Council orders draft ordinance prepared for 5th St. closure

by Eric Mullens
WALSENBURG —  The Walsenburg City Council’s agenda for Tuesday, Feb. 16 showed the proposed Fifth Street vacation as an ordinance for consideration and potential action, however, there was no ordinance presented for the council to act upon.
The issue was discussed at length in both the finance work session and during the regular meeting with some discussions between the council members and Huerfano County Administrator John Galusha, who, along with the three county commissioners, attended the council session.  Mayor Jim Eccher has said any ordinance regarding the closure of the street should contain a number of conditions the county would have to meet prior to any move to close the street.  City Attorney Dan Hyatt explained to the mayor and council members that some conditions were not allowed and pointed out an ordinance becomes effective within 30-days of passage on second reading.  Eccher has said some of the conditions he feels important is that the county have financing and a traffic study in place before the street vacation is done.  Hyatt said some of those proposals were fine, and said second reading of an ordinance could be put off until certain conditions were met.
It was said at the Fifth Street work session last week, a traffic study was planned, and Galusha confirmed that Tuesday night.  It was noted during the Feb. 10 work session, while many citizens wanted a traffic study, no specifics on what streets or what kind of a study was offered.
During the council session Tuesday, Gaye Davis suggested the areas of study should include traffic flow from a block west of Safeway, and include Hendren, Russell, Albert and the area from Seventh Street to the Main Street railroad crossing.
Galusha suggested the city appoint at least one representative to meet with county officials, the traffic consultants working on the proposal and others to identify areas to be studied.  The city council did not appoint anyone for this purpose.
During the regular session, Mayor Pro Tem Craig Lessar made a motion ‘to instruct the city attorney to provide a draft ordinance (concerning the street vacation) for council to review’.  The motion passed on a 6-1 vote, with council member Charles Montoya voting no.  It is expected the draft ordinance will be presented at the next regular council meeting.  Councilman Dennis Hoyt said, “Before we do anything, I’d like to see more information.” Montoya said to Galusha, “We need to look at other options before we decide to close Fifth Street.”
In other business:
Council heard from Cheryl Rogers during citizens forum regarding the lack of ADA compliance throughout the city, from government entities to private businesses.  Council may, in the future, consider appointing a committee to advise them on ADA compliance issues.
In a unanimous vote, the council supported the proclamation of the week of April 9-16 as ‘Week of the Young Child’.
Eccher announced the Capitol Hill water tank has now been officially closed.  He said while water tested coming out of the old ground storage tank has shown no levels of lead contamination, lead paint has been used inside of the tank and the decision was made not to use it.
The tank has only been used twice in the past five years, to balance water pressure during water line breaks.  Eccher said there are no plans to repair or replace the tank at this time.