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Council hears drilling update, park repairs, grant correction and water concerns
Summary
City staff reported on a drilling project that reached about 160 feet and aims for 1,000 feet, a $2,700 slide repair decision with a temporary safety fix, correction of a 2023 CDBG grant total so the city will receive a final $25,000, six pending RV-related code enforcement cases, and council concern about low reservoir levels.
During reports of officers and staff at the March 4 meeting, City Administrator Dennis Marker told the council the small playground slide will not be replaced immediately; Public Works will remove the broken slide and provide a semi-permanent safety fix pending larger park-improvement funding. Marker said the slide-only repair would cost about $2,700.
Marker also reported that the state reviewed records and confirmed the city’s 2023 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for ballfield improvements totaled $250,000 (not $225,000 as previously thought); the city will be awarded the final $25,000 payment. The City Treasurer provided a brief summary of seven account adjustments made in February totaling less than $150. Marker said the Gunnison Valley Police Department is assisting with six pending code enforcement cases involving RVs and camp trailers used as detached accessory dwellings, and that the State Department of Corrections told the city it had been underbilled by more than $160,000; staff will continue communications to resolve the matter.
Mayor Michael Wanner updated the council on the drilling project: drilling had reached about 160 feet, casing had been installed and concrete poured around it, and the crew planned to continue with a 9¼-inch bit and expected to reach roughly 1,000 feet in eight to nine days before changing equipment. Councilor Stella Hill expressed concern about low reservoir levels and limited snowpack, noting implications for water supply this season.
Separately, Councilor Brian Nielson recommended the council review and possibly update the interlocal agreement governing the Gunnison Valley Fire Department after discovering a 2009 update to the 2005 agreement was missing a page and may contain language concerns. Councilors also discussed possible fundraising to add new Christmas decorations and a Mayor-proposed $150,000 elevator to move senior programming into a larger basement space.
The council recognized the Gunnison Valley High School swim team for its 2026 2A State Championship performance; the team reported a roster of 36 swimmers and several relay and individual medals. The meeting proceeded into closed and executive sessions later and adjourned after returning to open session.
