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By Will Buzzerd Sopris Sun Correspondent

A work session occurred prior to Basalt Town Council’s regular meeting on Dec. 13 and was mostly dedicated to an informative presentation about the ongoing Entrance to Aspen project, specifically in regards to the Castle Creek bridge. Constructed in 1961, the bridge — while still safe — is nearing the end of its 75-year projected lifespan, and notably has been under construction for much of this year, causing traffic to build up. There will be a vote to decide whether the city of Aspen should continue to repair the existing bridge, or begin construction on a wider, four-lane bridge into town.

The meeting began without any remarks by the public, but with multiple presentations. The first was by Lt. Aaron Munch of the Basalt Police Department. On Nov. 4, 2022, a vehicular accident occurred on Two Rivers Road in which a father and two young daughters crashed into an embankment and rolled into the water. Jared Dalstead and Armando Rivera were the first to stop at the scene. They directed traffic and rescued one of the children from the water then kept all three soaked crash victims warm in their truck while awaiting emergency services. Munch recognized and thanked these two men for their heroism.

The next presentation was an update on the Midland Avenue Streetscape Project by Mitzi Rapkin of Full Light Communications. The project was founded with the intent to improve coordination and communication between Midland Avenue business owners and the town. A full communication plan for the project is now penned, and the main ongoing work is to continue meeting with business owners and residents to keep them in the loop with town projects that may impact business sites.

The third presentation was Basalt’s third quarter financial report. In terms of revenue and expenses, the only expense that went over budget was the funding for a pool, but this was covered by the quarter’s strong revenues.

The next item was a brief interview for the appointment of Katie Hostetler to the position of Basalt Planning and Zoning Commissioner. Hostetler has been living in the area for four years, and with unanimous approval by Town Council will be serving on the commission for the next three.

Following was a series of four second readings and approvals. The first concerned last meeting’s ordinance to amend the municipal code to include licensing of shortterm rentals, along with a plan to use tracking software.

Second was a hearing to approve a PUD for a domestic abuse shelter on currently vacant land along Cody Lane within Basalt Business Center East. As previously discussed, the shelter is designed to provide secure short-term housing for survivors of abuse and their families while they are helped to find independent housing away from their abusive partners. There have been no changes to the ordinance since its last hearing.

Next was an ordinance to adopt rules and regulations for the Basalt Fairview Cemetery, and the last was to approve a new fee schedule to include short-term rental licensing and the new cemetery regulations. All four motions passed unanimously.

Then, there was a first reading to approve various amendments to clean up the Basalt Municipal Code, specifically within chapters about zoning and public property, as well as amendments to the Basalt Community Housing Guidelines. For the latter, a stopgap measure was proposed to allow tenants of community housing to use their past two years’ income in their annual housing requalification. This measure was proposed due to various instances in which small boosts in income resulted in citizens becoming unable to qualify for their

Photos by Raleigh Burleigh

Uinta Railroad

including air pollution from increased oil drilling in the Uinta Basin, as well as increased greenhouse gas emissions from burning gasoline refined from Uinta Basin crude. Eagle County also filed suit, adding concerns of reviving the Tennessee Pass rail line as a potential haul route. Those suits have since been consolidated.

Then, last summer, five counties and five towns along the national rail line through Colorado, including Glenwood Springs, signed an amicus brief in support of Eagle County. They claim that the FSTB ignored Colorado when analyzing the impacts of the UBR. Up to ten oil trains daily with 110 heated tanker cars each, capable of carrying 642 barrels per car, would travel the national railway through the state.

Glenwood Springs Mayor Jonathan Godes told the crowd at Saturday’s rally that the railroad is part of Glenwood’s history but the amount of trains carrying heated crude oil through town every day presents a huge risk. “We’re concerned about what happens — not if, but when — a derailment occurs, whether that happens in Mesa County along Debeque Canyon or Glenwood Canyon or South Canyon,” he said.

Godes is also dismayed about climate impacts and the approval of a train through a roadless area. “Why are we taking [a railroad] through a roadless area in order to get to the main line and to bring it through Colorado?” he said.

Paula Stepp, Glenwood city housing. These amendments were unanimously approved for a second hearing on Jan. 10.

This was followed by a resolution to repeal and replace the town’s current salary schedule for its employees, shifting each salary grade by 2% (notably different from the recommended 6% cost of living increase). A step plan was included to improve police salaries by 4-5% per step, citing difficulties to both hire new officers and maintain their employment. Each salary step would reflect experience and qualifications within a chosen career path. This motion was carried unanimously.

An application to transfer both ownership and location of the LOVA retail marijuana store to 701 E. Valley Road — the same building as the Willits General Store — was approved unanimously.

The final items for the meeting were a set of budgetary resolutions. The first was the adoption of the 2023 budget itself in accordance with the Basalt Strategic Work Plan, which focuses on both reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving community communication, providing affordable housing and supporting local businesses. In 2023, $700,000 worth of projects will tap into the town’s reserve, but the reserve is ample and will be augmented by the rest of 2022’s surplus revenue. The final resolutions were ancillary to the main budget and approved unanimously.

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councilwoman and executive director of the Middle Colorado Watershed Council, also spoke at the rally. She has been working throughout the region on water quality changes due to wildfires. “When I think about a waxy crude train derailing in our canyon and what that cost would be to mitigate, it overwhelms me,” she said. “Often people say, ‘We need the oil economy,’ but you also have to look at the cost of the oil economy and this would be the cost to us with any kind of derailment.”

Not to mention, she added, the water in the Colorado River.

Seven states in the West divide that water, as directed by the 1922 Colorado River Compact, among more than 40 million users. But, due to prolonged drought in the Southwest, they struggle to balance demand with an ever-dwindling supply. “If you start throwing in a factor of once we destroy the water in the river, what do we divide at that point?” she said.

Most of the attendees at Saturday’s rally came out to protest the Uinta Basin Railway for reasons including climate change impacts and threats to Glenwood Canyon. Hodges said he also wants to combat societal resignation and apathy.

“Some people are going to say, ‘Our whole economy runs on oil,’ and yes, that’s the problem,” he explained. “We need a World War II-scale mobilization from the federal government, states and localities to greatly wind down our dependence on fossil fuels.”

By Raleigh Burleigh Sopris Sun Editor

At their final full meeting of 2022, the Board of Town Trustees were all in attendance. There will be no work session on Dec. 20 and the Dec. 27 meeting will be brief and hosted on Zoom.

Following student of the month awards, a consent agenda was approved that included accounts payable, meeting minutes and liquor license renewals. During the “persons present not on the agenda” item, a person called “dj” on Zoom was unable to comment due to a technology glitch.

Next, trustees gave updates about the Carbondale Chamber, wolf reintroduction public engagement, the Thompson Divide mineral lease withdrawal, air quality and oil and gas development, Coventure, English In Action and the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority. As always, the meeting is archived on the “Town of Carbondale” YouTube channel.

During the manager’s report, Lauren Gister announced that they are interviewing candidates for the town planner and building official positions. The building department will be closed the week of Dec. 26.

The first big item on the agenda was a Major Site Plan Review for two buildings with seven townhomes on 12th Street. All seven are three-bedroom, for sale units. Of these, one will be deedrestricted for Category 2 AMI (www.bit. ly/CarbondaleAMI).

The proposal was seen to meet the code and received three public comments in support of multi-family housing. One feature that prompted dialogue was a motorized hatch system to allow rooftop deck access while adhering to the town’s 35-foot height restriction. “A very expensive solution,” remarked the applicant.

Mayor Ben Bohmfalk mentioned the recently adopted Comprehensive Plan update recommending to amend the code to a three-story height limit, as opposed to 35 feet specifically. “I don’t see any negative impact to anyone if that goes up to 38 feet or something like that,” he said.

“And the cost of that could go toward a more green approach,” added trustee Chris Hassig, who noted the presence of gas lines in the plans. The proposal was approved unanimously.

Trustees then took a final look at the 2023 budget. “People say you can see an organization’s values when you look at its budget,” said Bohmfalk. He pointed out that $1.69 million dollars is allocated toward the environment, including Eighth Street improvements and Crystal River restoration work, as well investment in the electrification of maintenance equipment and hybrid vehicles for the police department.

Other initiatives include an improved pedestrian crossing at Cowen Drive, design work for the Industry Way

“Our Solstice Celebration is back! Come join Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist as we welcome the return of the light. There will be indoor activities including a Pagan ritual honoring the four directions, a children’s story, and a wreathand-wishes ritual. There will also be outdoor activities including a bonfire, community spiral dance, and a burning of the wreath. Our gala will conclude with caroling by our choir. There will also be cookies, hot chocolate, and good cheer for all!”

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Each townhome at 156/160 N. 12th Street will make the most of Carbondale’s allotted three stories. Courtesy graphic roundabout and a mobility study. In all, the 2023 budget anticipates over $12 million in general fund expenditures.

Tree Board representatives then dropped by for their annual check-in. Chairman Dan Bullock praised the work of the maintenance department and town arborist, Carl Meinecke. He explained proposed revisions to the ordinance passed in 2002 and the need for a town tree inventory, last conducted in 2010.

This was followed by unanimous approval of an update to the Garfield County Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan, first approved in 2012 and updated in 2017.

Then, trustees reviewed salary adjustments to keep Carbondale competitive with neighboring municipalities. Jennifer Olson with Employer’s Council gave a presentation amounting to an average raise of 12.5% for town staff, a $763,000 annual increase already factored into the approved budget. The new pay structure was approved unanimously, along with amendments to the employee handbook that address vacation accrual and payout, overtime and COVID leave in alignment with the public health emergency set to expire in April. The final topic of the night involved the Town Center Owners Association, joined by the town when it accepted donated lots surrounding the Thunder River Theatre late last year. This association is liable for the strip of land that serves as a promenade. The town, with 70% of the association’s voting interests, is considering the possibility of dissolving it and assuming responsibility for the promenade, which it already maintains. First, Gister is meeting informally with other members to discuss rights in the declaration and how to move forward.

By Amy Hadden Marsh Sopris Sun Correspondent

Commissioners approved all county Noxious Weed Advisory Board appointments and a waiver for an annexation report for a gas station and convenience store to be built near the West Rifl e interchange. County and city of Rifl e staff made the presentation, stating that due to groundwater contamination, the project will be using city water.

A representative of Colorado Mountain College requested approval for an application for $79,453 from the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative, which has been supplying grants for higher education since 2014. The college and the CMC Foundation will match the funds. Commissioners approved the request unanimously with Mike Samson requesting the enrollment numbers for the college.

In budget news, the county expects to receive over $1 million from the Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund (LATCF), as part of the 2022 federal American Rescue Plan. Commissioners approved a request for the $1,899,715.92, which will be distributed in two equal payments this year and in 2023. LATCF funds can be used at the county’s discretion but not for lobbying purposes.

Commissioners approved $39,905,621 of the county mill levy and allocation of property tax in the amount of $39,905,621. Monies will go to the county’s general fund (85.8%), road and bridge (.69%), county health services (3.24%), capital expenditures (6.85%) and retirement fund (3.42%).

Jamaica Watts, county fi nance director, requested a fourth amended allocation of funds to the 2022 budget to support the county’s food stamp and heat assistance programs, state community correction funds for COVIDrelated expenses and employee retention, state public health dental program funds and the capital fund for county Search and Rescue equipment and six patrol vehicles for the Sheriff ’s Department for use in 2023. Commissioners approved an increase in county revenues of $12,929,709 and an increase in supplemental expenditures of $9,640,43.

The Middle Colorado Watershed Council (MCWC) requested and received a letter of support for the Middle Colorado Firefighter Collaboration project. Paula Stepp, MCWC executive director, stated that the letter will help the Collaboration to receive state funding to expand the program. The MCFC looks at values at risk, wildfire hazards and how to work with the federal agencies on wildfire mitigation.

Stepp also requested non-monetary support for the Roan Creek Fish Barrier Project, which protects native fish from non-native, invasive species. There was some confusion about what role the county would play in assisting with grant management. Commissioners requested clarification before approving that request.

Traveler’s Highlands Public Improvement District Board requested and received approval for $81,660 for maintenance work at the Travelers Highland subdivision near Parachute.

Other items included presentations from the Garfield County Library District, the annual update from the Bookcliff, Mount Sopris and Southside Conservation Districts, approval for a liquor license transfer for the Glenwood Canyon Resort and No Name Grill and approval of all consent agenda items, including the final plat for McClure River Ranch, east of Carbondale.

County Vegetation Manager Steve Anthony updated the board on the county mosquito control program, stating that one person from Rifle died this fall from the West Nile virus. Anthony was unable to provide details due to federal HIPAA privacy regulations.

Art by Larry Day

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At the Nov. 30 Roaring Fork School District (RFSD) Board of Education meeting, RFSD Chief Financial Officer Nathan Markham said the district has, since the beginning of this school year, incurred a deficit of more than $40,000 in student meal debt.

During Markham’s presentation of the quarterly financial report, he cited that the district’s food service fund, for the first quarter ending Sept. 30, received $88,000 in revenue, with a majority of those funds coming from federal meal reimbursements for those qualifying for free and reduced-price school meals.

Some board members said possible confusion over meal payment could stem from the fact that during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Services instituted a program that reimbursed school districts that provided free meals to all students, regardless of their family income. That free meal program expired at the end of June 2022.

“The food service team has been working to notify families of their obligation to pay to slow this deficit,” stated Markham.

Board Vice President Jasmin Ramirez explained that for some families, the hardship is genuine. “This is a real lived experience where a lot of our families are experiencing food insecurity.”

According to data from Feeding America, a national nonprofit with a network of more than 200 food banks, one in nine children in Colorado faces hunger and food insecurity. “Clearly, our children need to have breakfast and lunch whenever it’s available to them,” Ramirez concluded.

With school meals offered at no cost for the past two years, Board Member Kenny Teitler entertained another possibility for non-payment of meal accounts, saying, “I’m curious of how much of it is an inability to be able to pay, or how much of it is they haven’t tried to pay because they didn’t think they had to pay.”

Another factor is that free and reduced-price applications must be submitted every school year. Teitler and Markham suggested following up with parents to encourage them to reapply for free and reduced-price school meal benefits.

Board Secretary Natalie Torres said, “It’s hard to engage the level of income to qualify for free and reduced meals. It still doesn’t mean you’re able to get by in a very high cost of living environment in town and community, right? It may be, ‘My income is not reflective of my ability to provide food for my kid. I would love to find more information because I don’t qualify [for benefits].’”

Student lunch debt will become a moot point with the passage of Colorado

Proposition FF, approved by voters in the November election, which reimburse school districts for providing free school meals, beginning in the 2023-24 budget year.

Jeff Gatlin, RFSD chief operating officer, said, “Hopefully, this year is the last year we will be looking at student meal debt like this.”

Gatlin said one needed data point is how many families started the 2022-23 school year not on free/reduced lunch status and were being charged the full price for meals but then completed an application. Letters sent to families with student meal debt requesting payment also explain how to access the application form if they are eligible for free and reduced-price meals.

Markham assured board members the district would continue working on recouping the debt and ask parents to make payment arrangements.

Free and reduced-price school meal applications, available in English and Spanish, can be accessed through the district’s Parent Portal or the Roaring Fork Schools website (www. bit.ly/RFSDfreelunch). Application information is confidential and never shared with any agency. The form also provides additional information for applicants who may qualify for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.

A nutritious orange, art by Benny Blue

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