City Ditches OFF for Season

The City irrigation ditches will be turned off for the season, the afternoon of Friday, September 30th.
Ditch users that have irrigation pumps in the ditches should remove or drain their pumps to prevent damage from lack of water. For more information, contact the Public Works Department at 641-8020 during business hours.

City Meetings Broadcast

City Staff is working with Time-Warner Cable to correct the problem of City Council and Planning Commission meetings not being broadcast over Cable Channel 15. Time Warner has stated there is a hardware computer problem that is not allowing the broadcast of the meetings. They are working on resolving the problem. The City is sorry for any inconvenience to the citizens.

B.O.P.A. a Success

The B.O.P.A. Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event that was held last Saturday was a success. According to City Fire Marshal Dennis Spritzer, over 1,300 gallons of paint, oil and antifreeze was collected. Three pallets of used batteries were collected as well. The materials are transported by environment waste contractor "Clean Harbors", who then disposes the materials in an environmentally safe and approved method.

Fire Marshal Spritzer noted that not as much material was collected as in previous years. Hopefully this means that the citizens of Gunnison and the Valley are getting rid of their stored household wastes in this safe manner. Thanks to all of the workers who assisted with the collection and especially to all of the citizens who participatd by bringing in their hazardous waste for safe disposal.

This Week at Council

City Council will meet in a Regular Session on Tuesday, September 27th at 7pm in the City Council Chambers of City Hall, 201 W. Virginia Avenue. These are the agenda items they will be discussion and acting upon:
Regular Session Meeting Minutes of September 13th
Pre-Scheduled Citizens include -
A presentation from Nancy Osmundson on Restorative Practices
Rick Miller on Sales TAx Auditing
Appointment of the 9 students in the 2011-2011 Youth City Council
New Busines
Action on a request to expend $6850 for the purchase of Fire House storage units
Discussion on the Upper Gunnsion River Water Convservancy District Organization Decree Public Hearing
Discussion on the Air Force Low-Altitude Training Meeting Request
Set a Council hearing on the annual renewal of Chavolo's Mexican Restaurant Liquor License
Excuse Mayor Houck from the meeting (he will be out of town on business)
Ordinances - 2nd and final reading on these ordinances
Ordinance No 8 - Vacation of a portion of East Bidwell Avenue
Ordinance No 9 - Regarding Vacation of South Main Street Utility Easements
City Staff and Council reports
Non-Scheduled Citizens

Packet information for the Council meeting can be found on-line on the City's website under e-packets. City Council encourages all citizens to attend these meetings. If you have an item you would like to discuss with Council, contact City Clerk Gail Davidson at 641-8140 to scheduled to meet with Council.

It's B.O.P.A. Day

And what's a B.O.P.A.? you might ask. B = batteries, O = oil, P = paint, and A = antifreeze.

On Saturday, September 24th, these materials will be collected at the annual Household Hazard Waste Collection Day sponsored by the City of Gunnison and Gunnison County. For a small disposal fee, you can drop off these materials that have been collecting in your garage or house and they will be disposed of in a safe and environmentally correct manner.

The collection site in Gunnison is at the City Shops Facility, 1100 W. Virginia Avenue in Gunnsion (at the west end of Virginia Avenue) starting at 9am and ending at 3pm.

Busy Autumn Weekend in Gunnison

It's a busy autumn weekend in the Gunnison Valley.
The Colorado Strawbale Association's Natural Building Conference gets underway at Western State College on Saturday. This event is partially funded and sponsored by the City of Gunnison.

The Gunnison Farmers' Market continues on Saturday morning starting at 9:30am. The weekly market, held on the 100 Block of East Virginia Avenue by the IOOF Park, has a farmers bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables available, as well as baked goods, food, and arts & crafts products. Come out, stroll among the booths, pick up some wonderful goodies and visit with your friends and neighbors.

Sunday is "National Public Lands Day". In the Valley, you can head out for the annual Hartman Rocks Trails Volunteer Day. Dedicated volunteers help re-route, improve and establish trails at Hartman Rocks. These trails are used by hikers, bikers, motocyclists, and cross country skiers. If you'd like to help, go to the Hartman Rocks Base Area at 9am on Sunday, September 25th. Wear sturdy shoes or boots, wear sunscreen, and bring work gloves and water. Lunch will be provided for the volunteers.

And the best way to spend this weekend - chose your own favored method of transportation and get out into the high country of the valley. Enjoy the quickly changing autumn leaves. They are spectacular!

Gunnison High School Homecoming

It's Gunnison High School Homecoming this week! Here is a schedule of some of the fun events:

Friday, September 23rd at 2pm will see the annual GHS Homecoming Parade starting at Legion Park. The parade will head west on Tomichi (Highway 50) then turn north on Main Street (Highway 135) and end at Ohio Avenue. Come out and enjoy the parade.

At 5pm on Friday evening, the GHS Marching Band will be hosting a tailgating dinner fundraiser in the parking lot of the high school. Raffle tickets will be available for sale during the dinner.

The GHS Homecoming Football game starts at 7pm when the Cowboys take on Aspen HIgh School. The game will be played on the new GHS Football Field and is free for the public. Come out and cheer on the Cowboys!

Budget in the Works

City Council and Staff are busy developing the 2012 City budget. The Councilors will be meeting with City staff members on Tuesday, September 20th, starting at 5pm, to discuss the City Enterprise Funds, including Electric, Water, Wastewater, Ditches, Refuse, Fleet, Cranor Hill, Pool, Rink, Trails and Communications. Council will then discuss General Fund accounts, including the proposed capital projects to be accomplished in 2012, and City staffing. Projected revenues and expenses will be discussed for each of these funds.

Upcoming Budget Dates include:
10/11 - 2012 Budget formally presented to Council by the City Manager and Finance Director;
Proposed Budget discussion will be on every Council agenda through early December;
11/08 - Public Hearing on Proposed 2012 Budget;
11/22 - First Reading of 2012 Budget Adoption and Set Mill Levy for the year;
12/13 - Second Reading and Adoption of 2012 Budget and Set Mill Levy;
12/15 - Certify the Mill Levy to Gunnison County

The public is always welcome to attend any City Council meeting. Due to the configuration of the meeting in the Council Chambers on September 20th, the meeting will not be broadcast on Cable Channel 15. Tune in next week on September 27th for the Council Regular Session.

City Council at Work

At this evening's (Tuesday, September 6th) City Council Work Session, the Council will be discussing, but not taking action on, the following items:
"Mayors Against Illegal Guns" Program;
Bidwell Street and Utility Easement Vacations;
Trail Easements with the Colorado Dept. of Parks & Wildlife on the VanTuyl Ranch Property;
Proposed Annexation of the VanTuyl Ranch Property;
An Overview of the Employee Compensation Plan for the "new" City Councilors; and
Discussion on the Gunnison Library District November Ballot Questions.
There will be also an Executive Session to discuss potential acquisition of property.
The Executive Session is not open to the public and action is not taken in the session.

The City Council invites the public to attend the open Council Sessions. The meetings are held in the City Council Chambers of City Hall, 201 W. Virginia Avenue in Gunnison. Each meetings information can be viewed on-line in the City's e-packet by going to www.cityofgunnison-co.gov/council/epackets/Default.htm

Fall Recreation Programs

Gunnison Parks & Recreation Fall Programs start this week. It's not too late to sign your child or yourself! up for some fun activities. There is something for everyone.
Youth programs include gymnastics; rock climbing; cheerleading; volleyball; hula hoop; Sporties for Shorties; tae-kwon-do; swimming lessons; diving lessons; tennis; low-fluing trapeze; soccer; football; fall garden camp; junior lifeguarding class; and FUNducation after school.
There is also many programs for adults! These include water aerobics; pickleball; "Real Fitness for Real People"; aerial dance class; adult flag football; beginning square dancing; and table tennis. There is also lifeguard training, 1st Aid, CPR/AED training classes being offered.
There are three ways to register: go to www.GunnisonRec.com or call 641-8060 or stop by the Community Center at 200 East Spencer Avenue.