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MINUTES
Town Hall 551 Hot Springs Blvd Town Council Meeting
Pagosa Spring, CO 81147 January 6, 2026 @ 5:00 PM
A regular meeting of the Pagosa Town Council was called to order on January 6, 2026 at 5:00 PM in
the Town Hall 551 Hot Springs Blvd.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Pierce, Council Member Bergon, Council Member
deGraaf, Council Member DeGuise, Council Member Lindner,
Council Member Martinez, and Council Member Williams
COUNCIL ABSENT:
I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
II. ROLL CALL
III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
IV. DISCLOSURES AND/OR CONFLICT OF INTEREST
None
V. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Ben Fox said the infant and toddler care costs in Pagosa Springs are very high. He said the
Council should support the infant and toddler caregivers. Mr. Bill Hudson said the County
Commissioners discussed how to use an increase in lodgers tax, using it for roads, childcare
support, housing, etc. He said the Town could increase lodgers tax to be used for childcare and
housing support. Ms. Laura Mijares said she works with the Early Childhood Council to work
with local licensed and non-licensed childcare facilities. Ms. Mijares is the Town's representative
to the CAST childcare group.
VI. CONSENT AGENDA

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Town Council
January 6, 2026
1. Approval of the December 16, 2025 Meeting Minutes
2. Ratify Letter of Support for SolidGround Solutions
Council Member Lindner moved to approve the consent agenda, Council Member DeGuise
s econded.
VII. NEW BUSINESS
1. Discussion regarding possible ballot questions to amend the Town’s Home Rule Charter
Staff is asking the Town Council to consider placing items on the April 7th, 2026 election
ballot. The items below would be charter amendments:
1. Municipal Courts’ fine setting authority to the maximum allowed by state law — council
has consensus to put this on the ballot
2. Municipal Courts’ authority for jailable offenses to the state maximum — council has
consensus to put this on the ballot
3. Reducing the number of Town Council Members from 7 members to 5 (one mayor and
four council members) — Council Member Williams said the bigger number allows a more
diverse council with all the changes happening in town. Council Member Lindner said the
seven members works well. Council Member deGraaf said he is in support of a five-member
board and said it could be more functional. Council Member DeGuise said there are fewer
candidates for open seats. Council Member Martinez said there is more discussion and
points of view that are valuable. Council Member Bergon said she is open both ways. This
item will be discussed at the Council retreat.
4. Increasing the monthly stipend provided to the mayor and council members from its
current $300 for the mayor and $200 for council members — Council Member DeGuise said
if there is a tax question on the ballot it will wipe out this questions. Staff said the payments
to council vary by cities. Council Member deGraaf said none of the council does it for the
money. He said the amount of the hours put into the position is well compensated for him.
Council Member Williams said he would like younger folks to participate, and a small stipend
may assist to get qualified candidates. Council Member Martinez said he doesn't want to
see it on the ballot, he donates his salary. This item will be discussed at the Council retreat.
The items below would be possible questions on this April or a future election:
5. Lodgers Tax increase and vehicle rental fee for PARC support, housing, and childcare
6. Excise tax for geothermal soaking use
7. Flood funding of up to $3 million
2. Resolution 2026-01 Supporting Submittal of a Colorado Water Conservation Board Water Supply
Reserve Fund Grant Application for 2025 Flood Recovery Work
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Town Council
January 6, 2026
Resolution 2026-01 supports a grant application from the Colorado Water Conservation
Board (CWCB) and the Water Supply Reserve Fund (WSRF) to further help fund flood
recovery efforts. The funds will assist with completing South 6th Street bank armoring. These
WRSF funds will be paired with funding from the National Resources Conservation Services
(NRCS) Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) fund, which provided funding match for
project costs associated with our flood recovery efforts. The project total is $585,200 and the
Town's match is around $20,000.
Council Member Lindner moved to approve Resolution 2026-01 supporting submittal of a
Colorado Water Conservation Board Water Supply Reserve Fund grant application for 2025
Flood Recovery Work, Town Council Williams seconded.
3. Housing Action Plan Strategy Working Group Appointment
Archuleta County was awarded a grant to pursue the development of a Housing Action Plan
(HAP), now required pursuant to Colorado SB24-174, section 24-32-3705. The HAP process
includes public meetings and the development of a Housing Strategy Working Group. A
Council member representative should be appointed to serve on the work group.
Council Member deGraaf moved to recommend appointing Gary Williams to the Housing
Strategy Working Group, Council Member Lindner seconded.
4. Flood Recovery Funding Efforts Presentation
Project Manager, Kyle Rickert, provided an update on the flood recovery funding efforts. The
estimated cost for repairs from the flood are in the $5-6 million range. Several grants were
applied for and awarded to cover bank stabilization, rock and debris removal, log jam
removal, and dredging of ponds.
The potential funding is approximately $2-3 million, the balance of the funding needs of
approximately $3 million could be obtained from a general obligation bond from CWCB loan
with zero interest for the first three years. The general obligation bond would need to go to a
vote at the April 7, 2026 election and be repaid from capital fund sales tax revenues.
5. Early Childcare and Education 2026 Funding Discussion
Town Manager Harris provided the council with the 2026 early childcare and education
funding application. Council's 2026 adopted budget includes $88,000 for early childcare and
education, which includes daycare centers, in-home daycare centers, and other needs
related to this goal. Ms. Laura Mijares said the infant slots are the ones that are missing, but
the higher age slots are available. She said the criteria the council is looking at is good.
6. Ordinance 1023, First Reading, Authorizing an Amendment to an Agreement with the
Pagosa Springs Medical Center Affecting an Interest in Real Estate (San Juan
Rangers building, 302 San Juan St.)
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Town Council
January 6, 2026
The San Juan Rangers vacated ownership of the property at 302 San Juan Street by
quitclaim deed to Pagosa Springs Medical Center in October 2025. The PSMC and Town
staff support the development of this property and building as an EMS station. Should the
PSMC no longer need this facility, the Town would have the right of first refusal to acquire
the property to add it to the adjacent park.
Council Member deGraaf moved to approve Ordinance 1023, first reading, authorizing an
amendment to an agreement with the Pagosa Springs Medical Center affecting an interest
in real estate (San Juan Rangers building, 302 San Juan St.), Council Member Bergon
seconded.
VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Bill Hudson said SJWCD was going to put in water gauging station and said the Town
should reach out to SJWCD to request a grant.
IX. EXECUTIVE SESSION
1. Executive session pursuant to C.R.S. 24-6-402(4)(e), determining positions relative to matters that
may be subject to negotiations, developing a strategy for negotiations, and instructing negotiations
regarding the pre-development agreement between the Town and Servitas, LLC.
Council Member deGraaf executive session pursuant to C.R.S. 24-6-402(4)(e), determining positions
relative to matters that may be subject to negotiations, developing a strategy for negotiations, and
instructing negotiations regarding the pre-development agreement between the Town and Servitas,
LLC, Council Member Lindner seconded.
Town Council entered executive session at 7:07 pm. Mayor Pierce called the meeting back in regular
session at.7:50 pm.
2. Possible Executive Session per C.R.S. 24-6-402(4)(f), Discussion of a Personnel Matter Regarding
the Town Manager Annual Evaluation
This item is tabled until a future date.
X. MAYOR, COUNCIL, TOWN MANAGER COMMENTS/UPCOMING AGENDA ITEMS
Council Member Lindner said the Reservoir Hill fundraising group has met and would like to give
a brief update on their progress. The Town Council retreat to look at the strategic plan is
scheduled for April 24 or May 15. Staff is working on website updates, alert subscription on
website, Hilltop Cemetery rules updates, and staff leadership training scheduled.
XI. UPCOMING COUNCIL MEETINGS
January 13, 2026 at 5:00 pm: Council Work Session
January 20, 2026 at 5:00 pm: Regular Council Meeting
February 3, 2026 at 5:00 pm: Regular Council Meeting
F ebruary 17, 2026 at 5:00 pm: Regular Council Meeting
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Town Council
January 6, 2026
XII. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Pierce adjourned the meeting at 8:03 pm.
Shari Pierce
Mayor
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