Montrose, CO — City Councilors met for their regular meeting on Tuesday, June 16, to consider a liquor license application for a new restaurant, approve funds for sewer improvements, and hear a sales, use, and excise tax report for April 2026.
Mayor Michael Badagliacco, J. David Reed, Ed Ulibarri, and Adam Woodden met in the City Council Chambers at the Elks Civic Building, along with city staff. Councilor Dave Frank was absent.
The following is a summary of the primary topics discussed during the meeting.
Watch the meeting here.
PUBLIC COMMENT
One resident spoke about their wish that non-partisanship be the norm in all forms of government.
One resident spoke about the Montrose community being a welcoming community to people of all faiths and lifestyles.
Several residents spoke about the process for enacting possible changes to the City Charter.
One resident congratulated the council on changes that it has made to encourage open communication with the public, and another resident expressed his appreciation for City Manager Bill Bell and the positive culture he has developed among city staff.
Three residents spoke in favor of the council approving a correction to an error in the Development and Revitalization Team’s (DART) 2026 budget.
A resident requested additional support for Shepherd’s Hand and the services it provides for the unhoused population in Montrose.
Members of the City Council then responded to comments presented to them.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
City Councilors voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the City Council’s June 1 special meeting and the June 2 regular meeting.
The city’s archive of past meeting minutes can be found on the Public Meetings Portal (CityofMontrose.org/Portal) and at CityofMontrose.org/ArchiveCenter.
NEW HOTEL & RESTAURANT LIQUOR LICENSE APPLICATION
City Councilors voted unanimously to approve an application for a new Hotel & Restaurant liquor license at 44 S. Grand Avenue/116 W. Main Street, for Star Cajun Seafood Boil Inc., for consumption on the licensed premises.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT 3 (CIP3) SANITARY SEWER EXTENSION CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT
City Councilors voted unanimously to approve $4,321,422 in expenditures for the construction of the Capital Improvement Project 3 (CIP3) Sanitary Sewer Extension Project. This includes the award of a construction contract to Mountain Valley Contracting in the amount of $4,164,322 and a survey and engineering support contract to Del-Mont Consultants in the amount of $157,100.
Public Works Director Jim Scheid said the city’s Sanitary Sewer Master Plan identifies the need to construct the Capital Improvement Project 3 (CIP3) to address anticipated trunkline sewer capacity issues within the northeastern quadrant of the City.
This portion of the existing system is currently at capacity during peak flows. As a result, no additional growth can occur within this area until the trunkline is upgraded. With the city’s growth now trending into this area, the city is moving forward with the project. The sewer project will install a new trunkline that runs from the intersection of San Juan/6530 Road to the Hillcrest/East Main Street intersection.
ORDINANCE 2716 - SECOND READING
City Councilors voted to approve Ordinance 2716, on second reading, creating an exemption from sales and use tax on the sale/storage of precious metal bullion and coins.
City Attorney Chris Dowsey said the City Council had asked him to investigate the possibility of a sales tax exemption on the sale of precious metal bullion and coins. As sales tax is only levied at the state or local levels, each state is able to have its individual sales tax scheme. The sale of precious metal bullion and coins is a common sales tax exemption, although levels vary throughout the country.
Of the 45 states that collect sales tax, 40 have exempted such sales.
The city has already defined ‘Coins’ and ‘Precious metal bullion’ in its municipal code, which are analogous to the State of Colorado’s definitions. The state already has literature regarding this exemption, making for an easier transition for the city.
After discussion with the city’s finance team, Dowsey said it would be difficult to pinpoint the actual revenue that the city will be forfeiting with this exemption; however, his estimate is anywhere from $10,000 to $20,000 per year.
STAFF REPORTS
SALES, USE, & EXCISE TAX REPORT
Sales Tax Manager LeeAnne Whittaker delivered the sales, use, and excise tax report for April 2026.
Read all sales and use tax reports in their entirety here: www.cityofmontrose.org/SalesTax
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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.