2005

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <script type="text/javascript"> //OwnerIQ var __oiq_pct = 50; if( __oiq_pct>=100 || Math.floor(Math.random()*100/(100-__oiq_pct)) > 0 ) { var _oiqq = _oiqq || []; _oiqq.push(['oiq_addPageBrand','Lycos']); _oiqq.push(['oiq_addPageCat','Internet > Websites']); _oiqq.push(['oiq_addPageLifecycle','Intend']); _oiqq.push(['oiq_doTag']); (function() { var oiq = document.createElement('script'); oiq.type = 'text/javascript'; oiq.async = true; oiq.src = document.location.protocol + '//px.owneriq.net/stas/s/lycosn.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(oiq, s); })(); } //Google Analytics var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount','UA-21402695-19']); _gaq.push(['_setDomainName','tripod.com']); _gaq.push(['_setCustomVar',1,'member_name','eccog',3]); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); //Lycos Init function getReferrer() { var all= this.document.cookie; if (all== '') return false; var cookie_name = 'REFERRER='; var start = all.lastIndexOf(cookie_name); if (start == -1) return false; start += cookie_name.length; var end = all.indexOf(';', start); if (end == -1) end = all.length; return all.substring(start, end); } function getQuery() { var rfr = getReferrer(); if (rfr == '') return false; var q = extractQuery(rfr, 'yahoo.com', 'p='); if (q) return q; q = extractQuery(rfr, '', 'q='); return q ? q : ""; } function extractQuery(full, site, q_param) { var start = full.lastIndexOf(site); if (start == -1) return false; start = full.lastIndexOf(q_param); if (start == -1) return false; start += q_param.length; var end = full.indexOf('&', start); if (end == -1) end = full.length; return unescape(full.substring(start, end)).split(" ").join("+"); } function generateHref(atag, template){ atag.href=template.replace('_MYURL_', window.location.href.replace('http://', '')).replace('_MYTITLE_','Check%20out%20this%20Tripod%20Member%20site!'); } var lycos_ad = Array(); var lycos_onload_timer; var cm_role = "live"; var cm_host = "tripod.lycos.com"; var cm_taxid = "/memberembedded"; var tripod_member_name = "eccog"; var tripod_member_page = "eccog/id45_2005.htm"; var tripod_ratings_hash = "1755971592:a71eacd6b066e9a1a4e52285dcaaa38e"; var lycos_ad_category = {"find_what":"government"}; var lycos_ad_remote_addr = "209.202.244.9"; var lycos_ad_www_server = "www.tripod.lycos.com"; var lycos_ad_track_small = ""; var lycos_ad_track_served = ""; var lycos_search_query = getQuery(); </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://scripts.lycos.com/catman/init.js"></script> <script type='text/javascript'> var googletag = googletag || {}; googletag.cmd = googletag.cmd || []; (function() { var gads = document.createElement('script'); gads.async = true; gads.type = 'text/javascript'; var useSSL = 'https:' == document.location.protocol; gads.src = (useSSL ? 'https:' : 'http:') + '//www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js'; var node = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; node.parentNode.insertBefore(gads, node); })(); </script> <script type='text/javascript'> googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.defineSlot('/95963596/TRI_300X250_dfp', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-ad-1450204159126-0').addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.defineSlot('/95963596/TRI_above_728x90_dfp', [728, 90], 'div-gpt-ad-1450204159126-1').addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.defineSlot('/95963596/TRI_below_728x90_dfp', [728, 90], 'div-gpt-ad-1450204159126-2').addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest(); googletag.enableServices(); }); </script> <script type="text/javascript"> (function(isV) { if( !isV ) { return; } var adMgr = new AdManager(); var lycos_prod_set = adMgr.chooseProductSet(); var slots = ["leaderboard", "leaderboard2", "toolbar_image", "toolbar_text", "smallbox", "top_promo", "footer2", "slider"]; var adCat = this.lycos_ad_category; adMgr.setForcedParam('page', (adCat && adCat.dmoz) ? adCat.dmoz : 'member'); if (this.lycos_search_query) { adMgr.setForcedParam("keyword", this.lycos_search_query); } else if(adCat && adCat.find_what) { adMgr.setForcedParam('keyword', adCat.find_what); } for (var s in slots) { var slot = slots[s]; if (adMgr.isSlotAvailable(slot)) { this.lycos_ad[slot] = adMgr.getSlot(slot); } } adMgr.renderHeader(); adMgr.renderFooter(); }((function() { var w = 0, h = 0, minimumThreshold = 300; if (top == self) { return true; } if (typeof(window.innerWidth) == 'number' ) { w = window.innerWidth; h = window.innerHeight; } else if (document.documentElement && (document.documentElement.clientWidth || document.documentElement.clientHeight)) { w = document.documentElement.clientWidth; h = document.documentElement.clientHeight; } else if (document.body && (document.body.clientWidth || document.body.clientHeight)) { w = document.body.clientWidth; h = document.body.clientHeight; } return ((w > minimumThreshold) && (h > minimumThreshold)); }()))); window.onload = function() { var f = document.getElementById("FooterAd"); var b = document.getElementsByTagName("body")[0]; b.appendChild(f); f.style.display = "block"; document.getElementById('lycosFooterAdiFrame').src = '/adm/ad/footerAd.iframe.html'; // DOM Inj Ad (function(isTrellix) { var e = document.createElement('iframe'); e.style.border = '0'; e.style.margin = 0; e.style.display = 'block'; e.style.cssFloat = 'right'; e.style.height = '254px'; e.style.overflow = 'hidden'; e.style.padding = 0; e.style.width = '300px'; var isBlokedByDomain = function( href ) { var blockedDomains = [ "ananyaporn13000.tripod.com", "xxxpornxxx.tripod.com" ]; var flag = false; for( var i=0; i<blockedDomains.length; i++ ) { if( href.search( blockedDomains[ i ] ) >= 0 ) { flag = true; } } return flag; } var getMetaContent = function( metaName ) { var metas = document.getElementsByTagName('meta'); for (i=0; i<metas.length; i++) { if( metas[i].getAttribute("name") == metaName ) { return metas[i].getAttribute("content"); } } return false; } var getCommentNodes = function(regexPattern) { var nodes = {}; var nodesA = []; var preferredNodesList = ['a', 'c', 'b']; (function getNodesThatHaveComments(n, pattern) { if (n.hasChildNodes()) { if (n.tagName === 'IFRAME') { return false; } for (var i = 0; i < n.childNodes.length; i++) { if ((n.childNodes[i].nodeType === 8) && (pattern.test(n.childNodes[i].nodeValue))) { var areaName = pattern.exec(n.childNodes[i].nodeValue)[1]; nodes[areaName] = n; } else if (n.childNodes[i].nodeType === 1) { getNodesThatHaveComments(n.childNodes[i], pattern); } } } }(document.body, regexPattern)); for (var i in preferredNodesList) { if (nodes[preferredNodesList[i]]) { if( isTrellix && nodes[preferredNodesList[i]].parentNode.parentNode.parentNode.parentNode ) { nodesA.push(nodes[preferredNodesList[i]].parentNode.parentNode.parentNode.parentNode); } else { nodesA.push( nodes[preferredNodesList[i]] ); } } } return nodesA; } var properNode = null; var areaNodes = getCommentNodes( new RegExp( '^area Type="area_(\\w+)"' ) ); for (var i = 0; i < areaNodes.length; i++) { var a = parseInt(getComputedStyle(areaNodes[i]).width); if ((a >= 300) && (a <= 400)) { properNode = areaNodes[i]; break; } } var propertyName = getMetaContent("property") || false; if( isTrellix && (properNode) ) { e.src = '/adm/ad/injectAd.iframe.html'; properNode.insertBefore(e, properNode.firstChild); } else if( isTrellix && !( properNode ) ) // Slap the ad eventhought there is no alocated slot { e.src = '/adm/ad/injectAd.iframe.html'; e.style.cssFloat = 'none'; var cdiv = document.createElement('div'); cdiv.style = "width:300px;margin:10px auto;"; cdiv.appendChild( e ); b.insertBefore(cdiv, b.lastChild); } else if( !isBlokedByDomain( location.href ) ) { var injF = document.createElement('iframe'); injF.style.border = '0'; injF.style.margin = 0; injF.style.display = 'block'; injF.style.cssFloat = 'none'; injF.style.height = '254px'; injF.style.overflow = 'hidden'; injF.style.padding = 0; injF.style.width = '300px'; injF.src = '/adm/ad/injectAd.iframe.html'; if( b && ( !isTrellix || ( typeof isTrellix == "undefined" ) ) ) // All other tripod props { var cdiv = document.createElement('div'); cdiv.style = "width:300px;margin:10px auto;"; cdiv.appendChild( injF ); b.insertBefore(cdiv, b.lastChild); } } }( document.isTrellix )); } </script> <div id="tb_container" style="background:#DFDCCF; border-bottom:1px solid #393939; position:relative; z-index:999999999!important">  <style> .adCenterClass{margin:0 auto} </style> <div id="tb_ad" class="adCenterClass" style="display:block!important; overflow:hidden; width:916px;"> <div id="ad_container" style="display:block!important; float:left; width:728px "> <script type="text/javascript"> if (typeof lycos_ad !== "undefined" && "leaderboard" in lycos_ad) { document.write(lycos_ad['leaderboard']); } </script> </div> </div> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> if (typeof lycos_ad !== "undefined" && "slider" in lycos_ad) { document.write(lycos_ad['slider']); } </script>  <div id="FooterAd" style="background:#DFDCCF; border-top:1px solid #393939; clear:both; display:none; width:100%!important; position:relative; z-index:999999!important; height:90px!important"> <div class="adCenterClass" style="display:block!important; overflow:hidden; width:916px;"> <div id="footerAd_container" style="display:block!important; float:left; width:728px"> <iframe id="lycosFooterAdiFrame" style="border:0; display:block; float:left; height:96px; overflow:hidden; padding:0; width:750px"></iframe> </div> </div> </div> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000" background="0c2fd5a3.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#000000" FACE="University Roman LET" ><B>East Central Council of Local Governments</b></FONT><B>    </b></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFCC66" TEXT="#080000" background="0c3d2b03.jpg"> <bR> <div> <A HREF="index_welcome_to_our_web_site.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="East Central Council of Local Government"><U><B><U>Home</U></b></U></A></div> <div> <IMG SRC="107a6250.jpg" border=0 width="166" height="37" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <A HREF="id17_governments___________home.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="About Us:"><U><B><U>About Us</U></b></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id25_governments___________home.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Our location:"><U><B><U>Our Location</U></b></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id18_our_services_2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Our Services:"><U><B><U>Our Services</U></b></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id24_governments___________home.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Board Agendas and Meeting Minutes"><U><B><U>Board Meetings</U></b></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id39_our_heritage_1.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Our Heritage"><U><B><U>Our Heritage</U></b></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id27__________home.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Employment"><U><B><U>Employment</U></b></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id26__home.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Us"><U><B><U>Contact Us</U></b></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id24_governments___________home.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Board Agendas and Meeting Minutes"><U><B><IMG SRC="0ef33210.gif" border=0 width="51" height="33" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></b></U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I>2005</I></div> <div>  <A NAME="2005"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Palatino Linotype" ><A HREF="#2005" TITLE="2005"><U><B><U>2005 ECCOG Minutes</U></b></U></A></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#jan05" TITLE="2005"><U><I><U>January 2005</U></I></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#feb05" TITLE="2005"><U><I><U>February 2005</U></I></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#mar05cog" TITLE="2005"><U><I><U>March 2005</U></I></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#apr05" TITLE="2005"><U><I><U>April 2005</U></I></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#may05" TITLE="2005"><U><I><U>May 2005</U></I></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#jun05_1" TITLE="2005"><U><I><U>June 2005</U></I></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#jul05" TITLE="2005"><U><I><U>July 2005</U></I></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#aug05" TITLE="2005"><U><I><U>August 2005</U></I></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#sep05" TITLE="2005"><U><I><U>September 2005</U></I></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#oct05" TITLE="2005"><U><I><U>October 2005</U></I></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#nov05" TITLE="2005"><U><I><U>November 2005</U></I></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#dec05" TITLE="2005"><U><I><U>December 2005</U></I></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id31_minutesarchive.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ECCOG Archives"><U><B><IMG SRC="10532200.gif" border=0 width="50" height="32" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></b></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B> <A NAME="jan05"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></b><B>There was no meeting of the </b></div> <div> <B>East Central Council of Local Governments</b></div> <div> <B>Board of Directors  in January, 2005.</b></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#2005" TITLE="2005"><U><U>top of page</U></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B> <A NAME="feb05"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></b><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Palatino Linotype" ><B>East Central Council of Local Governments</b></FONT></div> <div> <B>Board of Directors Meeting Minutes</b></div> <div> <B>February 2, 2005</b></div> <div> <B>Annual Reorganizational Meeting</b></div> <div> John Nichols called the annual reorganizational meeting of the ECCOG Board of Directors to order at 7:08 p.m., February 2, 2005 at the Limon Town Hall, Limon, Colorado. Board members present included Rayetta Palmer, Larry Shutte, Carl Hapes Jr., Larry Reeves, Steve Burgess and John Nichols. Del Beattie and John Metli were unable to attend. Joe Kiely, Limon Town Manager, was a guest at the meeting. Staff members present included Maryjo Downey, ECCOG executive director; Terry Baylie, Area Agency on Aging director; and Terry Blevins, Housing Improvement Program director.</div> <div> The report of the nominating committee was presented by John Nichols, on behalf of the other committee member in attendance, Larry Reeves. The committee nominated John Metli for chairman, Rayetta Palmer for vice-chairman, Larry Shutte for secretary and John Nichols for treasurer. Steve Burgess moved that nominations cease. Carl Hapes Jr. seconded the motion, which carried unanimously, and the slate of officers was elected by acclamation.</div> <div> As there was no other business to come before the Reorganizational Meeting, John Nichols declared the meeting adjourned at 7:12 p.m.</div> <div> <B>Regular Monthly Meeting</b></div> <div> In the absence of John Metli, Vice-Chairman Rayetta Palmer called the regular monthly meeting of the ECCOG Board of Directors to order at 7:13 p.m., February 2, 2005 at the Limon Town Hall, Limon, Colorado.</div> <div> As there was no change among those present from the reorganizational meeting, Rayetta dispensed with the introductions.</div> <div> The Minutes of the December 1, 2004 meeting were mailed in late December, but as the January meeting was cancelled due to weather, the Minutes were reviewed at this meeting. Larry Shutte moved the Minutes be approved as mailed. John Nichols seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.</div> <div> Jo Downey circulated the Financial Report and list of bills, which showed total payroll of $25,928.23 for January 31, 2005, and the total for bills listed for January was $44,197.34. Jo explained the various funds and other report details for the new members. John Nichols moved to approve the Financial Report for January and the payment of bills. Carl Hapes Jr. seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.</div> <div> <B><U>Unfinished Business:</U></b></div> <div> <B>Impact Grants</b></div> <div> Jo Downey told the Board that hearings on Energy Impact Assistance Grant applications submitted December 1 would be held March 23-24. Two applications were submitted from this region: Kit Carson County requested $125,000, which would be about 30 percent of the total cost of developing a Carousel museum at the fairgrounds; Lincoln County requested funds to help make roof and drainage improvements at the courthouse in Hugo. </div> <div> Jo said she is working on a potential impact grant application from Cheyenne County. A future application may come from the Town of Bethune, needing $750,000 for additional water storage and distribution improvements. Bethune is the only town in the four-county region that has never applied for an Energy Impact Assistance Grant. The funds would come from a combination of grant and loan funds. Jo said Bethune must implement metering of water use, however. </div> <div> Also, the Town of Stratton has applied for a small, out-of-cycle water study grant from the Energy Impact Assistance Fund. </div> <div> <B>2030 Transportation Plan Completion</b></div> <div> After two years of work, the 10 northeastern Colorado counties comprising the Eastern Transportation Planning Region have completed their portion of the 2030 Colorado Transportation Plan. The regional plan has been adopted and submitted to the State Transportation Commission. Regional committee members want the group to continue meeting in the spring to help educate new local elected officials about the transportation planning process.  </div> <div> Joe Kiely informed the Board that transportation reauthorization planning done in the past year and a half has been discarded, and work has started over with the seating of the new Congress. Colorado Department of Transportation and the Ports to Plains Trade Corridor Coalition are submitting proposed projects to Congressional offices for review. Joe said those projects essentially are the four projects identified in the Corridor Development Management Plan. If Highway 287 is not developed as a four-lane highway, he continued, studies show traffic will be diverted to New Mexico, entering Colorado via Raton and I-25. However, if the highway <U>is</U> developed as a four-lane highway, about 12 percent of the traffic using other routes would move to Highway 287, and the value to roadside services in the region (hotels, restaurants, fuel stations) would increase $282 million. Counties containing the Ports to Plains corridor would see direct benefits in increased earnings and new jobs created. Joe said more information about the economic benefits is given in great detail in the 1,000-page study.</div> <div> <B>Area Agency on Aging State Audit Update</b></div> <div> Board members received copies of a summary of the status of the implementation by the state of its audit corrective action plan. She said she will be working with the State on two issues: the need for the State  to  issue  specific  guidance  for  improving  access to transportation services for rural participants;  and a review of the intrastate funding formula. Terry said this region's Area Agency on Aging is the smallest in the state, and the present formula has established a "floor," or a minimum grant deemed essential to support programs required under the Older Americans Act. There has been no increase in the "floor" for more than twenty years, she said, and she is hoping the "floor" amount will be increased through this review.</div> <div> <B>Emergency Response Plan Update</b></div> <div> Terry Baylie updated the Board on the progress of the Emergency Response plan for both the Area Agency on Aging and the Outback Express transit system. During the last month, the state has made some revisions in the format of the ER plans that must be submitted to the state. To make this process less cumbersome and to avoid unnecessary duplication, there will be only minor changes required of the current plan, she said. Once approved, this plan will be sent to each county's emergency response manager with a request that it be included in the county's plan. John Nichols moved the Emergency Response Plan be approved as presented. Larry Shutte seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.</div> <div> <B>2005 CDOT Contracts for Outback Express Services</b></div> <div> Terry Baylie advised the Board that she has received both the operating/administration and capital equipment contracts in late December, both with an effective date of January 1, 2005.  Also, copies of the report that resulted from the state evaluation of the Outback Express program on December 1, 2004, as well as Terry's responses, were included in Board packets. Terry said there were only two compliance issues. Staff now is collecting performance data for use in measuring performance for future grant application purposes, she added.</div> <div> <B>Other Unfinished Business</b></div> <div> There was no other unfinished business to come before the Board.</div> <div> <B><U>New Business:</U></b></div> <div> <B>Enterprise Zone Contribution Project Requests</b></div> <div> Two proposed Enterprise Zone Contribution projects were presented to the State Economic Development Commission on January 27. Jo Downey and local representatives were present at the meeting. Jo said a project proposed in Limon, designating the municipal golf course as an Enterprise Zone project, was not approved. However, a proposal from the City of Burlington to add some acreage to an existing city park and to construct a covered park pavilion was approved as an Enterprise Zone project. Both properties were requested under the community development category.</div> <div> <B>ABC (Access to Benefits Coalition) Grant</b></div> <div> Terry Baylie reported the Area Agency on Aging has received a small mini-grant for outreach and assistance with the Medicare drug prescription program in the amount of $2,000.  The AAA's lead person for</div> <div> this project is Debby Conrads, who will target local residents in assisted living facilities or those who are homebound to determine eligibility for the programs.</div> <div> <B>El Pomar Foundation Grant Award</b></div> <div> Jo Downey reported that the El Pomar Foundation has approved a grant of $6,000 through its Rural Outreach Program to help ECCOG's Outback Express program provide additional transportation services to persons with medical appointments in 2005. Terry explained how this $6,000 will be used.</div> <div> <B>Heritage Tourism</b></div> <div> Jo Downey reported that b. hawkins, inc. has developed a print ad campaign for next season's Heritage Tourism marketing program, and she circulated the proposed publication schedule for the ad. She said the goal is to encourage Front Range individuals and families to visit the museums and other heritage sites on Colorado's Central Plains, and to benefit the local economies while they are here. For the benefit of the new members, Jo displayed the new Our Journey brochure that will be sent to anyone contacting COG by telephone or via the website, <A HREF="http://www.ourjourney.info" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.ourjourney.info"><U>www.ourjourney.info</U></A>, which still is under construction. Included with the brochure will be a card providing basic information about the region along with a handwritten "thank you" for asking for the information. The back of the card will list all museums and historic sites. A second card will list bed and breakfast businesses and antique sales businesses. A third card will provide information about the region's golf courses. Another inclusion will be the "My Journey" pass, designed to look like an authentic passenger train ticket or stagecoach ticket, which will allow free admission to any of the region's participating museums. And finally, there will be customized inserts for four selected museums included. At this time, the first inserts will be for Limon Heritage Museum, Cheyenne County Museum in Cheyenne Wells, Old Town in Burlington and the Elbert County Museum in Kiowa.</div> <div> <B>Area Agency on Aging Policy Changes</b></div> <div> Board members received copies of proposed policy changes in the Area Agency on Aging's Supportive Services and Nutrition Program, regarding waiting lists. The Senior Services Advisory Board, meeting January 13, recommended these policy changes be adopted by the ECCOG Board. Steve Burgess moved the policy changes be adopted as presented. Carl Hapes Jr. seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.</div> <div> <B>Other New Business</b></div> <div> There was no other new business to come before the Board.</div> <div> <B>Date and Location for March Meeting</b></div> <div> The next meeting of the ECCOG Board of Directors will be Wednesday, March 2, 2005 at Limon.</div> <div> <B>Adjournment</b></div> <div> There being no further business to come before the Board, Rayetta Palmer declared the meeting adjourned at 8:31 p.m.</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#2005" TITLE="2005"><U><U>top of page</U></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B> <A NAME="mar05cog"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></b><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Palatino Linotype" ><B>East Central Council of Local Governments</b></FONT></div> <div> <B>Board of Directors Meeting Minutes</b></div> <div> <B>March 2, 2005</b></div> <bR> <div> Chairman John Metli called the regular monthly meeting of the ECCOG Board of Directors to order at 7:05 p.m., March 2, 2005 at the Limon Town Hall, Limon, Colorado.</div> <div> In addition to John Metli, board members present included: John Nichols, Larry Shutte, Del Beattie, Rayetta Palmer, Carl Hapes Jr., Steve Burgess and Larry Reeves. Staff present included Jo Downey, Terry Blevins and Terry Baylie.</div> <bR> <div> John Metli led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.</div> <bR> <div> The Minutes of the February 2 Annual Reorganizational Meeting and regular Board of Directors meeting were reviewed. Larry Shutte moved the Minutes be approved as mailed. Rayetta Palmer seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.</div> <bR> <div> Jo Downey circulated the Financial Report and list of bills, which showed total payroll of $27,679.22 for March 1, 2005, and the total for bills listed for February was $42,998.59. Rayetta Palmer moved to approve the Financial Report for February and the payment of bills. John Nichols seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Unfinished Business:</U></b></div> <bR> <div> <B>Impact Grants</b></div> <bR> <div> Jo Downey told the Board that hearings would be held in Denver on March 23 on Energy Impact Assistance Grant applications submitted in the December cycle. Among the applicants were Lincoln County, seeking assistance for courthouse roof repair and drainage improvements, and Kit Carson County, seeking assistance for the new Carousel museum at the county fairgrounds. Jo said the Town of Flagler submitted a late request for funds to help purchase water wells and to tie the new water sources into the town water system. Cheyenne Wells School District has requested a grant to develop a school bus loading zone and additional storage.</div> <bR> <div> In the coming grant cycle, Jo said Cheyenne County is seeking funds for two new road maintainers with rippers. Also, there may be small requests from Kit Carson County's fire departments. The deadline for applications in this cycle is April 1, 2005.</div> <bR> <div> John Metli said there may be a request connected with the Elbert County Justice Center. Steve Burgess said Lincoln County may submit a request connected with microwave towers for the sheriff's communication system. And Larry Reeves said the Town of Simla is reopening the discussion about a new community building, and there may be a grant application for this project in the August, 2005 cycle.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Area Agency on Aging Programs Federal Funding for 2005</b></div> <div> Terry Baylie reported that final 2005 allocations reflect a decrease in Older Americans Act funding in most service areas. Changes are largely due to population shifts, she said. Impact on this region was slight, an overall decrease of $260. Terry said there will be no adverse impact on services as a result; the administrative travel budget may be altered to accommodate the decrease. </div> <bR> <div> The Area Agency on Aging's revised grant application must be submitted by May 17. The application will be reviewed by the Senior Services Advisory Board at its March meeting, and will be presented to the ECCOG Board of Directors in April.</div> <bR> <div> <B>2005 Community Development Assistance Grant</b></div> <div> Jo Downey said the East Central Council of Governments again was offered a Community Development Assistance Grant from Energy Impact Assistance Grant funds, for the fiscal year beginning April 1, 2005 and ending March 31, 2006. </div> <bR> <div> The $32,000 grant would be matched by ECCOG with $64,000, and would help COG provide community development assistance to all municipalities and counties in this region. The grant funds help local governments achieve together mutual goals that they could not achieve individually. Steve Burgess moved that ECCOG accept the Community Development Assistance Grant and to authorize John Metli to sign the contracts. Del Beattie seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Aging and Transit Services Statistics for 2004</b></div> <bR> <div> Copies of 2004 year-end statistical reports for services provided through the Area Agency on Aging and through the Outback Transit system were mailed to board members prior to the meeting.  These reports were reviewed and questions answered.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Heritage Tourism Meeting/Campaign Status</b></div> <div> Jo Downey reported that a meeting March 11 in December was called for a regional discussion on the print ad design and campaign for this coming summer (the first ads are scheduled for publication in May). The meeting will be at Limon Community Building from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Also discussed will be progress in the development of the <A HREF="http://www.ourjourney.info" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.ourjourney.info"><U><U>www.ourjourney.info</U></U></A> website, and museum inserts that will be included with the “Our Journey” brochure will be reviewed. Jo said Brian Hawkins of bhawkins, inc will discuss the “Come Home Again” email campaign to the 1960-1990 Arriba-Flagler School District alumni.</div> <bR> <div> Jo told the Board that ECCOG has heard from all but one of the region's museums about participating in the “My Journey” pass, including the clown museum at Arriba.</div> <div>  </div> <div> <B>Other Unfinished Business</b></div> <bR> <div> There was no other unfinished business to come before the Board.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>New Business:</U></b></div> <bR> <div> <B>Enterprise Zone Tax Credit Summary</b></div> <div> Board members received copies of the East Central Enterprise Zone 2004 Business Development Objectives Summary. The report stated that the overall economic development objective for the Zone is to increase and diversify the non-residential tax base, especially in the industrial and commercial sectors. The success of this effort is measured by changes in non -residential assessed valuation.</div> <bR> <div> Minimal progress was made toward meeting the business development objectives, primarily due to decreases in oil and gas valuation in Cheyenne County. Commercial valuation made no headway, either, as the valuation of the helium plant in Cheyenne County decreased and the agriculture industry throughout the region continues to suffer from low prices and drought conditions. The Summary also discussed efforts this past year to expand existing businesses and industries and to develop a new Heritage Tourism marketing campaign.</div> <bR> <div> Rayetta Palmer said she still finds local residents who are unaware that the Enterprise Zone Tax Credits exist. Jo Downey said she would develop another news release explaining the credits and again emphasizing the added benefits that come to Cheyenne, Kit Carson and Lincoln county taxpayers because of their Enhanced Enterprise Zone status.</div> <bR> <div> <B>White House Conference on Aging</b></div> <bR> <div> Terry Baylie told the Board that a lack of funds at the state level has resulted in abandoning the regional Conference on Aging meetings this year. However, local input still is necessary, and the Eastern Plains Legislative Task Force (EPLTF) has agreed to be the focus group that will bring strategies for addressing White House Conference on Aging issues from the local areas. Input from this region will be gathered at the March Senior Services Advisory Board meeting, where knowledgeable individuals have been invited to participate in a round-table discussion. The results will be combined with results from the northern and southern regions at the EPLTF meeting in late March, then condensed to a one-page report that will go to the Governor's Conference on Aging in June. Statewide results will go on to the White House Conference on Aging in October, Terry said.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Enhancement Funds</b></div> <div> Local governments have received notice from the Colorado Department of Transportation that applications are being accepted for transportation enhancement projects,  Jo Downey said.   About $150,000 are available in unallocated funds from FY 05 and FY 06.  Applications for those funds from within this region will be prioritized by the East Central Council of Local Governments and mixed with priorities from Northeastern Colorado, she added, with the Transportation Region's prioritized projects then going to CDOT. Final decisions on grant funding will be made by July 1. Jo reminded Board members that these grants come from federal funds, and Davis-Bacon rules will be in effect for any projects using these funds.  Another application cycle involving funds from FY 07 and FY 08 will follow. </div> <bR> <div> <B>East Central Enterprise Zone Annual Report</b></div> <div> The annual Enterprise Zone Certification comparisons were circulated to the Board. The report showed 351 taxpayers taking advantage of the Enterprise Zone in 2004, more than in 2003, but still down from the prior years. Although more taxpayers claimed the tax credit last year, total tax savings of $855,776 reflected a decline from  $907,830 in 2003. Jo Downey said there are no current legislative initiatives that would affect the state's Enterprise Zones.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Senior Services Board Nomination</b></div> <div> Terry Baylie reported that the Elbert County Council on Aging has nominated June Syverson of Elizabeth to fill a vacancy on the Senior Services Advisory Board. She asked for Board action to finalize the appointment. Rayetta Palmer moved that June Syverson be appointed to the Senior Services Advisory Board as recommended. John Nichols seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Other New Business</b></div> <div> Terry Baylie said the Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital has requested a written agreement with the Outback Express transit system for use of the system's vehicles and drivers in the event of a disaster. The Board directed her to wait until the Kit Carson County Commissioners have been contacted by the hospital regarding use of the county's vehicles before authorizing use of the system's drivers. Other vehicles that might be needed are owned by DDI and by the City of Burlington. Terry said the hospital also should contact local school districts about use of school buses to move people in times of disaster.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Date and Location for April Meeting</b></I></div> <div> The next meeting of the ECCOG Board of Directors will be Wednesday, April 6, 2005 at Limon.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Adjournment</b></div> <div> There being no further business to come before the Board, John Metli declared the meeting adjourned at 8:43 p.m.</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#2005" TITLE="2005"><U><U>top of page</U></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B> <A NAME="apr05"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></b><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Palatino Linotype" ><B>East Central Council of Local Governments</b></FONT></div> <div> <B>Board of Directors Meeting Minutes</b></div> <div> <B>April 6, 2005</b></div> <div> Chairman John Metli called the regular monthly meeting of the ECCOG Board of Directors to order at 7:06 p.m., April 6, 2005 at the Limon Town Hall, Limon, Colorado.</div> <div> In addition to John Metli, board members present included: John Nichols, Del Beattie, Rayetta Palmer, Carl Hapes Jr., Steve Burgess and Larry Reeves. Joe Kiely, Limon Town Manager, was a guest at the meeting. Staff present included Jo Downey, Terry Blevins and Terry Baylie.</div> <div> John Metli led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.</div> <div> The Minutes of the March 2 Board of Directors meeting were reviewed. Steve Burgess moved the Minutes be approved as mailed. Rayetta Palmer seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.</div> <div> Jo Downey circulated the Financial Report and list of bills, which showed total payroll of $27,882.62 for April 5, 2005, and the total for bills listed for March was $52,017.91. Rayetta Palmer moved to approve the Financial Report for March and the payment of bills. Del Beattie seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.</div> <div> <B><U>Unfinished Business:</U></b></div> <div> <B>Impact Grants</b></div> <div> Jo Downey said four Energy Impact Assistance Grant applications from this region were considered at the recent hearings. Among the applicants were the Cheyenne Wells School District, Kit Carson County (seeking funds for the new Carousel museum at the fairgrounds), Lincoln County (seeking assistance for courthouse roof repair and drainage improvements) and the Town of Flagler (seeking funds to help purchase water wells and to tie the new water sources into the town water system). Jo said all of the applications were recommended for full funding, and applicants should receive notice of grant awards this coming week.</div> <div> In the coming grant cycle, Jo said Cheyenne County is seeking funds for new road equipment, and the Vona Fire District is requesting its first Impact grant for purchase of a new fire truck. </div> <div> <B>Mutual Agreement with Kit Carson County Hospital</b></div> <div> Terry Baylie reported that Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital has executed an agreement with the Kit Carson County Commissioners authorizing use of county-owned transit vehicles in case of a declared disaster.    She asked the ECCOG Board to approve a similar agreement authorizing use of trained Outback Express system drivers to operate the county vehicles during those times. Steve Burgess moved the COG Board approve the driver agreement with Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital. Carl Hapes Jr. seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.</div> <div> <B>2005 Community Development Assistance Contract</b></div> <div> Jo Downey said the new contract for Community Development Assistance grant funds has been executed. The grant provides $32,000 for community development assistance in the region; it is matched with $64,000 from ECCOG. Jo said these funds are used to provide “hands-on” assistance to local governments, such as grant-writing or regional program development, and not just technical assistance.</div> <div> <B>Revised 2005 Older Americans Act Funding Application</b></div> <div> Now that the East Central Area Agency on Aging has final carryover dollar figures from the annual audit and final federal grant award information, Terry Baylie said it is necessary to revise the application for 2005 program year. Terry briefly reviewed the revised application, explaining communication problems that resulted in loss of funds in some areas. She said the Senior Services Advisory Board has recommended Board approval of the revisions. John Nichols moved the revised application be approved. Carl Hapes Jr. seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. </div> <div> <B>Heritage Tourism Meeting/Campaign Status</b></div> <div> Jo Downey said 10 museum attractions will participate in the “Our Journey” ticket, which will promote expanded tourist visits within the region. The Elbert County Museum has declined to participate, stating the museum may not be open this summer due to potential renovation, she added. Participating attractions include: Burlington Old Town, Kit Carson County Carousel, the Flagler Hospital Museum/Hal Borland Room at Flagler, the Second Central School Museum at Flagler, Grandpa Jerry's Clown Museum at Arriba, Limon Heritage Museum, Lincoln County Hedlund House Museum at Hugo, the Kit Carson Depot Museum, and the Cheyenne County Jail Museum at Cheyenne Wells. </div> <div> The “Our Journey” ticket, sent to all visitors who request information as a result of the Our Journey heritage tourism marketing campaign, will give free admission to all participating attractions. The ticket will be stamped at each visit, with prizes offered for ticket holders with enough stamps. The “Our Journey” brochure will be sent to potential visitors, also, and will include special inserts for several of the museums along with an insert listing state and national historic sites in the region, antique shops and bed and breakfast businesses, and a Colorado Central Plains Songbook.</div> <div> The magazine advertisements and private business listings for the Our Journey campaign have been sent to the businesses for their review and comment, Jo said.</div> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Palatino Linotype" >The</FONT> <A HREF="http://www.ourjourney.info" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.ourjourney.info"><U><U>www.ourjourney.info</U></U></A><A HREF="http://www.ourjourney.info" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.ourjourney.info"><U> </U></A><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Palatino Linotype" >website still is in development, with a number of ideas being considered, including a link to Mapquest on the internet to help visitors find the attractions.</FONT></div> <div> <B>On-Site Area Agency on Aging Evaluations</b></div> <div> The Colorado Division of Aging and Adult Services, Aging Services Unit, conducted an on-site evaluation of the East Central Area Agency on Aging last November. A report of the findings was included with ECCOG Board members' pre-meeting packets. Terry Baylie told the Board the AAA responded to issues raised by the report on March 31. While some issues will require the AAA to change practices, others were based on incorrect conclusions and the AAA response included corrections for those items, she said.</div> <div> <B>Other Unfinished Business</b></div> <div> There was no other unfinished business to come before the Board.</div> <div> <B><U>New Business:</U></b></div> <div> <B>2005 Enterprise Zone Tax Credit Summary</b></div> <div> Jo Downey circulated copies of the first quarter, 2005 Enterprise Zone Contribution report, which shows 234 taxpayers had claimed total credits of $620,155 as of March 31, 2005. By county, total credits claimed included: Cheyenne--$152,472; Elbert--$52,232; Kit Carson--$349,884; Lincoln--$65,567. Jo said Kit Carson County has a larger total because the county's irrigated farm operations made significant use of the Capital Investment Tax Credit. There could be many smaller tax credits not included in the report because claims less than $450 don't have to be certified by the Enterprise Zone administrator. These smaller credits could add up to significant total savings, she said.</div> <div> <B>Division of Insurance Contract</b></div> <div> Terry Baylie asked the Board to consider a contract with the Colorado Division of Insurance that would permit the Area Agency on Aging to work with the Access to Benefits Coalition (ABC-CO) to assist older Coloradoans in getting information about the new Medicare Drug Insurance Coverage program that begins next January. AAA staff also would help individuals with the application and enrollment processes. John Nichols moved the East Central Council of Local Governments enter into a contract with the Colorado Division of Insurance for the purposes described. Rayetta Palmer seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.</div> <div> <B>Area Agency on Aging Policy Changes</b></div> <div> There have been several requests from seniors at the various meal sites regarding the number of meals affected by the ECCOG holidays.  The SSB requested administrative staff to review holidays that could be eliminated from the Project SMILE policy, as well as to conduct a survey of all meals sites regarding these holidays.  Survey results indicated most participants wanted meals on the four holidays.   As a result, the SSB recommended four holidays be eliminated from the policy for the meals program as noted on the excerpt included in the board packets, as well as some changes in the wording that should the remaining holidays fall on an actual meal day, no meals would be scheduled and no other day would be substituted.    Also, as a result of a recent State Aging Services Unit memo, changes in the conflict of interest policy must be made to clarify actual and potential conflicts of interest.  Included in board packets was an excerpt of these changes, taken from the ASU memo. Rayetta Palmer moved to accept the policy changes as proposed. Del Beattie seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.</div> <div> <B>2005 Events Guides</b></div> <div> Jo Downey said the 2005 Regional Events Guide will go to press by May 4, and will be available to the public by Memorial Day. The guide also will be posted on the Prairie Development Corporation and Our Journey websites. </div> <div> <B>Other New Business</b></div> <div> Because of a conflict among the application deadline, the Transit Advisory Committee (TAC) meeting schedule and the ECCOG Board meeting schedule, Terry Baylie was forced to present the 2006/2007 Federal Transit Administration 5310/5311 Application for Grant Assistance to the ECCOG Board first. She asked the Board to approve the application, contingent on TAC approval. Terry said no funds are being requested for capital expenditures in 2006, but $38,000 is requested in 2007 to help replace a nine-year-old standard van, owned by Dynamic Dimensions, Inc. in Burlington, with a wheelchair accessible vehicle. The application requests $36,000 in administrative grant funds for 2006 and $38,000 for 2007, and $90,000 in operating grant funds for 2006 and $91,000 for 2007. Rayetta Palmer moved the 2006/2007 FTA grant application be submitted as presented, contingent on approval by the Transit Advisory Committee. Steve Burgess seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.</div> <div> Joe Kiely briefly summarized two bills introduced by the Colorado General Assembly that he felt were of critical importance to local governments.</div> <div> HB1294 would grant expanded Enterprise Zone status to investment in trucks and trailers. Without the bill, the vehicles would lose the credit if they leave the enterprise zone, and long haul trucking from locations in the area cannot be encouraged.</div> <div> HB1304 would pre-empt local zoning regulations that prohibit manufactured housing from being located in any zone where stick-built housing is permitted.</div> <div> Joe also gave brief updates on the Heartland Expressway and Theodore Roosevelt Expressway efforts.</div> <div> <B>Date and Location for May Meeting</b></div> <div> Jo Downey and Terry Blevins will be attending the annual Dana Crawford Awards program in Denver on May 4, the date of the next regular meeting of the ECCOG Board of Directors. They will be representing Prairie Development Corporation, which will receive a State Honor Award for the Dickinson House Restoration Project in Hugo. Jo asked that the May meeting be cancelled, with necessary business to be conducted by mail.  John Nichols moved the May meeting be cancelled unless new urgent business makes it necessary. Carl Hapes Jr. seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. The next meeting of the ECCOG Board will be Wednesday, June 1, 2005 at Limon.</div> <div> <B>Adjournment</b></div> <div> There being no further business to come before the Board, John Metli declared the meeting adjourned at 9:04 p.m.</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#2005" TITLE="2005"><U><U>top of page</U></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B> <A NAME="may05"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></b><B>There was no meeting of the </b></div> <div> <B>East Central Council of Local Governments</b></div> <div> <B>Board of Directors  in May, 2005.</b></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#2005" TITLE="2005"><U><U>top of page</U></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B> <A NAME="jun05_1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></b><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Palatino Linotype" ><B>East Central Council of Local Governments</b></FONT></div> <div> <B>Board of Directors Meeting Minutes</b></div> <div> <B>June 1, 2005</b></div> <bR> <div> Chairman John Metli called the regular monthly meeting of the ECCOG Board of Directors to order at 7:06 p.m., June 1, 2005 at the Limon Town Hall, Limon, Colorado.</div> <bR> <div> In addition to John Metli, board members present included: John Nichols, Del Beattie, Larry Shutte, Carl Hapes Jr., Steve Burgess and Larry Reeves. Staff present included Jo Downey, Terry Blevins and Terry Baylie.</div> <bR> <div> There was no Board meeting in May. The Minutes of the April 6 Board of Directors meeting were reviewed. John Nichols moved the Minutes be approved as mailed. Del Beattie seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.</div> <bR> <div> Jo Downey circulated the Financial Report and list of bills, which showed total payroll of $28,335.44 for June 1, 2005, and the total for bills listed for May was $58,557.21. Steve Burgess moved to approve the Financial Report for June and the payment of the May bills. Carl Hapes Jr. seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.</div> <bR> <div> Jo told the Board that auditor Mike May will attend the July Board meeting to answer any questions about the 2004 audit. She circulated copies of the audit document to Board members so they could review the information before July. Jo noted the audit has a new format, and includes a “clean” report on ECCOG's fiscal accounting procedures.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Unfinished Business:</U></b></div> <bR> <div> <B>Impact Grants</b></div> <bR> <div> Jo Downey told the Board that hearings on the current round of Energy Impact Assistance grant applications will be held in Steamboat Springs in July. Only two applications from this region will be heard there, one from Cheyenne County for a grant to help purchase road equipment, and one from the Vona Fire District. The next application deadline will be August 1, with hearings in December. Possible applications are being discussed by Simla, Bethune, Stratton and North Central Fire District.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Area Agency on Aging Evaluation Update</b></div> <div> In response to the recent state on-site evaluation of the Region V senior meals program, Terry Baylie reported that Project SMILE staff will be making onsite visits to the various senior meal sites to make sure all donation boxes are locked, that donation slips are in place, and that participants are signing up as ECCOG Board of Directors Meeting required. Other state recommendations or corrections will be completed within the timeline indicated in the regional report.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Audit for 2004</b></div> <div> This agenda item was covered earlier in the meeting.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Heritage Tourism Campaign for 2005</b></div> <bR> <div> Information packets being mailed to persons responding to this region's heritage tourism marketing campaign were given to Board members for their review. Jo Downey said the “My Journey” ticket included in the packet is one method of measuring results of the marketing campaign. The results of the marketing campaign, or any changes made, will be reported monthly to the ECCOG Board. She stated that the accompanying Internet website,<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000BF" FACE="Palatino Linotype" > <A HREF="http://www.ourjourney.info" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.ourjourney.info"><U><U>www.ourjourney.info</U></U></A></FONT>, is now operational and the first set of print advertisements had been published. A second set will be published over the coming weekend. She said Prairie Development Corporation is exploring publication of additional ads in broader market local publications, such as <I>Elbert County News</I> and <I>Mile Saver Shopper</I>. </div> <bR> <div> At this point, John Metli asked those in attendance to join him in the Pledge of Allegiance, which was overlooked earlier in the meeting.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Area Agency on Aging Policy Changes</b></div> <div> Terry Baylie told the Board that the AAA's Long-term Care Ombudsman program always adhered to the State Ombudsman policy in the past. However, as a result of a recent Aging Services memorandum, the AAA is required to formally adopt the state policy as part of the local AAA policy. Additions to the policy were made, and an excerpt from the policy manual showing the necessary addition was mailed to each Board member prior to the Board meeting. Terry stated the Senior Services Advisory Board voted May 12 to recommend COG Board approval of this policy addition. Del Beattie moved the Ombudsman policy be adopted as presented. John Nichols seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.</div> <bR> <div> <B>2005 Events Guide</b></div> <bR> <div> Jo Downey reported the 2005 Events Guide has been published and distributed across the region. It has been posted on the Prairie Development Corporation and Our Journey websites, as well. She said ECCOG was able to send copies home to parents with students in some school districts this year, but in some cases, school had been dismissed for the year before the new guides were printed.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Other Unfinished Business</b></div> <bR> <div> There was no other unfinished business to come before the Board.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B><U>New Business:</U></b></div> <bR> <div> <B>Background Check Requirement for Aging Program Staff and Volunteers</b></div> <div> A copy of the state memo regarding background checks was included in the Board's packets. Terry Baylie explained that this change will have little impact on the current program budget, but could have greater impacts in the future. The Area Agency on Aging will have to complete background checks on the three present long-term care ombudsmen, which will be done by July 1. Other current members of the AAA staff, contract provider staff and volunteers will be “grandfathered” for this requirement, but background checks will be required for all new employees and volunteers after July 1.</div> <bR> <div> <B>White House Conference on Aging Issues and Delegates</b></div> <bR> <div> A report on regional senior citizen issues and possible solutions that could be addressed by the White House Conference on Aging was sent to Board members prior to this meeting. Terry Baylie said the report had been forwarded to the state in anticipation of the Governor's Conference on Aging, scheduled for June 23. Terry will be attending the Governor's Conference, along with regional delegates Beverly Newbanks of Hugo and NancyAnn Davidson of Simla. The White House Conference on Aging, originally scheduled for October, has been rescheduled for December 11-14, 2005.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Enhancement Fund Grant Request</b></div> <div> Jo Downey told the Board that, 90 days ago, the Colorado Department of Transportation had requested for proposals for projects using $150,000 in 2005-2006 Enhancement Funds still remaining. There was one applicant from this region, the City of Burlington, seeking assistance with Phase III of the city's Longhorn Trail project. The application has been forwarded to CDOT, and the Region I engineers will award funds to successful applicants. Jo said this program will have approximately $750,000 available for 2007-2008, and if there are more than one applicant from this region for those funds, applications will be prioritized by the East Central Council of Local Governments before being forwarded to the Tranportation Planning Region and the Region I Engineer.</div> <bR> <div> In response to question from Steve Burgess, Jo said the Union Pacific Roundhouse restoration project at Hugo probably would be eligible for some of these funds, as it is a transportation-related facility. She said the grant requires a 25% local match, of which some can be contributed in-kind, and the applicant would have to be Lincoln County.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Outback Express Drug/Alcohol Policy Changes</b></div> <div> Proposed changes to the transportation program's substance abuse policy were previously provided to Board members. Terry Baylie reviewed the changes, and said the Transportation Advisory Committee had recommended adoption by the COG Board. Larry Shutte moved the policy changes be adopted as recommended; Larry Reeves seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Senior Services Coordinator Change</b></div> <div> Susan Andersen has resigned as senior services coordinator/bus driver for the Arriba/Genoa area. Terry Baylie reported that Elaine Covington of Limon was employed to replace her. Terry said Susan provided some training for Elaine on May 17, and additional training was provided May 24 by Terry and by Penni Fox of the Outback Express administrative staff. Susan Andersen has agreed to serve as back-up coordinator, as needed.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Other New Business</b></div> <div> Jo Downey told the Board that July 1 is the deadline for applications for Energy Impact Assistance funding for community development assistance programs. These funds are used to provide technical assistance to local governments dealing with the social and/or economic impacts of the local energy industry.</div> <div> For several years, COG has submitted reduced grant requests of $32,000 annually. However, Jo said new local needs for expansion and capacity-building support for the local heritage tourism industry indicate a need for additional funds. She asked the Board for authority to request an additional $45,000 this year, with the extra funds being used to expand the heritage tourism work program, i.e. to help make local museums “tourist ready” and to expand the Our Journey website. Matching funds will be requested from local museums, she said. The Board agreed to the larger request by consensus.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Date and Location for July Meeting</b></div> <div> The next meeting of the ECCOG Board will be Wednesday, July 6, 2005 at Limon. Unless there is urgent business, the regular meeting in August will be eliminated due to conflicts with the region's county fairs.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Adjournment</b></div> <div> There being no further business to come before the Board, John Metli declared the meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m.</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#2005" TITLE="2005"><U><U>top of page</U></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B> <A NAME="jul05"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></b><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Palatino Linotype" ><B>East Central Council of Local Governments</b></FONT></div> <div> <B>Board of Directors Meeting Minutes</b></div> <div> <B>July 6, 2005</b></div> <bR> <div> Chairman John Metli called the regular monthly meeting of the ECCOG Board of Directors to order at 7:05 p.m., July 6, 2005 at the Limon Town Hall, Limon, Colorado.</div> <bR> <div> In addition to John Metli, board members present included: Del Beattie, Carl Hapes Jr., Larry Shutte, Larry Reeves, Steve Burgess and Rayetta Palmer. Staff present included Jo Downey, Terry Blevins and Terry Baylie. Guests present included Mike May and Lori Hendrick of May Jackson Hendrick, LLC.</div> <bR> <div> Mike May, also a state representative, was asked by John Metli to lead those present in the Pledge of Allegiance. </div> <bR> <div> The Minutes of the June 1 Board of Directors meeting were reviewed. Carl Hapes Jr. moved the Minutes be approved as mailed. Larry Shutte seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.</div> <bR> <div> Jo Downey circulated the Financial Report and list of bills, which showed total payroll of $28,786.76 for July 5, 2005, and the total for bills listed for June was $56,055.27. Rayetta Palmer moved to approve the Financial Report for July and the payment of the June bills. Del Beattie seconded the motion, which </div> <div> carried unanimously.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Unfinished Business:</U></b></div> <bR> <div> <B>Energy Impact Grants</b></div> <bR> <div> Jo Downey advised the Board that the next round of Energy Impact Assistance Grant applications must be submitted by August 1. At the present time, Jo said she knows of two applications from this region being submitted, one from North Central Fire District in Elbert County and one from the Town of Bethune. She said Bethune never has applied for funds from this source before.</div> <bR> <div> Hearings on applications submitted in the current cycle will be held in Steamboat Springs July 20. Two applications were submitted from this region, one from Vona Fire Protection District and one from Cheyenne County.</div> <bR> <div> Possible applicants for the December 1 round of funding include the Town of Stratton and the Town of Simla, </div> <div> she said.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Audit Presentation</b></div> <bR> <div> Lori Hendrick of May Jackson Hendrick, LLC presented the 2004 ECCOG audit report. Because GASB 34 was implemented, she said the audit report was completed in a new format, reflecting a change in cash statements from a cash to accrual basis. She walked the Board members through the audit report, highlighting changes in format from past years, and told the Board that the auditors had no adverse findings to report about ECCOG's accounting procedures.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Heritage Tourism Campaign Status</b></div> <bR> <div> The Our Journey heritage tourism campaign for this region is well under way, reported Jo Downey. The web site is on-line, and staff will be able to report statistical descriptions of web site visits and visitors, she said. The regional events guide can be found on this site, as well. So far, 130 Our Journey informational packets, which include the “My Journey” ticket granting free admission to most historic attractions in the region, have been mailed in response to inquiries. In addition to the web site, advertising for the campaign will appear in Denver and Colorado Springs publications weekly into August, and staff is looking at other local publication alternatives for the ads. News releases about the campaign also were sent to area newspapers. Rayetta Palmer suggested the names of ECCOG and Prairie Development Corporation Board members be included in news releases as local resources for people with questions about the campaign.</div> <bR> <div> ECCOG's new Energy Impact Assistance community development grant application includes new components that would provide capacity building, hospitality training and volunteer training for local public or non-profit groups operating museums and other historic attractions in the area, Jo said.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Area Agency on Aging First Quarter Service Costs</b></div> <bR> <div> Included in the Board's pre-meeting informational packets were copies of the Area Agency on Aging's report on senior support services for January through March 2005. Terry Baylie summarized the report and invited questions from members of the Board.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Other Unfinished Business</b></div> <bR> <div> There was no other unfinished business to come before the Board.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>New Business:</U></b></div> <bR> <div> <B>29</b><B>th</b><B> Annual Senior Speakout</b></div> <bR> <div> The 29th Annual Senior Speakout will be October 6-7 at Sterling. Terry Baylie said she expects about 50 senior citizens or senior representatives to attend from Region V. The Speakout is sponsored by the Eastern Plains Legislative Task Force, which is providing $450 in scholarship funds to help seniors in need participate in the Speakout. The scholarships will pay about one-half the cost of attending, Terry said. This year's Speakout has a health theme, with programs on rural health care, long-term care, Medicare prescription drug cards and exercise.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) Grant Workshops/Application Cycles</b></div> <bR> <div> Jo Downey circulated packets of information regarding upcoming GOCO cycles and the various GOCO grants offered, and recommended that interested local government officials attend the grant workshops. She pointed out that mini-grant amounts have increased over the years (the cap now is $45,000), and reminded Board members that only <B>OUTDOOR</b> recreation projects are eligible for GOCO funding.</div> <bR> <div> <B>State Funding for Senior Services/ECCOG Application</b></div> <bR> <div> Terry Baylie shared Colorado state-funded senior services allocation amounts for 2006 with the ECCOG Board. She said the overall grant to the East Central Area Agency on Aging will decrease slightly more than $100 from the present year. Terry said the Senior Services Advisory Board had recommended the ECCOG Board submit an application for the funds for the next program year. Larry Shutte moved the application be submitted. Rayetta Palmer seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Other New Business</b></div> <bR> <div> There was no other new business to come before the Board.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Date and Location for September Meeting</b></div> <bR> <div> The regular ECCOG Board of Directors meeting in August will be eliminated due to conflicts with the region's county fairs. The next meeting will be September 7, 2005, in Limon.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Adjournment</b></div> <bR> <div> There being no further business to come before the Board, John Metli declared the meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#2005" TITLE="2005"><U><U>top of page</U></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B> <A NAME="aug05"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></b><B>There was no meeting of the </b></div> <div> <B>East Central Council of Local Governments</b></div> <div> <B>Board of Directors  in August, 2005.</b></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#2005" TITLE="2005"><U><U>top of page</U></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B> <A NAME="sep05"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></b><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Palatino Linotype" ><B>East Central Council of Local Governments</b></FONT></div> <div> <B>Board of Directors Meeting Minutes</b></div> <div> <B>September 7, 2005</b></div> <bR> <div> Chairman John Metli called the regular monthly meeting of the ECCOG Board of Directors to order at 7:01 p.m., September 7, 2005 at the Limon Town Hall, Limon, Colorado.</div> <bR> <div> In addition to John Metli, board members present included: Carl Hapes Jr., Larry Shutte, Larry Reeves, Steve Burgess, John Nichols, Del Beattie and Rayetta Palmer. Staff members present included Jo Downey, Terry Blevins and Terry Baylie.</div> <bR> <div> John Metli led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance. He then called the roll, with all members present.</div> <bR> <div> As there was no August meeting, Minutes of the July 6 Board of Directors meeting were reviewed. Del Beattie moved the Minutes be approved as mailed. Steve Burgess seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.</div> <bR> <div> Jo Downey circulated the Financial Report and list of bills, which showed total payroll of $27,920.19 for August 2005, and the total for bills listed for August was $45,318.22. John Nichols moved to approve the Financial Report for September 7 and the payment of the August bills. Larry Shutte seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Unfinished Business:</U></b></div> <bR> <div> <B>Energy Impact Grants</b></div> <bR> <div> Jo Downey reported that both applications submitted in the April cycle for the Energy Impact Assistance grant program, from the Vona Fire Protection District and from Cheyenne County, were recommended for full funding after the July hearings. Five applications were submitted in the August cycle, from the Town of Limon for wastewater improvement project #1, from Kit Carson County for road improvements, from North Central Fire District in Elbert County for a fast-response attack truck, from the Town of Bethune for significant water system upgrades, and from the Town of Stratton for a community building. Hearing dates for these applications have not been scheduled yet. The deadline for submitting the next round of applications will be December 1.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Heritage Tourism Campaign Status</b></div> <bR> <div> Jo said advertising for the Our Journey campaign was stopped in August, as most area museums were scheduled to close after Labor Day. Response to the campaign has been excellent, with 225 Our Journey packets  sent  out  by  mail,  in addition to the responses received  from the website.  Also, Jo distributed about 200 packets at meetings. For next year, Jo said PDC is considering spending less on advertising next season, but placing more targeted ads. Funds could be used purchase more public relations help in getting stories about the region's attractions placed in appropriate publications. Steve Burgess suggested scheduling at least one weekend each month with coordinated operating schedules to make it possible for visitors to see all attractions in the same weekend. Jo said discussions on these and other ideas will continue with the attraction operators, especially if the requested capacity-building grant is approved.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Area Agency on Aging General Update</b></div> <bR> <div> Included in the Board's pre-meeting informational packets was memorandum from the Colorado Aging Services Unit, advising that the name of the organization would be the State Unit on Aging, as of July. The State Unit on Aging administers Colorado's state Plan on Aging under the federal Older Americans Act, and is part of the Colorado Department of Human Services, Division of Aging and Adult Services. The memo also stated an additional step has been included in the On-Site Evaluation process. Once a state report has been drafted, following an on-site visit, the local agency will have an opportunity to review the draft and note inaccuracies or misrepresentations before the official draft is presented with the state's recommendations.</div> <bR> <div> In addition to these changes, Terry Baylie said federal Older Americans Act grants will be awarded by contract in the future, rather than by the official letter known as the Notice of Grant Award (NOGA) as in past years. This change will have minimal impact on the Area Agency on Aging, as the COG Board had to approve, sign and abide by the NOGA for previous grants. The contract process will be on-going, according to the time-line provided by the state, beginning with the state's draft contract review in August 2005 and ending with implementation of the fully executed contract July 1, 2006. The COG Board will be asked to sign the contract in March.</div> <bR> <div> And finally, Terry said the State Unit on Aging is beginning a formal review of the formula used to allocate Older Americans Act funds in Colorado, the first such review in 20 years. Terry described the previous review as “difficult,” saying the review committee had 19 members, including two from this region. It is proposed to have a 32-member committee review the formula this time, which Terry feels may be too unwieldy to come to any reasonable decision or compromise. Colorado's Area Agencies on Aging have asked the state to postpone the review until the November elections are over, as funding for aging services in this state may be affected by the voters' decisions on Referenda C and D.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Nutrition Program and Support Services for 2005</b></div> <bR> <div> The Board received copies of the ECCOG Senior Services report for the first and second quarters of 2005. The primary issue brought to light by the report is the cost of meals served to the region's senior citizens. During the first half of this year, the program served 10,296 congregate meals and 2,961 home-delivered meals, at an average cost of $8.14 per meal. Donations from meals participants averaged $2.71 per meal, Terry said. Seniors at Kit Carson have a relatively high donation rate, averaging $3.01 per meal, but the cost to provide meals at Kit Carson is $12.52, the highest cost in the region. The program served only four meals per day at Kit Carson, and unless participation increases to lower the per-meal cost of providing the program, the senior meals for Kit Carson may have to be discontinued, she said.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Other Unfinished Business</b></div> <bR> <div> There was no other unfinished business to come before the Board.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>New Business:</U></b></div> <div> <B>DOLA Impact Meeting</b></div> <bR> <div> Jo Downey reminded the Board that the Colorado Department of Local Affairs is hosting a workshop in Fort Morgan on September 8 to discuss the status of the Energy and Mineral Impact program. Jo said it's important that local governments using Energy Impact Assistance Grants take advantage of the opportunity to talk about their needs with the Local Affairs representatives at the meeting. </div> <bR> <div> <B>2006 Budget Process/County and Municipal Contributions</b></div> <bR> <div> The 2006 COG Budget process is beginning, Jo told the Board, but the budget's requirements in terms of financial contributions from the member local governments will be about the same as the current year. Contributions are based on population. Municipalities are assessed at the rate of $1.75 per capita, while counties each pay a $7,000 base plus 70 cents per capita. The 2006 COG dues will be based on 2004 population estimates, which show a net decrease in population from 2003. Jo said COG expects to receive $14 less in 2006 than in 2005 from municipalities, and will receive $31 more, from the counties.</div> <bR> <div> In addition to the COG dues, Jo reminded Board members that the counties are requested to contribute an additional $3,500 each to match grant funds used to administer the Enterprise Zone in this region.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Outback Express Services for 2005</b></div> <bR> <div> Terry Baylie provided a mid-year report on transit services to the Board. For the first six months of 2005, the Outback Express provided 26,527 trips, and traveled 50,859 miles, at a total cost of $103,980. The cost of administering and operating the program has increased about 14 percent over the same period a year ago. Terry also reported the one-time grant from the El Pomar Foundation provided six trips to the metropolitan area for senior citizen medical appointments during the first half of the year. Enough El Pomar funds remain to continue the program through the balance of the year at the same level.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Other New Business</b></div> <bR> <div> Jo Downey circulated copies of a meeting announcement, provided by Limon Town Manager Joe Kiely, reminding COG Board members of a Ports-To-Plains informational meeting to be held in Limon September 19. Those attending will hear from Representative Marilyn Musgrave, from representatives of the Ports-To-Plains Trade Corridor Coalition, and from Jeff Kullman, Region One Transportation Director for the Colorado Department of Transportation.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Date and Location for October Meeting</b></div> <bR> <div> The next regular ECCOG Board of Directors meeting will be October 5, 2005, in Limon.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Adjournment</b></div> <bR> <div> There being no further business to come before the Board, John Metli declared the meeting adjourned at 8:16 p.m.</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#2005" TITLE="2005"><U><U>top of page</U></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div>  <A NAME="oct05"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> <B>East Central Council of Local Governments</b></div> <div> <B>Board of Directors Meeting Minutes</b></div> <div> <B>October 5, 2005</b></div> <div> <B>Call to Order</b></div> <bR> <div> Chairman John Metli called the regular monthly meeting of the ECCOG Board of Directors to order at 7:10 p.m., October 5, 2005 at the Limon Town Hall, Limon, Colorado.</div> <bR> <div> In addition to John Metli, board members present included: Larry Reeves, Steve Burgess, John Nichols, Del Beattie and Rayetta Palmer. Staff members present included Jo Downey, Terry Baylie and Terry Blevins. After calling the roll, John Metli led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.</div> <bR> <div> Minutes of the September 7, 2005 Board of Directors meeting were reviewed. Steve Burgess moved the Minutes be approved as mailed. Rayetta Palmer seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.</div> <bR> <div> Jo Downey circulated the Financial Report and list of bills, which showed total payroll of $28,290.58 for September 2005, and the total for bills listed for September was $36,427.63. Rayetta Palmer moved to approve the Financial Report and the payment of the September bills. Del Beattie seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Unfinished Business</b></div> <bR> <div> <B>Energy Impact Grants</b></div> <bR> <div> Jo Downey reminded the Board that hearings for the five Energy Impact Assistance Grant applications from this region that were submitted in the August 1 cycle will be held later this month at Telluride. Hearings on applications from the Town of Bethune, Kit Carson County, Town of Limon and Town of Stratton will be heard October 13. Hearing on an application from the North Central District in Elbert County was scheduled for the following day.</div> <bR> <div> The deadline for the next cycle for these grant applications is December 1. Jo said it is anticipated that the state will expedite action on the December applications. Depending on the outcome of the November election, the state may look to the Energy Impact funds to meet state budget needs. The two grant applications expected in December will come from the Town of Simla for a community building project and from the Town of Stratton for its water project. Hearings on these applications probably will be scheduled for February.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Heritage Tourism Capacity Building</b></div> <div> Jo Downey said she had received verbal assurances that ECCOG will receive two Community Development Assistance grants from Energy Impact Assistance Grant funds for the coming year. One is the annual grant given to help support ECCOG's local government community development efforts. The other is a one-time grant to assist the heritage tourism program. A portion of these latter funds would be used to undertake capacity building with local museums. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Federal Transit Administration Grant Award</b></div> <div> Terry Baylie reported that the Colorado Department of Transportation has hired a new Transit Unit Manager, an individual with a background primarily in transportation planning. She also reported that, in August, the President signed the Safe, Accountable, Flexible and Efficient Transportation Equity Act-A Legacy for Users, commonly known as SAFETEA-LU. This act will provide $45.3 billion in guaranteed funding for federal transit programs through FY 2009, she said.</div> <bR> <div> Terry then summarized the recent allocation of federal transit funds, in which ECCOG received $18,000 more than was awarded for 2005. A decision must be made regarding use of these additional funds, she said. A regional Transit Advisory Committee (TAC) meeting was scheduled September 26, from which it was anticipated that recommendations would be made to the ECCOG Board. However, Terry said no action could be taken at that meeting, as there was not a quorum present.</div> <bR> <div> Staff then polled TAC members to get suggestions for use of the money. Recommended priorities for use of the funds included: increased support for the transit services in the City of Burlington and the Town of Limon; provide support for the Dynamic Dimensions, Inc. transit program; and continuing the service for medical appointments that was paid from a one-year grant from the El Pomar Foundation. In addition, TAC members recommended the charge for use of transit vehicles for charters be increased from 20 cents to 25 cents per mile, and to increase transit fares from 4.5 cents to 5.5 cents per mile. If more of the new federal SAFETEA-LU dollars come to ECCOG's transit system, the TAC recommended moving the replacement of DDI's mini-van from 2007 to 2006. Other possible uses of the funds included initiating daily transit service to Denver from Elizabeth (the Town of Elizabeth would have to pay half the cost) or creation of a “miscellaneous” category that could be used to supplement vehicle fuel budgets.</div> <bR> <div> Del Beattie moved that the TAC recommendations regarding the 2006 funding and the increase to both the charter fee and transit fare be approved. Steve Burgess seconded the motion, which carried 5-1, with John Nichols opposed.</div> <bR> <div> Rayetta Palmer moved the Board direct the Board President to sign the contract for the new FTA grants for transit system operations and administration and obligating ECCOG for its share of the local matching funds required. John Nichols seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.</div> <bR> <div> <B>CDOT Enhancement Grant Requests</b></div> <div> Jo Downey reported that two local governments within the ECCOG service area have applied for Colorado Department of Transportation Enhancement funds, and the ECCOG Board must prioritize those applications. Lincoln County has requested funds to assist with the Hugo Union Pacific Roundhouse preservation project, specifically for the roof replacement. The county is ready for these funds in 2007.  Elbert County is seeking funds for a sidewalk,  curb and gutter for a pedestrian path project near the criminal justice complex in 2008. Rayetta Palmer moved the Lincoln County project be given first priority, and the Elbert County project be given second priority. Larry Reeves seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Other Unfinished Business</b></div> <div> There was no other unfinished business to come before the Board.</div> <bR> <div> <B>New Business</b></div> <div> <B>DOLA Impact Grant Information/Direct Payments</b></div> <div> Jo Downey circulated handouts from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs explaining the Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Program and listing projects receiving grant funds under this program over the past decade.</div> <bR> <div> <B>2006 Budget Draft #1</b></div> <div> Jo Downey presented the draft ECCOG budget for 2006, which included total revenues and expenditures of $944,200. Of these revenues, only $77,897 will come from member towns and counties. These local funds help leverage more than $860,000 in federal and state grants for programs such as senior services, community development, heritage tourism, public transit, business and house revolving loan programs, and regional marketing activities. Jo noted the total project budget is $84,000 more than in 2005. However, the 2005 budget was $100,000 lower than the 2004 budget. For the most part, these differences can be traced to bus purchases for the transit system and to the 2006 Heritage Tourism project, she said.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Area Agency on Aging State Evaluation</b></div> <div> Terry Baylie reported that the annual evaluation of the Area Agency on Aging by the State Unit on Aging took place October 3, 4 and 5. She provided copies of the corrective action plan that resulted from the 2004 evaluation, showing that all corrective actions have been implemented. Terry said she did not believe there would be many, if any, compliance issues from this evaluation. She said the state is considering using a risk-based evaluation in the future.</div> <bR> <div> Also, Terry said the AAA is objecting to new state expectations that all senior meals programs have registered dieticians to enforce sanitation standards and oversee operations in the kitchens and nutrition sites, as well as approving menus for the meals. This expectation does not appear in the federal Older Americans Act or in Volume X, the state's regulations for senior programs. Terry said local programs do not feel most registered dieticians are qualified by training or experience to evaluate sanitation code issues, and that having them oversee all nutrition program operations would be cost prohibitive and would mean the end of Title III-funded meals for seniors in this region. At the present time, menus are approved by a registered dietician under contract.</div> <bR> <div> <B>ECCOG 2006 Board Member Selection Process</b></div> <bR> <div> Jo Downey reminded Board members that it soon would be time to select members for the ECCOG Board of Directors for the coming year. In November, member municipalities will be asked to nominate elected municipal officials to represent the towns in their counties. If more than one nomination is received from any county, the municipalities of that county will vote on their representative during December. If the municipality vote results in a tie, then the commissioners of that county will break the tie. The four county members will select their representatives to the ECCOG Board during their regular reorganization meetings in January. The first official meeting of the new Board of Directors will be in February 2006.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Other New Business</b></div> <div> <I>2006 Salary Schedule</I></div> <bR> <div> Jo Downey told the ECCOG Board that the proposed salary schedule for 2006 is unchanged from the past, but still needs to be ratified by the Board for use next year. John Nichols moved the existing salary schedule be adopted for 2006 and 2007. Del Beattie seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.</div> <bR> <div> <I>Employee Insurance</I></div> <bR> <div> Colorado Technical Services, Inc., which administers the group insurance program for Colorado's participating counties, also insures fulltime employees of ECCOG. Jo Downey told the Board that, for 2006, CTSI is offering a two-tier plan that would benefit most ECCOG employees but would be extremely costly for several who insure family members in addition to themselves. The alternative is a three-tier plans that is more friendly to employees with insured family members, but would increase out-of-pocket premium costs for employees insuring themselves only. ECCOG pays a maximum of $350 per month toward employee insurance premiums. Steve Burgess moved ECCOG adopt the three-tier plan, and increase the ECCOG premium contribution to $400, for the 2006 fiscal year. The move would be re-examined for 2007. Del Beattie seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Date and Location of November Meeting</b></div> <div> The next regular meeting of the ECCOG Board of Directors will be Wednesday, November 2, 2005 at Limon. The December meeting will be held in Stratton.</div> <bR> <div> There being no further business, John Metli declared the meeting adjourned at 9:04 p.m.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#2005" TITLE="2005"><U><U>top of page</U></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div>  <A NAME="nov05"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Palatino Linotype" ><B>East Central Council of Local Governments</b></FONT></div> <div> <B>Board of Directors Meeting Minutes</b></div> <div> <B>November 2, 2005</b></div> <div> <B>Call to Order</b></div> <div> Vice-chairman Rayetta Palmer called the regular monthly meeting of the ECCOG Board of Directors to order at 7:09 p.m., November 2, 2005 at the Limon Town Hall, Limon, Colorado.</div> <bR> <div> In addition to Rayetta Palmer, board members present included: Larry Reeves, Steve Burgess, John Nichols, Larry Shutte, Del Beattie and Carl Hapes Jr. Staff members present included Jo Downey, Terry Baylie and Terry Blevins. Rayetta led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.</div> <bR> <div> Minutes of the October 5, 2005 Board of Directors meeting were reviewed. John Nichols moved the Minutes be approved as mailed. Larry Shutte seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.</div> <bR> <div> Jo Downey circulated the Financial Report and list of bills, which showed total payroll of $27,992.23 for October 2005, and the total for bills listed for October was $31,113.69. Larry Shutte moved to approve the Financial Report and the payment of the October bills. Del Beattie seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Unfinished Business</U></b></div> <div> <B>Energy Impact Grants</b></div> <div> Jo Downey said all five applications in the last Energy Impact Assistance Grant round received recommendations for funding, including: Kit Carson County, $364,547 for road improvements; Town of Limon, $452,540 for waste water system improvements; Town of Bethune, $463,000 for water system improvements; and North Central Fire District in Elbert County, $97,000 for a fast response attack truck. Partial funding in the amount of $250,000 was recommended for the Town of Stratton's proposed purchase of a building for use as a large community center.</div> <bR> <div> Applications for Energy Impact Assistance Grants under the next round of funding are due by December 1. Expected applications include the Town of Cheyenne Wells, for water system improvements; Lincoln County, for new road maintenance equipment; and Cheyenne County Fire District #1, for a new vehicle. Larry Shutte said the Town of Stratton may seek funds for sewer improvements, as well.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Heritage Tourism Capacity Building</b></div> <div> Jo Downey reported that ECCOG has received full funding under two Community Development Assistance contracts through the Energy Impact Assistance Grant program. One contract continues ECCOGs community development services on behalf of local governments in the region; the other is a contract to provide capacity-building opportunities for local public museums under the regional Heritage Tourism program. John Nichols moved the Board adopt a resolution accepting the two grants and directing Chairman John Metli to sign the contracts when they are received. Carl Hapes Jr. seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.</div> <bR> <div> <B>2006 Budget</b></div> <bR> <div> The Board reviewed the final draft of the proposed 2006 budget for the East Central Council of Local Governments. The calendar year budget projects revenues and expenses of $944,099 for the coming year. Steve Burgess moved the 2006 ECCOG budget be approved as presented. Del Beattie seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Other Unfinished Business</b></div> <div> There was no other unfinished business to come before the Board.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>New Business</U></b></div> <div> <B>Area Agency on Aging Six Month Application for Titles III and VII</b></div> <div> Terry Baylie reminded the Board that funding for senior citizens' programs in Colorado would be changing from a formal Notice of Grant Award (NOGA) agreement to a contract agreement as of July 1, 2006. Since the current funding period expires December 31, Terry said ECCOG should apply for a six-month NOGA to continue services through next June. This six-month application is based on one-half of the total federal grant funds available for the 2006 calendar year, she said.</div> <bR> <div> Terry walked the Board through the application document, explaining the funding requests and the proposed services to be provided. She said local service providers requested more funds than will be available, so not all services can receive full funding.</div> <bR> <div> Data from the state needed for the application was not received in time for the Senior Services Advisory Board to review it prior to this ECCOG Board meeting, Terry said.</div> <bR> <div> Steve Burgess moved the six-month grant application be approved as presented, pending a positive recommendation from the Senior Services Advisory Board. Carl Hapes Jr. seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. The Senior Services Advisory Board will review the application at its November 10th meeting.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Enterprise Zone Certifications</b></div> <div> Jo Downey circulated copies of the East Central Enterprise Zone 2005 certifications through October 31. Regional taxpayers have claimed Enterprise Zone investments totaling $33,932,768 so far this year, resulting in total Enterprise Zone credits of $1,072.836. These credits represent tax dollars that will remain for local investment, rather than becoming part of the state budget, Jo explained. These numbers will increase as the year's end approaches, she added. Most of the certified claims were for Investment Tax Credits, and the majority of those were in the agriculture sector of Kit Carson and Cheyenne counties. Jo said the region-wide transportation credit probably represented a natural gas pipeline that crossed county lines.</div> <bR> <div> She said the office is receiving three or four certification requests a week, at the present time. The total certifications are ahead of last year's at the same time, and Jo added there could be thousands of dollars in additional credits in numerous smaller credit claims (those less than $450) that don't require certification and therefore don't pass through the ECCOG office.</div> <bR> <div> In response to a question, Jo said it would be some time before EZ certifications can be filed on-line. A major issue with on-line filings is the requirement for public access to the forms, she said.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Other New Business</b></div> <div> There was no other new business to come before the Board.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Date and Location of December and January Meetings</b></div> <div> The next regular meeting of the ECCOG Board of Directors will be Wednesday, December 7, 2005 at Stratton. The January 4, 2006 meeting will be held in Limon.</div> <bR> <div> There being no further business, Rayetta Palmer declared the meeting adjourned at 7:59 p.m.</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#2005" TITLE="2005"><U><U>top of page</U></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B> <A NAME="dec05"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></b><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Palatino Linotype" ><B>East Central Council of Local Governments</b></FONT></div> <div> <B>Board of Directors Meeting Minutes</b></div> <div> <B>December 7, 2005</b></div> <bR> <div> <B>Call to Order</b></div> <div> Vice-chairman Rayetta Palmer called the regular monthly meeting of the ECCOG Board of Directors to order at 7:25 p.m., December 7, 2005 at the Claremont Inn, Stratton, Colorado. Rayetta thanked Jo for arranging the dinner for the Board</div> <bR> <div> In addition to Rayetta Palmer, board members present included: Larry Reeves, Steve Burgess, John Nichols, Larry Shutte and Carl Hapes Jr. Staff members present included Jo Downey, Terry Baylie and Terry Blevins. </div> <bR> <div> Minutes of the November 2, 2005 Board of Directors meeting were reviewed. Larry Shutte moved the Minutes be approved as mailed. John Nichols seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.</div> <bR> <div> Jo Downey circulated the Financial Report and list of bills, which showed total payroll of $27,964.92 for November 2005, and the total for bills listed for November was $43,853.23. Jo said the list of bills included several Enterprise Zone contributions that are given to ECCOG (as the Enterprise Zone) and then are passed on to the designated EZ project. Steve Burgess moved to approve the Financial Report. Larry Shutte seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. Larry Reeves moved to approve payment of the bills; Carl Hapes Jr. seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Unfinished Business</U></b></div> <div> <B>Energy Impact Grants</b></div> <div> Jo Downey said nine applications were submitted from this region in the December Energy Impact Assistance Grant cycle. They included: Kit Carson Fire District, seeking funds for an addition to the fire station; Kit Carson School District, seeking $94,201 for roof repairs, new sidewalks and classroom heaters; Town of Cheyenne Wells, seeking $153,000 for water system improvements; Cheyenne County Nursing Home; Cheyenne Wells Fire, seeking $195,000 for a new large pumper truck; Town of Stratton, seeking $432,000 for a sewer improvement fund; Stratton Fire Department, seeking $132,000 for a new pumper truck; Lincoln County, seeking $125,000 for a new road grader; and Elbert County, seeking $500,000 for an addition to the Justice Center.</div> <bR> <div> Jo said she is not aware, at this time, of any grant applications planned for the April 1, 2006 cycle.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Heritage Tourism Capacity Building</b></div> <div> Jo Downey circulated copies of the scope of services for the Heritage Tourism Capacity-Building grant. Among  other  plans,  ECCOG intends to continue the Our Journey heritage tourism program within the four-county region; work with local museums to increase participation from the public; develop or update brochure inserts for museums open on a regular basis; continue the Our Journey brochure and print ad campaign developed in 2005 to promote Colorado's Central Plains as a heritage tourism destination; and explore the feasibility of continuing the Our Journey pass in 2006 to encourage museum visitors to stop at other museums and historic sites within the region.</div> <bR> <div> Jo said she will be contacting all of the area museums after the first of the year to determine participation in the 2006 Heritage Tourism program.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Area Agency on Aging On-Site Visit</b></div> <div> Terry Baylie provided the Board with copies of the state staff's On-Site Visit report, following the October 3-5 review. She reviewed the compliance issues raised by the state and presented the agency response. Two of the compliance issues, related to the labeling and storage of refrigerated foods and to the required re-assessment of persons receiving in-home services, have been addressed already. The third issue, related to posting the complaint and appeal process at senior centers, will be addressed at the December 19 staff meeting, she said. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Other Unfinished Business</b></div> <div> There was no other unfinished business to come before the Board.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>New Business</U></b></div> <div> <B>Medicare Part D Presentations</b></div> <div> Terry Baylie reported that the Area Agency on Aging has scheduled Medicare Prescription Drug (Part D) presentations throughout the region; program specialist Debby Conrads will be making the presentations. Terry said Debby will answer questions and assist consumers in applying for the appropriate plan. The presentations will be advertised in local newspapers, and posters will be placed at key locations in each community. Colorado East Community Action Agency outreach staff will assist in providing information to the region's senior citizens and with the sign-up process. Consumers can sign-up for a prescription plan through May 15th without penalty, Terry said; those signing up after that date will pay a penalty of 1% per month.</div> <bR> <div> Terry circulated a schedule of the public presentations, but said the first one (scheduled for November 28 in Burlington) was canceled due to weather and was rescheduled for December 9th.</div> <bR> <div> Due to the Board's interest in this program, Terry agreed to have Debby Conrads present a 15-minute program on Medicare Part D at the January ECCOG Board of Directors meeting.</div> <bR> <div> <B>2006 ECCOG Municipal Board Member Elections</b></div> <div> Nominations from the municipalities within the region  for their  2006  ECCOG  Board  representatives have been received. Jo Downey said current Board members Del Beattie and Rayetta Palmer will continue to represent Lincoln County and Cheyenne County, respectively. Larry Reeves will no longer represent the municipalities of Elbert County as he is going off the Simla Town Board next Spring; however, Jo said the Town of Simla has nominated Jim Kissam to replace Larry on the ECCOG Board. The only contest is in Kit Carson County, where current Board member Larry Shutte, of the Stratton Town Board of Trustees, and Kerry Korsvold of the Burlington City Council were both nominated. The county's municipalities will vote on the two nominees during December to determine the 2006 representative, Jo said.  If the two nominees split the vote evenly, the Kit Carson County Commissioners will break the tie. County representatives will be selected at the annual reorganization meetings of the county commissioners in mid-January.</div> <div> The January ECCOG Board meeting will be the final meeting of the present Board of Directors, and will close out the business of 2005. The 2006 Board will be seated in February.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Outback Express Transit Advisory Committee (TAC) Appointment</b></div> <div> Betty Bredehoft has retired as director of the Lincoln-Kit Carson County Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP).  Terry Baylie said Betty represented “other service agencies” on the Outback Express Transit Advisory Committee. Her replacement as RSVP director is Melody Maskus, who Terry recommended to replace Betty on the TAC. In addition, Terry recommended the appointment of Wilbert Haberthier of Limon to replace Clarence Holthus of Cheyenne Wells, representing area senior citizens, and the appointment of Marlin (Moe) Eberhart of Burlington to replace Tom McCauley of Burlington, representing the city. Larry Shutte moved the Board accept all three recommended nominees for the Transit Advisory Committee. John Nichols seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Other New Business</b></div> <div> Jo Downey told the Board that ECCOG has been asked to consider serving as fiscal agent for the $1.3 million Homeland Security Grant for the north eastern quadrant of the state. Larimer County is the present fiscal agent. Clint Goldenstein of the Colorado Department of Local Affairs will come to the Board meeting in January to discuss the request. Jo said the fiscal agent handles fewer than 100 transactions a year, but the responsibility still will impact the ECCOG budget and ECCOG will need funds to pay for any necessary equipment, audit costs or out-of-pocket costs above and beyond those resulting from the existing ECCOG programs/projects.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Date and Location of January Meeting</b></div> <div> The next regular meeting of the ECCOG Board of Directors will be Wednesday, January 4, 2006 at Limon.</div> <bR> <div> There being no further business, Rayetta Palmer declared the meeting adjourned at 8:07 p.m.</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#2005" TITLE="2005"><U><U>top of page</U></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>