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Trail MOA updated; county staff expect temporary construction easements and $25,000 project escalation
Summary
County staff reviewed an updated memorandum of agreement for a long‑running trail project, reporting no expected permanent right‑of‑way acquisitions but likely temporary construction easements, minor utility relocations, a $25,000 escalation on a roughly $14.4 million project, and the need to coordinate with an affected private property owner before construction.
County staff presented an updated memorandum of agreement (MOA) and related documents for a longstanding trail project and described key changes from the prior MOA. Staff said current review indicates the county likely will not need permanent right‑of‑way acquisitions but will require temporary construction easements for at least one private property (identified as Mr. Cypes/Cip in the staff summary). The MOA, staff said, still recommends retaining right‑of‑way language because reviews through CDOT can be time‑consuming, and survey verification is underway.
The MOA assigns responsibility to the county for minor utility relocations associated with the preferred trail alignment on the south side of the highway; staff indicated phone, irrigation and perhaps small water or electrical lines may require minimal work, and they urged further investigation. Staff also noted long‑term maintenance arrangements remain to be negotiated and that they plan to keep the trail agreement between CDOT and Montezuma County while later negotiating maintenance arrangements with Manus (or other local maintenance partners).
Budget figures presented showed the project cost had escalated approximately $25,000 from the prior grant application total (stated previously at about $14,385,999 to roughly $14,411,000). Staff said the project will proceed as a reimbursable contract under a reimbursement agreement, meaning the county will initially pay and then seek reimbursement under the terms of the funding agreements. Commissioners asked for follow‑up discussions with the affected landowner and confirmation of surveys and easement needs; staff said they would send a draft letter and coordinate a meeting involving a commissioner and staff to address that outreach.
No formal vote was taken on the MOA at the workshop; staff said the documents will continue through the county’s review and approval processes.
