by Ruth Stodghill
TRINIDAD — A new business is on its way to Trinidad — at the Dec. 5 meeting of the Las Animas County Board of Commissioners, the county approved a special use permit for the tavern “The Crow Bar.”
During a public hearing regarding the application, owner Crispina Arkin spoke to the board about her wish to establish the tavern, located at 1810 North Linden Avenue in the Dill View Addition, Block-2-Lots-8-9-10-11 and 12, which will be called “The Crow Bar.” The proposed special use permit would not change the zoning, but if granted, would allow for a non-conforming use within the zone not otherwise allowed without such a permit.
Bob Lucero, the county’s Land Use Director, spoke to the board as a representative of the planning commission, stating the facility was a tavern in the past but hasn’t been an active business in over ten years. Lucero stated that the building currently meets all building and fire codes, and has had its electrical and plumbing recently updated. The health department will make another walk-through prior to the opening of the establishment.
Commissioner Luis Lopez said, “With the revitalization that we have done as a county through the stewardship of our administration office here in Las Animas county, such as the implementation and revitalization of our sidewalks and improvement projects on the northern side of Linden Avenue, this is a true testament of what you are bringing here to us today.”
With several area residents speaking in favor of the permit and none in opposition, the commissioners unanimously approved the measure.
Water improvements for Model
At an afternoon work session on Dec. 5, the commissioners met with GMS Consulting concerning the Model Water Users Association’s Community Development Block Grant application.
Dannah Koeniger with GMS spoke to the commissioners about the grant project which will improve the water infrastructure in Model as well as the neighboring community of Earl.
Koeniger explained that because the Model/Earl water system serves less than 25 residents, it isn’t considered a public water system by the state. This is advantageous because this frees the system from many of the regulations to which public water systems must adhere, but on the downside, the community has less access to grant funding.
The water system is in need of several improvements, including updated radium treatment capabilities, relining of the backwater catchment pond, and replacing the water line to Earl. To finance the improvements, GMS will be helping the community apply for a Rural Development Grant with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Community Development Block Grant through the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) through a Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program.
The Community Development Block Grant is seeking $600,000 to fund the project. The application deadline is in February, with public hearings that must be scheduled before the grant can move forward.
In other business
The board approved the following measures during the Dec. 5 regular meeting:
• An amended Tyler’s Technologies contract – Finance Director Kristee Coberly explained that the contract originally started in April, but due to a lack of training and support, the new timekeeping system employees will be using via Tyler will not be fully implemented until January. The amended contract reflecting this change means that the county will be receiving a refund from the company.
• Project-Related Experience Letter for Millig Design Build – During discussion, commissioner Felix Lopez
explained that the letter isn’t a recommendation, but rather outlines the experience the county has had thus far with Millig during the courthouse renovation project.
• Perry Stokes DBE Program – According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program is designed to remedy ongoing discrimination and the continuing effects of past discrimination in federally-assisted highway, transit, airport, and highway safety financial assistance transportation contracting markets nationwide. The primary remedial goal and objective of the DBE program is to level the playing field by providing small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals a fair opportunity to compete for federally funded transportation contracts. County administrator Phil Dorenkamp explained that the county is updating its three-year goals as a part of the program.
• Under Funded Courts Grant Extension – The county began seeking this particular grant last year, and is asking for an extension on the grant through the end of 2024 to accommodate the length of time that it is taking to complete renovations at the courthouse, including current work to update the building’s HVAC system.
• Colorado Statewide Internet Portal Authority (SIPA) Agreement and Authorizing Administrator to Execute Agreement – The updated agreement allows SIPA to host the county’s website, which helps the county meet all the necessary ADA requirements for government websites.
• Bills and payroll for the second half of November 2023
The Board met in Executive Session under C.R.S. 24-6-402(4)(f)(I), personnel matters not involving any specific employees who have requested a decision of the matter in open session; any member of this body or an elected official; or personnel policies that do not require the discussion of matters personal to particular employees to discuss a grant writer.
