ALAMOSA — Alamosa City Council covered a lot of ground during Wednesday night’s meeting, ranging from proclamations and a pledge to considering suggestions from Adams State University students about how to draw more college people downtown. 

First off, staff with Community Resources Housing Development Corporation (CRHDC) thanked council for the city’s support in getting Tierra Azul, the housing development that will ultimately include 400 residential units, off the ground. Council was also presented with a shovel painted gold used during the groundbreaking ceremony. 

There were also two proclamations read and signed by council. The first, declaring April Sexual Assault Awareness month, spoke of building a “future free from violence.” Staff from Tu Casa addressed the council, saying they are publishing weekly news articles during the month; on April 8 there will be a ”Talk the Walk” at Adams State University with a second walk at Trinidad State University on April 15; a clothesline project which are swatches of cloth have been designed to look like pieces of clothing and teal ribbons to wear all month since teal is the color symbolizing sexual assault awareness. The second proclamation, declaring April Child Abuse Prevention month, spoke of protecting children, our most valuable population. 

Council then took the pledge “We Love Our National Parks,” listing all the ways they would embody preservation and appreciation of dark skies and the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, leave areas cleaner than when they arrived, demonstrate kindness and other things. 

Also, a number of firefighters from the Alamosa Fire Department came to city council to witness their new fire chief, Frank Wirth, being sworn into office. Outgoing Fire Chief Bill Stone stood next to Wirth, allowing City Manager Heather Sanchez and other council members to publicly thank him for all the advancements he made while in the position, including the Explorer program that trains youth who might be interested in a career in fire prevention. 

After reading off his background and welcoming him to Alamosa, Chief Wirth simply said, “I’m humbled and honored to serve the citizens of Alamosa and the county. I also look forward to working with the firefighters and appreciate their support here today.” 

He was then sworn into office by Holly Martinez, Alamosa’s City Clerk. 

Monica Wolfe, director of South Central Colorado Seniors, addressed council members, discussing the things her organization has accomplished in the past year and a number of challenges the organization has faced, largely stemming from a lack of funding.  

Wolfe clarified that they are not a senior center but an area agency.  

She then talked about it being “a difficult time” but are moving forward “doing what they can.”  

Due to the lack of both state and federal funding, it was necessary to cut back on eight of ten of their congregate meal sites. The congregate meals reference a hot meal offered during the day for elders in the community to gather. Wolfe expressed her gratitude to the Alamosa Senior Center for doing what is necessary to provide that fifth meal during the week as other sites have done. 

She also discussed the previous year, the organization’s funding had been cut by about 8% and, from what she’s been told, needs to anticipate another 3% cut, which puts more programs at risk. 

She emphasized the other services the organization provides that are used to keep homebound senior citizens in their homes, in addition to providing nutritional meals. 

She announced that, on May 9, the organization is hosting a conference on Aging to be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ski-Hi Complex in Monte Vista. 

Going forward, she acknowledged that baby boomers are aging so meeting the demand long term is challenging. She also asked the members of city council to see if there would be any possibility of the city of Alamosa increasing their allocation.  

While members of council expressed their gratitude for having a better understanding of “what they’re up against”, including Councilor Dominguez who acknowledged that further challenges are up ahead so “we have to stick together.” 

None of the other councilors addressed her question for additional funding. Mayor Pro Tem Liz Hensley acknowledged the shortfalls in the organization funding and thanked Wolfe “for everything” she’s doing. 

Wolfe also said that she is considering beginning a “sponsor a senior” program where individuals in the community would provide support for specific seniors. Anyone interested in learning more about sponsoring a senior should call 719-589-4511. 

Immediately following Wolfe’s annual report and request for additional assistance, Director of Development Services Rachel James requested council waive a fee of $34,500 for the Little Learners Childhood Center. Council was unanimous in their approval to waive the fee. 

Development Services updated council on the end of the Adams State University Downtown Intern program, for which Director Rachel James had high praise.