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Public comments: community kitchen plans, Miami culvert flooding and local EMS shortfalls
Summary
Public commenters urged county support for a community kitchen project and raised local infrastructure and emergency response concerns: Go Return described grant applications for a commercial kitchen; Miami resident reported repeated flooding from a blocked culvert; Eagle Nest Fire EMS described volunteer shortages and lack of funds for staffing.
Several members of the public used the meeting’s public‑comment period to raise local projects and safety concerns.
Shane Young, president of Go Return, and Brandy Dietz, vice president, described a community kitchen project based in the First Presbyterian Church and said the group has received a $25,000 LEADS grant and is applying to the Healthy Food Financing Fund for up to $150,000 for predevelopment and kitchen conversion. They invited commissioners to a community convening on Dec. 8 to provide input.
Michael Calamati, a Miami resident, asked the commission to address chronic flooding on County Road 11 (Solato Creek Road), where a blocked culvert floods yards and driveways of four residences. He said a county crew surveyed the site about 18 months ago and recommended a new culvert but that the issue persisted.
David Bolsinger, assistant chief with Eagle Nest Fire EMS, described volunteer shortages and the inability to sustain full‑time EMS staffing, said grants and equipment funding exist but not salary funds, and asked for county assistance in recruitment and reorganization to maintain coverage that supports tourism and community safety.
Commissioners acknowledged the concerns and directed staff to follow up: county road staff will assess culvert capacity and culvert/cattle‑guard inventories, and commissioners offered to help the EMS providers pursue legislative and interagency funding.
Next steps: Go Return’s convening on Dec. 8; county staff to evaluate the Solato Creek culvert and report back; commissioners to coordinate with EMS leaders and county staff on funding and recruitment support.
