BOCC: Airport Fuel, CC Logo Debate,
Sheriff’s Office Contract

Board of County
Commissioners (BOCC)
—September 19, 2018
WETMORE, Colo.

by Jackie Bubis
The meeting started at 9 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call. Commissioner Canda was present via speaker phone. Introductions of the public followed.
Commissioner Items
Commissioner Printz has been on vacation and did not have any commissioner items.
Commissioner Canda reported that the fuel terminal for the two jet fuels is now working at the airport. The project at the airport will be worked on in phases as weather permits. He reported sending correspondence regarding dust abatement to Mr. and Mrs. Sweere. And he has been working with Cheryl Trent on the scope of the strategic plan from the Redi grant.
Chairman Flower listed a number of meetings he had attended and reported that the Fair Board is working with Jeff Wood from UC Denver and Christy Dune from DOLA to put together a plan for capital improvement. They are hoping to collaborate with the Saddle Club.
Attorney Items
Attorney Smith attended a public meeting on August 29th to formally introduce the marketing brand, which was the product of the Blueprint 2.0 Grant. Mr. Smith believes that the CCEDC owns the brand, though there is some question about that. It may, in fact, belong to the Tourism Board. There is ongoing discussion as to whether the brand itself truly represents the citizens of the county. There is also concern amongst the Commissioners about an adjunct of the county making decisions in the name of the county. “The final say is with us,” stated Mr. Printz.

“Ms. Hobby addressed the issue of the recent fatality at Rosita Road/Schoolfield Road”

Jackie Hobby, Planning and Zoning Director met with the Board on a number of homeowner/property issues. The Zoning Resolution is finished and printed. She reported that Chris Nordyke has resigned from the Planning Commission. The Board approved a code of ethics policy for the Planning Commission and the Board of Zoning Adjustment. She updated the Board on a number of homeowners/landowner issues.
Taking off her Planning and Zoning hat, Ms. Hobby addressed the issue of the recent fatality at Rosita Road/Schoolfield Road and Highway 69. She emotionally pled her case, stating that if something is not done at that corner, there will be more like “sweet Emily.” (Emily Roach, the young lady killed recently at that intersection, was Ms. Hobby’s tenant and friend.) There was an extended discussion of the reluctance of CDOT to get involved until someone is killed. Ms. Hobby has done extensive research and stated that in one month alone, there were over 1,300 vehicles that went to the landfill. That does not include the residents in the Rosita area and those living West on Schoolfield Road. After the discussion, the consensus was that the issue was less about speed and more about visibility. Ms. Hobby hopes to engage the public in her mission to prevent future tragedy at that corner.
In New Business, the Board discussed Sheriff Byerly’s 2019 contract with the town of Westcliffe. The Sheriff stated that, on average, the two towns use 43% of his office resources. However, between the two town contracts, his office takes in only $48,000. He stated that he has never felt that this was adequate but realizes that neither town has a lot of money to spend. The item was postponed until the October 3rd meeting so that Sheriff Byerly can have discussions with Westcliffe and Silver Cliff.
Commissioner Canda addressed the issue of the Economic Development Strategic Plan. The plan at this point is to start after the first of the year, to put together a steering committee, and to get the information that the County really needs to move forward. Commissioner Flower stated that the survey has already been sent out and that the CCEDC is already doing “their thing” with the marketing brand.
The lease agreement for the Lookout Mountain tower is ongoing. Sangre de Cristo Electric did not bill any of the four or five tenants on the tower. Now that the county owns that tower, that will change. Commissioner Flower will draft a contract for discussion.
The start date for the Hermit Bridge work will be October 1st. The Road & Bridge department expects work to be concluded by October 22nd.
Commissioner Flower discussed the front face of the Wetmore community center with the residents in attendance and solicited their ideas for finishing it.
The meeting adjourned at 11:03 a.m.