Okay, I appreciate that, Chris. And I'd like to open that up to Jim as well to explain both sides of that, both projects, if you would just summarize that for us.
Jim:
I can tell you about our project, but I can't tell you about the city, in essence, what and we've already had a couple of preliminary meetings in hopes of this passing November 3rd, because we don't want to hit the ground running the next day. We want to hit it with some work we've already done in advance. And so we work with our engineers. And I've met, and our engineer, Greg Sekera, district engineer. We sat a couple of times with Larry Nimo, Public Works Director, I believe, over there and to preliminarily design what we need to do.
And this could work out very well. Yeah. We want to physically move our line, which is now in the right of way. Basically, we want to move it to the middle of the road, which is really where it should be. And so to be able to do that at the same time that the city’s going through and doing that, that is such a smart way to do it, in my opinion, because we're not putting concrete every time we have to tear it up and so working with them.
I think it's just great for the whole community. And so assuming it's approved, then we'll move forward as quick as we can with at least the phase one. That's why I asked Councilman Mulvey about the phase. And just keep moving forward. So we'll get a large portion of that project done, hopefully together next year. Did that help you?
Denise:
Yeah. Quick, quick question. You just said moving the the line, but it's more than just moving it it's it's needing replacement. Is that true?
Jim:
Oh that's the reason we're going you betcha. Yeah. Yeah I should say that this has to this has been a line that we've had significant breaks over the years. Right. It's probably one of the original lines to go in this community.
And so we need to do that. Okay. Absolutely.
Denise:
Just wanted to make sure that.
Jim:
You bet. And it works out well I think it can assuming this passes. You know, kill two birds with one stone, so to speak. And so so that would really work out well, make it a lot easier for all of us. The contractors can can coordinate together and it's going to be a good deal. Absolutely, thank you. You bet.
Chuck:
Jim, just to clarify, you said move or add a new line. Put in a new line in the middle of the road or in the down the the middle of the between the two roads, right and left. I mean, is it going to go down the infrastructure where there's plantings?
Jim:
No, it's going to go in the roadway. It's going to go underneath, underneath the roadway. Right now. Which one? It's going to be north side.
Chuck:
On the north side of Castle Pines Parkway.
Jim
Our side of where we are now. Exactly. That's where our line is. It goes all the way out of that.
Chuck:
Ok. Not in the median? Correct. When you said middle, I thought.
Jim:
Alright, well good point. Yeah. No, I don't think there's going to be any changing of the median. And I don't think the city's anticipating getting rid of medians, I don't think. But our line is now in a right of way, roughly the sidewalk in that area.
Chuck:
So the north side, going west?
Jim:
The north side going west that's correct. Thank you. You bet.
Robert:
Okay. Thank you all for that. And just for the residents at home, the Castle Pines North Metro District has been saving and budgeting for this.
This is not something that just came out. We've been budgeting for this capital expenditure for years, and it's because of the newly, relationship with the city that we're able to come together and make this happen. So I wanted to bring that up with Eric's help and, and the finance matters. How long have we been expecting this?
Eric:
For a couple of years, I believe it was 2016, 2017 we started adding money to a multi-year project for it. Recently and then, so that money is available for that project.
Robert:
Okay. So, yeah, I just wanted to reiterate it's not something that we had to cover in short term expenses. So something that's been planned for and, any other discussion on that before we go to, I'll read the motion myself.
Okay. Here we go. Under Director's Matters, we're going to consider making a motion to, for resolution 20201019-01 in support of the City of Castle Pines ballot question 2A and if it is approved, concerning Castle Pines North Metro District's offer to work with the city simultaneously deliver two, essential capital infrastructure projects next year, thereby saving taxpayer dollars, millions of dollars in bond repayment costs.
Board Voting All Speak:
I make the motion looking for a second. I'll second that. We have a second motion on the floor. We'll do a roll call on this one and go through. Director, please say, I if you agree. Nay, you disagree, Director Christopher Lewis. I. Director Denise Crew. I. Director Chuck Lowen. I. And Director Rob Merritt. I. So in all consideration, this motion passes.
Robert:
All right. Thank you all very much. Now, it brings us to the closing comments period. I have not received the paperwork. I don't think anyone else in the needs to say anything. So, I'd like to have someone follow us up with number 15. A motion to adjourn.
Denise:
I'd like to make a motion to adjourn our meeting of October 19th, 2020.
Chris:
Chris, I second it.
Board Voting All Speak:
All right we have two motions to adjourn. And, from Director, Denise Crew and Director Christopher Lewis. Motion to adjourn. All in favor, say I. I, I. All in favor say. I. All opposed say nay. Motion approved. We're adjourned.