From approving ballot questions to approving a new veterinary clinic, the Parker Town Council was busy during a lengthy meeting on Aug. 21. 

With an election coming up on Nov. 7, the council approved the passage of the four ballot questions. 

“This is just a resolution saying we support this - the passage of the ballot question and here’s why,” said Kelsey Hall, assistant town attorney. 

The Fair Campaign Practices Act allows the council to pass the resolution of support on any issue of official concern before the electorate.

Passage of Ballot Question 2A, concerns the fines and maximum imprisonment for violations of the Parker Municipal Code, which would allow the council to set fines and terms of imprisonment for violation of town ordinances and regulations in accordance with the limits set by state law. 

According to documents, the town currently may only sentence offenders to pay fines up to $1,000, be imprisoned for up to one year, or both. State law permits fines of up to $2,650 and imprisonment up to 364 days. 

Ballot Question 2B concerns the management of town employees. 

To make the charter consistent with the amendment approved by voters in 2019, the ballot suggests deleting language concerning the council’s authority to provide for the manner by which department heads may control, discipline and supervise their employees. 

Ballot Question 2C is in regard to enabling the Chief of Police to administer the oath of office to new police officers as well as the Town Clerk and judge. 

Lastly, ballot Question 2D, if passed, would grant the council the ability to determine if it is appropriate to accept or refuse gifts, bequests and donations of personal property by ordinance on a case-by-case basis. 

Dransfeldt Road Widening Project 

As the town is in the final construction drawings for the Dransfeldt Road Widening Project, council approved two right-of-way purchase and sales agreement for the conveyance of real property from CBDG LLC. 

The project will widen the roadway from a four lane section to five, including the addition of one new southbound right-turn lane and improvements to curb ramps and sidewalks. 

The first agreement requires about 361 square feet of additional right-of-way to relocate existing traffic facilities and accommodate for curb ramps and sidewalks. 

Additionally, nearly 2,838 square feet of temporary construction easement is needed for the construction and restoration of private landscaping.  

The purchase price for this acquisition, excluding the closing cost, is $26,530. Funding has been appropriated in the 2023 Urban Renewal Projects Fund. 

The other agreement is for an approximate 241 square feet of additional right-of-way and about 3,060 square feet of temporary construction easement is needed for construction and restoration of private landscaping and irrigation that is expected to be impacted. 

The purchase price for this acquisition is $26,120. 

New business coming to Parker 

A veterinary hospital will be going up on Pardee Street as the town council approved a special review proposed by Michael Skarie. 

The hospital will be located at 12225 Pardee Street, on the north side of Hess Road and west of Motsenbocker Road. 

The veterinary clinic, which will primarily act as a surgical center for small animals, will be located within a multi-tenant commercial building that is currently under construction. 

The 2,751 square foot clinic will consist of one surgery table and two dental cleaning stations. Animals in the care of Hess Ridge Animal Hospital would be sedated and the clinic is not equipped to house animals and will not keep any patients overnight. 

A relief area is designed for the animals to be taken out one at a time and would be emptied multiple times a day. 

Skarie said the relief area should not be used that often as his goal is to get the patients in and out and not have to wait for an extended period of time. 

Also, to mitigate noise to surrounding businesses, the clinic’s internal design will have sound-deadening insulations on internal walls and ceilings.