Delta County Independent, Dec. 5, 2018

Page 1

NORTH FORK TIMES

SURFACE CREEK NEWS

CAUTION: ICE ON ROAD Paonia plans limited use of mag chloride on roads, B1

SPORTS

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

WINTER PREVIEW

Cedaredge celebrates Christmas in Candyland, B5

Competition heats up for wrestling, basketball, swimming, C1-8

DELTA COUNTY

DECEMBER 5, 2018 VOL. 135, NO. 49

75¢

INDEPENDENT

www.deltacountyindependent.com

Marijuana centers to be capped at two BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

Photo by Emy Lynn Roque Cisneros

Nordic kick-off

The Nordic ski racing season got underway at Skyway on Grand Mesa with the WinterStart 5k races hosted by the Grand Mesa Nordic Council. In the Classic 5k CMU Ski Team racer Roan Hall won with a nice gap. There was a very strong group of women classic racers with the top three placing fourth, fifth and sixth overall led by Gwynn Barrows. In the freestyle another CMU racer, Koby Vinson, moved up to win but once again Gwynn Barrows led all of the women. A tough group of citizen skiers filled out the fields in the challenging weather conditions including Tim Carter, age 83, and Jim Whiting, 71. No one was complaining about the falling snow, though — last year this event had to be cancelled due to lack of snow.

The Delta City Council is proposing to cap the number of medical marijuana centers to be licensed in the City of Delta at two — and those two establishments will not be collecting city sales tax above the 3 percent levied by other businesses. In what was described as a “proactive” move, in April the city asked voters to impose a special tax on marijuana sales and marijuana cultivation. Those measures were approved, but the clearly-worded questions limited the special sales/ excise tax to retail marijuana — not the medical marijuana centers or medical marijuana cultivation approved by voters in November. To generate any additional revenue, the city will have to go back to the voters. During a work session on Nov. 28, council members reviewed licensing, operational and zoning requirements for the medical marijuana facilities. The regulations adopted by the town of DeBeque served as a starting point. Operations will also have to comply with a lengthy

list of state regulations. About 10 individuals attended the work session, representing a variety of interests, and they were allowed to participate in the discussion. As currently proposed, marijuana cultivation will be a conditional use in the A-1, B-2 and I (industrial) districts. No marijuana facility will be located within 100 feet of any existing residential district and the grow must be enclosed. Proposed regulations address odor and outdoor lighting, but not cross-pollination, which is a concern for hemp growers. It was noted that the conditional use requires a public hearing, which will give the public,hemp growers an opportunity to provide input. Marijuana products manufacturing and marijuana testing facilities are “uses by right” in the B-3 and I (industrial) districts. Marijuana stores are a “use by right” in the B-2 and I districts. The B-1 district is currently off limits, meaning medical marijuana centers will be prohibited from the central business district. MEDICAL MARIJUANA TO A3

County planning commission reorganizes BY ANNETTE BRAND Staff Writer

The responsibility of the Delta County Planning Commission is to adopt and maintain the county’s Master Plan, review and make recommendation on county regulations, including the county’s subdivision regulations, specific development regulations and other regulations related to land use that the county may consider. The planning commission does not make broad policy recommendations outside planning and land use, unless expressly requested to do so by the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC). In 1997 the BoCC established seven Area Planning Committees (APCs). Four of the original APCs remain, covering the Upper North Fork, Crawford, Leroux Creek and Surface Creek areas. Participation on the APCs has been inconsistent over the years, with spotty attendance which often was too low to provide a quorum. In 2016 APC meetings were combined with planning commission meetings to reduce burden on applicants and on staff resources. With the reorganization of the planning commission, the APCs will be eliminated and the terms of any present appointments will expire on the effective date of their term or on the date of the county’s land use regulations being amended. The planning commission will be expanded to include three associate members.

INDEX

Accent ........................... A4 Activities ....................... A9 Back Page ................... D8 Business ........................ A5 Church ........................... D4 Classifieds .................. D1-2 Editorial ......................... A2 Legals ............................ D3 North Fork Times ........B1-4 Obituaries .................. A6-7 School Zone ............... A7-8 Service Directory ........ D7 Sports ..........................C1-8 Surface Creek News ...B5-7 TV Listings ................. D5-6

The planning commission will now consist of three members from each BoCC district, with alternating three-year terms, and one associate member from each commissioner district, with a threeyear term. To the extent feasible, the composition of the planning commission, including regular members and associate members, will include representation across each of the three commissioner districts. The planning commission terms will be restructured to achieve the required balance of staggered terms, where approximately one-third of all planning commission seats will expire each year, and ensuring that expiring terms are balanced across all three districts. In January 2019, the following steps will be taken: Members of the planning commission whose terms expire in January 2019 may follow standard procedures and reapply for appointment. Members of the planning commission with current terms will be reassigned new terms at the same time that new appointments are made in January 2019; however, members are not guaranteed the same term currently assigned. Each member of the planning commission will be appointed to one of three staggering terms. Planning staff will advertise the associate member positions to identify interested parties to serve in this new capacity.

Current and past APC members are encouraged to apply for these associate member positions being established on the planning commission. The planning commission bylaws, adopted and amended by the BoCC are rescinded. The BoCC directed the planning commission to adopt any rules it deems necessary to conduct its meetings, and to seek the advice of the county

attorney and county community and economic development director to ensure the policies are consistent with Colorado Open Meeting Law, Colorado Open Records Act, and best management practices for open and transparent government. The BoCC directed county staff to work with Delta County municipalities to initiate discussions on improved coor-

dination/collaboration on land use related issues, including improved referral processes. The commissioners noted that municipal participation on the APCs has been an essential component for coordination, and a new strategy is necessary to continue a strong relationship between the county and municipalities regarding land use coordination.

County holds public hearing on 2019 proposed budget BY ANNETTE BRAND Staff Writr

Delta County Commissioners Doug Atchley, Don Suppes and Mark Roeber held a public hearing for the proposed 2019 budget on Monday, Dec. 3. The 2019 budget will be adopted by the commissioners at 9 a.m. on Dec. 10. County administrator Robbie LeValley said in 2018 Delta County experienced sales tax revenue increases of approximately 4.45 percent, when compared to the fiveyear rolling average. Recently state indicators show a slowing economy, and the projected 2019 sales tax revenue will mirror the 2018 actual receipts. LeValley said Delta County Commissioners, administration and staff will continue to focus on the community and the local economy by providing a strong foundation and

economic development initiatives. The 2019 Capital Improvement Plan provides for critical projects, such as roads and bridges. In the State of Colorado, providing courtrooms and related space falls to the counties, a state unfunded mandate. Providing for improvements and expansion of the courthouse campus complex is included in the 2019 budget. The cost of health insurance for employees increased by 5 percent for 2019. Previous years have seen double digit increases each year. Commissioner Atchley said cost of health insurance is a challenge, and usage is considered when the company sets the rate. LeValley noted that county utilization has not been as high in 2018 as in past years. The county covers the cost

of health insurance for the employee, but not the employee’s family, although the family can buy into the plan. The proposed budget includes a 3 percent cost of living increase for employees. The salaries of elected officials are set by the state, therefore elected officials do not receive cost of living increases. Total revenues for 2019 are budgeted at $34,592,054. Key revenue assumptions are as follows: sales tax, $5,000,248; property tax, $5,018,947; Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT), $969,432, (the actual amount received in 2018); and Highway Users Tax Fund (HUTF), $2,889,757. In addition, $526,106 will be available from Senate Bill 1 funding. The recommended appropriations in the proposed overall budget are $34,784,805. COUNTY BUDGET TO A3

Remembering Pearl Harbor

Breakfast with Santa

At 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 7, members of Lee Marts Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Post 3571, Harry A. White American Legion Post 65 and their Auxiliaries will remember the 77th anniversary of “a date that will live in infamy.” They will honor not only the more than 3,500 Americans who were killed or wounded on Dec. 7, 1941, but also the thousands of American soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, Merchant Marines, and their families since that day whose contributions, sacrifices, and steadfast devotion to duty, God, and country have provided us examples of true character, dignity, and perserverance for over three quarters of a century. All members of the community, especially World War II veterans and their families, are invited to attend this memorial ceremony to commemorate the 77th anniversary of the bombing attack on Pearl Harbor that suddenly plunged the United States into World War II. The ceremony will be held on the bank of the Gunnison River, near the boat ramp in Confluence Park. For additional information about the memorial service, contact Corky Ware, VFW post commander at 872-3327 or Della Ware, VFW Auxiliary president at 312-5758.

The Kiwanis and Key clubs of Delta are hosting Breakfast With Santa Saturday, Dec. 8, at Bill Heddles Recreation Center. Decorate pancakes, make crafts and visit with Santa from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The event is free for children; adults will be charged $3 for breakfast. On Sunday, Dec. 16, Santa will be visiting Sweitzer Lake State Park from 1 to 3 p.m. Bring your list so Santa can check it twice! Hot chocolate and cookies will be served. Park staff will take photos and email them to parents, or you can bring your own camera.


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Delta County Independent, Dec. 5, 2018 by Delta County Independent - Issuu