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LOOK FOR REDSTONE REVIEW AT ISSUU.COM / SDCMC VOLUME 19, NUMBER 8
LYONS, COLORADO
RESIDENT / OCCUPANT PRSRT STD ECRWSS US POSTAGE PAID LYONS, CO PERMIT No 2053 $.50
SEPTEMBER 19 / OCTOBER 17, 2018
B •R •I •E •F •S Library construction shifts Recycling Center and RTD lot LYONS – As the new library approaches construction, the town and associated partners have prepared the south side of the Wastewater Treatment Plant center (198 Second Ave.), as the recycling center’s new site, as the library will be located at the current RTD lot site. The town, together with Boulder County, plans to have the recycling center relocated by mid-September. The library’s construction is anticipated to begin in October. In late September (approximately September 21), the RTD lot will permanently close as a parking lot. Please plan accordingly; vehicles parked in the lot after September 21 are subject to towing. Additionally, there is parking along U.S. 36 (eastbound) between Railroad Ave and Park Ave. The Kurt Carlson Skatepark will also be removed around this time, as the building contractors mobilize for library construction. A new skatepark is currently scheduled to be built in Bohn Park, as part of Phase II of the Recovery Project.
September sunflowers.
Library District seeking public input for new director search LYONS – The Lyons Regional Library District is seeking public input to help develop a profile of the ideal candidate for our new library director. We would love to know what strengths or qualifications you think a new library director should possess in order to be successful in our community. Please send your comments by October 31 to: Lyons Library Director Search @ gmail. com.
Free youth mental health first aid class September 29 LYONS – Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand and respond Continue Briefs on Page 6
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PHOTO BY CATHY RIVERS
Water rates, water taps and sales taxes dominate the Town Board discussions By Susan de Castro McCann Redstone Review Editor LYONS – The Lyons Town Board made a motion at the September18 meeting to follow the advice of town staff and to deny the appeal to reduce the utilities/tap fees for Lyons Properties LLC, also known as River Bend. The appeal by Lyons Properties was continued from the September 4 board meeting. Lyons Properties and Wee Casa (Tiny Homes), located at River Bend, sought to prove to the Board of Trustees (BOT) that they were being overcharged for tap fees that were left over from the flood and that they did not use. The town charges Lyons Properties for nine taps fees and $55,000 was owed on their utility bill. The property is owned by Mike Whipp, Kenyon Waugh, Steve Beck, John Eaton, and Jerry Moore. The water taps were due to be shut off on August 15 if no payments were made. At the town board meeting on August 6, Town Administrator Victoria Simonsen said that sewer taps are counted by the same ratio that is used for RVs, which is a ratio of one tap for four RVs. There are 23 tiny homes at Wee Casa at River Bend; tiny homes fall into the RV category. The bill was allowed to escalate because the staff wanted to be business friendly. Cutting off the utilities would be a great hardship since the weddings at River Bend are often booked a year or two in advance, along with caterers, bands, etc. The utility bill eventually grew to $55,000. In July, Kenyon Waugh made a good-faith payment of $5,000 on the utility bill, and in
August about 60 percent of the bill was paid. Lyons Properties went into an appeal process with the town at the September 4 meeting. Both Lyons Properties and the town staff presented their cases. Kenyon Waugh presented the case for Lyons Properties. The issue in question was the nine sewer taps that Waugh said they should not be charged for, and he said that he and his partners were being treated unfairly. Waugh said that $32,440 of the disputed utility bill was paid. Town administrator Victoria Simonsen said at the Sept. 4 meeting that the business was not being treated unfairly and that everyone who lost their property in the flood had to continue to pay their base rate for water and
sewer taps, but not for water usage. The taps, she explained, were valued added to the property. The owner of a property without any taps has to bring in the utilities at great expense. A property with the taps in place is worth much more money. The taps go with the property whether it has a house on it or not. Those homeowners who had lost their houses in the flood were all distraught, for they had to pay their tap fees even when their houses were destroyed and they could not use their water or sewer. For those who were unable to pay the fees, the money was taken out of the sale at the buyout when the houses were purchased by the town or the county with FEMA funding. Trustee Mark Browning pointed out in an 11-page document that Lyons Properties was not discriminated against, it was in fact given privileges that other homeowners and Continue Town on Page 14
Governor and other officials speak at 2013 Flood recovery event By Susan de Castro McCann Redstone Review Editor LYONS – It was a beautiful day in Bohn Park on September 10 when dignitaries gathered with a large group of residents to celebrate the recovery and five-year anniversary of the 2013 flood that ripped through Lyons and gutted the infrastructure. Bohn Park has been largely repaired from the severe water damage it sustained and looked splendid with new walkways, trees, tables and benches. Several new ball fields
Governor John Hickenlooper spoke at an event in Lyons marking five years of recovery since the flood of 2013. will soon be under construction. Mayor Connie Sullivan addressed the Continue Governor on Page 14