At a municipal orientation session last week, the future city council nailed down its procedures to select the next mayor.

The seven city council members will be sworn into office on April 22. After taking their seats, the new municipal leaders will make open nominations for mayor. If more than one nomination is received, the council members will vote by secret ballot. The person receiving the most votes will be tapped as mayor. The same process will decide the next mayor pro-tem.

Returning council members Tom Butler, Bob Archibeque, Karen Sheek, and newly appointed council member and former Mayor Orly Lucero have each indicated they’d be open to serve as the city’s top leader.

“There are lots of strong candidates,” City Manager Shane Hale said.

City staff requested council members to decide a procedure in order to make the process as smooth as possible.

“We just want to be prepared,” City Clerk Linda Smith said.

At the orientation meeting on Thursday, April 10, outgoing Mayor Pro-tem Matt Keefauver told the new city council they should heed the advice of city staff.

“Listening to city staff if of utmost importance,” he said. “Meet with the staff to learn what’s going on in the city.”

When he took office eight years ago, Keefauver said he wished he’d realized the importance of legacy projects approved before his election. He then challenged future municipal leaders to think long term.

“Consider your impact and what’s going to happen down the road,” Keefauver said.

Keefauver’s final words of wisdom were to be mindful of the city’s diverse neighborhoods, and to pick their battles when contentious issues arise.

“Focus your energy on what you want your legacy to be,” he said.

Hale also warned future leaders to be mindful of quasi-judicial issues, those impacting only a select few. Hale said all decisions should be based on evidence, not emotion.

Because of a lack of qualifying candidates, the city’s April 8 election was canceled. Returning council members Shawna McLaughlin, Ty Keel and new council member Jim Price round out the seven-member body.

Council members are paid $400 per month.

tbaker@cortezjournal.com

City of Cortez: By the Numbers

1937 - The City of Cortez becomes the tenth municipality in Colorado to adopt a home rule charter, enabling local control over legislative and budgetary decisions.

127 – Number of full-time employees.

54 – Number of volunteers who serve on various boards and commissions.

14 – Number of agencies that utilize the police department’s dispatch center.

80,000 – Number of books at the public library.

153,000 – Number of library patrons in 2013.

123,000 – Number of recreation center patrons in 2013.

650 – Number of brochures available at the Welcome Center.

1,500,000 – Number of visitors to the Welcome Center over the last 25 years.

17 – Number of years without a jury trial in municipal court.

143 – Number of city computers.

194 – Number of city telephones.