by Brian Orr
WALSENBURG- After sitting through three and a half hours of hearings before even getting on with their official meeting, the Walsenburg City Council moved briskly through their agenda on Tuesday evening.
Finance Chairman Larry Patrick informed the Council the City’s 2009 budget needed to be approved by Dec. 15 at a special City Council meeting in order to get to the State by their Dec. 16 deadline. He also noted that placement of bids for the construction on the new wastewater treatment plant would be going out soon.
Parks and Recreation Chair Bruce Quintana reported he had met the board of the Walsenburg Golf Course and discussed making changes at the golf course. “It’s our local jewel,” he said. “It’s something we have neglected, but now we will exercise our right to have our own board member.” He would also like to see the County exercise their right to place a board member on the golf course board as well.
City Administrator Eric Pearson informed the Council that El Paso Gas Company was planning on making a financial donation to Walsenburg Wild Waters, but he is unsure of the amount. He also reported that Police Chief Larry Baldonado had hired one new police officer, and almost ready to hire another.
In other business the Council approved Resolution 2008 R-26, which sets utility deposit amounts and delinquency fees was passed, and immediately followed by Resolution 2008 R-27, which gives the City Administrator discretionary authority to deal with individual questions on delinquent fees.
Resolution 2008 R-29, which would set the water and sewer rates for Walsenburg for 2009, was moved to Dec. 2 to allow council members more time to study the issue.
