1 00:00:02,380 --> 00:00:08,500 And now call this meeting to order. Today is September 24th, 2024. Rules of decor, 2 00:00:08,640 --> 00:00:11,720 which I'll be strictly observing the hearing and copies of these roles can be found 3 00:00:11,720 --> 00:00:15,460 in the back of the room. Pete, do we have any deletions or changes to the agenda? 4 00:00:15,940 --> 00:00:18,540 The roll, do these changes to the agenda as well? 5 00:00:18,860 --> 00:00:27,100 I would like to move one item, number eight, on our individual to number one. I know that 6 00:00:27,100 --> 00:00:30,220 we have some people in the audience, and I'm sure they don't want to have to sit through 7 00:00:30,220 --> 00:00:36,980 the entire public hearing so we will be moving number eight to number one on 8 00:00:36,980 --> 00:00:37,380 individual. 9 00:00:39,950 --> 00:00:45,270 Okay thank you. We do have one presentation today and we will be 10 00:00:45,270 --> 00:00:50,190 presenting years of service awards to those who have served 20 or more years 11 00:00:50,190 --> 00:00:56,410 with Mesa County. We're really excited to present these to our amazing employees. 12 00:00:56,670 --> 00:01:01,630 They really are the heart and soul of Mesa County and they really serve our 13 00:01:01,630 --> 00:01:07,690 residents in a really meaningful way. So it is a really an honor to honor them today. 14 00:01:08,430 --> 00:01:13,530 So we have our 20 years of service and as you hear your name, please come forward, we'll 15 00:01:13,530 --> 00:01:20,550 be giving you a plaque and be able to honor you. And then once we have our 20 years service, 16 00:01:20,850 --> 00:01:31,610 please stay up here, we'll take a photo and then we'll be moving on to our 25 year and then 17 00:01:31,610 --> 00:01:37,090 office, James Cannon with the District Attorney Office, Jim Fogg with the Sheriff's Office, 18 00:01:37,690 --> 00:01:45,590 Joe Kellerby with Human Services, I guess you can applaud. Tim Morphen with facilities, 19 00:01:45,930 --> 00:01:52,610 Wade Pateco with the Sheriff's Office, Brady Surtan with their traffic, and Jeremy Sivaj with 20 00:01:52,610 --> 00:01:56,090 the District Attorney's Office, and Anthony West with their Sheriff's Office. 21 00:01:57,190 --> 00:01:59,190 Please give these folks a round of applause. 22 00:01:59,850 --> 00:02:00,450 So 23 00:03:49,310 --> 00:03:51,350 moving on to our 25 years of service. 24 00:03:51,930 --> 00:03:56,530 We have Rich Acker with Noreng Cooper, Human Services, 25 00:03:57,210 --> 00:04:00,390 Joe Hemmer, Joe Hemmer, Criminal Justice, 26 00:04:00,990 --> 00:04:02,970 John Hilder-Bange, with their Sheriff's Office, 27 00:04:03,990 --> 00:04:05,910 Marcella Hope, with their Sheriff's Office, 28 00:04:06,190 --> 00:04:07,410 Bambi Hughes, Human Services, 29 00:04:09,500 --> 00:04:12,560 Chris Cazal with IT, Art Smith with Sheriff, 30 00:04:14,200 --> 00:04:16,060 and Lynn Williams with our District Attorney. 31 00:04:16,060 --> 00:04:17,180 Susan 32 00:05:24,900 --> 00:05:26,840 Anderson with the assessor's office, 33 00:05:31,730 --> 00:05:33,270 Lailana Bulls with IT, 34 00:05:38,670 --> 00:05:40,510 Pam Noonan with Finance, 35 00:06:17,980 --> 00:06:23,720 all of our employees that serve Mesa County and serve our residents, we truly are T Mesa. 36 00:06:24,420 --> 00:06:27,380 In commissioners, do you have any reports today? 37 00:06:28,520 --> 00:06:28,880 I do not. 38 00:06:29,580 --> 00:06:29,700 Okay. 39 00:06:30,000 --> 00:06:30,100 Great. 40 00:06:31,320 --> 00:06:33,940 Pete, do you have a county administrator report? 41 00:06:33,940 --> 00:06:40,800 Just to say a same thing, being the turnout and the support and the continuing building 42 00:06:40,800 --> 00:06:44,660 of Team Mason with all that are important to us, so that's all I got to thank you. 43 00:06:45,100 --> 00:06:46,000 Thank you so much. 44 00:06:46,780 --> 00:06:49,040 We will be moving on to public comment. 45 00:06:50,040 --> 00:06:54,120 This portion of our agenda provides the public an opportunity to speak to the Mace County 46 00:06:54,120 --> 00:06:56,800 Board of Agenda Items will not be allowed during public comment. 47 00:06:57,540 --> 00:07:01,900 In rules of decorum, shall we strictly enforce in each person who will have three minutes 48 00:07:01,900 --> 00:07:02,640 to comment? 49 00:07:03,240 --> 00:07:07,120 There is a light at the lecture and that will signal when your time is up. 50 00:07:10,120 --> 00:07:14,600 A green flashing light will be two minutes yellow light, you have one minute 51 00:07:14,600 --> 00:07:18,760 remaining and a red light your time will be up and no speaker may yield its 52 00:07:18,760 --> 00:07:21,680 their time to any other speaker. 53 00:07:23,040 --> 00:07:27,220 And if there's still some notes or prepared notes that you have and your 54 00:07:27,220 --> 00:07:31,820 time is up you can hand those notes over to our county attorney or 55 00:07:31,820 --> 00:07:36,360 administrator. Is there anyone here with public comment? 56 00:07:42,980 --> 00:07:45,080 Okay. Seeing none, we'll move on 57 00:07:45,080 --> 00:07:49,980 to our consent agenda. The consent agenda is intended to allow the board to spend 58 00:07:49,980 --> 00:07:54,320 its time on more complex items and these items are generally perceived as non-controversial 59 00:07:54,320 --> 00:07:58,560 and an item may be removed from the consent agenda by the board and addressed in item seating 60 00:07:58,560 --> 00:08:04,300 individual consideration if deemed not any of these items. I don't. Does anyone in the audience 61 00:08:04,300 --> 00:08:08,180 have any comments or questions on the consent on consent agenda as published. 62 00:08:08,340 --> 00:08:08,980 So moved. 63 00:08:09,220 --> 00:08:09,460 Second. 64 00:08:09,820 --> 00:08:10,340 All in favor. 65 00:08:10,620 --> 00:08:10,920 Aye. 66 00:08:11,260 --> 00:08:11,480 Aye. 67 00:08:11,640 --> 00:08:12,180 Motion carries. 68 00:08:12,460 --> 00:08:18,480 So is the Colorado Proposition 1, 2, 7, an initiative to prohibit hunting of mountain. 69 00:08:19,280 --> 00:08:20,120 Thank you Madam Chair. 70 00:08:20,740 --> 00:08:25,660 This morning's resolution is response to a citizen petition that was put on the ballots for this fall. 71 00:08:25,860 --> 00:08:33,740 This fall, Proposition 1, 2, 7, and again, this is reminiscent of the wolf proposition that was put 72 00:08:33,740 --> 00:08:39,860 on by through voters and I put wildlife populations in the state of Colorado and I think we should 73 00:08:39,860 --> 00:08:45,940 leave that the experts. There's also a lot of other impacts to our local community and I'm sure 74 00:08:45,940 --> 00:08:50,280 many of the people here today are here to speak about that. But so today's proposition is to oppose 75 00:08:50,280 --> 00:08:54,940 a proposition 127 and to leave wildlife management where it should be with the experts. Do you have any 76 00:08:54,940 --> 00:09:02,040 comments at this time? I don't know. Okay. We'll move on to public comment and please state your name to 77 00:09:02,040 --> 00:09:02,380 the record. 78 00:09:10,950 --> 00:09:16,730 President and Mason County of Mount Lyons and Predation, let's start off with a couple 79 00:09:16,730 --> 00:09:22,610 of quick stats for you that we have an average of 3,800 to 4,400 Mount Lyons in the state 80 00:09:22,610 --> 00:09:23,090 of Colorado. 81 00:09:24,630 --> 00:09:28,950 That's 197,600-wheeled deer that they eat in a year, okay? 82 00:09:30,050 --> 00:09:33,390 They estimate our deer population at 427,000 deer. 83 00:09:33,890 --> 00:09:38,670 That's more than half the deer that the state holds in their wildlife reserves. 84 00:09:39,830 --> 00:09:44,450 That's a major issue when you're talking about removing predation from the state of Colorado. 85 00:09:45,170 --> 00:09:49,730 As we know, we've already added wolves in the state of Colorado, the divisional wildlife 86 00:09:49,730 --> 00:09:55,530 in their wisdom, insanity, we have wolves, seven of them that were killing livestock, 87 00:09:56,170 --> 00:09:58,910 so they've chosen to remove those wolves into another area. 88 00:09:59,550 --> 00:10:02,310 They might as well have neutered them and expected a different result. 89 00:10:02,750 --> 00:10:03,990 They're going to get the same result. 90 00:10:03,990 --> 00:10:09,150 With mountain lines, conservation comes from the hunter. 91 00:10:09,670 --> 00:10:10,690 It comes from us. 92 00:10:11,230 --> 00:10:15,510 We need to address these issues on more of a local level 93 00:10:15,510 --> 00:10:18,370 than having the state in the divisional wildlife do this. 94 00:10:19,470 --> 00:10:21,730 If you take a look at hunting and conservation alone, 95 00:10:22,730 --> 00:10:27,190 hunting federally generates $5.3 billion in revenue. 96 00:10:27,830 --> 00:10:30,610 It states it's $3.4 billion in tax revenue. 97 00:10:30,610 --> 00:10:36,130 We're the ones paying for the mountain bike trails, the camping, the fishing, it's the hunting 98 00:10:36,130 --> 00:10:41,390 license to do that. We're the conservatives that know how to protect our wildlife and 99 00:10:41,390 --> 00:10:49,350 our way of life. So I ask that you oppose 127. In addition, I don't know if the commissioners 100 00:10:49,350 --> 00:10:56,110 are aware that we have a severe bear population in Colorado as well. The deprivation to our 101 00:10:56,110 --> 00:11:03,850 well-life is very bad. The state's estimating 17,000 to 20,000 bears. I can tell you it's 30 to 40,000. 102 00:11:04,830 --> 00:11:09,810 In Mesa County and in the Lake County or Delta County alone, they're shooting bears and putting them in a landfill. 103 00:11:10,290 --> 00:11:20,170 40 to 50 a year. That's not good. We're not protecting our well-life. So I ask that you address this on a local level and stop the predation here. 104 00:11:20,170 --> 00:11:23,990 We should have more, not a moratorium on outlines. 105 00:11:24,310 --> 00:11:26,550 We should be out hunting them more than we are, thank you. 106 00:11:27,670 --> 00:11:28,890 Thank you very much. 107 00:11:30,560 --> 00:11:31,980 Is there any other public comment? 108 00:11:33,500 --> 00:11:35,400 Please come forward and state your name to the record. 109 00:11:39,550 --> 00:11:41,110 Morning commissioners, Brandon, six- 110 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:29,760 I'm David Fried, founder of the Colorado Resident Hunter Association. And here in full support of your resolution today that I've reviewed thoroughly, and I appreciate you putting it together. Along with Mark, the numbers are staggering as far as if you're considering mountain lines are killing one deer a week. And we have a population of about 400,000 deer in Colorado. And if the numbers that CPW put out currently are accurate about half of those are 111 00:15:29,760 --> 00:15:31,340 are harvested each year by mountain lions 112 00:15:31,340 --> 00:15:33,460 if we have a population of 4,000 of them. 113 00:15:34,400 --> 00:15:35,840 So you can imagine the problems 114 00:15:35,840 --> 00:15:38,080 if that population of mountain lions 115 00:15:38,080 --> 00:15:40,080 doubled in a five to 10 year period. 116 00:15:41,720 --> 00:15:44,520 I agree fully with Senator Perry-Will's statement 117 00:15:45,060 --> 00:15:48,040 that ballot box biology is the absolute worst way 118 00:15:48,040 --> 00:15:49,400 to manage wildlife. 119 00:15:50,580 --> 00:15:53,440 And we're gonna see that with wolves as you know as well. 120 00:15:54,100 --> 00:15:57,920 So I do think there's one area where we could maybe lean 121 00:15:57,920 --> 00:16:03,800 on CPW, we were very active in saving over-the-counter archery for Elkunners recently. 122 00:16:04,640 --> 00:16:10,240 The CPW staff kind of changed their recommendation, and that was pivotal with that. 123 00:16:10,600 --> 00:16:17,660 I would like to see CPW staff come out with, you know, a position on ballot box biology. 124 00:16:18,160 --> 00:16:23,380 So, but we appreciate your willingness to put together the resolution, and all 1300 members 125 00:16:23,380 --> 00:16:27,020 of the Colorado Resident Hunter Association are in full support of it. 126 00:16:27,100 --> 00:16:27,340 Thank you. 127 00:16:27,340 --> 00:16:28,500 Thank you very much 128 00:16:29,860 --> 00:16:31,620 Do anyone else have public comment? 129 00:16:32,640 --> 00:16:34,520 Please come forward and say your name to the record 130 00:16:37,960 --> 00:16:43,580 Well, good morning commissioners. I'm Jody Green. I live at 392. What would have been grandchildren Colorado 131 00:16:44,060 --> 00:16:47,240 And I am in total support of you guys going against 132 00:16:47,800 --> 00:16:52,200 127 when I was a kid used to be able to buy a sportsman's license 133 00:16:52,200 --> 00:16:57,980 It included bear mountain lion deer L. Turkeys all year species 134 00:16:57,980 --> 00:16:59,860 They don't do that anymore. 135 00:17:00,280 --> 00:17:02,260 Everything's a specialty tag anymore. 136 00:17:03,580 --> 00:17:06,360 Back then, we didn't have predatory problems 137 00:17:06,360 --> 00:17:07,900 because they were being eliminated 138 00:17:07,900 --> 00:17:09,000 to all the seasons. 139 00:17:09,580 --> 00:17:11,660 Now, you only get February. 140 00:17:12,280 --> 00:17:12,620 What is it? 141 00:17:13,680 --> 00:17:16,460 The last no-member to February to let your lions. 142 00:17:17,080 --> 00:17:19,780 So that's a very short span and very few people. 143 00:17:20,220 --> 00:17:23,600 And they're only limiting certain amount of tags in each area. 144 00:17:24,220 --> 00:17:26,480 I think they need to put out more tags myself 145 00:17:26,480 --> 00:17:33,860 because we had five different cats on film in a 10 mile radius where I was 146 00:17:33,860 --> 00:17:39,800 hunting this year. Thank you, and you have a great day. Thank you so much, sir. 147 00:17:40,920 --> 00:17:44,040 So, you want else to have public coming on this item? Please come forward and 148 00:17:44,040 --> 00:17:44,960 state your name to the record. 149 00:17:50,510 --> 00:17:53,210 Commissioner Staff, good morning. My name is John 150 00:17:53,210 --> 00:17:57,810 Howard. I'm from Grand Junction. I'm a former commissioner and two-term chair 151 00:17:57,810 --> 00:17:59,810 of Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission. 152 00:18:00,620 --> 00:18:02,670 Thank you for taking up this resolution 153 00:18:02,670 --> 00:18:04,870 and opposition to Proposition 127. 154 00:18:06,130 --> 00:18:10,850 I'm here today on behalf of the largest conservation coalition 155 00:18:10,850 --> 00:18:14,370 in the state, the Colorado Wildlife Conservation Project, 156 00:18:15,240 --> 00:18:17,730 which came together during the pollist administration, 157 00:18:18,690 --> 00:18:22,690 and is made up of 20 of the largest national state 158 00:18:23,480 --> 00:18:25,650 and local organizations. 159 00:18:26,790 --> 00:18:28,610 We don't agree on very much. 160 00:18:29,150 --> 00:18:32,630 When we work together, we often have divided votes. 161 00:18:33,190 --> 00:18:37,290 On this proposition, all 20 organizations came together 162 00:18:37,290 --> 00:18:38,450 in opposition to it. 163 00:18:38,870 --> 00:18:41,510 I won't read the whole list, but I just want you to understand 164 00:18:41,510 --> 00:18:43,050 the breadth of it. 165 00:18:43,730 --> 00:18:47,430 From left to right, national, local, and state. 166 00:18:48,050 --> 00:18:50,130 That, that country, hundreds, and anglers. 167 00:18:51,030 --> 00:18:52,670 The National Wildlife Federation. 168 00:18:52,670 --> 00:19:00,030 Ducks Unlimited, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Project, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, 169 00:19:00,590 --> 00:19:07,270 Rocky Mountain Big Horn, the National Wild Turkey Federation, 20 organizations came together 170 00:19:07,270 --> 00:19:13,190 and I would like to put in the record for your consideration our statement on Proposition 171 00:19:13,190 --> 00:19:13,790 127. 172 00:19:15,570 --> 00:19:21,670 A couple of things I just like to note as a former chairman of the commission, this idea came 173 00:19:21,670 --> 00:19:27,690 up twice while I was on the commission and failed both times unanimously. All the commissioners, 174 00:19:27,750 --> 00:19:34,510 again, across the political spectrum, voted against it. It also came up twice after my time 175 00:19:34,510 --> 00:19:43,470 on the commission in the legislature. Again, failed in both times. Why is that? Because scientific 176 00:19:43,470 --> 00:19:49,830 wildlife management in accordance with the North American model is absolutely important to regulate 177 00:19:49,830 --> 00:19:58,410 these species biologically and socially. That's how you get that sustainable 4,000 lion population. 178 00:19:58,630 --> 00:20:04,750 You won't get it if you don't have social tolerance on the landscape. And that's really 179 00:20:04,750 --> 00:20:11,230 the great thing that CPW is able to do and we see it in contrast to wolves is to see folks on 180 00:20:11,230 --> 00:20:17,130 the landscape tolerating this apex predator because they know it's being scientifically managed 181 00:20:17,130 --> 00:20:19,090 and they're going to get the game damage claims. 182 00:20:20,130 --> 00:20:22,830 So I ask you to go ahead and support this proposition. 183 00:20:23,070 --> 00:20:24,370 We appreciate it very much. 184 00:20:24,950 --> 00:20:28,110 Let's give CPW the flexibility to continue its success. 185 00:20:28,550 --> 00:20:28,850 Thank you. 186 00:20:29,110 --> 00:20:29,870 Thank you very much. 187 00:20:33,240 --> 00:20:35,320 Please come forward and state your name to the record. 188 00:20:39,170 --> 00:20:41,230 Courtney, my name's Dean Riggs. 189 00:20:41,430 --> 00:20:41,950 I live in Loma. 190 00:20:42,490 --> 00:20:44,050 So I am a Mesa County resident. 191 00:20:45,450 --> 00:20:48,390 I have 27 years of experience working 192 00:20:48,390 --> 00:20:49,630 with Colorado Parks and Wildlife. 193 00:20:49,630 --> 00:20:54,310 life. Retired about four years ago as a deputy regional manager here in the 194 00:20:54,310 --> 00:21:00,610 Grand Junction Office. On top of that, I've personally handled mountain lines, 195 00:21:01,290 --> 00:21:06,830 bobcats, bears, you name it. I've been involved with it from day one working 196 00:21:06,830 --> 00:21:12,930 for the agency. As well, I'm a second-generation well-life manager in the state 197 00:21:12,930 --> 00:21:19,270 Colorado. My dad worked for three or six years for the state as well too. So I'm very 198 00:21:19,270 --> 00:21:26,690 very much support this commission taking the stance of opposing this. It is without 199 00:21:26,690 --> 00:21:36,150 about bad biology, it's bad science. And in fact, this issue has nothing to do with science 200 00:21:36,150 --> 00:21:41,610 or biology. It has everything to do with the thought process that I can sit on the couch 201 00:21:41,610 --> 00:21:48,670 that my mountain. And that is absolutely not in keeping with wildlife management across 202 00:21:48,670 --> 00:21:54,450 the state of Colorado or in the United States of America. The North American model of 203 00:21:54,450 --> 00:22:00,530 wildlife conservation has been in effect for a couple hundred years in the United States 204 00:22:00,530 --> 00:22:06,730 of America. And it's done a really good job of managing wildlife without going to uninformed 205 00:22:06,730 --> 00:22:07,990 from voters at the ballot box. 206 00:22:08,950 --> 00:22:13,070 So Commissioner Davis, I very much appreciate what you said 207 00:22:15,410 --> 00:22:17,710 and wholeheartedly endorse what you said 208 00:22:18,110 --> 00:22:19,570 about ballot box biology. 209 00:22:20,290 --> 00:22:23,550 At the end of the day, we have 900 or so employees 210 00:22:23,550 --> 00:22:28,330 working in the agency that many of which have well-left degrees, 211 00:22:28,770 --> 00:22:31,210 probably over half of which we have well-left degrees 212 00:22:31,210 --> 00:22:34,750 and our experts in their field and seen as experts 213 00:22:34,750 --> 00:22:36,630 around the United States and across the world. 214 00:22:37,550 --> 00:22:39,630 So we should use that expertise. 215 00:22:40,570 --> 00:22:43,650 I often think about it from the personal perspective 216 00:22:43,650 --> 00:22:47,530 of how do you fix your plumbing at the house? 217 00:22:47,730 --> 00:22:48,450 Well, you hire a plumber. 218 00:22:48,610 --> 00:22:49,570 Well, why do you hire a plumber? 219 00:22:49,790 --> 00:22:52,030 Because the plumber is the expert in the field. 220 00:22:52,350 --> 00:22:54,570 If you can't fix it yourself, you hire the plumber. 221 00:22:55,690 --> 00:22:58,070 So we're in a situation where we need to follow 222 00:22:58,070 --> 00:23:00,390 those experts in the state of Colorado 223 00:23:00,950 --> 00:23:03,010 and get away from ballot box by all. 224 00:23:03,290 --> 00:23:03,850 Thank you. 225 00:23:03,850 --> 00:23:08,830 thank you very much. Anyone else have public comment on this item? Please come 226 00:23:08,830 --> 00:23:11,350 forward and say your name to the record. I'm 227 00:23:15,350 --> 00:23:16,850 Wendy Browning and I live in White 228 00:23:16,850 --> 00:23:23,430 Mara, Colorado. Well, we've talked a lot about deprivation, depredation of wildlife 229 00:23:23,430 --> 00:23:29,270 and informant ranch animals and while we talked about the negative impact of 230 00:23:29,270 --> 00:23:36,030 ballot box biology, I think there's something else that needs to be brought out. I 231 00:23:36,030 --> 00:23:44,670 We think that the deception in the wording of the bill needs to be flushed out. 232 00:23:45,390 --> 00:23:49,890 So trophy hunting lions is illegal in Colorado anyway. 233 00:23:51,290 --> 00:24:00,750 If you go to CPW's website, they directly conflict the allegation that too many females 234 00:24:00,750 --> 00:24:04,130 and kittens and links are being trapped accidentally. 235 00:24:04,130 --> 00:24:11,850 There have been zero lakes since 96 caught up in Bobcat trapping, zero. 236 00:24:13,050 --> 00:24:21,990 And I think that the best practices is stated by CPW knowing that the female lion is who 237 00:24:22,210 --> 00:24:28,650 is the most critical to protecting a species is best hunted by dogs. 238 00:24:28,650 --> 00:24:35,410 dogs. Instead of being exploited by dogs, best practices because if you're following 239 00:24:35,410 --> 00:24:41,290 your dogs, you're able to see whether there's kitten tracks, the size between females 240 00:24:41,290 --> 00:24:47,750 and males, and when they're treated by the dogs, it becomes blatantly obvious which 241 00:24:47,750 --> 00:24:56,610 gender you are looking at. And so I think it's fair to flesh out the hypocrisy and the 242 00:24:56,610 --> 00:25:02,710 bill. Thank you very much, ma'am. Is there any other public comment on this item? Please 243 00:25:02,710 --> 00:25:04,610 come forward and state your name to the record. 244 00:25:13,430 --> 00:25:18,290 J.J. Fletcher, I live in Palisade, I'm a candidate for a county commissioner for district 245 00:25:18,290 --> 00:25:25,970 three. We've all seen this movie evolving and colorado with ballot box wildlife management 246 00:25:25,970 --> 00:25:31,750 and first started with the bare elimination of the spring bare hunt. And now we see just 247 00:25:31,750 --> 00:25:38,670 in yesterday's news were a cub walk through a junior high school. In Colburn somebody's chickens were 248 00:25:38,670 --> 00:25:45,110 attacked. So we're being overrun by the bear population. Then the second part of the movie we see 249 00:25:45,110 --> 00:25:51,290 the introduction in the ballot box biology of the introduction of the wolf in Colorado. And we see how 250 00:25:51,290 --> 00:26:00,170 that's laid out. We've recently had to relocate the wolves to someone on location. We've lost I think 251 00:26:00,170 --> 00:26:07,510 three or four of the population of the wolves. And we continue to push the narrative, and 252 00:26:07,510 --> 00:26:12,730 on top of that, it's a political push by the first gentleman who wants to make sure 253 00:26:13,550 --> 00:26:20,670 that before Polis leaves office, that we continue to push the narrative of the wolf and 254 00:26:20,670 --> 00:26:27,490 fit the wolf against the cattle community across the state of Colorado. But chapter three, 255 00:26:27,490 --> 00:26:36,330 I think when you mix all three of the apex predators together at the end of the day with a population of around six million people in the state of Colorado 256 00:26:37,270 --> 00:26:38,390 It's just going to become 257 00:26:39,110 --> 00:26:41,210 And all out disaster 258 00:26:42,330 --> 00:26:44,430 And if we can find my state here 259 00:26:45,710 --> 00:26:48,510 Science-based wildlife management is under attack 260 00:26:49,350 --> 00:26:56,190 Proposition 127 is a dangerous ballot measure that intends to prohibit the hunting of mountain lions and bobcats and Colorado 261 00:26:57,190 --> 00:27:02,710 Proposition 127 is a blatant attempt to undermine the authority of Colorado Parks and Wildlife, 262 00:27:03,070 --> 00:27:11,010 who for decades have utilized regulated hunting as an effective tool to manage our state's mountain line and bobcat population. 263 00:27:11,610 --> 00:27:15,950 Colorado has known what's best for a wildlife, and that's to leave it to the professionals. 264 00:27:16,550 --> 00:27:23,530 Please vote no on Proposition 127 and ensure and help ensure wildlife management, 265 00:27:23,530 --> 00:27:28,290 policy stays rooted in science and not at the ballot box. Thank you for your time today. 266 00:27:28,830 --> 00:27:34,630 Thank you very much. If anyone else has public comment please come forward and say your name to 267 00:27:34,630 --> 00:27:34,990 the record. 268 00:27:42,040 --> 00:27:47,980 Good morning commissioners and staff. I'm Janie Van Winkle. Our family, our caretakers 269 00:27:47,980 --> 00:27:53,760 of the landscape in Mesa County were stewards of the livestock and the wildlife in our community 270 00:27:53,760 --> 00:27:57,040 and we're contributing members in Mesa County. 271 00:27:57,580 --> 00:28:00,500 I'm here to support the resolution to oppose the ban 272 00:28:00,500 --> 00:28:03,620 on big cat hunting on the ballot proposition 127. 273 00:28:04,780 --> 00:28:06,300 We've had a front row seat, 274 00:28:06,620 --> 00:28:08,960 luckily as a spectator at this point, 275 00:28:09,480 --> 00:28:10,700 as fellow ranchers have dealt 276 00:28:10,700 --> 00:28:13,220 with the most recent ballot box biology challenge, 277 00:28:13,500 --> 00:28:15,620 which is the challenge of woof introduction. 278 00:28:16,600 --> 00:28:20,180 Looking back over the 30 plus years of managing our wildlife 279 00:28:20,180 --> 00:28:21,820 with emotion versus science, 280 00:28:21,820 --> 00:28:26,800 We see it has not worked out well for the wildlife nor for our residents. 281 00:28:27,580 --> 00:28:30,200 1992 we eliminated the spring bear hunt. 282 00:28:30,880 --> 00:28:35,860 We see report repeatedly incidents of bears in our community, 283 00:28:35,940 --> 00:28:37,920 mountain communities, and the bears are shot. 284 00:28:38,840 --> 00:28:40,940 Our 2021 introduction of the wolves. 285 00:28:41,600 --> 00:28:44,000 Recently we've seen several of those wolves have died. 286 00:28:44,900 --> 00:28:48,640 I'd like to share with you that a fellow rancher in Mesa County 287 00:28:48,640 --> 00:28:55,340 has had three lion depredations in the last couple of months, a 300-pound calf, a 288 00:28:55,340 --> 00:29:00,700 yearling heifer, and a young bull killed by a mountain lion. Currently I'm 289 00:29:00,700 --> 00:29:05,100 bringing this to your attention because currently CPW can manage the 290 00:29:05,100 --> 00:29:09,580 predators and ensure they're part of a balanced landscape. Hunters of mountain 291 00:29:09,580 --> 00:29:14,240 lions are required to take an online cat, online, online easy for me to say, 292 00:29:14,240 --> 00:29:17,240 online class prior to getting a tag. 293 00:29:17,980 --> 00:29:23,200 The limits are set by CPW annually and they're updated daily during the hunting season as 294 00:29:23,200 --> 00:29:24,580 part of this management program. 295 00:29:25,240 --> 00:29:29,980 We support the Mesa County commissioners as they pass the resolution to oppose the ban 296 00:29:29,980 --> 00:29:33,980 of hunting big cats in Colorado Proposition 127. 297 00:29:35,380 --> 00:29:38,880 Let CPW do the job they were hired to do. 298 00:29:38,880 --> 00:29:43,960 manage the landscapes and the wildlife with goals in mind, not emotional 299 00:29:43,960 --> 00:29:48,940 direction from uninformed folks. Thank you. Thank you very much. 300 00:29:49,760 --> 00:29:54,200 Sir, anyone else that has public comment on this item? Please come forward and 301 00:29:54,200 --> 00:29:55,240 state your name to the record. 302 00:30:02,830 --> 00:30:32,770 Good morning, commissioners. I'm John Justman. I'm from Florida. I don't have any live stock, but I look at this initiative, and it makes the county the largest egg contributed to our economy is the egg in this for the beef industry. And with the warm introduction, we're doing this not by science, but by somebody's touchy feelings about how we should manage the wildlife. And I think it should be all that be done on scientific, logical reasons of why we 303 00:30:32,770 --> 00:30:37,990 have a hunting season, which I think we can justify for the lions, and this 304 00:30:37,990 --> 00:30:41,790 spring bear hunt, I don't know if that worked out that well. The wolf initiative, 305 00:30:42,210 --> 00:30:45,990 but as I'm concerned, is the disaster, voted in by people that have no 306 00:30:45,990 --> 00:30:50,990 consequences of the wolves in their lives because they live in the city. And yet 307 00:30:50,990 --> 00:30:55,230 the people up there, my friend Mayor Linky, a commissioner from Grand County, was 308 00:30:55,230 --> 00:30:59,890 just talking about the problem that they have in their area, and they also have 309 00:30:59,890 --> 00:31:05,110 life stock you may have had some predication and the idea that we can take the wolves and 310 00:31:05,110 --> 00:31:10,410 all let's just relocate them. Yeah, they should be relocated, all right, but not in Colorado. 311 00:31:11,430 --> 00:31:15,250 And I thank you and support your efforts on this issue and thank you very much. 312 00:31:15,650 --> 00:31:16,730 Thank you very much, sir. 313 00:31:18,170 --> 00:31:20,490 Does anyone else have public comment on this item? 314 00:31:24,420 --> 00:31:25,160 Anyone else? 315 00:31:26,540 --> 00:31:28,760 Okay, we'll bring it back to the board for discussion. 316 00:31:30,300 --> 00:31:33,380 commissioners, do you have some comments that you would like to share? 317 00:31:34,540 --> 00:31:39,320 I would say I'm in full support of this. I appreciate commissioner Davis taking the lead and drafting the resolution. 318 00:31:39,960 --> 00:31:43,960 My husband would be here and would have a lot to say if it wasn't for the fact he is hunting today. 319 00:31:45,840 --> 00:31:46,980 Certainly support this. 320 00:31:49,560 --> 00:31:54,680 Yeah, Prop 20, 127 is like managing wildlife with heart emoji. 321 00:31:55,500 --> 00:32:00,700 I think it makes it a lot of people feel good with the slogan, ban trophy hunting. 322 00:32:02,260 --> 00:32:07,000 And I believe that's what many of the proponents of this are banking on is uninformed, front 323 00:32:07,000 --> 00:32:14,340 range voters who make them feel good about protecting, protecting against trophy hunting. 324 00:32:15,460 --> 00:32:16,260 But at what cost? 325 00:32:16,260 --> 00:32:21,300 I mean, imagine vanting an essential tool of wildlife management because it sounds good 326 00:32:21,300 --> 00:32:21,800 on paper. 327 00:32:22,240 --> 00:32:27,580 While the real consequences, like mountain lions co-zing up in your backyard or, you 328 00:32:27,580 --> 00:32:30,740 know, depredating half our meal, your populations get ignored. 329 00:32:31,380 --> 00:32:34,300 Again, this isn't about voting on a field-good slogan for me. 330 00:32:34,420 --> 00:32:36,520 It's about letting experts do their job. 331 00:32:37,480 --> 00:32:42,480 Let's not throw out decades of scientific research out the window in favor of, again, a ballot 332 00:32:42,480 --> 00:32:43,140 box biology. 333 00:32:43,140 --> 00:32:47,420 We need predator management, not predator mayhem. 334 00:32:48,760 --> 00:32:49,700 Yeah, thank you. 335 00:32:50,500 --> 00:32:52,280 I'm in full support of this. 336 00:32:52,740 --> 00:32:54,060 I am a hunter myself. 337 00:32:54,860 --> 00:32:57,020 I'm a six-generation Colorado native. 338 00:32:57,720 --> 00:33:03,460 And these are our resources that we're going to manage as hunters and conservationists. 339 00:33:04,040 --> 00:33:11,380 I think there's a falsehood out there that if we ban hunting 340 00:33:12,000 --> 00:33:16,200 of these animals that they're not going to be managed in some degree. 341 00:33:17,060 --> 00:33:20,500 And we've seen this with the bears, the overpopulation of the bears. 342 00:33:21,100 --> 00:33:29,380 Our CPW agents have to still manage those bears when they become a danger to our society and themselves. 343 00:33:30,100 --> 00:33:35,580 And like Mark McAllister had said, those often go in the landfill, which is devastating. 344 00:33:35,900 --> 00:33:40,280 And that's a resource that could have gone to our citizens and put food on the table for many families. 345 00:33:40,280 --> 00:33:46,760 and that's a travesty. So I really am in support of our resolution. I think 346 00:33:46,760 --> 00:33:51,180 management should be to the people of this state. We should be able to have our 347 00:33:51,180 --> 00:33:59,000 own resources. And what really this initiative is is a ban on management. This 348 00:33:59,000 --> 00:34:04,840 is a ban on the state of Colorado being able to manage our resources. And so when 349 00:34:04,840 --> 00:34:09,780 people are voting for this, they're voting to not have management. And that's really 350 00:34:09,780 --> 00:34:15,280 the issue here. And so I'm in full support of making sure that our residents and our 351 00:34:15,280 --> 00:34:23,460 state can manage our wildlife properly and we will now move, you know, all entertain 352 00:34:23,460 --> 00:34:25,300 a motion to approve item as entered the record. 353 00:34:25,700 --> 00:34:26,260 So moved. 354 00:34:26,600 --> 00:34:26,960 Second. 355 00:34:27,340 --> 00:34:28,060 All in favor. 356 00:34:28,340 --> 00:34:28,540 Aye. 357 00:34:28,680 --> 00:34:28,860 Aye. 358 00:34:29,260 --> 00:34:29,860 Motion carries. 359 00:34:36,470 --> 00:34:40,010 We'll just pause that you guys want to take off. We want to stick around. 360 00:34:40,010 --> 00:34:43,190 If you have things to do, you can leave. 361 00:34:44,610 --> 00:34:44,950 Thank you. 362 00:34:44,990 --> 00:34:45,850 We're not riveting agenda, though. 363 00:34:47,490 --> 00:34:50,290 Thank you guys so much for your engagement. 364 00:34:50,530 --> 00:34:51,150 We appreciate you. 365 00:34:59,900 --> 00:35:04,920 The second item meeting consideration today is consider probing a contract between 366 00:35:04,920 --> 00:35:09,820 Mesa County Public Health and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment 367 00:35:09,820 --> 00:35:16,460 for the special supplemental nutritional program for women, infant, and children, WIC. 368 00:35:16,460 --> 00:35:25,360 In the amount of $653,398 and we have Carla Claim, our WIC manager here to present today. 369 00:35:25,460 --> 00:35:25,800 Good morning. 370 00:35:26,080 --> 00:35:26,940 Good morning, commissioners. 371 00:35:28,160 --> 00:35:29,760 Thank you for considering this grant. 372 00:35:30,380 --> 00:35:32,800 The contract is the beginning of a five-year agreement. 373 00:35:33,320 --> 00:35:37,620 WIC is an ongoing federally funded supplemental nutrition program. 374 00:35:38,140 --> 00:35:43,800 This purpose is to safeguard the health of low-income women, infants, and children who are at nutrition risk. 375 00:35:43,800 --> 00:35:46,860 We have a staff of 10 that administer this program. 376 00:35:47,380 --> 00:35:53,480 The program provides nutritious foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and healthcare 377 00:35:53,480 --> 00:35:54,140 referrals. 378 00:35:54,580 --> 00:35:59,620 It serves pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants and children up to the age 379 00:35:59,620 --> 00:36:00,060 of five. 380 00:36:01,510 --> 00:36:08,840 WIC outcome data helps ensure infants and children's normal growth, reduces levels of anemia, increases 381 00:36:08,840 --> 00:36:14,920 immunization rates improves access to regular health care and social services and improves quality 382 00:36:14,920 --> 00:36:23,340 of diets. The Colorado WIC program at CDPHE will review monthly caselo reports, the annual 383 00:36:23,340 --> 00:36:29,560 nutrition education plan evaluation, and results of fiscal and program monitoring activities to 384 00:36:29,560 --> 00:36:34,040 determine program performance and effectiveness. And this contract was approved by the Board of Health 385 00:36:34,040 --> 00:36:35,820 on September 10th. 386 00:36:36,440 --> 00:36:37,440 Thank you so much. 387 00:36:37,640 --> 00:36:39,200 Commissioner, do you have questions or comments? 388 00:36:40,160 --> 00:36:40,940 It's a great program. 389 00:36:41,100 --> 00:36:42,400 I'm glad we're planning for the pending. 390 00:36:42,940 --> 00:36:43,200 Thank you. 391 00:36:43,600 --> 00:36:44,160 Great job. 392 00:36:44,320 --> 00:36:45,380 Wonderful program on this. 393 00:36:45,980 --> 00:36:47,260 Yeah, thank you so much. 394 00:36:47,840 --> 00:36:50,060 Is there anyone in the public that has comments 395 00:36:50,060 --> 00:36:51,440 or questions on this item? 396 00:36:55,320 --> 00:36:57,160 Seeing none, I'll entertain a motion to approve 397 00:36:57,580 --> 00:36:59,100 the item as entered into the record. 398 00:36:59,500 --> 00:36:59,800 So moved. 399 00:37:00,100 --> 00:37:00,220 Second. 400 00:37:00,600 --> 00:37:01,200 All in favor? 401 00:37:01,540 --> 00:37:01,760 Aye. 402 00:37:02,080 --> 00:37:02,340 Aye. 403 00:37:02,440 --> 00:37:03,020 Motion carries. 404 00:37:03,740 --> 00:37:06,140 The third item needing consideration today 405 00:37:06,140 --> 00:37:10,780 is consider proving a contract between Mesa County Public Health and the Colorado Department 406 00:37:10,780 --> 00:37:16,140 of Early Childhood for the Child Development Associate Scholarship Program for the partnership 407 00:37:16,580 --> 00:37:21,820 for children and families in the amount of $150,000 and authorize the public health director 408 00:37:21,820 --> 00:37:22,240 to sign. 409 00:37:22,580 --> 00:37:27,320 We do have Stephanie Bivens, our partnership for children and families director here to 410 00:37:27,320 --> 00:37:27,620 present. 411 00:37:28,060 --> 00:37:28,380 Good morning. 412 00:37:28,740 --> 00:37:30,080 Good morning commissioners. 413 00:37:30,180 --> 00:37:31,060 Thank you for having me. 414 00:37:31,520 --> 00:37:35,940 This project is intended to increase the number of early childhood professionals with the 415 00:37:35,940 --> 00:37:39,200 CDA or the Child Development Associate certification. 416 00:37:40,660 --> 00:37:50,080 It's targeted on new teachers as well as increases our ability to have Spanish speaking candidates 417 00:37:50,080 --> 00:37:52,700 that can serve as lead teachers for our classrooms. 418 00:37:53,460 --> 00:37:58,280 So this ensures that families have access to high quality childcare settings in Mesa County 419 00:37:58,580 --> 00:38:04,880 and in Colorado the CDA credential allows professionals to be that early childhood teacher in a licensed 420 00:38:04,880 --> 00:38:09,840 child care program. This contract covers the cost to provide coaching and support the 421 00:38:09,840 --> 00:38:15,320 CDA candidates with including supplies, mileage, reimbursement, the testing that they have 422 00:38:15,320 --> 00:38:20,760 to go through for certification. Quarterly reports are submitted, including information 423 00:38:20,760 --> 00:38:27,400 about the number of child care programs participating, number of apprenticeships participating and 424 00:38:27,400 --> 00:38:32,120 demographics as well as other relevant information for our tracking. 425 00:38:33,020 --> 00:38:38,460 This is a new contract serving as a follow-up from the Colorado Shines Brighter Project 426 00:38:38,940 --> 00:38:42,240 that has been in place since 2020. 427 00:38:42,980 --> 00:38:56,160 The previous amount awarded to PCF was $956,000 through September 30, 2024 and this new contract 428 00:38:56,160 --> 00:39:06,760 So the direct period is from September 1st, 2024 through December 31st, 2026, and this contract was also approved by the Board of Health on 910. 429 00:39:07,680 --> 00:39:10,900 Thank you so much. Commissioner, do you have any comments or questions? 430 00:39:11,340 --> 00:39:12,320 It's another great program. 431 00:39:12,980 --> 00:39:13,760 Yeah, thank you. 432 00:39:14,000 --> 00:39:14,640 Thank you. 433 00:39:14,820 --> 00:39:18,280 Thank you. Does anyone in the public have any comments or questions on this item? 434 00:39:22,240 --> 00:39:26,000 Seeing none will entertain a motion to approve the item as entered into the record. 435 00:39:26,360 --> 00:39:26,960 So moved. 436 00:39:27,240 --> 00:39:27,480 Second. 437 00:39:27,480 --> 00:39:28,720 All in favor? 438 00:39:29,080 --> 00:39:29,260 Aye. 439 00:39:29,500 --> 00:39:29,780 Aye. 440 00:39:29,880 --> 00:39:30,460 Motion carries. 441 00:39:31,180 --> 00:39:35,280 The fourth item meeting consideration today is consider approving a contract between 442 00:39:35,280 --> 00:39:39,560 Mace County Public Health and the National Forest Foundation for Non-Motorized Trail 443 00:39:39,560 --> 00:39:44,440 Maintenance on the Grand Mesa on Compagray and the Gunnison National Forest in the amount 444 00:39:44,440 --> 00:39:48,220 of $100,000 and $4,000, $460. 445 00:39:48,580 --> 00:39:48,600 Sorry. 446 00:39:49,240 --> 00:39:51,180 $104,460. 447 00:39:51,920 --> 00:39:55,200 We do have Russ Middleton, our trails coordinator here to present today. 448 00:39:55,360 --> 00:39:55,660 Good morning. 449 00:39:55,660 --> 00:39:59,740 Good morning, commissioners. Yes, Ross Svetlman, Charles Gornier with Public Health. 450 00:40:00,420 --> 00:40:04,280 This is the fourth year of a contract we've had with the National Forest Foundation. 451 00:40:04,700 --> 00:40:08,500 This is funding generated through the Great American Health Doors Act, 452 00:40:08,600 --> 00:40:13,540 it was passed by Senator Gardner a few years ago, and that funding is here marked for maintenance 453 00:40:13,540 --> 00:40:19,240 on federal lands. So our local GMO, the office, and the Grand Valley Ranger Districts, 454 00:40:19,340 --> 00:40:23,920 funnels those. Dollars to the National Forest Foundation, they put out in RFP, 455 00:40:23,920 --> 00:40:31,480 We submitted a proposal back in the spring and we were awarded this contract to carry out trail maintenance on the little creek trail on the 456 00:40:31,480 --> 00:40:36,980 up in Pagrae and the Canne Creek Trail on the Grand Mesa and that funding goes directly towards 457 00:40:37,680 --> 00:40:45,180 salary, vehicle equipment for our trail through our five member trail through and upon completion of the project we submit 458 00:40:46,000 --> 00:40:52,240 invoices for work performed and we are reimbursed and it's been a good partnership for 459 00:40:52,240 --> 00:40:56,200 for first four years and we hope to continue it for a couple more years after this. 460 00:40:57,260 --> 00:40:57,920 Having questions? 461 00:40:58,660 --> 00:40:59,420 Thank you so much. 462 00:40:59,460 --> 00:41:00,340 Commissioner, is there any questions? 463 00:41:00,580 --> 00:41:01,300 I don't have any questions. 464 00:41:01,880 --> 00:41:02,240 Thank you, Russ. 465 00:41:02,640 --> 00:41:02,860 Thank you. 466 00:41:03,260 --> 00:41:03,480 Yeah. 467 00:41:03,620 --> 00:41:04,700 We appreciate your work, Russ. 468 00:41:05,300 --> 00:41:08,540 Does anyone in the public have any comments or questions on this item? 469 00:41:10,800 --> 00:41:13,700 Seeing none, I'll entertain a motion to approve the item as interim to the record. 470 00:41:14,200 --> 00:41:14,520 So moved. 471 00:41:14,820 --> 00:41:15,120 Second. 472 00:41:15,400 --> 00:41:15,940 All in favor? 473 00:41:16,240 --> 00:41:16,440 Aye. 474 00:41:16,740 --> 00:41:17,020 Aye. 475 00:41:17,100 --> 00:41:17,660 Motion carries. 476 00:41:18,280 --> 00:41:23,560 The fifth item needing consideration today is consider approving a contract between Mesa County 477 00:41:23,560 --> 00:41:36,280 Public Health and the Department of Local Affairs for the Community Service Block Grant in the amount of $178,271 and we do have Michelle Trujillo or Health Promotion Division Director here to present today. 478 00:41:36,940 --> 00:41:37,320 Good morning. 479 00:41:37,740 --> 00:41:38,340 Good morning. 480 00:41:38,520 --> 00:41:39,720 Thank you for having me here today. 481 00:41:40,640 --> 00:41:51,700 The Community Services Block Grant provides funds to Mesa County Public Health through the partnership for children and families and Grand Valley Connects to alleviate the causes and conditions of poverty in our community. 482 00:41:51,700 --> 00:41:57,440 CSBG funding will be used to support their early care and education infrastructure in our 483 00:41:57,440 --> 00:42:02,420 community and to support low-income families and individuals for improved economic stability. 484 00:42:03,080 --> 00:42:08,000 Poverty will be reduced by promoting school readiness and increasing economic opportunity 485 00:42:08,000 --> 00:42:13,220 among vulnerable families and individuals by connecting them to program services and resources 486 00:42:13,220 --> 00:42:14,980 for which they may be eligible. 487 00:42:14,980 --> 00:42:19,540 The CSBG is managed by a tripartite advisory committee, 488 00:42:20,100 --> 00:42:25,260 partnership for children and families, and Grand Valley Connects report to the committee on a bi-monthly basis. 489 00:42:26,140 --> 00:42:32,340 This is the start of a new contract that's effective January 1, 2024 through September 30th, 2027. 490 00:42:33,000 --> 00:42:41,220 The initial awarded amount was $22,419 with some additional funds in the amount of $38,951. 491 00:42:43,720 --> 00:42:51,440 27,766 and 89,135 awarded through option letters and I should add we just recently received 492 00:42:51,440 --> 00:42:59,180 a fourth option letter in the amount of $1,801 bringing the total to $180,072. 493 00:42:59,840 --> 00:43:04,800 This contract was approved by the Board of Public Health on September 10th of this year. 494 00:43:05,500 --> 00:43:05,640 Great. 495 00:43:05,900 --> 00:43:06,340 Thank you, Michelle. 496 00:43:06,340 --> 00:43:08,180 Michelle, commissioner, is she having any comments or questions? 497 00:43:09,220 --> 00:43:13,660 I'm on the CSBG board and this is a good amount of money that comes to our community but 498 00:43:13,660 --> 00:43:15,700 Michelle earns every penny of it. 499 00:43:15,780 --> 00:43:19,520 It's a federal grant and has so many hoops to jump through and she jumps through all of 500 00:43:19,520 --> 00:43:19,600 them. 501 00:43:19,760 --> 00:43:20,620 So thank you for your time. 502 00:43:21,540 --> 00:43:21,780 Thank you. 503 00:43:22,140 --> 00:43:23,140 Thank you so much, Michelle. 504 00:43:23,860 --> 00:43:26,300 Does anyone in the public have comments or questions on this item? 505 00:43:28,610 --> 00:43:28,710 Okay. 506 00:43:29,310 --> 00:43:32,870 Seeing none, I'll entertain a motion to approve the item as entered into the record. 507 00:43:33,310 --> 00:43:33,650 So moved. 508 00:43:33,890 --> 00:43:33,950 Second. 509 00:43:34,370 --> 00:43:34,910 All in favor? 510 00:43:35,210 --> 00:43:35,450 Aye. 511 00:43:35,450 --> 00:43:36,570 I motion carries. 512 00:43:38,030 --> 00:43:40,630 So the sixth item needing consideration today is consider 513 00:43:40,630 --> 00:43:42,950 prepping a contract between Mace County Public Health and 514 00:43:42,950 --> 00:43:46,090 Collar Department of Public Health and Environment for the 515 00:43:46,090 --> 00:43:52,230 overdose data to action program in the amount of $240,000 and we 516 00:43:52,230 --> 00:43:53,830 do have Michelle here to present again. 517 00:43:54,570 --> 00:43:54,690 Okay. 518 00:43:55,410 --> 00:43:58,490 This is the beginning of a five year contract and this contract 519 00:43:58,490 --> 00:44:02,130 serves to impact health and communities across Colorado by 520 00:44:02,130 --> 00:44:03,890 reducing opioid overdoses. 521 00:44:03,890 --> 00:44:10,610 Similar to the rest of the state, substance use related illness and injury are a public health problem in Mesa County. 522 00:44:11,270 --> 00:44:18,610 This project serves to increase access to and awareness of services and resources for people who use drugs in Mesa County 523 00:44:18,610 --> 00:44:22,830 and to provide community education on overdose prevention and harm reduction. 524 00:44:23,430 --> 00:44:29,130 This health project will decrease morbidity and mortality related to substance use in overdose in Mesa County. 525 00:44:29,130 --> 00:44:34,150 Through this project, Mesa County Public Health will expand existing resource 526 00:44:34,150 --> 00:44:40,150 navigation programming to provide services to the PWUD population. 527 00:44:40,470 --> 00:44:45,450 Increase access to Naloxone and fentanyl test strips, increase knowledge of 528 00:44:45,450 --> 00:44:49,150 harm reduction and harm reduction services available in the community and 529 00:44:49,150 --> 00:44:55,070 decrease stigma against PWUD. The progress reports and data are to be submitted 530 00:44:55,070 --> 00:44:59,330 throughout the contract period from July 1, 2024, through August 30th. 531 00:45:00,000 --> 00:45:18,960 First, 2025, and this contract was approved by Board of Public Health on September 10th of this year. Thank you, Michele. Commissioners, you have comments or questions on this item? I don't. No, just a huge problem with, and this is good resources for this issue, so thank you again for your kindness. Does anyone in the public have any comments or questions on this item? 532 00:45:21,730 --> 00:45:31,830 Okay. Seeing none, I'll entertain a motion to approve the item as introduced in the record. Second. All in favor. Aye. I motion carries. The seventh item meeting consideration today is 533 00:45:31,830 --> 00:45:38,410 consider approving a contract and lease agreement with MBE Transportation Inc. for the not-to-exceed 534 00:45:38,410 --> 00:45:46,670 amount of $14,6,958 for start-up costs in three-year base term to be reviewed annually 535 00:45:46,670 --> 00:45:54,370 subject to funding availability for an estimated total annual review hours of 62,000 and authorized 536 00:45:54,370 --> 00:45:55,130 a chair to sign. 537 00:45:55,450 --> 00:45:58,970 We do have Dana Brosek, our TPO director here today to present. 538 00:45:59,190 --> 00:45:59,410 Good morning. 539 00:45:59,410 --> 00:46:00,010 Thank you. 540 00:46:00,010 --> 00:46:01,650 Good morning, Dana Bursle, the RTPO director. 541 00:46:02,830 --> 00:46:05,950 So yeah, this item is for the Grand Valley Transit Operations Contract. 542 00:46:06,590 --> 00:46:13,530 Grand Valley Transit or DVT has been operated by transdev since 2017 in late 2023 transdev 543 00:46:13,530 --> 00:46:20,350 requested not to continue on the option years due to the rising costs of the current contract. 544 00:46:21,250 --> 00:46:27,210 RTPO staff released an RFP in May of 2024 for the new operations contract with three base 545 00:46:27,210 --> 00:46:33,770 years and for option years starting January 1st, 2025. This contract includes all the staff 546 00:46:33,770 --> 00:46:39,190 basically to run Grand Valley Transit as well as insurance for the buses. They do lease 547 00:46:39,190 --> 00:46:44,430 the first floor of our facility which we then pay back. So that's where there's a lease agreement 548 00:46:44,430 --> 00:46:49,570 as part of this. We formed an evaluation committee that included staff from Ace of County, 549 00:46:49,710 --> 00:46:54,250 the cities of Grand Junction and Fudah as well as our TPO staff. We received four proposals 550 00:46:54,250 --> 00:46:58,810 and these were evaluated and the top three firms were interviewed. 551 00:46:59,430 --> 00:47:03,310 The evaluation criteria included qualifications, experience and past performance, 552 00:47:03,550 --> 00:47:07,630 organizational structure, understanding of the scope of work and transition plan, 553 00:47:08,350 --> 00:47:12,810 and pricing which was scored separately with the original proposal. 554 00:47:14,070 --> 00:47:18,570 MB Transportation Inc. had the highest score overall in their original proposal 555 00:47:18,570 --> 00:47:22,810 with the cost as well as when we added in the interview, invest in final offer. 556 00:47:24,110 --> 00:47:31,510 We checked references on MBE, checked three different transit agencies who were listed as a reference 557 00:47:31,510 --> 00:47:36,510 one was not, and they all had good things to say about MBE. The start-up costs will be included 558 00:47:36,510 --> 00:47:43,350 in some of our grant funding we have in 2024. And the operations will be paid with our allocations 559 00:47:43,350 --> 00:47:47,930 from the Federal Transit Administration and through an IGA with Mesa County, the cities of Grand 560 00:47:47,930 --> 00:47:50,010 and Junction of Fruda and the Tana Palisane. 561 00:47:50,650 --> 00:47:55,650 The first year of the contract is for just over 4.4 million 562 00:47:55,650 --> 00:47:57,490 for 62,000 operating hours. 563 00:47:58,210 --> 00:48:00,150 And as it says in the agenda, 564 00:48:00,310 --> 00:48:03,510 the total three year contract is for over 14 million. 565 00:48:04,470 --> 00:48:06,810 The evaluation committee recommended moving forward 566 00:48:06,810 --> 00:48:09,910 with MV, we also met with all the area managers 567 00:48:09,910 --> 00:48:12,370 because it is funded through that IGA. 568 00:48:12,870 --> 00:48:14,670 They also recommended moving forward 569 00:48:14,670 --> 00:48:15,770 with MV transportation. 570 00:48:15,770 --> 00:48:23,250 We had also a public meeting and an executive session with the GBRTC, the Grand Valley Regional 571 00:48:23,250 --> 00:48:28,550 Transportation Committee, which Commissioner Davis is part of, and they also recommended 572 00:48:28,550 --> 00:48:35,030 moving forward with MB and so what that here we are, with the contract, we do have representation 573 00:48:35,030 --> 00:48:42,030 from MB here who I believe wants to say some words, but yeah, we're looking forward to finishing 574 00:48:42,030 --> 00:48:50,530 this process and starting the transition with them taking over the operations January, 575 00:48:50,830 --> 00:48:55,870 actually second because we don't have service on January 1st, but for January 1st. 576 00:48:56,830 --> 00:49:00,970 Yes, thank you, Dana. We appreciate you so much. Commissioner, do you have comments or questions 577 00:49:00,970 --> 00:49:05,250 on those? No, it's been a long time. You guys have been working on this for a while, safe 578 00:49:05,250 --> 00:49:08,430 some money, and I think we got a great provider, so thank you for all your work on this, Dana. 579 00:49:08,430 --> 00:49:09,170 Thank you. 580 00:49:09,290 --> 00:49:09,510 Thank you. 581 00:49:09,970 --> 00:49:12,910 Anyone in the public have any comments or questions on this item? 582 00:49:13,810 --> 00:49:16,070 Please come forward and sit your name to the record. 583 00:49:22,040 --> 00:49:23,020 Good morning commissioners. 584 00:49:23,200 --> 00:49:24,140 My name is Peter Greenberg. 585 00:49:24,400 --> 00:49:27,360 I'm the vice president for business development with MB Transportation. 586 00:49:28,280 --> 00:49:31,920 I'm really here this morning to thank you for the opportunity to serve the community. 587 00:49:32,400 --> 00:49:36,440 He also wants it to commit that MB Transportation will be implementing everything that was in 588 00:49:36,440 --> 00:49:41,640 our proposal and adhere very strictly to the contract which we're looking forward to signing 589 00:49:41,640 --> 00:49:48,540 you implementing. Thank you so much. Does anyone else have public comment at this time? 590 00:49:49,860 --> 00:49:51,900 Please come forward and say your name to the record. 591 00:49:56,840 --> 00:49:58,120 Good morning, commissioners. My name is 592 00:49:58,120 --> 00:50:02,460 Juan Pushman, senior vice president for trans stuff. We've had the honor of the last eight years 593 00:50:02,460 --> 00:50:06,560 operating your your local bus service and it's been a true privilege working with your local staff 594 00:50:06,560 --> 00:50:11,560 and folks and I can't say enough how proud I am of my local team for being here and how they've 595 00:50:11,560 --> 00:50:15,180 operated the service. I think they've done tremendous job getting us through the pandemic and all 596 00:50:15,180 --> 00:50:16,200 of the things that have happened. 597 00:50:16,760 --> 00:50:20,920 And as Ms. Brosek said, we came to the county asking 598 00:50:20,920 --> 00:50:23,200 to be out of the contract, because we are losing money 599 00:50:23,200 --> 00:50:23,820 to be here. 600 00:50:24,480 --> 00:50:26,340 And it's due to all the rising costs 601 00:50:26,340 --> 00:50:28,800 that have happened through the pandemic and things. 602 00:50:29,300 --> 00:50:32,420 And so we went through the process of doing this, 603 00:50:32,540 --> 00:50:33,980 and we were very sorely disappointed 604 00:50:33,980 --> 00:50:36,320 that we were not selected to be your provider 605 00:50:36,320 --> 00:50:38,420 for the next number of years. 606 00:50:39,000 --> 00:50:41,020 But I just wanted to be here to be on the record 607 00:50:41,020 --> 00:50:49,700 that the the price difference was about three little over $300,000 in most of that most all of that is in the variable rate 608 00:50:49,700 --> 00:50:59,340 Which is 100% drivers wages and benefits and V has committed as you just heard that they would provide a dollar five more per hour 609 00:50:59,340 --> 00:51:07,980 To each driver that we are currently paying that we have proposed that we are currently paying and so that leads that they would be about another 610 00:51:07,980 --> 00:51:20,960 $9,800 or $80,000 more than our price of wages and so it makes the benefits about $400,000 611 00:51:20,960 --> 00:51:24,060 less than what we're paying for benefits for the employees. 612 00:51:24,540 --> 00:51:29,860 So the employees will be hurt by about $8,000 per person for the cost of their benefits unless 613 00:51:29,860 --> 00:51:33,420 they've got a heck of a benefit program that we can't get priced that low. 614 00:51:33,420 --> 00:51:38,540 So, my suggestion here is that they may be coming back or they would like to come back and 615 00:51:38,540 --> 00:51:42,900 look for more money to pay for the benefits if things get tight with their union negotiations 616 00:51:42,900 --> 00:51:43,440 and such. 617 00:51:44,240 --> 00:51:47,960 And I would just like to be on the record that they won this contest. 618 00:51:48,100 --> 00:51:52,440 We were highest recommendation or highest scored before prices put into it. 619 00:51:52,500 --> 00:51:54,060 So this was solely one on the price. 620 00:51:54,640 --> 00:51:59,520 So if they were to come back, I would expect that this board would not approve a price increase 621 00:51:59,520 --> 00:52:00,080 for them. 622 00:52:00,080 --> 00:52:03,380 they would have to go out to bid just like we requested the honorable thing. 623 00:52:03,960 --> 00:52:08,980 Thank you so much and we will, we committed to making a good transition process. 624 00:52:09,220 --> 00:52:16,800 We'll work with MV and with Ms. Brosek and her team to make sure that we leave inappropriately. 625 00:52:17,120 --> 00:52:17,740 Thank you so much. 626 00:52:18,160 --> 00:52:18,780 Thank you so much. 627 00:52:18,940 --> 00:52:21,140 We appreciate your goodwill towards this project. 628 00:52:23,830 --> 00:52:26,590 Can anyone else have public comment on this item? 629 00:52:26,590 --> 00:52:27,370 Okay. 630 00:52:31,210 --> 00:52:34,690 Seeing none, I'll entertain a motion to approve the item as entered into the record. 631 00:52:35,190 --> 00:52:35,630 So moved. 632 00:52:35,750 --> 00:52:35,990 Second. 633 00:52:36,430 --> 00:52:36,930 All in favor? 634 00:52:37,290 --> 00:52:37,510 Aye. 635 00:52:37,790 --> 00:52:38,010 Aye. 636 00:52:38,190 --> 00:52:38,830 Motion carries. 637 00:52:40,410 --> 00:52:45,390 The eighth item needing consideration today is authorizing staff to apply for the state 638 00:52:45,390 --> 00:52:52,430 of Colorado underfunded courthouse facility grant in the amount of $1,575,000. 639 00:52:52,510 --> 00:52:55,690 We do have Alec Anderson, our operations manager here to present today. 640 00:52:56,230 --> 00:52:56,830 Good morning, Alec. 641 00:52:56,830 --> 00:52:57,790 Good morning, commissioners. 642 00:52:58,090 --> 00:53:00,050 Allic Anderson, operations manager with Mesa County. 643 00:53:00,950 --> 00:53:04,210 So as you're aware, we spent the last three years 644 00:53:04,210 --> 00:53:06,550 for so working with the 21st Judicial District 645 00:53:06,550 --> 00:53:07,610 to prepare various functions 646 00:53:08,190 --> 00:53:10,530 to accommodate some of their space needs, right? 647 00:53:11,110 --> 00:53:12,170 They're a growing entity. 648 00:53:12,590 --> 00:53:14,150 We need more justice services in the area. 649 00:53:14,470 --> 00:53:16,070 They continue to expand with new judges, 650 00:53:16,490 --> 00:53:19,050 new judicial staff, new probation staff. 651 00:53:19,570 --> 00:53:23,190 And so we've been working to facilitate that space need. 652 00:53:23,850 --> 00:53:25,170 We've done a couple of different things 653 00:53:25,170 --> 00:53:29,630 in the last few years, including renovating space at our central services location to allow 654 00:53:29,630 --> 00:53:33,850 probation to move into that area, allowing them to have a better 20-year plan for their 655 00:53:33,850 --> 00:53:39,190 staffing needs. As we're able to do that, we have, and are currently designing two court 656 00:53:39,190 --> 00:53:43,650 rooms in the existing Justice Center. We intend to begin construction efforts on one courtroom 657 00:53:44,130 --> 00:53:49,130 in the next couple of months. We're currently at the bid for that process. That said, getting 658 00:53:49,130 --> 00:53:54,950 that additional courtroom gets us to base. Essentially, we'll have enough court rooms for all the judges 659 00:53:54,950 --> 00:53:58,390 is the 21st currently has, but it doesn't really future proof us. 660 00:53:59,230 --> 00:54:05,590 So to that effect, we'd like to apply for this state grant, again in the amount of $1,575,000 661 00:54:05,990 --> 00:54:12,670 to fund the design of an annex of the existing Justice Center at 125 North Spruce Read, and 662 00:54:12,670 --> 00:54:16,050 that will truly provide us sufficient room for all judicial functions. 663 00:54:16,750 --> 00:54:23,330 So what we propose to design is a approximately 100,000 square foot four-story facility. 664 00:54:23,330 --> 00:54:30,730 This would include room for the DA, district attorney, sheriff's office, and then two floors dedicated so late to judicial courthouse services. 665 00:54:32,210 --> 00:54:35,030 Thank you. I'll come assure you I'm going to comments or questions on the thing. 666 00:54:35,170 --> 00:54:39,590 Remind me when this is due and when will be notified if we are granted the award. 667 00:54:40,070 --> 00:54:48,270 Sure thing. So this is going to be due September 30th. So next week, we should be notified either very late this year or early next. 668 00:54:50,330 --> 00:54:58,810 I just say, you know, for years we've been battling an overpopulation and over jail population, and we've done a lot in the last few years to try to reduce that. 669 00:54:58,950 --> 00:55:04,410 And another component of that is to making sure we have people who are getting quick and efficient hearings before the courts. 670 00:55:05,070 --> 00:55:08,950 And on our side that means accommodating new judges in the future so that we can continue to do that. 671 00:55:09,030 --> 00:55:15,170 This is going to be a big ticket item in the future, but this is what this grandest design to do is design and plan for that. 672 00:55:15,170 --> 00:55:17,690 I think this is a good step forward in that. 673 00:55:19,710 --> 00:55:22,430 I appreciate our team working on hard on this. 674 00:55:23,490 --> 00:55:28,130 This is part of our duties here at County by statue. 675 00:55:28,390 --> 00:55:33,690 We do need to provide our justice service a place to be. 676 00:55:34,070 --> 00:55:37,190 And thanks for leading this effort with this grant. 677 00:55:37,190 --> 00:55:38,430 We really appreciate it. 678 00:55:39,050 --> 00:55:40,750 Is there any public comment on this item? 679 00:55:40,750 --> 00:55:41,390 Okay. 680 00:55:43,410 --> 00:55:46,610 Okay. Seeing none I'll entertain a motion to approve the item as 681 00:55:46,610 --> 00:55:52,130 entered in the record. So moved. Second. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Aye. Motion carries. 682 00:55:56,270 --> 00:55:58,390 So is it we're going to 10 now? 683 00:56:00,740 --> 00:56:02,480 The last one which would be number nine. 684 00:56:02,820 --> 00:56:07,440 Number nine. That's right. So the ninth item needing consideration 685 00:56:07,440 --> 00:56:12,580 today is approving a Mesa County Behavioral Health request to 686 00:56:12,580 --> 00:56:14,440 to apply for the pioneering ideas, 687 00:56:15,060 --> 00:56:17,260 building a culture of health grant 688 00:56:17,260 --> 00:56:21,260 in the amount of $450,000 and we do have Jenna Kaufman, 689 00:56:21,800 --> 00:56:23,800 our deputy director of behavioral health here 690 00:56:23,800 --> 00:56:24,600 to present today. 691 00:56:25,060 --> 00:56:25,580 Good morning, Jenna. 692 00:56:25,920 --> 00:56:26,800 Good morning, commissioners. 693 00:56:26,920 --> 00:56:29,580 Again, Jenna Kaufman, behavioral health deputy director. 694 00:56:30,180 --> 00:56:32,620 I'm here to request the consideration 695 00:56:32,620 --> 00:56:36,960 for the pioneer ideas grant for 40050 696 00:56:36,960 --> 00:56:39,540 through the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. 697 00:56:39,540 --> 00:56:45,700 This grant will support the expansion of the MAC organizations, increasing the capacity 698 00:56:45,700 --> 00:56:48,380 from 270 to 400 individuals. 699 00:56:48,800 --> 00:56:53,220 These individuals represent some of our most vulnerable population in our community, 700 00:56:53,760 --> 00:56:58,240 and the funding will allow to extend the services to better fit these populations. 701 00:56:59,100 --> 00:56:59,720 Thank you, Jenna. 702 00:56:59,940 --> 00:57:02,020 Commissioner, do you have any questions or comments? 703 00:57:02,400 --> 00:57:06,220 This is a critical program and I'm glad we found another grant to help support it, so thank 704 00:57:06,220 --> 00:57:06,400 you. 705 00:57:06,640 --> 00:57:08,200 Thank you, Jenna. 706 00:57:08,200 --> 00:57:11,320 Does anyone in the public have any comments or questions on this item? 707 00:57:14,500 --> 00:57:20,860 Seeing none I'll entertain a motion to approve the item as injured in the record. Second all in favor. I 708 00:57:20,860 --> 00:57:21,800 motion carries 709 00:57:22,780 --> 00:57:25,020 Sir any other business to come before the board? 710 00:57:26,700 --> 00:57:28,540 Okay, seeing none we are adjourned