Palisade’s Board of Trustees voted unanimously to join the cities of Fruita and Grand Junction along with Mesa County in placing a ban on the sale, exchange or trade of fireworks within the limits of the Town of Palisade. At their meeting on Tuesday, May 22, Trustees agreed that the dry conditions already supported the idea of a fireworks ban. They also pointed out that the ban does not include professional displays of fireworks such as that planned for the opening of the 50th Annual Peach Festival later this summer.
With all Trustees present except Greg Mikolai, the board also discussed the two applicants for an opening on the Planning Commission. Requests for applicants have been posted on the Town website for the past two months since the resignation of Commissioner Greg Anoia at the April meeting of the Planning Commission.
Two apparently qualified candidates, Kale Carlson and Christopher Cole, were interviewed by the Board about their positions on issues like rezoning, as well as the updating of the Town’s Comprehensive Plan. After three consecutive tie-votes by Trustees between the two candidates, Mayor Roger Granat asked that the candidates return for the next meeting of the Board of Trustees when, hopefully, all board members would be present, thereby making a tie-vote impossible. Both applicants agreed to return for the next meeting of the Trustees on Tuesday, June 12.
Former Trustee Penny Prinster announced the arrival of a brood of rubber duckies for adoption by the public before their race down the Colorado River as part of the Town’s annual celebration on the Fourth of July. There will also be family games, music, a free barbecue and a new Wine and Beer Garden in Veterans Memorial Park following the 9 a.m. Parade.
Volunteers are still needed for the 10th Annual Palisade Bluegrass and Roots Festival coming up on June 8, 9 and 10 in Riverbend Park. Town Clerk Lindsey Hill and Volunteer Coordinator Keli Frasier announced that shifts are still available at most positions. Volunteering for a four-hour shift earns a one-day pass to the Festival, and two shifts earns a weekend pass. Besides hearing some great music, it’s a great way to meet your neighbors, and to meet the many visitors that include a volunteer shift or two in their weekend.
Trustee Robynn Sundermeier asked for participation of Trustees as well as citizens of Palisade in a new survey available online on the Town website (www.townofpalisade.org) that was put together by the members of the Parks and Recreation Board. The survey covers areas of interest with regard to park usage as well as to recreation offerings through the Town’s Recreation Department. She also announced that the May meeting of the Parks and Rec Board would be spent volunteering at the fundraiser for the Palisade Plunge that was held last Thursday, May 24 in downtown Palisade.
Trustee Thea Chase expressed some concern over the possibility of some short-term vacation rental homes operating without a town license and in violation of the limit set on the number of short-term vacation rentals to be allowed in town limits. Community Development Director Ron Quarles informed Chase that there is currently a waiting list for applications to become short-term vacation rentals. He suggested spending some time at the upcoming Board Retreat in discussion of the short-term vacation rental topic; do we need to approve more than our current limit of 20 rental homes? Does the code enforcement officer need to be more involved in ferreting out those rentals that are operating without the required licensing?
On another topic, Chase also reported that the Brews & Cruise festival on the first weekend in May was very successful.
Mayor Granat announced that Stage 1 of the new Cameo Sport Shooting Complex (the name will probably change) is set to open on July 1.
New Trustee Jessica Bonds reported on a marketing agenda update by Cranium 360, the Town’s marketing contractor, at the last Tourism Advisory Board meeting on May 8. According to Bonds, Cranium 360 is “doing a great job!”
The next meeting of the Board of Trustees will be held on Tuesday, June 12 at 6 p.m. in the Meeting Room of the Civic Center at 341 West 7th Street in Palisade. Meetings are open and the public is welcome to attend.
