The Fort Morgan City Council held a reorganizational special meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 11.
The first half of the meeting included the regular approval of minutes from the Jan. 4 meeting, along with comments from outgoing Ward 3 Councilmember Kevin Lindell and outgoing Mayor Ron Shaver.
“I’d like to take this time to thank the citizens from Ward 3 for putting their confidence in me and giving me these eight years to be able to represent them in City Council. I started out as a typical citizen… learned a heck of a lot over the past eight years, just how complicated that it truly is for the city to run,” said Lindell. “It was nothing but a good experience.”
He also wanted to set one thing straight before he stepped down from his role. Lindell clarified that the reason he opposed the termination of the city manager was not because of their friendship, but because of the way the situation was handled with a lack of rules and procedures.
Mayor Ron Shaver, who attended the meeting via video call due to a positive COVID-19 test, thanked Lindell for his service before sharing his final comments as mayor. Shaver explained how he began his career with the City of Fort Morgan back in 1982, first at a water treatment plant and then at a concrete company. He eventually ended up joining the City Council, which he was dedicated to for a total of 16 years.
“I have enjoyed every minute of it… for the most part, give or take a few times in that period,” said Shaver. “In working with the city, I had the opportunity of working with some very awesome people. It’s been my honor and pleasure to have served the city as an employee for 24 years and as a City Council member and mayor for 16. I’m going to miss it. It’s going to be a tough road to hoe, but I guess I’ll get over it after a little while. I appreciate the opportunity for allowing me to (serve the community).”
Shaver concluded his remarks by expressing his appreciation for his fellow councilmembers.
Lyn Deal then presented Shaver with a gift — from incoming mayor to outgoing mayor. The gift was a desk clock with the inscribed words “for all the years you’ve given,” honoring his 40-year impact on the Fort Morgan community.
The second half of the meeting then began with a historical moment. Fort Morgan’s first female mayor, Mayor Lyn Deal, was sworn in by Municipal Judge Charles Peters.
Following her own Oath of Office, Deal administered oaths to returning Councilmembers Jon Kaper (Ward 2), Doug Schossow (Ward 1) and Bill Garcia (Ward 2), in addition to the new Ward 3 councilmember, James “Jim” Parks.
A resolution ratifying the appointment of the Fire Chief was passed unanimously, prompting an Oath of Office for Fort Morgan Fire Chief Trae Boehm.
Next up was comments from incoming councilmembers, and they each took time to thank their families for allowing them the time to serve on Council, the voters for electing them, and fellow Councilors for their support and advice.
“I just want to tell everyone in Ward 3, thank you for your vote. It was overwhelming and very humbling (that) I received that many votes… Hopefully, I will do the best of my ability to represent the people of Fort Morgan,” said newcomer Parks.
Schossow specifically thanked Shaver for his guidance over the past four years.
“Without Ron, I don’t know if I would’ve got though this. It was pretty tough. However, we made it through it and I’m pretty proud to sit on a council that… there’s a lot of good things coming. And I can’t tell you how glad I am to be a part of it,” said Schossow.
Councilmembers and staff were then appointed to various City Board and Commissions for the 2022-23 term. Mayor Deal was appointed to the Airport Advisory Board, the Firemen’s Pension Board, the Fort Morgan Heritage Foundation and the Police Pension Board. City Manager Steve Glammeyer was assigned Colorado Municipal League Policy Review. Director of Utilities and Public Works Brent Nation was assigned to the Fort Morgan Ditch Company. Economic Development Specialist Sandy Schneider-Engle was appointed to the Morgan County Tourism Panel. Brian Urdiales was appointed to the Golf Course Advisory Board. Parks was appointed to the Library Advisory Board. Kaper was appointed to the Senior Center Advisory Board. Schossow was appointed to the Investment Committee. And Garcia was appointed to the Water Advisory Board.
Continuing appointments, a resolution was passed unanimously to confirm the appointments of the City Manager, City Attorney Law Firm, Police Chief, Municipal Judge and Deputy Municipal Judge. Deal then swore in Municipal Judge Charles Peters and Police Chief Loren Sharp.
Two final resolutions were passed unanimously. The first was a resolution to designate the City’s official posting site for posting notices of meetings as the lobby of Historic City Hall, located at 110 Main St., and all notices required to be published to be printed in The Fort Morgan Times. The second resolution was to grant Mayor Deal access to the City’s bank accounts.
Deal concluded the meeting with her own statement of appreciation.
“I would just like to say I’m thankful to God and the citizens of Fort Morgan for putting me into this honorable position as mayor. I’m looking forward to it. I’m full-time; I’m not part-time. I have lots of energy. I love the people. I love the town. And I’m totally committed to our (City) Manager and our (Police) Chief and our whole staff and all the employees and especially to the Council,” said Deal. “I hope we build a great team and have a good time. I think the City has a lot to offer. We have a lot of new people and a lot of exciting new projects… I guarantee you, we will be giving our all. Thank you.”