Planning Commission to Review Three Items at April Meeting

The Fremont County Planning Commission will review three items at their monthly meeting on April 6th. The Planning Commission will review a Site Development Plan for the All About Storage mini-storage facility proposed in Penrose on the southwest corner of 7th Street and Highway 115. Eagle Peaks Investments L.L.C. wants to build 130 mini-storage units on the nearly two acre site. Two garages now on the property would be torn down to make way for the storage facility.

The Planning Commission will review an application for a Conditional Use Permit from Northfield Partners to develop a rail loadout facility for the Northfield Coal Mine just east of the intersection of County Roads #11A and #79 west of Florence. The Board of Commissioners approved a Conditional Use Permit for the mine itself near Williamsburg three years ago but the mining of coal has not yet begun. The proposed site for the Northfield railroad coal loadout is still under a permit issued in 1998 to Energy Fuels. If approved, the new Northfield permit will replace the existing Energy Fuels permit.

The Planning Commission will also hear a request for a Special Review Use permit to allow a private use off-road recreation track. Stephen and Lynette Harris want to build the off-road motorized recreation facility including a free style training area, a peewee track, an intermediate track, and ATV track, and a special event track. The proposed site is on 120 acres that the Harrises own on the northwest corner of Phantom Canyon Road and County Road #123 north of the Fremont County Airport. The permit would allow only family and friends to use the off-road tracks.

The Planning Commission meets at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 6th, in the County Commissioners meeting room at the Fremont County Administration Building.

March 23rd Commissioners Meeting

$262,000 to digitize historical records at the Fremont County Clerk's Office is part of a long term finance package approved last week by the Board of Commissioners.

The Fremont County Commissioners took action on Tuesday to set up a $6.26 million dollar finance package through the George K. Baum Company that addressed three county issues.

The Commissioners said the resolution that was adopted first addresses the refunding of $2.245 million in Certificates of Participation which were first issued several years ago to finance the construction of the County Human Services Office Building, the Fremont County Judicial Center, and the 96 bed expansion of the Fremont County Jail. County Finance Director Dana Angel said that as those certificates have matured the annual payments have continued to grow on the expectation that sales tax revenue would also continue to grow. But severe declines in sales tax revenue the past 2 1/2 years has forced the county to adjust the payment schedule. Alan Matlosz of George K. Baum said the refunding of the certificates will lower the county's payments over the next four years. Matlosz said when the original certificates reach their call date in 2013 the county could restructure the debt further if sales tax revenue has not recovered.

The second component of the finance package is $2.3 million for energy conservation measures in county buildings. The County Commissioners last year secured a grant through the Governor's Energy Office to perform an energy audit. The result of that audit by the Ennovate Corporation was a series of energy saving recommendations. The contract with Ennovate guarantees that the cost of the facility upgrades will be covered by the energy savings in the coming years. One of the costliest upgrades and principal energy savers will be installation of a new boiler and chilling system in the Fremont County Administration Building. The old boiler system has been in use for more than 50 years. Besides energy inefficiency the old boiler has become more and more costly for the county to maintain.

The third portion of the finance package approved by the Commissioners is $1.5 million worth of capital equipment expenditures. Among items to be financed over eight years with that money will be a pair of new road graders and pickup truck replacements for the Road and Bridge Department, new telephone systems for the Administration Building and the Public Health Department, and the complete digitization of all of the county's historical records in the Fremont County Clerk and Recorders' Office. The digitization of the county records is a project that County Clerk Norma Hatfield has been prioritized in her office for more than ten years.

The Commissioners Tuesday voted to authorize the Chairman's signature on grant documents with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). An FAA grant totaling $316,962 will be used for a pavement maintenance program on the runway at the Fremont County Airport. Airport Manager Dick Baker said nothing significant has been done for maintenance on the runway itself since 1995. The FAA is funding 95 percent of the project while Fremont County and the Colorado Aeronautics Division will each pay a 2 1/2 percent share of $8,341.

Jane Mannon of the Cripple Creek and Victor Gold Mine presented an annual report of the mine's activities in Teller County. Mannon said that of the 383 current employees at the gold mine, 88 of them live in Fremont County. She said the average hourly wage of the mine employees living in Fremont County is $26. She said the direct hourly wage paid out to those Fremont County employees in 2009 totaled $4,778,000. Mannon said the CC & V Gold Mine expects to expand their work force to 430 employees later this spring and summer.

The Commissioners Tuesday appointed Byron Alsup of Coaldale to fill a vacancy on the Fremont County Planning Commission created by the recent resignation of Keith McNew. Commission Chairman Ed Norden said the Commissioners received seven applications for the vacancy and that the board was impressed with the qualifications of all the applicants. Norden said Alsup is a 19 year resident of the Coaldale area and currently serves on the board of the Western Fremont Fire Protection District. The Commissioners appointed Alsup to fill the remainder of McNew's term through August and for another three year term beyond that date.

In other business Tuesday the Commissioners:

• Tabled a decision on the renewal of a liquor license for the Whitewater Bar & Grill on Eight-Mile Hill west of Canon City until the April 13th meeting. The Commissioners listened to concerns about how loud music from the bar late at night impacts neighboring businesses. Bar owner Ty Seufer did not appear and the Commissioners tabled the renewal until Seufer could appear before the board;
• Approved a Temporary Use Permit for the Canon City Music and Blossom Festival Carnival to operate at Oak Creek Grade Road and Elm Avenue from April 27th through May 3rd;
• Approved a three year extension on requirements for surfacing an additional parking area next to a new warehouse at the Estes-Cox plant at Highway 50 and 'H' Street in Penrose. Joe Seiberlich told the Commissioners that Estes-Cox is under new ownership and management. He said in addition to dealing with the recession the model rocket manufacturer has had to spend some $700,000 to deal with new federal consumer safety regulations on toys;
• Approved a two year extension of the deadline for submittal of contingency items for Colorado Springs Utilities' Southern Delivery System Special Review Use Permit. Springs Utilities said they want to keep the permit active even though plans are moving forward to run the SDS pipeline through Pueblo County.
  

Fremont County Tourism Council 2009 Report

The 2009 Fremont County Tourism Council's (FCTC) Annual Report was detailed to the Board of County Commissioners on March 9th. Doug Shane of the Cañon City Chamber of Commerce, which contracts with FCTC for management services, reported that the county's two percent lodging tax produced $141,014 in revenue in 2009. He said despite the economic slowdown the lodging tax revenue was down by only $23 from 2008 levels. The 2009 FCTC expenditures totaled $168,730 which included a $10,000 grant from the Colorado Tourism Board.

Shane said in addition to preparations for publishing the 2010 Visitors Guide the Tourism Council also spent a great deal of work last year on branding research. FCTC hired an Aspen firm to conduct a marketing and branding study in the region. That effort resulted in establishing 'Royal Gorge Region' as FCTC's branding name and the adoption of a new logo utilizing the marketing slogans of 'Unlock the Treasure' and 'Unlock the Adventure'. The new logo is being used in the heading of the 2010 Visitors Guide (above left).

Shane reported that visitors to the Chamber of Commerce welcome centers at the opposite ends of Canon City greeted 16,995 visitors last year. That was down by 1,338 from 2008 numbers, but Shane said visitor contacts at the Chamber of Commerce Office in the Peabody House totaled 12,019 which were up by 2,870 compared to 2008. Shane said because of those numbers and the continuing problems with recruiting volunteers to staff the tourist cabins, the cabins will be closed for the summer of 2010. Instead Shane said visitors will be directed to the Chamber of Commerce Office where they plan to expand public parking to accommodate buses and to operate weekend hours as well.

March 9th Commissioners Meeting

The Fremont County Commissioners put into place temporary regulations dealing with medical marijuana dispensaries at their March 9th regular meeting. Commission Chairman Ed Norden said the temporary regulations were the result of two months of work by county staff and commissioners to put some type regulations into place while the Colorado Legislature debates statewide guidelines.

Four county residents briefly addressed the medical marijuana regulations. Several commented that the regulations seem appropriate by restricting locations within the county's business and rural highway business zones. Tom Doxey of Penrose spoke strongly against any regulations that would permit marijuana dispensaries warning about the dangers associated with marijuana use.

In addition to zoning restrictions the regulations also address minimum distances medical marijuana dispensaries must be from schools, parks, churches, and other dispensaries. The regulations also address signage for such shops. While the regulations prohibit marijuana dispensaries as home occupations in residential neighborhoods, they would permit a caregiver of marijuana patients to maintain enough of a supply of marijuana in their home to care for no more than three patients.

Because temporary regulations cannot be enacted for more than 30 days without a public hearing, the County Commissioners also set a public hearing date of April 13th at 10:00 a.m. to consider any changes and a possible extension of the regulations. County Attorney Brenda Jackson noted that it would then take additional time to review and propose permanent medical marijuana regulations which would require review by the Fremont County Planning Commission and another public hearing before the County Commissioners.

Commissioner Norden said a copy of the temporary regulations can be reviewed on the county's home web page at www.fremontco.com. He said comments can also be submitted in writing prior to the April 13th hearing. Commissioner Larry Lasha said a number of counties and cities are trying to cope with the sudden onslaught of medical marijuana dispensaries and are in need of some additional guidance from the legislature or some clarification from voters.

The Commissioners last Tuesday also heard Doug Shane of the Canon City Chamber of Commerce present the 2009 annual report from the Fremont County Tourism Council. Shane said that despite the economic downturn there was a drop of only $23 in revenue last year from the county's two percent lodging tax. Shane said the Tourism Council was also busy last year reviewing a study and recommendations for branding the area. He said the targeted branding message will be the 'Royal Gorge Region'.

In other business the Commissioners:

• Heard Mike Schnobrich discuss the Full Service Restorative Justice Program which is a non-profit group working with victims and the courts in the 11th Judicial District;
• Heard a plea from Jody Enderle of Fremont Search and Rescue for the county to fund $3,705 for the group's insurance costs in 2010. Enderle said the county's deep budget cuts forced the Sheriff to eliminate that line item in his budget. But with the all-volunteer group already paying for much of their own fuel, equipment, and training, the lack of money to pay insurance costs could put the future of the Search and Rescue group in jeopardy. County Manager George Sugars said the county should have an answer for the group in two weeks once the Commissioners examine the final budget numbers from 2009.

Fremont 2010 Spring Cleanup Trash Vouchers Available

The Fremont Pride 2010 Spring Cleanup campaign is kicking off with distribution of free trash vouchers again this year to local residents. Fremont County, the Cities of Canon City and Florence, Twin Enviro Services, Skyline Steel, and Junk Masters are sponsoring the annual cleanup campaign. A limited number of free waste disposal vouchers are available from City and County Government Offices.

Residents living inside the city limits of Canon City should go to City Hall at 128 Main Street, to apply for a free voucher. Fremont County residents, which include anyone residing outside of the cities, may go to the Fremont County Administrative Building at 615 Macon in Canon City to apply for a free voucher. Proof of residency will be required to obtain a voucher and vouchers are limited to only one per household. Residents of Florence should apply for a free voucher at City Hall at 600 West 3rd Street in Florence. The City of Florence will have a special clean up week throughout the city April 19th through the 23rd.

The vouchers allow the free dumping of residential yard waste, trash, and debris for 2 1/2 cubic yards which amounts to a standard pickup load of trash. The free vouchers are redeemable only for dumping at the Twin Enviro Landfill along County Road 67, the Phantom Canyon Road north of the Fremont County Airport.

Restrictions on the free trash vouchers include:

• A limit of 1 voucher per physical address (no businesses/landlords with more than one rental unit);
• The maximum free amount is equivalent to one regular, level load pick up truck bed.
• Residents will pay for excess amount over 2 1/2 yards;
• Canon City trash vouchers expire on April 17th.
• Fremont County and Florence trash vouchers will be good for an extra week expiring April 23rd at Phantom Landfill.
• NO COMMERCIAL HAULERS OR CONTRACTORS, NO APPLIANCES, AND LOADS MUST BE COVERED.

Skyline Steel at 301 South 1st Street in Canon City will purchase appliances, including freon-free refrigerators. Scrap iron, brass, aluminum, and copper will be purchased at prevailing rates. Automotive batteries will be purchased for $1 each. Aluminum cans delivered to Skyline Steel from April 1st through April 16th will receive a bonus of 5 cents per pound. Skyline Steel is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

R.D. Recycling at 1501 High Street north of Canon City will again have free collection for old appliances. Residents may take their appliances, including freon-free refrigerators, to R.D. Recycling, Monday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for free disposal. Brass, aluminum, and copper will be purchased at prevailing rates. R.D. Recycling will purchase car batteries for $1 each.

Junk Masters will pick up scrap metal, appliances, vehicles, batteries, pipe, wire, machinery, etc., for free. Junk Masters will not accept TV's, wood, tires, furniture, paints or other household chemicals or trash. Call 429-4590 or 289-0592 to arrange for pickup.

No tires or dead animals will be accepted. Liquid and hazardous wastes are prohibited for disposal. Fremont County will announce a special tire recycling day for sometime in May.

February 23rd Commissioners Meeting

The Fremont County Commissioners disposed of a brief agenda of business within 20 minutes at their regular meeting on February 23rd.

The Commissioners voted to approve a resolution amending the conditional use permit for the Front Range Aggregate quarry along the Arkansas River just west of Parkdale. Commission Chairman Ed Norden said the amendment focuses specifically on restricted uses and repairs to what is commonly known as the Harvey Bridge, the only motor vehicle access into the quarry area.

Norden noted that last summer the engineering firm handling State of Colorado bridge inspections downgraded the bridge due to new standards established following the Minnesota bridge collapse. The downgrading resulted in load limits being posted on the bridge for the first time which would seriously hinder the ability of Front Range to economically truck materials from the quarry over the bridge.

Norden said that after several meetings last summer and fall a solution was reached whereby speed bumps would be installed on both north and south bridge approaches assuring trucks with heavier loads would travel no more than the posted 5 mile per hour speed limit. The amendment relies on engineering designs provided by an engineer hired by Front Range. Front Range will also be required to make certain bridge improvements and modifications over the next three years. Under the amendment permitting the heavier truck loads, Front Range will also indemnify Fremont County due to any bridge failure caused by their truck traffic.

The Commissioners commended the work of all county staff members who worked to bring about a resolution to the problem.

The Commissioners also announced that at the Board's March 9th regular meeting they will consider some temporary regulations dealing with medical marijuana. The Commissioners said the temporary regulations will provide some guidance relating in which zone districts marijuana dispensaries will be permitted. In the meantime the Commissioners anticipate the Colorado General Assembly will adopt some statewide regulations to give the county some guidance before the Commissioners consider some permanent regulations.

Chairman Ed Norden said the temporary regulations dealing with medical marijuana dispensaries do not require a public hearing, but the Commission's intent is to allow citizens to be heard at the public meeting if they have something to say.

The Commissioners last Tuesday also:

• Approved a proclamation declaring the observance of Girl Scout Week from March 7th through the 13th;
• Approved a resolution adopting minor language changes to the Fremont County personnel manual;
• Announced that Holcim Inc. is making preparations to pave County Road 6 at Coaldale which is required as part of the Commissioners previous approval for Holcim to reopen a gypsum mine at Coaldale.