RIDGWAY TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
NOVEMBER 12, 2025
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 4:35 p.m. The Council was present in its entirety with
Councilors Grambley, Kroger, Montague, Schuyler, Scoville, Mayor Pro Tem Lakin and Mayor
Clark in attendance.
WORK SESSION
Presentation and direction on the Draft 2026 Fiscal Year Budget and Five- and Ten-Year Capital
Improvement Plans
The Town Manager presented an overview of the budget adoption process; financial overview of
the draft budget; operational reserves; personnel and pay movements; revenue projections and
trends and project lists.
The Town Clerk/Treasurer reviewed the draft budget document with the Council; presented line
item location of expenditures; presented and reviewed the five and ten year capital improvement
plans.
Manager Neill noted sales tax has decreased 22.64% from 2024 actual receipts; personnel is
36.7% of the total budget in 2026; pay movements are proposed at 2.4% and the total expenditure
is lower than in the 2025 adopted budget.
The Council requested additional expenditures to the general fund and a change to the ten year
capital improvement plan.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Town Attorney requested the Council enter into a closed session for the purpose of receiving
legal advice on a specific legal question under Colorado Revised Statute (C.R.S.) Section 24-6-
402(4)(b) and determining positions relative to matters that may be subject to negotiations,
developing strategy for negotiations, and/or instructing negotiators, under C.R.S. Section 24-6-
402(4)(e) concerning MTN Lodge Ridgway.
ACTION:
Councilor Kroger moved to enter into a closed session, Mayor Pro Tem Lakin seconded, the
motion carried unanimously.
The Council entered into closed session at 5:35 p.m. with the Town Attorney, Town Manager,
Town Clerk and Town Planner.
The Council convened from the closed session at 6:05 p.m.
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November 12, 2025
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Mayor asked the Council and audience to join in observing a moment of silence to honor the
memory of Jennifer Nelson, a valued member of the Planning Commission and wife of a Town
staff member.
CONSENT AGENDA
Minutes of Regular Meeting of September 10, 2025.
Minutes of Regular Meeting of October 1, 2025.
Minutes of Budget Workshop and Special Meeting of October 4, 2025.
Register of Demands for November 2025.
Renewal of Restaurant Liquor License for Bella Vino.
ACTION:
It was moved by Councilmember Schuyler, seconded by Councilmember Kroger and carried
unanimously to approve the consent agenda.
PUBLIC REQUESTS AND PRESENTATIONS
- Presentation of annual report from the Ridgway Community Garden
Letter dated 11-3-25 from Christine Lance presenting an annual report from the Ridgway
Community Garden.
Chris Lance address the Council regarding the Ridgway Community Garden annual report
and displayed a PowerPoint presentation. She noted next year will the eighth year of
operating in Green Street Park under a Town lease. She explained the year “focused on
connection with our collaborators” including the Voyager Youth Program, Ouray County Food
Bank, Ridgway Library and Ridgway Apiary. Infrastructure projects for the year included
completing construction of the extension of the storage shed and building three new planting
beds; garden participants included 113 adults and 26 children and all 54 garden plots were
used.
- Interviews of Youth Advisory Council candidates and appointment of members
Staff Report dated 11-3-25 from the Town Manager presenting five applications received to
serve on the Youth Advisory Council for the current school year.
Applicants Sunny Wick, Masen Barker, Orion Krois, Thea Mahlin and Sloan Patton
introduced themselves, explained why they wish to be involved in the Youth Council and
answered questions from the Council.
ACTION:
Councilor Kroger moved to appoint all five members to the Youth Advisory Council. Mayor Pro
Tem Lakin seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
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November 12, 2025
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- Annual presentation from EcoAction Partners regarding programs, projects and initiatives
Emma Gerona, Executive Director and Siobhan Montoya Lavender, Development Director
with EcoAction Partners, displayed a PowerPoint presentation of an Annual Program Update.
The presentation included the mission of EcoAction Partners and regional collaboration;
economic impacts; reduction of emissions; data collection and analysis for Ouray and San
Miguel Counties; programming; Sneffels Energy Board and the workplan and priorities for
next year; student and outreach programming; Colorado Affordable Residential Energy
Program; regional grants; energy workforce development; regional community values.
- Annual presentation from San Miguel Power Association regarding programs, projects and
initiatives
Alex Shelley with San Miguel Power Association, displayed a PowerPoint presentation
pertaining to the 2025 update which included operations update; beneficial electrification and
energy for the future; Tri-State policies regarding energy generation and renewable energy;
ten year average annual growth rate comparison; 2026 rate outlooks; new programs.
There was discussion with, and questions from, the Council.
POLICY MATTERS
- Resolution No. 25-10 Establishing Expedited Review Policies for Affordable Housing Projects
in the Town of Ridgway
Staff Report from Planner Angie Kemp dated 11-4-25 presenting a resolution expediting
review policies for affordable housing projects.
Planner Kemp explained the Town has made a commitment to provide affordable housing
units under State Proposition 123 and entered into a regional intergovernmental agreement
to address an increase of affordable housing units by 3% annually over a three year
compliance period. In an attempt to notify developers of the Towns commitment to support
this type of development, an expedition in the review process “can offer a sense of certainty”
and staff has prepared an resolution establishing an expeditated review process. Additionally
if adopted prior to the end of the year, the Department of Local Affairs is offering a financial
incentive which can ube utilized under the local planning capacity grant.
ACTION:
Moved by Councilor Schuyler, seconded by Councilor Kroger and unanimously carried to adopt
Resolution 25-10 Establishing Expedited Review Policies for Affordable Housing Projects in the
Town of Ridgway.
- Notice of Award for Marketing and Tourism Promotion Services
Staff Report from the Community Initiatives Facilitator dated 11-12-25 presenting a
recommendation on the award of contract for marketing and tourism promotion.
Community Initiatives Facilitator Tera Wick explained requests for proposal for marketing and
tourism promotion was solicited seeking a qualified consultant to develop and implement a
comprehensive tourism marketing strategy. At the end of September eleven proposals were
received and reviewed by a seven member evaluation committee. Based on interviews and
the quality of the proposal the selection committee recommends awarding the contract to
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November 12, 2025
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Destination by Design LLC from Boone, North Carolina. The companies track record working
with communities to align with their values, and listening to the community and residents
stood out, along with an integrated in-house approach which combines planners, strategists,
designers and videographers.
ACTION:
Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Lakin to authorize staff to enter into a Professional Services Agreement
with Destination by Design for Tourism and Marketing Promotion Services in the amount of
$60,000 seconded by Councilor Grambley, the motion carried unanimously on a call for the vote.
- Appointment of new member to Ridgway FUSE Creative Main Street Committee
The Community Initiatives Facilitator presented a request from Anna Strauss to join the FUSE
Committee.
ACTION:
Councilor Scoville moved, Councilor Kroger seconded, and carried unanimously to appoint Anna
Strauss as a Ridgway FUSE member.
- Introduction of Ordinance No. 04-2025 Amending Chapter 15 of the Ridgway Municipal
Code Concerning Vehicle Idling Restrictions
Staff Report dated 11-3-25 from the Town Manager presenting an ordinance related to
vehicle idling restrictions.
Manager Neill explained the Sustainability Advisory Board has recommended adoption of
regulations to mitigate the idling of vehicles in Town.
There was discussion and comments by the Council.
There were comments by Marshal Schmaltz pertaining to enforcement.
ACTION:
Moved by Councilor Kroger, second by Councilor Schuyler to introduce Ordinance 4-2025
Amending Chapter 15 of the Ridgway Municipal Code Concerning Vehicle Idling Restrictions.
The motion passed unanimously.
- Introduction of Ordinance No. 05-2025 Amending Chapter 2 of the Ridgway Municipal Code
Concerning Compensation of Town Council
The Town Manager presented an ordinance concerning compensation for the Town Council.
He explained the ordinance is in follow up to discussion at the previous meeting regarding
increasing the stipend paid to the Mayor and members of the Council. He noted the increase
will not benefit the members currently seated, but only newly elected members.
ACTION:
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Lakin with a second by Councilor Kroger, to introduce Ordinance
5-2025 Amending Chapter 2 of the Ridgway Municipal Code Concerning Compensation of Town
Council. The motion carried unanimously.
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November 12, 2025
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MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS
The Town Manager presented an overview of the written monthly Managers Report.
Councilor Schuyler reported on the Sustainability Advisory Board.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Pam Kraft, MMC
Town Clerk