During work sessions Tuesday, Nov 9, county roads were the main topic of discussion, specifically whether the county would be willing to take on the maintenance and responsibility for less than a mile of road in Rangely near the airport and a mile of road in Meeker near Ridge Estates.
Road and Bridge Director Scott Marsh said his suggestion is for the county to evaluate all the county roads.
“A lot of the counties around us have quit accepting roads,” Marsh said, primarily due to maintenance costs and staffing shortages.
New development, whether commercial or residential, changes traffic patterns, necessitating additional road maintenance and repairs.
The Town of Rangely approached the commissioners about taking over a 0.6 mile stretch of road that connects to the county road. The town’s portion of the road is in need of about $90,000 in repairs, for which the town has set aside $60,000. The Ridge Estates road is also in need of additional gravel and maintenance work that would take the Meeker road and bridge crew a week or two to complete.
Marsh and the board agreed that while partnering with HOAs or the towns is something they’re willing to look at, they don’t want to set a precedent of taking over roads upon request.
“We have several roads that probably don’t need to be county roads,” said Commissioner Jeff Rector.
The BoCC also heard a request from Meeker Town Manager Mandi Etheridge and Eastern Rio Blanco Metropolitan Recreation and Park District Executive Director Sean VonRoenn for a letter of support toward Phase 2 of the Circle Park Project that will help the Town and ERBM seek a Colorado Water Conservation Board Water Planning Grant. If awarded, that $150,000 grant for required permitting and planning would “set us up” for a larger GOCO grant request in February.
The project is estimated at $1.2 million. The town’s board of trustees and ERBM’s board of directors have agreed to allocate $250,000 each toward the four-tiered project, which will include river enhancements, bank stabilization and possible channel work, accessibility at the end of Third Street and at the 10th St. Bridge, and final park improvements.
Etheridge said both boards were hesitant about the investment, but have agreed to pursue it now. “If we don’t do it now, we’re looking at a $2-3 million project.”
Commissioners approved letters of support in the regular meeting on Tuesday.
Also in the regular meeting, the board approved a grant award from the Department of Public Safety for body worn cameras and license plate readers for the sheriff’s department in the amount of $35,101; renewed a right-of-way agreement for transportation utility systems, telecommunications and facilities on Federal lands and property with NaTec on County Rd. 31; awarded a $33,479 bid to Sourcewell with a trade allowance of $10,000 for a brush chipper..
Commissioners also approved memorandums of understanding with the Colorado Department of Revenue for “control of confidential data concerning sales and use tax”; approved agreements with American Fidelity for some in-house insurance options for employees; and approved an agreement with Garfield County for child support services.
County Planner Leif Joy told the board the land use code will need to be updated in two places to reflect updated floodplain maps, and Road and Bridge Director Marsh updated the board on his department’s activities, and said “half the Meeker crew” was out with COVID-19.
In commissioner updates, Commissioner Ty Gates and Moyer said they were involved in a pre-trial meeting with Utah Oil and Gas. The energy company is contesting its tax valuation. Gates also attended a meeting with road and bridge and the Forest Service about the travel management plan for the Buford/New Castle road, a 911 board meeting, an Office of Just Transition funding process meeting, multiple meetings with staff and a Northwest CDC meeting.
Commissioner Moyer said he testified at a recent Colorado Oil and Gas Commission meeting in GLenwood Springs, “explaining our position regarding their lack of permitting and the impact it’s having.” He also attended budget workshops and had meetings with staff.
Commissioner Rector, returning to the board room for the first time in months, said it was “good to be back” after being out on “personal leave.” e board reconvened for another budget workshop Tuesday afternoon.
By NIKI TURNER – editor@editorht1885.com
