Severance council approves traffic-code adoption, decommissions old siren and clears several routine items

Severance Town Council took several administrative actions on March 25, approving a set of ordinances, resolutions and procedural items intended to update codes and town operations.

Traffic code adoption: Council adopted Ordinance 2025-05 to adopt the 2024 Colorado Model Traffic Code by reference and to include town-specific, non-moving provisions (signage, fines and parking rules). The town attorney revised the draft after Colorado Department of Transportation review so that town-specific amendments do not apply to state highways that run through town; CDOT confirmed the change. Council approved the ordinance on second reading following an amendment that clarifies state-highway exclusions.

Tornado siren decommissioning and alerting: Council voted to decommission the town’s tornado siren system, citing limited geographic coverage and public-safety advantages of phone- and web-based alerts. Staff said Weld County’s CodeRED system already covers many residents (about 2,700 sign-ups at the time of the meeting); the county will issue an RFP for an alert vendor in 2025 and the town will continue public outreach (postcard, social media and HOA/metro outreach) to push residents to sign up.

Recreational easement and reservoir improvements: Council approved a grant of recreational easements and a construction agreement to permit public access features and two fishing docks at the Loop (Eaton Law) Reservoir; the property owner executed matching documents subject to council approval.

Council publications and media policy: Council adopted a formal policy to govern town-published communications and social-media posts originating from the council. The policy clarifies differences between official town communications and individual council members’ personal social media and sets limits for content and word counts for the printed town newsletter (which appears quarterly).

American Legion funding request: Council approved a motion to grant up to $2,000 from the council discretionary fund to the American Legion Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion for commemorative pins recognizing local veterans; the motion passed unanimously by roll call.

Vacancy and appointment process: The council formally accepted Councilor Myers’s resignation and declared a vacancy (Resolution 2025-13R). On council direction, staff recommended an appointment process rather than a costly special election; council voted to fill the vacancy by appointment and asked staff to outline the appointment timetable and application process.

Other routine business: Council approved the consent calendar and the agenda as presented at the meeting’s start; several staff reports and event announcements were received. The town also approved a grant-of-easement item for municipal trail and construction work on the town-owned reservoir land.

Ending: Most votes were unanimous. Councilors said they will provide outreach to residents on alert-system changes and be prepared to revisit communications and public-notice formats as necessary.