HomeMy WebLinkAbout11 Nov 2020 packet
Agenda items are subject to change – Times are approximate and are also subject to change
Time Item
4:00 PM • Board Comment
• Public Comment
• Additions /Deletions to Agenda
4:15 PM • Approval of Minutes August 27, 2020 and Oct 15, 2020
4:20 PM • Project development and future needs
5:15 PM • High School Scholarship Discussion
5:30 PM • Wild Rose – YWLP update – no packet material
6:00 PM • Open Discussion
6:30 PM • Adjourn
• Upcoming Meeting Dates 2020
• Dec 10 or date to be determined
Please email healthyrivers@pitkincounty.com for Zoom Access
Minutes – Healthy Rivers and Streams Citizens Advisory Board Aug 27, 2020 Page 1
HEALTHY RIVERS AND STREAMS CITIZENS ADVISORY BOARD Meeting Minutes Via Zoom Virtual Meeting Aug 27, 2020 – 4:00 p.m.
River Board members present: Bill Jochems, Chris Lemons, Chris Wheatley, Andre Wille, Chuck Ogilby, Wendy Huber River Board members absent: Others present: Lisa MacDonald, Matt Annabel, John Ely, Laura Makar __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Board Comment Chris Wheatley attended the Co Water Congress virtual summer conference and updated the Board on the event.
Public Comment – None Additions/Deletions to Agenda – None Minutes of May 18 and June 20 2020 Ms. Huber moved to approve with corrections as noted. Andre seconded the motion. The motion passed 7/0. Letter of Support – American White Water – Kestrel Kunz and Hattie Johnson
Chairman Wille moved to approve a letter of support for its CWCB grant application. Mr. Lemons seconded the motion.
The motion passed 7/0. American White Water will provide copies of studies to the Board.
Marble Property Study Request John Armstrong joined the meeting to discuss a potential property acquisition and the need for a water assessment on property near Beaver Lake in Marble, CO. The Board expressed some interest in funding the study and was interested in a site visit to the property adhering to the COVID-19 guidelines.
Eflow Study Grant Update - Heather Lewin and Seth Mason Per grant requirements Heather Lewin and Seth Mason updated the Board on the Eflow Study conducted on the Frying Pan River. Weaver Ditch Telemetry Project – Mark O’Meara, Town of Carbondale Mr. O’Meara joined the meeting to discuss the project and discussions ensued regarding the Board’s participation. The project is an improvement of Weaver Ditch headgate in Carbondale by installing an automated. This is one of the early and necessary steps in the Town of Carbondale's program to build the first automated irrigation ditch in the Roaring Fork drainage. The result would be less waste of diverted water and increased streamflow in the Crystal River.
Executive Session CRS 24-6-402(4)(b)
Chairman Wille moved to enter into Executive Session pursuant to CRS 24-6-402 (4)(b)for the purpose of Yule Creek/Marble Mine, River District Issues, Open Space and Trails Water Rights, Roaring Fork and Hunter Creek Flows and Fry Ark and Twin Lakes Conditional Water Rights.. Ms. Huber seconded the motion. The motion passed 7/0 During executive session, Mr. Ogilby lost connection. Chairman Wille moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr Lemons seconded the motion. The motion passed 6/0.
Minutes – Healthy Rivers and Streams Citizens Advisory Board Aug 27, 2020 Page 2
Adjourn: The Board adjourned at approximately 7:39 pm.
Approved: Attest:
______________________________________________ _________________________________________________ Andre Wille, Chair Lisa MacDonald
___________________________________ John Ely, 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.
530 East Main Street, Suite 301 Aspen, Colorado 81611 970.920.5190 pitkincounty.com/healthyrivers
Healthy Rivers Minutes October 15, 2020 4:00 – 7:00 pm Zoom Chris Wheatley called to order at 4:01 pm. Present – Chris Lemons, William Jochems, Chris Wheatley, Lisa Tasker, Wendy Huber. Absent – Andre Willie, Chuck Ogilby, Lisa MacDonald A quorum was present. Additional attendees – Laura Makar (Assistant Pitkin County Attorney), Liza Mitchell and Paul Holsinger (Pitkin County Open Space and Trails), Kate Hudson (Crystal River Caucus), Heather Sackett (Aspen Journalism). Board comment: Bill Jochems – Weaver Ditch, Bill in touch with Quinn regarding channel work. Money for headgate of ditch. His plan is to do in low water this winter, will be submitting bids. Chuck has been in touch with Mark O’Meara. Mark wants plumes and lateral above. Lots of groups involved. Rivers is financier, need meeting of all entities hopefully before end of year. Looked at Rubicon devise and it was interesting, not a headgate but a mechanism to raise water to serve laterals and lower to serve laterals down below. Eliminates the manual control of flow in flume and not have to leave it fully open at all time.
Wendy – met briefly with John Armstrong re improvements to Satank Bridge area of the
RF River. He indicated there is a preliminary plan and some funding available and would
appreciate the support of the Healthy Rivers Board. We should invite him to update us
in a subsequent meeting.
530 East Main Street, Suite 301 Aspen, Colorado 81611 970.920.5190 pitkincounty.com/healthyrivers
Glassier Open Space – Liza Mitchell of Pitkin County Open Space and Trails presented to the Board regarding the draft plan for the Glassier Open Space acquired by the county in 2013, 2014. The property is used for several different activities including agriculture, biking, hiking, fishing. Two areas are leased out for agriculture. The property has a healthy mixed vegetation types on property, wildlife uses and migrates down to river. There are some Riparian areas along HSD. Area close to river has a soil moisture gauge and determined the water saturation is provided entirely during the irrigation season. Currently flood irrigated. Lease A flood irrigation working well, Lease B not working quite as well, but wildlife like it, frogs, sandhill cranes in the ponding water. This portion will likely be a study in improving water efficiencies... What would switching to sprinklers do? Will do studies before making changes, NRC would like to be a partner Bill asked about ducks landing in field what is approach going to be? Unusual to call an area next to ditch a riparian area. Answer, not natural but dependent on water that has been put there for 50 plus years. Can have sprinklers stall out in certain areas, sprinkler with occasional flood pulses and return flows to rivers. Paul – Open Space does have an incomplete map of lands irrigated by HSD. Bill made a request to provide the HSD irrigation map to the Board. Lisa – vague plan lots of unknowns and partners but anything concrete you can share about path trying to pursue. Looking at everything sprinklers, pivots, center pipes, etc. Board would be interested in hearing more about design and Open Space will reach out when have more information. Chris – will the study be internal studies? Most will be contracted out. Public Radio sponsorship – How does this compare to other contracts? The Board requested that Lisa update it on past contract prices. Lisa Motion – fund APR to tune of $4,191 for radio spots. Chris Wheatley seconded. Wendy asked for vote. All were in favor.
530 East Main Street, Suite 301 Aspen, Colorado 81611 970.920.5190 pitkincounty.com/healthyrivers
Policy Statements – Laura – guidelines for board and board can change. Transbasin Diversion Policy Statement never adopted. Not necessarily, opposition to the policy, final approval of Board just did not happen and it fell through the cracks. Bill just wanted new board members to know we have these policies and there was one other policy that was discussed, the board wanted a policy statement regarding riparian health, Laura might have started a draft but can’t find. Bill thought these policies would go to BOCC for their adoption and that could be an outcome. The Board requested that Laura draft (or find) the riparian policy and bring that and the trans basin policy to board in a future meeting. Lisa riparian policy should allude to setbacks Pitkin Co has. They are on the books but not policed evenhandedly. Open Discussion. CRWCD - Lisa would like for the board to review her letter to the Colorado River Water Conservation District (“CRWCD”) regarding its ballot initiative. Lisa requested the Board and Laura provide comments. The goal is to ensure the CRWCD uses the money, if the measure passes for more sustainability projects and not just for storage projects and really pay attention to sustainability in the future. Laura- underminable if River District will take it up and CRWCD and county relationship is a bit strained. This is something in the board’s wheelhouse they attorney’s office can determine if it needs to go to BOCC. Goal is to help determine how the money is spent in the future as funding without any specifics seems a bit scary. Yule Creek – Kate Hudson joined meeting. Habitat concerns with filling of Yule Creek. Has been in contact with Army Corp thought comment period notice
530 East Main Street, Suite 301 Aspen, Colorado 81611 970.920.5190 pitkincounty.com/healthyrivers
would appear this week and it did appear this afternoon. There are 7 alternative courses of action that are presented and are complicated. What is being proposed is a looking forward and not a look back and the 2018 violation of filling of the creek. Board should take a look at it. Corps wants comments about effected aquatic environment. No compensatory plans submitted yet. Crystal Caucus will likely need an extension to comment period due to time constraints the project engineer said it would help if Pitkin County also requested an extension. CC will send an email to Pitkin County requesting an extension. Notice doesn’t have a copy of the actual application if you want actual application, you have to submit a FIOA request. Is an action going to take place that will have an impact on Yule Creek and therefore the Crystal River, the no action plan (has already happened in 2018). Looking backward, this should be an enforcement action and if compensatory plan required will it be enough? End of comment period Nov. 16.
Wendy made a motion to convene executive session for the purpose of discussion of
Colorado Stone Quarries 404 Permit Application pursuant to CRS 24-6-402(4)(b). Chris seconded Vote ensued and all were in favor. Heather Sackett was placed in a waiting room and discussion ensued. Wendy motions to move out of executive session Bill Second. Vote occurred and all in favor. Lisa motion for to Laura coordinate with BOOCC regarding discussion on Yule Creek and if no action or no action by current deadline Healthy Rivers Board will request that the county put in for extension of the deadline. Wendy seconded. Vote occurred and all were in favor.
530 East Main Street, Suite 301 Aspen, Colorado 81611 970.920.5190 pitkincounty.com/healthyrivers
Lisa motion to adjourn Wendy second. Vote occurred all in favor. Meeting adjourned at 5:58 pm.
Approved: Attest:
______________________________________________ _________________________________________________ Chris Lemons, Vice-Chair Lisa MacDonald
___________________________________ 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.
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
November 19, 2020
TO: River Board FROM: Lisa MacDonald
SUBJECT: Project development and future needs
Information: At the River Board’s retreat in the fall of 2019, the need for an additional staff member was identified as a top priority for 2020. In early 2020, a sub-committee of the River Board met to discuss the position and draft a job description. The request was put on hold due to the pandemic and concerns over sales tax revenue. As of today, the fund has remained healthy and on November 9, 2020, the Board of County Commissioners approved the 2021 budget for Healthy Rivers, which included the request for an additional full time staff. The Commissioners delayed approval of the position to a future date and asked for more information related to the position. This included what upcoming projects the Board is looking into and what other specific needs there are that necessitate additional staff.
Requested Board Action: Develop future project priorities
2021 New Position Request
POSITION TITLE: Healthy Rivers Specialist
REQUEST TYPE: FTE Change
DEPARTMENT: Healthy Rivers
FUND: Healthy Rivers
PREPARED BY: Lisa MacDonald
STRATEGIC PLAN: Link to Success Factors
Flourishing Natural & Built Environment Livable & Supportive Community Prosperous Economy
☒ Conserved natural resources &
environment
☐ A sense of personal and community
safety
☐ Sustainable economy and
employment
☒ Responsibly maintained &
enhanced County assets ☐ Diverse and livable housing options ☐ Affordable and quality health
care options
☐ Ease of mobility via safe & efficient
transportation
☐ Self-sufficient individuals and
families
☐ High performing County leaders,
teams and employees
☒ Well planned & livable built
environment
☐ Access to recreation, education,
arts and culture
☐ Responsible and accountable
stewardship of County assets
☐ Improved community engagement
& participation
1) POSITION DESCRIPTION AND BACKGROUND:
History The one of its kind, Healthy Rivers Program, was established in Nov of 2008, with the objectives of:
Maintaining and improving water quality and quantity within the Roaring Fork watershed
Protecting water rights for the benefit of the Roaring Fork watershed
Securing, creating and augmenting minimum stream flows to ensure ecological health, recreational opportunities, and wildlife and riparian habitat
promoting water conservation A seven member advisory board was appointed in 2009 and the program will enter its twelfth year in 2021. It has financed litigation to protect river health, Board-initiated and sponsored projects such as the Healthy Rivers Whitewater Park, the Youth Water Leadership Summit and the Robinson Ditch Modification Project and through its grant program has awarded funds for 39 projects proposed by other entities, including local municipalities, non-profits, schools and educational partners to name a few advancing the goals of the Board. There is a desire to expand its program by developing more of its own Board-initiated projects, rather than merely responding to the requests of others. By becoming more proactive, the Board’s goal is to realize its potential by taking advantage of our unique position and resources. We wish to devise our own strategies to improve watershed
health, and develop our own projects. To realize that full potential, the Healthy Rivers program needs a specialist in addition to the staff Administrator. The specialist will report to the staff Administrator, and will assist with the administrative duties that have increased
through the years. In addition, they will assist in devising new strategies and in-house projects to pursue the Board objectives approved by the voters to protect our rivers and streams in the Roaring Fork watershed.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Provide administrative support to Administrator
Grant program administration to outside organizations (review applications, award dollars, draft contracts, track grantee obligations, and outcomes)
Assist in creating and implementing opportunities for board development and education
Assist the Board and staff in engaging and collaborating with the local and regional water community, including water-related government bodies, not for profits and community water users
Budget and Finance related duties
Seek grant opportunities for river projects
Knowledge and Technical Skills
Geography of the Roaring Fork Watershed
Natural Resources
River ecology and hydrology
River restoration
Colorado Water Law
Written and oral communications
Meeting facilitation
Proficient in report writing, presentation, and evaluation technologies.
Reviewing and interpreting technical reports.
Modern technology, systems and software designed to assist in the computerized management of information.
Grant Research, writing, and evaluation.
Working efficiently both independently and as part of a team.
Organizing and prioritizing work to meet deadlines
Records Management
Local and state governing rules and regulations
Computer skills
Minimum Qualifications Education and Experience Bachelor’s Degree or greater in a relevant field such as Natural Resources, Environmental Sciences, Public Policy.
Additional, education, training and/or experience in a relevant field preferred.
2) REVENUE STREAM: This position can be funded by:
Dedicated Healthy Rivers Fund
3) ORGANIZATIONAL IMPACT: Describe the impacts to the organization of staffing this position. Support will be needed
from which departments? What areas of the County will be supported by this position?
Collaboration will increase between Community Development and Open Space and Trails and other like departments to further water related goals. Ability to attend staff and board meetings and work together to develop projects or policies that further advance the goals of the program. Work with caucuses on water
related issues. There will be the typical support from departments such as BITS, HR and Payroll for general employee needs and
services
4) ESTIMATED CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION: Select or type the categories for this position, if known.
FSLA Non-Exempt
JOB SERIES Specialist/Coordinator
EEO-4 Choose an item.
JOB CLASS Choose an item.
JOB GRADE
5) ADDITIONAL COSTS: List any one-time or on-going costs associated with the new position (i.e. computer, phone, desk, education & training, clothing, vehicle, etc.)
Basic office set-up including computer set up, laptop, monitors, keyboard, cell phone, programs
Desk set up for remote work (home office)
Education and Training
6) ALTERNATIVE ANALYSIS: What other approaches are there to achieving the desired outcome? What are the impacts of delaying or not staffing the position?
Create a temporary position; procure help outside of the organization Limited advancement of Board projects, limited involvement with other departments and outside entities.
7) HOW DOES THE POSITION SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONAL HEALTH:
It will provide support to the strategic plan of a flourishing natural and built environment as well as supporting the ballot language approve by the Pitkin County voters
8) HOW DOES THE POSITION SUPPORT SERVICE DEMAND: Describe how the level of service will be increased, what impacts customers will experience, and how the increase will be evaluated and/or measured.
Greater awareness of program by involvement with other entities and the public
Ability to pursue board initiated projects
Program recognition and awareness due to more involvement in the community
Roaring Fork Watershed and river improvements visible to the community and visitors alike
9) HOW DOES THE POSITION CREATE EFFICIENCIES: Describe the return on investment of this request. Does the position provide any efficiency savings or increased productivity? Will this position reduce costs in another area (in which
case the funding should reflect a budget offset)?
Provide current staff ability to increase productivity and better manage projects the Board seeks to do, reducing need of outside assistance.
10) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Provide additional information or attach documents, as applicable.
1
2021 Budget PresentationHealthy Rivers
Aspiration Statement
Pitkin County Healthy Rivers aspires to be a leader in protecting, defending and enhancing rivers and streams, through collaboration on watershed wide opportunities, solutions and education on water issues.
2
Trends and Emerging Issues
Public Awareness –Education
Drought
Need of additional staff
Continued trend of potential for
compact call
Climate Change/Climate Action
Planned educational
opportunities, public awareness
events and in person meetings
have all been affected by the
pandemic although fund dollars
have continued to hold steady
Opportunities:
Phillips Mobile Home Park River
/Riparian Improvements
Collaboration with other
governmental entities to improve
streamflows
Continued streamside
improvements at whitewater park
curtailed due to covid
3
2021 Budget Requests
COMMUNICATIONS PLAN
$140,000
In late 2019 the River Board identified
increased communications and outreach as a
critical mission to increase the public’s
understanding of the full breadth of their
mission and increase community engagement
that impact rivers and water in the RF
Watershed. The plan was drastically curtailed
by the pandemic. The Board is looking
forward to 2021 to roll out the plan that
includes “Paddle with a Purpose” event, film
series, and increase social media presence and
web content
WEAVER DITCH TELEMETRY PROJECT
$62,000
Improvement of Weaver Ditch
headgate in Carbondale by installing
an automated headgate. This is one of
the early and necessary steps in the
Town of Carbondale's program to
build the first automated irrigation
ditch in the Roaring Fork drainage.
The result would be less waste of
diverted water and increased
streamflow in the Crystal River.
4
2021 Budget Requests
SPECIALIST POSITION –COST TBD
A goal of the Board is to realize its potential
by taking advantage of our unique position
and resources by devising its own strategies to
improve watershed health, and develop its
own projects.
To realize that full potential, the program
needs a specialist to assist the Administrator
with administrative and finance duties along
with devising new strategies and in-house
projects to pursue the Board objectives
approved by the voters to protect our rivers
and streams in the Roaring Fork watershed.
YOUTH WATER LEADERSHIP
SUMMIT $40,000
Continued financing of the
Youth Water Leadership Summit
5
6
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
November 19, 2020
TO: River Board FROM: Lisa MacDonald
SUBJECT: High School Scholarships 2021
Information: Since 2017, the River Board has awarded $5000 for scholarship to an Aspen High and Basalt High School student. There has been Board discussion to include other schools in the Roaring Fork Watershed but no formal action has occurred. Applications can vary from four to 15 from each school. The essay prompt posed to students is: Why are healthy rivers important? Currently a small sub committee meets to review and pick the winning essay. The winners are announced at a regular meeting and approved via formal action. I recently received the following questions in an email from Basalt High School College/Career Counselor, Alex Braeger. 1) Are you still the best point of contact for your organization?
2) Does your organization plan on awarding scholarships this spring? If not in 2021, would you
like to me contact you next school year?
3) I have a general idea of award funds from 2020, but if you are anticipating a decrease in amounts awarded, please give me a heads up. 4) The BHS General Scholarship Application deadline will be 2/17/21. If your organization uses
its own application, please notify me of your 2021 deadline.
5) If you have a different essay prompt or supplemental form than what is on the application
draft, please notify me and send me any necessary forms. Requested Board Action:
1. Continue scholarships at the current dollar amount and schools
2. Decrease the scholarship amounts at both schools
3. Expand program to other schools
4. Keep question the same or edit