Fruita City Council Minutes 1 June 30, 2026
FRUITA CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
JUNE 30, 2026
6:30 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The workshop of the Fruita City Council was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Mayor Matthew Breman.
City Council members in attendance were Aaron Hancey, Jeannine Purser, Rich Parris, Amy Miller,
Todd Kumro and Jared Prochnow.
City Staff in attendance included City Manager Shannon Vassen, Assistant City Manager Dan Caris,
City Clerk Deb Woods, Planning Director Henry Hemphill, City Planner Joey Morris, City Engineer
John Boulden and Public Works Director John Carillo.
AGENDA ITEMS
1. GRAND VALLEY RIVER CORRIDOR INITIATIVE MASTER PLANNING UPDATE
AND PRESENTATION (6:30 – 7:15 P.M.)
Rusty Lloyd and Erin McDermott with the Grand Valley River Corridor Core Team provided a
presentation on the Grand Valley River Corridor Master Plan. They emphasized the fact that the Plan
is a guiding document and is not regulatory.
Mayor Breman asked if there will be a layering of soil types and/or components into the Plan. Lloyd
explained that geophysical details like that will be left up to the local jurisdictions, their planning
processes and contractors.
Councilor Purser asked if each jurisdiction in the Grand Valley will be required to adopt the Plan.
McDermott explained that the Grand Valley River Corridor Initiative (GVRCI) hopes that all
jurisdictions approve the Master Plan and incorporate into the City’s planning and development
processes. The GVRCI also hopes communities will stay involved.
McDermott said that the would love to hear back if the Master Plan helps the City of Fruita in any way
or if issues arise.
Mayor Breman asked Henry Hemphill how he will incorporate the Master Plan into his role as Planning
Director. Hemphill noted that there isn’t much development happening yet along the river, but also that
it will be a tool to use alongside the Parks, Health, Recreation and Open Space Trails (PHROST)
Master Plan, Land Use Code and Comprehensive Plan in site specific development. He said it will
reinforce decisions that are made.
Next steps for the GVRCI include preparing public-facing materials to be shared with the community
in late summer. They will gather feedback from partners, residents, landowners and river users and
will prepare the draft plan for review and refinement in September of 2026.
When asked, Hemphill stated that he doesn’t foresee any Land Use Code changes at this time resulting
from the adoption of the Grand Valley River Corridor Master Plan.
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It was mentioned that the GVRCI will be coming up with appropriate planting materials to be included
in the Master Plan as an additional resource.
2. OVERVIEW AND DISCUSSION ON THE UPDATE TO MESA COUNTY
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT MANUAL (7:15 – 7:40 P.M.)
City Manager Shannon Vassen advised that Mesa County is in the process of updating the Mesa County
Stormwater Management Manual, which hasn’t been updated since 2007. An overview will be
presented at an upcoming Council meeting and the Council will be asked to consider approving the
manual.
Regulatory Programs Manager at Mesa County Stormwater Management Carrie Gudorf noted that
Mesa County has received feedback from homebuilders who are concerned that updating the manual
will make things worse or more complicated.
City Engineer John Boulden explained that the goal has been to mimic natural runoffs of stormwater
and figure out how to have detention ponds that don’t require irrigation. He also noted that water quality
of discharges was added to the manual.
Mesa County and the Cities of Grand Junction and Fruita have been the most involved agencies when
it comes to stormwater. To help address concerns, all three agencies are working on case studies; taking
those values and reworking the engineering to evaluate impacts. They will be able to show what
changed on a project, which will hopefully help alleviate some fears.
Gudorf noted that the representatives from each of the three entities will have to collaborate on
reviewing the manual Chapter by Chapter with the goal of wrapping it up in October. These
representatives have been meeting weekly for one to two hours each week as requested by Fruita’s
Public Works Director John Carillo. They will go over one Chapter per week starting in July and
engineers and consultants will be involved.
Mayor Breman noted that the stormwater goals are somewhat in conflict with Fruita’s affordable
housing goals because it involves managing open space for development. Boulden said it has created
challenges but also opportunities for creative problem solving.
Gudorf reported that Mesa County Stormwater Management is trying to balance increased
requirements for water quality put into place by the Colorado Department of Public Health and
Environment (CDPHE).
Councilor Prochnow asked if negative feedback is related to the cost of the requirements and Boulden
explained that it stems from both cost and property rights.
Councilor Hancey asked if staff has evaluated the cost for developers. Boulden responded that they are
still trying to figure that out.
Boulden added that because of the laws passed concerning non-functional turf, the trick is going to be
whether the City is going to allow developers to put in plant turf as a more natural approach at
preventing flooding.
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Planning Director Hemphill stated that the update to the manual will try to work in some of those things
to balance everyone’s interests and that there is work that can be done through lot sizes, land use and
housing types to offset the larger lots that are getting developed.
Gudorf stated that she would email City Manager Shannon Vassen with the schedule of meetings in
case anyone on City Council wants to attend. Shannon will then pass the information along to Council.
Gudorf also noted that revegetation is a new requirement of open spaces for townhouses and that
appropriate soils and seed mixes are spelled out.
Staff will present examples of development.
Gudorf noted that Mesa County is also working on MS4 Permit and that every year, detention ponds
are inspected. A lot of regulations have changed at the state and federal levels. It was also duly noted
that Mesa County will be asking the City of Fruita to pay its share for the MS4 Permit administered by
Mesa County on Fruita’s behalf. Vassen noted that the funds have already been included in the 2027
Annual Budget.
3. DISCUSSION OF CITY OF FRUITA AMENITY-BASED METROPOLITAN
DISTRICT POLICY (7:45 – 9:00 P.M.)
City Manager Shannon Vassen recalled that about one year ago, the City of Fruita put a moratorium
on Special Districts, which help with development costs and provide developers with a public financing
tool. This was done in order for staff and the City Council to have some time to discuss and evaluate
whether the City wants to allow them or not.
Vassen reviewed the dates of past discussions about Special/Metro Districts at Council Workshop
meetings. He noted that staff was asking if Council feels that the City should get something in exchange
for approving a Metro District. He added that there are specific steps in the process, but it is property
owners who decide whether to move forward or not. Vassen said staff was also asking Council what
kind of commercial development Fruita might want.
Mayor Breman stressed the fact that Council had not said they were ready or comfortable with allowing
Metro Districts. Vassen stated that a Model Service Plan is just a policy and baseline for meeting certain
requirements if an application for a Metro District comes in.
Councilor Purser expressed concerns that there were still references to homeowners in the Model
Metropolitan District Service Plan that was included in the Council packet because she feels that
disallowing residential development for a Metro District had certainly been discussed, if not decided
upon.
Mayor Breman reiterated that he doesn’t feel like the City is at a point yet to judge what types of
projects Fruita would consider. He expressed concern about opening up legal challenges.
Councilor Hancey suggested that the City identify and specify certain areas of town where Metro
Districts would be allowed.
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Mayor Breman requested that the Service Plan in the Council packet be cleaned up to remove any
references to residential development and also that staff develop a map that would show where in Fruita
Metro Districts might be located.
Council members continued to express concern about residential being included in the supporting
document in the Council packet, but staff assured them that the document provided was just an example
of a Service Plan done by another municipality.
Councilor Hancey argued that a Metro District would give someone the ability to develop a parcel that
may be a challenge to develop. Vassen agreed and added that it can spur development.
Vassen emailed everyone a copy of the City of Fruita Amenities-Based Metro District Policy that was
created by City Attorney Mary Elizabeth Geiger. It was pointed out that this document also contained
references to residential development.
Council directed staff to provide an example of a potential development project that could apply for a
Metro District so the Council could evaluate what the implications of it would be. Vassen stated that
The Launch would be a good example.
It was pointed out that the Policy and Model Service Plan are two separate documents.
Councilor Kumro asked whether a developer would have to have a bond. Caris responded that it was
an interesting question and that he would have to ask Attorney Dalton Kelly with the law firm of Butler
Snow.
There was discussion concerning whether the moratorium on Special Districts will expire and Vassen
stated that he would have to look at the Resolution that established the moratorium and would report
back to the Council. He said he thought it was supposed to be good for one year.
Caris noted that for the map, staff will highlight general areas in Fruita but not specific lots.
Councilor Hancey suggested that it might be good for the City to extend the moratorium until Council
is more comfortable with Metro Districts.
Vassen pointed out that the Council needs to be thinking about what the City should get in exchange
for approving a Metro District such as jobs. He stated that if there were no additional amenities for the
City, everybody would want to do a Metro District.
Council directed staff to clean up the Model Metropolitan District Service Plan and the Amenities-
Based Metro District Policy to remove any references to residential development and bring them back
to City Council at a Workshop meeting along with the map that was discussed and an example(s) of
the type of development that might apply for a Metro District.
It was pointed out by Council that they are considering Metro Districts because one person requested
one.
The discussion ended at 8:30 p.m.
Mayor Breman called for a recess at 8:30 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 8:38 p.m.
Fruita City Council Minutes 5 June 30, 2026
- UPDATE ON THE FRUITA COMMONS (9:00 – 9:10 P.M.)
City Manager Shannon Vassen explained that staff had learned that IndiBuild was not successful in
their application for a low-income housing tax credit application (LIHTC) for the Fruita Commons
Project. Since then, IndiBuild has asked for a two-month extension on their option to enter into a ground
lease and has offered to present the findings from CHFA in August.
City Council inquired about the flaws on the LIHTC application. Assistant City Manager Dan Caris
explained that staff was told it just wasn’t Fruita’s turn. He named two other projects in the Grand
Valley that were awarded funds through tax credits and stated that if the sentiment is true, it will likely
be Fruita’s turn next.
The City Council came to the consensus to give IndiBuild the opportunity to present to Council in
August. Discussion was held concerning whether they will present alternative funding options or have
another ask of the City. It was duty noted that the Council would not have to make an immediate
decision that night; Council could further discuss any new proposals at a Workshop meeting.
Mayor Breman directed staff to try to get clarification on what will be expected of the City by IndiBuild
and to communicate to them that the Council would not be making an immediate decision.
Mayor Breman also explained to the newer members of Council that any further action on the project
would be taken by the Fruita Housing Authority and not City Council.
City Manager Shannon Vassen stated that he will work with the City Attorney on options for a ground
lease.
The discussion ended at 9:10 pm.
5. FOURTH OF JULY DISCUSSION (ADDED TO THE AGENDA BY MAYOR
BREMAN) (9:10 – 9:22 PM)
City Manager Shannon Vassen noted that staff has been discussing whether or not to postpone the
150/250 Anniversary Celebration because of the wildfires that firefighters have been fighting. He
suggested it being rescheduled for August 1
st
, which is “Colorado Day,” when the City could have an
additional concert along with a barbershop quartet and other festivities.
It was pointed out that the Thursday Night Concert featuring Hazel Miller would still go on as planned,
as would the City Council Ice Cream Social. Mayor Breman and several Council members described
how fun the Council’s Ice Cream Social is to the newest members on City Council. The City will
recognize the Firefighters’ Command Team prior to the Hazel Miller concert.
The City Council reached a consensus to reschedule the 150/250 Celebration to August 1
st
and cited
the reason of public safety. Vassen noted that the funds budgeted for fireworks (which won’t be held
because of the wildfires) could be used for the additional concert and possibly two concerts. A
suggestion was made to try to find even bigger talent than typically is scheduled for Thursday nights.
A consensus was also reached that the City will make a donation to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation
with some of the funds that were budgeted for fireworks.
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There was also discussion concerning staff and Council members needing to prepare for push back
from the public for rescheduling the 150/250 Celebration.
The discussion ended at 9:22 p.m.
- DOGS AND THE CITY OF FRUITA’S LEASH LAW (ADDED TO THE AGENDA BY
MAYOR BREMAN) (9:22 – 9:49 PM)
Mayor Breman referred to a complaint received by the City concerning the enforcement of Fruita’s
leash law. There was discussion about helping people understand the importance of the leash law and
it was noted that the City of Fruita has a dog barking complaint packet on its website. It was suggested
that this be expanded to explain how to report other animal nuisances such as a dog being off-leash.
City Manager Shannon Vassen explained that the process entails a report being filed with the Police
Department.
The City Council directed staff to be proactive by looking at adding more signage in City parks and
additional messaging in the Weekly Information Update, City website and social media.
Mayor Breman said he thinks the City needs something with more “teeth” to reinforce the leash law
and Councilor Parrish agreed that the City needs to demonstrate that there can be consequences for
violators of it.
The Council reached consensus to have the City provide more education to the public on the subject in
order to change the behavior and in addition, encourage residents to file Police reports. Councilor
Prochnow wondered if that might be too burdensome for the Police Department or take them away
from other duties.
7. ADJOURN
With no further business before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 9:49 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Deb Woods
City Clerk