Town Council approves health insurance renewal

Akron Town Council met Monday, October 4 with five members present. Mayor Brittani Kusel opened the meeting.

After the "Pledge of Allegiance" was said, Randy Hayes of the Colorado Plains Regional Airport gave his report. They are working with the State Department of Aeronautics on the capital improvement plan. Hayes spoke with the commissioners on September 28 and planned to go to the meeting on October 5 to talk to them again about the wind towers and the impact they might have on the airport. He is also going to ask the commissioners to sit down with the airport's engineers to discuss towers and the problems that could affect the airport.

Lt. Sam McCoy from the Sheriff's Office said during the month of September, there were 202 calls and 36 were for patrol officers. There were 14 animal at large calls and the rest were divided up into several different categories.

Town Clerk Dencia Raish spoke to the board about the health insurance renewal for the town. There will be a slight increase in the premiums. The board approved the health insurance renewal. Raish then went over the budget for next year. In November, when they discuss it again, it will be more detailed. In December, the budget will be approved and submitted to the state.

The board approved the Memorandum of Understanding with the Akron Rural Fire Protection District on the new truck for the district. The town will go in on a 50/50 deal to get the truck, but the town's name will not be on the title. The second reading of Ordinance 578, for the Plains Communication Services franchise agreement was approved. The second reading of Ordinance 579 to amend the noise ordinance and the second reading of Ordinance 580 on the pond rules that are posted at the pond were approved.

Attorney Matt Richardson spoke about three agreements Attorney General Phil Reiser had asked for towns to sign. The memorandum of understanding deals with the opioid crisis. The board approved signing the Colorado MOU, which establishes the framework for distributing and sharing these settlement proceeds throughout Colorado. Local governments and the State prepared the Colorado MOU, which prioritizes regionalism, collaboration and abatement. It is expected that the Colorado MOU will also be used for settlements with other opioid defendants in the future, including any settlement from Purdue Pharma's bankruptcy proceeding.

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser signed the MOU on August 26, 2021. The Colorado MOU can be found at www.coag.gov/opioids. Local government officials from across Colorado were involved in the negotiation of the Colorado MOU with the Attorney General's Office. County commissioners, mayors, county and city attorneys and other stakeholders came together with the assistance of Colorado Counties, Inc. ("CCI") and the Colorado Municipal League ("CML") to establish the framework and negotiate the details of the Colorado MOU.

Public Works Director Shane Watson said not much is going on and they are getting ready for colder weather. They are working on the pumps and pressure might not be as high as it has been.

Town Clerk Raish had nothing to add to her report. Attorney Richardson said he was going to talk to the commissioners about the setbacks to make sure the airport is protected.

Trustee Jared Jefferson reported on the CML conference and said a public works grant was approved. Trustee Derek Glosson also reported on the CML conference. Trustee Brandon Hill spoke about the upcoming meeting with the golf board. Trustee Harry Slusser said the town needed to look at the ordinance about weeds in the sidewalk. Trustee Susan Watson said Farmer's Market is done for the year and that Flight for Life has joined Chamber and members of Chamber can receive a discount on dues. The Parade of Lights will be December 2 and the theme will be decided at the next meeting on October 18.

Mayor Kusel said the street dance was a huge success. She added, "The high school kids who attended were awesome. They pitched in before and after to help set up and clean up and it was so nice to see them just pitch in without being asked. It was a great evening."

The next meeting of the Akron Town Council will be at 7 p.m. November 1 at Akron Town Hall.