The Yuma City Council is considering putting a moratorium on certain residential modifications until updated regulations can be adopted.
The discussion came during the council’s regular meeting last week. Mayor Tim McClung, Mayor Pro-tem, and council members Dan Baucke, Terri Frame, Zach Diaz and Marc Shay were in attendance. Vanessa Dischner was absent.
Ruthanne Goff from the city’s attorney firm participated in the discussion.
McClung explained that there have been several incidences recently of portions of houses being converted in apartments, such as the garage. The city recently issued a stop-work order on one such project.
The reference is auxiliary dwelling units.
One of the issues is it results in parking problems.
It turns out the city does not have specific regulations for such instances, including off-street parking.
Therefore, the council is considering issuing a moratorium on auxiliary dwelling units. Council members stressed it does not want to stop all construction, just the change of use at residences until an ordinance can be adopted.
Goff said a moratorium typically lasts three to six months. It would take an ordinance, which Goff said it possibly could be ready for the council’s May 20 meeting. It would need to specifically identify auxiliary dwelling units.
During the moratorium, an ordinance could be drafted and accepted these specific construction projects. Goff said that could be completed in at least six months, if not earlier.
The council likely will have a moratorium ordinance before them at the next meeting.
Street work
The council discussed options for the Third and Fourth Avenue Street Project.
The drainage report from the engineering firm SEH that going from a 36-inch pipe to a 54-inch pipe still would not be able to handle a 10-year or 100-year flood, so recommended also putting in box culverts that would cost roughly another $1 million.
The city currently has $3 million dedicated to the drainage and street repaving project, covering a total of three blocks.
One option is to do nothing but put in new 36-inch pipe. Another option to is to replace with the bigger pipe that at least will allow for more capacity. A third option is to replace the pipe and install the box culverts. After much discussion, the council decided to move forward with installing the 54-inch storm pipe in Fourth Avenue. The city has submitted a grant request to the Department of Local Affairs for the project. If the city does not get the grant, the council will reconsider whether or not to install the bigger drainage pipe.
More meeting
• Rates for the Yuma Ambulance Service were increased through a resolution. The basic life support rate now is $1,425, and the advanced life support rate is $2,000. All other rates remain the same. It was explained that Medicare and Medicaid still will pay what they pay, but it will increase revenue from private insurance, and possibly single-payors, though that proves to be the most difficult to collect.
• The council discussed meeting this past Tuesday to go over candidates for city manager. In-person interviews and related activities will take place sometime in coming weeks.
• There was discussion about putting charter changes and a lodging tax on the November election ballot.
• The Consent Agenda included the purchase of an Alley Preparation Machine, and the purchase of fireworks for the Third of July show.
• A proclamation declaring May 18-24 as EMS Week was read and approved.
• A grant application for the T-Mobile Hometown Grant for restroom upgrades at City Park was approved. It is for $50,000 and does not require a match. The council directed administration that if a grant does not require matching funds, just move ahead with the application without having to bring it to the council. If a grant does require a match, it still will come before the council.
• A resolution approving a Colorado Division of Aeronautics Grant for the taxiway A2 reconstruction at the Yuma Municipal Airport was approved. It will provide an additional $118,947 to the project, with the city’s match being $2,974.
• Following an executive session, a motion was passed appointing Sgt. Curtis Witte as the interim chief of police. Chief Jerry Thompson has left the YPD for a job in the private sector.