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HomeMy WebLinkAboutpitco.ost.min.reg.11072002 . . . Minutes OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS BOARD MEETING OF NOVEMBER 7,2002 Aspen Firehouse Conference Room Board Members Present: Hawk Greenway, Anne Rickenbaugh, Rick Neiley, Bill Fales Others Present: Dale Will, Barb Hogan, Gary Tennenbaum, Tom Oken, Temple Glassier, Ruth Frey and Jay Gregory of the Midvalley Trails Committee, John Ely, Shellie Roy Rick Neiley called the meeting to order at approximately 9: II a.m. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES The minutes ofthe Regular and Executive Sessions of October 17, 2002 were approved. STAFF COMMENTS 2003 Budget Dale referred the Board to the budget materials in the packet and noted that administrative costs increased by about $46,000 from 2002's budget. Ofthis, $6,000 was from labor increases, $5,000 was from attorney's costs increases, finance was down about $5,000, the county manager's costs were up about $4,400 and close to $6,000 of the increase was in community relations increases. The reason for this last increase was questioned and debated. Staff was instructed to come back with more information as to why there was such a dramatic increase in community relations' costs. The greatest increase in the 2003 administrative budget was in insurance, which went up $12,000 due to the industry wide increase in insurance costs. Overall, administration was up about 6%. Other specific item in the budget were discussed and it was clarified for the OSTB that any budgeted money that is not spent returns to the program's fund balance, and that the allocation of funds is calculated over time, so that a specific category, such as maintenance, does not lose its budgeted dollars. Dale highlighted the vehicle expenditures, explaining the need for new vehicle in 2003. It was also noted that a seasonal Ranger (fulltime for 6 months) is included in the budget. This position was briefly discussed and the OSTB agreed that the position was necessary. The Board asked staff to expand the 2003 Budget Detail spreadsheet to include budgeted and actual figures for 2002 and actual figures for 2001. They also asked for a comparison ofOST's administrative costs relative to program revenue versus other county open space programs. Dale pointed out to the Board that, if the program completes everything on the list of proposed trail projects for 2003, the program's spending will exceed its revenue and fund balance for trails. Dale asked if the Board wanted to pursue all of those projects and possible have to "borrow" from the open space fund, which could possible limit the program in that area, or ifit wanted to cut back on some potential trails projects. The Board discussed briefly and determined that it would borrow from the open space fund if necessary, noting that it would be unlikely that all of the projects would be 1 . . completed. The Board also clarified that it was willing to approve the budget for these trail projects but was not approving the projects themselves. The Board reserved the right to review the plans for all of the proposed trails before authorizing the expenditures. Midvalley Trails Projects Ruth Frey and Jay Gregory from the Midvalley Trails Committee presented proposed projects for partnership with OST. Midvalley Trails Committee is the Roaring Fork sub-committee for the Eagle County Trails Committee. They are funded $25,000 annually from Eagle Count and operate under the umbrella of RFT A. The committee has submitted a grant request to Eagle County to fund the extension of the Rio Grande Trail from the Pitkin County line to Hooks Spur Lane. In addition, they hope to extend the Emma Trail to the Willits Trail, and connect Willits to the Rio Grande Trail. OST would be partnering in this project by extending its Rio Grande and Emma trails to the Pitkin County line. . Midvalley Trails presented a second project to construct a trail along the old stage road that goes up the Frying Pan valley. This trail would lead from Basalt to Thomasville, and hopefully continue to the top of Haggerman Pass and possible all the way to Leadville. Jay explained that much of the old road is intact and already in use by the area residents. The proposed trail would be natural surface, with much of it occurring on the slopes above the river and road, at a relatively even grade. Jay showed a map depicting the location ofthe stage road and where it crossed private property. The Committee is applying for a planning grant from State Trails for $15,000. They are contributing $10,000 from their own fund. They are asking for a matching sum from OST, which would help pay for the grant writing, GIS date for Otak, and mapping of the Pitkin County portion of the trail, and other planning costs. Jay informed the Board that the White River National Forest included the stage road in its travel management plan. She added that their attorney believed that Eagle County still owned the stage road. There was some discussion about determining ownership of the stage road. The Committee will be submitting its grant application on November 29th and requested an answer from the OSTB before then. Project Update East of Aspen - Temple said that the only thing that they are waiting on is the USFS' approval. Rick asked if the project would have to wait until next year. Temple said that her contractors could probably still build it this fall if the snow does not get too deep. Wingo Overpass - Dale informed the Board that the BOCC approved on first reading the license agreement with CDOT. Temple informed the Board that fabrication has begun and that the delivery will begin in January. RFPs for the abutments went out this week. She added that there is about $100,000 in savings from the estimated costs for the overpass. Crystal Valley Trail- Dale added that he hopes to begin planning in the Carbondale to BRB trail along the Crystal in the next year. He wants to pursue the trail that was identified in the 1994 study done by Open Space. . Rio Grande Extension - Hawk asked ifthere were SHPO concerns with extending the Rio Grande Trail to the County line. Dale responded that according to Dan Blackenship, there are no NEPA issues 2 . and it is within the authority ofRFTA to approve any trail construction. Temple noted that the . Midvalley trail project calls for asphalt. Rick asked about the orange barrels that are still on the Rio Grande Trail at intersections through Woody Creek. Temple said that they will remain for as long as the detour goes through Woody Creek, at the request of the public safety board. BOARD COMMENTS There were no Board comments. EXECUTIVE SESSION The Board voted unanimously to move into Executive Session at 11 :08 a.m., in accordance with CRS 24-6-402(4)(a), for the purpose of discussing acquisitions and potential litigation. The Board adjourned Executive Session at 12: 13 p.m. ADJOURN Th OSTB meeting was adjourned at approximately 12: 13 p.m. Attest A Rick Neiley, Chair Open Space and Trails Board . . 3