HomeMy WebLinkAboutbocc.min.ws.05172005PITKIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
WORK SESSION AGENDA
Plaza One Conference Room
TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2005
10:00 AM- Noon Joint Meeting w/BLM in Glenwood. 50629 Hwy 6 & 24 - west of the Glenwood
Mall, brick building, same as DOW.
12:00 NOON
Travel Time
1:30 PM
SPECIAL MEETING
Executive Session
ADJOURN SPECIAL MEETING
3:00 BREAK
3:15 1.
Memos of Interest
Futura Agendas/Agenda Requests
BOCC Open Discussion
4:15
2. Brush Creek Road Agreement, Bud Eylar
4:30
3. Preparation for Joint Meeting with TOSV
5:00 PM ADJOURN
MINUTES OF WORK SESSION
Date: May 17, 2005
Meeting Start Time: 10:10am
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 the Bureau of Land Management
STAFF DIRECTION:
1. Challenges with BLM property in Pitkin County. Jamie Connell indicated that there are challenges with
management due to the small size of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) parcels and there are fuel
(wildfire) issues on some of the BLM lands. Discussion ensued about a county-wide fuels plan and the
status of work with Eric Pederson, the pilot program in Conundrum and the county-wide fire plan.
Steve Bennett indicated that Light Hill has been the subject of some BLM fire management planning
and there have been meetings with residents in the area. The BLM is planning an environmental
assessment for the fire plan, to go out for comment in June. Commissioner Owsley suggested that the
Snowmass-Capitol Creek caucus be contacted. Staff was directed to provide contact information for all
caucuses, including a map of the caucus areas, to the BLM staff. Discussion continued about efforts to
control cheat grass. On the management issues, Mr. Bennett indicated there are issues with motorcycle
use, but they cannot be addressed until the travel management plan is amended beginning in 2006. He
indicated the process would take three years. The BLM agreed to contact the assistant manager when
caucus presentations are scheduled. Ms. Connell indicated there is still grant money available for
implementation of fuel reduction plans.
2. Opportunities to collaborate. Discussion ensued about the Wingo Junction boat ramp. Karl Mendonca
indicated the BLM recently examined the rafting permit rate structure and is looking at an MOU with
County Open Space concerning Jaffe Park and Wingo Junction rafting operations. Discussion ensued
about management issues.
3. Mapping, current management plan, timeline for changes. Ms. Connell provided maps showing the
management categories of BLM lands in Pitkin County, category 1 being most restrictive. Travel
Management planning has been incremental. There arc no timber sales in the County.
4. Ryan exchange bill, other BLM properties to sell or trade. Mr. Bennett indicated there are no other
parcels in Pitkin County that BLM anticipates selling. The parcel located at the Hay Park trailhead is
problematic due to parking issues. BLM is very supportive of the Ryan land exchange, there are no
problems ~vith the exchange from BLM's perspective. Ms. Connell encouraged the County to contact
BLM if there are BLM properties that Open Space might want to acquire. Mr. Bennett requested that
we begin discussions about possible County acquisition of the Hunter Creek/BLM parking lot that the
County currently leases from BLM. Staff was directed to have Dale Will contact Steve Bennett about
this.
5. RS2477 roads, process. Ms. Connell indicated there are no pending RS2477 claims, and that any such
claims would have to be asserted by the County or the State.
6. 2006 planning process to update the Oil and Gas Leasing and Development Final Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement. This will be part of the 2006 Management Plan revision.
7. Current oil and gas activity. Mr. Bennett explained the map that shows all the mineral rights available
for leasing in Pitkin County, including all the split estates. All the green, gray, purple and yellow areas
on the map are available. The green areas have resource concerns and are the most restrictive, and the
BLM can move the roads, well sites, etc. in these areas to protect resources. The yellow is least
restrictive. The purple areas show the eastern edge of the Picence Basin, and there has been no interest
yet in leases outside that basin. The blue areas are state lands. The Encana exploratory well has been
permitted and may be drilled this summer. The BLM does not currently have records of the owners of
surface estates. The BOCC thanked the BLM for its cooperation with the Community Development
department on lease activity. Ms. Connell agreed that the level of cooperation would continue. She also
indicated that if we have trouble contacting Encana, that we should call Mr. Bermett for assistance. Mr.
Bennett indicated that all applications for permits now have to be filed in the local office, not in Grand
Junction, so the BLM will be notifying us as well as the Forest Service for permits requested on Forest
lands.
8. Federal Land Recreation Enhancement Act. Mr. Mendonca indicated that BLM does not collect fees for
any facilities in Pitkin County at present. Developed campgrounds in Eagle County may see fees, but
none are anticipated for Pitkin. BLM fees go 100% to sites where they were collected. There is no plan
to eliminate disbursed camping or to develop campgrounds and start charging fees. Outfitter and guide
permit fees also come back locally under the old fee demo law and the new fee legislation. Ms. Connell
indicated the County would be notified if the BLM does start looking at fees on BLM lands within the
County. The BLM hopes to work with the White River Interpretive Association to do marketing for
sales of national passes locally.
9. Grazing policies. There are 19 active grazing permits, each issued for 10 years, but revocable if there
are problems. The Grazing Reform Act allows issuance of waivers when the permits are not used due to
drought or other considerations. Discussion ensued about potential overgrazing up Prince Creek Road.
Mr. Mendonca indicated it will be checked out this summer and the County will receive a copy of any
reports.
I0. Western Interstate Region conference. Ms. Connell indicated that water issues, protecting instream
flows, are important. On oil and gas issues, the BLM is seeing significant workload increases and wants
to assure that permits are being reviewed, issued, and monitored effectively and professionally. She felt
that on Recreational Fees, there needs to be a decision on the national passes soon, and that the federal
agencies could work with NACO on that. Commissioner Clapper indicated she could raise these issues
at her National Association of Regional Councils meeting this summer. Ms. Connell indicated that the
BLM workload remains traditional and there have not been changes in policy like the Forest Service has
seen. The BLM is required to apply the laws as they exist today.
TRAVEL TIME 12:00 TO 1:30 PM.
ADJOURNED FOR SPECIAL MEETING AT 1:30 PM.
RECONVENED FOR WORK SESSION AT 2:50 PM.
WORK SESSION ITEM: Memos of Interest
STAFF DIRECTION:
1. Letter from Aspen Youth Experience-informational only, no direction needed.
2. Letter from Planned Parenthood-informational only, no direction needed.
3. Revised weed management plan-informational only, no direction needed.
WORK SESSION ITEM: Future Agendas/Agenda Requests/Monthly Calendars
STAFF DIRECTION:
1. Senior Awards Lunch, May 18th at noon, Senior Center.
2. Possible joint COA meeting for Historical Society discussion - Friday June 3r~ at noon. City Council
session is set for May 23rd at 6pm.
3. The Board requested staff to schedule a Roan Plateau tour in July.
WORK SESSION ITEM: Open Discussion
STAFF DIRECTION:
1. Richard Gordon memo. Staff will prepare the information in letter form to Mr. Gordon. Commissioner
Farris will meet with Mr. Gordon if needed.
2
~. APCHA Compliance letter. Staff provided an update.
3. 2006 Budget process - Commissioner Owsley will meet with the County Manager and department heads
individually to discuss proposed budgets.
4. Housing Impact fee public relations - staff discussed consideration of public relations efforts regarding
the adoption of the fee. Discussion ensued.
5. Facility Public Advisory Committee selection. The Board requested a list of recommended appointees
to be submitted as a memorandum of interest for consideration.
COMMISSIONER IRELAND JOINED THE MEETING AT 3:55 PM.
10. Commissioner Hatfield raised the issue of the ongoing drought.
Water Quality and Quantity Committee meeting.
6. Commissioner Farris was contacted by a Redstone citizen regarding county assistance for high speed
internet in the Crystal River Valley. The citizen was referred to the county by the County Translator
Advisory Board meeting. Staff will follow up.
7. Commissioner Fan'is raised the issue of the Redstone utility cut. Lance Clarke advised the Board that no
revegetation plan had been submitted to Community Development. Discussion ensued.
8. Commissioner Farris stated that she has received several calls regarding the lack of trash service in the
Frying Pan Valley. The Board asked that Chris Hoofnagle follow up with Lee Vastin, 927-1246, and
Lisa at Meredith Store 927-3341. Commissioner Farris stated that Waste Management will haul for 15
or more participants, once every two weeks. The Board asked for staff to assist in encouraging waste
haulers to provide service to the area.
9. Commissioner Owsley inquired about a citizen being requested to build a fire pond by the Fire Marshal.
The Board asked staff to inquire about appeals regarding Fire Marshal decisions. Commissioner
Clapper inquired about the time for Fire District Board appointments.
Discussion ensued for the upcoming
WORK SESSION ITEM: Brush Creek Road Agreement
STAFF DIRECTION: Brian Pettet explained that the agreement would be attached to a right of way permit,
at the suggestion of John Ely, and would not require Board signature. Joe Maglicic with Intrawest was
introduced. The Board discussed the agreement and the $2 million cap for Pitkin County's portion of the
expense. Mr. Maglicic explained the 2008 date as a time when the major infrastructure work requiring heavy
tracks will be complete. Staff was instructed to work with the attorney to assure that intent on timing is
adequately expressed in the final agreement. Mr. Maglicic advised the Board on Base Village that work started
yesterday with erosion control and that heavy activity should begin in three weeks. Discussion ensued about the
intercept lot. Mr. Pettet was asked to work on the use of Cozy Point for the X games as a back-up. Mr.
Maglicic volunteered to provide regular updates on the Base Village project to Brian Pettet, who was directed to
send each to the Board as a memorandum of interest.
WORK SESSION ITEM: Preparation for Joint Meeting with Town of Snowmass Village
STAFF DIRECTION: The Board directed the following items be included in the agenda: 1. Ho~v is the annual meeting working for the Town?
2. Droste -notice as an executive session at the end of the meeting, ask John Ely to attend.
3. Brush Creek Trail- Dale Will reported that there is a contract with Schmeuser, Gordon and Meyer to
design the trail and project construction costs, that Ted Koutsoubos will probably allow the trail to
meander along his driveway, that Kinder Morgan might condemn an easement between the Holy Cross
easement and the creek, and that staff is discussing the issue of delay costs on the trail construction with
Kinder Morgan and that the completion date is summer 2006. Gary Tennenbaum indicated that at present,
Open Space hopes to have the trail complete by fall of 2006. The Board directed that Mr. Will be present
at the joint meeting to provide a brief update on the status of the trail.
· 4~ Town Center and Rodeo Lot developments- the Board directed that this not be included in the agenda.
5. What is the status of the access permit for the Brush Creek/Highway 82 Intersection?
6. What is the status of Army Corps of Engineers issues with Base Village?
7. How shall we address Brush Creek Intercept Lot parking needs after buildout of Base Village and other
development?
8. What are the Town's plans to address future population growth, affordable housing and increased traffic?
Adjourned at 4:59 pm.
Prepared by:
Hilary F~cher Smith, Cohlr(y Manager
Respectfully submitted:
Silvia Davis, Clerk and Recorder