It was a meeting full of topic continuations. The Tuesday, June 20 regular meeting of the Chaffee Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) saw them continuing some discussions about which they wanted more time — or more information — before making decisions.
Those topics included the new redistricting maps, a renewed request to allow major subdivision applications during the temporary moratorium, the Colorado Broadband Office Capital Projects Fund Grant Preparation, and a discussion regarding appointments to the Chaffee Housing Authority Board.
The BoCC reopened its June 13 public hearing related to proposed redistricting maps for the three county commissioner constituent areas; Districts 1,2 and 3. The BoCC wanted additional details on the map boundary lines specifically in the town of Buena Vista, but also in Salida.
There are significant changes between Districts 1 and 2 in Buena Vista; primarily changes in the boundaries in Tail Winds and Sunset Vista.
“That’s why we wanted a dedicated hearing up here. You can find the maps in the agenda packet. It’s the one without precincts,” said Commissioner Keith Baker.
“It is difficult to understand in Salida,” said Commissioner Greg Felt.”I want to confirm that District 3 did not go south or west of HWY 50.” (He was assured that it doesn’t) and Commissioner Wood, that you’re still in District 3. (He is.)
“I feel good about the map,” said Commissioner P.T. Wood. They worked hard to make it as even as possible with the number of voters.”
There was a motion to continue the public hearing to July 18, which passed unanimously. A resolution is being prepared to accept the new voter district map and it is now scheduled for approval on the July 19 BoCC agenda.
Major Subdivision Application Continued Again
The BoCC chose to continue the discussion on a request for acceptance of a major subdivision application by applicant Joe Cooper, framed as Resolutions 2022-41 and 2022-74. The county has continued a temporary moratorium on applications while the Chaffee Land Use Code (LUC) has been being revised to match the 2020 Comprehensive Plan.
“The BoCC reversed the decision of the planning commission and the staff to allow a minor subdivision to proceed, and we could have gotten in the major subdivision before the pandemic and moratorium. He wants to get the ball rolling here,” said the applicant’s attorney Geoff Anderson. “You need to set up a priority system where property owners have appealed land use decisions, who have been waiting the longest or incurred damages. We hear from [Planning Director] Mr. Cottom that Modular 2 will be released soon. Mr. Cooper is eager to work something out here… if you won’t allow the major subdivision, there are ways to deal with this.”
“I’ve been involved in the land use code regarding my property for going on five year now. My priority at the start was something to benefit the county,” said Cooper. “I’m not a developer, I’m a tree hugger – I created a national monument, I’m serious. My priority is what is best for my property because my daughter, my family is there. We don’t want to lose it. I’d ask for a continuance and want to work with Mr. Cottom, he’s qualified to handle this.”
“I empathize with your development struggles, but really would like to see the code in place so we are doing things … the way we are envisioning it,” said Wood. “As we start to open the floodgates, we have to address who do we prioritize. I don’t see a way forward today.”
“The floodgates aren’t going to open that day, they have to incorporate the new LUC into their applications,” said Felt. But he moved for a continuance to July 11, which passed unanimously.
Colorado Broadband Office Capital Projects Fund Grant Preparation
The BoCC held a lengthy discussion regarding preparation to apply for a grant to assist with last-mile broadband accessibility in the county.
Carlin Walsh, founder of Aristata Communications (formerly Colorado Central Telecom) launches the new brand of the firm, March 1, 2023. Merrell Bergin photo
In comment prior to this agenda item, Aristata Communications CEO Carlin Walsh pointed out that as a local telecom company dedicated to serving this community, he didn’t want to see them getting in direct competition with county government to access the broadband grant fund.
“We have developed public-private partnerships … we have been fighting to ensure that Chaffee County has access to this funding and don’t wish to see unrealistic requirements. Please consider reversing the agreement you are considering today [to join the government broadband funding effort]. We are a legacy operator in this county, so we aren’t in direct competition with our local government – if you will wait, step back – we will present our strategic plan to the county on July 3 during your next work session.”
Deputy Administrator Beth Helmke explained that the county’s pursuit of grant funding would be done in partnership — that the county affirms public-private partnership. There is a tight deadline: grant applications are due July 21. “We propose discussing this at the July 5 meeting and entering into formal agreements in public-private partnerships following these steps:
- Step 1 – float the opportunity
- step 2 – ID possible partners
- Step 3 – formalize the application as a joint effort”
She reassured Walsh, saying “The partnership with CSU [Colorado State University] and NEO is not a partnership, they did status mapping – they put forward maps with possible areas of focus for the county. It is a datapoint, nothing beyond that. They are offering technical assistance for evaluating possible partners, but it isn’t anything exclusive, nor does it preclude us from partnering with anyone.”
She added that the data was being done through CSU extension office hubs to do mapping. “They say, ‘here’s your current status, here’s where we might put forward an application for grant seeking to improve connectivity – they are a tool for the mapping and they can evaluate things going forward, but they AREN’T pursuing funds themselves. They have provided similar services to a dozen of rural Colorado counties.”
Earlier state planning had offered data to the county related to middle-mile connectivity. This time, the grant funding is focused on the last-mile of broadband to homes and businesses. The county wants to move ahead the first week of July and will look for subject matter experts who can bring forward the work they have already done. “You’d evaluate it, to tell us where you want to move forward … we don’t want to have regional application competition, we want to coordinate,” said Helmke.
“Is there enough info out there for you to work within whatever framework we come up with – with folks in your industry to do that?” Wood asked Walsh.
“One of the biggest concerns is the timeframe,” responded Walsh. “We don’t want to usurp the process. We anticipate having a grant ready by Aug. 11. It’s tight for us. The application opens today – it’s a major hurdle to figure out how to put this together. We’re looking at this from a business case: here’s the project we want to do, we want to invite the county to help us out with this, hopefully, do a letter of support – that’s how to get over the requirements to go through the public process.”
The applications require a 25 percent match, and the county could partner with Aristata on the application, or a private entity could come forward with a match.
Baker pointed out that there are still some COVID-related funds available.”We might be able to access some of those funds to use as match dollars.”
“In the spirit of that match conversation, Aristata’s opinion is if we go about this as a coalition – we could add the municipalities, even other facilities, hydroelectric facilities going in up at Monarch Pass,” said Walsh. “If we are doing that in 24 days, this is going to require at least one board meeting, maybe two, to get going on this.”
“My intent is to get the most robust broadband we can to the most residents we can,” said Baker.” As I’ve said with Carlin, Wendell and all of you, we have to listen to everyone who comes to the table. But right now that list is pretty short. I don’t want to do anything that hazards our ability to take advantage of the opportunities.”
“I guess you could say I am one of the godparents of Colorado broadband – the first conference was held at Mt. Princeton and I’ve seen this over 12-15 years,” said Wendell Pryor. “First – this money available is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. This is like the electrification in the 1930’s. Having said that, as the county entertains this, you can’t pretend to be pregnant – you’re either in it, be aware of the efforts the counties have made, or you’re not.”
“At the end of the day this is a business,” he added.” I think we’ve got one of the sexiest projects in the state, with the build to Monarch.” He reminded those in the meeting that this time — the last-mile promise is different: “In the old situation – a larger provider would scoop up the concept developed by a smaller provider and then never do the project — – the provider would count a wide area that they actually don’t serve.”
Wood made a motion to bring this grant work forward for ratification in July and it passed unanimously.
BoCC Decides More Time is Needed to Review Chaffee Housing Authority (CHA) Board Recommendations
In another sign that the BoCC is very aware of the concerns rippling throughout the county that perhaps those impacted by the county’s housing crisis should be given a voice at the table, they declined to approve the new board recommendations presented to them at the June 20 meeting, and asked for a CHA governance committee representative to appear at their July 5 to address their questions.
Logo courtesy Chaffee Housing Authority
During public comment, Cory “Salty” Riggs had asked for those facing workforce housing challenges “to be an active and necessary component of the housing discussion – help us have a platform and be part of the conversation.”
The BoCC noted that there had been 13 candidates applying for the CHA board, but that they were only seeing the final applicants, not the range.
These are our seats to vote on, and I feel like the people who are challenged are underrepresented on the board here,” said Baker. “One of this board’s jobs is to make policy recommendations to us about things we should be doing to create more workforce housing. There’s the proverb about walking a mile in someone else’s shoes … the next time I want to see a member of the underrepresented folks on here. I was looking at the board member tracking. There are some on the recruitment list that I don’t know. They are all fine people, but a lot are like me — comfortable and content and others not quite as comfortable.”
The original makeup of the board approved by the BoCC was three representatives for the county, two for Buena Vista, two for Salida (plus alternate for each) =,and two at-large seats (plus one alternate). While some of the terms being filled were up in January 2023, they have been held over because of the departure of Chaffee Housing Director Becky Gray and the need to identify her replacement.
The BoCC pointed out that they had had a hand in writing the bylaws, but that they are looking for opportunities to make a better representation of people who are fiscally or otherwise challenged to find suitable long-term housing. With other county boards and advisory groups, the BoCC is more actively involved with the candidate evaluations, including directly being involved in the model selecting the Chaffee Planning Commission.
“It’s challenging being brought in at the end of the process – as opposed to seeing all the applicants,” said Wood.
Helmke committed to giving the BoCC access to the applicant list, interest letters, and videos prior to the topic returning to their agenda on July 5.
In other county business, the BoCC unanimously approved accepting four separate public health grants totaling some $650,000 in one motion. They clarified that technically, the funding is not exactly public health, but Health and Human Services: FY24 Health Disparities, FY24 Public Health Emergency Preparedness, Public Health Workforce Hiring, Retention, and Training, and Public Health Yearly Environmental Health Contract.
The BoCC moved unanimously to accept the right of way (ROW) for CR 300 from BlueTriton, as part of its agreement to improve the road access to the Browns Canyon National Monument.
“We created a ROW grant document of the road. Working through the temporary construction easement we were able to get past many of the issues related to finally getting the road safety issues addressed,” said Baker. “It is ONLY for acceptance of the ROW strip — a thin strip about 150 ft. long that pushes back into the ROW.
County staff has recommended acceptance upon receipt of the survey of that strip of land. The project is to take off the face of a rock wall to create an additional ROW strip along the road for safety.
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