Gunnison County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting Minutes

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GUNNISON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Page 7 of 14 that today's discussion had been requested by the Board following their decision to not proceed with a proposed junk ordinance. He suggests considering a community clean -up this year, but not making it an annual event. Public Works Director Crosby said that the County has not had a free landfill fees /community cleanup day since 1997. In 1998 the County used the money previously budgeted for community cleanup to instead sponsor a household hazardous waste cleanup. In 1997 the free landfill fees for community cleanup cost the County $4384, excluding the costs for additional staffing. Public Works Director Crosby stated that funds are not included in the 2003 landfill budget for this purpose, so the funds would need to come out of General Fund contributions. She added that one reason the County discontinued having a community cleanup after 1997 is because of the abuse that was taking place on that day. People were saving their trash all year, businesses were bringing in large amounts, and even the college was bringing large numbers of mattresses to the landfill on the community cleanup day. She suggested that the Board instead consider just taking one type of item, such as appliances, on a certain weekend. She added that salvage yards have offered to take junk autos, and if there are junk trailerhouses perhaps the County can figure out how to assist in the demolition and disposal of those. Commissioner Anderson suggested a voucher system for certain types of items. Commissioner Starr suggested that certain areas of the County be focused on for cleanup each year. Chairperson Field wondered where the money would come from. Public Works Director Crosby thought it might be difficult to determine which areas of the County to focus on, and how to get people to voluntarily clean-up. Commissioner Starr suggested that the scenic byways corridor be the first focus. Ken Coleman of the City of Gunnison was present and agreed that the community cleanup day got out of hand. He said that the City has instead focused on having the community help clean up litter along the streets. Commissioner Anderson noted that the City of Gunnison has an appearance grant program. Perhaps the County could consider a similar program, focusing on certain areas and budgeting a certain amount of funds each year. Public Works Director Crosby commented that County staff would need to do a site visit before deciding whether to approve the grant. She said there would need to be some kind of criteria. Commissioner Starr suggested there would need to be a lottery for grants if there are too many requests. Commissioner Anderson added that one option for the grants could be a cost - sharing approach, such as a property owner being allowed up to $500 in spending at the landfill for a $200 payment of landfill fees. He suggested this program could be called the "Gunnison Beautification Project ". Public Works Director Crosby will present a proposal to the Board, based on today's discussion, at the April 22 regular meeting. NORTH GUNNISON SEWER: Public Works Director Crosby reported that both the County Planning Commission and the City Planning Commission have been favorable to plans for the North Gunnison sewer line extension project. The main concern has been with the cost of tap fees. Based on the property owners who have committed to tie onto the system initially, the preliminary estimates of the City of Gunnison portion of the tap fee will be $3000, and the County portion will be an additional $1800. Several questions have come up regarding tap fees. The first is whether municipal bonds would be available for people to borrow from to pay their tap fees. The second is whether the County should have a tap fee. Public Works Director Crosby commented that one difference between the North Gunnison sewer system and others in the County's sewer district is that the North Gunnison project will be new and should not require substantial maintenance or capital improvements for many http : / /www.co.gunnison.co.us /BOCC /minutes /20030325mn.html 6/6/2003