February 20, 2020 N N $100 SCHEDULE PAGE 2A Town Adopts County’S Hazard Mitigation Plan CANDIDATE FORUM
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Serving Rio Blanco County, Colorado since 1885 Inside ... CPW Caucus Meeting RR ww II ww OO BB ww LL ww AA ww NN ww CC ww OO PAGE 2A Ribbon Cutting PAGE 3A 0 2 0 . 2 Opinion (lots of it) Est PAGE 4A-5A S k i j o r i n g Town of Rangely Meeker, CO PAGE 8A SKIJOR MEEKER Local Sports THIS WEEKEND Herald Times PAGE 1B Vol. 135, No. 29 n February 20, 2020 n www.ht1885.com n $100 SCHEDULE PAGE 2A Town adopts county’s hazard mitigation plan CANDIDATE FORUM ... By NIKI TURNER [email protected] MEEKER I Rio Blanco County Emergency Manager Ty Gates spoke to Meeker’s Board of Trustees about the adoption of the coun- ty’s multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan, something he has been working on since 2017. Having a current hazard mitigation plan in place is necessary in the event the town needed to apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency funds. The last time the plan was updated was in 2003, Gates said. The plans are only valid for a five-year period once updated. “We were out of compliance, meaning if a natural disaster hap- pened in the county we would not have been eligible for FEMA funding,” Gate said. He applied for a FEMA grant to hire a consultant in 2017. The new plan has been adopted by the Town of Rangely, the Rangely Fire Department, Meeker Sanitation District, the Town of Meeker, and is on the agenda for the Rio Blanco Fire Protection District. The goal, Gates said, is to have “one big countywide master plan” with individualized profiles for specific entities. “It’s an insurance program, pretty much. If we have a flooding incident it allows the town to be eligible for FEMA funding or grant mitigation projects.” According to Town Manager Lisa Cook, the effects of the updated plan are already being felt. “BLM is trying to secure funding for a fireline from Ute Park, across China Wall, over to Sulphur Creek and PAT TURNER PHOTO around the water tanks in Sage Hills,” she told the board Tuesday. These four Rio Blanco County residents — Kai Turner, Ty Gates, Scott Nielson and Mona Avey — are cam- “It’s one of the things identified that came from this plan.” paigning to become the next commissioner for Precinct 3 in November, replacing current commissioner Si Gates said while each town committed $1,000 toward the plan, Woodruff. They participated in a forum Monday in Rangely along with current board chair Jeff Rector, who is with in-kind contributions he hopes it won’t cost either town any the unopposed incumbent for Precinct 2. If you missed this one, the HT is hosting another forum for the can- money. didates tonight at the Meeker Public Library at 6:30 p.m. The public is welcome. The board also approved a memorandum of understanding with the county for an emergency operations plan (EOP). The Town of Meeker did not previously have an EOP in place. Gates said the goal was to have both county hospitals, towns and the county operating under the same plan. “We will tailor each plan accordingly” to fit each entity’s needs, $20K in funds coming to Meeker Gates said, starting with the overall EOP. At this point, the Town of Rangely and Pioneers Medical Center are on board, and Rangely Special to the Herald Times 2020 funding cycle. Topics covered will Council is focused on three pillars: District Hospital is expected to adopt the plan as well. include the application process, timeline, Build a healthier community by pro- The town is looking for individuals to serve on the Meeker MEEKER I The Meeker Human eligible projects and entities, and additional viding medical, dental and mental health Housing Authority Board. If no one steps up, the board of trustees will Resource Council, in collaboration with information on the Meeker Human Resource services along with outreach programs that be the default housing authority board, overseeing the town’s Housing Moffat County United Way, is teaming council. The workshop will take place on support healthy lifestyles and minimize and Urban Development (HUD) properties. up to provide up to $20,000 in funding to March 3 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the risky behaviors. Three people are required, five would be preferable. Interested Meeker 501(c)3 nonprofit and governmen- Mountain Valley Bank Community Room Drive for financial stability by helping individuals should call Town Hall at 878-5344. tal organizations. The $20,000 will be split (400 Main St.). Lunch will be provided for everyone in the community through resource among awarded applicants, and the final those who RSVP by email to thalandras@ provision and training for struggling fam- dollar amount awarded to each organization bankmvb.com. ilies. will be identified following interviews with Meeker Human Resource Council’s mis- Construct a strong educational founda- n For the story on last week’s Town of the Allocation Committee in April. If your sion is to promote cooperative community tion so everyone can realize their full poten- organization is considering applying for efforts aimed at resolving human service tial when learning is prioritized. Rangely Board meeting, see PAGE 8A. funding to support a project, please attend needs and improving the quality of life for Let the Meeker Human Resource Council an informational workshop regarding the everyone in the Meeker community. The help you achieve your goals. Commissioners to interview Fair Board applicants By NIKI TURNER results in loss of gravel, which request for $45,000 to improve last three years. view process would be a viable [email protected] the county then has to replace. landscaping around the TANK. During the regular meeting, asset to the board,” Smith said. “It’s a guideline,” explained “It needs another govern- the commissioners: The commissioners agreed “Instead of RBC I During work ses- Road and Bridge Director Dave mental partner,” Samaniego n Approved a $2,500 request to hold a special work session appointing sions in Rangely, the Rio Blanco Morlan. “In my opinion, down said. “GoCo (Great Outdoors to come from the economic Friday to interview candidates, County Board of Commissioners here the snowpack doesn’t last Colorado) and the Gates development fund to support a and tabled appointment to the today, I would heard from IT Director Dylon that long. Gravel doesn’t grow Foundation are already on board. Boondock Nation snowmobiling Feb. 25 meeting. Merrell about the purchase of on trees.” We need someone local to come video n Opened bids for the 2020 like to visit with new antivirus software. Gravel is $8.81 per cubic in. We’re bringing in several new n Appointed Council on dust control project, to be decid- people one on “The current solution is a yard, which adds up to $12,703 programs and are hoping to get Aging delegates Anna Lee ed at the next meeting. mixture of old-style and new- per mile for materials to replace. it to look more like what it is: a Nickson, Linda Berry and Zubie n Approved an agreement one.” style antivirus,” Merrell said. The That doesn’t include man-hours, cultural and regional attraction.” Devish, and alternates Dorothy with Drew Consulting LLC, ~ Commissioner Jeff new program is recommended by equipment costs, fuel, etc. “It Commissioner Gary Moyer Chappell, Connie Aitken and for updating NEPA (National Rector on the decision the state and “being pushed heav- ends up being about $90,000 a asked if there has been any anal- John Aitken. Environmental Policy Act) reg- to delay Fair Board n ily by the state election office.” mile,” said Van Pilaud from the ysis of the economic impact of Tabled, for the second ulations and help with comments appointments for the By joining the state contract, the Road and Bridge department. the TANK, and Commissioner time, appointments to the Fair on NEPA processes. The board is second time county got a better price because “It can be a significant Jeff Rector said he “wouldn’t Board. also partnering with former com- of the volume discount. In the expense to taxpayers,” Morlan mind partnering, but not at this “It used to be the commis- missioner and local rancher Jon regular meeting, commissioners said. Gravel that is bladed off to price.” sioners interviewed all the board Hill and the county’s conserva- approved the $10,737 order. the shoulder can’t be put back on During the Department of applicants, I would like to start tion districts to prepare its com- Transportation for the County Multiple local contractors the road because it adds “con- Human Services Update, Barb that again,” Rector said. “Instead ments and provide a framework Road 73 White River Bridge and industry representatives taminants” like clay that then Bofinger said court-involved of appointing today, I would like that will “strengthen our position replacement. from various companies attend- make the road slick. DHS cases are decreasing, but to visit with people one on one.” for local governments to have as n Approved a resolution ed the work session Tuesday to Both sides agreed to keep the department is still strug- Current Fair Board member much say as possible.” vesting jurisdiction over plumb- discuss how the county’s Road the lines of communication open gling with staffing and fulfill- Quentin Smith said a meeting of n Approved a memorandum ing permits and inspections to the and Bridge department handles and work together on specific ing unfunded mandates from six fair board members Monday of understanding with the Town state plumbing board.