The Alamosa Community Recreation Board presented its annual update to the City Council, listing completed projects, planned work and grant-seeking priorities for parks, trails and outdoor recreation.

"Last year, we completed the family recreation weight renovation, the Blanca Vista Park dredging project, the independent ditch diversion improvement projects and the Cole Park smart irrigation system has begun and it's almost complete," Mr. Johnson, a member of the Recreation Board, told council. He said outdoor recreation programs are growing and listed priorities that include finishing the smart water system at Cole Park, securing grant funds for a Cole Park playground and bike park, continuing the Alamosa Riverfront project and finalizing a pedestrian-bridge design. "We're looking forward to start in 02/1926 with a build," Johnson said.

Councilors praised board members and staff. "The staff is terrific at, you know, finding money, grants, different avenues of funding, and prioritizing the money we do get," Councilor Liz Hensley said. Hensley and other council members urged balancing ambitious projects with long-term sustainability and maintenance costs.

During the meeting the council also filled multiple advisory-board vacancies. Staff reported three applicants for the homeless coalition positions, but one applicant was found ineligible; the council appointed Liliana (youth representative, term to expire 06/01/2027) and Lisa Lucero (business community representative, term to expire June 2025 with the option to reapply for a four-year term). The council appointed Gregory Wilson to a library board seat that expires 06/01/2026 and JCentra Hill to a Main Street advisory committee seat (term expires 06/01/2026). Council removed Craig Ray Rawwolf from consideration because staff determined he did not qualify to serve.

Committee reports included updates on the senior center budget and upcoming fundraising, rising library patron use and progress on the city’s creative district application. Staff announcements included a reminder that the council’s next meeting will be March 5 and a light-hearted recap of a Rio Frio festival competition between staff and council.

Votes at a glance

- Approve agenda as presented (motion carried unanimously). Present councilors recorded in roll call: Jan Vigil, Don Krebs, Jim Dominguez, Liz Hensley, Jackie Vigil, Mary Tye Coleman; Councilor Carson absent.

- Accept consent calendar A (motion carried unanimously).

- Appoint Liliana (youth representative) and Lisa Lucero (business community) to the Homeless Coalition, Gregory Wilson to the Library Board, and JCentra Hill to the Main Street Advisory Committee; remove Craig Ray Rawwolf for ineligibility (motion carried unanimously).

The council did not record further public comment on the Recreation Board update or the appointments during the meeting.