Oct. 14, 2016 Weekly Info Update

Weekly Info Update

To:        MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL    

From:   MIKE BENNETT, CITY MANAGER

Date:   October 14, 2016

Re:       WEEKLY INFO UPDATE

$185,000 DOLLARS

We were fortunate to receive another grant award from the Mesa County Federal Mineral Lease District in the amount of $185,000 to help fund the north Aspen Avenue Alley improvements that include drainage, grading, paving and undergrounding utilities. Staff aims to complete design this year and conduct a bid process in January with construction complete around the end of April. News release below.

Tuesday’s City Council Meeting

On the agenda is the second reading for the Colorado Canyon’s bonds (which will be requested to be continued to Nov.1) and presentations on the proposed 2017 Capital Improvement Projects and Utility Funds.

TID BITS:

• Staff began presenting the Lagoon Redevelopment initial concepts with boards, commissions and other interested groups in preparation to bring to City Council in November. Click here for more info.
• We have requested a grant extension for the Gateway Design effort in order for the consultant to turn around work to staff and allow staff to review and have further drafts to bring to City Council in December and strive to adopt final plans by the end of January.
• The RFP for Marketing Services has been finalized and on the City’s website and was advertised in the Daily Sentinel on Tuesday, October 11, 2016. The deadline of submission of proposals will be Tuesday, November 1, 2016 which will give applicants three (3) weeks to respond. 
• Counselor Kincaid, Odette and I attended the Colorado Tourism Office Listening Tour with Director Cathy Ritter. It was nice to hear Fruita get recognized for our efforts.
• I participated with the GJ Chamber Director, GJEP Director and Airport Director to interview consulting firms to assist the valley in obtaining a foreign trade zone.
• This week I had the opportunity to speak about Fruita’s economic development efforts and City goals to the Outdoor Recreation Coalition, the Fruita Rotary Club (with Mayor Buck) and the Planning Commission.
• Public works is shutting off irrigation water to GPPWUA for the season and beginning to winterize the system.
• With the preliminary results from the analysis on Reservoir #2 (will update council on soon), we must start draining the remainder of Reservoir #2.  We had been keeping enough water in it to keep the fish alive, but will be draining it completely over the next week and a half or so. 
• Nearing our 1 millionth paid visitor to the Community Center we are preparing to award and free year membership and gift basket to the lucky person to scan in at 1 million.
• Parks is working on mitigating weeds next year and prepping for Christmas decorations.
• Staff looked into the Southside Marketplace in regards to Christmas lights. First off, the locations mainly fall into a private development, unlike the public spaces in the downtown, but beyond that the light poles do not have power to them. Staff is meeting with the Southside Business group next week to discuss.
• We continue to fine tune the 2017 budget.
• Great news on August sales tax numbers—22% increase over last year (there is one entry that seems to be a double that may impact Sept. numbers, but even without still up double-digits). This puts us at 3% above last year.
• Crack sealing continues.
• We are awaiting whether we received the CDOT TAP grant—now expected to hear next week.
• Fleet is getting snow equipment ready for the winter.
• I am working with Vitality Films (who did the Grand Day Co video) on a project to market Mesa Grand’s industrial land the land owners are paying for.

FRUITA IN THE NEWS (or related news to the area):

• Fruita wins grant to connect trail to Kokopelli
• Skeletal remains recovered from BLM land near Fruita
• Moose on the loose in Fruit TV spot
• County clerk poised to cut staff positions
• Biz Buzz—Children’s Nature Center moving to mall

UPCOMING EVENTS (When an RSVP is required I will include the information. I also ask that you let Deb know if you plan to attend so we can make sure to post if multiple council members plan to attend. Deb would also be happy to RSVP for you.):

• Tomorrow, October 15 from 8 am – 6pm is the Colorado Backcountry Biker annual Flat Tire Blowout event that includes the Alley Cat Race.
• October 15 AGNC has a meeting scheduled for AGNC members with Lt. Governor Donna Lynne at the Rifle Administration Building, 195 W. 14th St. at 9:30 am. RSVP here
• October 15 is also STRiVE’s biggest fundraising event Rollin’ on the River (flyer below).
• Monday, October 17 from 4-5:30 pm is the 2017 USA Cycling Collegiate Road National Championships celebration at Hot Tomato. RSVP here
• October 20, 4-7 pm is the 30th anniversary Year Kick-off Party for the Business Incubator Center at 2591 Legacy Way in Grand Junction with food, libations, awards and more.
• October 22 the Fruita Police Department will be participating in the National Prescription Take Back Day from 10 am – 2 pm.
• October 22 the Police Department is also hosting a Feral Cat Forum at the Community Center.
• October 22 is the John McConnell Math & Science Center & Chevron Bioluminescence and Resilience at the Double tree hotel beginning at 5:30 (cocktails, hands-on experiments and live music), 7pm dinner and 8 pm guest speaker—tickets $75.
• October 26 Chamber Director Frank Ladd and I are conducting an Economic Development Summit at Cavalcade from 6-8 pm to discuss economic development efforts to local businesses.
• October 29 is Truck-N-Treat from 10 am – 12 pm at Civic Center Park.
• October 31 is Trick or Treat Street from 3-5 pm.
• November 7 is the Rim Rock Marathon and the Fruita 0.038 marathon.
• The Fruita Community Calendar is available on the website.
• The 2016 Events Information is also available online.

CC:  Department Directors