The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Passes still closed… for now
In spite of rumors that a few hardy drivers have made it over Kebler Pass, it’s not yet officially open. Public works assistant director Allen Moores will inspect the pass this week, but unless things have dried out, it will likely remain closed until May 14.
“We’ve still got some wet spots up there, and if we don’t let it get dried out we’ll be fighting them all summer,” Moores said.
Cottonwood Pass is also slated to open on May 14, but if you head that way expect some delays. Resurfacing and some culvert replacements have begun in Taylor Canyon, just before Harmel’s, and are expected to continue throughout the summer. The construction, being overseen by the Federal Highway Program, may cause delays of up to 20 minutes.
New Housing Authority in the works
Gunnison County and the municipalities of Crested Butte, Mt. Crested Butte and Gunnison have been collaborating on the development of a new housing authority for Gunnison Valley. After the departure of the authority’s executive director this spring, Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte officials expressed hesitation over making continued financial contributions without having a vote at the table.
In the process of renegotiating the intergovernmental agreement (IGA) for the authority, however, the municipalities found common ground. The authority is being restructured to better comply with state statutes as a multi-jurisdictional housing authority, and everyone is getting an equal voice.
Each town will contribute $30,000 and the county will contribute $90,000 to cover expenses like staff salaries. But County Manager Matthew Birnie said the total operating budget is closer to the million-dollar mark because of federal grants that flow through the Authority.
“One of the things that surprised everyone and created support was how little they contribute versus the leveraging of federal funds,” Birnie said.
In addition, each municipality, including the county, will have two seats on the board, at least one of which will be an elected official. A ninth board member will be appointed by the board to ensure an odd number of members. The final details of the IGA are being finalized, and Birnie expects work sessions to be scheduled for the county and the municipalities in late May or early June.
Supporting energy efficiency improvements
Gunnison County is entering into an agreement with Eagle and Pitkin counties to create a revolving loan fund to utilize the proceeds of a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. The funds will be used to provide financing for energy efficiency home improvements for residents of all three counties.
New web site for the TA
The commissioners, acting as the Local Marketing District (LMD), authorized the expenditure of up to an additional $40,000 of LMD funds for the Gunnison Crested Butte Tourism Association to redesign its web site. The revisions, which will likely cost less, will allow the web site to work with all media formats (computers, tablets and smartphones), create more work flow efficiencies and set the stage for future integration with web sites like the chambers of commerce and the economic development committee.
