Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutpitco.ost.min.reg.11032004 . . . Minutes OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS BOARD MEETING OF NOVEMBER 3, 2004 Rio Grande Place Meeting Room Board Members Present: Bill Fales, Rick Neiley, Jesse Boyce, Hawk Greenway Others Present: Dale Will, Barb D' Autrechy, Gary Tennenbaum, Debe Nelson, Tom Oken, John Ely Jesse Boyce called the meeting to order at approximately 10:07 a.m., with Bill and Hawk present. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Approval of the minutes were deferred until next meeting. STAFF COMMENTS Misinformation Up The Crystal Dale commented on how the campaign season resulted in a flurry of misinformation about the Open Space and Trails program up the Crystal. Specifically, there were statements made regarding the DOW's opposition to the trail in the Crystal. Dale pointed out that the DOW has only expressed concern over the section through Filoha Meadows and that those concerns can be addressed through alternate routes and seasonal closures. Dale also stated that there have been several requests for information and public documents regarding the Sustainable Settings project, and that Ray Pojman was campaigning outside the courthouse last week with a sign that said that the BOCC was spending taxpayer dollars fraudulently. Finally, Dale recounted events at a recent Crystal Valley Caucus meeting where accusations were made about him misrepresenting the support for the Crystal Valley Trail from CDOT and Carbondale, when he petitioned the Caucus for its support. The Caucus voted to send a letter to the BOCC requesting that Pitkin County representatives be honest when addressing the Caucus. Dale informed the OSTB that Chuck Downey, co-moderator for the Caucus, has refused to sign the letter, after Dorothea called and Dale provided information refuting Ray's claim. Bill clarified that the letter did not state any names, and that Chuck did not have the authority to not send the letter. Dale said that he was tempted to respond to all of these misrepresentations with a letter tot the editor, but was counseled to wait until after the election. Dale asked the Board for guidance on how to address these issues. The Board discussed the issue and concluded that sending a letter was not the right approach, unless there is something new to respond to. Jesse recommended ajoint meeting between the OSTB and the Caucus. Dale reminded the OSTB that Phase I of the trail does not require a 1041 process because it is entirely within the CDOT right-of-way, but that representations were made to people in the Crystal for some form of public input. Dale informed the Board that John Ely recommended not creating any public 1 . process, since the County does not have jurisdiction. Dale said he thought that CDOT should be the one to review the environmental impacts of the project, but that a meeting with the Caucus would be an opportunity to present the trail design to the public. The Board agreed on having a public design review in Carbondale. Dale informed the Board that a State Trails grant for $200,000 was submitted. Dale also noted that OST will need to work with Bill on design issues. Rick entered the meeting during this conversation. Draft 2005 Budget Dale referred the OSTB to the 2005 budget spreadsheet in the packet. Bill raised the question of why the Wildlife Officer's budget increased when the actuals for 2004 were under budget and Jonathan has left the County. The issue of the position was discussed. Staff commented that the future of the wildlife position has not yet been determined, but that whether it remains internal, or those services are contracted out, OST will continue to need a wildlife biologist budget to pay for ecological assessments for management plans and baselines, and wildlife monitoring. Wildlife monitoring was discussed and Gary informed the Board that it will continue but not at the intensity that was being done for some properties such as Moore. Bill expressed concern over not clearly knowing what the program has received for its $27,000. Gary said that he shared Bill's concern to a degree, but that the program could not rely on the DOW for all of its wildlife consulting needs. It was clarified that OST's share the Wildlife Officer's wage is based on hours accounted for on timesheets. The Board agreed that there needed to be money in the budget for wildlife consulting, whether it be for a county position or contracted out. . Dale turned attention to Administrative Services, and explained that the jump in the Information Services allocation was the result of a change in the allocation methodology for GIS services. This change meant that only those departments which use GIS are required to pay into it, and is a more fair method of cost allocation. Dale commented that the increase in the attorney's allocation is reflective of the litigation work that their office has done on Wild Rose, and their assistance with Title 12 issues and illegal campers. The Administrative Services Director's (Tom Oken) actual cost for 2004 was well over budget because Tom refinanced the program's remaining bonds. The 2005 budget was estimated by Tom, based on what he thought his charges for his 2004 services will be. Tom explained that he determined how his costs are allocated to each department by going through his calendar for the year, and looking at documents on his computer, to determine how much time he spent serving each department. Debe Nelson explained that the Finance and Treasurer's allocation is based on the number of transactions generated by each department. Bill felt that was a fair method for cost allocation, but that the method for other departments such as the County Manager, where allocations are based on end-of -year estimates of how much time was spent serving a department should be improved. Debe clarified that other cost allocations for 2004 will not be available until June, because of the methodology which the County, which is consistent with federal methodologies. . Hawk asked why the maintenance purchased services was so dramatically below budget for 2004. Gary explained that it included $50,000 for Windstar restoration, which had not been spent yet for this year. Other costs that fall into the purchased services category include crack sealing trails, GPS support, signs, the vegetation contractor and seed mixes. Debe clarified that the supplemental requests 2 . were need for the vehicles to be purchased in 2005 because they are new equipment, but that they will be added to the replacement schedule and included in the budget every 5 years, or whenever they are scheduled to be replaced. Gary explained that the utility vehicle cost estimate was generated by Rego. This utility vehicle is more than an A TV and can be used for trail maintenance, note just weed spraying. Weed spraying equipment and a trailer are also included in the estimate. Gary believes that eh equipment will come in under budget. Gary explained that the new chemical sprayer is equipment that goes in the back of a pick up truck and will save money through efficiencies. Dale referred the OSTB the confidential "projects" spreadsheet that he distributed, and commented that staff believes that the budget figure for Brush Creek Trail is too low. Gary explained that the estimate was based on linear feet, but that crossing Brush Creek was never included in the estimate. Dale brought up Jack Hatfield's request to ask TOSV to contribute to the cost of building the trail. Dale informed the Board that Mike Segrest continues to request the County to increase its budget for the trail. The subject was discussed briefly. Rick recommended building the trail across Brush Creek, then having an at-grade crossing just before Highline Road, similar to what was constructed for the Highlands Trail. The Board supported Rick's suggestion. . Dale noted that, if the program completes all of the proposed projects for 2005, it would be slightly in the red, and asked if they Board should consider bonding for some projects in 2005. Tom recommended that the program could run slightly in the red temporarily in needed, and did not recommend bonding unless the program needed the money, or unless it would provide other financing advantages as it did for the Smith acquisition. The budget for the Crystal Valley Trail was discussed. Dale explained that the $600,000 currently budgeted will be carried over, but that a more detailed look at the trail indicates a budget shortfall. Dale referred the Board to a supplemental request for another $151,000 for the trail, reflecting the updated distance that Pitkin County needs to construct, a more detailed cost estimate which includes costs associated with slopes and Bill's irrigation ditch. Bill expressed concern over impacts from irrigation. Dale responded that this project will be design build and that if more money is needed for problems realized in the field, then they can come back and appropriate more. Bill asked about the process and timeline for contacting adjacent landowners. Dales said that he is the contract manager for the project and will see that adjacent landowners are contacted, and added that there will be a public process and the trail design will also need to be accepted by CDOT. Dale anticipates doing an informal RFP mid-winter and completing the consultants work by mid-summer. Rick made a motion to recommend to the BOCC approval of the draft 2005 OST budget, including all supplementa1s. Hawk seconded. Bill stated that he felt strongly that there is a need for accounting for charges from other departments that is cleaner than going back at year-end and estimating time spent for each department. The amendment was accepted. Motion passed all in favor. BOARD COMMENTS . There were no Board comments. 3 . . . , . EXECUTIVE SESSION The Board voted unanimously to move into Executive Session at 12:30 p.m., in accordance with CRS 24-6-402(4)(a) and (b), for the purpose of discussing acquisitions and litigation. The Board adjourned Executive Session at 1 :20 p.m. ADJOURN The OSTB meeting was adjourned at approximately 1 :20 pm. Approved Attest l.b Boyce, Vice-Chair Space and Trails Board 4