THESE ARE BRIEF NOTES FROM MEETINGS AND DOES NOT COVER THE ENTIRE AGENDA.
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Board of Trustees, Town of Lyons
The LYONS TOWN BOARD was on Zoom Monday, April 5th, with the following:
1. The Lyons Den hearing was continued until after the State liquor license hearing concludes.
2 Business Fees. A business license is required from all salesmen who bring wares into town and sold by various businesses, along with the business required to have a business license to be open.
3. Summit development has delivered a 100 page report to the board and all agencies for review, and plan to start on the 47 units by the first of July.
4. Spraying Weeds will be controlled..a joint meeting between the Ecology Board and the Parks & Rec Commission will be held to settle on the safety of weed spraying for toxic weeds that are too hard and plentiful to pull. Volunteers of all ages will be needed to pull weeds around Lyons streets are needed..contact Dave Cosgrove this spring. 823 8250
5. Progress is being made on the addition to Aspen Lodge for a Bar and Restaurant /and/ by Eric Kean-for Main Street Brewing Company, who will have brewing, packaging, and sales, in the old Fork building.
6. Consideration of allowing lockers by Amazon Co. in town so packages will be safe until picked up by folks who live out-of-town
7. Laura Levy was appointed to the Economic Vitality Commission and Colby Birchfield to Utilities & Engineering Board;
8. Lauren Click gave a report on the LAHC (Lyons Arts and Humanities Commission) stating they had two new murals and are looking for a place to install, as well as a Mural by Mary Magdaline on the Arapahoe Indians in this area; They are starting a Legacy\Poetry Contest;
9.. Good progress is being made on the Second Avenue bridge. Work is progressing along with Rocksol Consulting Group for Construction and Interwest Consulting Group for Consulting Services for Professional Civil Engineering; Should open in May.
10. The town has joined the State for winter tourism, and accepted the a Go-Co grant $282,903 for the 2nd Avenue parking, restrooms, work in Bohn Park, and more camping in the LaVern Johnson Park;
11. Longmont is putting cell towers all along Hwy 36 to Estes Park; there have been some protests.
12. Lyons drinking water seems to have a lot of copper in it..Investigations are ongoing.
13. New construction is being planned east of Lyons-a 2nd story building for Spirit Hounds and Brewery, a building for Marijuana.
14. Discounted Dog Licenses are available during April..Every dog has to be licensed and have a rabies shot.
15: Congratulations to Dave Cosgrove who is celebrating his 20th year of working for the Town of Lyons, first as Recreation director and now head of Public works..Our Congratulations.
16. A four-way stop is being installed at McConnell Drive..
17. Spring clean-up is planned in May; branches are to be cut up;
18. No interest loans thru the town are available for businesses.
19. An agreement has been made for maintenance by the Town of Lyons and Lyons Ditch Co., to clean up and make repairs. Lyons Ditch comes out at the swimming hole in LaVern’s Park, runs past town hall; down Evans Alley turns on 3rd Avenue and down the front of Evans St., past the former bank building to the river. Each lot along the way has a share of water from the Lyons Ditch Col, the town has 3 shares.
PENDING: Negotiations by the Town and Ditch Companies for the trail down Hwy 36. The Town agreed to accept the grants available for the matching funds of 12% and 13% on the grants available for the St. Vrain Corridor Regional Trail, going east of McConnell Drive, on past the eastern corridor and meet the Longmont’s Greenway Trail. on Highway 36, which the board passed to accept. Mayor Angelo challenged the staff to find more funds instead of using the funds now budgeted for in-town road work.
UPCOMING PENDING PROJECTS: Redoing the NE corner of 4th and Main includes more businesses on the first floor and adding 7 rental units on the 2nd floor. Check trail by Cemetery, Honeywell Legal action, Historic Preservation Committee to meet with Planning Commission
PLANET BLUEGRASS:.
Zack Tucker represented Planet Bluegrass and finally agreed that they will try to settle the following issues: The Town Committee stated that Planet and the Town had their first Agreement in 1999; a lot of it has never been carried out. The issues listed to be solved are:
1. Academy & Songschool camping – PB did not pay lodging tax on 2019 camping at Rockygrass Academy or Folks Fest Songschool and objects to paying lodging tax in the future for those events.
2. Festival camping — Tax is due per campsite. PB charges per person. Campsite definition leaves room for disagreement on how to calculate. No agreement reached to date though this has been under discussion since Jan. 2018.
3. Gross sales/Sales Tax reporting – PB reports to the Town only 1 of 3 types of sales tax they collect. There is disagreement about what the Town contract with PB requires to be reported.
4. Other agreement provisions – Some parts of the contracts (signed in 1999) have been followed, others have not. (Such as notice of Minor Events, production plans for Minor Events, tax reporting for Minor Events, 30-day minimum between Major Events (festivals)). Both Town and PB acknowledge updating is needed.
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Work on SOUTH ST. VRAIN ROAD #7. will begin in April, and will be open early morning and late evening, with emergencies allowed. Road repairs and stream restoration will be along a 14 -mile stretch of State Highway 7 between the Town of Lyons and State Highway 72. under the Boulder County Land Use Code. call 303 441 3930 for more information. or email your inquiries or complaints to planner@boulder county.org. Please reference the docket number: LU-21-0001: Colorado Department of Transportation Highway 7 (lower Canyon Project)
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TOWN NEWS/ EXECUTIVE MEETINGS:
ELECTRIC METERS: So far there has been No Action by the Town Board to offer a cheaper way to get their meters read by those refusing to believe the Safety of Safe Meters, and want to keep their old meters. The town has installed new meters on over 600 residential homes. and is charging $30.00 a month for each meter they have to read. Protesters are asking the Town to have by cutting the price or letting hem pay ahead or read their own meter.Although they have been assured that the Meters are safe, they think they are related to the danger of the radio waves of the lines transmitting to the Meters, especially if the meters are within 15 feet of a bedroom or where children play. They contend there was not enough discussion and people do not realize the danger of this voltage. which they say transmits one second per day, and not 1 second every hour, which would make a big difference. as well as reduce the amount charged for reading the regular town meter if they want to keep it.
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PLANET BLUEGRASS:. (The Town Committee and Planet Bluegrass met Wed. afternoon to iron out the issues between the Town and Planet. Zack Tucker represented Planet Bluegrass.
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Executive Board Meetings:
HONEYWELL LAWSUIT: An executive meeting was held last night, Monday, April 19, to discuss the lawsuit between the Town of Lyons and Honeywell for discrepancies in upgrading their wastewater plant, They were contracted for $5.86 million in 2010; and paid more with the flood damage, but the plant was costing the town more energy usage than it did before the upgrades. due to a higher level of oxygen demand from breaking down organic matter in water. Lyons is seeking damages for the plant’s construction, operating and financing costs along with other damaged determined at the trial. The town is seeking a jury trial, and estimate the cost around $100,000..
March 22 – 6 p.m. – Executive Board Meeting (because the Monday meeting ran very late, and the meeting was rescheduled)
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING:
concerning the definition of the Lodging Occupation Tax., amending the Letter of Understanding for Planet Bluegrass; Discussion\ Direction on Amending the Minor Keynotes for Planet Bluegrass Documents; a resolution approving a lease of town-owned property with Telluride Bluegrass for the 2021 Rocky grass Festival; resolution of the lease 2021-48 folks festival. to be concluded with an Executive meeting.
March 22 – After the Executive Board Meeting — Meeting on the definition of campsites. First Reading of Ordinance. There will be a report by (1) staff and (2) attorney.
The LYONS TOWN BOARD was on Zoom Monday, April 19th, with the following:
1. Still pending – the Lyons Den hearing was continued until after the State liquor license hearing concludes
2. Business Fees. A business license is required from all salesmen who bring wares into town and sold by various businesses, along with the business required to have a business license to be open.
3. Summit development has delivered a 100 page proposal to the board and all agencies to review. They plan to start on the 47 units by the first of July.
4. Spraying Weeds will be controlled..a joint meeting between the Ecology Board and the Parks & Rec Commission will be held to settle on the safety of weed spraying for toxic weeds that are too hard and plentiful to pull. Volunteers of all ages will be needed to pull weeds around Lyons streets. Contact Dave Cosgrove this spring. 823 8250
5. Progress is being made on the addition to Aspen Lodge for a Bar and Restaurant and by Eric Kean-for Main Street Brewing Company, who will have brewing, packaging, and sales, in the Old Fork building.
6. Consideration of allowing lockers by Amazon Co. in town so packages will be safe until picked up by folks who live out-of-town
7. Lauren Click pres.of the LAHC (Lyons Arts and Humanities Commission is looking for a suitable place for two new murals and Mary Magdaline is looking for a place for her mural on the Arapahoe Indians in this area;
8. “Finding Joy in Lyons”. April is National Poetry Month, Submit a poem with a theme “Finding Joy and Beauty in Lyons”. Arts & Humanities members will be the judges;
Send them your Poetry-a Contest;
9.. Good progress is being made on the Second Avenue bridge. Work is progressing along with Rocksol Consulting Group for Construction and Interwest Consulting Group for Consulting Services for Professional Civil Engineering; Should open in May.
10. The town has joined the State for winter tourism, and accepted the a Go-Co grant $282,903 for the 2nd avenue parking, restrooms, work in Bohn Park, and more camping in the LaVern Park;
11. Longmont is putting cell towers all along Hwy 36 to Estes Park; there have been some protests.
12. Lyons drinking water seems to have a lot of copper in it..Investigations are ongoing.
13. New construction is being planned east of Lyons-a 2nd story building for Spirit Hounds and Brewery, a building for Marijuana.
14. Discounted Dog Licenses are available during April..Every dog has to be licensed & have a rabies shot.
15: Congratulations to Dave Cosgrove who is celebrating hi 20th year of working for the Town of Lyons, first as Recreation director and now head of Public works..Our Congratulations.
16. There is now a four-way stop on McConnell Drive and Raymond Drive.- a great help.
17. Spring clean-up is planned for May 1st, branches are to be cut up;
18. “No interest” loans thru the town are still available for businesses.
19. An agreement has been made for maintenance by the Town of Lyons and Lyons Ditch Co., to clean up and make repairs. Cancelled last Saturday, it is scheduled at 9am this Saturday-April 24th , go along the ditch and you will find someone working. The Lyons Ditch comes out at the swimming hole in LaVern’s Park, runs past town hall; down Evans Alley turns on 3rd Avenue and down the front of Evans St., past the former bank building to the river. Each lot along the way has a share of the Lyons Ditch Co, water, the town has 3 shares. Each pays $100.00 a share a year for this water.
20. The town has partnered with Can’d Aid for two volunteer projects-hosting a Bohn Park Tree Planting on April 22 and a trail access project near Stone Canyon on Monday, April 26 (weather permitting)
21: Interested in Solar? Check with the Town of Lyons or go to go to https://ucdenver.zoom.us/j/94586406306
22: Lyons River Clean up, Sat May 1st, 10am-noon; Earth Day River Clean..We Need Help; meet at the Bohn Park concession and restroom building at 9:45am, to be assigned a cleanup area. Trash bags are provided.
23: Lyons Garden Club will host its First Annual Garden Tour entitled “Mountain Blooms” for Sat., June 19th, from 10:00am to 2:00pm. Purchase tickets thru EventBrite with registration to start May 1st, visit LGC www.lyonsgardenclub.com;
24. TAKE BACK DRUG DAY, SAT. APRIL 24TH at the Boulder County Substation, 432 5th Avenue..
25. Discuss further renting out the LaVern Johnson Concession Stand until next meeting.
26. Discussed a Community Garden on Town Owned Property by Lyons Community Farm Project, to find out about the borders, the water, orchard trees, amount to pay for the water, a Water tap, and etc. (which would be located on west of Hwy 7, south of S. Evans Street;
27 Request action on the flooded house of 401 2nd Avenue, whose building permit has expired and 349 Main Street, who are in arrears.
28. Discussed the sale of the town-owned Apple Valley Water Treatment Plant;
29 Discussed the Lodging Tax being collected by the Town-on-town owned properties.
PENDING: Negotiations by the Town and Ditch Companies for the trail down Hwy 36. The Town agreed to accept the grants available for the matching funds of 12% and 13% on the grants available for the St. Vrain Corridor Regional Trail, going east of McConnell Drive, on past the eastern corridor and meet the Longmont’s Greenway Trail. on Highway 36, which the board passed to accept. Mayor Angelo challenged the staff to find more funds instead of using the funds now budgeted for in-town road work.
UPCOMING PENDING PROJECTS: Redoing the NE corner of 4th and Main includes more businesses on the first floor and adding 7 rental units on the 2nd floor. Check trail by Cemetery, Honeywell Legal action, Historic Preservation Committee to meet with Planning Commission.
Parks & Recreation Commission Meetings
LYONS PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION meeting – Monday, April 12 at 6pm == Chris Cope, Vice Chair, chaired the meeting: Reports were:
a. Community Events; Noxious week Plan- A joint meeting will be held with the Parks & Rec Commission and Ecology Board about the spraying. As of now, three plots will be sprayed (where the soil is hard and weeds plentiful); given on:
b. Lyons Valley River Park plant replacement in the spring, a fence and wetland work is needed with railing and stream bank stabilization.;-
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a. The completion of Bohn Park Phase 2 will is ready for ballgames-KIDS ARE FINALLY PLAYING ON THE FIELDS..THANKS TO ALL!
b. Lyons Valley River Park plant replacement in the spring, a fence and wetland work is needed with railing and stream bank stabilization.;
c.The 2nd Avenue Bridge is progressing and will be completed in May, (2nd Avenue is closed until May; with the use of the trail along the river available.
d.The 4th Avenue Pedestrian Bridge Design is upcoming (The bridge will be paid for thru FEMA and Safe Schools grant with work on the design) A Public Hearing will be held on the Design.
e.The Town has agreed to two grants for the St. Vrain Trail east of town. The town leases the land at the back to: of Blue Mountain Stone, Spirit Hounds, and Clark’s Hardware the trail has to go thru, as well as over 3 or 4 ditches-they will meet with Highland Ditch Co. this week and have to come to an agreement with the Ditch companies as well as the Northern Colorado. Water District. Two grants for this Trail are pending and will be an advantage to all..the businesses on the Eastern corridor; bikers, and hikers to get off the highway and to safety; and will meet with St. Vrain Greenway Trail coming west from Longmont; The town will pay the matching funds of 12% and 13% if all agreements can be made.
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Ray Mees of Ray’s River Rentals presented a proposal to operate the Concessions stand at LaVern Johnson Park, with tube rentals, charcoal, fluid, sunscreen, bug spray, river tubing shoes, life vests, camp games photography, prepacked food items and drink. It will operate daily from 10:am to 6:00pm, and definitely on weekends, maybe longer..with a safety video required to view, which will go to the Board of Trustees;
There will be a flat rate rental fee, with the town getting sales tax on all rentals and sales. They will have 50 single and 15 double tubes; of a tubing company has made a proposal to operate the concession stand in LaVern Park, consisting of prepackaged snacks, pop, supplies, renting tubes, selling safety and other supplies. Hours are 10-6 daily, and will operate the stand on a flat fee, with percentage next year.
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Discussion was held on creating a park for small dogs, who will have their pond, water, shelter, and be fenced off, so dogs and owners will be safe from the big dogs.
The 10 acres south of the Dog Park may be used for bike trails, with a practice loop for skills, with a proposal for the area, with a side trail at the south 10 acres for a 6 foot wide trail half way to Ledge Ditch;
The water Rescue units will be installed before high water comes;
Trees will be planted in multi-purpose area in Bohn Park and at the Library, along Main Street, a total of 12-14 new trees; Walsh Construction has finished the storage area for softball an baseball..Games are returning to Lyons after eight years since the flood.
The Ponds water quality proposals for Aeration or nanobubble technology are being reviewed, with an estimated cost of $42,000;
DUE TO COVID THERE WILL BE NO GOOD OLD DAY; as no money was put in the budget; however, there is grant money for an artisan fair sometime in June, Stay tuned;
Park hosts are coming back the beginning of May;
TRASH IN PARKS: Everyone is asked to take a trash bag with you when you go into the Parks and pickup over the busy weekends. Earth Day has been designated as a Day to pick up up trash.
Compliments went to Dave Cosgrove who has been Parks & Rec Director for twenty Years. Our Thanks and Compliments, Dave!;
Volunteers are scheduled to plant trees and do repairs; PRC will clean up April 22nd, volunteers are ask to bring gloves, sturdy showed, and help clean the parks. (all ages are welcome) Volunteers are needed to clean up after Holidays, after the weekends, and all during summer.
There is still vandalism in our beautiful parks; if you see cars driving in the parks in the evening take their licenses; Security cameras are recommended.
Pending Topics are: l.Open Space Trail Requests; 2. How to use the Martin property without great impact to County Road 69E; 3. What to do about the Apple Valley plots that now belong to the County-Does Lyons want them? 4. Lyons-Hall Ranch Connection with improvements on the Highway 5. Park Operations.
The next meeting is Monday May 10th at 6:00pm.
2021 Budget Adopted
The Board of Trustees adopted the 2021 fiscal year budget upon the second reading at the November 16, 2020 BOT meeting. The Board approved the 2021 Town of Lyons Annual Budget after two public meetings and multiple review sessions.
Please note, these Minutes are taken by LaVern Johnson, who is our Town Hall reporter, and she has to do them by using the internet, and the sound is not always perfect, so there may be some minor errors. If you need to be sure of the facts, you can view the VIDEO of the Town meetings. She would prefer someone else do them, so don’t think you would be stepping on her toes if you would like to give it a try………thank you, Editor Spring 3/21
The Lyons Recorder is looking for a citizen or reporter who would like to attend board meetings, or view the meetings on tape afterwards, and/or read the Minutes and write a bi-monthly column on what is taking place. == The reporter can list the topics for the night, and highlight the biggest items of the night… writing the key facts given and the conclusion. (It can contain quotes from trustees or audience members, if you are a good note taker). There are a lot of options. ==This is an exciting opportunity to become more familiar with your Town’s governing, as well as improve your writing skills. == Contact our Editor at: LyonsRecorder.editor@gmail.com
A town meeting is a form of direct democracy in which most or all of the members of a community come together to legislate policy and budgets for local government.
