Erie Town Council Regular Meeting - March 25, 2025
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Erie Town Council Regular Meeting - March 25, 2025
The Erie Town Council met on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting covered a wide range of topics, including consent agenda approvals, public comment, several resolutions for infrastructure and development, presentations from advisory boards, and an executive session. All items requiring a vote were passed unanimously.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the March 11, 2025 Town Council Meeting Minutes.
- Approved the Earth Week Proclamation (sponsored by Council Member Pesaramelli).
- Approved the Arbor Day Proclamation (sponsored by Council Member O’Connor).
- Approved Resolution 25-056 (Sixth Amendment to the agreement with Mile High Flood District for Coal Creek drainage improvements).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Lou Miller (2050 Searwood Place, Erie) spoke on behalf of the Rotary Club of Erie, highlighting the club’s community service activities, including a medical equipment loan closet, scholarships, support for law enforcement, meals on wheels, and a paint recycling event. He expressed the club’s desire to be a team member in the community.
- Michael Zahn (174 Kohler Court) deferred his time to Lou Miller, who advocated for a cohesive branding and marketing program for Erie, suggesting a committee to develop a new logo and slogan.
General Business Items
Child Abuse Prevention Month & Crime Victims’ Rights Week Proclamation
Council Member Hoback read a proclamation declaring April 2025 as Child Abuse Prevention Month and the week of April 6–12, 2025 as Crime Victims’ Rights Week.
Staff Retirement Proclamation for Amy Teetzel
Council Member O’Connor read a proclamation declaring April 3, 2025 as "Amy Teetzel Day" in Erie, recognizing her 17.5 years of service. Deputy Town Manager Wiley and Parks Director Bollinger presented a video tribute and gifts.
County Line Road Street Light Design – Third Amendment (Resolution 25-053)
Public Works Director David Pasic and Civil Engineer Jonathan Williams presented a resolution to amend the professional services agreement with Sanbell-Rocky Mountain to incorporate street light design into the County Line Road widening project. The amendment was approved unanimously.
Xcel Off-site Distribution Line Extension – Joint Funding Agreement (Resolution 25-048)
Town Manager Malcolm Fleming explained that Xcel Energy needs an extension to serve developments in the town center area (Four Corners, Toll Brothers, Ranchwood, town property, Tebow). The total estimated cost is $1.8 million, with Xcel covering about one-third. The town proposed to cover its share plus Tebow’s share from the general fund reserve, to be reimbursed later. After discussion, the resolution was approved unanimously.
Co‑Create Erie (formerly Erie Makerspace) – 2025 Action Plan
Karen Hofmeister, President of Co‑Create Erie, presented plans to establish a nonprofit makerspace at the Schofield Farm property. Estimated annual operating budget is $100,000, with funding from memberships (75%) and donations/grants (25%). The space will offer equipment for woodworking, ceramics, 3D printing, laser cutting, sewing, and printmaking, with membership fees expected around $40‑50/month. The building is slated for renovation later this year, with a target opening in early‑to‑mid 2026. Council expressed support.
Advisory Board Biannual Reports (First Report of 2025)
Airport Economic Development Advisory Board (AEDAB)
Vice Chair Emmett Dowling reported that a 2025 CDOT study showed the Erie Airport generates $23.5 million in annual economic impact. Strong demand for hangars (over 180 on file) persists. The board is planning an Air Fair on September 7, 2025.
Historic Preservation Advisory Board (HPAB)
Chair Mike Turner reported on efforts to secure grants for surveying historic properties and to establish a historic district in Old Town Erie. The board seeks council’s tacit approval to begin public outreach. Council noted the need for further study before moving forward.
Open Space and Trails Advisory Board (OSTAB)
Board Member David Tazik provided updates on the Reynolds property acquisition (40 acres), the Boulder County Prairie Run Open Space project (1,350 acres with trails and wildlife closures), and the Boulder to Erie Regional Trail (BERT), now in preliminary design with an estimated $30 million cost.
Sustainability Advisory Board (SAB)
Members McKenzie McClaske and Karen Linkler reported on the successful Fall Cleanup Day (97 households, 5,372 lbs collected), pollinator support initiatives, community food rescue, idle‑free zone signs, and the upcoming Earth Day/Arbor Day event on April 26, 2025.
Planning Commission
Chair Tim Burns highlighted the commission’s work on land‑use applications and contributions to the Comprehensive Plan update. The commission discussed potentially taking on additional responsibilities as Erie becomes more built out.
Tree Advisory Board (TAB)
Vice Chair Claudia Smalko and Member Patty O’Donnell reported on school outreach (seed‑planting kits), the Arbor Day/Earth Day event (April 26, 2025, with 40+ exhibitors), tree walks, the "Tree Talk" newsletter (700 subscribers), and tree rebate programs.
Staff Reports
The following written reports were noted: Planning & Development Monthly Report (February 2025), Environmental Services Monthly Report (February 2025), and Police Department Annual Report (2024). No discussion occurred.
Council Member Reports & Announcements
- Council Member O’Connor reminded the public of the Police Department’s drug take‑back event on April 26, 2025, and thanked wastewater treatment plant staff for a six‑week manual raking duty after a screen failure.
- Council Member Pesaramelli announced a DRCOG meeting on March 26, 2025.
- Mayor Moore noted work on a timeline for study sessions and the community survey to inform potential tax changes.
Executive Session
Council voted unanimously to enter executive session under C.R.S. § 24‑6‑402(4)(b), (e), (a), and (f) to discuss legal advice, negotiation strategy, real property, and personnel matters (town manager evaluation and contract).
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda: Approved as presented (four items).
- Resolution 25-053 (County Line Road street light design): Approved unanimously.
- Resolution 25-048 (Xcel joint funding agreement): Approved unanimously.
- Executive Session: Approved unanimously (motion by Mayor Pro Tem Bell, seconded).
- All other items: Presentations and reports were received without formal action. No votes were taken on advisory board reports or public comment.
Meeting Transcript
Five a resolution of the town council of the town of Erie approving the sixth amendment for the agreement for the final design right-of-way acquisition and construction of drainage and flood control improvements for Cole Creek from County Line Road to Kenosha Road with the urban drainage and flood control district, otherwise known as Mile High Flood Control District. So at that, we have a motion to approve the consent agenda. So move. Second. All right. We have a motion and second. All in favor, say aye. Aye. All opposed, say no. All right. Motion carries. We'll go right into public comment. And let me just read a short script here and then we'll get right into it. Please remember that public comment is not an interactive question and answer forum, but rather time for you to state your comments on a particular item or issue. Public comment provides the opportunity to discuss items that are not on the agenda or the consent agenda items only. Please sign up using the kiosk in the lobby. And when called upon, please state your name and address for the record. Public comment is limited to three minutes per person. You'll be given a 20-second warning when your three month minutes are almost up. At the three-minute mark, you'll be asked to wrap up your final sentence. All right. With that, uh Ms. Dump, do we have anybody signed up for public comment? Let's see. All right, no problem. All this modern technology. We may have to go back to uh paper and uh pen. I got it. Um is Lou Miller. All right. Good evening. My name is Lou Miller. Uh 2050 Searwood Place, Erie, Colorado. Been out here now for almost 12 years. Uh the mayor asked me to speak this evening in a few minutes about our rotary club. A lot of people don't know what all rotary does and what we do here in the community. Uh it's a global network of over four million people with over 200 countries involved. We're making a positive difference in people's lives in the community in which we live. Our motto is Rotary Service Above Self. Rotary helps to mentor members to be leaders in our community. For me personally, uh from Marshalltown, Iowa. I was going to school at Iowa and my dad dropped a bit of a heart attack. I was a junior at Iowa. I came back and took over their business, started a Big Brother Bridge Sister program and went to Rotary and asked them for a thousand dollars. I was 22 years old. Hell, I didn't know what I was doing. And I impressed them. I smoked them, I got the money. And I started the Big Brother program back then. And they came back to me in my office and said, Lou, we want you to be in rotary.
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