RIDGWAY TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
OCTOBER 1, 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 5:35 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.
CONSENT AGENDA
Register of Demands for October 2025.
Renewal of restaurant liquor license for Thai Paradise.
Renewal of restaurant liquor license for Chipeta Lodge-Resort Plus Spa.
Water leak adjustment for Account #3430.3/Moran.
Water leak adjustment for Account #3850.0/Murphy.
Water leak adjustment for Account #3990.4/Sagel.
Water leak adjustment for Account #2890.1/Phillips.
Water leak adjustment for Account #8256.0/Greydanus.
Water leak adjustment Account #6650.1/Kinne.
ACTION:
It was moved by Councilmember Grambley, seconded by Councilmember Kroger and carried
unanimously to approve the consent agenda.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Kim Wheels with Eco Action Partners presented an update on the pursuit to acquire a Local
Impact Accelerator grant on behalf of the Town. She announced the review board “has
encouraged us to submit a full application” after evaluation of the letter of intent. She noted
the grant is competitive and if awarded would require a five percent match, and asked the
Council to consider this during the upcoming budget retreat.
Terese Seal asked the Council to consider during budget discussions installing a dog park in
the Green Street Park area. She noted an on-line petition shows one hundred people “would
also like a park”. The Mayor asked Ms. Seal to forward the petition to the Town Clerk.
Town Council Minutes
October 1, 2025
Page 2
PUBLIC HEARINGS
- Application for resubdivision of Lot 7 in Marie Scott Subdivision and Lot 2 of the Anderson
Minor Subdivision
Staff report dated 9-25-25 from the Town Planner presenting a request from Keith Garvey to
resubdivide Lot 7 in Marie Scott Subdivision and Lot 2 of the Anderson Minor Subdivision.
Mayor Pro Tem Lakin recused herself from the discussion.
Planner Angie Kemp explained the resubdivision request will combine two existing residential
lots and create three. Lot 2 contains a single family home with greenhouse, storage cabin,
shed and movable tiny home, the adjoining Lot 7 is vacant. The resubdivision will create Lot
C with the existing home and storage cabin, Lot B to be vacant with the removal of the
greenhouse and shed, and Lot A which will also be vacant. The Planning Commission held
a hearing on September 17
th
at which time a letter was received pertaining to the tiny home
structure. On September 25
th
the applicant responded in writing that the concerns raised are
being addressed. At the September 17
th
meeting the Planning Commission recommended
approval by the Town Council.
The applicant addressed the Council regarding a “spam email” received from an account
claiming to be the Town, and billing for services. The Mayor noted the Towns contractual IT
Company is aware of information being taken from the website pertaining to the application,
and the fraudulent activity.
ACTION:
Moved by Councilor Montague, seconded by Councilor Scoville and unanimously carried to
approve the Garvey Resubdivision, finding the criteria set forth in Ridgway Municipal Code
Section 7-5-2(J)(3) have been met with the following conditions: prior to the Town recording the
Resubdivision Plat with the Ouray Count Clerk and Recorders Office, all signatures shall be
obtained, and the remaining water and sewer tap fees and excise tax for all lots shall be paid.
Mayor Pro Tem Lakin returned to sit with the Council.
- Ordinance No. 03-2025 Amending Section 7-4-8 “Landscape Regulations” of the Ridgway
Municipal Code
Staff Report from the Town Planner dated 9-25-25 presenting a proposed ordinance
amending the Municipal Code section pertaining to landscape regulations.
Planner Kemp explained State Senate Bill 24-005 prohibits the installation of nonfunctional
turf, artificial turf and invasive plant species on non-residential property for new development
and applicable redevelopment projects after January 1, 2026. She reported at the prior
meeting when introducing the ordinance there was discussion regarding the proposed
modifications to the Municipal Code which came from the Planning Commission, to not allow
installation of artificial turf anywhere including residential properties. The regulation is more
restrictive than the State regulations she noted. Also discussed was administrative flexibility
to allow installation or other deviations. She noted deviation in an amount of 10% can be
granted at the administrative level, but waivers can not. Request for a waiver from standards
can be heard at a public hearing before the Board of Adjustment.
Town Council Minutes
October 1, 2025
Page 3
The Planner went through the proposed code changes section by section.
There were comments by the Council, and disagreement regarding prohibiting the use of
artificial turf for residences.
ACTION:
Mayor Pro Tem Lakin moved to adopt Ordinance No. 03-2025 Amending Section 7-4-8
“Landscape Regulations” of the Ridgway Municipal Code. Councilor Montague seconded the
motion. On a call for the vote the motion carried with Councilors Grambley and Scoville voting
no.
POLICY MATTERS
- Presentation of the Draft 2026 Fiscal Year Budget
The Town Clerk/Treasurer presented the draft 2026 Fiscal Year Budget, noting the Town is
meeting statutory requirements with the presentation. She reviewed the document with the
Council, and answered questions.
- Target funding amount for 2026 Community Grant Program
Staff Report from the Town Manager dated 9-24-25 presenting a request to establish a
funding target amount for the 2026 Community Grant Program.
The Town Manager reported applications for the community grant program were solicited on
August 5
th
with a deadline of September 22
nd
. The Ad Hoc Committee, comprised of
community members, business owners and representation from non-profit organizations, will
be reviewing the applications to prepare funding recommendations to the Council, and a
target funding amount is need to work within. He noted staff is recommending two percent
of the general fund, or $98,225.
ACTION:
Councilor Schuyler moved to target up to $98,225 for the Community Grant Program funding
which the Ad Hoc Review Committee funding recommendation shall not exceed, seconded by
Mayor Pro Tem Lakin the motion carried unanimously.
- Agreement for Self-Updating Community Calendar Software with Localist
Staff Report from the Town Manager dated 9-26-25 regarding the Community Calendar
software.
Manager Neill reported at the meeting in August Council directed staff to move forward with
a cost sharing agreement with the City of Ouray and County, for a Community Calendar,
including preparation of an agreement or contract to formalize roles and responsibilities. He
explained an agreement has been prepared, but prior to this meeting he was informed during
County budget discussions, it was decided to not fund the project.
There was discussion by the Council and it was agreed to direct staff to ask if the City of
Ouray is planning to participate in the program.
Town Council Minutes
October 1, 2025
Page 4
ACTION:
Councilmember Schuyler moved, with a second by Mayor Pro Tem Lakin to approve the
agreement if the other agencies are willing to participate. The motion carried unanimously.
- Request to use Town right-of-way for Ridgway Independent Film Festival Community
Walk/Run event on October 19
th
The Town Clerk reported staff has received a request from the Ridgway Independent Film
Festival to conduct a Community Walk/Run event on public sidewalks on October 19
th
between 11:45 am and 2:00 pm. Additionally they have requested to use Hartwell Park for
a native american dance performance after the event.
ACTION:
Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Lakin, seconded by Councilor Kroger and unanimously carried to
approve the request to use Town right-of-ways for Ridgway Independent Film Festival Community
Walk/Run event on October 19
th
from 11:45 am to 2:00 pm with the addition of performers in the
park.
- Report on compensation for Town Council and Planning Commission
Staff Report from the Town Manager dated 9-23-25 presenting a review of compensation
paid to Council and Planning Commissioners in other municipalities.
Manager Neill explained an item in the 2025 Strategic Plan was to research and evaluate
stipend amounts for members of the Council and Planning Commission. He noted staff has
researched compensation of other governing bodies in comparable communities, and
presented a graph displaying the information.
There was discussion by the Council. It was agreed to increase the Mayors stipend to $5,300
annually, and Councilors to $3,200 annually. Staff was directed to prepare an ordinance
memorializing the changes.
MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS
The Council received a report regarding mosquito management in 2025 from Rodney
Paulson, Public Works Maintenance Operator. The Mayor noted there were difficulties
working with representatives from Ridgway State Park this summer, and adequate treatment
of problem areas was not conducted. Staff has spoken to the representatives and “their
participation should be better in the summer of 2026”.
The Council received the annual Noxious Weed Management Report from Julie Kolb, Ouray
County Vegetation Management. The Manager noted there is “excellent communication and
collaboration with Julie”.
The Town Manager presented a progress report to the 2025 Strategic Plan, reporting more
items will be added to the working document after the budget retreat on Saturday.
The Manager noted the Town is being encouraged to move forward on the Impact
Accelerator Grant opportunity, which will have multi-year fiscal responsibility.
Town Council Minutes
October 1, 2025
Page 5
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 7:15 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Pam Kraft, MMC
Town Clerk