News Flash

Durango, CO:  (Update: Construction is expected to start this fall, not 2024). Pickleball players flooded council chambers Tuesday to support a mid-year budget adjustments that increased funding for outdoor pickleball courts at Schneider Park.

Council approved all the suggested mid-year budget adjustments suggested by staff and approved by the recently created citizen Financial Advisory Board. Some other projects that received mid-year adjustments include rebuilding north College Drive, which is currently out for bid. 

Councilors held two scheduled meetings: A study session at 2:45 p.m. and a regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, 949 East Second Ave. 

At the study session, council: 

• Discussed staff-proposed capital improvement projects and provided staff feedback on the projects slated to be included in the 2024 Capital Projects Budget. Projects being presented for discussion include the construction on County Road 250 and County Road 251, the Common Threads art installation, and developing an access road to Durango Mesa Park. 
• Heard from Durango Parks and Recreation about the inventory of the city’s six recreational facilities, and the future needs of those facilities. Some future needs include upgrades to the two ropes at the Chapman Hill ski area and replacing the roof at Durango Gymnastics. 

At the regular meeting council:

• Voted to prohibit the open carrying of firearms in city hall. A sign will be posted public entrance of city hall that informs the public that the open carrying of firearms is prohibited on the premises.
• Appointed Devon Schmidt as the city’s chief financial officer. Schmidt has been with the City of Durango since September 2019. She has served in various roles, such as Grants Contract Manager, Interim Finance Director, Assistant Finance Director, Budget and Strategic Planning Officer, and Assistant and Acting Chief Financial Officer.
• Held the final reading of an ordinance that would transition the Durango Local Licensing Authority to be administered by the City Clerk’s Office. Staff is recommending this transition to eliminate excessive meetings and save staff time, to make the issuing of marijuana and liquor licenses a quicker process, and to maintain a thorough review and approval processes interdepartmentally.
• Approved mid-year budget adjustments that includes project increases to put more funding into the city’s forestry plan, $3.6 million for the purchase of the former 9R administration building by the city, and $2.4 million to replace the ski tow lifts at Chapman Hill. 
• Convened in executive session to discuss the lease, transfer, or sale of real property located the corner of Camino del Rio and west College Drive that is currently leased to the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad for parking. No action was taken. 
• Convened in executive session to receive legal advice regarding possible litigation concerning a contract dispute involving JRC Consulting. Council directed City Attorney Mark Morgan proceed with negotiations discussed during the executive session. 
• Convened in executive session to receive legal advice regarding concerning Litigation titled John Simpson v. City of Durango, 2022CV30112 filed in La Plata County District Court. Council directed the city attorney to move forward with resolving legal fees associated with the litigation. 

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Media Contact
Tom Sluis
Public Information Officer 
Phone: (970) 375-5090
Email: Tom.Sluis@durangogov.org

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