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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20183219.tiffRECORD OF PROCEEDINGS MINUTES BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WELD COUNTY, COLORADO OCTOBER 8, 2018 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 Administration Building, Greeley, Colorado, October 8, 2018, at the hour of 9:00 a.m. El 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 Steve Moreno, Chair Commissioner Barbara Kirkmeyer, Pro -Tern Commissioner Sean P. Conway Commissioner Julie A. Cozad Commissioner Mike Freeman Also present: County Attorney, Bruce Barker Acting Clerk to the Board, Stephanie Frederick Controller, Barbara Connolly 12- MINUTES: Commissioner Conway moved to approve the minutes of the Board of County Commissioners meeting of October 3, 2018, as printed. Commissioner Cozad seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. CR CERTIFICATION OF HEARINGS: Commissioner Freeman moved to approve the Certification of Hearings conducted on October 3, 2018, as follows: 1) COZ18-0003 — Dean and Valerie Bondeson, 2) USR18-0058 — George and Lauren Sagner, Jr., JR's Landscaping, LLC, c/o Patricia Sagner, and 3) USR18-0044 — Tricycle Lane Texas, LLC. Commissioner Conway seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. Ei AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA: There were no amendments to the agenda. CONSENT AGENDA: Commissioner Kirkmeyer moved to approve the Consent Agenda as printed. Commissioner Cozad seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. PRESENTATIONS: 1) CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION FOR WORK ABOVE AND BEYOND REGULAR DUTIES — MERRIE GARNER: Chair Moreno read the certificate recognizing Merrie Garner, Office of Emergency Mangement, for assisting Costilla County during the Spring Fire disaster June 30, 2018, through July 5, 2018. Costilla County thanked Ms. Garner for her knowledge and input during the Spring Fire disaster. Roy Rudisill, Director of the Office of Emergency Management, thanked Ms. Garner for dedicating her personal time. Each Commissioner expressed their appreciation of the assistance and Minutes, October 8, 2018 Page 1 2018-3219 BC0016 knowledge she provided to the citizens of Costilla County. Commissioner Conway stated he had a personal connection with his family who resides in Costilla County and stated with Ms. Garner assisting them, he was confident his family was in good hands. He stated he remembered during the 2013 Flood, Costilla County sent employees to help repair the roads destroyed by the flood. (Clerk's Note: The Board paused the meeting for a photo opportunity.) • PUBLIC INPUT: Bill Gillard, resident of Greeley, thanked Chair Moreno for elucidating the definition of harrassment during public input and offered an apology to Commissioners Cozad and Kirkmeyer. NEW BUSINESS: El 1) CONSIDER CHANGE ORDER #1 FOR PROXIMITY DOOR SYSTEM UPGRADE (BID #B1700146) AND AUTHORIZE CHAIR TO SIGN - LONG BUILDING TECHNOLOGIES, INC: Toby Taylor, Director of the Department of Buildings and Grounds, presented the terms of the change order for an upgrade to the proximity door system for the Information Technology and Human Services Buildings for the total amount of $46,635.00. Commissioner Cozad moved to approve said change order, which was seconded by Commissioner Freeman, and the motion carried unanimously. • 2) CONSIDER PERMIT APPLICATION AND REPORT OF CHANGES TO CHANGE TRADE NAME FOR FRITZLER FARMS, INC., FROM FRITZLER CORN MAZE TO FRITZLER FARM PARK AND AUTHORIZE CHAIR TO SIGN: Bob Choate, Assistant County Attorney, reviewed the application request for a Trade Name change from Fritzler Corn Maze to Fritzler Farm Park. He suggested they register the application with the Colorado Secretary of State. Commissioner Conway moved to approve said trade name change and authorize the Chair to sign. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Kirkmeyer, and it carried unanimously. • 3) CONSIDER CONTRACT ID #2158 CONGESTION MITIGATION AND AIR QUALITY (CMAQ) GRANT AGREEMENT FOR NORTH FRONT RANGE NATURAL GAS VEHICLE FLEETS AND AUTHORIZE CHAIR TO SIGN: Everett Bacon, Department of Public Works, presented the agreement for Fiscal Year 2017 CNG Fleet vehicle program for $162,000.00. Mr. Bacon stated Buy America Waivers have been issued for the vehicles. Commissioner Kirkmeyer moved to amend the resolution and agenda to correct "Upper" to "North". The motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Cozad, carried unanimously. Commissioner Kirkmeyer moved to approve said grant agreement. It was seconded by Commissioner Cozad, carried unanimously. Commissioner Cozad stated at the North Front Range MPO meeting, there was discussion about there not being anymore Buy America Waivers, and because of this, they will no longer be able to use the CMAQ funds to purchase vehicles. 4) CONSIDER STRUCTURE AGREEMENT FOR BETZ BORROW PIT AND AUTHORIZE CHAIR TO SIGN - SEMA CONSTRUCTION, INC.: Mr. Choate presented the structure agreement to ensure SEMA Construction, Inc., pays for damages to CR 46, which is located within 200 feet of the Betz Borrow pit. Commissioner Freeman moved to approve said agreement and authorize Chair to sign. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Conway, and it carried unanimously. El 5) CONSIDER PROPERTY USE AGREEMENT FOR PLANNING COMMISSION I -PAD AND AUTHORIZE CHAIR TO SIGN - FAY (SKIP) HOLLAND: Commissioner Cozad moved to approve said agreement and authorize the Chair to sign. The motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Conway, carried unanimously. Minutes, October 8, 2018 Page 2 2018-3219 BC0016 ei 6) CONSIDER APPOINTMENT TO AREA AGENCY ON AGING ADVISORY BOARD: Commissioner Freeman moved to approve said appointment. The motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Cozad, carried unanimously. PLANNING: 1) FINAL READING OF WELD COUNTY CODE ORDINANCE #2018-05, IN THE MATTER OF REPEALING AND REENACTING, WITH AMENDMENTS, CHAPTER 23 ZONING AND CHAPTER 26 REGIONAL URBANIZATION AREAS (PIPELINES), OF THE WELD COUNTY CODE: Commissioner Kirkmeyer moved to read Code Ordinance #2018-05 by title only. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Conway and carried unanimously. Bruce Barker, County Attorney, read the title for the record. Tom Parko, Director of the Department of Planning Services, stated he submitted the changes made since the Second Reading. Mr. Parko then reviewed the changes made to the Code pertaining to pipelines. Commissioner Kirkmeyer stated the best way to get easement information is to obtain it from public record. Mr. Barker stated not all easements are recorded and there are implied easements. In response to Commissioner Cozad, Mr. Barker stated typically when required to complete a search, there are ditch easements that are not recorded. Mr. Parko clarified once all the information is received from the applicant, it is submitted for the easement permit and the sentence needs to be changed to "no more than" ten (10) days. Ryan Seastrom, representative of Colorado Oil and Gas Association (COGA), thanked the Board for working with the oil and gas industry to consider the concerns raised by the industry and offered his assistance with any further questions regarding pipelines. In response to Commissioner Conway, Mr. Seastrom stated COGA has not received any other comments. la Dennis Hoshiko, resident of Greeley, stated he agreed with streamlining the pipeline permitting process but is apprehensive with pipelines which will adversely impact private surface owners. He stated he would like the rules to be fair to all private property owners. He stated Weld County has the authority to require that the oil and gas company apply for permits to bore pipelines under the public roads. He stated ditch owners have a legal right to know the location and depth of pipelines under their ditches. Unfortunately, private property owners do not have the power that the County holds to compel for pipeline companies to obtain the proper permits before installing the pipelines. Commissioners need to regulate all Use by Right pipelines to protect the rights of the private property owners. He stated that the Commissioners have not fully considered the property rights of private owners and stated oil and gas operators will violate the easements. He stated growing crops is vital for the future of Weld County. Mr. Hoshiko would like the pipeline companies to notify and honor the rights of property owners before being granted permits to construct pipelines across farmlands which should apply to all non -Use by Right pipelines. Chair Moreno thanked Mr. Hoshiko for his comments and participating in the LAP process. In response to Commissioner Conway, Mr. Hoshiko clarified the pipeline representative at the last hearing, stated all corporately organized ditch companies' easements are owned in fee or owned by the ditch company which is incorrect. There were also other statements the industry representative made which were also incorrect. He stated the easements were granted or deeded for ditch purposes and there are fee -owned easements which are rare. He stated there are also implied easements where the owners just allowed their neighbors to use it, but they are not recorded. Additionally, there are condemned easements and prescriptive easements, which exist for at least eighteen years. He explained he would like the pipeline operators to find and notify the ditch owners and authorize an Agent to negotiate with the companies and ditch owners. Minutes, October 8, 2018 Page 3 2018-3219 BC0016 In response to Commissioner Cozad, Mr. Hoshiko explained which easements are recorded. He stated the Water Courts decreed the water rights, regarding the South Platte River, to be used on specifically defined lands. He reiterated the pipeline industry representatives should be able to research and notify the landowners. Mr. Parko explained the Department of Planning Services will receive a statement from the oil and gas pipeline applicant showing they have researched the area and practiced a good faith negotiation with contract landowners and ditch companies. Commissioner Cozad clarified the applicant will need the easements or rights -of -way documentation or a statement. Commissioner Kirkmeyer explained not all easements and rights -of -way are public record; for example, if the land is divided by a divorce decree. Mr. Parko stated the LAP process will clarify the recording of pipelines and mitigate conflicts with ditch companies. Mr. Hoshiko stated there is incomplete information and he would like private property owners' rights protected from the pipeline companies. He expressed concern that if the Code Ordinance is passed the way it is written, the companies will not work with private property owners. El In response to Commissioner Conway, Mr. Barker agreed with Mr. Hoshiko and stated there are ditch easements that have been created and not recorded. He stated when a pipeline crosses a ditch the company needs to work with the affected ditch owner. He suggested adding to Paragraph B, "or a statement that the applicant is currently in good faith negotiations with the surface owners of the properties" and delete the words "irrigation ditch companies and/or" and "insert owners of irrigation ditches including, but not limited to, owners of affected irrigation ditch easements of record, to be crossed by the pipeline." Mr. Hoshiko stated he does not agree with the ditch of record because most ditch easements are not public record. Mr. Barker stated he has concerns with ditch easements, or ditch of record, and if the focus is solely on easements, there could be unintended consequences. Mr. Barker stated the easements will need to be checked by the pipeline companies. El Jason Maxey, Department of Planning Services, he stated in Section 23-2-1140 concerning mapping requirements, it includes all irrigation ditches and the company needs to provide a statement showing they have worked with the ditch owners and it can be a cross check that staff uses. Mr. Maxey stated stipulating the mapping company will need to show all ditches. Commissioner Kirkmeyer suggested a language change in paragraphs B and C.10 to "include any and all ditches" and identify all the ditches. In response to Commissioner Kirkmeyer, Mr. Barker stated any conflicts arising from pipelines crossing irrigation ditches should be mitigated. el Mr. Hoshiko stated there are irrigation ditches that are located on irrigated farmland and ditches which are conveying water to other parties which are not the landowner where the ditch exists. He stated it should be important to include all sizes and all types of pipelines crossing a ditch. He stated some of the pipeline companies are wanting a 100 -foot easement, which is double the width of a County road. Ei Patrick Groom, attorney for various pipeline companies, explained he thinks having "of record" is important in the Code, and the Statement of Authority will provide information to oil and gas operators as to the owner and parties involved. This document is evidence that ensures the industry is negotiating with a property owner. In response to Commissioner Cozad, Mr. Groom stated the recorded Statement of Authority would make it mandatory to contact all parties involved in the ditch easements. He stated he has no objections to identifying ditch easements on the map. Minutes, October 8, 2018 Page 4 2018-3219 BC0016 Commissioner Freeman suggested clarification of irrigation ditches Transporting water. Commissioner Kirkmeyer stated in paragraph B the ditches need to be mapped out by the surface owner, but during the application submittal they need to show all ditches or there will need to be a Statement of Authority. Commissioner Cozad stated a surveyor will need to identify certain elements, but they may not identify all the ditches. Mr. Groom stated paragraph B is stating there needs to be documentation showing good faith negotiations with the owners of the irrigation ditch. kEl Hunter Hoshiko, resident of Greeley, stated it doesn't matter about the size of the ditch, what the ditch is being used for, or the size of roads. The process to obtain the required permits is still the same. He stated the size of the pipeline will still have the same impact on the properties. He explained the easement will not be built on or used in any manner. • Commissioner Kirkmeyer referred to Section 23-2-1130.B and stated she would like the language in paragraph C.10 to be consistent with the language in 1140.d and include the language "any irrigation ditch". Commissioner Freeman stated he does not agree with removing "of record" which is actually transport water from one place to another for others to use. Mr. Barker stated he is trying to avoid future conflicts with a ditch owner when dealing with ditch owner "easement of record." Commissioner Kirkmeyer presented the amended language as follows: a Statement how the applicant will mitigate any conflicts with affected irrigation ditch companies, irrigation ditch easements owners of record, and with any mutual irrigation ditches and/or structures used to transport water." Mr. Barker stated there may be conflicts with companies saying they only must deal with easements of record. He suggested he put how many irrigation ditches have a statement of authority associated with them. Commissioner Freeman stated there needs to be language regarding irrigation ditches that are used by more than one property owner that are used to transport water. Mr. Barker suggested using the language"used to transport water between separate properties." Commissioner Kirkmeyer moved to amend Section 23-2-1130. C.10 to delete "with irrigation ditch companies and/or affected irrigation ditch easement owners of record" and insert "with any mutual irrigation ditch and/or structures used to transport water." The motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Freeman, carried unanimously. • Commissioner Kirkmeyer referred to Section 23-2-110.K regarding easements that have been obtained beginning October 1, 2018, shall be located outside the existing road right-of-way and any easement obtained after October 1, 2018, will be moved at the expense of the operator. Dawn Anderson, Department of Public Works, explained staff is preparing revisions which would recognize the future right- of-way (ROW), but currently in the USR development standards they must be outside the future ROW. Commissioner Freeman stated it makes sense not to construct anything in the future ROW. He stated pipelines will infringe on agricultural land and he would like the operators to move the pipeline at their own expense. Commissioner Kirkmeyer stated all the USRs applied for aren't required to have the pipeline moved at their own cost. Commissioner Cozad stated from October 1st moving forward, the future ROW will be covered. Ms. Anderson stated the County has reimbursed pipeline companies as part of the acquisition process. • Commissioner Kirkmeyer stated the LAP process was supposed to be completed four (4) months earlier and there are a few companies waiting to go through the LAP process once the ordinance is complete. She inquired how many outstanding USR applications there are, how many qualify for the LAP process, and of those applications what will be the cost to the County. Commissioner Conway stated the Board agreed on the proposed start date of October 1, 2018. Commissioner Kirkmeyer clarified there wasn't a confirmed date or specific language. Commissioner Cozad clarified the Departments of Public Works and Planning Services are not aware of the amount of the USR applications waiting for the LAP process. Minutes, October 8, 2018 Page 5 2018-3219 BC0016 Commissioner Conway stated the industry wanted clarification on the timing, so they could decide on how to proceed. Mr. Parko presented the language in a recent USR application stating the pipeline will not be in a future ROW. • Commissioner Cozad thanked the stakeholders for participating in the process. She stated with the new rules there are more pipelines included since they deleted the hoop stress. She stated there have been more provisions which were created based on comments received from the stakeholders. She stated if the pipelines companies cannot demonstrate they have made a good faith effort, they will have to appear before the Board. She stated this is a land use process and the pipelines are regulated to protect the health and welfare of Weld County citizens; therefore, she is supportive of the comments made. Commissioner Freeman stated he agrees with the comments made and he agrees this process is an improvement from the previous process. Commissioner Conway thanked Mr. Hoshiko for participating in the modification of the Code and suggesting improvements. • Commissioner Kirkmeyer stated she supports the changes made to the Code and this process was started over six (6) years ago. She agreed with Mr. Hoshiko, stating the pipeline industry has not treated some property owners fairly or appopriately. She explained this Code ordinance was presented to establish an Administrative process for more efficiency. She believes it is important to protect the surface owners' rights, so, if any issue comes up, it will come back to the Board. Chair Moreno agreed with the comments made regarding Ordinance #2018-05. He expressed his appreciation to the stakeholders for offering their suggestions and to the staff who worked with the stakeholders to get the Ordinance moved forward to finalization. • Commissioner Cozad moved to approve on Final Reading. The motion which was seconded by Commissioner Conway, carried unanimously. RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES: The resolutions were presented and signed as listed on the Consent Agenda. Code Ordinance #2018-05 was approved on Final Reading. Minutes, October 8, 2018 Page 6 2018-3219 BC0016 Let the minutes reflect that the above and foregoing actions were attested to and respectfully submitted by the Clerk to the Board. There being no further business, this meeting was adjourned at 11:28 a.m. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WELD COUNTY, COLORADO ATTEST: ddrA64) ;eA Weld County Clerk to the Board BY: Deputy Clerk to the Board Seam Cnway -�S Stele Moreno, Chair o-Tem� sir . Cozad Mike Freeman Minutes, October 8, 2018 Page 7 2018-3219 BC0016 ATTENDANCE LIST lb/ POI NAME - PLEASE PRINT LEGIBLY ADDRESS (CITY, STATE ZIP) EMAIL COUNTY OF RESIDENCE SPEAKING (Y/N)? 0I►I CiLL 4z wd-j),...(2.—,0 .� 1.1,. vi Y 14--S ss 6>- - 7 ' 1dr►-�e,.-, r1n�e Lcn �,v��"1" 2o ., ► eadaJ'J 1rCd -� a c s�, ec sce:, Gt rld.r�., ��rom• ,cs,cv�, 1 c� d &I �J C,�r.:se , 7- 3( 3 3i0S CK ree��� d Pies Cc, --- e je(ol /117te YA,,,\ Sec,-Sfeivil 1' %e� „w I . I ,.Cow, /6 J \ lea- 3r iia,N GntcV a ai k .4--,,,„.,„,,,,i �_ A/ k c :�Q 12 e J<, c --Tv" 11 i c� . L��-� t y kIr jli - col, 1 &1 ,;is 14esLk -0 (5I1 3s -t vc- G ( c(I,.SL; ° ycdurD. I,Je (d ‘.."---RFPz.ca-5 z...-1xs1...ta„ 4,1. 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