Canon City Mayor Preston Troutman presided over his final council meeting December 15, ending a term marked by what he called “interesting ups and downs and thrills and fun.” Incoming Mayor Phil Lund will be sworn in January 5.
“I’ve actually enjoyed myself, to be honest with you, and appreciate the hard work. I will miss it,” Troutman told the council before adjournment. “My life has been really enhanced quite a bit by just knowing you. You were a good bunch.”
Lund appeared during the meeting’s public comment period to thank Troutman for facilitating the transition. “Mayor Troutman, you have been nothing but gracious to me as we’re making the switch here and has taken me to several meetings that are introducing me to folks,” Lund said. He also thanked Mayor Pro Tem John Hamrick for sending educational emails about city operations over the past two months.
Fred Toney, also scheduled to join the council January 5, thanked current members for their service and support during his learning process.
Canon City Ranks #7 Best Small City Nationally
Council Member Kathy Worthington announced Canon City placed seventh on the “Search for Eden: America’s Best Small Cities” list, a nationwide ranking compiled by a 60-year-old traveler who has visited small towns for years. The ranking appeared November 30 in Florida’s Highlands News-Sun newspaper.
“This gentleman has been around to many, many, many towns and cities,” Worthington said, noting the previous list was published in 2012. “So many times we hear less than favorable things about our own little town.”
Construction Specifications Updated
Council unanimously approved Resolution 23 updating the city’s standard construction specifications for work in city right-of-way. Public Works Director Leo Evans said the specifications hadn’t been comprehensively updated in years and now address new technologies like directional drilling used by telecommunications companies.
Employee Recognition
Human Resources Director Butch Batchelder recognized Ashley Anden for completing five years of city service. Parks and Open Space Director Rex Brady praised Anden’s work ethic, noting she consistently went beyond her splash pad attendant duties to pull weeds, pick up trash, and clean shelters.
City Administrator Compensation
Council adopted Ordinance 21 on second reading, setting city administrator compensation. City attorney Kathryn Sellars of Hoffman, Parker, Wilson, & Carberry confirmed the city received no public comments on the ordinance.
Committee Resignation
Ashlee Sack resigned from the Trails Use Policy Committee, citing demands of her current position. “It has been an honor to serve on the trails committee over the past few years,” Sack wrote in a December 9 letter.
The Vision Committee meeting scheduled for December 18 was canceled due to lack of agenda items.
All council members attended: Tim Dennehy, Gerald Meloni, Amy Schmisseur, Andrea Stein, Emily Tracy, Kathy Worthington and Mayor Pro Tem John Hamrick. Alicia Swearingen of Royal Gorge Vineyard Church delivered the invocation.
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