Durango, CO: **Council voted to approve a lease with Axis Health System to temporarily relocate Community Development and Engineering operations to the Axis building at 150 Mercury Village Drive.
The existing Community Development and Engineering Building, at 215 E. 12th St., is expected to be demolished as part of the next phase of the new City Hall Project. To maintain uninterrupted public service, the city evaluated several possible locations and identified the second-floor Axis Health System office space as the most operationally effective and financially responsible option.
The temporary location will house approximately 30 city staff, provide conference and meeting rooms, public reception space, and parking for employees and city fleet vehicles. The lease offers a cost‑effective solution that avoids delaying the City Hall Project or extending project timelines and costs.
The leasable space is approximately 4,291 square feet. The lease provides for monthly rent of $9,022, annualized to $108,264. The initial lease term is anticipated to begin on Oct. 1 and continue for one year, with an option to renew month by month if necessary.
At their regular meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 1, at 5:30 p.m., held at council chambers, 949 East Second Ave., councilors:
Heard a monthly update from Police Chief Brice Current on Flock camera usage in Durango for July. In July, there were 1,282 total Flock searches by Durango Police Department officers, with 41.8% of those searches related to drugs/narcotics. Current announced that Durango Police will not be renewing its contract with Flock Safety in 2027 and will transition its automated license plate reader program to Axon.
Voted to approve a resolution waiving the attorney-client privilege for an independent investigation of Councilor Kip Koso related to reported interactions between the councilor and city employees. Councilors Koso and Shirley Gonzales voted against the resolution.
Convened in executive session to receive legal advice on specific legal matters concerning a La Plata County District Court Case, specifically the City of Durango v Zenner USA, Inc. In 2018, the City of Durango contracted with Zenner USA, Inc. for the purchase of residential and commercial water meters which the city said were defective. The city and Zenner's attorneys have reached a proposed settlement agreement for the council to consider.
Convened in executive session to receive legal advice on specific legal questions concerning the application for the conditional water rights of the City of Durango in the Animas River Watershed.
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Media Contact**Tom SluisPublic Information Officer Phone: (970) 375-5090Email: Tom Sluis