Memorandum of Understanding approved to evaluate Town's facilities for possible energy energy efficiency improvements

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San Juan National Forest selects sign locations, with options for Town and RTA inclusion

Top image: Bricks on top rail of bottom sash provide weight to prevent a Rico Town Hall window from spontaneously sliding-up without human action. Latch between the bricks does not close properly.
Ore Cart photo - November 11, 20254

by Allyn Svoboda
Publisher

1) Facilities assessment for energy performance contract considered

Rico Board of Trustees approved a proposal to review current energy consumption at Town facilities and possible energy-conserving options at its June 18, 2025 regular monthly meeting. The meeting packet described a proposed Memorandum of Understanding to authorize the assessment:

Included in the packet is a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Town of Rico and Performance Services, Inc. (PSI) to initiate a Facilities Assessment and Energy Performance Contract (EPC) feasibility study. The MOU outlines PSI’s role in assessing Town facilities, identifying potential energy efficiency and capital improvement opportunities, and evaluating funding and implementation strategies.

Representatives of Performance Services, Inc. (PSI) described the company's experience in assessing buildings and systems, creating recommendations, and managing installation projects:

• Company created in 1998.
• Completed more than 805 projects in 18 U.S. states.
• $3.4 billion total cost of completed projects.
• Staff includes architects, engineers, project managers.
• Has experience in water and wastewater systems efficiency upgrades.
• All services needed for a project are "under one roof." Customer/client contracts with PSI, not with various subcontractors. "One master chef."
• No change orders: "We (PSI) pay for mistakes."
• The cost of energy-saving upgrades and improvements may be recovered by reductions in future energy costs: "Savings can be used to pay for a project. It does not always work out that way, but savings can still offset cost of the project."

Town Manager Chauncey McCarthy suggested Town's water system SCADA (system control and data acquisition) settings might be adjusted to control the well pump to be 'off' during electric utility 'peak' rate hours, 4-9 PM daily.

Asked what Town facilities would be assessed and if Town will incur a cost, PSI representative described a "high-level, preliminary report" with windows and HVAC upgrades cost estimates, at no charge to Town. If Town wishes to proceed with improvements, Town would sign a contract with PSI.

Asked if PSI will assist Town with applying for grants, PSI representative replied affirmatively as this is a common and frequent service provided to clients.

2) Rio Grande Southern Trail north trailhead sign location

Trustees discussed options for Rio Grande Southern (RGS) sign locations with San Juan National Forest representative Michelle Stevens via remote link. These locations were described in an email correspondence to Town of Rico earlier in June:

June 4, 2025

The Forest Service is working on the Rio Grande Southern Trailhead signs that are required in our two MOAs for the RGS Trail and RGS Connector Trail projects. The southern TH sign will be on National Forest System land (see TH on graphic below). The northern trailhead sign can either be at the north end of the Burnett Creek Connector Trail on NFS land, or on private or city land at the north end of the RGS trail. The TH kiosk signs would have one map/regulatory panel, and another panel about the history of the RGS trail.

Do you have a preference for the location of the north TH sign? If RTA and the Town of Rico are planning a different TH sign on city/private property please let us know, or is this something we should discuss on a Teams call or at the next Rico Town meeting? I might have rough drafts of the signs in the next week or two.

Also I wanted to provide an update about the RGS Enterprise Branch sign. In talking with SHPO, we have decided not to put the sign at the Rico Town Shop but to place it at the Rico Guard Station/Information Station north of town. The sign will also ultimately be posted on our website so visitors to Rico or the San Juan NF will also be able to find it there.

Thank you for your help and please let me know your thoughts about the northern TH sign kiosk location.

Michelle N. Stevens, PhD
Heritage Program Lead
U.S. Forest Service
San Juan National Forest

Rio Grande Southern (RGS) trail map from Rico Board of Trustees meeeting packet - June 18, 2025. RGS trail route shown as dashed line with light-blue background. Burnett Connector trail shown as dashed line with yellow background. Map produced by USFS - San Juan National Forest includes "TH" labels. Arrows and other labels added by Ore Cart.

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"The Burnett Connector will likely get less use than the Rio Grand Southern trail," advised Stevens. Access to this trailhead from West Rico is via USFS Road 422, a jeep trail with steep and rough climbs.

Questioned about placing the USFS trailhead sign at the new Town Shop, Stevens replied that this location was not part of USFS analysis, but Town may install its own sign if desired. Asked if Town and Rico Trails Alliance logos may be added to the USFS RGS trailhead signs, Stevens said this is acceptable.

RGS trailhead northern sign location preferred by San Juan Naational Forest shown as an orange dot. Map provided by Lorena Williams - Public Affairs Officer, San Juan NF.

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Responding to an Ore Cart email inquiry, San Juan National Forest Public Affairs Officer Lorena Williams confirmed the inclusion of Town of Rico and RTA logos on the USFS sign, if desired:

2025-06-23
Yes the Town of Rico and Rico Trails Alliance logos may be placed on the USFS sign if they desire because both are partners in developing the Rio Grande Southern Trail which cross both National Forest System lands and private lands in Rico. . . .

Williams provided an image of San Juan National Forest trailhead sign:

This is an example of an existing sign at the Calico Trailhead on the Dolores Ranger District, San Juan National Forest. The RGS Trail’s trailhead sign would be two panels: one panel would be similar to the graphic below. The other panel would contain interpretative information about the Rio Grande Southern Railroad.

more RGS trail info:
Rico Ore Cart - March 3, 2025
> 3) Rico Trails Alliance RGS pedestrian bridge

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