Fruita City Council Minutes 1 April 28, 2026
FRUITA CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
APRIL 28, 2026
6:30 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The workshop of the Fruita City Council was called to order at 6:31 p.m. by Mayor Matthew Breman.
City Council members in attendance were Aaron Hancey, Jeannine Purser, Rich Parris, Amy Miller
and Todd Kumro. Councilor James Williams was excused absent.
City Staff present included City Manager Shannon Vassen, Assistant City Manager Dan Caris, City
Clerk Deb Woods, and Planning Director Henry Hemphill.
Mayor Breman announced that May 6, 2026 will be Councilor Williams’ last Council meeting as he
has resigned. Staff will begin the work of filling the vacancy, which the Council must accomplish in
sixty (60) days or else the City will have to conduct a Special Election.
Applications will be open for about two weeks. Discussions will be held to determine whether to
interview all applicants or narrow down the list of applicants. Councilor Purser asked if there are other
options to fill the vacancy since the City just had an election. Vassen explained that the Fruita City
Charter and Municipal Code require that the Council appoint a qualified person to fill the vacancy until
the next regular Municipal Election and all appointments shall be approved upon by a majority vote of
the Council at a public meeting.
Vassen noted that the City Council will conduct interviews (which are open meetings) before the
Council decides whom to appoint.
Mayor Breman calculated that the timeline meant that the Council will be appointing the new Council
member at the second meeting of June. He recalled that the last time the Council appointed someone
to fill a vacancy, Council members discussed interview questions at a Special Meeting prior to the
interviews. The Mayor directed staff to email those questions to City Council.
There was a discussion about whether the Council should schedule a time to discuss amending the City
Charter and Municipal Code concerning filling Council vacancies. The Council reached a consensus
to leave the process as is.
There was also discussion about whether the City could move forward with the process of filling the
vacancy on City Council since Councilor Williams’ written resignation stated it was effective May 5,
2026. The Mayor directed staff to ask City Attorney Mary Elizabeth Geiger, who later in the meeting
confirmed that the City can advertise the vacancy prior to May 5
th
.
Mayor Breman noted that typically, the Council needs between three and three and a half hours for
interviews and requested to use the same schedule as the last time with breaks in between interviews
and a break for lunch. All Council members agreed that two weeks is a good timeframe for accepting
applications.
Mayor Breman asked all Council members to keep the process of filling the Council vacancy in mind
as it relates to their upcoming schedules.
Fruita City Council Minutes 2 April 28, 2026
AGENDA ITEMS
- FRUITA STRATEGIC PLAN OVERVIEW AND UPDATES (6:30 – 7:05 P.M.)
City Manager Shannon Vassen explained that now that the new Council has been sworn in, they will
participate in a Strategic Planning process to discuss hopes, wishes and dreams for the City.
Vassen reviewed the goals that were met from the last Strategic Planning process in 2024 and how they
relied heavily on community engagement. Some of these included personnel changes, long-term
facility plans and real estate that the City acquired. The plan’s priorities were aligned with the City’s
values including the City’s long-term planning documents beginning with the ten-year comprehensive
plan Fruita in Motion, subsequent master plans, and results from the community survey that is
conducted every four years.
After reviewing the City’s values, community survey results, progress of goals in the comprehensive
and master plans, and current and future community needs, City Council determines what short-term
priorities and/or projects will help to achieve these long-term planning efforts. The Strategic Plan also
serves as a guide for City Council and staff in the creation of the Annual City Budget adopted every
December for the following calendar year. Specific operational goals and performance measures are
identified in the budget for each service area. The Strategic Plan also serves as a tool to track the
progress of each project and priority. City staff updates the Strategic Plan twice a year with progress
notes for each goal.
Mayor Breman noted that staff and Council will be scheduling the next Strategic Retreat which is when
the Strategic Plan will be developed. City Manager Shannon Vassen noted that it could be held by the
end of June or July. Rich noted that he would not be available July 9
th
through the 18
th
.
There was conversation about the following goals:
• Protect Fruita’s identity of possessing a small-town feel and culture.
• Update the Fruita Academy application form on the website to include a question concerning
whether applicants have previously participated in the Fruita Academy. Fruita Academy has
just started and many students who graduated last year were in attendance again.
• Provide opportunities to live in Fruita. The Fruita Housing Authority has had housing
goals/projects such as the Oaks Redevelopment Project and Fruita Commons.
• Evaluate Urban Growth Boundary: consider bringing in a third party to reevaluate changes to
the Urban Growth Boundary.
• Incorporate Strategic Growth Element and Water Element pursuant to SB-174 into the Strategic
Plan. Staff have been working through it in-house. The Mayor asked when this may come
before Council and Planning Director Henry stated that the State of Colorado just came out
with some reading material to help, so by the end of the year, staff will have a better idea of
when it will go before Council. Staff will provide check-ins between now and then.
Fruita City Council Minutes 3 April 28, 2026
Vassen stated that Council members need to be thinking about the values and/or goals that might need
to be added to the Strategic Plan.
Mayor Breman also asked for ideas for priorities and values. Vassen noted that he likes the “magic
wand” process for generating ideas.
Next week the Council will receive an update on current and future Capital Projects.
Council directed staff to check the availability of Our Lady of Perpetual Motion as a potential location
for the Council Retreat.
- REVIEW OF DRAFT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REPORT (7:15 – 7:30 P.M.)
Mayor Breman noted that at the facilitated workshop with the City’s Economic Development agency,
PUMA, staff and City Council came away with a more common understanding of terms. He named
several related processes such as financial planning, a wish list and a “magic wand” for ideas that the
City really can’t afford. He asked the Council members to consider what the options are, what the
City’s assets currently are and how to involve the community. Breman recalled that there has been a
fair amount of community engagement at Farmers Markets.
City Manager Shannon Vassen said he thought the draft Fruita Economic Development Workshop
Summary was representative of the Housing Needs Assessment and will be helpful for the City to get
into land banking while making sure to maintain a small town feel and stay intentional.
Vassen listed the next steps of developing an Economic Development Plan with recommendations that
include feasibility studies. He pointed out that the Museums of Western Colorado (MWC) is in the
process of doing a feasibility study regarding whether to consolidate its Grand Junction location or the
Fruita location (Dinosaur Journey).
Mayor Breman asked if it was time to look at doing a Facilities Needs Assessment. Vassen explained
that the last time staff looked into it, it was cost prohibitive.
Councilor Hancey said he thought the City was down to its foundational use of assets such as Dinosaur
Journey and asked if there was an Economic Development Plan for City facilities in this year’s Budget.
Mayor Breman suggested that the City take into account what kind of jobs the Fruita community wants
to see. He added that setting a long-term plan for future Councils it is not a clear or quick process.
Councilor Hancey suggested that staff prepare facts concerning hiring a full-time person for execution
of the Economic Development Plan.
Mayor Breman wondered if the City could rent a construction trailer for the full-time person as he
didn’t want to take away existing employees’ spaces.
Councilor Hancey wondered if the City is underutilizing the meeting rooms at the Fruita Community
Center or whether activities could be pushed there?
Vassen continued reviewing the results of the last Strategic Plan. He covered Special Events including
the successful Desert Gravel and CO2UT races. Mayor Breman said he feels that there are opportunities
to fill the spaces of events that went away.
Fruita City Council Minutes 4 April 28, 2026
Feedback was provided from the Council that the layout of the Strategic Plan in the Council packet
was good.
Councilor Purser noted that there should be more signage at the Visitors Center because it currently
sends people to all the amazing things in the Valley except historic downtown Fruita. She noted that
the signage could be as simple as just adding another arrow. It was mentioned that it is the Colorado
Tourism’s Office that would be responsible for that.
- METRO DISTRICT POLICY DISCUSSION – ESTABLISHING STANDARDS FOR
SPECIAL DISTRICTS (8:00 – 9:00 P.M.)
Assistant City Manager Dan Caris explained that Metro Districts can be a tool to energize projects if
the Council decides to have them. He noted that about a year ago, a group approached the City about
establishing the District(s) to get infrastructure and subsequently, staff and the Council have had
discussions that were facilitated by Dalton Kelley with Butler Snow.
City Council directed staff to attempt to draft a policy that the Council could potentially use in allowing
Metro Districts prior to hearing any Service Plan models that could be used as a framework to move
forward. Caris advised that there are other tools such as a Business Improvement District, General
Improvement Districts and Sewer Improvement Districts that could potentially be used for financing.
Caris provided examples such us the Town of Whitewater’s Special Districts and the R5 and Dos Rios
Schools.
Caris suggested a more incremental approach. He said the closest thing Fruita has that would be
appropriate for a Metro District is the Greenway Business Park because it was mainly funded by grants
and that staff did not intend to pursue a Metro District for The Launch property.
Councilor Purser expressed concern about Metro Districts for residential development in Fruita. Caris
stated that Fruita doesn’t have big enough districts in Fruita for housing and that it seems like the whole
model is based on big projects at market rate.
Mayor Breman said he didn’t want the City to end up picking and choosing winners and losers.
Caris stated that narrowing makes sense to manage everyone’s expectations.
City Manager Shannon Vassen pointed out that the Service Plan provides Council with some
flexibility.
Councilor Hancey asked if Metro Districts are a follow-up of Fruita’s Economic Development Plan.
Councilor Miller pointed out that there are areas in Fruita that have economic challenges and that easily
developable properties should not be the top priority.
Councilor Hancey wondered if the City could set up specific geographical areas where Metro Districts
would be allowed. Caris responded that Metro Districts can be as subjective as the City wants but
sometimes staff feels like they many times proposals have to be denied. He said it might be helpful to
think of it by asking, “If it weren’t for a Metro District, would a property be developed?”
Fruita City Council Minutes 5 April 28, 2026
Councilor Kumro relayed how he tried to buy a house in Thompson River Ranch (which is in a Metro
District) and they would not allow him to buy it for tax reasons, so he cautioned the Council. He thought
a commercial aspect could be successful, however.
A few Council members expressed that they were still trying to understand what Metro Districts are
and the purpose for having the discussions about them. Mayor Breman suggested breaking down the
Model Service Plan into sections for Council to discuss with staff. It was pointed out that an Economic
Development Plan has the higher priority, although Caris pointed out that future riverfront development
will likely need public financing and 2 Forks Ventures may need to use a Metro District as a financing
tool.
Mayor Breman suggested that everyone try to think about what the problem is that everyone is trying
to solve.
The direction from City Council to staff was to focus on areas that otherwise wouldn’t be developed
such as certain infill projects. Caris advised he would ask Planning Director Henry Hemphill to
determine the challenged areas in Fruita.
Councilor Hancey suggested that everyone keep in mind that the City had been approached by one
entity and should prioritize Metro Districts accordingly with everything else the City is responsible for.
Caris pointed out that property tax for industrial and commercial is high in Colorado, so that was
something to keep in mind. He added that staff doesn’t want to create policies that turn small
development into large.
Mayor Breman called for a recess at 8:25 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 8:36 p.m.
4. DISCUSSION CONCERNING POSSIBLE CHANGES TO CERTAIN UPCOMING
CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS (8:36 – 8:45 P.M.)
There was a discussion about potentially canceling or rescheduling a few upcoming City Council
meetings as well as the need to schedule a meeting(s) to begin the process of replacing Councilor James
Williams. City Manager Shannon Vassen suggested that the June 2, 2026 Regular Council meeting be
rescheduled as a CIRSA Training Workshop at 6:30 p.m., which is something that happens every two
years after a Municipal Election. He added that a second Special Meeting could be scheduled for that
same night so the Council could discuss the applications received for the vacancy on Council.
Staff and Council decided to schedule interviews for Council candidates on June 20
th
. The decisions
were also made to:
• Cancel the May 26, 2026 Council Workshop meeting.
• Reschedule the June 23, 2026 Workshop meeting to June 30, 2026 (due to CML Annual
Conference).
• Make no changes to the July 7, 2026 Regular Council meeting.
5. OTHER
Fruita City Council Minutes 6 April 28, 2026
Shannon provided a list of upcoming events and spoke about the success of the Desert Gravel Race.
Amy recommended better communication from the City about the impact those events will have on
motorists. Jeannine suggested door hangers (like Coachella West had) that the City could create but
leave up to the event organizers to hang them.
Aaron stated that 17 Road will be a constant issue that will never be fixed due to blind spots.
Matthew suggested that Council and staff have a discussion with the Lower Valley Fire Protection
District (LVFPD) about safety during special events. Shannon noted that when there’s an event, the
LVFPD has special vehicles that special event promoters pay for.
Shannon noted that interns Jordan and Kayla will start to digitize the City’s paper records. They will
present to Council on policy recommendations at a future Council meeting. Shannon said the City
could be building the next layer of a succession workforce through interns.
Shannon noted that he would send a Doodle Poll to select a date and time for the City Council to meet
with the Parks and Recreation Commission and Tourism Advisory Council to review the submissions
for and select the new Co-Op silo banners.
Shannon also noted that 24 applications for the position of Parks and Recreation Director have been
received. These will be narrowed down to between two and four, then staff will hold a Meet and Greet
with the candidates for the position. Staff is also starting the process of recruiting a new Human
Resources Director after the resignation of Odette Brach.
Matthew reported that Allie Daniel had submitted her application to be appointed as the Chamber
Liaison to the Tourism Advisory Council and she will be appointed at the next Regular Council
meeting.
Mathew also reported that the Governor’s Fellowship Program will be accepting applications from
both Council members and municipal staff in July. He called it a great opportunity from a professional
development standpoint.
Amy reported that she attempted to attend the Grand Valley Regional Transportation Committee
(GVRTC) meeting, but she had an incorrect date for it. She also noted that the Daily Sentinel did a
writeup about Mayors in the Grand Valley.
It was noted that there will potentially be no funding for the Community Development Block Grant
(CDBG) this year and that the CDBG board either hasn’t had a meeting or the City of Fruita hasn’t
been invited.
Todd reported that he attended the Blue Star Mothers’ event for military-bound graduates and it was a
great event at which the Mayor read the Proclamation. The group is growing and is looking for a new
location for their annual event. They commented that because they love Fruita, they would love to have
it here. Todd also noted he would be meeting with Ciara and Ammon the following day to receive an
orientation to the Tourism Advisory Council. He asked when the Police Commission meetings are held
and was told they meet quarterly. Because they recently met, they won’t be meeting for another three
months.
Fruita City Council Minutes 7 April 28, 2026
Jeannine mentioned she received an email about irrigation water restrictions and although the City
encourages a watering schedule on its website, the Grand Valley Irrigation Company has not indicated
there would be a mandatory schedule this irrigation season.
Matthew directed staff to put the DRIP graphic that was included in the Ute Water presentation in the
Weekly Information Update every Friday throughout the summer.
Jeannine reported that the Arts and Culture Board received a presentation from Shannon and a lot of
good discussion followed. The board had a grant request from a drama club that was the largest one
ever received because they are raising money to update their sound system.
Jeannine requested that staff provide the Council with an updated presentation at a workshop meeting
on the number of short-term rentals in the downtown core (“triangle”) area so that the Council could
discuss it again. She added that she wants the public to provide comment on the issue at some point as
well. Shannon explained that it will be closer to the end of summer before it could be placed on a
workshop agenda.
6. ADJOURN
With no further business before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Deb Woods
City Clerk