Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

COMMITTEE ON CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT

Date:02/03/2009
ATTENDANCE
Time:07:32 AM to 08:34 AM
McFadyen
X
Penry
*
Place:SCR 354
Schwartz
X
Sonnenberg
X
This Meeting was called to order by
Bacon
*
Representative Riesberg
Riesberg
X
This Report was prepared by
Kori Donaldson
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Bills Addressed: Action Taken:
Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation FY 2009-10 Cash Requests
Division of Wildlife FY 2009-10 Cash Requests
Discussion About Freeze Effect on Certain Capital Projects
Pass
Pass
Witness Testimony and/or Committee Discussion Only


07:32 AM -- Division of Parksand Outdoor Recreation FY 2009-10 Cash-Funded Requests

The meeting was called to order. A quorum was present. Representative Gagliardi joined the committee at the table. Mr. Dean Winstanley, Director, and Mr. Steve Cassin, Chief Financial Officer, both of the Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation (Parks), Department of Natural Resources, presented thirteen FY 2009-10 cash requests. Committee members received a summary of the requests, prepared by Legislative Council Staff (Attachment A). Mr. Winstanley began by giving an overview of Parks' operations in the state, cash funding sources for FY 2009-10 capital projects, and a general description of the 13 requests. Mr Winstanley addressed a question about Cheyenne Mountain State Park and told the committee that the park’s visitor center and trail systems are now open, and that the campgrounds will open this fall. Discussion ensued about facilities at other state parks.

090203AttachA.pdf

07:43 AM

Mr. Winstanley walked the committee through Attachment A and briefly described each requested project (listed below).
  1. Automated Entrances
  2. Staunton State Park
  3. Park Facilities
  4. Corps Cost Share Improvements
  5. Fuels Mitigation
  6. Improvements to Lake Pueblo State Park
  7. Major Repairs / Minor Recreation Improvements
  8. Off-Highway Vehicle Program Grants and Minor New Construction and Renovation
  9. Park Improvements / Buffer Acquisitions
  10. Park Infrastructure Improvements
  11. State Trails Grant Program
  12. Water Acquisition / Lease Options and Dam Repairs (Water Resource Program)
  13. Energy Efficiency and Greening

Mr. Winstanley addressed questions about the work to be completed and fund sources for specific projects. He also answered questions about the cost of mitigating zebra mussels at state parks. Mr. Cassin explained how Parks purchases water rights for state parks in Colorado. Discussion ensued.

08:07 AM

Mr. Winstanley said some of the requested projects will begin at the start of the fiscal year, while others may not begin until later in the year. Mr. Cassin addressed a question about whether cash funds to be used for Parks capital projects can be used instead for higher education.
BILL:Division of Parks FY 2009-10 Cash-Funded Requests
TIME: 08:12:25 AM
MOVED:Schwartz
MOTION:Approve all 13 cash-funded projects included in Attachment A. The motion passed on a vote of 5-0-1.
SECONDED:
VOTE
McFadyen
Yes
Penry
Yes
Schwartz
Yes
Sonnenberg
Yes
Bacon
Excused
Riesberg
Yes
Final YES: 5 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS



08:13 AM -- Division of Wildlife FY 2009-10 Cash Requests

Mr. Tom Remington, Director; Mr. Ed Frazar, Chief Engineer; and Mr. Pat Miks, Acting Chief Financial Officer, all of the Division of Wildlife (Wildlife), Department of Natural Resources, presented thirteen FY 2009-10 cash-funded requests. Committee members received a summary of the requests, prepared by Legislative Council Staff (Attachment B). Mr. Frazar addressed questions about how Wildlife funds maintenance expenses and the source of cash funds for capital projects. Discussion continued about funding for future maintenance needs.

Mr. Frazar walked the committee through Attachment B and briefly described each project (listed below).

090203AttachB.pdf
  1. Property Acquisition
  2. Dam Maintenance, Repair and Improvement
  3. Property Maintenance, Improvements and Development
  4. Fish Unit Maintenance and Improvement
  5. Major Repairs and Minor Improvements
  6. Stream and Lake Improvements
  7. Employee Housing Repairs
  8. Small Maintenance and Improvement Projects
  9. Cooperative Habitat Development
  10. Motorboat Access on Lakes and Streams
  11. Service Centers Improvements
  12. Grants for Improvements, Repairs, and Development on Wetlands and Shooting Ranges
  13. Colorado Outdoor Educational Recreation Center
    BILL:Division of Wildlife FY 2009-10 Cash Requests
    TIME: 08:23:57 AM
    MOVED:Schwartz
    MOTION:Approve all 13 cash-funded projects included in Attachment B. The motion passed on a vote of 6-0.
    SECONDED:
    VOTE
    McFadyen
    Yes
    Penry
    Yes
    Schwartz
    Yes
    Sonnenberg
    Yes
    Bacon
    Yes
    Riesberg
    Yes
    Final YES: 6 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS










08:24 AM -- Discussion About Freeze Effect on Certain Capital Projects

Representative Riesberg reminded the committee of some of the discussion that occurred on January 29 and mentioned two projects that have been identified by the Governor's Office of State Planning and Budgeting (OSPB) to be frozen, including: 1) Colorado State Veterans Center at Homelake - Domiciliary Renovation; and 2) Suicide Risk Mitigation. Representative Riesberg explained some potential consequences of freezing state funding for these two projects including the loss of federal funding and possible lawsuits. Discussion continued about the potential consequences of the spending freeze on these projects, and whether capital projects frozen by the Governor are currently under construction.

Mr. Larry Friedberg, State Architect, Department of Personnel and Administration, explained how the list of capital projects included in the spending freeze was developed. He said his office provided a status report for all capital projects to OSPB in December, and his office is currently re-reviewing all frozen projects to determine if they are under construction. In response to a question, Mr. Friedberg said his office is only looking at the portion of a project that is funded with General Fund.

08:34 AM

The committee agreed to continue discussion about the freeze effect on certain capital projects at its February 5 meeting. The committee adjourned.