HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 11/17/20 PUBLIC HEARING
November 17, 2020
Present: Kathy Chandler-Henry Chairman
Matt Scherr Commissioner
Jeanne McQueeney Commissioner
Jeff Shroll County Manager
Beth Oliver Deputy 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 Scherr spoke about the Latino Networking Program in the Roaring Fork Valley. The
programs provide opportunities for change in their communities. He congratulated the 10 community leaders who
were selected to participate in the year-long program. They include residents from all three counties.
Commissioner McQueeney wanted to raise awareness that Governor Polis shared his budget proposal with
the community last week. The budget was available on his website.People could reach out to state representatives
in terms of the priorities or if they believed something had been overlooked.
Chairman Chandler-Henry gave a shout out to the Family Leadership Training Institute. She sat on the
panel,and it was great to reflect on the changes that had happened in the community from past participants in the
program. She also acknowledged the COVID-19 challenges and stated that the county was doing everything
possible to advocate for relief and assistance at the federal,state,and local levels.
County Manager Updates
Jeff Shroll stated that the county was currently in"Orange"on the COVID meter and encouraged people to
be safe and take every precaution possible.It was important that the county be a safe place for visitors and for the
community. There were some great examples of people out there who were doing it right.
COVID-19 Update
Birch Barron,Emergency Management Director,was present virtually. He indicated that the COVID
disease trend was not looking good but believed that it was possible to turn things around. He believed if people
continued to wear masks, limit social gatherings,and continue social distancing the numbers could go down in a
couple of weeks or a couple of days; it really depended on how the community responded. Last week alone the
county averaged about 37 new positive cases everyday. In addition to the new cases,the concern was disruption of
business, critical infrastructure,medical personnel,schools,and everything that kept the community running.
Locally the hospital capacity was doing well,however,the medical providers in the community were seeing a lot
more really sick people. Currently there were 1,294 confirmed COVID patients in Colorado hospitals. Keeping
the schools open was critical to keeping parents in the workforce. The hope was to make changes now,to get the
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2. Resolution 2020-093 Approving the Use of Open Space Funds for Transaction Costs Associated with the
Preservation of the Mulroy Ranch and Authorizing Commissioners to Execute Documents Related to the Ranch
Katherine King,Open Space
Executive Summary: Eagle Valley Land Trust(EVLT) is requesting Eagle County Open Space funding for the
transaction costs on a 1868-acre conservation easement at 9206 Trough Road(Mulroy Ranch). OSAC determined
the conservation easement meets the open space selection criteria of protecting significant wildlife habitat,
agricultural heritage,scenic landscapes and sensitive environments.They unanimously recommended the County
fund the$99,952 in transaction costs.The expenditure will be considered with either the 5th supplemental to the
2020 budget,or as part of the 2021 budget approval process.
Ms. King provided some background information about the property. The property was just past Rancho
Del Rio on the Trough Road. The property was zoned resource and was 1908 acres. The property was
contiguous with a lot of other public lands. The landowner was planning on donating a conservation easement on
the entire property for tax credits. The property was currently used as a family residence and hunting retreat.
The appraised property value was$8.4 million,and the value of the conservation easement was determined to be
about$3.3 million. The easement would incumber the entire property with the exception of a building envelope
for the landowner and his existing house,a couple of cabins,and some barns. There would be no public access.
There was a very small portion of the property located in Grand County. EVLT was requesting$99,952 for
transaction costs. She reviewed the scoring criteria and indicated that the property scored in the medium/high
range. The conservation easement and supporting the transaction cost did provide an excellent partnership
opportunity for EVLT and their land conservation mission. The EVLT would bear the long-term cost and
responsibility of maintaining and monitoring the easement.
Jessica Foulis, Executive Director of the Eagle Valley Land Trust, spoke. She expressed gratitude for the
consideration and for the recommendation from the Open Space Advisory Council.
Commissioner McQueeney wondered how the transaction costs were calculated.
Ms. King provided a breakdown of the costs and explained that most of the costs were standard across the
board no matter the size of the property. Conservation easement appraisals were extremely expensive. This
property had a higher stewardship endowment.
Ms. Foulis stated that usually the transaction costs ranged from$60,000-90,000.
Chairman Chandler-Henry asked if Grand County was aware of the project.
Ms. Foulis stated that she had not reached out to Grand Count but would be happy to do so.
Commissioner Scherr moved to approve the Resolution Approving the Use of Open Space Funds for
Transaction Costs Associated with the Preservation of the Mulroy Ranch and Authorizing Commissioners to
Execute Documents associated with said purchase in the amount of$99,952.00.
Commissioner McQueeney seconded the motion. The vote was declared unanimous.
3.The Board of County Commissioners will meet as necessary to review and take action on any issues related to
the COVID-19 Local Disaster Emergency.
There were no items to consider.
Commissioner McQueeney moved to adjourn as the Eagle County Board of County Commissioners and
reconvene as the Eagle County Liquor Licensing Authority.
Commissioner Scherr seconded the motion. The vote was declared unanimous.
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Work Session - Eagle County Room
1.Follow-Up Review of the 2021 Eagle County Government Budget
Planning File - Site Tour
1. Site Visit-Edwards RiverPark-Combined Sketch/Preliminary Plan,Zone Change, and 1041 Permit-
PDSP-9050/ZC-9029/1041-9030
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There being no further business bef 4;P r--�•���� e meeting was adjourned until December 8, 2020.
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Attest: D ��°ea o0
Cler to the Board Chairman
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