TORRINGTON – The Torrington City Council met for its first October meeting on Tuesday evening at 5:30 p.m. in the council chambers. Present were Mayor Herb Doby and council members Wayne Deahl, Dennis Kelly, Dr. Richard Patterson, and Shane Viktorin. Mayor Doby called the meeting to order, and the council and attendees recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mayor Doby presented informational items, discussing the upcoming election on Tuesday, November 5, with early voting starting on October 8. Voting, he stated, is the right, responsibility, and privilege of every citizen. In addition to electing office holders, Goshen County residents will vote on a County Sales and Use Tax, which imposes an additional 1% on goods and services beyond the state sales tax, with food and some agricultural purchases exempted. This tax has been in effect for 20 years and supports the City of Torrington’s general fund, which includes capital improvements, maintenance, internet and technology equipment, the airport, the cemetery, and fire and police services. Last year, the city received over $1.25 million out of the total revenue collected, which exceeded $2.5 million. Torrington residents are currently paying a 5.25% sales tax, which includes 4% for the state, 1% for the county, and 0.25% for economic development. The ballot measure would continue this tax rate.

The council then approved the consent agenda after a motion from Patterson and a second from Deahl. The council also approved the current agenda, amended to add an item to approve a grant application for pool repairs submitted to Community Healthcare Foundation Inc., with a motion from Viktorin and a second from Kelly. There were no public comments made during the public forum.

The first action item on the agenda involved declaring an emergency regarding the Dale Jones Municipal Pool. Declaring an emergency would allow the city to award a contract for the repairs without putting the project out for bids. City staff advised that, although it was known that the pool needed repairs for some time, the emergency declaration was now necessary because the work must be done while the temperatures are above freezing during the day, and those windows are limited before the pool is projected to open on Memorial Weekend 2025. Deahl made a motion to declare an emergency, Viktorin seconded the motion, and it passed.

After the emergency was declared for the pool repairs, the council reviewed the contract offered by Advance Pools and Spas Inc. from Golden, Colorado. According to the contract, Advance Pools and Spas would re-surface the pool, add a drain to the wading pool, and replace tile while adding tiles for “No Diving” notices and other markers as required by the state. State requirements for the wading pool include having two skimmers, where the pool currently only has one, but with the additional drain, the city will request a variance to allow the wading pool to comply with state regulations. The total cost for the project is $333,300, with a 10% contingency amount. City staff noted that to secure the funding, many necessary city projects would be postponed. After discussion, Patterson made a motion to accept the contract as presented, Viktorin seconded the motion, and it passed.

In related action items, Deputy Treasurer Christine Nichols presented two grant applications submitted to request funding for the pool repairs. The first had been submitted to the Oregon Trail Community Foundation, requesting $130,100, and the second had been submitted to the Community Healthcare Foundation, requesting $40,000. Nichols stated there were two other grant opportunities the city would apply for in the spring. Both grant applications were approved by the council.

Following the items related to the pool, the council considered Special Event Permits. First, the Farmer’s Market requested a change in the hours of the 2nd Saturday Farmers Market from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. to 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This change would allow for warmer daytime hours. Affected businesses had been notified, and the council approved the modification. A Special Event Permit application was also considered, submitted by the Torrington High School Student Council, to hold a Homecoming Parade on October 10 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. on Main Street. Ava Mattis, a Torrington High sophomore, stated the time and day are different from previous years to encourage more participation and most of the businesses on Main Street had been notified of the event. The permit application was approved, and the council voted to waive the application fee and other costs typically imposed by the city.

The next action item involved awarding a Request for Financial Services to Points West Bank of Torrington. The city is seeking funds to reimburse itself for the purchase of a new Peterbilt Trash Truck and a new Caterpillar Landfill Compactor. The city had received quotes from multiple banks, and Points West had the lowest interest rate at 4.80%. At that rate, the total repayment cost for the city is $1,103,870. Patterson made a motion to approve the Request for Financial Services, Kelly seconded the motion, and it passed.

The council then approved the bills from September 18 through October 1 after a motion from Kelly and a second from Viktorin. The Public Comment period was opened. Fire Chief Luis Correa notified the council of six calls received since the last council meeting including a structure fire on East B Street, a recent incident at Torrington High School, and a motor vehicle accident on Highway 2685. The Fire Department will be making presentations at local schools in support of Fire Prevention Week next week.

The council then adjourned. The next City Council meeting is scheduled for October 15.