Buena Vista Town Hall. Photo by Henry DeKam
The focus of the July 13 meeting of the Buena Vista Board of Trustees was the job search for the new Town Administrator. The board clarified the job description, identified a timeline for the hiring process, and approved a change to expand the residency requirements for potential candidates.
Hiring Process Defined
The timeline has a deadline for applications by 5:00 p.m. on July 6. Candidates would the be reviewed with a goal of publishing the names of finalists by July 25. This would potentially allow a job offer to be made by August 4 at the soonest.
The Town’s attorney Jeff Parker explained the full and proper process for hiring the new administrator. First, the Board must set job search goals, qualifications, duration, and a timeframe for applications. Then the application period is open until the established deadline. Applications are reviewed and candidates vetted, preferably by a hiring committee including two board members and staff. The hiring committee’s goal is to identify finalists from the available candidates to take to the board.
Trustee Sue Cobb and Mayor Libby Fay were selected to be the Board’s representatives on the search committee in addition to five staff members.
Once chosen, the finalists’ names must be published, which triggers a 14-day waiting period wherein a job offer cannot be given. Once the waiting period is up, an offer can be made, and employment terms negotiated. A public meeting is held to finalize matters and where individuals can answer questions in an open setting. Lastly, the Board must approve the final employment agreement.
Residency Definition for Town Administrator Expanded, Interim Duties Established
With a goal to expand the pool of available applicants, the board approved a change to the residency requirement for this position. The previous requirement was that the Town Administrator live within a 15-minute normal drive time to the Town Hall at a distance of no more than 15 miles. The Board moved to increase this to a 30-minute drive time no more than 30 miles away which still keeps applicants largely within the county but not constrained to town limits.
Meanwhile, the Board approved an increase in pay to interim Town Administrator Phillip Puckett who is currently serving as both Town Treasurer and Administrator until the new Town Administrator is hired.
The approved contract outlined Puckett’s duties while wearing two hats for the town. These include:
- Taking over internal operations, such as administrative approvals, staff meetings, Human Resources, agenda-setting with Mayor and Clerk, and direction for Town departments, including IT, Fire and Municipal Court services;
- Attending Board of Trustees meetings as Town Administrator and Town Treasurer;
- Monitoring Town Administrator emails and voicemails and responding and/or delegating critical and top-priority topics;
- Working towards wrapping up top priorities as defined by Board, including helping to conclude the in-progress Planning Director hiring process, rebuilding strategy for the Planning Department, Water Strategy update, Water Ordinance for Dedication and Augmentation and the Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District water purchase agreement.
Puckett will not be expected to handle planning matters, such as subdivisions, annexations, complaints, and developer meetings, extra and non-critical meetings, political topics and public relations, work sessions or special meetings on non-critical topics, or new projects beyond the scope of the contract unless mutually agreed upon.
Crossings Public Hearing Cancelled
The public hearing on The Crossings Preliminary Plat and Rezone was cancelled and is to be rescheduled later. Interim Town Administrator Phillip Puckett explained the project was not far enough along for the public hearing. Delays were caused by staff shortages in the town’s planning department. Puckett recommended canceling the hearing rather than moving it multiple times.
Trustee Devin Rowe confirmed with Puckett that the delay would not affect the awarding of any grants before trustee Swisher moved to cancel the meeting and Rowe seconded the motion.
The topic of The Crossings was confirmed to be a “quasi-judicial matter” for the time being. Anyone who wishes to engage with the board about the project is encouraged to attend the public hearing when it occurs.
Police Warn of Break-ins and Uptick in DUIs
Police Chief Dean Morgan reported no issues during Paddlefest or the Collegiate Peaks Stampede Rodeo. There were three DUIs reported over the weekend, which is higher than normal. Chief Morgan said that an increase in DUIs over the summer is expected.
Chief Morgan said there had been a few break-ins around North Gunnison, Pleasant, Waters, and Brookdale Avenues. The police recommend that residents be sure to lock vehicles, homes, and sheds to reduce the risk of theft. They have canvassed the area and are following up on some Ring doorbell footage in relation to the crimes.
Fire Department Hires New Training Captain
After the departure of Brian Welch, the department hired new training captain Ben Brack. Brack has spent time in Gunnison and Salida and is a welcome new addition to the team. Fire Chief Bertram said there is an open position for an administrative assistant that needs to be filled.
Small businesses were made aware that extension cords are not allowed to be used in commercial occupancies. Chief Bertram reported the department purchased UL-listed surge protectors to help small businesses remove extension cords at a lower cost, removing 11 extension cords from one business.
Other Items
The Board approved moving up their planned meeting from July 27 to July 25.
The Board also moved to allow Mayor Fay to sign a letter of support for the Boys and Girls Club Foundation. The letter states the “Boys and Girls Clubs of Chaffee County (BGCCC) seeks funding to support the Buena Vista Building Great Futures Capital Campaign. This one-time, legacy capital project will forever change the lives of youth and working families in rural Buena Vista. Our dream facility will also work in partnership with the Town of Buena Vista to provide a premier recreational facility for toddlers and seniors, multiplying the impact this building has and bettering the lives of hundreds of families.”
Before adjourning, Trustee Peter Hylton-Hinga emphasized the importance of using the moratorium on new subdivision applications wisely. Trustee Hylton-Hinga thanked Puckett for outlining plans to address water issues and spoke to the need for a clear understanding of goals to achieve during the moratorium.
Trustee Cindie Swisher brought up concerns over delays to a discussion regarding historical preservation guidelines. The board determined that they should check in with the committee involved with that topic, though delays were likely due to the loss of staff in the planning department. Until the planning department is restored or planning positions filled, it would be difficult to pursue the topic further.
The full packet information for the July 13 meeting is available here.
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