Minutes were presented from the January 19, 2000 meeting. The minutes were approved as corrected.

Yvonne Kramer gave the Treasurer's report:
   GCCHLA checking & savings:  $7125.82
   YG Fire Dept.:  $6950.64

Old Business

Tim Wheeler volunteered to call residents and try to interest them in joining the department.

A discussion was held on possible ways to stop the realtor from posting the signs. One resident said he had shot the sign placed on his property with a shotgun. It was felt this might be too strong a response on an area wide basis. It was suggested that residents be asked not to use Alpine Real Estate company when buying or selling property in the Gulch. A motion was made and seconded to continue the no-sign policy, and to request that residents not use Alpine Real Estate company when buying or selling property in the Gulch. The motion passed unanimously.

Marci will draft a letter to Alpine informing them of the decision.

New Business and Committee Reports

Larry reported that the county wants to take over control of York Gulch Road from the Forest Service. Our roads, other than lower York Gulch, would be Class 4, which means no maintenance. There was a discussion as to what this would mean in terms of plowing. If the county doesn't do it, and they don't want homeowners plowing their roads, who maintains the roads? Would we need to become some sort of special district to be able to continue to maintain the roads? We also wondered what effect this would have on the Central City pipeline issue.

Dave pointed out that at the last City Council meeting he attended in Central City mayor Don Matavi approached him after the meeting was over. Matavi informed Dave that Central City was going to "Shove the pipeline up your ass, and there is nothing you can do about it."

Central is working on a land trade with the USFS that would trade land along York Gulch road for a parcel on James Peak. If this happens, Central won't need an EIS or any permissions.

Dave said if the county takes over our roads, they also take over any negotiations with Central about the pipeline. This would cut us out of any decision making. The land along the road could simply be condemned and there would be very little anyone could do.

• We will need 40 petitioners and 50 "yes" votes in the resulting election.
• Possible names suggested include York Gulch, York, Millennium, and Solar.
• We will need to obtain legal help for actually setting up the charter.
• Estimated costs based on the town of Ward:
• Total annual budget is $27,000 (This includes a full water treatment plant, which we won't need)
• Projected yearly taxes are $50 for vacant land, and $150 for claims with a house.

Ward provides the following town services:

• two more-or-less volunteer town marshals, with remaining services contracted from the county sheriff
• part time paid bookkeeper.

Dave has discussed the town with board member and attorney Neil Littlefield. He said one area of concern will be the "urban nature" of the Gulch. The initial city will need to be as contiguous as possible to qualify. We can annex other areas, if the residents desire, at some point in the future.

Dave is working on projects costs for organizing. Other aspects include an election with at least 50 positive votes, and a hearing before the Clear Creek County commissioners.

Next Meetings

The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held Tuesday, May 16, at 7 p.m. at the Firehouse.