Montrose, CO — City Councilors met for their regular meeting on Tuesday, July 7, to consider a number of ordinances for a new annexation and a pair of new historic properties.
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.
The following is a summary of the primary topics discussed during the meeting.
Watch the meeting on the city's YouTube channel.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Councilor J. David Reed led a brief moment of silence for the three firefighters who were killed recently west of Grand Junction while battling the Snyder wildfire.
PUBLIC COMMENT
To view the public comment period, watch the meeting video here.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
City Councilors voted to approve the minutes of the City Council’s June 15 special meeting and the June 16 regular meeting.
The city’s archive of past meeting minutes is available on the Public Meetings Portal (CityofMontrose.org/Portal) and at CityofMontrose.org/ArchiveCenter.
FORMATION OF A CITY CHARTER COMMISSION
City Councilors voted 3-2 against a proposal to form a City Charter Commission. Members of the council have been discussing potential changes to the city’s charter by placing charter amendment questions on a future ballot, either through direct placement by City Council or through a charter commission process.
City Attorney Chris Dowsey said the City of Montrose was one of the first home rule municipalities in the State of Colorado. The city’s charter has only been amended a few times since 1914.
About a dozen local residents offered public comment on this issue.
DART BUDGET CORRECTION RELATED TO PROFESSIONAL CONTRACT SERVICES
City Councilors voted 4-1 to fully fund the DART Professional Contract Services budget at $272,620 for 2026.
Due to a typographical error, the full amount of this line item was absent from the city’s annual budget. At a previous City Council work session, City Manager Bill Bell recommended that the council vote at a future meeting to approve the full budget amount of $272,620 to ensure that critical programs are funded throughout the year.
The funds for this element of DART’s annual budget are already within the city’s Retail Sales Enhancement Fund, according to Bell.
About a dozen local business owners and residents spoke in support of DART and its program director, Michelle Wingfield, and DART’s efforts to advance the entire Montrose community.
EL CHAPIN ADDITION ANNEXATION HEARING
City Councilors voted unanimously to approve 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.
RESOLTUION 2026-08
City Councilors voted unanimously to approve Resolution 2026-08, the findings of fact for the El Chapin Addition.
ORDINANCE 2717 - FIRST READING
City Councilors voted unanimously to approve Ordinance 2717, on first reading, for annexation of the El Chapin Addition.
ORDINANCE 2718 - FIRST READING
City Councilors voted unanimously to approve Ordinance 2717, on first reading, for zoning the El Chapin Addition as an R-3 Medium Density District.
ORDINANCE 2719 - FIRST READING
City Councilors voted to approve Ordinance 2719, on first reading, to amend the zoning designation of a portion of Lot 39 of the Amended Ponderosa Ranch Subdivision Filing No. 2 Lots Park and 39 from an R-6 Medium Density/Manufactured Housing District to a B-3 General Commercial District.
ORDINANCE 2720 - FIRST READING
City Councilors voted to approve Ordinance 2720, on first 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 on May 26, 2026, the City of Montrose Historic Preservation Commission considered an application for historic property designation of Lathrop Hardware, located at 439 East Main Street, according to Section 11-3 of the Montrose Municipal Code. The commission voted unanimously to recommend its approval as a historic property.
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 - FIRST READING
City Councilors voted to approve Ordinance 2721 on first 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 on June 23, 2026, the City of Montrose Historic Preservation Commission considered an application for historic property designation of the E.A. Lee Garage, located at 219 East Main Street. The commission voted unanimously to recommend its approval as a historic property.
Reis said the qualifications include the building being over fifty years old. The building is associated with the history of transportation in Montrose, having been an early automotive garage.
HORSESHOE RIDGE SUBDIVISION AMENDED PRELIMINARY PLAT
City Councilors voted to approve the Horseshoe Ridge Subdivision Amended Preliminary Plat.
Senior City Planner William Reis said the Horseshoe Ridge Subdivision is located in southern Montrose and is partially developed. This amended preliminary plat consists of five residential lots on Outlot B of the Horseshoe Ridge Subdivision Filing No. 2, also addressed as 66391 Crestview Drive. This property also has frontage on Kinikin Road. This application renews a previous preliminary plat within this portion of the Horseshoe Ridge Subdivision. The property is zoned “R-1B” Small Estate District.
The Planning Commission recommended approval of the Horseshoe Ridge Subdivision Amended Preliminary Plat during its June 10, 2026, meeting.
STAFF REPORTS
WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT PROJECT UPDATE
Utilities Director David Bries delivered an update about the expansion and improvement project currently underway at the City of Montrose Wastewater Treatment Plant.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
City Councilors congratulated staff on hosting a great July 4th holiday celebration.
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All City Council meetings are recorded and made available online via the city’s website and cable channels 191 for Charter subscribers and 970 for Elevate subscribers. Replays of council meetings are also broadcast at 6 p.m. on the same channels on days that the council is not in session.
In addition, each regular meeting is archived on the City of Montrose’s YouTube channel.
Residents can watch all regular City Council meetings and work sessions on demand through the city’s Public Meetings Portal (CityofMontrose.org/Portal).