RIDGWAY TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
FEBRUARY 11, 2026
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was held both in person and via virtual meeting portal Zoom Meeting, pursuant to
the Town’s Electronic Participation Policy.
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. In attendance Councilors Kroger, Montague,
Schuyler, Scoville, Mayor Pro Tem Lakin and Mayor Clark. Councilmember Grambley was
absent.
RECOGNITION AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Mayor Clark asked the Council and audience to pause for a moment of silence in remembrance,
and acknowledgment, of the passing of former Mayor Pro Tem Eric Johnson.
CONSENT AGENDA
Minutes of the Regular Meeting held on January 14, 2026.
Minutes of the Workforce Housing Committee from January 14, 2026.
Minutes from the Special Meeting of January 26, 2026.
Register of Demands for February 2026.
ACTION:
It was moved by Councilmember Kroger, seconded by Councilor Schuyler and carried
unanimously to approve the consent agenda.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Ouray County Commissioner Jake Niece addressed the Council regarding two upcoming
items the County, City of Ouray and Town will be participating in. Renewal of the contract
for the OurWay shuttle service, and the installation of a level three electric vehicle charging
station.
Matt Beyer stated he deeply cares about the community and “wants to see it thrive and be
the best it can be”. He noted there have been comments on social media that are
inconsiderate of others opinions, and he would like to help to harbor “calm, respectful
dialogue” where “constructive conversation” can be shared. He offered his businesses as
environments where citizens can feel safe to speak and build community through
“collaboration instead of division”.
PUBLIC REQUESTS AND PRESENTATIONS
- Request for Letter of Support for enrollment in AARP Livable Communities Program
Tom Heffernan with the Ridgway Ouray Community Council, Social Justice Committee,
explained last year the non-profit organization began to addresses ways to bring attention to
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the aging population in the community. Recently it was discovered the Colorado Chapter of
American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) offers county memberships in their Livable
Communities Program, including an Age-Friendly Communities component. He presented a
letter of support for the membership and requested Council endorsement. The letter states
residents aged 60 and older comprise nearly forty percent of the population in Ouray County,
and the County is among the top ten in the State with annual population growth of persons
over 65.
There were comments by the Council.
ACTION:
Councilmember Scoville moved to approve the letter of support for Ridgway Ouray Community
Council, Social Justice Committee, for enrollment in the AARP Livable Communities Program.
Mayor Pro Tem Lakin seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
- Application for Tavern Liquor License for Colorado Girl Coffee
Staff Report dated 12-9-25 from the Town Clerk presenting an application for a Tavern Liquor
License from Colorado Girl Coffee.
The Town Clerk explained an application has been filed for a Tavern Liquor License from
Colorado Girl Coffee LLC; member and sole owner Matthew Beyer; doing business as
Colorado Girl Coffee; for the leased premises at 620 Clinton Street. She noted approval
would include the sidewalk on the north side of the building for outdoor consumption of
alcohol.
Applicant Matt Beyer addressed the Council and explained the proposed use of the liquor
license will not be to install a bar, or be open late at night. The intent is to offer community
focused small dinners of no more than 12 people, and have the ability to offer alcoholic drinks.
ACTION:
Councilor Schuyler moved, with a second by Mayor Pro Tem Lakin, to approve the application for
a Tavern Liquor License for Colorado Girl Coffee LLC, Member Matthew Beyer, doing business
as Colorado Girl Coffee at 620 Clinton Street. On a call for the vote the motion carried
unanimously.
POLICY MATTERS
- Issuance of Revocable Encroachment Permit to Colorado Girl Coffee to serve food and
beverages on the sidewalk
The Town Clerk presented a revocable encroachment permit for Colorado Girl Coffee to
serve food and beverages, including alcoholic beverages, on the sidewalk adjacent to 620
Clinton Street. She noted issuance of a revocable encroachment permit would be required
for the approved liquor license application, to license sidewalk service with the state liquor
division.
There were comments by the Council, and discussion between the Council and applicant
pertaining to the removal of alcoholic beverages from the licensed premises.
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ACTION:
Mayor Pro Tem Lakin moved to approve the revocable permit to Colorado Girl Coffee to serve
food and beverages on the sidewalk, including alcohol. Councilmember Kroger seconded and
the motion carried unanimously.
- Memorandum of Understanding with the Telluride Foundation to Collaborate on a Down
Payment Assistance Program
Town Manager Preston Neill explained during budget discussions the Council directed staff
to work with the Telluride Foundation pertaining to a request to participate in a down payment
assistance program, to support qualifying members of the regional workforce purchasing
homes in Town. He presented a Memorandum of Understanding to participate for a two year
period, committing $50,000 in funding.
ACTION:
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Lakin with a second by Councilor Scoville, to approve the
Memorandum of Understanding between the Town of Ridgway and Telluride Foundation to
collaborate on a down payment assistance program. The motion carried unanimously.
- Agreement for Visitor and Business Engagement Services
Staff Report dated 2-11-26 from the Community Initiatives Facilitator presenting a request for
proposals for services as a connection between the Town, visitors and local businesses.
The Town Manager explained requests for proposals were solicited in December of 2025 for
a qualified consultant to serve as a connector between the Town, visitors and local
businesses. Only one proposal was received, this was from the Ridgway Area Chamber of
Commerce in the amount of $33,824. He explained staff reviewed the evaluation criteria and
felt the proposal met all requirements and included visitor engagement and information
management, business outreach and engagement, calendar and event coordination and
visitor center services.
There were comments from the Council and questions and discussion with Jon Hill, director
of the Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Hill noted “the budget is for staff” and “some design and
printing”. Visitor Center services will be a “hybrid of information” by phone, in person and
through a website, along with installation of an information kiosk. Services will also include
collaborating with the Town’s marketing firm and staff.
ACTION:
Moved by Councilor Schyuler with a second by Mayor Pro Tem Lakin, the motion to authorize
staff to enter into a Professional Services Agreement with Ridgway Area Chamber of Commerce
for Visitor and Business Engagement services for the Town in the amount of $33,824 carried
unanimously.
- Review and action on First Amendment to Development Agreement with Alpine Homes-
Ridgway, LLC
Staff Report dated 2-3-26 from Town Planner Angela Kemp presenting a request to amend
the development agreement with Alpine Homes-Ridgway LLC.
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Planner Kemp noted the developer of Riverfront Village has requested revisions to the
Development Agreement pertaining to deed restricted housing. The current language
requires the developer to set an initial maximum sale price for each restricted unit based on
costs associated with the development and construction. Staff was provided with project
costs and found the costs substantially outpaced the affordability target. The original Area
Median Income (AMI) target for all four deed restricted units was 125% of the AMI and are
now 170% for the one bedroom Unit 102; 190% for one bedroom Unit 201; 140% for two
bedroom unit in Units 202 and 203.
There were questions from the Council.
Developer Jake Cantor explained “construction costs went up drastically within the last four
to five years”. He would like to keep the deed restriction unit selling price within the
construction costs, and is “willing to forgo any profit on the units”. He requested the ability to
rent the units prior to sale, noting after marketing the units for six months, there have been
“no offers”. The goal would be to rent the deed restricted units at the cost of AMI.
There were questions from the Council.
SPEAKING FROM THE AUDIENCE:
Nathan Locke questioned affordable housing costs.
Pam Foyster questioned the number of units that are year round residents versus vacation
homes. Mr. Cantor noted “so far it feels evenly split”.
ACTION:
Mayor Pro Tem Lakin moved to approve the First Amendment to Development Agreement
between Alpine Homes-Ridgway LLC and the Town of Ridgway. Councilmember Montague
seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.
- Application for Colorado Department of Local Affairs Accessory Dwelling Unit Grant
Program
Staff Report dated 2-4-26 from Planner Angie Kemp presenting an application for an
Accessory Dwelling Unit grant with the Department of Local Affairs.
Planner Kemp explained the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) has a program to fund
increased production of accessory dwelling units as an affordable housing option through
ADU Grants. Eligibility is dependent on local jurisdictions being certified as an ADU
Supportive Jurisdiction by DOLA, which the Town received on December 23
rd
of 2025.
Participation in the program would provide pre-designed, permit ready plans, and would save
homeowners planning and design costs, and accelerate the permitting process for residents
seeking to construct accessory dwelling units.
There were questions and comments from the Council.
There was a question from the audience regarding square footage allowance.
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ACTION:
Moved by Councilor Scoville, with a second by Councilor Montague to authorize the submittal of
an application to the DOLA ADU Grant Program as described in the staff report, and authorize
the Mayor to sign the letter of support and matching fund commitment. The motion carried
unanimously.
- Wastewater treatment plant planning and direction on adjustments to service rates
Staff Report from the Town Engineer dated 2-2-26 presenting a background on planning for
wastewater treatment plant upgrades, and proposed adjustment to the wastewater service
rates.
Town Engineer Joanne Fagan explained in February of 2025 the Town received a new
discharge permit certification from the Colorado Department of Public Heath and
Environment (CDPHE) for the wastewater treatment plant. The new certification “adds
dozens of new parameters”, compliance schedules and requires some special studies. Staff
has reached out to CDPHE to discuss changes to the discharge parameters and was told to
monitor and determine if there will be challenges meeting the new requirements. She stated
it has been determined challenges will be encountered, and staff prepared a report to CDPHE
in January which addressed how the new requirements will impact the Town. The Water
Quality Control Commission is scheduled to reevaluate the exemptions for most of the
smaller domestic treatment plants in 2027, and it may include exemptions for disadvantaged
communities, which the Town is considered due to its size. She explained this year a
Preliminary Needs Assessment will be prepared. This document is a simplified engineering
report to evaluation the best ways to meet the Town wastewater needs over the next twenty
years. Within this report a comparison will be made between a lagoon-based renovation or
a mechanical treatment plant.
Engineer Fagan reported staff has been addressing the need to significantly renovate the
existing lagoon cells and is in the process of applying for State Revolving Loan funds from
the CDPHE. The pre-application includes monthly service fees, and date of the last increase.
She noted the last increase was in 2012, and this along with the fact the current rate is
“considerably below the state average”, may create questions during the review process. She
suggested the Council consider discussing an increase in monthly wastewater rates.
The Town Manager suggested hiring a third party to conduct a rate study, noting the
preliminary needs assessment will help to inform those discussions.
There was discussion by Council and staff. It was agreed public meetings should be
conducted to inform citizens of the need for upgrades, and any proposed rate increases.
- Intergovernmental Agreement with Ouray County concerning Noxious Weed Management
and Control Services
Staff Report dated 2-6-26 from the Town Manager presenting an Intergovernmental
Agreement for noxious weed management with Ouray County.
Manager Neill explained for several years the Town has entered into an intergovernmental
agreement with Ouray County to conduct surveys for noxious weeds on Town property, make
recommendations for treatment, and conduct application of herbicide treatments as approved
by the Town.
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There were comments from the Council.
ACTION:
Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Lakin to approve the Intergovernmental Agreement between Ouray
County and the Town concerning Noxious Weed Management and Control Services. Councilor
Scoville seconded, and the motion carried with Councilmember Montague voting no.
- Expenditure of budgeted funds and contract to purchase a fleet vehicle for the Public Works
Department
Staff Report from the Town Manager dated 2-6-26 presenting a request to expend budgeted
funds for a public works fleet vehicle.
The Town Manager reported the 2026 budget contains funds to purchase a pick up truck for
the public works department. Staff is currently looking into options to procure a hybrid truck
not to exceed the budgeted amount of $45,000. He asked for authorization to enter into a
purchase contract not to exceed the budgeted amount.
ACTION:
Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Lakin, seconded by Councilmember Kroger and unanimously carried
to authorize staff to expend budgeted funds and enter into a contract to purchase a hybrid pickup
truck for the Public Works Department at a price not to exceed $45,000.
MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS
- 2025 End of Year Report from the Marshal’s Department
Marshal Schmalz presented a written and verbal report regarding calls for service through
out 2025. Total number of calls during the year was 7,133; in 2024 it was 6,118 and in 2023
4,900.
- Town Manager’s Report
The Town Manager presented an overview of the written monthly Managers Report.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Town Attorney suggested the Council enter into a closed session for the purpose of
receiving legal advice on a specific legal question under C.R.S. 24-6-402(4)(b) regarding
Ridgway Suites LLC dba MTN Lodge and its proposed use and compliance with the Ridgway
Municipal Code; and for a discussion of a personnel matter concerning the Town Manager’s
annual performance evaluation pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes 24-6-402(4)(f).
ACTION:
It was moved by Councilmember Montague, seconded by Councilmember Kroger and
unanimously carried by a roll call vote to enter into closed session.
The Council entered into closed session with the Town Attorney and Town Manager at 7:55 p.m.
and reconvened to the regular meeting at 8:45 p.m.
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POLICY MATTERS (continued)
- Compensation adjustment for Town Manager as a result of annual performance evaluation
Based on the results of the annual performance evaluation of the Town Manager, the Mayor
proposed to move the Town Managers salary to Step 6 of the Town’s 2026 Salary Step
Structure, retroactive to January 1, 2026.
ACTION:
Moved by Councilmember Kroger to move the Town Managers salary to Step 6 of the Town’s
2026 Salary Step Structure for the Town Manager position, retroactive to January 1, 2026, for an
annual salary of $154,828, which would be a 5.7% increase over the Town Manager’s 2025
salary. Mayor Pro Tem Lakin seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Pam Kraft, MMC
Town Clerk