ALAMOSA — Members of Alamosa’s city council will have a lot on their plate to discuss Wednesday night.
Preceding the meeting, a work session will be on “regulation of natural medicine facilities." Work sessions are taped and should be available for viewing the next day.
Once the council is called to order, it will consider two proclamations: one on domestic violence awareness and the other recognizing Fire Prevention Week. The Historic Preservation Advisory Committee will also provide an update.
Council members will then move into consideration and discussion of five significant ordinances, with three on second reading, and a resolution.
On second reading, which allows time for public comment, Ordinance No. 21 is designed to make downtown a more vibrant and welcoming place and includes addressing first floor businesses not being open for walk-in hours. Some issues have been reported with real estate offices in particular occupying space on Main Street but never being open. Also, temporary banners being used for too long and starting to look tattered and faded.
Mobile food vending is being discussed both in terms of regulations (ordinance, second reading) and establishing additional food zones (resolution.)
Council will, under first reading, review the budget for 2025.
In addition to a breakdown of anticipated revenue and expenses in departments across the city, the budget also allows for the creation of several positions and includes a 4.2% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) pay raise for city employees plus a 0-4% merit raise for those employees who qualify. According to information from the city, the pay raise, merit raise, raise in state minimum wage and addition or reclassification of personnel have a fiscal impact of $1,047,246 and will be addressed in a separate ordinance on first reading with, as is protocol, a vote by council members.
The council meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 2, in council chambers at 300 Hunt Ave. Those who wish to attend via zoom may do so via the zoom link at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85753492744. Dial-in number is 1-719 359 4580 and webinar ID is 857 5349 2744.
