Council approves lease transfer to Scripps, adopts sewer/ADU connection rule; consent agenda passes

The Grand Junction City Council approved multiple ordinances and routine items on Nov. 19, adopting a lease assignment, a wastewater-code amendment affecting accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and a consent agenda.

City Attorney John Shaver presented Ordinance 52 84, a housekeeping measure authorizing assignment of an existing lease on city property on Grand Mesa from Grey Media Inc. to Scripps Media Inc. Shaver told the council the lease terms are unchanged; "That's roughly $5,000 a year," he said while explaining the revenue is unchanged on assignment. Council Member Van Dyke moved to adopt the ordinance on final passage; Council Member Ballard seconded. The roll call vote was 5to0 in favor.

Utilities Director Randy Kim presented a quasi-judicial ordinance to amend the wastewater code (chapter 13) governing sewer connections for accessory dwelling units. The measure requires an ADU constructed on a parcel with a principal residence to connect to the municipal sewer; the principal residence may maintain a functioning private septic system until it fails, at which time connection would be required. Kim explained the charge for an ADU is 0.72 times a single-family equivalent for utility-service and plant-investment fees. Council adopted the ordinance on final passage by a 5to0 roll-call vote after a staff presentation and no public opposition in the hearing.

Earlier in the meeting Council Member Ballard moved to adopt the consent agenda items 1 through 5; Mayor Pro Tem Lutz seconded. The consent agenda passed by voice vote.

What this means: The lease assignment preserves an ongoing revenue stream for the city without changing payment terms; the wastewater amendment creates a universal requirement that new ADUs connect to sewer and clarifies billing for ADUs and eventual conversion if a primary septic system fails. The council recorded formal roll-call outcomes for the ordinances (both 5to0).