During the June 8, Town of Rye meeting, Mayor Marty Rahl swore in Kathy Dufty to fill the vacant Town of Rye Board of Trustee position. Dufty recited and signed the Oath of Office to fill a twoyear term, and until the next regular election in 2024. Several local residents came forward to express their concerns about issues in the area.
Tammy Smith addressed the Board regarding people speeding on Boulder Avenue. She stated that it's unsafe for residents and children because there aren't any sidewalks along that street.
Mayor Rahl stated that the Board will contact the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office to put up speed radar signs, and to see if they can provide a sheriff's presence in the evenings. Mayor Rahl also advised Smith to record the license plate and vehicle description so that it can be submitted for authorities to follow up.
Rye Town Clerk Jocelyn Mower mentioned that a resident stopped into the office to ask if signs can be placed on Petersen Street to help slow drivers. The Board approved purchasing two “narrow bridge” signs and two "children at play" signs to be placed on east and west Petersen.
Chelsie Kersey inquired about the election process for the current 2022 year. Mower explained that the Board had three Trustee position terms expire in 2022; and that Patrick Ryan presented a completed nomination petition and Larry Sisk had verbally presented interest to remain on the Board. No other nomination petitions or letters of interest were received at that time, so the Board voted to elect Patrick Ryan for a 4-year term and appoint Larry Sisk for a 2- year term, leaving one vacant Trustee seat on the Board.
The Board received two other letters of interest after Ryan and Sisk were voted in and an interview process took place on June 6, 2022. The Board voted, at that time, to appoint Kathy Dufty to the one vacant Trustee position.
The mayor’s term and all Trustee terms, except for Mr. Ryan, will be up in 2024.
Dennis Noonan addressed the Board regarding a letter received from the Town of Rye Board of Trustees that was sent on 5/31/2022. The board explained that a final extension to bring his property into compliance was given at the regular meeting on April 13, 2022. As of May 1, 2022, pictures of the vehicles showed that one inoperable vehicle remained unregistered and that no documentation had been presented. Mr. Noonan wanted to appeal the violation fees because he did register all three vehicles. Patrick Ryan motioned to repeal the Ordinance 2021-3 violation fees that were issued to Mr. Noonan on 5/3l/2022. Markus Buck seconded the motion. The motion was denied by a 4-2 vote. Mayor Rahl stated to Mr. Noonan that the Board denied his appeal and that Ordinance 2021-3 violation fees issued on 5/31/2022 remain in force.
Patrick Sullivan introduced himself to the Board and stated that he is interested in volunteering for the Town of Rye Water Treatment Plant and assisting the Water Treatment Plant Operators. Sullivan explained his work history in engineering and water treatment plant operations, as well as his degrees, qualifications, and certifications. He expressed his goals in helping the Town with matters such as water pressure issues, water loss issues, wastewater operations, greywater systems, and consulting for future Town projects.
Rahl discussed having BH2 Land Surveying assist in presenting the Board with a map showing the easement for the Lagoon property, as well as having them research easements for roads and sidewalks along Boulder Ave. The Board agreed to have BH2 gather the information and Rahl stated she will reach out to them.
The Board discussed the topic of creating a Dog Waste Ordinance. Members from the audience stated that this is an issue pertaining to a few individual residents. Rahl instructed Mower to send letters to residents who are not picking up their dog's waste. Larry Sisk made a motion to purchase two game trail cameras as well as signs to notify residents to pick up their dog's waste.
Mower informed the Board of the quote received from Vance Hulben to maintain the Rye Triangle this summer. Patrick Ryan made a motion to approve the quote from Hulben to maintain the Rye Triangle.
Mower updated the Board regarding the SIPA Payport program that she enrolled the Town in. SIPA (Statewide lnternet Portal Authority) offers a program called Payport. This program allows entities to collect credit/debit card payments.
Mower presented paving quotes to the Board to patch potholes around town as well as patch asphalt in the road on Park Rd. The Board requested Mower to request further information from the three sources that provided bids.
The Water Treatment Plant Executive Report, provided by Richard Hopp, was presented to the Board. Maddie Rokich updated the Board on current matters regarding the Water Treatment Plant. She explained that needed pump drives cost $5200. Ryan asked Rokich to inquire about purchasing one to see if it will suffice.