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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 05/09/17 PUBLIC HEARING May 9, 2017 Present: Jillian Ryan Chairman Kathy Chandler-Henry Commissioner Jeanne McQueeney Commissioner Bryan Treu Interim County Manager Beth Oliver Interim County Attorney Kathy Scriver Deputy Clerk to the Board This being a scheduled Public Hearing,the following items were presented to the Board of County Commissioners for their consideration: Commissioner Updates Commissioner McQueeney gave a shout out to the Eagle River Watershed Council and the people that helped with the highway cleanup. She thanked everyone for helping to make Eagle County the wonderful place it was. Commissioner Chandler-Henry stated that the Colorado Foundation for Water Education was having an award ceremony in Denver and honoring Eric Kuhn with the lifetime achievement award. She reminded everyone that Colorado Public Lands day was coming up on May 20th Chairman Ryan provided an update on a couple bills that the board had been following the past legislative session. Unfortunately,two bills that would have really helped citizens in the county died, one was a transportation funding bill and the other was a health care relief bill for people on the individual market. She thanked the representatives for their efforts. Consent Agenda 1. Agreement between Eagle County and Hunn Planning and Policy,LLC for Planning Services Aric Otzelberger, County Manager's Office 2. Amended Final Plat 6688 Homestead Acres Sean Hanagan,Planning Commissioner McQueeney moved to approve the Consent Agenda for May 9,2017, as presented. Commissioner Chandler-Henry seconded the motion. The vote was declared unanimous. Constituent Input Chairman Ryan opened constituent input. Joanne Rock acknowledged"Thank a Teacher Day." She also expressed her feelings on taxes that supported affordable housing. Chairman Ryan closed constituent input. 1 05/9/2017 Business Items 1. Resolution 2017-023 Authorizing the Extension of a Temporary Regulation Modifying the Development Review Process for a Period not to Exceed Six Months During a Time of Transition in the Community Development Department Abby Musfeldt, County Manager's Office Aric Otzelberger stated that on April 11th the BoCC approved the temporary regulations for a 30-day period. Notice was published in the local paper providing a 15-day notice for this public hearing that would implement the temporary regulation amendments for a period of six(6)months. The goal was to adjust the review period during this period of transition in the Planning Department. Commissioner Chandler-Henry moved to approve the resolution authorizing the extension of a Temporary Regulation modifying the development review process for a period not to exceed six months during a time of transition in the Community Development Department. Commissioner McQueeney seconded the motion. The vote was declared unanimous. 2. Agreement between Eagle County and The Conservation Fund Related to the Hardscrabble Ranch Conservation Project Toby Sprunk, Open Space Mr. Sprunk provided a brief history of the project. The Hardscrabble project had accomplished several goals and represented everything the Open Space Program wished to protect. Hardscrabble Ranch was originally part of Fred Kummer's holdings and was recently purchased by Brue Capital in 2015, along with the Frost Creek Country Club PUD. Eagle County submitted a concept plan in 2016 to GOCO through the"Protect Initiative Grants". GOCO indicated strong interest and suggested that Eagle County formalize an agreement with the owner. Currently the water rights negotiations were on going and a point of some contention. The property was 1,540 acres,460 of which were irrigated. The county would work on a management plan. There would be trails and access in the spring of 2018. The budget was complicated. The total project cost was $16,027,000.00 with a possible funding shortfall of$2,727,000.00. He reviewed the possible options for the funding gap. Joshua Farmer, Eagle County Planning Commission member acknowledged Mr. Sprunk's work on the project. He reviewed the six criteria considered by the Open Space Advisory Committee and indicated that the Staff and OSAC's recommendations were high. Additional project consideration included that the project would help Eagle become a recreation destination. The project would also preserve agricultural lands,wildlife habitat, and scenic qualities. There was some urgency to the project due to the request for funds from GOCO. Mr. Sprunk indicated that some of the existing buildings would be destroyed due to the condition of the structures. The water rights were important at this point.He showed photos of the area.There were a lot a people that worked on the project.He believed it took a village to pull these transactions together. He recognized everyone for their efforts. There were two funding agreements; one was to put$9 million dollars of open space funds towards the conservation funds purchase to take title,plus $427,000 in transaction costs. The program would continue to seek funds from partners to reduce the shortfall. Chairman Ryan reiterated that even with the signing of the documents today,the earnest money would not be lost if the deal fell through. Commissioner Chandler-Henry asked about the expenditures of$10,325,000. Mr. Sprunk explained that the number included the shortage amount as well. OSAC approved the$10.3 million if other funds could not be collected. Commissioner McQueeney extended her thanks. She believed in the project and hoped that any hurdles could be overcome. Commissioner Chandler-Henry added her thanks. She believed this was an amazing opportunity. Chairman Ryan opened public comment. 2 05/9/2017 Scott Turnipseed spoke on behalf of the Eagle Ranch Wildlife Committee,the Town of Eagle, and Eagle Ranch HOA. It was great to have a project that everyone could come together on.The money the Town of Eagle would be donating was basically most of what they had in reserve. The Eagle Ranch HOA was also enthusiastic about the project. The Eagle Community Plan showed growth boundaries halting after the Haymeadow Development. John Shipp expressed his supported for the project. As a business owner and a resident he would do anything in his power to contribute time, effort, and money to the additional funds necessary to make this purchase happen. Susie Kincade shared her thoughts. She'd been a resident of Eagle County since 1984. She believed the project was amazing and offered her full support. She strongly urged the board to approve the project. Bill Johnson,life time resident spoke. He fully supported the project. He encouraged a name change. Dick Kesler supported the acquisition as it was in his backyard. Andy Wiesner from the Roaring Fork Valley spoke. He believed that protecting these large scale projects was important. He thought the presentation was wonderful. Christine Quinlan with the Colorado Conservation Fund spoke. She spoke about the partnership between the County and the Conservation Fund. The Conservation Fund had a long track record of acquiring land in this area. Rosie Shearwood spoke. She moved to the area in 1969 and supported the project. She thanked everyone for their efforts. Annie Egan spoke. She believed there were many recreational opportunities.The presentation was amazing and demonstrated the essence of the property. The project would protect the land for future generations. Bob McKinney resident of Bruce Creek Road spoke. He was struck by the vision and applauded the county for their efforts and work with the Town of Eagle. He believed this opportunity would never come again. Charlie Ridgeway spoke. He thanked the board and approved the proposal. Jim Daus, Executive Director of the Eagle River Land Trust spoke about the rural character of the area. His firm supported the proposal and looked forward to preserving the property forever. Bill Andree, CPW voiced his support. Vern Brock spoke. He believed he had a different view. He worked for Fred Kummer in the early years and the proposed development for the property was twice the size of Eagle Ranch. He believed the project benefited all the other developments. Cookie Murphy—Pettee spoke. As a taxpayer in the county she expressed support for the project. Roger Brown spoke.He supported the proposal. He hoped to the county would preserve more property in the Gypsum Creek Valley. Chairman Ryan closed public comment. Commissioner Chandler-Henry stated that the property was the glue that brought everyone together and kept the agriculture going. Commissioner Chandler-Henry moved to approve the agreement between Eagle County and The Conservation Fund Related to the Hardscrabble Ranch Conservation Project Commissioner McQueeney seconded the motion. The vote was declared unanimous. 3. Fee Agreement for Purchase of Hardscrabble Ranch Toby Sprunk, Open Space Commissioner McQueeney moved to approve the fee agreement for the purchase of Hardscrabble Ranch. Commissioner Chandler-Henry seconded the motion. The vote was declared unanimous. 4. Treasurer and Public Trustee Quarterly Report Teak Simonton,Treasurer 3 05/9/2017 Ms. Simonton provided the first quarter interest earnings. Although earnings were down 30%, she believed the rest of the year would improve. Revenue for the Public Trustee totaled$20,893.82 and expenses totaled $17,360.91. The bottom line was that they were$10,848.00 ahead of last year's revenues. There being no further business befor,: 1:Ni the meeting was adjourned until May 16, 20 7. ... j lit ....4 1, Attes / �. �� *_■---_ ; ' •C r Allir // Cie j to the Board �Q�oaAOO ai an 4 05/9/2017