2025 PID Annual Owner Meeting

Date & Time: June 21, 2025, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Location: Fire Station #9, 100 Palisade Mountain Dr
Audio Recording: https://drive.google.com/file/d/16a8cD3ptVbgeGeT3l7JlyjUGb1eHrWs0/view?usp=drive_link

Board Members

James Toland, Chairperson
David Hoffman, Treasurer
Connie Garrett, Secretary
Ed Ostransky

The meeting was called to order and commenced by suspending Robert’s Rules.  New board members, David Hoffman and Ed Ostranksy, were introduced.  Andy Hitch, the prior chairperson, resigned from the board in April.  There is one open position on the board and can be filled in the fall.

Officers

David Hoffman was appointed as board treasurer.  Connie Garrett was appointed as board secretary.  James Toland was appointed as board chairperson.  Currently there are 4 members on the board.  The county PID Program Manager will serve as a tie breaker in the event of a tie vote.  Applications for board members can be submitted on the Larimer County website in the fall: https://www.larimer.gov/boards/storm-mountain-public-improvement-district#/board

Board Mission and General Discussion

The mission of the board is to maintain the roads in the Storm Mountain PID district and improve roads as the budget allows.  The PID is not a HOA or related to the HOA on Storm Mountain.  The PID cannot own property.  The PID may not change tax rates. The PID has no regulatory control over private property and may not enforce any code issues.  The PID board members are volunteers that own property in the community. The PID advises the county and works with contractors (hired by the county) to maintain and improve roads. The PID may recommend for private property owners to clean culverts or cut back trees where they impact the public right of way. 

The PID budget is funded by property taxes and managed by Larimer County.  The Forest Service does not contribute to any road maintenance as their portion of the road is considered a 4WD trail.  The roads in the district are owned by multiple owners: private owners, county, state and federal forest service.  This is the main reason why only portions of the Access Road are paved.  The unpaved section of the Access Road is owned by the forest service. Generally speaking there is a 25 foot easement from the center of the road for road maintenance and improvements.  Culverts on private driveways are not maintained by the PID, but in special circumstances where drainage is causing damage to the public road, then the PID may recommend the private owner to improve the culvert. 

Financial Review – 2024 Spend

The beginning balance in 2024 was about $80k.  This was a carry-over from 2023 for chip seal reserve and emergency\contingency expenses. 

2024 Revenue

• $280k from property taxes
• $17k from ownership taxes
• $11k from intergovernmental revenue
• $7k from interest
• $5k from road and bridge fees

     2024 Expenses

• $207k on summer road maintenance
• $51k on snow removal
• $19k on county collection and administrative fee

     2024 Carry Over for 2025

• $125k of unspent funds will be carried into 2025.  This is more than projected of $90k.  The reasons for the carry-over are as follows:
• The summer road contractor did not spend as much as anticipated
• There were no major snow events which can be costly
• The expected carry-over for chipseal and emergency/contingency funds

 

The county financial report is updated monthly and available on the Larimer County Website: https://www.larimer.gov/engineering/improvement-districts/more-info#storm-mountain

2025 Proposed Budget

 The following budget for 2025 was reviewed and approved with minor changes to increase the chip seal reserve and decrease summer road maintenance so that the next application of chipseal could be completed in 5 years instead of 7 years.  The county recommends to re-apply chipseal every 5-7 years.  The chipseal is projected to cost $100k for both the upper and lower sections of the Access Road. 2025 goals are to continue to improve main thoroughfares first and then side roads.

 

 

Plow Work in 2024-2025

 The contractor for the 2024-2025 season was based out of Estes Park.  This complicates snow removal operations as it takes about 2 hours for the contractor to get their equipment ready and get on the mountain.  The additional time requires more effort in forecasting the timing and intensity of snow events. Larimer County also standardized the plowing threshold to begin at 4 inches across all PIDS.  Due to the variations in elevations and traffic volumes, the PID will advocate to return to the 6” threshold for green and red roads, and 2” threshold for the Access Road.  Winter residents should plan to have appropriate tire traction for mountain winter conditions (chains, studded tires, 4WD).

 Several sand barrels were damaged or destroyed in the Alexander fire.  Larimer county has provided specs for barrel replacements.  A quote was received for $1200 per barrel, which is too expensive in the opinion of the board.  An additional quote has been requested from Foster Dirt.  Due to the high cost, the board recommends a community volunteer effort to build and install the sand barrels.

 The general feedback from the community was that the winter was very mild and felt that there were some instances when plowing was unnecessary.

 As there are no other on-mountain snow removal bidders, the contract with the current Estes Park contractor will be renewed for the 2025-2026 season.

 

Summer Work Review

 Following a lengthy roadblock in the spring caused by driver attempting to bring up a trailer on icy roads, board members have requested a sign at the bottom of the Access Road.  The county has proposed two versions of a sign which if approved, could be placed at the bridge. Both versions call attention to the challenging road ahead with switchbacks, no turn around, and recommended trailer lengths. The sign will cost about $1500 to install. The sign will not be enforceable. Community support was mixed for the sign.  Some community members felt this may deter future roadblocks. Other residents voiced concerns that signs are frequently vandalized and ignored. Others were concerned that the sign might make it more difficult to get contractors up to Storm Mountain.  In the event of road blockages, 911 dispatch should be contacted.

 

2025 goals are to work on main thoroughfares.  In years past, roads in upper filings did not get graded until late summer.  This year, the contractor will grade all main thoroughfares earlier in the season.  The Access Road will get additional mag chloride and recycled asphalt past combat rock. Foster Dirt has advised we discontinue using recycled asphalt as it is difficult to maintain.  Foster Dirt recommends roadbase which can be maintained more easily.  There is not a significant cost difference between recycled asphalt and road base.  Ditching and culvert cleaning will continue to be a priority.  A few problem areas were discussed: Cedar Park leading up to Jug ct is bedrock and needs road base, mushy areas on Spruce Mountain need road base, and Snow Top.  As work is completed on the Access Road, areas beyond the T will be targeted for additional road base as the budget allows.  The board values Foster Dirt.  They have gained experience on Storm Mountain and are familiar with challenges and pain points.

 

Open Discussion

Cedar Springs Reservoir Non Profit has been formed to take ownership of the lake and to actively work towards repair of the dam.  The state will be inspecting the lake in July.  If the current condition of the dam is not repaired the lake will be shut down.  This transfer in ownership is pending a signature from the Cedar Springs HOA.  The PID uses water from the lake the summer maintenance.  The newly formed Cedar Springs Reservoir will work with the PID to ensure access to the lake.  In previous years, the HOA has charged the PID for water use.  Additional discussions between the PID and the Cedar Springs Reservoir Non Profit group will continue to work out any details for water use from the lake.

 There was some discussion on best practices for communications.  Most PID communications are posted on the Storm Mountain PID blogger website as access is not restricted.  Members have been banned from various email groups and social media platforms so the PID will post where possible (groups.io and Facebook), however the primary location for PID communications are located here: https://stormmountainpid.blogspot.com/

 There was some discussion about the recent vandalization of the Foster Dirt’s equipment.  This costs the community money for the contractor’s lost time working on roads and repairing equipment.

 Reminder: there will be open positions at the end of the year.  Board members must own property within the PID district.  Board officers must be full-time residents.  Applications can be submitted on Larimer County website: https://www.larimer.gov/boards/storm-mountain-public-improvement-district#/board

 

Adjourn

 The meeting was adjourned.