Montrose, CO — City Councilors met for their regular meeting on Tuesday, September 15, to approve new annexations, grant requests, and review a sales tax collection report.
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.
The following is a summary of the primary topics discussed during the meeting.
Watch the meeting here.
PUBLIC COMMENT
To view the public comment period: watch the video here.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
City Councilors voted to approve the minutes of the City Council’s August 26 special meeting and the September 1 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.
RATIFICATION OF SEPARATION AGREEMENT
City Councilors voted to approve the ratification of a separation agreement between the City of Montrose and former City Manager William Bell.
This item was discussed in and after the executive session held on September 1. City Council discussed and ultimately voted to approve a mutual separation agreement with now- former City Manager William Bell.
Fiscal Impact
William Bell’s salary and benefits are included in the 2026 budget.
INTERIM CITY MANAGER AGREEMENT
City Councilors voted to approve an interim city manager agreement between the City of Montrose and Ann Morgenthaler.
This item was discussed after the executive session held on September 1. City Council approved a mutual separation agreement with former City Manager William Bell and discussed how to address the city manager vacancy. After a discussion, the Council voted to name Ann Morgenthaler as interim city manager effective September 1. This was not an agendized item on the September 1 regular meeting agenda.
This agreement formalizes and ratifies this decision. As desired by Council, this Agreement is retroactive to September 1.
**MONTROSE URBAN RENEWAL AUTHORITY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR APPOINTMENT **
City Councilors voted to appoint Ann Morgenthaler as the Montrose Urban Renewal Authority executive director.
The Montrose Urban Renewal Authority (MURA) bylaws provide that, “The Executive Director shall be appointed by the City Council or the City Manager, and shall serve at the pleasure thereof. He or she shall have general supervision over administration of the affairs and business of the Authority, and shall be charged with management of the projects of the Authority, and with any other duties as assigned by the Commissioners from time-to-time. He or she shall designate in writing some person to perform the duties of Executive Director in his or her absence.”
Appointing the City Manager as the MURA Executive Director has allowed for streamlined and coordinated action on behalf of the MURA and the city.
ROTARY PARK PUMP HOUSE REPLACEMENT PROJECT
City Councilors approved the Rotary Park Pumphouse Replacement Project in the amount of $514,011, including a contract to FCI Constructors, Inc. of Grand Junction, Colorado.
Jon Waschbusch, parks superintendent, said the irrigation pumphouse and appurtenant equipment at Rotary Park was installed in the 1980s and has ultimately reached the end of its useful life. This project will remove the existing pumphouse, construct a new pumphouse, install a new pump and filtration equipment, upgrade the intake system, and connect the new pumphouse to the existing irrigation delivery system.
RESOLUTION 2026-14
City Councilors authorized the City of Montrose to submit an application to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Non-Motorized Trails Grant Program for planning and design of the Montrose Audubon project.
The City of Montrose has completed a conceptual design for the Montrose Audubon, located off Marine Road. The project is envisioned as a nature-based outdoor recreation and educational destination focused on wildlife viewing, accessibility, habitat restoration, and connecting the community with the natural environment.
The conceptual plans include accessible trails and boardwalks connecting visitors to the site's marsh and wildlife habitat, along with bird blinds, wildlife viewing areas, educational signage, and an outdoor classroom. The project also incorporates native and restorative plantings, preservation of desirable vegetation, and removal of invasive species such as Russian olive and tamarisk.
The project is envisioned as a three-phase development, with each phase designed to function independently. The initial phase would establish site access, parking, an ADA-accessible trail, a bridge, and the first bird blind. Future phases would expand the trail and boardwalk network and add habitat restoration, educational features, overlooks, gathering spaces, and additional visitor amenities.
The city is seeking up to $45,000 through the CPW Non-Motorized Trails Grant Program – Planning and Support category to advance the completed conceptual design to construction- ready documents. Grant funding would support detailed construction drawings, technical specifications, and construction cost estimates. These documents will allow the city to refine project phasing, identify future funding needs, and position the project for implementation.
The total project cost for the final planning and design phase is estimated at $60,000. The city is requesting up to $45,000 through the CPW Non-Motorized Trails Grant Program, representing 75% of the project cost. The required 25% city match, estimated at $15,000, is proposed within the 2027 Budget.
AUTHORIZATION OF EXPENDITURES FOR CREATING RESILIENT FORESTS IN COLORADO GRANT
City Councilors approved up to $329,723.00 for implementation of the 2023 Creating Resilient Forests in Colorado project awarded to the City of Montrose.
The City Council accepted award of these funds in 2025. The funding is being used to implement the Cerise Park Wildfire Mitigation and Riparian Restoration Project/Buckhorn Lakes Wildfire Mitigation and Forest Health Improvement Project.
Fiscal Impact
The expenses for this project will be paid directly by the City of Montrose and will be 100% reimbursed by the grant.
RESOLUTION 2026-15
City Councilors authorized the City of Montrose to submit an application to the Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) Forest Restoration & Wildfire Risk Mitigation Grant Program for wildfire mitigation and forest restoration at Buckhorn Lakes.
The City of Montrose owns approximately 554 acres at Buckhorn Lakes, a property that provides important recreational, natural resource, wildlife, and watershed values to the community.
The city previously received a $329,723 award through the Colorado State Forest Service's 2023 Creating Resilient Forests in Colorado – Congressionally Directed Spending program for the Cerise Park Wildfire Mitigation and Riparian Restoration Project and Buckhorn Lakes Wildfire Mitigation and Forest Health Improvement Project. Of that award, $172,011 remains available for the Buckhorn Lakes project and may be used for eligible project activities or as a match for future grant opportunities that advance wildfire mitigation and forest health improvements.
In partnership with the Colorado State Forest Service, the city has developed a forest management plan for Buckhorn Lakes identifying opportunities to improve forest health, reduce wildfire risk, and protect critical resources. The plan recommends strategic forest management and fuels reduction activities to improve forest resilience and support long-term stewardship of the property.
The city is seeking up to $516,033 through the Forest Restoration & Wildfire Risk Mitigation Grant Program to support additional wildfire mitigation and forest restoration activities at Buckhorn Lakes. The project is located within an area eligible for the program's reduced 25% match opportunity. If awarded, the remaining $172,011 may be used, as permitted by grant requirements, to satisfy the required 25% local match.
LOCUST ROAD ADDITION ANNEXATION HEARING
The City Council approved Resolution 2026-13 and Ordinance 2731, on first reading, for the annexation and initial zoning of the Locust Road Addition, a proposed annexation to the city limits of Montrose.
Senior City Planner William Reis said the Locust Road Addition is a proposed annexation approximately 4.2 acres in size. The annexation includes 1815 Locust Road, as well as a portion of the Locust Road right-of-way. It is within the city’s Urban Growth Boundary, City of Montrose Sewer Service Area, and City of Montrose Water Service Area. An annexation agreement is required.
ORDINANCE 2732 - FIRST READING
City Councilors approved Ordinance 2732, on first reading, for zoning the Locust Road annexation as an R-2 low-density district.
STAR COURT LOT 8 TOWNHOMES SUBDIVISION PRELIMINARY PLAT
City Councilors approved, with conditions, the Star Court Lot 8 Townhomes Subdivision Preliminary Plat.
Senior City Planner William Reis said the Star Court Lot 8 Townhomes Subdivision Preliminary Plat is located on Lot 8 of the Miami Business Park Subdivision Filing No. 2, also addressed as 739-749 East Star Court. This preliminary plat consists of six townhome lots subdividing a building currently under construction. The property is zoned “R-4” High Density District.
The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the Star Court Lot 8 Townhomes Subdivision Preliminary Plat during its August 12, 2026, meeting. A final plat will also be required within five (5) years of approval of this preliminary plat.
CHELSI LANE & TOWNHOMES AMENDED PRELIMINARY PD PLAN & AMENDED PRELIMINARY PLAT
City Councilors approved, with conditions, the Chelsi Lane & Townhomes Amended PD Plan.
Senior City Planner William Reis said the Chelsi Replat Subdivision is located on Margot Court. The original Chelsi Replat Amended PD Plan and Preliminary Plat were recorded under Reception #580058 on August 20, 1992. This PD plan approved 36 townhome units split among six buildings, as well as a cul-de-sac off of Margot Court known as Chelsi Court. Two buildings were completed under this plat, addressed as 990 and 1020 Margot Court. The other 24 units were never developed, but are still approved under the 1992 PD Plan. This PD Plan Amendment reduces this number to 23 units.
The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the Chelsi Lane & Townhomes Amended PD Plan during its August 12, 2026, meeting. A final PD plan will also be required within five (5) years of approval of this preliminary PD plan.
STAFF REPORTS
SALES, USE, & EXCISE TAX REPORT
Sales Tax Manager LeeAnne Whittaker delivered the sales, use, and excise tax report for July 2026.
Finance Director Heather MacDougall delivered a second-quarter budget review.
Read all finance reports in their entirety here: www.cityofmontrose.org/259/Finance
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Mayor Michael Badagliacco thanked Interim City Manager Ann Morgenthaler and City Attorney Chris Dowsey for their service.
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