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.

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.

Civil Air Patrol Promotes Cadets

Three Fremont County students enrolled in the Colorado Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program were honored at Tuesday's meeting of the Fremont County Board of Commissioners. Cadets Jack Nordell, Mike Enderle, and Hudson Baker received certificates for commissions as Cadet 2nd Lieutenant. Pictured from left to right are Squadron Commander Bryce Nelson, Cadet Joseph Ensley, Nordell, Enderle, and Baker.

February 9th Commissioners Meeting

The Fremont County Commissioners awarded a pair of bids Tuesday as part of the ongoing improvements underway on Fremont County's portion of Pathfinder Regional Park. Heath Andreatta Excavation of Walsenburg was the successful low bidder to install a sewer line eventually connecting a new restroom to the nearby sanitary sewer main.

The Commissioners awarded a contract to Watson Building Company of Canon City which submitted the lowest of eight bids for construction of a restroom facility next to the outdoor arena at Pathfinder Park. Watson's bid totaled $122,398. The bid went to Watson despite concerns raised by Brock Green of the Pathfinder Park steering committee. Green said he believed the county would incur more maintenance problems and costs from potential vandalism with a stucco exterior and solar panels on the roof. Green said he believed cinder block construction made more sense. County Engineer Don Moore said stucco construction would still mean a solid built facility with good insulating value for a restroom that will need to be heated if open year-round.

The Commissioners said they were confident in the specifications drawn up by the engineer. Commissioner Larry Lasha added that security lighting and cameras at the arena will hopefully deter and would be vandals. Commission Chairman Ed Norden said the stucco restroom can be built at comparable or lower cost than a cinder block building and that the board may negotiate further with Watson to reduce some additional cost.

Following a pair of public hearings in which no public comment was offered, the Commissioners voted to approve a pair of special review use permits for AllTel Communications to erect two cellular towers in western Fremont County. Both towers will be 48 feet high with a requirement by the Commissioners that they be painted tan or brown to blend in better with the landscape. One tower will be built on the southwest corner of Copper Gulch Road and 'H' Path in the Deer Mountain area. The other tower will be located along the south side of Highway 50 about two miles west of Highway 69 in the Texas Creek area.

The Commissioners also heard no public comment in approved an amendment to the Fremont County Zoning Resolution. The amendment clarifies the validity of information and supporting documents for all Planning and Zoning applications; states a clear declaration for conformance to plans, drawings, and commitments when the applicant signs the application; and imposes professional review fees on an applicant when third party expertise must be called in to aid in evaluating an application.

The Commissioners Tuesday voted to reappoint Fred Smith, Phil Thomas, Ralph Kunselman, and Paul Telck to the Fremont County Weed Advisory Board. Curt Sorenson and Doug Buford were also newly appointed to the Weed Advisory Board. All terms are for two years.

The Commissioners also approved a Special Events Liquor permit to allow the Canon City Rodeo Association to sell beer at the Blossom Festival Rodeo April 29th through May 1st and for a motorcycle event and concert on June 26th.

Planning Commission Resignation & Vacancy

The Board of County Commissioners is accepting letters of interest from citizens of Fremont County wishing to serve on the Fremont County Planning Commission. The Commissioners will be appointing someone to fill a vacancy created by the resignation last week of Keith McNew. McNew told fellow Planning Commission members that he was resigning due to personal conflicts and other priorities at this time. McNew has served on the Planning Commission for the past 5 1/2 years.

The Commission meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. to review land use proposals, such as subdivisions, zone changes, and use permits and make recommendations to the County Commissioners who render a final decision on land use proposals. The Planning Commission has also begun monthly workshop sessions to update the Fremont County Master Plan, a county-wide guideline for reviewing land use proposals.

Because McNew served in the seat which typically has represented western Fremont County, the Board of Commissioners is encouraging letters of interest from western Fremont County residents. However, the application process is open to anyone. Interested persons should submit a letter stating their qualifications and reasons for wanting to serve by mail or in person to the County Commissioners at 615 Macon Avenue - Room 105, Canon City, Colorado 81212, or by fax at (719) 276-7304. The deadline for letters is 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010.

The Planning Commission appointment is for a three year term. For more information concerning the Planning Commission please contact the Department of Planning and Zoning at 276-7360 or by email at planning@fremontco.com.

January 26th Commissioners Meeting

The Fremont County Commissioners handled a busy agenda of business at their January 26th regular board meeting highlighted by a salute to the volunteer efforts of a Fremont County Sheriff's deputy.

Deputy Bruce Briscoe was honored by Colorado Special Olympics with a plaque for his many years of volunteer efforts to organize law enforcement torch runs in southern Colorado. Ralph Maher, coordinator for the southeastern Colorado Special Olympics Torch Run said Briscoe started with the torch runs in 1997 when he was a deputy in Custer County and then continued to organize them when he began work with the Fremont County Sheriff's Department. Maher said Briscoe's efforts have helped to raise over $10,000 for Special Olympics. Briscoe said what hooked him in helping with Special Olympics was the joy he saw on the faces of the athletes. Briscoe has also volunteered as a Special Olympics coach.

The Commissioners also saluted the work of former Canon City Mayor Bill Jackson on the Fremont County Planning Commission. The Commissioners presented Jackson with a crystal award noting his 13 years of dedicated service to the Planning Commission as the City of Canon City's municipal representative.

With a recommendation from County Clerk Norma Hatfield and four support letters from citizens, the Commissioners voted to conduct the 2010 August Primary Election by using all mail ballots. Hatfield said it's much more economical to conduct a mail ballot election. She said mail ballots are also very popular with voters throughout the county.

The Commissioners heard a presentation from Steve Foute from the Pueblo Regional Office of the U.S. Census. Foute spoke about the importance to local government to see that all citizens are counted in the census. Foute said the distribution of federal and state grant dollars are tied directly to census population counts every ten years. It's also vital to the drawing of boundaries for legislative redistricting. The Commissioners unaimously approved a resolution calling attention to 2010 as "Census Awareness Year" urging citizens to cooperate by filling out the census forms when they begin arriving in the mail in March.

The Commissioners voted to approve a resolution adopting new fees in the Planning and Zoning Department dealing with minor and major modifications to Site Development Plans, Special Review Use Permits, and Conditional Use Permits; Master Plan amendments; Zoning Resolution amendments; and zoning compliance letters.

Commission Chairman Ed Norden said the $300 fees being established on Master Plan amendments and Zoning Resolution amendments that are initiated by citizens will be monitored closely to determine if the fees are fair. Norden said the board wants to make sure that citizens are not discouraged from initiating their own amendments but that they felt some type of fee needed to be in place to avoid a situation where the entire process comes to a standstill if there were an influx of citizen initiated amendments. He said under that scenario, the Planning and Zoning staff would be tied up on amendment reviews.
Commissioner Mike Stiehl agreed saying the fees are not intended to have a chilling effect on citizens participation but to set a reasonable fee for the staff time invested.

The Commissioners adopted two other resolutions on Tuesday's agenda. One resolution is in support of a possible resolution being drafted by the National Association of Counties calling on railroads to be more considerate to the needs of local government in solving problems created by rails pass through various communities. The other resolution formally adopts a job description for County Manager George Sugars who recently completed his first year on the job. Chairman Ed Norden said there was always an understanding of Sugars' responsibilities but when he was hired a year ago the Commissioners felt it was a priority to get him on the job and then to work on the final job description as the year progressed.

In other business Tuesday the Commissioners: Received an annual report from Code Enforcement Officers Robert Sapp and Ron Zenisky on 2009 Code Enforcement Efforts; Appointed Dan Grenard to fill two years remaining on an unexpired term on the Fremont County Heritage Commission created by the resignation last fall of Flo Orona; Authorized the chairman to sign a lease agreement being negotiated with AllTel for possible location of a wireless communications tower on county property at Cotopaxi;
Approved the transfer of a use permit for Forge Food Mart along Forge Road south of Canon City from Sheila and Ronnie Kimmel to Bill Tezak for two more years. The Commissioners were told there are no immediate plans to reopen the business; Awarded the 2010 county stationary bid to Rocky Mountain Print and Copy for $767.

January 12th Commissioners Meeting

The Fremont County Commissioners' first meeting of 2010 was highlighted by annual reorganizational business and the awarding of a contract for engineering design services for a water line from Florence to Pathfinder Regional Park.

The reorganizational business saw the board electing District 3 Commissioner Ed Norden as the Chairman for 2010 with District 2 Commissioner Larry Lasha filling the post of Chairman Pro-Tem. The Commissioners also voted to reappoint County Attorney Brenda Jackson for 2010 and to reappoint Veterans Service Officer Betty Hanawalt to serve in that position for another two years.

The Commissioners decided to keep their regular meeting dates for the board on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 9:30 a.m. Other routine annual business included designating posting places for meeting notices, official newspapers, and official bank depositories.

The Commissioners voted to approve a contract with The Engineering Company (TEC) of Fort Collins for engineering design of a water line from Florence to the county's property at Pathfinder Park west of Florence. The contract approval includes the negotiated contract price under three defined tasks of $25,195. Commission Chairman Ed Norden said the board was pleased with the contract price given the fact that the original estimate for the work was $43,000. Norden said that was the basis of a Colorado Energy Impact grant application in which the county was awarded $21,500 representing up to fifty percent of the cost. The lower contract price of $25,195 means the state grant will pay half and the county will pay the other half. The $12,598 county share will come from the Conservation Trust Fund (lottery dollars) which has a restricted use for such park projects.

Also at the January 12th meeting the Commissioners:

• Appointed Canon City Councilman Daryl Robinson to the Fremont County Planning Commission as the city's representative following his selection by new Canon City Mayor Tony Greer. Robinson replaces former Mayor Bill Jackson who served 13 years on the Planning Commission;
• Reappointed Peggy Sorenson and Sherry Johns to full three year terms on the Fremont County Heritage Commission;
• Approved the annual participation agreement in the Upper Arkansas Area Council of Governments' Regional Recycling Program at a fee of $24,898. The money comes from the surcharges collected on waste dumped at the local transfer stations and the landfill;
• Approved a liquor license renewal for Shadow Hills Golf Club;
• Set public hearing dates on February 9th for a pair of AllTel wireless communication towers in the Deer Mountain and Texas Creek areas and for the proposed First Amendment to the Fremont County Zoning Resolution.

Tourism Council Awards 2010 Community Events Grants

The Fremont County Tourism Council has voted to award $9,000 in 2010 for use by eight organizations in promoting events in Fremont County that bring visitors to the area. Recipients of the grants and the amounts awarded include:

• Canon City Music and Blossom Festival - - $1,000;
• Florence Chamber of Commerce - - $1,000 (for tourism brochures, maps, marketing);
• Museum of Colorado Prisons - - $1,750 (for the Smithsonian "Between Fences" Exhibit);
• Florence Eureka Days BBQ Competition - - $1,000;
• Canon City Chamber Western Heritage Days - - $2,000;
• Colorado Country Music Association - - $750 (2-day statewide talent competition);
• Penrose Apple Day - - $750;
• Fremont Center for the Arts' Brew-Ha-Ha - - $750.

The Tourism Council received applications from ten organizations for funding assistance totaling $22,000. Tourism Council by-laws require that they distribute a minimum of five percent of the proceeds from Fremont County's two percent lodging tax to local organizations to help promote their events. The five percent minimum funding level would have been just over $7,000.

In awarding the grants the Tourism Council also stipulated that all of the groups receiving money must use the Council's new Royal Gorge Region theme logo in any promotional materials.

H1N1 Vaccinations Available at Fremont Public Health

Despite a significant decline in the incidence of H1N1 flu, the Fremont County Public Health Department continues to offer weekly H1N1 clinics for persons who still have not had the opportunity to get a vaccination.

Public Health Director Becki Vettese reported to the County Board of Health (Board of Commissioners) at last week's monthly meeting that her department has administered 4,247 H1N1 vaccinations. Vettese said the H1N1 flu vaccinations clinics will continue at her office at 172 Justice Center Road every Tuesday afternoon from 1:30 until 4:30, but persons wanting a vaccination must call ahead to make an appointment. The number to call for an appointment is 275-1626. The H1N1 vaccinations are free of charge.

Vettese said her office will continue to take appointments for the H1N1 vaccinations on Tuesdays as long as they continue to have the vaccine available. The Public Health Office has now received more than 8,000 doses of the vaccine. She says close to 4,000 of those doses have been distributed to local physicians and other vendors who administer the vaccine.

Vettese said nurses in her department have also administered over 1,100 doses of seasonal flu vaccine.

Heritage Commission Vacancy

The Fremont County Commissioners are seeking letters of interest to fill a vacancy on the Fremont County Heritage Commission. One of the charter members of the Heritage Commission, Flo Orona, resigned her seat last fall to devote her time to other interests. Orona was originally appointed to serve as the museums' representative on the commission. She was appointed to a three year term and the new appointee will serve the two years remaining of that term.

The Fremont Heritage Commission works to protect, preserve, and enhance the historic features of Fremont County, and to foster and promote understanding of the area's heritage.

Persons submitting letters of interest should have an affiliation with any of the museum organizations in Fremont County. Letters of interest should be mailed, e-mailed, or submitted in person to the Board of County Commissioners, Room 105, 615 Macon Avenue, in Canon City no later than 4 p.m. Thursday, January 21st.

December 29th Board of Commissioners Meeting

The Fremont County Commissioners' final formal meeting of 2009 dealt with some routine end of the year business and clarifications on a pair of previously approved Special Review Use Permits.

The Commissioners voted Tuesday on five appointments to the Fremont County Tourism Council. The Commissioners reappointed Rudl Mergelman and Beth Katchmar to three year terms on the council and newly appointed Dan Brown of Keller-Williams Realty to a three year term filling a vacancy left by the departing Andy Neinas. Neinas served nine years on the Tourism Council since it was first formed. The Commissioners also appointed Vicky Casey of Buckskin Joe to serve the remaining two years of a term on the council created by the vacation of a seat held by Amy Colvin. To fill a vacancy created by the December resignation of Morrie Aves, the Commissioners appointed Mike Johnston of Prospectors RV Park to serve the remaining one year on that term.

The Commissioners unanimously approved a contract renewal for 2010 for County Manager George Sugars at an annual salary of $73,440. District 3 Commissioner Ed Norden commended Sugars for his first year on the job noting his efforts through the budget process. Norden said Sugars has also received high praise from Fremont County Sheriff Jim Beicker for Sugars' efforts in handling management and budget issues between the Commissioners and the Sheriff's Department. District 2 Commissioner Larry Lasha said it should be noted that Sugars actually filled the vacancy of the Human Resources Director and his handling all of those duties in addition to tackling management duties for the county.

The board approved a resolution of intent for Fremont County to enter into financial obligations of approximately $3.5 million through the issuance of certificates of participation. Commissioner Ed Norden said a list of projects would be detailed later once the finances are actually put into place by the George K. Baum Company, but added that part of the package includes a refinancing of the certificates for various county buildings. Norden said principal payments on certificates for the jail, Human Services Building, and Judicial Center are escalating in 2010 beyond the available sales tax revenue to make those payments. As a result it's necessary to restructure the payment schedule.

Commissioner Mike Stiehl also noted that $2 million of the $3.5 million finance package is for the county's energy audit which got underway this past summer. Under a contract with Ennovate Corporation and through a grant from the Governor's Energy Office, the $2 million in energy efficiency improvements are to be paid off with guaranteed energy savings over a period of years.

In other business the Commissioners:

• Reappointed Mike Welch and Jim Javernick to the Fremont County Board of Zoning Adjustment;
• Modified the language of a condition for drainage requirements for the A.T. & T. Wireless facility permit at Penrose approved December 8th;
• Dropped a signed affidavit requirement for fire protection responsibility from a permit for the University of Oklahoma Geology Camp approved December 8th. The Commissioners said a record has already been made that OU is aware their new geology camp south of Canon City will be constructed outside of any organized fire district boundaries;
• Approved two resolutions dealing with end of year fund transfers and appropriations to close out the 2009 budget year.

Linda Smith Honored as Employee of the Year

The Finance and Operations Administrator for the Fremont County Department of Human Services was honored Tuesday as the 2009 Fremont County Employee of the Year. Linda Smith was honored during the regular board meeting of the Fremont County Commissioners. She has worked at the Department of Human Services since 1987.

The Employee of the Year is selected by the Fremont County Elected Officials from nominations submitted by all county employees. Linda Smith's nomination letter read in part: "Whatever the project, Linda is always organized and ready to go - - Always pleasant and kind - -thoroughly knowledgeable - - a most respected colleague."

Linda was surprised to see 12 members of her family join the commissioners meeting to help her celebrate the honor.

Fremont County celebrates employees who maintain a high standard and work ethic. The Board of County Commissioners presented Linda with a framed certificate marking the occasion. She also received a $300 gift and her portrait will hang in the foyer of the County Administration Building during 2010.