How to divvy up funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) between the county and both towns was the topic of a commissioners’ work session Tuesday as the three entities reviewed an intergovernmental agreement. The funding is designated for expenses related to the coronavirus pandemic. Meeker Mayor Kent Borchard and Rangely Town Manager Lisa Piering were in agreement that all of the funds are spent, and are willing to reallocate funds as needed.
“At the end of the day, if I can’t spend it all, I would be happy to re-allocate it to Meeker or to the county,” Piering said.
The funding comes from the federal government, through the state, and to the counties based on 2019 Census Bureau population figures. Rio Blanco County is expected to receive $539,121. Any funds that are not spent have to be returned.
MEEKER AIRPORT DRAINAGE ISSUES
Water runoff from the Meeker Airport that has damaged the road below the airport repeatedly was the subject of another work session.
“This issue started July 17, 2013,” RBC Facilities Department Project Coordinator Eric Jaquez told the county commissioners Tuesday. He remembers it because the next day was his first day on the job. “This is the one capital improvement project I haven’t been able to address since I started.”
Following a review of the options available, the commissioners agreed to schedule a meeting with CDOT and the Dunham family, which owns property on both sides of Hwy. 13 below the airport to discuss a plan developed in 2015 that involves adding new pipes under the affected roads and a concrete V-pan ditch. That plan was not pursued in 2015 because of difficulty locating utilities and not having a clear, clean drainage to the river. Standing water from ditch seepage along the highway is already a problem, Jaquez said. The estimated cost of the project in 2015 was $179,000. Expanding the retention pond at the airport will also be looked at.
CONSERVATION DISTRICTS
Conservation District Manager Callie Hendrickson said the districts are compiling data through range monitoring to identify what animals are eating what types of forage and at what time. They anticipate the data will verify the amount of rangeland feed wild horses are consuming and the damage they cause year round. “Otherwise [wild horse] advocates say it’s the cattle doing it,” Hendrickson said. There are currently 1,200 excess wild horses in Rio Blanco County. There should be 245 total.
Hendrickson expressed frustration that no wild horse gather was planned in Rio Blanco County this year, after she was told “if local people would get involved” BLM would gather the horses. The Meeker Mustang Makeover, which the districts support because it gets at least a few horses off the range, got locals involved, but no gather was planned.
This is the third and final year of the White River algae study. Reports are that the algae bloom has picked up already in the Rangely area this season.
Hendrickson also said a planning advisory committee has been formed to begin creating an Integrated Water Management Plan. The 15-member committee represents multiple water use interests in the county.
FIBER BREAK IN RANGELY
Representatives from the Town of Rangely and RBC Communications Department Head Cody Crooks discussed who is financially responsible for $14,050 in repairs on a fiber break on South White Avenue. The Town was trying to locate a water main leak when the fiber lines were severed. The broadband infrastructure is county property.
“With this fiber all over our communities, this is something we’re going to have to deal with. We need to come up with some policies,” said Commissioner Jeff Rector, adding, “This isn’t the last time this is going to happen.”
INCREASE IN SENIOR MEALS SERVED
Human Services Director Barb Bofinger said her department has seen an increase in the number of meals served through White River Roundup (Radino and Chuckwagon) since the pandemic started, adding that some recipients have decided they like having the meals delivered.
In the regular meeting, the board:
• Approved a liquor license for the Meeker Golf Course.
• Approved event plans for Rally Colorado in Rangely Aug. 15-16, the Meeker Fourth of July Parade, and Range Call contingent on public health’s review of a waiver for parents and children participating in mutton busting. All event plans are contingent on a virus surge and could be rescinded, Rector said.
• Approved letters of support to BLM for a categorical exclusion of land for salvage harvest, and a letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation to streamline regulations for construction, maintenance and operation of natural gas pipelines. Both proposals are expected to “speed up” processes, according to natural resources intern John Belland.
• Awarded bids for the pavement marking project, a landfill dozer, a backhoe, and three 4WD loaders.
• Approved a reimbursement for the Rangely Airport project, and approved an agreement with the Town of Rangely for the airport waterline project.
By NIKI TURNER | [email protected]
