The Board of County Commissioners recognized many departments and divisions throughout the county that have helped the floodplain management program achieve a Class Six rating in the National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS) program from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

 

This program recognizes and encourages sound community floodplain management and efforts to reduce flood risk, facilitates accurate insurance ratings, and promotes the awareness of flood insurance.

 

Barbara Fitzpatrick, a senior program specialist with the FEMA Region 8 Mitigation Division, presented the county with a plaque to commemorate the achievement. "I would like to commend the Commissioners of Jefferson County and the excellent floodplain management staff . . . they are the reason why the county has been moved to a level six in the community rating system," Fitzpatrick said.

 

This new rating acknowledges Jefferson County's efforts to help save lives and reduce property damage in the event of a flood. It puts Jefferson County in the top 11 percent of participating communities in the United States, in the top 7 percent of participating communities in Colorado and as the highest ranked county in Colorado!

 

"I believe that a Class Six ranking is a result of many departments and divisions working together and demonstrates our commitment to proper floodplain management," said John Wolforth, Director of Planning and Zoning. "We at Jefferson County are committed to making our Floodplain Management Program a success and are already looking at ways to improve our floodplain programs for the upcoming year.

 

The Class Six rating will allow residents who live in the floodplain and purchase flood insurance to receive a 20 percent discount on their flood insurance premiums. This reduction in flood insurance premiums will provide a cumulative savings of over $62,000 a year for Jefferson County residents.

BCC Approves the Rezoning of Sixth Avenue West Lots 

The Board of County Commissioners approved the proposal to rezone two lots in the Sixth Avenue West Estates neighborhood on West Bayaud Drive. After reviewing the Planning Commission and staff recommendations; the slope stability analysis; the evaluation of the geotechnical investigation reports; the Comprehensive Master Plan and the Community Plan, the Board found that that the land uses will not result in significant impacts to the health, safety and welfare of the residents and landowners in the surrounding area.

 

At the applicant's community meeting attended by Planner and Case Manager Josh Drexler, citizens in attendance were specifically concerned with the affects that past geologic hazards would have on the proposed development and the existing homes during and after construction. In 1998, a landslide occurred in the area because of slope failure and, as a result, three homes were razed. Those lots still remain vacant.

 

Because of these issues, the applicant had the preliminary geotechnical investigation prepared by CTL Thompson to show the stability in the area of these lots before, during and after construction. Patrick O'Connell, Jefferson County Geologist, testified to the validity of the stability of the area, and stated that extra notes will be included in this Official Development Plan to protect the stability for these homes and those around them in the future.

 

There was a difference of opinion of those that attended the hearing and testified. Some were asking for denial of the rezoning and subsequent construction of two homes because they questioned the recommendations of building there. There were others who stated that building on these empty lots would increase the neighborhood property values, and that possibly "filling this hole would remove some of the stigma created by the landslide."

 

Visit the Jefferson County Media-on-Demand page to see the video of the hearing and to see the full presentation given by staff at that hearing.

The BCC approved a grant award from the Bureau of Justice Programs in the amount of $201,827 for the reimbursement of costs from the detention of State Criminal Aliens in the Jefferson County Detention Facility during the 2010 reporting period. State and local governments, including Jefferson County, bear the costs associated with incarcerating undocumented foreign-born inmates when they enter the criminal justice system. In response to the increasing costs associated with housing these inmates, the federal government has initiated the reimbursement through the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP).

 

Methamphetamine Initiative Grant Funds

The BCC approved the contract for grant funds to Jefferson County from the U.S. Department of Justice and COPS Methamphetamine Initiative. This grant will provide more than $300,000 to support two ongoing grant-funded positions at the West Metro Drug Task Force (WMDTF). The first is an Investigator focusing on identity theft and economic crimes connected to Methamphetamine. The second is an Intelligence Analyst working closely with WMDTF investigators and surveillance teams to analyze all information that will strengthen the investigative and surveillance capability targeted toward Methamphetamine crimes.  An additional $111,000 in additional grant funding for law enforcement radios is expected.

 

Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program

The BCC approved the award of federal funds from the Bureau of Justice Assistance to Jefferson County to provide a 50 percent reimbursement of the cost of bulletproof vests for the Sheriff's Office. The U.S Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs and Bureau of Justice Assistance support partnership awards to assist law enforcement in providing approved bulletproof safety vests to deputies. The federal government makes funds available to law enforcement nationwide, for up to 50 percent of actual costs, to ensure bulletproof vests are purchased and provided for officer safety.

 

Victim Advocates Grant

The BCC approved the grant award from the Colorado Department of Public Safety to Jefferson County in the amount of $73,259 for the retention of two Sheriff's Office Victim Advocates. These advocates provide expertise and skill in law enforcement victim assistance, including on-scene crisis intervention, follow-up contact and information or referrals. This award will also ensure that victims of crime and trauma have 24-hour access to trained professionals to assist them with the support and education necessary to overcome their victimization. Under Colorado State Statutes, the Sheriff is required to provide this service.