July 22nd Commissioners Meeting

The Fremont County Commissioners approved a pair of bid awards for a new warehouse building and fencing at the Fremont County Airport and conducted a public hearing on a grant that would enable the Early Childhood program to move into the old Harrison School in Canon City.

The Commissioners awarded a bid of $55,441 to Cleary Buildings to erect a warehouse-storage structure at the Fremont County Airport to house snow removal equipment. Cleary had the lowest of only two bids submitted. Taylor Fence of Pueblo submitted the lowest of three bids for fencing around the new facility. The Commissioners awarded Taylor Fence the bid in the amount of $23,026. A Federal Aviation Administration grant will pay 95 percent of the cost of the warehouse and fencing.

The Commissioners also conducted a public hearing on a community development block grant from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs to relocate early childhood programs to the old Harrison Elementary School in east Canon. The $230,500 grant will be used to remodel space at the old Harrison building to house the Echo screening program and other Family Center early childhood network programs and offices.

Echo Coordinator Pam Walker noted that they have had offices in the RE-1 Administration Building for 15 years but the school district now needs the additional space. Echo will utilize 4,700 square feet of space at the old Harrison school with renovation work expected to start next January.

The Commissioners also approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Fremont Sanitation District which would have the county assume ownership and maintenance for the old sewer main on North and South Sherrelwood Drives and Steinmeier at the east edge of Canon City. The sanitation district is installing new sewer mains on those streets and instead of filling and abandoning the old sewer mains they will be left in place in the event funding can be secured to use the old line for a stormwater drain.

In other business the Commissioners approved a property tax abatement of $2,977 to Villa Canon Apartments in Canon City because of a discounted value of the property based on discounted rental rates.

July 8th Commissioners Meeting

The Fremont County Commissioners Tuesday adopted final conditions for a conditional use permit approved last month for the resumption of uranium exploration by Black Range Minerals on the Taylor Ranch northwest of Canon City. The Commissioners also approved a retail liquor license in the Penrose area over the objections of another liquor store owner.

The Commissioners said the final conditions for Black Range reflect comments received in 78 e-mails and letters from both opponents and supporters of uranium exploration following the board's June 9th vote of approval. Among changes made from the draft conditions was issuance of an eight year permit instead of a ten year permit. Black Range's drilling operations will be limited to sunrise to sunset seven days a week but the firm will be allowed up to 60 days per calendar year to operate after sunset. Black Range must maintain documentation of legal water rights and if water is drawn from a source other than on the Taylor Ranch they must provide written notice to the county in the event impacts might be created from water trucks traveling county roads.

Black Range must reimburse Fremont County up to $35,000 in the first three years and $5,000 each year thereafter for the costs of hiring a third party hydrogeologist. The third party expert will review Black Range's groundwater and surface water monitoring plan and help guide the establishment of baseline groundwater monitoring data related to nearby domestic water wells in the Tallahassee area. The conditions also require comprehensive documentation by Black Range's driller and geologist regarding the plugging, sealing, and capping of each test bore hole.

All of the finalized conditions are listed in the resolution approved by the Commissioners and is available for review by clicking on the link on the main web page at www.fremontco.com.

Commissioner Mike Stiehl said that while many residents might disagree with him at the moment, he believes the exploration will go a long ways towards answering questions and putting an end to the stigma associated with having bought property around a large uranium deposit. Commissioner Ed Norden said it is important for the county to quickly bring the third party expert on board as well as getting the permit issued so the hydrologist who works for Black Range can resume her work in the field relating to surface and groundwater monitoring. Commenting on the controversy surrounding the uranium exploration, Commission Chairman Larry Lasha said it might be nice when you get some issues before you to "just not vote". But Lasha said "We don't have that luxury, we did not take this lightly".

The Commissioners have already compiled a list of qualified firms in Colorado who will be considered to handle the scope of work of the third party expert.

The Commissioners also approved a retail liquor store license for Jim and Jan Bradford to operate next door to Bradford's Handi-Mart at the corner of Highway 50 and 'N' Street at Penrose. The Commissioners approved the permit over the objections of Gary Iovinella who operates Penrose Plaza Liquor. Iovinella presented a petition with signatures protesting the liquor license saying a third liquor store was not needed in the Penrose area. The Commissioners said the Bradfords met their burden of proof for a community need by presenting their own petition with several hundred signatures in support.

In other business Tuesday the Commissioners:

• Approved a temporary use permit for Tony Ferrara to operate a pick-your-own-harvest, hay rides, country store, and barbecue for the Happy Apple Fall Harvest from August 9th through October 19th;
• Approved an increase in the per mile reimbursement for county employees who use personal vehicles for county business from 36 cents to 50 cents;
• and Approved a special events liquor permit and temporary use permit for the annual Belvedere Blues Fest at Merlino's Belvedere Restaurant from September 5th through September 7th.