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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20102067.tiff RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS MINUTES BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WELD COUNTY, COLORADO SEPTEMBER 8, 2010 The Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, met in regular session in full conformity with the laws of the State of Colorado at the regular place of meeting in the Weld County Centennial Center, Greeley, Colorado, September 8, 2010, at the hour of 9:00 a.m. ROLL CALL: The meeting was called to order by the Chair and on roll call the following members were present, constituting a quorum of the members thereof: Commissioner Douglas Rademacher, Chair Commissioner Barbara Kirkmeyer, Pro-Tem - EXCUSED Commissioner Sean P. Conway Commissioner William F. Garcia Commissioner David E. Long Also present: County Attorney, Bruce T. Barker Acting Clerk to the Board, Jennifer VanEgdom Director of Finance and Administration, Monica Mika MINUTES: Commissioner Conway moved to approve the minutes of the Board of County Commissioners meeting of September 1, 2010, as printed. Commissioner Long seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. CERTIFICATION OF HEARINGS: Commissioner Garcia moved to approve the Certification of Hearings conducted on September 1, 2010, as follows: 1) Show Cause Hearing for USR #1351 - James Wrenfrow. Commissioner Long seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA: There were no amendments to the agenda. PUBLIC INPUT: Doug Meyer, Weld County resident, provided information to the Board, marked Exhibits A and B. He indicated Exhibit A is an article in regards to the Arizona Coordination Legislation being a "Model" Bill, and Exhibit B is regarding the upcoming legislative items proposed for the next session in Congress. He clarified he reported on the Clear Act (HR3534) during his discussion last week, which contains legislation which will appropriate $360 billion over the next 40 years, it has already passed the House, and has been placed on general orders in the Senate, therefore, it may be voted on at any time. He summarized there are other issues which will have a dramatic impact on Weld County and other agricultural counties, he clarified a vested water right is a property right with value, because without land, it has no value. He clarified it is his hope that Weld County will be able to take action on a local level which will allow less restriction than what is proposed federally. CONSENT AGENDA: Commissioner Conway moved to approve the Consent Agenda as printed. Commissioner Long seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. L R Minutes, September 8, 2010 2010-2067 Page 1 BC0016 PROCLAMATIONS: NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION WEEK - SEPTEMBER 5-11, 2010; AND WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY - SEPTEMBER 10, 2010: Chair Rademacher read the certificate proclaiming September 5-11, 2010, as Suicide Prevention Week, and also proclaiming September 10, 2010, as World Suicide Prevention Day. Krismichelle Nohavec, Suicide Education and Support Services Coordinator, North Range Behavioral Health, expressed her appreciation to the Board for their support, and confirmed suicide is a problem within Weld County. She clarified the total number of people committing suicide in the year 2009 in Weld County was 26; however, so far this year, 28 people have already taken their own lives. She further clarified the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has reported that the year 2009 has been the all-time high record for the number of suicides state-wide, and suicide is the second leading cause of death for people between the ages of 10 and 34; however, the greatest risk for suicide is for the population of people older than the age of 65. Ms. Nohavec confirmed prevention education and services are provided through NRBH, and the organization also provides services for bereaved family members and friends. She explained the services are provided free of charge, and anyone needing assistance may contact NRBH at (970) 347- 2120, or via the website at www.endsuicide.com. She clarified there are other organizations which work in conjunction with NRBH and provide additional services, including Yellow Ribbon and Dynamic Family Designs. In response to Chair Rademacher, Ms. Nohavec clarified suicides are usually contributed to one of three reasons, including economic hardship, relationship struggles, or a diagnosis with a terminal illness. She further clarified it appears Weld County is unfortunately on track to break the record of the overall number of suicides this year, and the youngest person to commit suicide within Weld County was age 10. Commissioner Conway expressed his gratitude to Ms. Nohavec for the proactive role set forth by NRBH, especially concerning high school and middle school students. He confirmed the organization is reaching out to these students, and he is glad there is positive interaction occurring within our community. He indicated he has been made aware of the evidence of the proactive efforts in the group of people between the ages of 10 and 34. Ms. Nohavec indicated NRBH offers the Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Program to any agencies, schools, and businesses, as an educational outreach. Commissioner Garcia confirmed the outreach efforts are working well, and he viewed a large billboard just yesterday with an outreach message, therefore, he knows the message is getting out throughout the community. Ms. Nohavec acknowledged NRBH has concentrated its efforts on the age range of 10 to 34 within the billboard advertisements; however, the highest risk age group continues to be those over the age of 65. She clarified illness tends to be a factor for the older ages; however, a lack of connectedness has also been identified for this age group, and the majority of incidents within this age range are white males, utilizing firearms. Commissioner Long clarified part of the efforts of NRBH is to educate people about the signs of those contemplating suicide, and all of us need to be cognizant of the loved ones in our life, regarding any signs they may be displaying. He confirmed it is sometimes hard to educate people, as they do not want to acknowledge the issue; however, people need to act on any signs they see present. Ms. Nohavec confirmed Commissioner Long has adequately summarized the purpose of the QPR process, which informs friends and family members how to ask the right questions, how to appropriately refer help, and where someone can go to receive help. NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH - SEPTEMBER, 2010: Chair Rademacher read the certificate into the record, proclaiming September, 2010, as National Preparedness Month. Roy Rudisill, Director, Office of Emergency Management, was present to receive the proclamation, and expressed his appreciation to the Board for their support and participation. He confirmed a large amount of support is typically focused on the Emergency Operations Plan; however, that is only one piece of the overall program, and citizens need to focus on being prepared for natural disasters. He explained Weld County has developed a COG Team, several Emergency Support Function (ESF) Groups, including the ESF-8, which includes representation from the Department of Public Health and Environment, Paramedic Service, Coroner's Office, and North Colorado Medical Center, and the ESF-6, which is a special needs group with representation from the Department of Human Services. He confirmed the Minutes, September 8, 2010 2010-2067 Page 2 BC0016 County needs to focus on getting information out to the citizens, and the Capabilities Assessment completed by the Department of Homeland Security indicates citizen preparedness activities contain lower scores. He clarified it is hard for the County to identify if citizens are putting emergency kits together and adequately preparing for emergency events. Mr. Rudisill indicated the Northeast Colorado Office of Emergency Management put together a brochure which provides information regarding several types of incidents or disasters which could happen within this region, and the brochure includes a list of items to be utilized within a preparedness kit. Chair Rademacher acknowledged that preparedness is essential, and while it may not be possible to prepare for some levels of disaster, everyone should be able to get prepared on basic levels. Commissioner Conway confirmed preparedness is a personal responsibility; however, the public does have a role in the overall process, and the County is a good partner in being prepared for the unexpected. He expressed his appreciation to Mr. Rudisill for his leadership in this area, and he confirmed Mr. Rudisill recently participated in a training session held for local elected officials to help prepare them for their anticipated roles. Monica Mika, Director of Finance and Administration, expressed her appreciation to Mr. Rudisill for his coordination of the regional endorsement for recent grant applications, and she confirmed without his intervention, the grant applications would not have been approved. Mr. Rudisill clarified the background information of the grant applications produced by Ms. Mika identified critical infrastructure improvements were necessary. He confirmed projects were identified across the Northeast region to be conducted as trainings, as grant funds allow. PRESENTATIONS: RECOGNITION OF SERVICE, UPSTATE COLORADO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS - BRUCE WHITE: Chair Rademacher read the certificate recognizing Bruce White for his six years of voluntary service on the Upstate Colorado Economic Development Board of Directors. RECOGNITION OF SERVICE, BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR NORTH COLORADO MEDICAL CENTER - RICHARD BOETTCHER: Chair Rademacher read the certificate recognizing Richard Boettcher for his six years of voluntary service on the Board of Trustees for North Colorado Medical Center. Commissioner Conway indicated he has served with Mr. Boettcher in the past, and he has been an invaluable member of the Board of Trustees. He clarified Mr. Boettcher has moved on and taken a position on the NCMC, Inc. Board, and he is pleased that Mr. Boettcher will continue to serve the residents of Weld County. RECOGNITION OF SERVICES, REGIONAL COMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY BOARD - BRIAN MARTENS: Chair Rademacher read the certificate recognizing Brian Martens for his two years of voluntary service on the Regional Communications Advisory Board. COMMISSIONER COORDINATOR REPORTS: There were no Commissioner Coordinator Reports. BIDS: APPROVE BID #61000134, COPIER - DEPARTMENT OF PRINTING AND SUPPLY: Ms. Mika requested this matter be continued for one week to allow the Print Shop staff additional time to review the bids. She confirmed staff is researching the costs of purchasing a color copier, due to the high demand experienced among departments for color printing. In response to Chair Rademacher, Ms. Mika confirmed it may be more cost effective for departments to send documents to the Print Shop for color copies, rather than print a stack on a color printer within an office; however, the staff time and length of time to have the project returned to the department must also be considered. She confirmed the color cartridges within the various departments are expensive, and she would like to be able to find the most economical solution for color printing needs. Commissioner Garcia moved to continue said bid to September 15, 2010. Seconded by Commissioner Conway, the motion carried unanimously. Minutes, September 8, 2010 2010-2067 Page 3 BC0016 NEW BUSINESS: CONSIDER AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AND AUTHORIZE CHAIR TO SIGN - SUSAN BJORLAND: Judy Griego, Director, Department of Human Services, stated the amendment to the agreement extends the end date from July 31, 2010, to December 31, 2010, and increases the maximum reimbursement to an amount of $64,600.00. She clarified Ms. Bjorland will be working to create job descriptions and testing criteria for new employees, while also providing assistance with the development of a volunteer/internship program and the foster parent assessment criteria. Commissioner Garcia moved to approve said amendment and authorize the Chair to sign. The motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Conway, carried unanimously. CONSIDER AMENDMENT #2 TO WELD COUNTY YOUTH CONSERVATION CORPS GRANT AGREEMENT AND AUTHORIZE CHAIR TO SIGN: Ms. Griego stated the funding for the Americorps Program was increased to $188,852.00 for program year October 4, 2010, through September 30, 2011, and the overall contract will be extended to October 4, 2012. Commissioner Long moved to approve said amendment and authorize the Chair to sign. Seconded by Commissioner Garcia, it carried unanimously. CONSIDER EXPENDITURE AUTHORIZATION FOR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM AND AUTHORIZE CHAIR TO SIGN: Ms. Griego stated the Department was provided with an additional $20,000.00 in discretionary funds, for the utilization of additional services within the southwest portion of the County. She confirmed the program works primarily with the Weld County School District RE-8 and the St. Vrain School District, and a mix of services will be provided to help students obtain occupational information regarding green jobs, and the skill requirements necessary to obtain these jobs. In response to Commissioner Conway, Ms. Griego confirmed the funds are discretionary funds and will be utilized to provide a general review of jobs with a focus on renewable energy, etcetera, as requested through the grant. Commissioner Long moved to approve said expenditure authorization and authorize the Chair to sign. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Garcia, and it carried unanimously. CONSIDER GRANT CLOSEOUT SUMMARY FOR VARIOUS WORKFORCE INVESTMENT ACT PROGRAMS AND AUTHORIZE CHAIR TO SIGN: Ms. Griego stated the closeout summary for the Workforce Investment Act Programs is required by the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, for all expenditure authorizations during the period of July 1, 2009, through June 30, 2010. She clarified all revenues and expenses must be reconciled before the grant obligations may be released. Commissioner Conway indicated he would like to know how many jobs were created as a result of the funds provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). In response, Ms. Griego confirmed these statistics must be reported to the State; however, she does not have the exact information with her, and she will research the matter and provide a report for the Board. Commissioner Conway moved to approve said grant closeout summary and authorize the Chair to sign. Commissioner Garcia seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. CONSIDER PETITION FOR ABATEMENT OR REFUND OF TAXES - RACHELLE ZAHN: Chris Woodruff, Assessor, stated the tax year 2009 petition was filed for a personal property account for an egg production facility within the Town of Erie. He confirmed the valuation set by staff contained a mistake, and this petition corrects the assessed value, resulting in a refund of $57,875.84. He clarified he has reviewed the procedures for these types of accounts to ensure this mistake does not happen again in the future. Commissioner Conway moved to approve said petition, as recommended by staff. Commissioner Long seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. CONSIDER PETITION FOR ABATEMENT OR REFUND OF TAXES - WELLS FARGO BANK: Mr. Woodruff stated the petition is for property which has been leased by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) since the year 2004, and the lease was also recorded within Denver County; Minutes, September 8, 2010 2010-2067 Page 4 BC0016 however, Weld County did not have proper notice of this. He confirmed CDOT occupies the middle unit of a three-unit building, and the account was mistakenly given a valuation because the title to the property is held by Wells Fargo Bank. He clarified this portion of the property is tax exempt, as it is leased to the State of Colorado, and the refunds for tax years 2007 and 2008 are $3,249.89 and $3,237.36, respectively. He confirmed the account was corrected for tax year 2009, and was not taxed. Commissioner Garcia moved to approve said petition, as recommended by staff. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Conway, and it carried unanimously. CONSIDER PETITION FOR ABATEMENT OR REFUND OF TAXES - VFS LEASING COMPANY (P0904204): Mr. Woodruff stated this petition is for a personal property account for leased equipment located within the Town of Erie. He indicated the leasing company claimed the equipment; however, the specific ownership tax was paid to the Clerk and Recorder's Office, through the licensing process, which created a double assessment of the equipment. He recommended approval of the petition, which creates a tax refund in the amount of $12,431.22 for tax year 2009. Commissioner Long moved to approve said petition, as recommended by staff. Seconded by Commissioner Garcia, the motion carried unanimously. CONSIDER PETITION FOR ABATEMENT OR REFUND OF TAXES - VFS LEASING COMPANY (P3498906): Mr. Woodruff stated the petition was also filed for a personal property account, for leased equipment located within the Town of Ault. He confirmed the leasing company claimed the equipment; however, the specific ownership tax was paid to the Clerk and Recorder's Office, through the licensing process, which resulted in a double assessment. He recommended approval of the petition, creating a refund in the amount of $1,631.31 for tax year 2008, and $1,566.76 for tax year 2009. Commissioner Long moved to approve said petition, as recommended by staff. The motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Garcia, carried unanimously. CONSIDER ASSIGNMENT OF TAX LIEN SALE CERTIFICATION TO PENNY PRISCILLA A. GRAHAM AND AUTHORIZE CHAIR TO SIGN: Bruce Barker, County Attorney, confirmed this assignment contains three properties, which are listed on Exhibit A, and the total amount paid by Ms. Graham is $2,681.42, which includes the principal amount and all interest and fees. Commissioner Garcia moved to approve said assignment of Tax Lien Sale Certification and authorize the Chair to sign. Commissioner Conway seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. CONSIDER APPOINTMENT TO REGIONAL COMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY BOARD: Commissioner Conway moved to appoint Maria Moll to the Regional Communications Advisory Board as the Police Zone 3 representative, to replace Ron Grannis, with a term to expire December 31, 2011. Commissioner Garcia seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. PLANNING: CONSIDER PARTIAL CANCELLATION AND RELEASE OF COLLATERAL FOR IMPROVEMENTS (PUBLIC AND PRIVATE) FOR USE BY SPECIAL REVIEW PERMIT #1677 - HIGH PLAINS DISPOSAL, INC.: Rich Hastings, Department of Public Works, stated the request for release of collateral is for the High Plains Disposal facility located on County Road 32, east of the Town of Platteville. He confirmed all of the required improvements have been completed on the site, and upon inspection of the site, both the Departments of Public Works and Planning Services recommend the partial release of collateral. He confirmed 15 percent of the overall collateral amount will be retained as a one-year warranty for the paving improvements. In response to Chair Rademacher, Mr. Hastings confirmed the amount to be released is $130,055.42, therefore, the original collateral in the amount of $153,702.82 will be released, and replacement collateral, in the amount of $23,055.42, will be retained for a period of one year. Commissioner Conway moved to approve said partial cancellation and release of collateral for USR #1677 for High Plains Disposal, Inc. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Long, and it carried unanimously. Minutes, September 8, 2010 2010-2067 Page 5 BC0016 CONSIDER PARTIAL CANCELLATION AND RELEASE OF COLLATERAL FOR IMPROVEMENTS FOR USE BY SPECIAL REVIEW PERMIT #1665 - HIGH PLAINS DISPOSAL, INC.: Mr. Hastings stated the request for release of collateral is for another High Plains Disposal facility, located west of the Town of Kersey on County Road 54. He confirmed all of the required improvements have been completed at the facility, and both the Departments of Public Works and Planning Services recommend the partial release of collateral, with the acceptance of additional collateral to be kept for a one-year warranty period. Commissioner Garcia moved to approve said partial cancellation and release of collateral for USR#1665 for High Plains Disposal, Inc. Seconded by Commissioner Long, the motion carried unanimously. RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES: The resolutions were presented and signed as listed on the Consent Agenda. No Ordinances were approved. Let the minutes reflect that the above and foregoing actions were attested to and respectfully submitted by the Acting Clerk to the Board. There being no further business, this meeting was adjourned at 9:40 a.m. ,� 1►` BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ,, $ /4,"WELD COUNTY COLORADO ATTEST: /� 1861 1 dip ct 4 . r `i.ugla adema er, Chair Weld County Clerk to the Board ,� �l b 44 CUSED 1 �,� �, (���\� Barbara Kirkmeyer, Pro-Tem BY: ,( .. I L/l 1 Lt 1,l' Y Dept Clerk o the Board J Sean P. ay C. l •Wi�k�m F. Garcia(' c ___ C i David E. Long Minutes, September 8, 2010 2010-2067 Page 6 BC0016 'Coordination Works-News Publications-American Stewards Page SNOW Arizona Coordination Legislation Becomes"Model"Bill Coordination Works I August 26,2010-- Senator Sylvia Allen of Arizona took on a herculean task this past 2010 Legislative Session by passing a bill requiring local governments to engage in the coordination process to protect citizen's personal rights and property rights. Senate Bill 1386 requires cities,towns,counties and taxing districts to engage federal and state agencies in coordination whenever a federal/state rule,regulation,plan or policy is more restrictive on personal and property rights than local law. The bill was designed to provide the impetus to local governmental bodies that might think they lack the authority to bring the federal and state agencies to the negotiating table. It serves a second purpose of providing citizens a method for persuading their local governments to engage in coordination for their protection. Opposition to the bill was spirited,and the Siena Club testified against it at a committee hearing.The House passed the bill 34-23,but in the Senate conservative private property supporters stepped up and the bill passed easily 20-9. Co-sponsors with Senator Allen were Senators Huppenthal,Verschoor,Gould,Melvin,Gray and Pearce. Governor Jan Brewer signed the bill into law in April and Arizona became the first state in the Union to mandate that local goverrunents act to protect their citizens through the coordination process. Senator Allen and Nick Dranias of the Goldwater Institute sidled American Stewards of Liberty President Fred Kelly Grant for review of the bill in the drafting process. The bill,as passed,mandates implementation of the coordination process that is promoted by American Stewards. On August 7,2010,the legislative push toward local coordination efforts took yet another giant step forward. The Energy,Environment and Agriculture Task Force of the American Legislative Exchange Council(ALEC)voted unanimously to recommend that the Arizona statute be put in model statute format and presented to all fifty state legislatures. Dranias and Grant presented the Arizona coordination statute to the Task Force and requested that it be approved for model status. Both the public membership and private business membership of the Task Force voted unanimously to support the statute after a round of spirited questions as to whether coordination would help with specific issues in various parts of the country-. ALEC is an organization of non-partisan conservative legislators and private businesses committed to work for limited government,free market enterprise and federalism that respects the role of state and local government. Its stated mission is "to promote these principles by developing policies that ensure the powers of government are derived from,and assigned to, first the people,then the States,and finally,the Federal Government.' It is a mission that serves well the intent of the Founders in ratifying the Tenth Amendment,which assures that the People's rights are protected.Those individual rights are best protected at the local government level,where the people know and have access to their elected officials. One of the most important activities of ALEC are presentations of model statutes to conservative law makers who then sponsor the legislation in their respective state legislatures to protect personal rights,property rights and liberty The Arizona statute,and now the model statute,requires that cities,towns,counties and taxing districts"demand by any lawful means"that federal and state governments engage them in coordination when local regulations,rules,plans or policies are'less restrictive"on personal and property rights than federal or state law. "Coordination'is defined in the statute as"the process by which the federal or state government seeks in good faith to reach consistency"with any less restrictive'local regulation,rule,plan or policy. "Less restrictive"is defined as imposing less of a burden on the exercise of rights,privileges or immunities enjoyed by individuals,organizations or businesses.' Under the statute whenever federal or state regulations,rules,plans or policies impose upon citizen's rights a more stringent adverse impact than local law,the local government is required to demand that t' the federal or state government engage in the coordination process to reach consistency with the local law. r v '° is httne.•//ameriranctPisTarrlc nc "Coordination Works - News Publications - American Stewards Page PIPP The statute provides that if the federal or state government refuses to coordinate,the local government"shall hold public hearings,consider the evidence and vote on whether to authorize litigation to enforce"the coordination requirement. The coordination requirement is made"mandatory'." If in spite of the mandate,a local governing body refuses to coordinate,it must"specifically vote'not to engage in coordination.This requirement assures transparency to the public of a refusal of local elected officials to protect citizen's , August 12 1},2010 rights. An elected official will have to go on record as being opposed to protecting those rights through the coordination Dan Brfield process. Valley Forge.PA August 21,2010 Any person who resides in or does business in the state can serve a written demand on a local governing body to comply with Magaret Byfield the statute. If that person's rights are damaged by the failure to comply,the governing body must hold a public hearing to Happy Camp,CA 'present information on the decision not to demand coordination? Again,this provides transparency to the public of a refusal by elected officials to protect personal rights and property rights. Such public disclosure will help voters decide whether their interests are being well served by incumbent officials. The transparency provisions will make it virtually impossible for elected officials to secretly hide a refusal to protect citizen's rights. In some cases.a governing body may attempt to curry favor with the voters by"talking"coordination,but not really working to implement the process. Some local elected officials become so complacent that they allow damage to individual rights by their failure to exercise lawful local authority.The public hearing provisions of this statute will clearly reveal such complacency. The next step in furthering the coordination process will be for individual legislators in their respective state legislatures to take up the cause and sponsor the model statute. Legislators are already poised to do that in Montana,Idaho and possibly Kansas. Educating . Fighting . Training. Winning . We educate Americans on issues locally;We send experts directly into communities to help local We train local We are winning affecting property rights and leaders protect their way of life through our Local Outreach governments how to battles in individual liberties through our Program. assert their communities publications,Standing Ground and coordinate role in nationwide and one- Nationally;Works. Nationally,We gather together our members to fight in the hull; the federal and state by one we are of Congress through our Liberty Matters alerts and,when planning pmce,;s restoring our nation necessary,file legal actions in the courts to protect property through our CALL from the ground up. rights. America conference program. American Stewards of Liberty,PO Box 1190 Taylor,TX 776574,(512)365-2699 Fax:(512)365-7931,asl@americanstewartis.us /•Google Analytics Code"/ rw: [Liberty Mattersj Most Dangerous Session in Congress - Yahoo! Mail Page 1 of 3 AH+DQ!e MAIL Classic Fw: [Liberty Matters] Most Dangerous Session in Congress Thursday, September 2, 2010 9:00 PM From: "Mick Mizner" <mcmiz@wildblue.net> To: "Dad" <lazyvo@yahoo.com> -----Original Message---- From:American Stewards of Liberty To: mcmizawildblue.net Sent: Thursday, September 02, 2010 10:30 AM Subject: [Liberty Matters] Most Dangerous Session in Congress 1 HPEr. Ty .M .vr-rrr) AM E RICAN STEWARDS Subscribe Contact Us Privacy Policy September 2,2010 $2O Challenge Prepare for the Most Dangerous Session in Lr Congress •ter' The final weeks of the 20w second session of the iiith Congress could be the most dangerous in our history. In view of the current Help us fully fund our year outlook for mid-term elections,this may be the last chance end budget. Senator Reid has to push through Cap'n Trade,the Clean Water Donate Today. Restoration Act,the Wildlife Corridors Act,the CI.F-AR Act,and Food Health bills that will strangle the farming industry. The Senate will reconvene September 13th and adjourn October 8th. They return after the election recess on November 15th and Action Alerts work until the week of Thanksgiving. Then work continues in December. While these bills can be brought up any time during the critical days ahead,our property rights and interests are most vulnerable during the sessions following election. ;K 'r i ��,•�„�;; ; During that November-December session,many,if not all of the 404,1,46.4.440000., anti-private property bills may be bundled together much like the Omnibus Public Lands bill that was enacted in 2009. Such To receive action alerts on "bundling"is a Senator Harry Reid trademark. He combines bil key bills and other critical that include legislation desired by enough Senators to secure the - �+vr issues,Subscribe Today. necessary votes for passage. It is a devious tactic,but one for I which we must be prepared. ti This issue of Liberty Matters has been prepared to give you a 'trI.V.Pitr,7 Upcoming Events heads up on the key anti-private property bills we expect to corn up for passage during the final quarter of this critical year...Read http://us.mc631.mail.yahoo.com/mc/showMessage?fid=lnbox&mid=1_8400_APNgkOUAAFcaTIBk5wQt... 9/3/2010 v.. L1,it1%..1ly LaiiV,eruus JeSSIOI1 in Longress - Yanoo! Mall Page 2 of 3 Full Stony The Clean Water Restoration Act(SB 787): {{ The most devastating element of this bill is the way it amends the Pollution Control Act to expand Corps of Engineers authority over r September 18th all land that is"adjacent to,near,is affected by,or affects"any "'A Dan Byfield body of water. In other words,every piece of land in the United Utah's Freedom Conference States would be put under Corps permit authority. Salt Lake City,UT ; The Wildlife Corridors Conservation Act(HR 5ioi): "'"" December 1st The bill establishes a"Corridor Information Program"to gather ��Margaret Byfield data as to wildlife migratory patterns in order to establish and Full Day Session develop corridors. HR 5101 not so subtly implements a concept Casper.WY first proposed by radical environmentalists over twenty years ago known as the Wildlands Project that advocates minimum or no human activity within these wildlife corridors. The CLEAR Act(HR 3534): This Bill has already passed the House,been placed on general Read More of Our Latest orders in the Senate and can be brought up and voted on at any News time. The legislation appropriates$360 Billion dollars over 40 years without requiring any further annual appropriation.The money is set aside to buy private property and place this into `N government ownership. A call to action was issued and the bill summarized by American Stewards during the last days of the AMERICAN STEWARDS August session. Clean Energy Technology Act(SB 37%8): Last session,Senator Reid announced that"cap'n trade is dead." Liberty Matters is a His statement followed the failure by Senators Kerry,Liebermann and Graham to put together a bill that could get the necessary 6o publication of ASL,the votes to end a filibuster. However,Senator Kerry's new strategy is nation's largest property to take smaller bites at the apple making his new bill,the Clean rights organization , Enemy Technology Leadership Act of 2010,an ideal vehicle to slip protecting our land,liberty I back into legislation the"Cap'n Trade"concept that will tax and livelihood.Learn More. carbon emissions. Farm Bill Legislation: ® The Environmental Defense Fund has urged inclusion of financing for preserving wildlife corridors in various pieces of farm Become a Fan legislation. They point with pride to the funding in last session's farm bill of activities that will put private land into government ownership or control. The Food Safety Modernization Act SB io : This 118 page bill provides for extreme enlargement of the regulatory authority of agencies regarding the safety of food products. Even though it's early provisions exempt farms and ranches,close attention must be paid to this bill and similar bills. Stay Informed: As these issues move forward over the next critical months we will be issuing white papers and action alerts to keep you apprised of new developments. We will also let you know where your calls, emails and letters can be focused to make the greatest impact. Make sure you subscribe to Liberty Matters so you receive these alerts.Subscribe Today. Read the entire article» http://us.mc63I.mail.yahoo.com/me/showMessage?fid=lnbox&mid=1_8400 APNgk0UAAFcaTIBk5wQt... 9/3/201 Hello