MINUTES – SPECIAL MEETING GRAND COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS June 6, 2011

Present: Commissioner James Newberry, Commissioner District 1 Commissioner Nancy Stuart, Commissioner District 2 Commissioner Gary Bumgarner, Commissioner District 3 – Chair Also Present: County Manager Lurline Underbrink Curran County Attorney Jack DiCola Finance Director Scott Berger Assistant County Attorney Bob Franek County Planner Kris Manguso Chief Building Official Scott Penson Housing Authority Director Jim Sheehan Road and Bridge Supervisor Ken Haynes Public Health Nurse Brene Belew-LaDue

Those presented recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

General Public – Comments/Issues

Chief Deputy Clerk and Recorder Sandra Renfroe presented:

Ms. Dorothy Hammer, now deceased, willed equal ownership of her retail liquor store, Dry Run Liquors, located at 202 Main Street in Parshall to her two daughters, Sueham Kay Hoffman and Laila Saeda Urban. Both ladies completed an Individual History Record and the Corporate Report of Changes to change ownership from Mrs. Hammer to both of them equally. They have submitted their mother’s death certificate and Last Will & Testament.

The Sheriff’s letter reflects no adverse actions; therefore, I am recommending approval of their request to change the ownership of Dry Run Liquors Retail Liquor Store into both their names, Sueham Kay Hoffman and Laila Saeda Urban.

[End of Staff’s memo]

Commissioner Newberry moved to approve the request of change in ownership for Dry Run Liquor.

The motion passed unanimously.

Public Health Nurse Brene Belew-LaDue stated that the CSBG Tri-Partite Board had a meeting last week and she gave them the information that Mr. Winkler had given her from the Department of Local of Affairs about the options that they were proposing. Ms. Belew-LaDue also gave them her opinion as to the options.

Jen Giacomini was at the meeting to talk about where she stands with the funds. Glen Chambers was at the meeting to talk about his opinion as to how that would affect his department if the County took the funds.

Ms. Belew-LaDue stated that Mr. Winkler indicated that DOLA could provide technical assistance and streamlining processes. Ms. Belew-LaDue has been to the trainings from the Department of Local of Affairs, she had an audit last fall, and she performed exceedingly well and there were no recommendations to eliminate or increase processes or procedures.

Ms. Belew-LaDue stated that one option from Mr. Winkler was to decrease the amount of the vouchers for the program.

Ms. Belew-LaDue stated that with any of the options provided, she believes that there will be a lot of administrative costs.

The new grant is requiring that applicants provide more complete proof on their financial status.

Ms. Belew-LaDue stated that the County has a Community Service Block Grant from the Department of Local Affairs and the County has had the grant for several years. The Public Health Department has been Minutes – Special Meeting of the Grand County Board of County Commissioners June 6, 2011 Page 2 of 11 administering the grant. The goal of the grant is to decrease poverty and it is based on the percent of poverty in the County on the census every 10 years. It is specifically for those that are 125 percent of Federal poverty and below. It can go to many different things; assist with education, assist with jobs, assist with health issues, help with food costs, lodging, etc. The ACHES and PAINS programs are through the Grand County Rural Health Network. It is a non-profit that works closely with Public Health in their stop-gap programs that provide acute health care vouchers to low income uninsured children and adults. For the past years, the County has been receiving the CSBG grant for the vouchers for 125 percent of poverty and it costs a significant amount for administering the grant. This year, with more stringent requirements that DOLA is passing down, the Rural Health Network and Public Health looked at the cost of administering the grant. The administration costs are nearly as much as the $12,000 provided in the grant.

Commissioner Newberry stated that what this discussion on was whether the administrative costs was worth having the money coming in. The County sent DOLA a letter saying “thanks, but no thanks” because it costs the County more to administer the grant than the County gets from the grant. After that DOLA, sent their representative up saying “can’t you find some way to use the money and here are some other options” and that is what got us here today.

Commissioner Newberry stated that he believes this will cause a ripple effect back up. The bureaucracy is what everyone is talking about; all of the reporting is making it so cumbersome that it is not worth getting the grants. Commissioner Newberry stated that he believes that the message is getting through to the granting agencies.

Ms. Belew-LaDue stated that the Tripartite Board decided to not accept the grant because the money is not going to the people that need it. The other entities that received this grant in the past turned it down years ago because of the reporting requirements.

Ms. Underbrink Curran suggested that a follow-up letter be sent stating that the grant application was reviewed again and it was confirmed that a vast majority of the money does not go to the poor, but goes to administration – so what is the point.

Ms. Underbrink Curran will pen a letter for the Board.

Ms. Belew-LaDue stated that the grant states that only 10 percent go to administration. What is happening is that Grand County is subsidizing because of the cost of administration.

Ms. Belew-LaDue stated that she received confirmation from Mr. Winkler that refusing this grant would not affect any other funding.

Finance Director

Scott Berger, Finance Director, presented the Warrant Register and Expenditure List to be paid on June 8, 2011, for vendor payments. The list for this period was verified for the Board’s approval.

Commissioner Newberry moved to approve and sign the general warrants and Social Services warrants to be paid on June 8, 2011.

The motion passed.

Housing Authority

The Board convened a Special meeting of the Grand County Housing Authority.

Public Comments

EMS Chief Ray Jennings provided the Board with a series of contracts for improvements to Station Nos. 1, 2, and 4. For Station No. 4, it is to replace the lighting with Dave Peterson Electric Inc. in an amount of $4,569.

Commissioner Newberry moved to approve the Construction Contract between Grand County and Dave Peterson Electric, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $4,569 for work at EMS Station No. 4.

The motion passed.

Minutes – Special Meeting of the Grand County Board of County Commissioners June 6, 2011 Page 3 of 11 Chief Jennings presented a contract with Sunset Flooring for flooring work at Station No. 1 to replace the carpet in the meeting areas and replacing some vinyl. The contract is in the amount of $2,978.36.

Commissioner Newberry moved to authorize the Chair to sign the Construction Contract between Grand County and Sunset Flooring, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $2,978.36 for the flooring project in Station No. 1.

The motion passed.

Chief Jennings presented a contract for a concrete project at Station No. 1 with Maple Street Builders, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $9,263.76.

Commissioner Newberry moved to approve the Construction Contract between Grand County and Maple Street Builders, Inc., for the concrete project at Station No. 1 in an amount not to exceed $9,263.76 and authorize the Chair to sign.

The motion passed.

Chief Jennings presented a contract for concrete work at Station No. 2 with Maple Street Builders, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $3,556.

Commissioner Newberry moved to approve the Construction Contract between Grand County and Maple Street Builders, Inc. for concrete work at EMS Station No. 2 in an amount not to exceed $3,556 and authorize the Chair to sign.

The motion passed.

Road and Bridge Supervisor Ken Haynes stated that County Road 134 did slide enough to break the phone cable this week.

Mr. Haynes stated that the YMCA wants magnesium chloride on County Road 53.

Mr. Haynes stated that he was contacted by the Department of Water Quality last week and they will be checking out the wells at the landfill.

Mr. Haynes suggested that the County cancel the contract for the camera installation at the landfill because he is worried that the weight of the slide will crush the camera.

Division of Natural Resources Jennifer Scott stated that there was a roadless rule put into effect in 2001 that has been contested ever since that time. It came about that Colorado, in 2005, petitioned to allow a joint effort with Idaho to collaborate and determine what kind of roads they would like to see. The two proposals that are out now are a synopsis of what the State Task Force put together.

Proposal No. 2 appears to be the most favored by the State of Colorado. The Proposal does not change any of the existing boundaries except one small area of Vasquez. That would affect Denver Water in summer month maintenance but not in winter months.

The overall acreage that has been put into roadless and the upper tier have been reduced from the original 2001 roadless rule.

Ms. Scott stated that they took out already Congressionally designated areas and any areas that have been substantially altered; such as ski areas. They put in non-inventory roadless areas with roadless characteristics which accounts for another 400,000 acres.

Ms. Scott stated that she wrote the comment letter based on the fact that roadless is big hamper. Roadless areas get dropped off any mitigation efforts because they are too complicated, too expensive, and too controversial. On that effort, it is a bad thing as far as wildland mitigation efforts for wildfire mitigation efforts. Overall, the Proposal Number 2 is not going to change how it is presently operated. In fact, it will give us more boundaries to work on the current roadless areas. There is a .5 mile perimeter around roadless areas that can be infiltrated into the roadless areas.

Ms. Scott stated that Proposal No. 4 will be devastating. Minutes – Special Meeting of the Grand County Board of County Commissioners June 6, 2011 Page 4 of 11

Ms. Underbrink Curran stated that Ms. Scott and Trevor Denny need to get together and combine into one letter the items such as emergency management and forest management. Chairman Bumgarner stated that he wants multiple use comments in the letter and he wants the percentage of wilderness areas in the County. The Board does not more restriction on public land.

Ms. Underbrink Curran stated that this seems as a covert way for the Federal agencies cutting the budget to manage property by making it so that it cannot be managed. That is not why public lands were put into place. If the Federal agencies are going to cut management dollars, they should not do it by making the property not manageable. This is public land and it should be managed for the public in the very best way.

Commissioner Newberry stated that some of the other agencies in the County may be interested in commenting.

Mr. Haynes stated that application of magnesium chloride starts on County Road 1 today, weather permitting. The application on County Road 3 will be started next week.

Manager and Attorney Items

County Manager Underbrink Curran asked for a motion to allow the Chair to execute a Memorandum of Understanding between Grand County and the U.S. Department of Interior, Rocky Mountain National Park making the County a cooperating agency on the Grand Ditch Breach Restoration Environmental Impact Statement.

Commissioner Newberry moved to authorize the Chair to sign the Memorandum of Understanding between Grand County and the United States Department of Interior.

The motion passed.

Ms. Underbrink Curran asked for a motion to allow the Chair to sign a Service Contract between Grand County and Tetra Tech Incorporated for their Appraisal Study Report as selected contractor.

Commissioner Newberry moved to approve the Service Contract between Tetra Tech and Grand County as presented by the County Manager.

The motion passed.

Ms. Underbrink Curran stated that it appears the Bondi is merging with another company and Ms. Underbrink Curran is not sure how the 2-year contract will work.

Ms. Underbrink Curran stated that Ride the Rockies is coming through next week and she is struggling with the space. The space allocated to Ride the Rockies will be in the Judicial Parking lot.

The Back Country Solutions wanted to have a shooting range at the landfill. Ms. Underbrink Curran sent them a map and they will be asking to have some land set aside. Ms. Underbrink Curran sent them an e-mail regarding the problems at the landfill. The Board asked that they be sent a letter letting them know that the Board cannot entertain a new use at the landfill at this time.

The Hot Sulphur Springs Library has decided to cancel the request for the new door.

Assistant County Attorney Franek presented the following Resolutions for Board approval:

Resolution No. 2011-5-23, “A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF THE COUNTY OF GRAND TO EXECUTE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING PURSUANT TO HOUSE BILL 04-1451 BY AND BETWEEN GRAND COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, 14TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT PROBATION DEPARTMENT, 14TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT, GRAND COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT, WEST GRAND SCHOOL DISTRICT, EAST GRAND SCHOOL DISTRICT, COLORADO WEST REGIONAL MENTAL HEALTH, INC. – ALPINE CENTER, COLORADO HEALTH PARTNERSHIPS, WEST SLOPE CASA, GRAND COUNTY JUVENILE SERVICES, GRAND BEGINNINGS, ADVOCATES: VICTIM ASSISTANCE TEAM, DIVISION OF YOUTH CORRECTIONS, DESIGNATED MANAGED SERVICE ORGANIZATION FOR THE PROVISION OF TREATMENT SERVICES FOR ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE PURSUANT TO SECTION 25-1-206.5, C.R.S., AND THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF THE COUNTY OF Minutes – Special Meeting of the Grand County Board of County Commissioners June 6, 2011 Page 5 of 11 GRAND, STATE OF COLORADO FOR THE COLLABORATIVE DELIVERY OF SERVICES TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES”

Resolution No. 2011-5-24, “A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF THE COUNTY OF GRAND, STATE OF COLORADO TO EXECUTE MODIFICATION OF GRANT OR AGREEMENT #2 TO THE FOREST ROAD AGREEMENT, THE ANNUAL ROAD MAINTENANCE PLAN, AND SCHEDULE A – EXHIBIT A, ALL BETWEEN THE ARAPAHO AND ROOSEVELT NATIONAL FORESTS AND PAWNEE NATIONAL GRASSLAND AND THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF THE COUNTY OF GRAND, STATE OF COLORADO”

Resolution No. 2011-5-25 “A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF THE COUNTY OF GRAND, STATE OF COLORADO TO EXECUTE A SERVICES CONTRACT BETWEEN DR. PAUL SANTI AND THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF THE COUNTY OF GRAND, STATE OF COLORADO FOR LANDFILL CONSULTATION SERVICES”

Resolution No. 2011-5-26 “A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF THE COUNTY OF GRAND, STATE OF COLORADO TO EXECUTE AMENDMENT #1 TO THE SERVICES CONTRACT BETWEEN GROUND ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS, INC. AND THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF THE COUNTY OF GRAND, STATE OF COLORADO CONCERNING THE STABILIZATION OF THE GRANBY LANDFILL LANDSLIDE”

Resolution No. 2011-5-27 “A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF THE COUNTY OF GRAND, STATE OF COLORADO TO EXECUTE A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT BY AND BETWEEN ACORD ASPHALT, INC. AND THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF THE COUNTY OF GRAND, STATE OF COLORADO FOR PAVING AT THE KREMMLING EMS STATION”

Resolution No. 2011-5-28 “A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF THE COUNTY OF GRAND, STATE OF COLORADO TO EXECUTE A LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN DENNIS M. COUTS AND RITA C. COUTS AND THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF THE COUNTY OF GRAND, STATE OF COLORADO”

Commissioner Stuart moved to approve Resolution Nos. 2011-5-23 through 2011-5-28 as presented.

The motion passed unanimously.

Board Business

Commissioner Newberry presented an update on NWCCOG. There was quite a bit of discussion around the limited funding that is coming in now. There was an issue on the economic development side; NWCCOG was going to form another subgroup like the bark beetle and the I-70 subgroup. Commissioner Newberry and the Jackson County representative voted against a new subgroup.

At NWCCOG there was conversation over incentivising the weatherization program to keep people on the program. Commissioner Newberry encouraged using only the money needed instead of providing bonuses to those that stayed in the program. Grand County voted against the incentive.

Commissioner Newberry reported that he felt that the water meetings went well.

Chairman Bumgarner stated that he received a letter from the Bureau of Reclamation that they are going to give money back. Ms. Underbrink Curran stated that they are not going to charge as much for their work on the appraisal study.

Assistant County Attorney Franek stated that the YMCA has requested additional time to file their opening brief. The County Treasurer is moving forward to sell the taxes at tax sale.

Calendars

June 6 Paulk meeting at 6:00 p.m. Minutes – Special Meeting of the Grand County Board of County Commissioners June 6, 2011 Page 6 of 11 June 7 & 8 CCI June 8 & 9 RAC meeting in Kremmling June 10 375 meeting June 11 Mountain Parks Electric meeting at 8:30 a.m. June 13 Mayor and Managers meeting in Grand Lake at 9:00 a.m. Water Tour and Grand Lake dinner (dinner at 6:00 p.m.) RMNP – Update

Vaughn Baker reported that Trail Ridge Road is open today. The Park is working on a MOU for Grand County to be a Cooperating Agency on the Grand Ditch.

Mr. Baker provided the history and ownership of County Road 491. The research from Mr. Baker shows that the County reserved rights-of-way on about two-thirds of the road but the reserved areas are not contiguous. Mr. Baker stated that the County plows the road and sometimes RMNP sands the road.

Report from Vaughn Baker:

In 2010, Rocky Mountain National Park reached the 3 million mark for the first time since 2007 with 3,128,445 million visitors.

The Top 10 Days in 2010 were: 1. Sep. 25 - 31,031 *fee free day* 2. Sep. 5 - 25,461 3. Aug. 14 - 24,109 *fee free day* 4. Sep. 26 - 23,913 5. Aug. 15 - 23,746 *fee free day* 6. July 18 - 22,988 7. July 25 - 22,731 8. Sep. 6 - 22,639 9. Oct. 2 - 22,547 10. July 17 - 22,472 Five days out of the top ten days occurred during and after Labor Day weekend.

2011 Fee Free Dates:

• This year's Fee Free Days are: (January 15 -17), National Park Week (April 16 -24), the first day of summer (June 21), National Public Lands Day (September 24), and the weekend of Veterans Day (November 11 -13).

Mountain Pine Beetle Mitigation:

• Focus is on mitigating hazard trees and hazard fuels in visitor use areas (roadways, trailheads, campsites, buildings, etc.). From 2010 through this spring in 2011, we have cut approximately 85,000 hazard trees in front country areas of the park. Hazard tree removal projects in 2010 required temporary site closures or traffic delays to ensure visitor safety and efficient project completion. Hazard tree removal operations will continue along road corridors on the west side of the park through most of May. For more information and project dates, please refer to the Rocky Mountain National Park website and follow the links to the forest health page (www.nps.gov /romo).

• Other Beetle Mitigation Work: Work continues beyond the trailheads to mitigate hazard trees at designated campsites for backcountry /wilderness users. The park will continue to carefully and selectively use an insecticide, Carbaryl, to protect high value trees on both the east and west sides of the park. When sprayed on the trunk of a pine tree, Carbaryl acts as a repellant to keep the bark beetles from attacking the tree. High value trees are in front country locations such as campgrounds, historic landscapes, picnic areas, and visitor centers. They are important for shade, visual screening, cultural significance, and outstanding visual quality. To date, we have observed nearly 100 percent success from spraying. These site-specific treatments will continue until the bark beetle outbreak has subsided.

• Research: A USGS scientist will study the effects of mountain pine beetle induced tree mortality on water quality. The objectives will be to 1) quantify impacts by analyzing nitrogen, carbon, and phosphorus in streams and lakes relative to the timing and intensity of beetle induced tree mortality, 2) evaluate effects of management actions, including tree removal and insecticide spraying, and 3) use a hydrobiogeochemical model to simulate nitrogen, carbon, and phosphorus dynamics, predict future trends of their concentrations in surface water, and Minutes – Special Meeting of the Grand County Board of County Commissioners June 6, 2011 Page 7 of 11 evaluate the relative importance of atmospheric nitrogen versus beetle induced nitrogen on surface water chemistry. x Pile burning: This winter, fire staff have burned approximately 300 slash piles along road corridors and other areas on both sides of the park. West side locations include: Columbine Boundary, Betty Dick, Timber Creek amphitheater, sections of CR 491, sections of CR 49 and sections of Trail ridge road near the Kawuneeche Visitor Center (KVC). The material that was burned came from beetle killed trees and hazard fuel reduction projects. In early spring, additional piles will likely be burned in the following areas: KVC housing area, Timber Creek Water tank, and Green Mountain Housing area. x Prescribed Burning: The primary goal of planned prescribed burns is to reduce the threat of wildland fire to adjacent communities and park infrastructure. Using management- ignited fires can reduce or eliminate hazard fuels that can contribute to wildfires. This spring and summer, we intend to conduct broadcast burns on the east side. The primary purpose of planned, prescribed burns is to reduce the threat that wildland fires pose to life and property by reducing the available fuel load. Burning is dependent on favorable fuel moisture, smoke dispersion, and weather so the frequency, timing, and volume of burning can range from 12 days of ignitions spread out over the course of 4 weeks, to as little as two days of ignition over the course of one week. x Recreation Fee Funds Authorized: From October 2008 through September 2013, approximately $4.8 million has been made available from the park's Recreation Fee accounts to mitigate hazard trees in the park. Through mitigation, visitor access will be maintained, visitor and employee safety enhanced, and park capital assets protected.

Road Construction:

• Trail Ridge Road 2010 Resurfacing: During the summer of 2010, a major resurfacing project was completed from the Colorado River Trailhead to Rainbow Curve (the switchbacks and the alpine section). The project involved the resurfacing of all major overlook parking areas, pull offs and the parking lot at Alpine Visitor Center.

• Bear Lake Road Reconstruction Phase 1I: Road construction on the remaining 5.1 miles of Bear Lake Road could start as early as November 2011, but not later than April 2012. Two years will be allowed for the completion of the work. Visitors can expect 20-minute delays at any one location with a total of 40-minute delays through the whole project. Night closures will be allowed for construction of retaining walls 1OPM - CAM (8PM - 6AM in winter). Weekend work will be allowed except on holiday weekends. Due to the night closures, the Glacier Basin Campground will be closed for the summer of 2012. The length of the initial project is 2.6 miles and the work will take place from the Park and Ride to the Big Thompson River Bridge. An additional 2.5 miles from the bridge to the intersection with Trail Ridge Road may also be accomplished if funding is available.

Other Projects:

• East Shore Trailhead: The National Park Service has provided additional funding to the U.S. Forest Service toward completion of the East Shore Trailhead. The funding is being used to complete an information kiosk at the trailhead (which will include maps and other information) and a trailhead entrance sign.

x East Shore Trail: As required by the wilderness legislation for RMNP, the National Park Service submitted an alignment line for the East Shore hike/bike trail to the Secretary of the Interior. Identification of the trail alignment within the park was the culmination of a partnership effort involving the Headwaters Trails Alliance and other stakeholders. The likely next steps will be to identify an alignment line within the Arapaho National Recreation Area followed by environmental compliance and public involvement in the planning process. There is currently no funding available to proceed with the process. For additional information, see the "Wilderness" heading below.

x Grand Lake Entrance Station Reconstruction: The reconstruction of the entrance station is complete. The new entrance station is fully operational for the 2011 season. The entrance station now features a `fast pass' lane which annual passes purchased at the park may be swiped for an expedited entry.

x Harbison Picnic Shelter: The construction of a new group picnic shelter was completed at the Harbison Picnic area in 2010.

Trail River Ranch (Former Betty Dick Property): Minutes – Special Meeting of the Grand County Board of County Commissioners June 6, 2011 Page 8 of 11

The Grand Lake Steering Committee has met with park staff and has developed a vision for the Betty Dick site. The park agrees that a use directed toward educational opportunities and youth would be appropriate. Because the park is not in a position to fund the project or to take on future operation and maintenance, we agree with the Steering Committee that it will take a third party organization to carry out the vision. The Steering Committee is seeking the right partners for this endeavor.

Permits and Fees:

x Entrance Fees, No Changes in 2011. x Annual Pass: The RMNP annual pass remains $40 for 2011. x Daily /7 -day Pass: Remains $20 in 2011. We again lowered the fee this winter at the Grand Lake Entrance to $10 from November 1 through April 30. x Joint Pass with Arapaho National Recreation Area: Remains at $50 in 2011. x Overnight Backcountry Use Permits: Remains at $20. x Commuter Permit: in order to improve the administration of a long- standing policy allowing local area residents to pass through the park for commuting purposes at no charge, the park is planning to modernize and streamline the practice that will continue to facilitate non- recreational travel through the park (Trail Ridge Road) for local area residents, Referred to previously as the "Tri- County Waiver," now referred to as the "Commuter Permit," this privilege is currently applicable to residents (or property owners) within Larimer, Boulder and Grand counties who reside within 50 miles of a park entrance. Federal regulations do not allow fee waivers for commuting purposes. In order to accommodate local residents who use Trail Ridge Road for non - recreational purposes the park is implementing the Commuter Permit. This new process will also help minimize misuse. There will be an administrative fee for the permit of $20 and the permits will be valid for three years. Eligible residents will be able to apply for these permits on -line. This new process should enable permit holders to pass more quickly through the entrance stations.

Trails:

• Continental Divide Trail: In the fall of 2010 a new one-mile segment of trail was completed within the park to connect the Bowen -Baker area to the Onahu Trail. This included the construction of a 31-foot multi -use trail bridge. The new Continental Divide Trail route will be available for public use within the National Forest and the National Park this summer.

• Alpine Ridge Trail at Alpine Visitor Center: The installation of rock/log checks and improved and stable tread material was completed in the summer of 2010. A sustainable step system will be installed during the 2011 work season. The trail will reopen in 2012.

Grand Ditch:

Restoration Activities: The park is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement to guide the restoration of the 2003 breach of the Grand Ditch. Parsons was awarded the contract to assist with writing the EIS and public scoping meetings have occurred in June and October of 2010. Restoration will focus on restoring healthy trajectories for both hydrological function (e.g. surface and groundwater dynamics) and ecological community evolution (e.g. riparian, wetland, and upland habitat). Five alternatives are currently being considered that include combinations of the following along a gradient from no action to intense manipulation: Allowing natural (passive) restoration to occur where appropriate; stabilizing steep, unstable slopes with an engineered solution; removing deposited sediment and redistributing it through the impacted area or elsewhere; removing dead timber from the impacted area and /or using it in the restoration process; regarding and recontouring areas to restore appropriate morphology and function; native plant restoration with appropriate, locally gathered plant materials; may require the use of motorized equipment such as chainsaws, heavy lift helicopters, and earthmoving equipment; may require temporary fencing to protect native plant restoration areas. Grand County has requested cooperating agency status on this project. A draft of the EIS will be completed during the winter of 2011/2012.

Aircraft Arrival and Departure Procedures for Denver Area Airports:

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA) to evaluate the potential impacts of new air traffic procedures for three metro Denver airports, including Denver International Airport (DIA). A major air traffic route crosses over the park and accommodates over 80 aircraft per day on approach to Denver from the west and northwest. Current air traffic procedures create noise impacts as pilots Minutes – Special Meeting of the Grand County Board of County Commissioners June 6, 2011 Page 9 of 11 deploy speed brakes mounted on the wings and adjust throttle settings to match required altitude and airspeed on the approach over the park. The new procedures would use satellite -based navigation and a Flight Management System (FMS) onboard all modern aircraft to fly a narrow designated route and to descend on an optimal vertical path to the runway. This Optimized Profile Descent (OPD), managed by the onboard FMS, would eliminate the use of speed brakes, which will reduce noise and conserve fuel. Park staff and the NPS Natural Sounds Program staff have been participating in public scoping for the EA. As a result, the study area for the EA has been expanded to include the entire park, the park has an opportunity to define the appropriate location for the Denver approach flight path over the park, and baseline noise data will be collected and noise modeling will be performed for the preferred flight path.

Wilderness:

Wilderness Boundary Map: A wilderness boundary map for the park has been submitted to the Secretary of the Interior. The basis for the map is the wilderness boundary map that accompanied the wilderness legislation for the park. The map shows the wilderness boundary as it relates to the East Shore Trail alignment line. The wilderness legislation states that the western boundary of wilderness will be fifty feet (50') east of the alignment line for the East Shore Trail.

Community and Rural Fire Assistance Grants:

The Grand Lake Fire Department has received the following grants through the National Park Service for fiscal years 2001 — 2009:

Community Assistance to assist in j2EMaring the Community Wildfire Protection Plan).

FY05 - $16,000 FY06 - $15,000 FY07 - $. 4,000

Rural Fire Assistance (training, equipment)

FY01 - $ 6,250 FY03 - $12,000 FY04 - $ 4,400 FY05 - $12,000 FY06 - $11,700 FY08 - $ 3,816 FY09 - $ 5,400

No grants were received in FYI 0. Applications for FYI are pending.

Elk & Vegetation Management Plan:

Over the course of the next few years expect to see additional fencing constructed to protect aspen and willow habitats.

o Elk exclosures constructed to restore aspen and willow communities: ■ in 2011 plans call for protecting —16 acres of willow in the Kawuneeche Valley on the west side and a couple of small (less than 3 acres) aspen stands on the east side, ■ the fences are temporary and will come down when restoration goals are met; each site will be evaluated every 5 years.

◦ Culling continues with activities occurring on the east side of the park. Culling for CWD /fertility control research and limited population control continued during the 2010/2011 winter with 50 animals being removed from the population.

Web Cams:

• We have a webcam pointed at Longs Peak from headquarters, another at the Continental Divide from Glacier Basin Campground and one on the west side looking up the Kawuneeche (Colorado River) Valley. Go to nps.gov /romo and open Photos and Multimedia tab and then Webcams. Minutes – Special Meeting of the Grand County Board of County Commissioners June 6, 2011 Page 10 of 11

New Technology:

• The park continues to explore ways to utilize new technology to improve opportunities to stay connected with the park. Our website (nps.govlromo) has nearly 2400 pages and is the most popular way for our visitors to gather park information. You may follow us on Twitter at RMNPOfficial or on Facebook at Rocky Mountain National Park.

Visitor Surveys:

• Last summer, in cooperation with the University of Idaho, a survey of park visitors was conducted the week of July 18. Almost 1100 surveys were handed out randomly to visitors at three entrance stations. This is the first major visitor survey in the park since 1995 and will hopefully show current use, trends, concerns, and demographics. Economic impact information will be collected as well. Preliminary results of the survey have been presented to the park for review and final results should be available by early summer. In addition, during the week of February 19, a survey of winter visitors was conducted when over 800 surveys were handed out at three entrance stations over nine days, including Presidents Day, Results are expected in late summer.

[End of written report]

With regard to County Road 491, Ms. Underbrink Curran stated that the question is does the Park want the County to try to get the little piece that goes by the Park’s maintenance shed so that it is County all the way through that area. Ms. Underbrink Curran asked if there was a mechanism for the County to apply for a right- of-way or easement.

2010 Redistricting Discussion – Kim Adams, GIS: Kris Manguso, P & Z

Kim Adams stated that the 2010 Census data has been released and it is time to look at redistricting the Board of Commissioners’ districts. Redistricting is the process of drawing legislative boundaries in response to population changes determined by the results of census.

Every ten years following the U. S. Census, all local, State, and Federal districts must be remapped to account for shifts in population trends. Grand County’s population in 2000 was 12,442 and following the 2010 Census summary the County grew to 14,843.

In 2000, Commissioner District 1 had 4,082, District 2 had 4,198, and District 3 had 4,167. The goal in the 2010 Census redistricting is to have an optimal value of 4,948 which is the total divided by the three districts.

According to the 2010 Census, the population for Commissioner District 1 is 5,523, for District 2 is 5,209, and for District 3 is 4,111.

Mr. Adams took the data from the Census block and prepared a starting map.

Mr. Adams stated that the County is divided into 4,000 Census Blocks. He has GIS data that gives totals for each block.

The Planning Director will work with the County Manager to set up a committee to look at the Commissioner District boundaries. Chairman Bumgarner will represent the Board on the Committee.

There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 2:04 p.m. Minutes were taken and prepared by Sara L. Rosene, County Clerk and Recorder. Approved this _____ day of June 2011.

______Gary Bumgarner, Chairman ATTEST:

______Sara L. Rosene Grand County Clerk and Recorder

Minutes – Special Meeting of the Grand County Board of County Commissioners June 6, 2011 Page 11 of 11 [NOTE: UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, ALL DOCUMENTS REFERRED TO IN THESE MINUTES ARE ON FILE AND MAY BE REVIEWED IN THE CLERK AND RECORDER’S OFFICE