Briefs Gunnison County

Geothermal feasibility study
Gunnison County may participate in a geothermal feasibility study. Jerry Smith, president of Pagosa Verde, LLC in Pagosa Springs is looking to put together three sites in Colorado that can be analyzed for geothermal development. Locally, that site would be near Waunita Hot Springs and the Tomichi Dome.

According to county manager Matthew Birnie, Smith has suggested applying for a planning and feasibility grant through the State Office of Economic Development and International Trade. There would be a matching requirement for the funds; Birnie said he had not looked into the matter enough to say the exact amount. He first wanted the blessing of the commissioners to do so. That blessing was granted.

Lots and lots of appointments
After conducting a full day of interviews, the commissioners made a slew of appointments to several local boards:
Adjustments, Appeals & Land Preservation Board: Les White, Jerry Kowal, and Don Crosby. One vacancy remains.
The Environmental Health Board: Eddy Balch and Lucina Clauter-Lull.
Extension Advisory Board: Jon Mugglestone.
Gunnison Basin Sage-grouse Mitigation Committee: Jon Mugglestone.
Gunnison County Planning Commission: AJ Cattles and Kent Fulton as regular members, and Tom Venard and Jeremy Rubingh as alternates.
Gunnison Sage-grouse Strategic Committee: Polly Oberosler as an alternate for the recreational seat.
Gunnison Valley Housing Foundation: Jim Starr.
The Historical Preservation Commission: Jody Reeser and Alinda Card.
Land Preservation Board: Glo Cunningham, with Les White as the alternate.
Library Board: Vicki Spencer.
Region 10 Transportation: Marlene Crosby and Vince Rogalski.
Trails Commission: Kay Peterson and Joellen Fonken. One vacancy remains due to the recent resignation of Frank Kugel, which was received after interviews were conducted.
Veterans Service Officer: Al Falsetto.
Gunnison Valley Hospital Board of Trustees: Kirstie Pike. There is one remaining vacancy.
There are also vacancies on the Observatory Board—no one applied during this round of appointments—and the Western Regional EMS Council. Vacant positions will be advertised for applications.

Tomichi pit approved
The Board of County Commissioners approved a recommendation from the Planning Commission to give the nod to a sketch plan for a gravel pit operation about a half-mile east of Gunnison on Highway 50.
The concept, proposed by Gunnison Valley Partners, LLC, is envisioned as an operation with 69 acres of disturbance, and 27 years of operation with about 200,000 tons per year in sales.
The Planning Commission voted in favor of the sketch with one vote against from member Susan Eskew, who felt it was an inappropriate location based on comments from the public.
The commissioners voted unanimously in favor of the plan, which is conceptual only.