Alamosa News Article: Lt. Gov. O'Brien & Director Kirkpatrick visit Monte Vista

MONTE VISTA - Monte Vista’s downtown energy impressed both Lt. Gov. Barbara O’Brien and Susan Kirkpatrick, executive director of the Colorado Dept. of Local Affairs (DOLA) as they paid a quick visit to the community Friday.

Working with representatives of the Phase One participating communities, DOLA reports to the governor, the lieutenant governor and members of the General Assembly.

Meeting with community members at Metz Elementary School during the afternoon, both women had good words for the community.

They were in the San Luis Valley as part of the Sustainable Main Streets Initiative, which is directing state agencies to share information about and coordinate their relationships with participating communities such as Monte Vista, which is one of four Colorado communities tapped for the program.

Standing in front of a series of drawings showing community plans and ideas, both women spoke in support of the initiative, in which state agencies are coordinating their relationships with participating communities so that more collaborative approaches with local stakeholders can be undertaken to build sustainable communities across Colorado.

Kirkpatrick shared her theories about downtown deterioration and said Monte Vista appeared to be fending off that problem, for the most part.

She shared the “broken window” theory of downtown disintegration, noting that when one window is broken downtown, it’s easier to break the next window and the next and the next, but when a community avoids the first broken window, it is on its way to recovery.

She said the Sustainable Main Streets Initiative matches the capability of state and agency partners with designated communities, creating a partnership between local energy and the state.

Successful places concentrate on local assets first, she said, noting that “Monte Vista has fantastic assets,” such as historic structures, a state highway and people with creativity and commitment.

The Lieutenant Governor’s Office is providing assistance relating to early childhood services, a P-20 approach to education, citizen engagement in community service and the building of a healthier community.

She said the visit to Monte Vista was her second stop in a town with a sustainable main street.

“The governor and I believe that, if you are to keep what’s special about Colorado, you need to keep the small towns viable,” she said, speaking for Gov. Bill Ritter. “Every town has its own character.”

To view the article, visit the Alamosa News.

Department of Local Affairs Announces $6.1M for Communities

Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) Executive Director Susan Kirkpatrick announced that $6.1 million has been awarded for construction, infrastructure and other community projects that will help improve public facilities and services such as roads and water systems in communities throughout the state.

Kirkpatrick said, “These grants will allow communities to make key investments in projects that will put people to work and strengthen local economies in the short-term, while making communities more livable and economically healthy in the long-term.”

Funding for the Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Grants is derived from state severance tax and federal mineral lease revenues. The Department of Local Affairs has awarded $1,548,381 toward Tier I projects and $4,641,032 toward Tier II projects. Tier I grants fund projects up to $200,000 and Tier II grants fund projects greater than $200,000 up to $2,000,000.

Tony Hernandez, director of DOLA’s Division of Local Government said, "Communities that are impacted by energy and mineral development throughout the state will benefit from these grant awards. The competition for the severance and federal mineral lease grant dollars is stiff. Projects that meet basic needs like water, sewer, drainage, and local roads received highest priority. Projects that demonstrated a strong energy conservation or renewable energy component also received priority.”

The program’s grant process was revamped and refined in 2008 to make it more transparent, accountable and strategic. DOLA worked with legislators, local officials and the energy industry to enhance the effectiveness of the application, review and award process. The grant program was created by the legislature in 1977.

These grants come from revenue from FY 2009 - 2010, and are not impacted by the Governor’s announcement of budget balancing actions for 2010.

Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Grants - Tier I Grants List

Tier I Grant Projects:
Bennett Sewer Line Improvements
Adams County
$99,057

Bennett Sewer Line Improvements - Loan
Adams County
$99,057

Deer Trail School Pool Bldg Renovation
Arapahoe County
$82,500

Empire Water System Improvements
Clear Creek County
$45,826

Red Cliff Attorney/Planner Assistance
Eagle County
$20,000

Florence-Frazier Ave & State Highway 115 Improvements
Fremont County
$148,037

Carbondale Wastewater Admin Building Energy Efficiency Plan
Garfield County
$20,705

Kit Carson County DTR System Upgrade
Kit Carson County
$91,199

Ridgway Water Pump Station/Transmission Line
Ouray County
$150,000

Montrose County Road II-35 Retaining Wall
Montrose County
$194,000

Moffat Town Hall/Community Center
Saguache County
$200,000

USJHSD Rural Indigent Care Clinic
San Juan County
$130,000

San Miguel County Treasurer Collection Software
San Miguel County
$100,000

Ault Council Chambers Upgrade
Weld County
$40,500

Yuma County Building Construction & Improvements
Yuma County
$127,500

TIER I TOTAL: $1,548,381

Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Grants - Tier II Grants List

Tier II Grant Projects:
Gunnison Downtown Ditch System Improvements
Gunnison County
$75,000

Mesa County W&S Dist Water Transmission/Storage Tank
Mesa County
$491,000

Mesa County 33 Rd/Railroad Crossing Improvements
Mesa County
$250,000

Palisade WW Treatment Interceptor
Mesa County
$600,000

Grand Junction 800 MHZ Radio Tower
Mesa County
$600,000

Alamosa Municipal / Public Safety Complex
Alamosa County
$500,000

Idaho Springs Sewer Line Improvements - Phase III
Clear Creek County
$325,032

Haxtun Childcare Center
Phillips County
$300,000

Wiggins Water Project
Morgan County
$100,000

Durango Recycling Facility Expansion
La Plata County
$500,000

La Plata County Oxford Intersection Reconstruction
La Plata County
$600,000

Montrose Facilities Upgrades/Renovation Projects
Montrose County
$300,000

TIER II TOTAL: $4,641,032

TIER I & TIER II GRANTS TOTAL: $6,189,413

Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Fund (EIAF) Grant Program is Suspended as of August 23, 2010

Tough decisions impacting Colorado’s budget, modify the timeline and grant funds available through the Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Fund (EIAF) as outlined in a letter from Governor Bill Ritter to the Joint Budget Committee on August 23, 2010.

Funding for EIAF grants are derived from state severance tax and federal mineral lease revenues. The volatile nature of the Impact fund combined with revenue declines means the grant program is suspended for FY 2010 - FY 2011. However, the EIAF program will continue and DOLA anticipates grant making once the state’s economy recovers from the worst recession since the Great Depression. Dollars for Direct Distribution to cities and counties will be available.

The following outlines the proposed reallocation that will immediately impact the grant program:

• Transfer of $5 million in Severance Tax revenue from the Energy Impact Assistance fund to the General Fund.  This will permanently reduce the fund by $5 million and will be directed to the state’s General Fund.

• Transfer of $15 million in Federal Mineral Lease revenue from the Energy Impact Assistance fund to the General Fund.  This will permanently reduce the fund and dollars will be directed to the state’s General Fund.

• An additional $30 million from the Energy Impact Assistance fund has been reserved for use in FY 2010/2011 in the event additional budget balancing measures are necessary.

The results of the reallocation of the Severance and Federal Mineral Lease dollars are as follows:

1. Suspend 2010 applications - no grant awards after Aug. 2010.  No additional Tier I or Tier II applications will be considered.
2. The recent award of $6.8 million for Tier I and Tier II projects that had been suspended from 2009-2010, are not affected by this action. These awards will be announced on August 25, 2010.

Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien's Visit to Monte Vista to be Rescheduled

Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien's visit to Monte Vista with DOLA Executive Director Susan Kirkpatrick will be rescheduled as the City of Monte Vista and State of Colorado mourn the loss of Faith Hinkley, who was killed while serving in Iraq.  A funeral service has been schedule for August 17 at 1 p.m. in the Monte Vista High School gym.

http://www.montevistajournal.com/v2_news_articles.php?heading=0&page=72&story_id=2461

Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien to Visit Monte Vista Aug. 17

MONTE VISTA - Members of the community are encouraged to join Lt. Gov. O’Brien on Aug. 17 at 2 p.m. for a community forum at the Central Auditorium.

Lt. Gov. O’Brien will be joined by Susan Kirkpatrick, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), and Don Marostica, Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade OEDIT).Kirkpatrick and Marostica serve as co-chairs of the Governor’s Sustainable Main Streets Initiative.

Monte Vista is one of four pilot communities participating in the Sustainable Main Streets Initiative. The community forum will include information on the several efforts being undertaken by the local committee, including the proposed arts center, downtown development and economic blueprint.

Prior to the community forum, Lt. Gov. O’Brien will tour Main Street and receive an update on the community’s progress toward its goals from the Monte Vista Sustainable Main Street Steering Committee.

The Sustainable Main Streets Initiative, which is being led by DOLA, directs state agencies to identify and target specific resources to support community projects, ranging from increasing disaster readiness plans to improving energy efficiency in downtown areas to preserving the cultural integrity of the community’s core.

On April 28, Gov. Bill Ritter launched the Initiative and signed an executive order directing multiple targets for state resources to help communities overcome their unique challenges and achieve long-term stability and prosperity.

In addition to Monte Vista, the other communities are the Five Points Neighborhood in Denver, the Town of Fowler, and the City of Rifle.

DOLA's Division of Local Government is Hiring a Land Use Planner

The Department of Local Affairs, Division of Local Government is hiring a land use planner. Please visit the department's employment website at: http://dola.colorado.gov/employment.html  (you may have to copy and paste this link into your browser). Click "Employment opportunities" and then choose "Department of Local Affairs" from the listing of departments. This General Professional III will work in the downtown Denver office.

Please note:  close date is August 13th

Lt. Gov. Barbara O’Brien joins DOLA Executive Director for Fowler Visit

Lt. Gov. Barbara O’Brien and Department of Local Affairs Executive Director, Susan Kirkpatrick visited the Town of Fowler – one of four Colorado communities taking part in the state’s Sustainable Main Streets Initiative. They visited on August 3, to talk with residents and local leaders about their ideas for economic development and redesigning their downtown.
 

Fowler is a rural community of just over 1,100 people located in the Arkansas River Valley in southeastern Colorado, about 30 miles east of Pueblo.

Lt. Gov. O’Brien and Director Kirkpatrick visited the Fowler Senior Center, took a walking tour of downtown and participated in a community forum to advance the state’s Sustainable Main Streets Initiative. Along with Fowler, Rifle, Monte Vista and Denver’s Five Points neighborhood are also taking part in the Main Streets pilot program, which aims to enhance the sustainability of downtown corridors.

Communities to Benefit from Tier I and Tier II Energy Impact Grants

Energy Impact Tier I grants were recently awarded by DOLA Executive Director Susan Kirkpatrick.   A total of 15 projects were awarded $1.5 million for improvements ranging from water and wastewater to public facilities.  Under Tier I funding, projects can receive up to $200,000.

Members of the State Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Advisory Committee met on Monday, August 2, to review the most current round of applications for Tier II funding.  Under the Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Fund, Tier II projects are intended to support a wide variety of community development projects to improve quality of life in communities with awards greater than $200,000 and up to $2,000,000.

A total of $4.74 million in funding is available this grant cycle with more than $15 million in requests submitted.  There were 19 applications reviewed by the Committee.

Decisions on Tier II projects will be announced later this month.

Click here for more information about the Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Fund.

DLG Welcomes Shawn Wright

DLG proudly welcomes Shawn Wright, who joins the team as the new Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Coordinator.  Wright, who will coordinate CDBG's Public Facilities, Housing and Economic Development programs, brings a wealth of valuable and varied experience with her.

Prior to becoming CDBG Coordinator, she was an Asset Manager with DOLA's Division of Housing.  She served 17 years as a Neighborhood Support Supervisor and Neighborhood Liaison, providing organizational and development assistance to neighborhood associations.

Early in her career, she was as a First Grade teacher in Opheim, Montana, and became a stock broker in Denver.

The Wyoming native enjoys mountain biking, gardening, hiking and horses and is a former volunteer coordinator for Colorado Horse Rescue.  She currently serves on DOLA's Employee Quality Team (EQT), where she provides a generous dose of enthusiasm and energy to wide variety of fund raising activities throughout the year.

Welcome, Shawn!