Centerfield seats Craig Buelo, adds subdivision fees and weighs 600 North road costs

The Centerfield City Council filled a vacant council seat on Oct. 7, choosing Craig Buelo over Kaeli Young. According to the approved minutes, Councilmen Collin Edwards, Bart Hammond and Ryan Smith voted for Buelo and Councilman Jon Hansen voted for Young in an open vote. Buelo will serve until Dec. 31, 2027, and the city recorder administered the oath. The council also filled a vacant planning and zoning seat, appointing Becky Edwards over Holly Anderson on a 3-1 vote, with Councilman Edwards recusing himself. ^[1]

After a public hearing at which no one spoke, the council voted 4-0 to amend the consolidated fee schedule with Resolution 2026-8, adding subdivision fees. Minor and major subdivisions will pay $250 plus $25 per lot for the preliminary plat application and the same for the final plat, to help cover the cost of reviewing applications. ^[1]

Courtney Lund, who is developing a car wash, asked the city to share the cost of road improvements along 600 North: raising and paving the road and installing storm drains, dry wells, curb, gutter and sidewalk. The minutes put the estimate for dry wells, roadwork and asphalt at about $65,000, with curb and gutter extra, and Lund said Gunnison City would cover certain work on its half of the road. Council members questioned whether the work is the developer's responsibility or a shared public cost, said they needed to coordinate with Gunnison, and cautioned that contributing beyond the city's obligations could set a precedent. No action was taken; the property owner was asked to bring a cost breakdown to the Oct. 21 meeting. ^[1]

Gunnison Valley Fire Chief Jed Hansen said the department has answered 90 calls this year against 87 in all of last year, about seven of them in Centerfield, and expected to keep its Class 5 insurance rating in an audit scheduled for the following Tuesday. Recent hydrant tests improved in most areas, though some hydrants near 300 to 400 North still showed low flow, and staff identified a valve issue that may be a factor. ^[1]

The council discussed whether to charge police and fire fees on vacant lots, which came up during the city's secondary water meter installation. Members differed on whether vacant lots should pay the same as developed ones, and no decision was made. The council voted 3-0 to waive $871.66 in accumulated late fees on a utility account tied to a property in foreclosure, and approved a $200 sponsorship for the Gunnison Valley High School theater department. Mayor Travis Leatherwood said the county is seeking to renegotiate its student resource officer agreement to reduce its roughly 20% share of the officer's salary, which could affect the city's police budget, and said he was willing to meet with farmers after a local farmer raised concerns about the new irrigation share rates. ^[1]