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HomeMy WebLinkAboutbocc.min.ws.04122005TUESDAY~ APRIL 10:00 AM 12:30 PM 2:15 2:30 3:15 3:30 4:30 5:00 PM PITKIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION AGENDA Plaza One Conference Room 12~ 2005 JOiNT MEETiNG WITH GARFIELD COUNTY 108 8th Street, Room 100 (meet at Courthouse Plaza at 8:45 AM) SPECIAL MEETiNG Grace Church Site Visit ADJOURN SPECIAL MEETiNG 1. Valley Rail Issue Discussion, Jon Busch 2. Memos of Interest Future Agendas/Agenda Requests/Monthly Calendar Board Membership Reports - RTA, NWCCOG & QQ, ACRA, CCI, RRR, RWPA BOCC Open Discussion BREAK 3. Legislative Update, Debbie Quinn 4. Airport Capital Improvements Program, Jim Elwood ADJOURN / Date: April 12, 2005 MINUTES OF WORK SESSION APPROVED BY BOCC ON Meeting Start Time: 10:01 am Commissioners present: [] Patti Clapper [] Dorothea Farris [] Jack Hatfield [] Michael Ireland [] Michael Owsley Commissioners not present: [] Patti Clapper [] Dorothea Farris [] Jack Hatfield [] Michael Ireland [] Michael Owsley WORK SESSION ITEM: Joint Meeting with Garfield County STAFF DIRECTION: Garfield Commissioners Martin, McCown and Houpt were also present. 1. Trails - Tom Newland and Dale Will gave a brief presentation on the current status of the Crystal River bike trail. Mr. Will advised the Board of the current deficit of approximately $250,000 for the Garfield County portion to complete the trail. Discussion followed, including the public process. Commissioner Martin raised the issue of maintenance and liability of trails on CDOT right of way. Both Boards supported the concept of a joint meeting with Ed Fink at CDOT. 2. Oil/Gas Exploration Policy and Surface Owner Rights - Doug Dennison discussed the bond-over when an agreement cannot be reached with a property owner. Discussion followed regarding private property owner rights and impacts from extraction. Commissioner Farris stated that she wanted agreement that this is an issue that the counties need to be involved. Commissioner Martin encouraged the Board to approach the oil/gas companies proactively. Discussion followed. 3. Affordable Housing - Commissioner Ireland requested the support of Garfield County for an exception in the Telluride case in anticipation of a late bill in this legislative session. Discussion ensued. 4. South Bridge earmarking - Glenwood Springs Mayor Vanderhoof was present to share his thoughts on this project. CDOT estimates the intersection of 70/82 will be at an F grade within 10 years and they have recommended a corridor optimization study. He wants both to be included in the study. The South Bridge issues were raised as a result of the Coal Seam Fire. Commissioner Ireland briefed the Board on the current status of the earmark legislation pending in the U.S. Senate and the budgetary benefit from the proposed Taxpayer's Bill of Rights reform. Commissioners Martin and McCown stated their support of the optimization study. Commissioner Houpt stated her support and hopes for alternatives to be considered and stated a desire to see the City of Glenwood Springs and Garfield County work together. 5. Transit/Transit Funding - Commissioner Hatfield inquired about Garfield County's plans for transit. Commissioner Martin stated that The Traveler is the only service available and is upon request. He stated that the question was not supported. Commissioner Houpt stated that this has not been a priority with the commissioners and therefore not a priority for the community. Commissioner Hatfield inquired about Garfield County's vision for transit. Discussion followed demographic and employment trends. 6. Rail Corridor - Commissioner Farris inquired if the Board had an opinion on the rail corridor and rail salvage. Discussion ensued. 7. Renewable Energy Code - Commissioner Clapper encouraged the Garfield County Board to consider an energy code similar to Pitkin County's energy code. 8. Minimum stream flow/water issues - Commissioner Farris raised the concern about minimum stream flo~vs in our valley and suggested that all of us need to be concerned. Discussion moved to Taylor's bill on recreational in stream flow. ADJOURNED FOR SPECIAL MEETING 11:40 AM. RECONVENED WORK SESSION AT 2:15 PM. 19. WORK SESSION ITEM: Valley Rail Issue, Jon Busch STAFF DIRECTION: Mr. Busch was present to ask the Board to reconsider their position on removing the rails on the transit corridor. Mr. Busch reviewed the 1999 Recreational Trails Plan. He went on to raise the issue of the projected oil shortage and its associated costs. Discussion followed. Kit Wheeler raised issues regarding the trail and the project costs totaling $8 million, $3 million over the estimated budget. Mr. Wheeler suggested some changes to the project plan would help in addressing the shortfall (such as smaller width without removal of the rails - 8 foot width rather than a 15 foot width). He stated that he wants to m-contact all the bidders for rail service to further educate them on the valley and interests in rail and discussed the possibility of an excursion train with possible funds from the Heritage tours program. He requested that the Board consider a task force to examine the issues. Discussion ensued among Board members regarding Mr. Busch's request for reconsideration. Mr. Busch stated that leaving the rails is an insurance policy for future rail use. Discussion moved to trail width and use conflicts. Commissioner Ireland supported the trail being narrow as possible thus preserving the viability of rail use. He felt it was difficult to evaluate the argument that leaving the rails would preserve future rail activity. Commissioner Hatfield supported the narrower trail concept and requested further information regarding the final section ofthel0-11 miles of the corridor. Mr. Busch stated a desire for a task force to be established to study the issues over the summer. Discussion followed and the Board identified the following questions to be forwarded to Roaring Fork Transit Authority ("RFTA"): 1. Would using a narrower configuration of 8ft width of soft surface allow the trail to co-exist with rail at the pinch points specifically between Glenwood and Carbondale? 2. How much money could be saved by a narrower configuration rather than a wider configuration? 3. Is there any quantitative evidence that the existing trail system is too narrow? 4. Are there examples of where rails have been put back on trails and other instances where this has not been successful? Please provide these details. 5. Do the rails as they exist provide adequate service for either freight and/or a service train? 6. Will operating a recreational train hinder the federal requirements for future operations of RFTA? Mr. Busch asked what is the status of the right-of-way in Pitkin Green and what happened to that? Commissioner Owsley stated that arguing about 19th century mils is not appropriate in the 21st century. Mr. Busch responded that he is urging caution and believes that time should be taken to answer the questions. Mr. Owsley asked why it isn't enough to have the Board's firm commitment to rail. Mr. Wheeler stated that he hopes to get the most out of the corridor. Discussion continued. The Board agreed to have Commissioner Owsley forward these questions at the upcoming RFTA Board meeting on April 14th. Dale Will stated that he will respond to Mr. Busch about his question regarding Pitkin Green. WORK SESSION ITEM: Memos of Interest STAFF DIRECTION: 1. Planned Parenthood Thank You Letter - informational only, no direction needed. 2. Family Visitor Program Thank You Letter - informational only, no direction needed. 3. Roaring Fork Hospice Thank You Letter informational only, no direction needed. 4. Buddy Program Thank You Letter - informational only, no direction needed. 5. Computer for Kids Thank You Letter - informational only, no direction needed. 6. Project Graduation Thank You Letter - informational only, no direction needed. 7. Draft Response to Snowmass/Capitol Creek Caucus. The Board supported the letter and requested a stronger response stating the County will do traffic counts and will take action if necessary to protect the asset. WORK SESSION ITEM: Future Agendas/Agenda Requests/Monthly Calendars STAFF DIRECTION: 1. Commissioner Hatfield requested time for a RFTA work session regarding: a. RFTA financial condition. b. Service agreement for Garfield County. c. Base Village mitigation or monitoring for service demand. Was RFTA involved in the off-site impacts discussion? d. Who monitors use of Brush Creek parking lot? What is the baseline of use? e. Why aren't we building long-term special event intercept parking downvalley? He also urged the Board to focus on EOTC's long term financial vision and requested that a copy of the November 2000 ballot question language be distributed to the Board. Commissioner Clapper requested a copy of the recent Snowmass Sun article be distributed to all Board members. The Board agreed that additional time should be set for the April 19th meeting to discuss items c, d, e as the upcoming EOTC meeting on April 21st is limited to the discussion of the intercept parking lot. Items a and b will be set for later discussion. Commissioner Farris asked that New Century meetings be dropped from future agendas. The Board requested a work session with Jim Elwood to discuss air carrier service. WORK SESSION ITEM: Board Membership Reports STAFF DIRECTION: Deferred to the April 12th meeting. 1. RTA 2. NWCCOG & QQ 3. ACRA 4. CCI 5. RRR 6. RWPA WORK SESSION ITEM: Open Discussion STAFF DIRECTION: 1. Staff distributed a draft letter to Rep. Curry thanking her for her legislative efforts. The Board approved the letter. 2. The Board was advised that a Board of Equalization Officer would be hired to conduct the protest hearings. 3. Staff updated the Board on discussion with Tom Melberg regarding septic and subgrade space issues in Little Texas. 4. The Board was advised that Maureen Dobson responded to their requests on housing issues via email this past Friday. 5. Animal Shelter memo - Board members will advise staff of comments. 6. Aspen Mass - staff was directed to make further inquiries regarding the possibility of leaving the boulders at the current location or utilizing Cozy Point. 7..Co. mmissioner Ireland requested a clarifying letter from Community Development regarding historically irrigated lands as raised by the Burlingame debate. The Board discussed the request and directed staff's letter to state that the County has not received or reviewed an application and the code provision does not create a density reduction. 8. Commissioner Farris requested funding for the Scenic Byway brochure. The Board agreed to $500 from their discretionary fund. 9.Commissioner Farris updated the Board on recent Scenic byway committee work. 10. Commissioner Farris requested staff to follow up with a Redstone resident regarding senior transportation services. WORK SESSION ITEM: Legislative Update, Debbie Quinn STAFF DIRECTION: RS2477 - extend deadline to two years and include consequences for failing to meet deadline. WORK SESSION ITEM: Legislative Update, Debbie Quinn STAFF DIRECTION: RS2477 - extend deadline to two years and include consequences for failing to meet deadline. SB 207 support. WORK SESSION ITEM: Airport Capital Improvements Program, Jim Elwood STAFF DIRECTION: Rescheduled to later date due to time constraint. Adjourned at 5:00 pm. Prepared by: Hilary Fl~Jcher Smith, C&~ty Manager Respectfully submitted: Silvia Davis, Clerk and Recorder