April Election Set for Granada Trustees

Granada residents will vote on April 5^th for four trustee board members and the mayor’s seat.  None of the four Trustees, Martin Jensen, Glenn Otto, Deb Choat or Tom Sanchez have indicated at this time that they will make a bid for re-election.  Mayor C.W. DeForest has not mentioned a commitment to run for re-election as of the monthly board meeting on January 13th.  Town Clerk Jackie Malone stated that any candidate has until 4:30pm on January 25^th to make a commitment for the April vote.  The three trustees who receive the majority of votes will serve four year terms and the trustee with the lowest number of votes will serve a two year term.

The Trustees approved a contract renewal for two years with SECPA, Southeast Colorado Power Authority, to provide the community with electricity. The new contract calls for a 20% reduction per kilowatt/hour for customers and that will be reduced to 10% the following year.  The contract, in addition to the discount, did include a $0.012 increase per kw/hr.  It was noted that after the new agreement, all future contracts will be for only one year, a departure from earlier, and more lengthy agreements.  A resolution passed that offers some word changes to Ordinance 2013-2, pertaining to the community’s flood plain map which substitutes ‘Granada’ for ‘County’ in the publication.  The Trustees ratified an earlier e-mail vote to increase employee Christmas bonuses by $25.

Granada Police Chief, David Dougherty, reported that the CDOT Safe Routes to School project is nearing completion on South Hoisington Street pending some drainage issues. Dougherty raised a concern over residents owning more than three dogs on their property.  He explained that the current ordinance allows for three, but a kennel license is needed for more and there is no price mentioned in the ordinance.  It was suggested that an initial fee of $100 be set for the first year and $50 for subsequent years.  A resident must also receive annual and unanimous approval from anyone living within 400 feet of the kennel and that must be documented to the Trustees.  Dougherty also mentioned that it will be automatic, that anyone owning a pit bull must provide a standard kennel for it.  Term limits are expiring for three members of the Granada Victims Assistance Law Enforcement Board (VALE).  Chief Dougherty explained that some members will continue their membership if no replacements can be found.  Two residents have volunteered for the positions, but that leaves one open and the Trustees said they need a firm commitment from at least one of those three before any appointments can be made.

By Russ Baldwin