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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02 Feb hrs minutes 2024 1 HEALTHY RIVERS AND STREAMS CITIZENS ADVISORY BOARD Regular Meeting February 15, 2024 4:00 PM 123 Emma Road, 2nd Floor Basalt, CO 81621 River Board members present: Chris Wheatley, Andre Wille, Bill Jochems, Chris Lemons, Kirstin Neff, Wendy Huber River Board members absent: Maciej Mrotek Attendees in addition to presenters: Lisa MacDonald, Lisa Tasker, Laura Makar, Matt Annabel, Francie Jacober Media Present: Heather Sackett _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Board Comment: Mr. Wheatley noted he had never been more proud of an organization than when he went to the EPA Lincoln Creek meeting at RMI. Had never seen so many civic and governmental organizations before work and thanks to all. Public Comment: Commissioner Jacober echoed those sentiments and learned a lot. She appreciated the level of information presented and at a layman’s understanding. Additions/Deletions to the Agenda: none Approval of the minutes from October 19, 2023 Mr. Wille moved to approve the minutes from October 19. 2023. Ms. Neff seconded the motion. The motion passed 5/0. Mr. Jochems abstained from voting as he left the meeting early. Approval of the minutes from January 18, 2024 Mr. Wheatley moved to approve the minutes from January 18, 2024. Mr. Lemons seconded the motion. The motion passed 6/0. Approval of minutes from the joint meeting with the Board of County Commissioners January 30, 2024. Ms. Neff moved to approve the minutes of the joint meeting with the Board of County Commissioners January 30, 2024. Mr. Lemons seconded the motion. The motion passed 6/0. Review of Founding Documents – Chair Huber Reminded everyone the purpose of the advisory board is to assist the BOCC in implementing the fund program and to advise the BOCC on the expenditures and administration of the healthy rivers and streams fund. There was focus on the functions of the board as outlined in the bylaws. A question was raised on how we advise the board on non-grant opportunities. Should there be a process in place to be able to make comments? Do we want mechanisms in place to advise the BOCC other than our vote? Items raised included: Does the board want to identify board identified opportunities. Staff brings projects to the board Board has brought things forward There is no pre-defined process 2 How deep does the board want to get into the weeds Should there be a subset of the board to do a budget Involvement of the board in other boards Is there interest in or need for the board to engage in other board dialogues Do you want to be more of referral agency Cleaner communication pathway to the BOCC Ms. Jacober left the meeting at approximately 5:00 pm Executive Session Mr. Wille moved to enter into Executive Session pursuant to C.R.S. 24-6-402 4b for the purpose of discussion in Executive Discussion Shoshone Water Rights Acquisition by Colorado River Conservation District; East Mesa Ditch Repair; Augmentation on the Crystal. Ms. Neff seconded the motion. The motion passed 6/0. Mr. Wille left the meeting at approximately 5:28 pm. Mr. Neff moved to move out of executive session. Mr. Lemons seconded the motion. The motion passed 5/0. Drought Resiliency Project – Roaring Fork Conservancy staff Rick Lafaro, Heather Tattersall and Matthew Anderson, Seth Mason, Lotic Hydrological and Jessica Mason, Lotic Hydrological The Board considered the Conservancy’s funding request from the November 16, 2023 and January 18, 2024 board meetings. Conservancy staff along with staff from Lotic Hydrological provided information on the project as well as a brief update on the anchor ice program previously funded by the Board. Discussions ensued regarding the project and the board’s desire to provide funding. Mr. Neff moved to recommend to the BOCC to shift the $50,000 line item from the Anchor Ice Winter Flows to an AG Drought Resiliency Program for the potential to tell us water savings from soil health amendments. Mr. Lemons seconded the motion. The motion passed 4/1. Discussions continued regarding a means to recommend funding to the BOCC outside of the grant process. The Board agreed that the rationale in Kirstin's motion was sufficient and the pro votes stood on their own with this information. Bill will provide a few sentences to staff regarding his opposition. Questions about how we provide comment and articulate this to BOCC when there is not consensus. Moving forward on funding requests that are not through a regular grant process, a nay vote will have a have an opportunity to provide written comment and the motion is sufficient. This information will be reflected to the BOCC. What should staff do in the future? There are no policies or procedures unless the board comes up with an approved process. Crystal Wild and Scenic Efforts Update Ms. Tasker updated the Board on current efforts on the wild and scenic process. The next stakeholder meeting is set for February 29, 2024. An educational webinar will occur on February 26 at 6:00 pm. Anyone is invited to attend. The Crystal Valley Echo newspaper graciously maintains a website that includes all things wild and scenic including meeting information, seminars, webinars, and the stakeholder process. The Board was encouraged to view it. Monthly Staff Report Staff provided an update on projects and work as contained in the report in the Board’s packet. Open Discussion – 3 Mr. Annabel updated the Board on work occurring on the Local channel. Scheduling is trickier than planned and is working with the Local staff to develop dates and scheduling. He will share a google doc once this has been set. This is the live stream on Aspen Mountain segment through the Aspen Daily News. The Board was encouraged to participate in the interviews and provide suggested topics. Mr. Wheatley and Ms. Neff have volunteered to date dependent upon schedules. No topics have been provided to staff from the Board. Mr. Wheatley moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Lemons seconded the motion. The motion passed 5/0. The meeting adjourned at approx. 7:00 pm. Approved: Attest: ______________________________________________ _________________________________________________ Wendy Huber – Chair Lisa Tasker ___________________________________ Laura Makar, Assistant County Attorney The above signed attorney, representing the Board of County Commissioners and being present at the Executive Session, attests that the subject of the unrecorded portions of the session constituted confidential attorney-client communication.