Montrose, CO — City Councilors met for their regular meeting on Tuesday, July 21, to consider a proposal to place a City Charter ballot question on the November ballot, ordinances for a new annexation and a pair of new historic properties, contracts for software licenses and city projects, funding for the Colorado Flights Alliance, and the monthly sales and use tax revenue report.
Mayor Michael Badagliacco, Dave Frank, J. David Reed, Ed Ulibarri, and Adam Woodden met in the City Council Chambers at the Elks Civic Building, along with city staff.
City of Montrose Public Meetings Portal
The full meeting video can be viewed on the city’s Public Meetings Portal (CityofMontrose.org/Portal). Viewers can go directly to a specific meeting segment of interest by using the timestamps that appear on the right side of the “Meeting Media” view. An archive of the city’s past meeting minutes and materials is also available on the Portal and the Archive Center (CityofMontrose.org/ArchiveCenter). Meeting videos are also available on the city's YouTube channel.
The following is a summary of the primary topics discussed during the meeting.
Public Comment
Due to the length and details of the discussion on this item, the public is encouraged to view the meeting video on the Public Meetings Portal.
Approval of Minutes
City Councilors voted to approve the minutes of the City Council’s July 6 special meeting and the July 7, 2026, regular meeting.
Ballot Question for November 2026 Coordinated Election
The City Council voted, with three in favor and two opposed, to authorize notice to the Montrose County Clerk regarding the addition of a question or questions on the November 3, 2026, Coordinated Election ballot related to amending the Montrose City Charter.
City Attorney Chris Dowsey provided a timeline for the election process, which requires the city to provide notice of a possible ballot issue at least 100 days prior to the election (July 23, 2026) according to statutory deadlines. The next step in the process will be for the city to approve, at least 70 days prior to the election (August 25, 2026), an intergovernmental agreement between the city and Montrose County for participation in the election. The final ballot question(s) must be submitted at least 60 days prior (September 3, 2026) to the election date.
Following extended discussion and debate by the City Council itself, several citizens provided public comment, both for and against the placement of a City Charter amendment(s) on the November 3 ballot.
Following the approval of the election notice, the City Council and staff voiced concerns about the scheduling of the special meetings for proposed City Charter amendments due to pre-existing commitments. The mayor will schedule the special meetings, notify City Council and staff, and post the meeting schedule on the city’s website.
Due to the length and details of the discussion on this item, the public is encouraged to gain a more detailed understanding of the matter by viewing the meeting video on the Public Meetings Portal.
Google Workspace Expense Authorization
City Councilors authorized the purchase of Google Workspace Enterprise software licenses at a discounted rate from the Statewide Internet Portal Authority (SIPA) at a total cost of $54,432.
City of Montrose Information Services Director Greg Story said Google Workspace provides essential business collaboration and productivity tools, including Gmail, Calendar, Meet, Chat, Drive, Docs, and Sheets.
Funding for this procurement was included in the city’s 2026 budget that received City Council approval in November 2025.
2026 Streetlight Upgrade and Replacement Authorization
The City Council approved the 2026 Streetlight Upgrade and Replacement Authorization in partnership with Delta-Montrose Electric Association for the not-to-exceed amount of $240,000.
At the July 6 work session discussion on this topic, Public Works Operations Manager Nikolas Pridy said the city and DMEA have worked together over the past several years to improve the city’s street lighting system through the citywide LED Streetlight Conversion Project and the replacement of older overhead streetlight poles along Main Street.
This authorization includes those two separate scopes of work: $120,000 for the final year of the Citywide LED Streetlight Conversion Project, and $120,000 to continue replacing overhead streetlight poles along Main Street.
DMEA owns and maintains the city’s street lighting infrastructure. Through the LED Streetlight Conversion Project, the city has assisted DMEA with the replacement of high-pressure sodium and mercury vapor street light fixtures with more efficient LED fixtures. This conversion improves energy efficiency, reduces long-term operating costs, modernizes the city’s street lighting system, and provides more consistent lighting throughout the community. Completion of the 2026 work will conclude the full scope of the LED changeout program.
This will be the third year of investment in replacing older, deteriorated overhead streetlight poles in the Main Street corridor. The city has moved away from its past practice of refurbishing aging painted poles and is instead investing in full pole replacements where appropriate. Research indicated that replacement was more cost-effective over the long term than refurbishment by reducing the need for recurring repainting, eliminating the need for costly foundations, and aligning with DMEA’s current direct-bury fiberglass pole standard.
Over the previous two years, the city and DMEA have successfully replaced overhead streetlight poles along Main Street from Chipeta Road to Nevada Avenue. The 2026 scope will continue this work from Nevada Avenue to San Juan Avenue, completing this segment of the Main Street corridor.
Pavilion Design (Phase 1) Contract Award
City Council unanimously authorized the first phase of design work for renovations at the Montrose Pavilion under a contract with Blythe Group and Company (BG+Co) for $400,000.
The 30,000-square-foot facility, built in 1990, is a heavily utilized, year-round community hub for events, theater, and fundraisers. While well-maintained, several core facility systems are reaching the end of their operational lifespan. Minor, surface-level updates (like lighting and flooring) are handled during normal operations, while major infrastructure systems—specifically the roof, HVAC, and fire suppression systems—face worsening failures and replacement parts are difficult to obtain.
In 2025 and 2026, the city partnered with BG+Co to conduct a comprehensive facility assessment to identify and prioritize necessary repairs and outline a phased renovation schedule that will minimize costs and impacts on Pavilion operations.
Phase 1 design work under the contract will complete design work for the most critical HVAC and fire suppression upgrades to the construction document level, while advancing roof renovations, kitchen remodeling, and egress improvements to the design development level. Construction of the facility’s critical systems is expected to begin in 2028, while secondary items will be scheduled for future years.
BG+Co was selected as the design consultant for this project, leveraging a long-standing and highly collaborative partnership with the city. This history provides BG+Co with an understanding of city operations, standard practices, and infrastructure needs—an institutional knowledge that adds significant value and continuity to this initiative.
Hillcrest Sidewalk Replacement Construction Contract
City Council approved the award of a contract to Precision Dirt Work in the amount of $489,577 for the construction of the South Hillcrest Drive Sidewalk Replacement Project.
As part of the Moving Montrose Forward street maintenance efforts, the city will replace deteriorated sidewalk along the western side of South Hillcrest Drive between Sunnyside and Miami Roads. The existing sidewalk is an older drive-over style and has deteriorated to the point that it is essentially impassable in most reaches. The new sidewalk will be widened by reclaiming existing right-of-way and will use a standard vertical curb-and-gutter profile, which will improve safety compared to the existing drive-over style. The project will replace just over 1,800 feet of sidewalk and was mentioned as a priority by the City Council during the 2026 budget development process.
The project was initially budgeted for $650,000, with half to be performed in 2026 and the remainder in 2027. Due to the lower-than-estimated bid for the project, it was recommended that the entire project be completed in 2026 using cost savings on other 2026 capital projects. This approach will expedite the work and prove more efficient than splitting the work into two segments.
The project is scheduled to run from August to November 2026. While mainline sidewalk work is taking place, traffic on Hillcrest Drive will be shifted to the east, and at least one lane of traffic will be maintained in each direction at all times. Side-street connections will be closed, and traffic and pedestrians will be detoured to nearby roadways while sidewalk work is underway at those locations.
2026 Annual Colorado Flights Alliance Contribution
City Councilors unanimously approved, with Councilor David Reed abstaining, the City of Montrose’s annual contribution of $300,000 to the Colorado Flights Alliance (CFA).
CFA supports economic sustainability and vitality on Colorado’s Western Slope through air service development and corresponding programs. CFA partners with airlines to secure non-stop service and connections to Montrose Regional Airport and Telluride Regional Airport, providing some of the most comprehensive air service in western Colorado.
The City of Montrose has financially contributed to the Colorado Flights Alliance for many years to secure flights to the Montrose Regional Airport that would not otherwise exist. These flights contribute significantly to the local economy and benefit residents who make use of the expanded flight options. CFA research and data collection demonstrate that increased air traffic at Montrose Regional Airport correlates with increased tax collections in the City of Montrose.
City Manager Bill Bell said the funds will be acquired through the Economic Development and Community Programming item of the General Fund ($175,000), the Tourism Promotion Fund ($100,000), and the Retail Sales Enhancement Fund ($25,000).
Ordinance 2725 - Temporary Workforce Housing - First Reading
City Councilors voted, four in favor and one opposed, to approve Ordinance 2725 on first reading, amending Title 11 of the City of Montrose Municipal Code to establish provisions for temporary workforce housing.
Community Development Director Jace Hockwalt provided an overview of the more detailed discussion of the proposal that occurred at the City Council’s work session on July 6. The ordinance remains unchanged from the draft version presented to City Council, except for a new provision to limit use of the temporary workforce housing arrangement to once every five years per parcel and a definition for “Sleeping Unit” to distinguish workforce housing from “Dwelling Units.”
The Municipal Code does not include a defined land-use category or regulatory framework for temporary workforce housing. As a result, it is unclear where such facilities may be located or how they should be reviewed and approved.
The proposed amendments to Title 11, Land Development Regulations, would formally incorporate temporary workforce housing provisions by establishing a clear definition, identifying appropriate zoning districts, and outlining specific standards and procedural requirements.
These amendments are intended to provide a consistent, transparent, and enforceable approach for evaluating temporary workforce housing proposals and ensuring alignment with the city’s zoning intent and community objectives.
A second reading of the ordinance will occur at the City Council’s next regular meeting on August 4.
Ordinance 2717 - Second Reading
City Council unanimously approved Ordinance 2717, on second reading, for annexation of the El Chapin Addition.
Senior City Planner William Reis said the El Chapin Addition is approximately 12.28 acres in size and consists of Parcel #376723210005, adjacent to 6600 Road. It is within the city’s Urban Growth Boundary, the City of Montrose Sewer Service Area, and the City of Montrose Water Service Area.
Ordinance 2718 - Second Reading
City Council unanimously approved Ordinance 2718, on second reading, zoning of the El Chapin Addition as an "R-3," Medium Density District.
Ordinance 2719 - Second Reading
City Council unanimously approved Ordinance 2719, on second reading, amending the zoning district designation of a portion of Lot 39 of the Amended Ponderosa Ranch Subdivision Filing No. 2, addressed as 1269 Spring Creek Road, from "R-6," Medium Density/Manufactured Housing District to "B-3," General Commercial District.
Ordinance 2720 - Second Reading
City Council unanimously approved Ordinance 2720, on second reading, designating the Lathrop Hardware building, with an historic address of 439 East Main Street, as a City of Montrose Historic Property.
Senior City Planner William Reis said the City of Montrose Historic Preservation Commission unanimously recommended the building as a historic property according to Section 11-3 of the Montrose Municipal Code.
Reis said the qualifications include the building being over fifty years old. The building is associated with the history of downtown Montrose, having been the site of one of the city’s earliest and longest-lived hardware stores. The structure has also been found to meet the integrity criteria per Montrose Municipal Code 11-3-3 (C).
Ordinance 2721 - Second Reading
City Council voted, with three in favor and two opposed, to approve Ordinance 2721, on second reading, designating the E.A. Lee Garage, located at 219 East Main Street, as a City of Montrose Historic Property.
Senior City Planner William Reis said the city’s Historic Preservation Commission unanimously recommended the building’s approval as a historic property. Reis said the structure meets the criteria for the designation as outlined in the Montrose Municipal Code 11-3-3 (C). The building is associated with the history of transportation in Montrose, having been an early automotive garage.
Staff Reports
Sales Tax Manager Leeanne Whittaker presented the Sales, Use, and Excise Tax report for May. The full report is available at CityofMontrose.org/SalesTax.
City Council Comments
Councilor Ulibarri thanked the Montrose Police Department for their participation in the Special Olympics “Tip a Cop” program.
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