Del Norte Town Board meeting, May 13, 2026
The Del Norte Town Board opened its May 13 meeting by swearing in three newly elected trustees, then spent two and a half hours approving a key plat for a six-unit affordable housing project on Cherry Street, navigating a contested Mayor Pro-tem election, approving liquor renewals, and hearing a plea from the fire district about a ladder truck that cannot safely exit the new fire station.
Three New Trustees Take Oath
Keith Meneke, Danielle Sondrol, and Stephen Coleman were sworn in as trustees at the May 13 meeting, replacing outgoing Trustee Leigh Anne Lobato, Mayor Pro-tem Brenton Williams, and Trustee George “Bob” Muncy, who served the town for 16 years. Coleman participated via Zoom. All three affirmed their oath to uphold the U.S. and Colorado constitutions, the town’s ordinances, and to perform the duties of the office of trustee.
Under Ordinance No. 787, approved later in the meeting, the board adjusted all trustees’ terms to align with the town’s new November election calendar. Meneke and Reynolds hold terms expiring November 2030. Sondrol, Andrew Velasquez, and Louie Velasquez hold terms expiring November 2028. Coleman was elected to complete a remaining two-year term. Mayor Shelly Burnett’s term expires in 2028.
Cherry Street Affordable Housing Plat Approved
The board approved the final plat for six single-family lots on Cherry Street, a required step to allow Xcel Energy to record a utility easement needed before electrical lines can be installed. The Planning Commission had recommended approval. One trustee voted no, saying she wanted more time to review the materials.
Affordable housing consultant Michael Yearman, appearing via Zoom, told the board the project has secured $440,000 through the Strong Communities grant to cover horizontal infrastructure — roads, sidewalks, utilities, service lines, and grading. A construction bid is expected before the board in July. A pre-development grant from DOLA of approximately $49,000 covered the survey, appraisal, market study, and environmental review. A separate $50,000 Proposition 123 expedited review award is helping offset consultant and preliminary costs.
Yearman said the project’s goal is to bring the final purchase price to approximately $225,000 per unit through grant subsidies. Vertical construction currently runs $240,000 to $275,000, with total project costs of $288,000 to $330,000. The town’s median household income is approximately $39,000 to $40,000, making the final Proposition 123 single-family ownership grant — which could reduce unit cost by $70,000 — critical to the project’s affordability. The formal application is due in March 2027.
The Rio Grande Land Trust has expressed strong interest in partnering with the town on vertical construction, Yearman said. The Land Trust would manage the construction loan, hire the general contractor, conduct a buyer lottery, and maintain the long-term deed restriction on affordability required by the grant funding. The board agreed to schedule a work session with the Land Trust.
Mayor Pro-tem Election Raises Conflict-of-Interest Question
The board elected Micah Reynolds as Mayor Pro-tem by a ballot vote of five to one over Trustee Andrew Velasquez, who nominated himself. The vote followed a procedural discussion about whether Reynolds’ role as vice president of the Del Norte Chamber of Commerce board created a conflict of interest in the position.
Newly sworn Trustee Stephen Coleman raised the question, noting that if Reynolds serves as acting mayor when Mayor Burnett is absent, he would need to recuse himself from any Chamber-related votes. Town Attorney Eugene Farish confirmed that Reynolds would need to recuse himself on Chamber votes and, because all town checks require two signatures, the Chamber could face a delay in receiving payments if Reynolds is a required signatory and must recuse himself from signing checks to the Chamber. Farish said Reynolds’ recusal would affect voting only and would not prevent him from presiding over meetings. The board proceeded with the vote. Town Administrator Bernadette Martinez and Trustee Louie Velasquez were added as authorized signatories on town financial accounts under Resolution No. 7-2026.
Fire District Asks Town to Fix Ladder Truck Access Problem
A Del Norte Fire Protection District board member told the board that the department’s ladder truck — which weighs more than 30,000 pounds — cannot turn onto 9th Street from the new north-side fire station without driving off the pavement onto gravel or dirt. All other department vehicles can make the turn safely. The fire district asked the town to either extend the asphalt or add concrete at the edge of 9th Street far enough back to let the ladder truck exit east or west. The preferred route is west, away from school traffic.
The district warned that repeated turns by the ladder truck will open a large hole in the asphalt within three to four months. Town Administrator Bernadette Martinez said the previous board had concluded the pavement cost was not the town’s responsibility. A work session with the fire district and the town’s engineering firm, Element Engineering, was agreed upon to explore shared solutions.
Voters’ Election Date Change Takes Effect
The board unanimously approved Ordinance No. 787, formally implementing the results of two ballot questions approved by Del Norte voters in 2025: moving the regular municipal election from the first Monday in April to the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November of even-numbered years, and limiting elected officials to two consecutive four-year terms. The ordinance adjusts board member term expirations to align with the new calendar without shortening any existing term.
Chamber Wins Letter of Support for Rodeo Arena
Del Norte Chamber of Commerce President Lionel Villasenor requested a letter of support for a proposed rodeo arena on an eight-acre school district lot behind the Rio Grande County Community Park. The arena would measure approximately 200 by 150 feet with stands and operate as a dry facility, with water hauled by tank and electricity provided by the town’s generator. The school district has agreed to lease the lot to the Chamber. The Rio Grande County Board of County Commissioners has already provided a letter of support and agreed to road access.
Town Attorney Farish noted that a rodeo arena is not listed as a permitted or conditional use in the town code, so the Chamber must apply for a conditional use permit, which will first go to the Planning Commission. Trustee Reynolds recused himself from the vote due to his position on the Chamber board. The remaining trustees approved the letter of support unanimously.
Villasenor also proposed that the Chamber take over the town’s Music in the Park series, scaling it from six events to three, and asked the town to redirect the previously allocated funds to the Chamber for that purpose. A trustee objected to redirecting those funds, saying the program has community value and that cemetery maintenance and other priorities should not come at Music in the Park’s expense. The board tabled the item and asked the Chamber to return with a formal proposal.
Special Event Permits, Liquor Renewals Approved
The board approved two permits for the Chamber’s Summer Splash event on June 27 at North Park: a special event permit and a special event alcohol permit. The Chamber plans to expand the beer garden boundary to a riverside area with shade trees, addressing a heat issue from last year’s event. Eco-friendly cups and trash receptacles are required.
Triina Ketola, representing Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, received approval to use North Park June 5 through 7 for a National Field Day trail project with up to 25 volunteers camping Friday and Saturday nights. Portable restrooms and hand-washing stations will be placed at the Pronghorn Trailhead. Police will conduct drive-by patrols during the event.
The board approved three liquor license renewals: Alfalfabet LTD (Trade and Post), beer and wine; Elevated Pairing, LLC (Vault 730), tavern liquor — owner Diana Brier said a sidewalk use permit issue would be resolved the following day; and Everyday Stores, LLC, fermented malt beverage and wine. No representative appeared for Everyday Stores, prompting trustees to direct Town Attorney Farish to draft an ordinance requiring licensees to appear — in person or via Zoom — for renewals.
Police Report Active Theft Investigation, Launch Neighborhood Watch
Chief of Police Frank Archuleta said the department is investigating a series of thefts and burglaries and has identified a suspect. The department is holding off on an arrest to attempt to recover stolen items first. He also reported a UPS driver has been observed on camera not delivering packages to their destination. A neighborhood watch program launches June 19 at 6 p.m. at the annex building, co-sponsored by the county. Six street lights are being added to dark areas of town.
Public Works: Road Patches, Wastewater Plant Progress
Public Works Director Kevin Larimore reported the street sweeper’s broken part has been replaced. About 10 road patches from water line repairs are needed this summer, at an estimated cost of $8,000 from the capital improvement budget. The RV dump station is awaiting parts, which are paid for and in transit. Larimore said he is working with the railroad and county to establish a new access entrance to the wastewater treatment plant site from County Road 31 to handle two years of heavy construction traffic. Monthly design meetings on the plant are ongoing. The water line survey is complete and is being computerized.
Splashpad Equipment Arrives; Water System Decision Pending
A community volunteer presented an update on the North Park Splashpad project. Equipment has arrived and is in storage. The design includes toddler-height spray elements, ground-level jets, a butterfly feature, signage, and donated colored concrete for the pad surface at a cost of approximately $2,000. The main unresolved question is a water recirculation or diversion system. A recirculation system from the splashpad vendor would cost approximately $100,000. Alternatives include a landscape architecture company’s underground capture system or diverting gray water to the town’s irrigation system. The volunteer will return with full quotes for board consideration.
Other Actions
The board adopted a proclamation recognizing May 2026 as Mental Health Month, acknowledging the San Luis Valley Behavioral Health Group’s services and calling on the community to support mental wellness. The board approved the April 8, 2026 minutes and financial accounts. Trustee Coleman was appointed as the mayor’s ex-officio member to the Planning and Zoning Commission; Trustee Andrew Velasquez offered to serve as a backup. The board discussed changing water restriction rules from alternating days to specific watering hours; no action was taken. A DNTO town code change request appeared on the agenda but no representative appeared; the matter is proceeding through the Planning Commission. The board adjourned the regular meeting and entered executive session under C.R.S. 24-6-402(4)(a) for legal advice and real property transaction negotiations.
Town Attorney Drafting Arts, Mural, Criminal Damage Ordinances
Town Attorney Eugene Farish reported he is drafting three ordinances: a public arts commission ordinance to formally organize the town’s artists into a civic role; a mural ordinance to encourage public art while setting reasonable parameters; and a criminal damage ordinance to address jurisdictional questions about whether offenses occurred within town limits or county territory — a distinction that determines whether prosecution goes through the town or the sheriff and district attorney. A board training session was scheduled for May 15 at Farish’s office.
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