Meeting Notes

January 9th, 2007  Alpine Bank

November 1th, 2006, Alpine Bank

FORU MEETING MINTUES - JAN. 09, 2007

PRESENT:
Pauline Adams, Kevin Davis, Chynthia Harwood, Roland Holzwarth,
Elizcabeth Roscoe, Wayne Quade

Minutes of Jan. 2, meeting were accepted and approved. Agenda presented.
Discussion of set-up of board, method of voting followed.
It was agreed to propose a board consisting of President, VP, Secretary,
Treasurer and a Member at Large

Vote – according to proposed By-Laws by majority -
with quorum consisting of any number of members present.

Pauline Adams joined the meeting for first time, she works with the Forest Service in the area of water quality – graduated with a degree in aquatic biology.
Her expertise was highly welcome be all.

Cynthia is planning to apply for the Commission which is to assist in the Master Plan
Work - there still had been an opening for an “environmentally oriented” person.

Importance of collaboration with other organizations like the City’s Parks Board was
Brought up. (Elizabeth after the meeting followed up with the proposal to invite Dennis Eriksen of the Parks Board to attend our next meeting)

By-Laws – Kevin presented a copy of the UVA’s By-Laws which seem to fit our requirements, we went over the various paragraphs and made some alterations which Kevin will integrate into the document and present at next meeting as a draft for approval.
It was agreed to maintain proxy vote possibility, and set a fee structure for membership
(amounts to still be discussed and/or approved)
Purpose and goals of the organization to be as listed in FORU brochure prepared by Roland.
Kevin will also inquire as to the availability of a non or low-fee bank account for FORU
And will check with the Fire Fighter Association as to how difficult it would be for us to set up a 501 in FORU’s name rather than be part of another organization’s 501.

Pros and cons of being under another organization’s 501C3 were discussed.
Kevin will also prepare a membership form (single letter size sheet to include information on FORU and a sign-up section)
Suggestions for fund raisers were brought up, e.g. calendar with photos of the river
Corridor and/or its wildlife. Cynthia has a possible donor of some posters which could be auction off. It was agreed that at this time the primary fund requirement would be for administrative expenses.
It was agreed that a timeframe for a public event needs to be established since lead time for inviting guest presenters from other organizations is required as well as preparing press releases and possibly prior press coverage.
Hank’s absence was noted with regret and his expertise was missed. Kevin offered to contact him to invite him to next scheduled meeting Jan 16, 7:00 PM at Alpine Bank Roland make reservations for room.
Wayne told us that Parks Board meets 4th Wednesday, 5:00 PM above City Council
Chamber - public is invited -

Barbara Popp

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Friends of the Uncompahgre River

Meeting Notes November 1, 2006

Those present: Tina Mayfield, Cynthia Harwood, Barbara (Alpine Bank), Wayne Quade, Hank Hotze, Elizabeth Roscoe, Shirley Jentsch and Roland Holzwarth

The meeting began with consideration of the FORU document Hank had prepared. You will find the document as an attachment with the notes. It begins with a statement of purpose for the group: To restore, enhance and protect the Uncompahgre River and its riparian corridor . Although reference is made to the 8 mile corridor within the city ofMontrose, it is understood and stated in the document, that Friends of the Uncompahgre will be involved with protection for the entire corridor. Please review the document. It has not been officially adopted by the group as a statement of purpose, vision and goals. It is a clear, concise document to help clarify our direction and definitions as we continue in this early phase of the organization.

A date of December 7 th has been scheduled for Friends to attend a City Council

Work Session at 5:00pm. In preparation for that meeting we need to:

* plan what we would like for different sections of the river. As an example, where are the most natural, tranquil sections which can be preserved and which areas need restoration

* read and reread the Greenway Feasibility Study to identify the parts that are out dated. Sections 2 and 4 are the most relevant to our work because they deal respectively with the inventory of the river corridor and implementation strategies for restoration.

*prepare a statement of request for a strong IGA with the City and County to support an Overlay Zone along the river corridor.

After the work session with the Council, we will need to define what exactly we will ask for and prepare a formal presentation to the Council.

Dennis Erickson, a City Parks Planner, 240-1481, derickson@ci.montrose.co.us , was

named as a contact to answer questions we may have about what the City is already doing with regard to the river. According to Hank, he is very interested in collaborating with Friends for the sake of the river. At this time, the City is beginning work on the section of river near Cerise Park as part of the Fishing Is Fun Grant the City has received. It was suggested that we all read the Skate Park Plan as an example of a proposal brought before the City which was readily supported and funded because it was so well done. Copies can be obtained from Dennis Erickson.

Hank expressed great confidence in the numbers of people interested in the river corridor partnership project as well as confidence in our ability to market our message well. There is a wealth of community expertise available to help facilitate our goals. Through community and government partnership we should be able to attract large grants, including a GOCO grant.

 Shirley Jentsch provided her suggestions for a vision statement:

The Uncompahgre Rivere and its riparian corridor is recognized and sustained by residents and local governments as a premier regional open space and natural resource amenity. Her suggested mission statement:

The (name) works to restore and protect the Uncompahgre River and its riparian corridor as a premier regional open space and natural resource amenity for the people and wildlife of our valley.

Shirley suggested that this can be accomplished through advocacy, volunteering, education and fundraising. Elizabeth 's suggested statement of purpose is:

(Friends of the Uncompahgre River (name?) work in community partnership to restore, maintain and preserve the river and riparian corridor.

There has been discussion about the possibility of joining with Uncompahgre Riverways, an established organization with 501c3 status, whose members have worked for several years on a system of trails along the river corridor.

The FORU document lists several potential partners with whom this group can collaborate on current and future efforts for river corridor restoration and protection. At

this meeting a few others were suggested: Co. Plateau Mountain Bike Association, NRCS, and Black Canyon Regional Land Trust. It was also suggested that property owners along the river be invited to join the partnership, with the understanding that property values are enhanced by open space greenways.

There was brief discussion about the possibility of working with the Black Canyon Regional Land Trust, which usually deals with large land parcels, to consider working with small parcels along the river. When discussing bike and walking trails and concerns about liability on private property, Hank mentioned the Colorado Governmental Immunities Act which protects the city from liability lawsuits relating to city properties.

A question was raised about how and when to use the media to educate the public about the work that is being done regarding the river. At one of our very first meetings there was discussion about asking the Daily Press to do a series about the river corridor and riparian habitat and growth and development issues. It was agreed that we have more work to do before we take that step.

We discussed the need to attend the County Master Plan meetings to observe how they are being conducted and give input wherever appropriate. The next meeting is Tuesday, Nov. 8 th , 6:00pm in Olathe . We can all tell people we know to ask for a greenway and protection along the entire river corridor. Shirley announced that Jon Waschhbusch, Co. Assistant Planner, is requesting volunteers to help facilitate at the large Master Plan meetings at the Pavilion.

Additional work is to decide on our formal structure as a group, choose our final name and identify our membership.

Submitted by Elizabeth

Back to top-FORU-

Friends of the River

Uncompahgre

Principle Purpose-Restore, Enhance and Protect the Uncompahgre River and it's riparian corridor.

An 8 mile river corridor within the City of Montrose : South from U.S. Hwy. 550 flowing North to LaSalle Rd.

FORU's goals/dreams for the Uncompahgre River Corridor:

#1. Restore, Enhance and Protect the Uncompahgre River and it's riparian corridor.

#2. Enhance wildlife habitat

#3. Promote multiple recreational use within the Uncomphgre River Corridor.

#4. Create a water quality improvement plan.

#5. Participate in the design and implementation of a master plan for the Uncompahgre.

Community Action Goals

#1. Meet with City during the December 7 th , 2006 work session.

-Ask that the city use modified portions of the Greenway Plan as a planning tool.

-Suggest that a stream overlay zone within which all possible caution is taken not to harm the riparian corridor, if possible.

-Attend City Comprehensive Plan hearings conducted by their contractors..

#2. Meet with Montrose County planners regarding the restoration, enhancement and protection of the Uncompahgre River Corridor. Attend County Master Plan public hearings.

#3. Volunteer as a partner with the City of Montrose and CDOW to physically assist with the stream habitat project funded by a FISHING IS FUN grant applied for and awarded to the City of Montrose in an effort to enhance wildlife habitat for spawning trout.

-Plan additional projects to Restore, Enhance and Protect the Uncompahgre River

#4. Fund raising is imperative as we communicate our willingness to help by generating $$ to contribute to The Projects.

#5. Seek Community Partnerships.

POTENTIAL PARTNERS:

City of Montrose, County of Montrose, City & County of Ouray, Ridgway, Olathe and the City and County of Delta.

Uncompahgre Valley Water Users, EPA , US Army Corps of Engineers,

US Bureau of Reclamation, Colorado Division of Wildlife,

RE1j School District (Initially the Jr. High & High School Outdoor Clubs), Scouts,

Trout Unlimited, Ducks Unlimited, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Audubon Society

All Stakeholders.

Hank

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October 24th, 2006, Alpine Bank

Friends of the Uncompahgre River

Meeting Notes: October 24, 2006

Those present: Kevin Davis, Elizabeth Roscoe, Ed Page, Barbara Popp, Margie Welch, Stu Krebs, Greg Clifton, Tina Mayfield, Patsy Schurz, Shirley Jentsch, Roland Holzwarth, Hank Hotze

Discussion of a new name was tabled until a later date. We agreed to work within a structure of shared leadership with two people co-facilitating each meeting. Volunteer facilitators for the next meeting will be selected at the end of each meeting. Decisions at this time will be made on a consensus basis. We used the agenda suggested by Bill Patterson in his Oct. 18 e-mail.

Hank raised the question of what our purpose is which led to a discussion of our goals as a group. They include preservation of the river corridor, wildlife preservation, to monitor and provide input to the City and County Master Plan process, support IGA agreements regarding the river corridor. Hank then spoke about his work with the Gunnison Basin Roundtable and the status of the Uncompahgre River . He will provide a synopsis of the on-going work on the part of the city planners, the Uncompahgre Valley Water Users Association, the schools and others with regard to the river. He called for us to join an existing coalition in a spirit of cooperative partnership to work to restore, maintain and preserve the riparian habitat along the 8 mile river corridor from south of the Ute Museum at H550 to LaSalle Rd.

We discussed the importance of participating in the Master Plan review process in both the City and County. The City has hired Winston Associates out of Boulder for a total bid price of $272,111 to oversee the Master Plan.

Greg Clifton described how planning has evolved in Ouray County and Ridgway. He said there have been great partnerships at all levels including a strong IGA and use of the Master Plans as working documents. There has been collaboration with landowners, schools, local government, the Friends of Ridgway State Park and others. He emphasized that a well written plan will state a thorough list of goals and provide strategies for implementation. Then, when it is timely, it is a matter of getting people together who share a common vision to articulate the project. He said that the binding of Master Plans, i.e. making them working documents, is dependent on the political will of the local government.

It was suggested that the political will is something that can be supported, directed, coaxed and nurtured along over time.

A question was raised about County Planner Steve White's caution to us last week to designate protection of the river corridor but without getting too detailed in order to avoid eliciting a community backlash against what so many people are trying to achieve. The question was concerned with how to language what we present at the County Master Plan community meetings. We turned to the Greenway Feasibility Study and the DOW letter regarding River Landing to give us ideas about how to frame what we are asking for. We reiterated what Steve and Kerwin Jensen had said about the use of overlay zoning to protect the river in commercially zoned areas.

Hank suggested we all come up with a short statement, one sentence, to describe what our intention/purpose/goal is. He also said that the city planners are excited and have been using the Greenway study and looking for advocacy groups to support their efforts.

There was some discussion about who should oversee a project of this scope. Governments are seen as having longevity and stability and that citizen non-profits come and go. Others pointed out that some non-profits have done remarkably successful work spanning long periods of time. It was also pointed out that in the current granting process great emphasis is placed on strong community partnerships representing local government, public agencies, non-profits, schools, the general public, etc.

Hank agreed to get us scheduled for a presentation to the City Council which he expects to take at least six weeks. He will be willing to be a presenter along with another city resident from the group so that the group is well represented.

We will meet Wed. Nov. 1, 7:00 pm at the Alpine Bank on Main Street . Tina and Kevin will co-facilitate an hour meeting to further clarify what we want to present to the council.

Roland asked for feedback about the website he has created www.for.montrosehealth.org

He can add a service which allows everyone to log in and send communications directly to the entire group. Check it out and let him know what you think. He has also created a website for the Montrose Health Partnership

www.commonhealth.net . There is a document titled Smart Chart in the CCP-CD Resources section under Community Outreach which can be used as a working tool to help focus your thoughts about goals, strategy and communication. The text is not long and there is a worksheet at the end.

Nothing like a little homework!!

Submitted by Elizabeth

Just past mid-night, 0ct. 25, 2006

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October 19, 2006

Hi Everyone,

I will give you my version of what occurred at the Oct. 17 River meeting. Both Kerwin Jensen and Steve White emphasized the importance of our participation in the reviews of the master plans that will be happening for the both the city and county. When asked how to best protect the river, Kerwin said that the best opportunity the city has for asking for a dedication of land for open space and trails is during the annexation process. He mentioned creating a River Corridor Preservation Special District, which we should research, and designating Overlay Zones on commercially zoned property.

Steve White is very progressive. He encouraged us to show up at these planning meetings for the county and use the colored markers they will have to show where we want certain things to be. We can color in the whole river corridor green! The county will take that information and zone and rezone, and approach landowners for easements and setbacks.

He said not to be too detailed at this initial point. He spoke at length about his vision for how to design and build along a river corridor. It is the exact opposite of what Matt Miles has done. He described low, lovely buildings facing the river and trails with shops that are appealing to the public.

He said we need to educate, educate, educate the community and our elected leaders to ‘establish the reason why someone develops differently.' He used the term ‘new urbanism' which creates living/shopping areas with trails and greenways for aesthetic appeal. Steve also said that he is opposed to commercial strip zoning particularly along a highway corridor and will work for more clustering of industrial and commercial zoning in the county.

Bill Brougham was present at the meeting. We discussed the Greenway Project. He said the main obstacle the Town Council faced in implementing the recommendations was lack of required funding. He encouraged us in our work and was in turn commended by Hank and the group for his good work over the years.

At our first River meeting the observation was made that there is a new climate in our communities about growth. Over the past year there have been numerous letters to the editor by people from all segments of the community dismayed and angry about what is happening to this town and county. The actions of Matt Miles elicited more outcry as we all felt the visceral impact of seeing the lovely cottonwood canopy and meadows where wildlife grazed destroyed. If we are indeed in a different social and political climate, we need to be different. We all have a history of what we haven't been able to accomplish in our efforts to protect the natural world. We can meet this new time by moving beyond our past disappointments and the resulting cynicism and hopelessness about what is possible. We can turn toward one another and find the new vision required of us at this point in history. We can also provide leadership to guide other concerned citizens to build the coalition it will take to effect real grassroots change here at home. We are the elders. Our time is now!!

My little speech!

Elizabeth

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