October 24th Commissioners Meeting

A summary of the 2005 Fremont County audit report and approval of the 2007 recycling agreement highlighted the agenda for the Board of Commissioners Tuesday.

Paul Holscher of Johnson, Holscher, and Company C.P.A.'s of Centennial gave a brief overview of the audit with most of his concerns pointing towards the decreasing fund balance in the county's general fund. Noting that the cash reserves in the general fund totaled $291,000 at the end of 2005, Holscher said that amount is getting dangerously low to support a $10 million budget. He said that fund balance represents only 2.8 percent of the general fund spending. His audit report recommends about a ten percent balance of approximately $1 million.

County Finance Director Dana Angel also pointed out that the Sheriff's Department spent $4.7 million in 2005 while total revenue from county property taxes was only $4.1 million. Angel says his research found only one other county where Sheriff's spending exceeds property tax collections. Angel says that is in El Paso County but added that El Paso County's sales tax base is five times what is collected in property taxes.

The Commissioners approved the 2007 Recycling Program agreement with the Upper Arkansas Area Council of Governments. Recycling coordinator Beth Lenz said over 520,000 tons of material is estimated to be collected in 2006 through Fremont County recycling efforts. Lenz said those numbers do not include plastics. She said over a ton of plastics are being recycled each month at the collection site on South 9th Street in Canon City. Lenz said that beginning in January the plastic recycling program will accept only #1 and #2 plastics requiring area residents to sort their plastics. Lenz said the proceeds from the sale of recycling products should lower Fremont County's share of the recycling costs in 2007 by about $4,400.

In other action the Board of Commissioners:

• granted a six month extension to Jim Fontana to pave the parking lot of the True Value Hardware store at Highways 50 and 67 north of Florence;
• approved a six month extension for the Croix lot line adjustment for four lots near Highway 50 and County Road 48;
• and set two public hearings on the county's 2007 proposed budget....both on November 21st at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
  

Fremont County Secures Weather Radio Frequency

The National Weather Service has announced that a new NOAA Weather Radio frequency began broadcasting in Fremont County on Friday, October 6th. The 24 hour weather reports can be heard on 162.500 mhz and are broadcast from a new tower site on Twin Mountain west of Canon City.

The weather broadcasts can typically be heard within a 40 mile radius of the transmitter depending on terrain. Bill Fortune, Meteorologist in Charge at the National Weather Service Office in Pueblo, told the Fremont County Commissioners that efforts to locate a NOAA Weather Radio transmitter in Fremont County have been ongoing for the past decade.

Fortune said the tone alert feature available on the low cost weather radios supports efforts by both the Department of Commerce and Homeland Security. Fortune said besides weather alerts the weather radios can also signal alerts for any kind of local emergency through the national Emergency Alert System. He said the National Weather Service looks forward to working with the Fremont County Office of Emergency Management in maximizing the public alert feature for any local emergency.

Tom Magnuson, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, said of all the places without a weather radio signal, Fremont County was on a short list of sites nationwide to receive a site designation. Magnuson said Fremont County's turn finally came up for federal funding. As part of the educational effort to encourage families and businesses to purchase a weather radio Magnuson says the National Weather Service is donating a weather radio to every public school in Fremont County. Magnuson says next year the free weather radios will be distributed to all the private schools.

7 Year Road Plan Available for Public Review

The Fremont County Road and Bridge Department and the County Commissioners are making copies available to citizens who want to review the department's seven year road improvement plan. The plan lists the roads in all three road districts in Fremont County that would be targeted for improvement with either chip sealing, asphalt, or gravel if voters approve Issue 1-B on the November 7th county ballot. 1-B would raise $850,000 in property taxes each year over a seven year period that would be used specifically for road improvement projects and equipment purchases.

Commissioner Chairman Mike Stiehl said that the county's road and shop foremen started compiling the priority list one year ago and then refined it this summer into a seven year plan as the Commissioners began preparing for the ballot issue. Stiehl said the plan calls for the money to be distributed evenly between all three road districts and the county's maintenance shop. After several citizen requests, the County has reduced the detailed documents for each district into a four page priority list for citizens to review. Copies of the seven year plan can be picked up at Road and Bridge Department in room 202 or the Commissioners Office in room 105 of the County Administration Building at 615 Macon in Canon City. A copy can also be reviewed on the Road and Bridge Department's web page at www.fremontco.com.

The Commissioners also note that because of state law, municipalities in the county would also see direct benefit if voters approve 1-B. Colorado law requires that if a county levies a property tax for the road and bridge fund, a portion of the revenue must be shared with municipalities. It means that of the $850,000 that 1-B would yield each year, Fremont County would keep $675,000. $140,000 would go to the City of Canon City, $25,000 to the City of Florence, $3,200 to the town of Williamsburg, $2,600 to Rockvale, $2,000 to Coal Creek, and $1,100 to the town of Brookside.

October 10th Commissioners' Meeting

The Fremont County Commissioners approved a pair of zone changes and a permit for a new wireless tower in Canon City at Tuesday's regular board meeting.

The Commissioners approved a controversial zone change for D.C.S. Development and Construction for 11 acres of property on the northwest corner of Steinmeier and Grandview Avenues in the Four Mile area. The acreage will be rezoned from low density residential to medium density residential to permit the construction of 24 upscale townhomes will be provide 50 housing units. The Commissioners emphasized that the zone change is tied to D.C.S.' specific development plan. While low density residential zoning would have allowed 39 single family homes, the developers say the 50 housing units should produce less impact to the neighborhood traffic because they will be marketed primarily to retirees and senior citizens. Ron Southard also detailed plans for a small park and extensive trails and open space in the subdivision. While several neighbors spoke in opposition to the density of the development, most of those testifying at the hearing were in support of the townhome development and zone change. The Commissioners said they intend to closely examine the impact of traffic to Steinmeier and East Main Streets as well as drainage issues when the developer returns with detailed subdivision plans.

The Commissioners approved a zone change from Agricultural Living to Agricultural Suburban for Mike and Kathy Hadley on their 8.4 acres of property at Pine and Poplar Avenues in Lincoln Park. The Hadleys specifically wanted the zone change so they could build a new shop on the property. The Commissioners said they would agree to the zone change so long as the large indoor arena on the Hadley's property continues to be used solely for private purposes and agricultural uses.

The Board approved a special review use permit for Verizon Wireless to erect a 100 foot mono-pole wireless tower on the northern edge of Canon City near the Skyline School. Verizon will lease the tower site at the rear of the Cornella mini-storage units located along north 9th street. Verizon says the tower will help provide customers with improved cellular phone service because of many dead spots for service presently in the north Canon area. The 100 foot tower will be painted brown and will not have lights.

In other action the Commissioners:

• Appointed Tracy Gingerich as an alternate member of the Fremont County Board of Building Code Appeals;
• and heard a presentation from Bill Fortune and Tom Magnuson of the National Weather Service Office in Pueblo about a new weather radio frequency operating in the Canon City area.

Tourism Community Events Funding Applications

The Fremont County Tourism Council is now accepting applications from community organizations for 2007 tourism funding allocations. Community organizations and non-profit groups that conduct special events which attract tourists and visitors to the area are invited to submit applications for funding assistance. The Tourism Council by-laws require that at least five percent of County Lodging Tax revenues each year be distributed to community groups to support their special events.

Application forms are available at the Fremont County Commissioners Office at 615 Macon Avenue, Room 105, Canon City; or go on-line to the County's web site at www.fremontco.com. Click on the funding application link found on the main page. The application deadline for the 2007 tourism funding allocations is October 31st.

County Fair Board Vacancies

The Fremont County Commissioners are accepting letters of interest from persons interested in serving on the Fremont County Fair Board. The Commissioners will be appointing persons to fill six positions on the 17 member Fair Board. Each appointment is for a three year term. The Fair Board meets the second Tuesday of each month. The deadline to submit letters of interest is Friday November 9, 2006.

Please send letters of interest to the Fremont County Commissioners, 615 Macon Ave., Room 105, Canon City, CO 81212.

Tourism Council Vacancies

The Fremont County Tourism Council (F.C.T.C.) is soliciting letters of interest from Fremont County residents for two positions each consisting of a three year term on the council. The F.C.T.C. develops and administrates a Tourism Marketing Plan for Fremont County with proceeds from the two percent Fremont County Lodging Tax.

F.C.T.C. members are required to attend monthly meetings, as well as any other meetings as voted on by the council. Attendance at certain community meeting pertaining to tourism development may also be required. These positions are for voluntary service with no compensation or reimbursements of any kind.

Your letter of interest addressed as 'Fremont County Tourism Council Letter of Interest' must be received at the Fremont County Administration Building, 615 Macon Ave. Room 105 Canon City, Colorado 81212, no later than October 31, 2006 at 5:00 P.M. M.D.T. All letters submitted after this date will not be considered.

The F.C.T.C. will review all letters submitted and make a recommendation of appointments to the F.C.T.C. to the County Commissioners. Those submitting letters of interest may be contacted by the Commissioners for an interview.

Your employment or ownership in a tourism related business as defined by the Colorado Tourism Office will be a determining factor in the F.C.T.C.'s recommendation. Your employment or ownership in a specific tourism related business as detailed in the F.C.T.C by-laws as adopted by the Fremont County Commissioners will govern all recommendations made by the F.C.T.C. to the Fremont County Commissioners.

The Commissioners will appoint those chosen to serve on the F.C.T.C. Tourism Council. Members whose terms expire include Vicky Casey and Kelly Ann McHugh. Both are eligible for reappointment. McHugh was appointed to the council last April to fill an unexpired term but since the three year term is set to expire at the end of this year an appointment must again be made for that seat.

Any questions on this notice can be addressed to either F.C.T.C. Chairperson Vicky Casey at 275-5149 or F.C.T.C. Secretary Danny De George at 269-8245.

Stop Signs to be switched at Indiana & High Streets

The Fremont County Road and Bridge Department will initiate a change in stop sign locations at the intersection of High and Indiana Streets north of Canon City with the intent to make Indiana a through street. Currently southbound traffic must stop on Indiana at High Street. Beginning Monday October 9th the Road and Bridge Department will erect a stop sign for motorists traveling eastbound on High Street at Indiana. Then one week later on October 16th the stop sign on southbound Indiana at High Street will be removed. Once the change is complete Indiana will be the through street at that intersection. The Road and Bridge Department urges motorists to observe the posted speed limits on both streets and proceed with caution as changes are made in stop sign locations at High and Indiana.

September 26th Commissioners' Meeting

The Fremont County Board of Commissioners approved a grant application for a new Starpoint office building, granted a temporary variance for porta-potties at a local quarry, and added three fee assessments to the county's list of zoning fees at the Board's regular meeting on September 26th.

Starpoint, which serves developmentally disabled adults in the community, plans to relocate its administration offices from the corner of 6th and Macon. Also relocating are Starpoint adult services facilities next to Faricy Ford and across from Canon Rental. All offices will move to the former St. Thomas More therapy center at 700 South 8th Street in Canon City. Fremont County is the sponsoring entity for a $350,000 State of Colorado Community Development Block Grant.

In addressing three zoning fee assessments, which were mistakenly left off of a new zoning fee schedule adopted earlier this year, the Board approved a resolution establishing an $800 application fee for site development plans for manufactured home parks, travel trailer parks, and campgrounds, and a $2,150 fee was set for zone change applications with site development plans for manufactured home parks, travel trailer parks, and campgrounds. A $250 fee was established for co-locating antennas on existing towers.

Convening as the Fremont County Board of Health the Commissioners heard a request from Larsen LLC to allow porta-potties as a means of permanent sewage disposal at Larsen's Byzantine Quarry operation which was permitted by the Commissioners several months ago along County Road 69 west of Canon City. The Commissioners were told that state law prohibits portable toilets as a permanent sewage disposal option if there is year round use of a facility. In an effort to provide Larsen LLC time to develop the quarry site on the permitted acreage, the Commissioners approved a temporary variance to allow use of porta-potties on the quarry site for about one year. The Board directed that Larsen must submit a plan to the Planning Department by July 1st, 2007, and have a permanent sewage disposal system in place by September 1st of next year.