SAGUACHE — The following highlights of the Nov. 10 Saguache County Commissioners meeting were taken from the official minutes submitted by the County Clerk’s office.

During the morning session, a letter was read from the United States Department of the Interior concerning a Notice of Decision involving a proposed land exchange between the Bureau of Land Management and the Colorado State Board of Land Commissioners. The exchange will transfer title to all of the State Land Board’s land and mineral interests within the Great Sand Dunes National Park and the Baca National Wildlife Refuge boundaries to the United States, to be managed by the Park or Refuge, respectively.

Co-administrator report

County co-administrator Lyn Zimmer led a discussion on the Saguache County Library, reporting that a total of $56,500 has been transferred from the General Fund into the Library Fund.  Only $44,531 had been budgeted. Currently there is only about $392 in the Library Fund. 

The board will need to decide how to proceed and the funds amount to be transferred to keep the library at a positive number.  At the end of October, the library was at 92 percent of its expenditures.  They are $750 in account payable items as of the first week on November to be paid for the month of November.  That is not counting payroll, etc.  A total of $1,543 has been billed to the Daniel’s Grant.

Maintenance budget for capital outlay was discussed last week.  The board wanted a breakdown of tools that was being requested for the maintenance department. 

Zimmer spoke with Pete Garcia and the following is the breakdown for request of 2009.  There is a balance of $8600 on his maintenance capital outlay line item.  He would like to request permission to trim some trees now for around $3,000.  If the job isn’t done now, it will have to wait until spring.  

A new vacuum at $700, a lawn tractor for $3,500 then an air purifier, carpet fan, etc. for $1,400 was on the list.  This will total $8,600.  One service call to nursing to take care of the carpet issue cost $600. Commissioners approved the expenditures.

Land Use

Land Use administrator Wendi Maez reported that the county has received 3 RFP’s for the possible 1041 consultant from Sugnet & Moore Environmental, Inc., Ivan Messinger. The RFP showed good experience and Maez was also impressed with this firm. The scope of services is about $24,935.

Banks and Gesso, LLC’s RFP form Gary Tuttle also was reviewed. This is the firm that came in and met with the Board a few weeks ago. Maez felt really good with this gentleman; he answered all of the questions and concerns.  This bid if for $22,500 with a breakdown of each task. 

The Board decided to hire a consulting firm only for specific tasks as needed, rather than as an annual package. The County BOCC and Land Use office will determine if the preliminary application is complete. BOCC and Planning Commission can hold a public information meeting. Consultants may be retained to assist with the application review and report. Amendments to 1041 regulations are needed to rectify differing timelines.

The Tessera Solar 1041 permit request is passing through the preliminary stages. Fees will also need to be determined for the permit. Attorney Ben Gibbons will draft a letter to Tessera Solar for the Land Use office to send, outlining procedures.

Maez has read through the permit and it seems to be in order. There remain some questions about water usage and the availability of the Division of Water Resources to comment, when the permit is deemed complete. The BOCC discussed the need to have the application reviewed by an outside firm or do it themselves, calling in experts only when needed.

A letter of concern/question from Chris Anderson, property owner in the Mobile Home Estates was reviewed concerning a variance approval issued by Crestone Community Housing.  Anderson is questioning the foundation of the mobile home, and would like for the mobile home rules to be applied to “ALL equally and without exception.” 

Maez had Wes Moores (who is a certified foundation inspector trained by the State of Colorado to inspect foundations on double wide mobile homes) go out and inspect the foundation that was used for this mobile home and he has approved what was installed. The foundation that was installed is a new foundation called “Permanent Wood Foundation” or SIP (Structural Insulated Panel) foundation. Copies of Moores’ report were available for review during the meeting. 

Saguache Public Health Clinic report

Dr. Arnett says he wants the clinic to be open three days per week, if a Nurse Practitioner can be found. The clinic needs some additional renovation, he said, which would entail moving one of the restrooms and upgrading the nurse’s station. He would want to write a grant to the Rural Health Project for the remodeling the building.

A conversation will need to be conducted with the Hazard Trust to see if renovations to the building are acceptable. Questions also were raised about whether the building would be considered for sale and, whether an assessment is needed to confirm if the building is sound for renovating.

Arnett says his plan for the clinic includes:

- Having supplemental services in addition to general medical helps bring in more business and serves the community better.

- More marketing for additional services such as dental. Will contact the dental hygienist who recently discontinued, offering marketing assistance and referrals.

- A change in the signage to include the services available such as physicians, dental hygienist, physical therapist or a podiatrist.

- Considering an in-house pharmacy which would only serve the patients of the clinic, for limited interim prescriptions.

Afternoon session

Gunnison County is sending an Amicus Brief regarding citizen groups participating directly in the Oil & Gas Commission permitting issues. The BOCC approved a motion authorizing Gibbons to sign on Saguache County’s behalf.

The BOCC then discussed the issue of cell phone sales taxes that are being collected and sent to Rio Grande from Saguache County residents with Del Norte mailing addresses. Baca residents are paying Town of Crestone sales tax due to the method of billing Verizon Wireless and Alltel use, which is tied to zip codes. Gibbons will send a letter to Verizon Wireless and Alltel to rectify the issue.

It was further agreed that Arredondo would e-mail the school superintendents to verify the amounts for the Secure Rural School Funding split, before the article was released for publication.

 The meeting adjourned at 2:20 p.m.