Montrose City Council Meeting Recap

The Montrose City Council met for its regular session on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, covering a full agenda that included recognition of a beloved arts educator, approval of the 2026 city budget, support for new housing and child care, zoning changes, and a new liquor license for a locally owned restaurant.

All councilors and the Youth Council representative were present.

Meeting Summary and Key Points

Eerie 66 North is on track to open at 232 East Main Street, with its liquor license approved.
The 2026 city budget and municipal budget resolution have been adopted, with 168 million dollars in appropriations, including support for a public works facility.
A land swap is moving forward on first reading to support Volunteers of America and help Magic Circle Players secure their theater site.
Haven House received support through a grant modification that allows more cost-effective, modular construction for expanded services.
Zoning changes will slightly expand highway commercial zoning in one area and adjust manufactured housing zoning in another with reduced maximum density.
New lodging tax revenue is now flowing to child care, housing, transit, tourism, and right of way projects, supported by strong hotel collections.

Honoring a Community Arts Leader

The meeting opened with the You Make a Difference Award, presented to Miss Pang Cooper, a dance educator described as a “cornerstone of Weehawken Dance.”

Miss Pang was nominated by 24 community members for her deep impact on local families and the regional arts community. Council highlighted that she:

Teaches nearly 100 students each week
Builds confidence, courage, and belonging in young dancers
Volunteers her time to sew costumes, offer one-on-one coaching, and mentor new instructors
Helps students explore college and pre-professional dance opportunities
Brings world-class training from Thailand, England, and the United States to Western Colorado
Supports community events, including local festivals and an annual Thanksgiving dinner
Helps bring more than 5,000 community members together each year through major productions

Miss Pang expressed surprise and gratitude, reflecting on how much she has contributed without always realizing the full scope of her impact.

New Liquor License for Eerie 66 North on Main Street

Council held a public hearing for a new hotel and restaurant liquor license at 232 East Main Street for Eerie 66 North LLC, which plans to open a restaurant in downtown Montrose.

Owners Spencer and Katie Graves shared the story of their business:

Eerie 66 began ten years ago in a 1966 Airstream trailer in Ridgway
The business moved into a brick-and-mortar space about seven years ago
The restaurant focuses on local grass-fed beef, pork, grains, and other products sourced from area farmers and ranchers
The owners see their restaurant as a community hub and want to play a similar role in Montrose
Their family lives in Montrose and their children attend local schools

City staff confirmed that:

All fees have been paid
Required postings and legal notices have been completed
The application complies with Colorado liquor laws and local procedures

A petition in support of the license gathered 100 signatures, with 74 valid signatures from residents inside city limits and several written comments of enthusiasm.

The applicants outlined how they will handle alcohol service:

All servers and bartenders are TIPS certified
Staff are trained to check IDs and to card anyone who appears younger than 40
The business has internal limits for safe service and trains staff to watch for signs of over-service
Only experienced bartenders are hired to help prevent violations

City staff confirmed that the business has no prior liquor law violations at its existing location.

After a brief discussion and public hearing, council unanimously approved the liquor license for Eerie 66 North.

Council Adopts 2026 Budget and Amends 2025 Budget

Council took two significant actions on city finances:

1. Ordinance 2695 – 2026 Budget Adoption (Second Reading)

Finance Director Shani Wittenberg presented Ordinance 2695 on second reading. The ordinance:

Appropriates funds for the 2026 fiscal year beginning January 1, 2026
Sets total appropriations at 168 million dollars, including funding for a major public works facility project
Reflects about 47 million dollars in additional expenditures compared to the 2025 budget, largely due to that facility project

Wittenberg noted that the budget had already been discussed in several public meetings and at a previous open house. No changes were made between first and second reading.

Council opened the item for public comment. No residents spoke.
Council then unanimously approved Ordinance 2695 on second reading.

2. Resolution 2025-20 – Adopting the 2026 Municipal Budget

Council then considered Resolution 2025-20, which formally adopts the 2026 municipal budget in line with the ordinance.

Again, no public comments were offered.
Council unanimously approved the resolution.

3. Ordinance 2698 – 2025 Budget Amendment (First Reading)

Council also considered Ordinance 2698 on first reading, which amends the current 2025 budget to reflect items that could not be anticipated when the original budget passed.

These changes cover projects and expenditures previously presented to council throughout the year. The details were discussed at the prior work session and are included in the council packet.

After opening and closing a public hearing with no comments, council unanimously approved Ordinance 2698 on first reading.

Land Swap to Support Volunteers of America and Magic Circle Players

Council heard Ordinance 2699 on first reading, which would authorize the sale of city-owned property off Niagara Road to Volunteers of America (VOA).

City Manager Bill Bell explained:

The city currently owns a parcel near Niagara Road that has been used for snow storage and construction staging
The area around that property includes medical offices, community gardens, and existing VOA facilities near the Montrose Pavilion
VOA owns land around the local Magic Circle Players community theater, where Magic Circle owns its building but not the ground underneath
Magic Circle has faced challenges planning long-term facility improvements because it does not control the land

The proposed arrangement:

The city would transfer its Niagara Road property to VOA
VOA would transfer land under and around the Magic Circle theater to the city
Appraisals show the city’s property is valued about 30,000 dollars higher; VOA would pay the difference
VOA intends to expand senior services and housing on the Niagara site in the future
Magic Circle would then be able to purchase the theater site from the city and launch a capital campaign for long-term facility improvements

Bell described the deal as a “win win” that:

Supports senior services and housing near the pavilion
Helps Magic Circle control its future and continue serving thousands of residents each year through community theater
Reduces conflicts with nearby medical offices that have occasionally been affected by city snow piles and staging activity

Council opened a public hearing; one resident approached but did not ultimately offer detailed comments, and no opposition was voiced.
Council then unanimously approved Ordinance 2699 on first reading. A second reading and final decision are expected at a future meeting, after due diligence by VOA.

Supporting Haven House With a Grant Modification

Council next considered a grant modification letter for a previously awarded Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) in partnership with Haven House, a regional nonprofit that provides housing and support services for families and vulnerable residents.

Because the city is the sponsoring and pass-through agency for CDBG funds, it must approve any changes requested by the state.

Bell explained that:

Haven House is planning to expand housing and add on-site child care
Rising construction costs require shifting from traditional construction to a modular building and slightly reduced square footage
The modification simply updates the grant to reflect this new, more affordable approach

Council members noted that while Haven House is not inside city limits, many of the families it serves are from Montrose or the immediate area. Without Haven House, more pressure would fall on city government to provide services it is not best equipped to deliver.

Council approved authorization for the mayor to sign the grant modification letter, with all votes in favor.

Zoning Changes: One Commercial Expansion, One Housing Adjustment

Senior Planner William Rees presented two zoning items on second reading.

Ordinance 2696 – Parsons Subdivision Lot 1

Location: Lot 1 of the Parsons subdivision
Current zoning: R-4 High Density District
Proposed zoning: B-2 Highway Commercial District

Staff found that:

Conditions in the area have changed since the land was first zoned in 1978
The proposed B-2 zoning is consistent with nearby commercial uses and with the comprehensive plan

Council approved the rezoning with a 4–1 vote, with one councilor opposed.

Ordinance 2697 – 6450 Road Property

Location: 12658 6450 Road (approximately 1.1 acres)
Current zoning: MHR Manufactured Housing Residential District
Proposed zoning: R-6 Medium Density Manufactured Housing District

Rees noted that:

R-6 allows manufactured homes along with other medium density housing options such as triplexes and fourplexes
R-6 also allows accessory dwelling units, which MHR does not
The minimum lot sizes in R-6 are larger than in MHR, resulting in a slight reduction in maximum density
The change aligns with the comprehensive plan’s “residential mixed density medium” designation

Council unanimously approved Ordinance 2697 on second reading.

Sales, Use, and Lodging Tax Update

Sales Tax Manager Leann Whitaker presented the September 2025 sales, use, and excise tax report.

Key points:

General fund sales and use tax collections are slightly below budget for September but remain up year to date compared to 2024
Public safety sales and use tax collections are above budget year to date
The Montrose Recreation District’s share of the sales tax continues to grow modestly and supports the community recreation center
The hotel excise tax increased from 0.9 percent to 6 percent beginning January 1, 2025, following voter approval in November 2024
Hotel excise revenue is significantly higher than last year, helping support:
- Child care
- Affordable housing
- Right of way improvements
- Public transportation
- Tourism

Wittenberg then gave a brief third quarter budget review, noting that:

The general fund and public safety fund are tracking slightly ahead of projected revenues
Spending is in line with the adopted budget
The city recently received notice of a clean audit, and the external auditor was complimentary of staff’s work and financial processes

Youth City Council: Manual Update and Gun Violence Awareness

Youth Council Representative Shiloh shared an update:

The Youth City Council is updating its manual to reflect current values and practices
Members are preparing a proclamation on gun violence awareness, which initially began as a project on drug use awareness
The youth council plans to meet with the police chief to ensure the wording is sensitive and respectful to all community members
Several Youth Council members are traveling to the National League of Cities conference in Salt Lake City, where they will learn from other youth councils and bring new ideas home

Wastewater Plant Tour Highlights Infrastructure Needs

In council comments, members described a recent tour of the wastewater treatment plant:

Despite the facility’s age and equipment that can be up to 50 years old, staff have kept it operating safely and efficiently
City crews sometimes rely on parts from older equipment sources because some components are no longer produced
Council emphasized that upcoming funding and upgrades for water and wastewater infrastructure will be essential and are considered money well spent, even though the projects will be costly

Watch full meeting here: