Woodland Park council approves multiple contracts, liquor transfers, confirms school-tax repeal and adjusts city manager pay

Woodland Park City Council on June 5 voted unanimously on a package of contracts, license transfers and budget items and confirmed a March emergency repeal of a sales‑tax portion that had funded the Woodland Park School District.

The council approved three vendor contracts: Brave Bear Custom Builders for $59,625 to renovate the planning and human resources offices; Dawson Infrastructure Solutions for $114,731.43 to replace a sewer inspection camera; and Great Plains Structures for $1,048,000 to install a glass‑fused‑to‑steel bolted water tank. Each contract passed on voice or roll call votes with no recorded dissents.

Councilors also approved a special‑event liquor license for the America’s Mountain Festival on July 5, 2025, and approved transfer of an existing hotel & restaurant liquor license from Pikes Peak Barbecue to Pikes View Barbecue at 1139 E. U.S. Highway 24.

On budget matters, the council gave initial posting approval for Ordinance No. 1497, a 2025 supplemental budget ordinance that includes three items: an additional $11,000 for DDA microgrants (bringing additional applications into the program), correction and increase of the DDA legal expense budget line from $10,000 to $30,000, and $23,825 to repair the aquatic center pool boiler (heat exchanger, burner assembly and gaskets). The council set a public hearing on the ordinance for June 19, 2025.

By ordinance the council also confirmed the March 10, 2025 repeal of the 1.09 percentage‑point portion of city sales tax that had supported the Woodland Park School District. City attorney staff told the council the confirmation memorializes the earlier emergency ordinance and clarifies that, under the Colorado Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR), any reimposition of that tax would require voter approval.

On personnel and governance items, the council agreed by consensus to leave a recent council vacancy unfilled until the next regular election (the vacant term expires in April 2026). The council also voted unanimously to adjust City Manager Aaron Vasilotti’s compensation: the motion recorded a new salary figure of $2,223,650, a 5% annual bonus and continued full coverage of his health insurance benefits. Council clarified the contract terms were not being changed, only compensation.

Votes at a glance

- Consent calendar (minutes and April statement of expenditures): approved (unanimous). - Contract: Brave Bear Custom Builders — $59,625 (planning & HR renovations): approved (unanimous). - Contract: Dawson Infrastructure Solutions — $114,731.43 (sewer camera): approved (unanimous). - Contract: Great Plains Structures — $1,048,000 (glass‑fused water tank installation): approved (unanimous). - Ordinance No. 1497 (2025 budget supplemental; initial posting): motion approved to set public hearing for 06/19/2025 (unanimous). - Key supplemental items: +$11,000 DDA microgrants; DDA legal line increase to $30,000 (from $10,000); $23,825 pool boiler repairs. - Special‑event liquor license: America’s Mountain Festival (07/05/2025): approved (unanimous). - Transfer: hotel & restaurant liquor license from Pikes Peak Barbecue to Pikes View Barbecue (1139 E. Highway 24): approved (unanimous). - Ordinance No. 1496 (confirmation of the 03/10/2025 repeal of the 1.09% school‑support sales tax): approved (unanimous). - City Manager compensation adjustment (salary reported in motion: $2,223,650; 5% annual bonus; full health coverage): approved (unanimous).

Discussion and staff notes

- Finance staff reported year‑to‑date general revenue up 4.7% through April (collections received for May) and lodging tax down roughly 32% year‑to‑date; staff noted monthly revenue has fluctuated but April and March showed consecutive increases.

- Public works staff explained the sewer‑camera purchase will replace a 15‑year‑old system that has been repeatedly repaired; the selected bid at ~$114,700 was stated to be the lowest of three. Staff described the camera system as a self‑propelled tractor with lights and reel for inspecting live mains and service lines and noted current mains are generally 8 inches or larger.

- On the glass‑fused tank, staff explained the city considered an epoxy‑lined alternative (~$383,000) but recommended the glass‑fused tank because of longer expected service life (staff cited 50–60 years for glass‑fused versus ~15–20 years for epoxy recoating). Staff said the project remains within the previously budgeted amount.

- City attorney office explained that because the March 10 repeal was adopted as an emergency ordinance, the confirmation by regular ordinance (No. 1496) removes any public confusion and makes clear that TABOR requires voter approval to reimpose the tax.

What the council did not decide

- The council chose by consensus to leave the vacant council seat open rather than appoint a replacement; members said they preferred to wait until the next regular municipal election in about 10 months.

Records and next steps

- The supplemental budget ordinance (No. 1497) public hearing is set for 06/19/2025. - Several procurements and contracts will move to final execution per staff direction.

Sources: Woodland Park City Council meeting transcript, June 5, 2025.