COUNTY BEAT: February 18, 2021 | Rio Blanco Herald Times

A note about last week’s meeting:

HT has filed requests under the Colorado Open Records Act for documents relating to “hospital administrators expressing great concern about the health department,” District Attorney Todd Starr said last week. We have also filed requests for county records of COVID outbreaks in both hospitals, as well as a failed CDPHE inspection in December with PMC that temporarily put the hospital in imminent danger. We expect to receive these documents next week.

RBC | In working sessions on Tuesday, Bill deVergie, Area Manager of Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), spoke to commissioners about a 3,460 ranch on the border between Rio Blanco and Moffat counties that CPW is looking to acquire. Crystal Creek Ranch is a legacy ranch that has been family-owned since 1934. According to deVergie, the family wants to sell the property to the state.

The property itself is located on the South Fork of the Williams Fork River. Two dead ends in Rio Blanco County end on the property.

CPW’s intent for the property would be to benefit wildlife and protect public access for both fishing and hunting.

Commissioner Gary Moyer said the board had been contacted by neighboring owners, some of whom do not live here. “They have big, big concerns and believe that it will negatively affect them,” Moyer said. “Public land limits our ability to develop resources.”

The board urged deVergie to sit down again with the neighboring property owners, saying they had received a significant setback for the proposed acquisition.

Van Pilaud, engineer with RBC Road and Bridge, said the second round of bids for the County Road 73 bridge replacement project was still more than $ 350,000 higher than budgeted amount. He discussed the possibility of making repairs to the bridge instead of replacing it and closing the bridge to oncoming traffic. An inspection by CDOT last autumn showed that the bridge was in need of repair and had a faulty girder.

The spring loading restrictions on County Road 5 are expected to begin March 8th and continue through March 31st. Restrictions on 7 County Road are expected to begin March 8th and continue through March 23rd.

All expected bids were not received in time for the Piceance Creek Pest Control District project, therefore one bid was not opened and one RFQ will be republished.

Regular meeting

  • Approved advertisement for temporary workers from Rangely Road and Bridge.
  • Approved a letter to Shanna Kinney of Rangely District Hospital supporting a grant application to purchase a new ambulance.
  • A bid for a vibratory compactor with a smooth drum was placed with the low-bidding Honnen Equipment Co. for USD 133,226. The budgeted amount was $ 125,000.
  • Made an offer to Victory Motors of Craig for two standard in-cab pickups to replace trucks that were destroyed last year. For insurance payments, the cost is $ 13,916 and $ 25,457, respectively. Cook Ford did not receive a bid because no prices were received for 2022 models. Northwest Auto’s offer was received late and not sealed on delivery and therefore disqualified.
  • Victory Motors received an offer for an extreme off-road pickup truck for the Sheriff’s Department for $ 27,622. No Cook Ford bid and a late bid from Northwest Auto.
  • Approved a backup generator maintenance contract to Cummins Sales and Service for $ 9,956.

Public comment

Roy Gilbert, president of the Range Call Committee, said after speaking to the Meeker Summer Rodeo Series it had been agreed to keep the Range Call banners in the arena.

Commissioner Updates

Commissioner Rector said he was putting together a program with Uintah County and some commissioners from eastern Utah and this side of the state to “fight against some of the federal laws and the signing of executive orders so that our voices are right here and heard people know what’s going on. “

Commissioner Gates said he had “tied loose ends” in the position of emergency manager he previously held. A new emergency manager / natural resources director has been hired by the county. He also attended training courses at Colorado Counties, Inc. and attended a public health vaccination clinic.

Commissioner Moyer said he had dealt with “a plethora of staff meetings, issues, etc.” deals.

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