AUGUST 27, 2016, 11 AM || SPCFPD, STATION 3
President Bernie Mann called the meeting to order at 11:05am with a whistle. There were 50 property owners in attendance and 4 guests.
Bernie started the meeting with a “thanks” to Craig Miller for helping fix the fuse & electrical on the grader and Jay Mulholland for mowing around the station.
First-timers to the PTRIA meeting introduced themselves.
BERNIE: The Secretary’s Report of the 2015 Annual Meeting will be read and approved if time. Otherwise, it will be posted on the wall for review, and is available for viewing on the website.
FINANCIAL REPORT: Jon Klima, Treasurer
The current report was passed around for viewing, and is posted on the wall.
The 2015-16 Fiscal Year ended May 31. 93 members paid, with additional donations accepted. Unspent funds of $13,210 carried over to this fiscal year. As of yesterday, 77 members have paid dues for this fiscal year, along with $847 for special funds for private grading or additional expenses. So far this year, $8924 has been spent, mostly on gravel.
Jon has prepared a map with those who have paid their dues highlighted in yellow. It is posted on the wall.
Interesting Statistics
There are 170 tracts, owned by 139 individuals.
55 are full-time residents with Guffey addresses.
58 are in-state property owners, 26 are out-of-state owners.
Of the 55 Guffey addresses, 27 have paid dues for this year, 49%
Of the 58 in-state non-residents, 37 have paid, 63%
Of the 26 out-of-state non-residents, 12 have paid, 46%
Bernie thanked all who have donated above their dues amount, as this helps make up for those who don’t pay. He then mentioned that 31 loads of gravel were put down in July & August; it was $8060 @ $260/load. It’s more expensive this year as the gravel is now coming from Canon City—the mileage doubled. The gravel has been placed where mostly needed. The main roads were recently graded after the rain this week.
Ponds: Jon Klima
We didn’t get any fish this year to stock the ponds. The supplier used in the past was having problems with parasites, and were unable to sell their fish in the state. Jon checked the ponds yesterday, and they are in pretty bad shape due to floating algae and moss. The aerator in the lower pond has had some problems, but finally was repaired, and is working well. There are still some fish in the pond from last year, but Jon hasn’t heard of anyone catching/removing fish. Any questions? No questions.
Bernie thanked Jon for taking care of the ponds nicely, and also for managing the website.
Work Day – Saturday, September 10.
A couple of crews are needed to do repairs on snow fence. Bernie would like at least 4 people to help skim the moss & algae (Bernie says, “skummies”) from the ponds to make them fishable.
There are also some signs to put up for “Dangerous Intersection” and “Dead End.” Several raised hands show those who plan to come.
Tim and Jay both said they can help on another day – perhaps there will be another, mini-workday, TBA.
Bernie
Is there any other old or new business to discuss? (No comments.)
The 2015-16 Board was introduced prior to the special speakers.
Mike Herrick & Deb Vernon: CO Brand Inspectors
Leslie Thomas introduced Mike Herrick, Brand Inspector & Deb Vernon, Brand Supervisor, from CO South Central-Canon City District. She asked them to talk to us about cattle occasionally found in Pike Trails. Leslie felt it would be helpful to know what to do in the event they are seen within the subdivision or on your own property, and what to do if your property is damaged.
If cattle is found on your property or within PTR and you know who the cattle belong to, call the owner. If you don’t know who owns the cattle, call the Brand Inspector (Mike from Canon City). His number is: 719-429-3147. He will come identify the owner of the cattle. After that, it is your responsibility to call the owner.
The green pamphlet passed around explains a legal fence: “A ‘lawful’ fence is defined as a ‘well-constructed three barbed wire fence with substantial posts set at a distance of approximately 20 feet apart, and sufficient to turn ordinary horses and cattle, with all gates equally as good as the fence, or any other fence of like efficiency.” CO is a fence-out state. It is your responsibility to fence your own property if you want to keep livestock out (or in). Sometimes ranchers will work something out with neighboring properties regarding fencing. If cattle break through a legal fence and cause damage, your recourse is through the civil courts. Contact the Sheriff to come out to see the damage done. If you see the animals do the damage, take a picture of the animal and the damage. If they are destroying a legal fence, that is your documentation.
There are at least four cattle leases on public lands around PTR. Many homeowner associations have their own fence laws; Deb is unaware of PTR practices. Ear tags may help indicate the owner of the cattle, to some extent. The cattle may or may not have brands, and if they do, they may be hard to see.
Bernie says there were some existing fences around PTR. In the 90’s Bernie spent some time & money repairing fences. Some have deteriorated or have been damaged. Bernie wants to be sure these fences are maintained.
Bill H. asks: Whose responsibility is it to fence BLM land?
A: The private owner of the adjacent land, not the cattle owner.
Bernie: There have been cows coming through the cattle guard on 88 at the west of PTR. It’s the county’s job to maintain the cattle guard, but they’ve been unresponsive to do this, and they may have been guilty of filling it in when grading the road. Most of the cattle owners are responsive to calls. They will come get their cattle when asked.
Jennifer S. asks: Her land borders BLM. Some of the old, broken fence is on her land. Will they come and relocate it to the property line?
A: Deb suggested if it’s surveyed and on her land she can remove it and/or move it. It was suggested that she contact BLM in Canon City.
Leslie: We have more cattle coming in to PTR from different ranchers. Patrick Frazee (local rancher) is getting lots of calls, but the cattle aren’t usually his. He suggests that we need to learn the brands and ear tag colors. Patrick has been quite willing to help. He says Mother Nature plays a huge factor in destroying fences (elk, tree falls), but it’s our responsibility to maintain the fence. If we see a fence down, we should be proactive and get these fences fixed.
Deb V: Most ranchers will help, if you communicate with them and ask to work together on fences.
Leslie volunteered to find out the brands and ear tags and will communicate to us who the ranchers are. Deb V. will give us a list of the brands of the local ranchers.
Bernie: If you see cattle, contact Bernie, he will find out and help contact the responsible owner. He would like help in checking and repairing the fences. Please contact Bernie if you are willing to do this.
Steve: Cattle with green & blue ear tags belong to Curtis Stone and Patrick Long. They have the lease on 31 Mile. They have limited means, and can’t constantly be aware of where their cattle are. It’s hard to keep the Rocky Mountain fences up, especially with elk around.
Tim B: It would be good to post the rancher information & their phone numbers on the PTRIA website.
Ken Thomas: Board Chairman, SPCFPD
Aaron Mandel has resigned as Fire Chief. Eugene Farmer is acting Chief and will be instated as Chief in September at the next Board Meeting.
Regarding “Inclusion”: Properties in District 0020 are “included” in the district. Fire & Emergency Services are covered for these properties. Properties in District 0004 are excluded. For those excluded properties, fire services will be $250/hour per vehicle and usually 2-3 vehicles will respond. Information regarding inclusion, how to know whether you are District 0020 or 0004, and the “Petition For Inclusion” are available on the website, www.guffeyfire.net in “Forms & Documents”.
Q: Why aren’t the properties automatically included?
A: The Fire Department was founded in 1986, when there were lots of big ranches and a small number of residents. It just wasn’t necessary. Over the years, these properties have been subdivided and there’s a lot more owners. For now, the inclusion/exclusion has to be done manually, but this may be taken care of differently in the future. Changing this is in process.
Bernie: For new land owners, your raw land is probably 0004 and will stay that way unless you do something about it. If you become included, your taxes will pay for the Fire Department to respond to calls on your property.
Ron Oliver: Your taxes won’t be increased, but money will be given to the Fire Dept.
Comment: Additionally, your homeowner’s insurance may be lower.
Ken: There is an ISO 9 rating. Let your homeowners insurance know.
Eugene Farmer: Acting Fire Chief SPCFPD
There are 3 stations. EMTs are on call all the time, 9-3 at the station, otherwise from home. If you are really hurt, they will be able to fly you out.
Guffey Fire SPCFPD: 689-9479
For emergencies, CALL 9-1-1.
If you use a cell phone, be sure to tell them where you are. Tell them you are in Park County near Guffey, so dispatch will relay the call properly.
The Fire Dept. will respond to structure and wildland fires. There is mutual aid with Tallahassee, Four Mile, etc. They all help each other out.
SPCFPD will do a free mitigation inspection, with a standard form. Call the station.
SPCFPD has access to a chipper. They will come out and chip your slash for a small donation, but it’s hard for them to get the chipper, which is not always available.
They will help you burn your slash piles for a small donation, ($50-100).
The County keeps changing the burn permits. You’ll need to call the Park County Burn Line to see if it’s okay to burn. (836-4160) If the recorded message indicates “Guffey District 9: Open”, you may burn. As a courtesy, call the Guffey Station and let them know you’re burning, in case they get a burn report called in. (689-9479)
Burn permits are free. Just go to Station 1, take a few minutes and get your permit.
Street signs are for sale at the station for numbers on your property, $15-20. They really appreciate these green signs with large numbers to locate your residence.
Eugene suggested he could plan some hose training around the cattle guard!
Bernie: Even though the burn ban sign is down, please, please be careful!
Amy O.: The Black Mountain Family Reunion will be Sept 9-11 and will benefit the Fire Department.
Q: Do you need a burn permit for a campfire?
A: No. There is a burn permit required for a “bonfire”, but it’s hard to define the difference.
MISCELLANEOUS Q & A
Q: The new tower on 31 Mile is temporary, will a permanent tower be built?
A: We think so, per Mike Brazell, Commissioner.
Q: Long time part-timer sees a lot of traffic on the road. Can there be some improvement on 88?
A: Bernie: 8/11 Bernie wrote to Mike Brazell asking for road improvements, and invited him to come to this meeting. His response was that he was unable to attend our meeting. Bernie asked Mike if he could supply 5” road base with mag-chloride. Mike said he’d see what he can do. This commissioner seems responsive to our needs, and Bernie is hopeful.
Cindy: If the County doesn’t respond, then maybe we should ALL write and ask.
Sally: Warned that the mailing address on the website is incorrect. Be sure to get the correct one.
Q: What is the speed on the county road?
A: An unmarked county road is 40mph, our private road is 30mph (per the state).
Bernie smells chicken! Let’s eat!
2015 meeting minutes are posted on the wall. This year’s minutes will be posted on the website.
Vonnie made a motion to adjourn. There was a second from somewhere in the room.
The meeting adjourned at 12:18pm.
FYI:
Emergencies: 9-1-1
Guffey Fire: 689-9479, for non-emergencies.
Park County Burn Line: 719-836-4160, call for current burn restrictions prior to burning.
CO Brand Inspectors, South Central-Canon City District
Mike Herrick, Brand Inspector 719-429-3147
Deb Vernon, Brand Supervisor 719-225-3005
Open Range & Fencing in Colorado: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/agbrands/open-range-and-fencing