HomeMy WebLinkAbout04 April 17 2025 minutes
MINUTES
PITKIN COUNTY HEALTHY RIVERS AND STREAMS BOARD
REGULAR MEETING APRIL 17, 2025
The agenda items contained in these minutes are written in an action only format.
For an audio production of this meeting, go to:
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Records&cr=1
To access the meeting packet material and meeting minutes go to:
http://pitkincounty.com/452/Browse-to-a-File
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Neff called the regular meeting of the River Board to order at 4:00 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Andre Wille, Bill Jochems, Kirstin Neff, Ned Andrews, Maciej Mrotek
MEMBERS ABSENT: Chris Lemons
Open Meeting
Chair Neff called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
Executive Session:
Mr. Mrotek moved to convene executive session for the purpose of discussion of
Shoshone/Colorado River Conservation District change of water rights discussion with counsel
for the purposes of receiving legal advices pursuant to C.R.S. 24-6-402(4)(b). Mr. Wille
seconded. The motion passed 4/0.
Mr. Andrews joined the meeting at 4:05 pm
Mr. Andrews moved to adjourn executive session. Mr. Mrotek seconded the motion. The motion
passed 5/0.
Mr. Andrews moved to recommend to the Board of County Commissioners the use of Healthy
Rivers funds in the amount of $1,000,000 towards the Colorado River District’s Shoshone Water
Rights Acquisition via a budget supplemental process over several years period beginning in 2025
and direct staff to draft a letter of recommendation to the BOCC pledging the $1,000,000 for its
April 23, 2025 Regular Board meeting for the Chair’s signature with final approval by the
County Attorney. The motion passed 5/0.
BOARD COMMENT:
Redstone South Bridge Replacement
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Bruce Walters, Associate Counsel Colorado River Conservation District – Thanking the Board
and Pitkin County for its interest in joining a growing coalition of support local and statewide
for the Shoshone Water Rights Preservation Project.
ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO AGENDA: None.
Minutes of February 16, 2025 regular meeting.
Motion: Mr. Wille moved approval of the Minutes as written. Mr. Mrotek seconded the
motion. Motion passed with 5/0.
Spring Grants Presentations:
Marble Charter School, Marble PEAK Academic and Outdoor Education Courses- Sam
Richings-Germain, Marble Charter School Director, Marble Charter School
University of Colorado (CU) Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR); Lincoln
Creek Watershed, Concentrations of Rare Earth Elements (REE) and other metals- Diane
McKnight, Professor of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering CU INSTAAR
Wilderness Workshop, Continuance of the Crystal Wild and Scenic Campaign- Will Roush,
Executive Director; Michael Gorman, Campaign Director. Wilderness Workshop
Online Comprehensive Repository of Organizations, Agencies, Etc, with a role in Water
Management, Water Education, and Water Conservation - Gwen Garcelon, Principal,
Regenerative Strategies, Carbondale, CO
Roaring Fork Conservancy Grant Request for Watershed Education Programs- Megan
Dean, Director of Education, Roaring Fork Conservancy
Ecoflight, Overflights for Defense of Public Lands and Healthy Watersheds- Lea Linse,
GRANT DISCUSSIONS:
Mr. Jochems moved to recommend funding in the amount of $28,925 for the Marble Charter
School, Marble PEAK Academic and Outdoor Education Courses. Mr. Wille seconded the
motion. The motion passed 5/0.
Mr. Andrews moved to recommend funding in the amount of $35,000 to the University of
Colorado’s Institue of Arctive and Alpine Research for Lincoln Creek Watershed, Concentrations
of Rare Earth Elements and other metals. Chair Neff seconded the motion.
The motion failed 3/2.
Chair Neff moved to recommend funding in the amount of $35,000 to Wilderness Workshop for
continuance of the Crystal Wild and Scenic Campaign. Mr. Mrotek seconded the motion. The
motion passed 5/0.
Mr. Mrotek move to approved $8859 to Regenerative Strategies for an Online Comprehensive
Repository of Organizations, Agencies, Etc, with a role in Water Management, Water Education,
and Water Conservation. Mr. Andrews seconded the motion. The motion passed 5/0.
Mr. Mrotek moved to recommend fudning in the amount of $50,000to the Roaring Fork
Conservancy for Watershed Education Programs. Chair Neff seconded the motion. The motion
passed 5/0.
Mr. Wille moved to approve $13,326 to EcoFlight for overflights for Defense of Public Lands and
Healthy Watersheds. Mr. Mroket seconded the motion. The motion passed 5/0.
OPEN DISCUSSION
Budget Supplemental to the BOCC
- Shoshone this year and re-budget each year until max amount reached.
- Whitewater Park funding for 2025 dependent grants and other funding opportunities
Retreat at Hoffman Hotel in Basalt.
Snowmass Falls Tour potentially with OST later summer
Penny Hot Springs Referal Comments Due May 9th. Mr. Mrotek interested in reviewing
Thank you to the Board for a successful Joint BOCC/River meeting from Commissioner
McNicholas-Kury BOCC Chair.
ADJOURN REGULAR MEETING
Action: Mr. Jochems moved to adjourn the regular meeting of the River Board at
approximately 7:50 pm p.m. Mr. Mrotek seconded the motion. Motion passed 5/0,
Approved: Attest:
Kirstin Neff – Chair Lisa Tasker