• Commissioners signed a contract with DHM Design, a Durango firm, to develop the Recreation Master Trail Plan. The total bid amount is $115,540. Staff recommended that Commissioners award the bid to DHM Design over Montrose firm, Dynamic Planning and Design, whose bid came in at $79,800. Staff explained to commissions, while Dynamic Planning has extensive knowledge of the area’s current trail system, DHM Design’s public outreach proposal was stronger. A $100,000 GOCO grant is being used to fund the project and the county in making up the difference. Learn more about DHM Design: http://dhmdesign.com
• MITI Manufacturing is relocating its Grand Junction business to 513 to Delta. Commissioners approved waiving Delta County property tax for the next five years as an incentive to bring the business to the area. “This is a very unique property,” said Commission Atchley. “Part of the property is in Delta County and the other part is in the City of Delta which has no property tax.” MITI specializes in the manufacture of wheel immobilizers and decontamination showers. Learn more about MITI: https://www.mitico.com
• Commissioner-appointed local government designee (LGD), Bruce Bertram, visited with commissioners to update them on changing energy industry regulations in the aftermath of the gas explosion in Firestone, Colorado that left two construction workers dead.
Bertram is tasked with performing on-site inspections of oil and gas operations for the county to assure compliance with state and local regulations. He sited improper facility abandonment and poor offsets as contributors to the tragedy in Firestone.
Bertram discussed regulations changes that would require oil and gas producers to map all “flow-lines” — those lines that are within an operation and used to power the facility – so that regulators can test line integrity as well as ensure proper termination when operations cease.
Bertram further discussed the need to maintain the state and federal regulations that require a 1,000-foot offset from other develop.
• Elisa Grecco has been appointed to the Leroux Creek Area Planning Committee. She will fill the opening left by Kim Shay who is now serving, at large, on the Delta County Planning Commission. Grecco’s term will expire at the end of the year and she will be required to reapply at the beginning of the year.
• Commissioners approved a fireworks display request from Crawford’s Fire Department for Pioneer Days.