Monte Vista council adopts model traffic code, approves design amendment and budget changes; replat OK’d for Dollar General

The Monte Vista City Council on a September 2025 meeting night took a series of formal actions, including adopting the 2025 Model Traffic Code by reference, approving a design-contract amendment related to two surface-transportation grants, passing a budget amendment and approving a replat that consolidates three lots for a proposed Dollar General site.

Top takeaways: The council voted to adopt the 2025 Model Traffic Code as the city's traffic ordinance, approved an amendment to the city’s design contract for combined MMOF and HSIP projects that adds design tasks and purchase-of-temporary-easement work, adopted a resolution amending the 2025 budget, approved an amendment to the nuisance-abatement code on first reading to allow temporary restraining orders in some cases, and approved a replat consolidating lots 6, 7 and 11 in block 5 to allow the Dollar General project to move forward.

Why it matters: The model traffic code brings the city’s traffic regulations into alignment with a current statewide model and standardizes enforcement categories, penalties and definitions. The design amendment combines a multimodal sidewalk project and a highway intersection safety project into a single contract to gain economies of scale and to address projected shortfalls in construction funds. The nuisance-abatement change adds a temporary restraining-order procedure intended for urgent public-safety situations; it was initiated at the request of the municipal judge. The replat clears a property-assembly hurdle for a commercial development.

What the council did (summary of formal actions): - Adopted Ordinance No. 932 to adopt the 2025 Model Traffic Code by reference. City staff described a public hearing process and said Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) expects the signed ordinance promptly; council voted in favor on final action. - Approved Ordinance No. 933 on first reading, amending Section 5-1-407 (abatement of nuisances) to add a temporary restraining-order alternative for urgent public-safety cases. The ordinance was requested to provide additional tools for closing properties used for criminal activity and would proceed to subsequent readings as required. - Approved an amendment to the KLJ Engineering design contract that combines the MMOF (multimodal) sidewalk project and the HSIP Sherman-Intersection project; the amendment covers additional environmental and drainage work, temporary construction-easement acquisition and final bid documents, and includes a not-to-exceed amendment price that covers third-party temporary-easement certification fees. The council authorized the city manager to sign the amendment. - Adopted Resolution 2025-18 amending the 2025 budget, which reflected year-end 2024 adjustments and moved several large projects from the general fund into capital and project funds; the staff report cited a $489,664 increase in unreserved fund balance at year-end 2024 and specific line items added or shifted for grants, capital projects and professional services. - Approved a replat consolidating lots 6, 7 and 11 in Block 5 of the Price Addition into a single lot to accommodate a Dollar General parcel; the planning commission had recommended approval. - Adopted Resolution 2025-19 canceling the November 4, 2025 regular municipal election because the number of candidates did not exceed vacancies; the resolution declared Dale Becker elected mayor and Horacio Naranjo elected to a council seat and left one council seat vacant for later appointment.

Votes at a glance (council recorded roll calls and motions): - Ordinance No. 932 (adopt 2025 Model Traffic Code): motion moved and seconded; roll-call votes recorded as Aye from Councilor Howard, Councilor Watson, Mayor Pro Tem Segola and Mayor Becker; motion carried (4-0; Councilor Lorenz excused). - Ordinance No. 933 (nuisance abatement, first reading): motion moved and seconded; roll-call Aye votes recorded; motion carried on first reading (4-0; Lorenz excused). - Design-contract amendment (KLJ Engineering; MMOF/HSIP combined): motion moved and seconded to approve and authorize the city manager to sign; council voted Aye; motion carried (4-0; Lorenz excused). Amendment included a not-to-exceed amendment price item of $121,060.11 to cover temporary-easement certification and related tasks as described by staff. - Resolution 2025-18 (2025 budget amendment): motion moved and seconded; roll call Aye votes recorded; motion carried. Staff cited $489,664 increased unreserved fund balance at 12/31/2024; the resolution increases general fund budget expenditures by $162,735 and adjusts 1¢ sales tax fund appropriations (ending balance 12/31/2024 shown as $641,157; $412,978 increased expenditures; $228,179 reserved per 1¢ advisory committee recommendation). - Replat (Lots 6, 7 and 11, Block 5, Price Addition): motion to approve replat moved and seconded; roll-call Aye votes recorded; motion carried (4-0; Lorenz excused). - Resolution 2025-19 (cancel election / declare unopposed candidates elected): motion moved and seconded; voice vote or roll call recorded; resolution adopted; clerk to publish cancellation notice and declare winners per municipal code.

Key staff notes and next steps: City staff said CDOT had been consulted on the traffic-code adoption and expected the signed ordinance to be transmitted to CDOT the following morning for their administrative follow-up. For the design amendment, staff said combining the MMOF and HSIP projects would allow the city to use remaining HSIP construction funds and reduce per-unit contractor costs through a larger combined bid. The budget amendment reflects grants, project reclassifications and an unanticipated workers’ comp audit invoice among other adjustments. The replat will allow the landowner to consolidate parcels and proceed with development permitting.

Context and attendance: The council declared a quorum with one councilor excused; public comment included the Monte Vista High presentation earlier in the meeting. Several staff members presented ordinance summaries, contract amendments and budget details during the meeting.