[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6232215,"mediaKeyId","3426191-1a29f60cc94bec2e9d1ea18ac1748b97","parentId",3426191,"title","Town staff update strategic plan progress; grants and AMI funding remain uncertain","audioSeconds",343,"startMs",116000,"endMs",459000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3426191-1a29f60cc94bec2e9d1ea18ac1748b97&start=116&end=459","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3426191-1a29f60cc94bec2e9d1ea18ac1748b97/thumbnail_116000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6232215/Colorado/Town-staff-update-strategic-plan-progress-grants-and-AMI-funding-remain-uncertain","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6232215-5234a13af7be08ebeff45a31dda3d262/orig.mp4?Expires=1770810264&Signature=TdBqFZ8gXkWg7XpnroczEPwNMb1Tkw9fcIZKwnbXzQ6xBLFFzaiXmamiKXHhIa0Fs4v5-65RO4273cgBfDWFaODyqsVoqjtdDR6Ypw2-gDORjDnjzQXH3wrxuaQoXxM3WpYJlNF-dmjeQiumN0ZD~3uB-pbZkjsk260o-A7eeNo0ht7aWwVQsuLWCIHwvKfug9wHNc1WW9Gc99AbUDCBG~jmbQcC3VFZ4f-xpcBZC5RxfNriBnJ4WhLIv4s-lG1JYyOQXymZx5Jub0gxSy-i3z3Zx5jDjQSiGOllOG-OquwnL7e~xSnkDDr8HEC8k7EGF6ZnOzfPUXLIxU9QsfvAkQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-21T16:52:40.017Z","article","Town staff summarized progress tied to Wellington’s strategic plan and upcoming CIP priorities and warned trustees that several grant outcomes remain uncertain.

Stephanie Anderson told trustees the water treatment plant project “was completed on time and under budget,” and the Cleveland Avenue construction project is advancing from 60% toward 90% design with a likely summer town hall for public feedback. Staff also reported the parks, recreation and trails master plan kickoff was held the same day and that a community center feasibility study and other parks projects are in process.

On utilities, staff identified an automated metering infrastructure (AMI) grant application for which the town expected a response in May; staff said they had not yet received confirmation and that the town budgeted the AMI project in the CIP so it could proceed if grant funding did not materialize. Staff also described ongoing outreach regarding a congressionally directed Viewpoint Lift Station grant; the town said contact with the project manager has been difficult and a consultant meeting was scheduled to seek clarity.

Other items in progress: sanitary sewer infrastructure work, a housing needs and affordability assessment (completed with planning and grant elements), vehicle/equipment purchases for parks and completed fleet and HVAC work at the Municipal Service Building. NorthLine Public Finance completed a prospective revenue and resource analysis for upcoming projects.

Trustees asked staff to track grant statuses and bring updates when staff has definitive notice. No formal decisions were made at the work session; staff said they will return with budget implications as part of the 2026 budget process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Trustees Work Session - May 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Staff reviewed strategic‑plan milestones—water treatment plant finished on time and under budget, Cleveland Avenue design advancing to 90%, parks/master‑plan kickoff—and told trustees some grants (AMI and Viewpoint Lift Station) remain unresolved; AMI is budgeted in CIP as a town‑funded fallback.","taxTitle","Wellington Town, Larimer County, Colorado","taxId",70591,"location","Colorado","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6232221,"Board discusses home rule, branding and incentive tools to spur commercial growth",2952,1486000,4438000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3426191-1a29f60cc94bec2e9d1ea18ac1748b97&start=1486&end=4438","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3426191-1a29f60cc94bec2e9d1ea18ac1748b97/thumbnail_1486000.jpg","/articles/6232221/Colorado/Board-discusses-home-rule-branding-and-incentive-tools-to-spur-commercial-growth","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6232221-ca7bd9347b1e023327220708950b3c68/orig.mp4?Expires=1770810264&Signature=hYX3z-eg4i-AGhrR9F59NHfK6UCtYKqd4AzpVzkr2QHlR5Pvx2bn9Eyijenb6V9nAQBXKHrx7exFfno55xiOVN2sATjSVq3jLLV4IrY2yWWpLJhPH~ipfEaJNmLzMCmEaXV1Aaq9QegVnpCqz1hJUyn8VGO3v1RZVBB7R04lqjhVOwXj9fGVFHDG2dZyDwhZJuBN1RY41qMe4LopgEok04Cjz9YBWG4YBjVFSKjxwLryP2QmgtPxnqZzQYJ2NmyWyP8Stjb0bLUn9gNAuJDGDFtTYNJWPjEiZAyWhjAgE1Luka4lYvrtA1c-pTV93kwtQ7Xc-YmxKW8dxa0-sacSZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Wellington trustees used the May 20 work session to discuss structural changes and incentives aimed at attracting commercial development, including home rule, tax tools and staffing.

Several trustees said pursuing a home rule charter should be a top priority. “Home rule gives us more flexibility to work with developers,” one trustee said, proposing an education and outreach campaign and noting a budget item of about $70,000 as a minimum based on other towns’ recent efforts. Trustees debated whether to target an April special election or a November ballot and asked staff to develop a calendar and outreach plan.

Trustees discussed tools available under home rule or urban renewal authorities—tax increment financing, urban renewal/DDR tools and DDA/TIF mechanisms—to reduce developer risk. One trustee described municipalities that used TIF and urban renewal to fund soil testing, environmental cleanup and other pre‑development investments that made downtown parcels viable for infill projects. Staff and trustees noted those strategies can be expensive and require clear policy decisions about whether local taxes are used to support development.

Trustees also endorsed several near‑term economic steps: hire a business development manager (staff said a draft job description is with human resources and the goal is to onboard by late summer), coordinate with the Chamber and Main Street on a ‘shop local’ campaign, and pursue property‑by‑property risk‑reduction (testing or insurance) to market vacant downtown parcels to potential developers.

Board members recommended investing in a town brand and marketing effort to support economic development and to “capture” momentum from recent projects such as the parks and Main Street initiatives. No formal motion was adopted; staff were directed to return with costs, proposed timelines and legal considerations for home rule, incentive programs and a proposed business‑development position.","Trustees debated pursuing a home rule charter to gain tools such as tax increment financing (TIF) and urban renewal authorities, talked about hiring a business development manager, and discussed branding and property‑level risk‑reduction strategies to attract development.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6232226,"Trustees consider affordable‑housing fund, acquisition strategy and development fees",1011,996000,2007000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3426191-1a29f60cc94bec2e9d1ea18ac1748b97&start=996&end=2007","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3426191-1a29f60cc94bec2e9d1ea18ac1748b97/thumbnail_996000.jpg","/articles/6232226/Colorado/Trustees-consider-affordablehousing-fund-acquisition-strategy-and-development-fees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6232226-b0c60cd43a4c07789acc6af9e9dcd1f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770810264&Signature=n-D3yfQqLRN5erm3nb0atdbaEMfWTWpHW1UU1P5lPjdi2HuTNo8A6liIBbEsBd2pOles1zVmuB8dAeS3Hg51jZnCsDmhfQ8PI45XKS4-~k~SD2vz8KsjMmg35kOZRH5ZgzzxgmUAsVVMwX4IK7vWAG7ZsQ7cT0l58n2oEqkcpq8kgLPefjl5g~xAdx7~x1F9kmwwQ4ps4HpvyFvGGmcoDRSneIOdf8VQQQmAawynLURWRl8iqqWJ-A3sLjMUiQCK7VSomoN50M3dPKQ1NCPgpZqPjrGCXIqO7bL5RwsB1rMLX1aeI7rTl04ZLTQqNZxKYrUn~xJMON5wCaFAti~J2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Trustees debated policy tools and funding mechanisms to increase affordable housing supply in Wellington, including an acquisition fund, an affordable housing trust and developer incentives.

Trustee Moore proposed broadening the town’s acquisition fund to include property purchases for affordable housing and establishing an affordable housing trust or land trust. “We have property that could be put into one that the town owns, should it become available,” Moore said, and suggested the town prepare to move quickly if suitable land becomes available.

Board members discussed multiple funding options: dedicating leftover project savings to an affordable housing fund, assessing development fees or impact fees to create a revenue stream, and using tax mechanisms such as a trust or district. One trustee recommended studying Golden’s model where a fund exists even if initially empty.

Staff and trustees also raised grant sources and programs to supplement local funds. A trustee suggested investigating Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and HUD programs; staff noted CDBG had not been used by the town previously and said they would research applicability. Another trustee said creating a housing special district—where multiple jurisdictions contribute—was used elsewhere as a way to pool resources.

Trustees discussed practical next steps: evaluate whether the town’s acquisition fund on page 13 of the CIP could be reauthorized or expanded for affordable housing, task staff to model revenue impacts of development fees, and explore formation costs and timelines for an affordable housing trust or special district. No formal action was taken; trustees directed staff to return with options and cost estimates for inclusion in the 2026 budget discussions.","At the work session trustees discussed creating or expanding an Affordable Housing Fund or land trust, repurposing an acquisition fund for housing, exploring development‑fee policy and special districts, and seeking grant sources such as CDBG or HUD to support affordability programs.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6232231,"Wellington trustees press for emergency‑spending policy and continuity plan",2974,739000,3713000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3426191-1a29f60cc94bec2e9d1ea18ac1748b97&start=739&end=3713","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3426191-1a29f60cc94bec2e9d1ea18ac1748b97/thumbnail_739000.jpg","/articles/6232231/Colorado/Wellington-trustees-press-for-emergencyspending-policy-and-continuity-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6232231-06fefbf0bd4d24e5f24b2f6524ca1e73/orig.mp4?Expires=1770810264&Signature=Fxe7oFxnoU0TynPcFi8j8wLLcMPUaYtRWJ-sz22POLPLHoGgEsdsc8cMTRKmPE6bevD9Nfe6G8F48EvbiIg7iYGHDTdMxnqByhNSDmo~ZvcGo26VqXO9DOH1YRaoZvJE9oGaGoRmL4LsQpi6p5oWadmD3Me1zSOg7NheSnO7dExo41rXiNgv-iATKoeWJZz1SKs0XMPaCeEWtfBE5bYMfee3qVgs0beXeq9koyaJS0MAG427bVby7tqQH8TVyXEDQnRBpSlYqP-5b1KEhhgtf7xPzRxPLUzGbvOXt1WyEW4soI5ELV4JRgrQ2egAHsk99aHulskeo9u-aLD1KTB1uQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Trustees at a Wellington Town work session on May 20 focused on formalizing how the town would spend money and keep essential services running during disasters.

Trustee Daley asked the board to “focus on policy regarding spending associated with disasters or emergencies,” and said the work should include a comprehensive emergency plan and continuity of operations planning so the town knows “what required resources are necessary.”

The request followed a recent tabletop exercise and staff warnings about the scale of work needed. Kelly, a town staff member, told trustees the emergency operations plan (EOP) can be developed from templates, but the continuity of operations plan—“this system goes down. What’s next?”—is a larger effort and “is more of like an 8 to 12 month process.” Kelly said the town may need to budget to hire a consultant to help draft a COOP.

Mayor Merry Prestes and several trustees said the town already has some mutual‑aid arrangements. A staff member noted the board previously approved a signed memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Larimer County and local response partners; trustees said that MOU provides some emergency support but does not replace a town COOP.

Trustees discussed phasing tasks so the town can deliver near‑term items such as a communications protocol while working toward a full COOP. Staff said an immediate, narrower budget request to outsource portions of the work is likely, while other pieces could be done in‑house if the board accepts tradeoffs in staff time and priorities.

Trustees also asked staff to identify whether generators, potable water contingencies and alternate community spaces would be included in the draft COOP; staff said those are standard COOP elements and would be evaluated as part of scoping.

Trustee Moore noted that public confidence depends on clear, open communication about emergency planning and its limits, and asked staff to return with a proposed calendar and cost estimates for phased work.

Staff said they will circulate the MOU and follow up with trustees individually if clarification is needed before bringing budget requests or a draft scope back to the board.

The session produced discussion and direction to develop scopes and budget estimates; no formal vote or ordinance was taken.

The board instructed staff to return with cost estimates and a recommended phasing plan that would allow a communications protocol and EOP to be advanced quickly while scheduling the more time‑intensive COOP work for the coming budget year.","Trustees at Wellington’s May work session prioritized creation of a disaster‑spending policy, an emergency operations plan and a longer continuity of operations (COOP) plan; staff said parts can be outsourced but COOP could take eight to 12 months.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Town staff update strategic plan progress; grants and AMI funding remain uncertain

Board discusses home rule, branding and incentive tools to spur commercial growth

Trustees consider affordable‑housing fund, acquisition strategy and development fees

Wellington trustees press for emergency‑spending policy and continuity plan