Christopher Pike
For those planning to build a new home or major addition in the city of Ouray, the cost just went up. The new building permit fee level is $89.68 per 1,000 square feet of living space; $23.21 for the same area of garage; $22.51 for basements; and $18.20 for porches and decks.
The rate was limited to a 5.5 percent annual increase, due to state spending restrictions, but will likely continue to move upward in future years, according to Ouray City Administrator Patrick Rondinelli.
IGA Agreement Inked with County
The City of Ouray and Ouray County will continue to collaborate into 2007. The two entities signed an intergovernmental agreement for the year 2007 on Oct. 1, following a joint work session in September. The IGA includes financial terms and "shared goals" for the two entities.
Under the financial agreement, the county is to pay the city $5,994 for use of an ambulance bay at City Hall, and $23,102 in Road and Bridge property taxes.
The county will continue to support the city's interest in obtaining ownership of the ice park south of town, and to maintain the county-owned shop property on Oak Street.
For its part, the city intends to consolidate land ownership south of the present city limits near the Uncompahgre River gorge, and to continue the long-standing policy of having the county's offices and services within the city limits. In recent years, many departments have been relocated to different sites in Ridgway, including the 4-H Center and land use building.
Other goals include shared facilities for medical services, dissolution of the County Recreation Board, combining resources regarding the promotion of affordable housing initiatives and related regional transportation issues, and improving coordination on geographical information systems (GIS), mutual support of the Ouray Mountain Rescue Team, and the sharing of surplus gravel generated by the city.
Warmer Winter Expected in Ouray
Temperatures will be "above normal" for late fall through spring in the Rocky Mountains, including "much of the desert southwest," according to data released by the National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center. A moderate El Niño pattern is the cause.
James Pringle, a meteorologist with the Climate Predicition Center, said that the area of above normal precipitation is likely to extend into southern Utah and southern Colorado. "This is good news for the upcoming season's mountain snowpack," said Pringle.
For additional information from the Climate Prediction Center, visit www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov.
Road Work on Red Mountain Nearing Completion
The $640,000 construction project on Hwy. 550 will complete culvert replacement on Molas Pass this week, according to Nancy Shanks, Colorado Department of Transportation spokesperson. CDOT contractor Williams Construction, of Norwood, said work continues on the two Red Mountain Pass culverts at mile markers 84.89 in the Ironton Park area and 82.51 at Idarado. Two additional sites on the pass will also include culvert replacement.
Delays may extend up to 30 minutes. The entire project is expected to be completed in late November. For more information, visit www.cotrip.org.
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