Carbondale trustees approve consent agenda, authorize DOLA grant application for Roaring Fork treatment plant upgrade

Carbondale’s Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve its consent agenda, including authorization to pursue a Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) resiliency grant for the Roaring Fork Treatment Plant expansion.

Town staff (Speaker 8) told trustees the package bundles multiple capital projects previously planned over five years into a shorter DOLA application window. “So we’re gonna ask for 750,000, match about 1.25 for a total $2,000,000 project, and that would get the that plant would then be able to accomplish full backup of the system,” Speaker 8 said, describing plans to expand the undersized clear well and add filters to reduce chlorine use, a top complaint for residents.

The staff overview said the proposed work aligns with prior budget forecasts and would restore control work removed from a prior expansion due to higher costs. Trustees asked clarifying questions about the clear well’s location and how the package had been aligned with DOLA’s priorities; staff said they had met with DOLA twice and tailored the proposal to the agency’s resiliency focus.

Trustee Chris moved to approve the consent agenda, and Trustee Colin seconded. The board approved the motion by voice vote; Speaker 2 announced the motion passed unanimously.

The consent agenda package also included approval of minutes from the Jan. 27 meeting, an intergovernmental agreement with the Garfield County Clerk and Recorder, and the accounts‑payable memo. The DOLA application will proceed as described; staff indicated one final well remains to complete backup of the system if the grant and matching work proceed as planned.

Next steps: staff will submit the DOLA grant application and continue project design and budgeting in coordination with the board.