PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

MONTEZUMA COUNTY, COLORADO

January 25, 2022

STATE OF COLORADO           )

                                                     ) ss.

COUNTY OF MONTEZUMA   )

At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners, Montezuma County, Colorado, held on Tuesday January 25, 2022 at the Montezuma County Administration building in Cortez, Colorado, there were present:

Jim Candelaria, Chairman

Kent Lindsay, Vice Chairman

Shalako Powers, County Administrator

Ian MacLaren, County Attorney

Kim Percell, County Clerk

MINUTES: Commissioner Lindsay moved to accept the minutes of the Proceedings of the Board of Commissioners Montezuma County, Colorado dated January 18, 2022 as presented.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Candelaria and carried.

PUBLIC HEARING: It being the time set aside a public hearing is held for review of High Impact Permit, #675 and Special Use Permit #07-2019, issued on November 4, 2019, on property owned by Ironwood Group, LLC, located at 27930 Road T, Dolores, CO, consisting of 19.62 acres, more or less, situated in Section 19, T.37N, R.15W., N.M.P.M.  The roll was called, the public notice read, and the proceedings were recorded for the record.   Ironwood Group LLC, primary stock holder, Mark Hartman, and Ironwood Plant Manager, Wade Bentley were present.  Planning Director, Don Haley along with County Attorney, Ian MacLaren gave an overview of the history and fire safety concerns of the current, permits.  Additional discussion was made by Emergency Manager, Jim Spratlen, Sheriff, Steve Nowlin, Dolores Fire Protection District Chief, Mike Zion, County Administrator, Shak Powers and County Landfill Manager, Mel Jarmon.  Commissioner Candelaria opened the hearing to public comment.  Public comment was made by; John Godbout, Ingrid Ward, Trent Bishop, Melissa Valdez, Gary Hart, Lana Kelly, Deborah Gentilini, Mary Ranney, and Diane Wren.  Hearing no further public comment that portion of the hearing was closed.  EXECUTIVE SESSION: Pursuant to Commissioner Candelaria’s request, Commissioner Lindsay moved for the Board of County Commissioners to go into executive session for a conference with the attorney for the purpose of receiving legal advice on specific legal questions under C.R.S. Section 24-6-402(4)(b), to include Commissioners Candelaria and Lindsay, Administrator Powers, Attorney MacLaren and Clerk Percell, seconded by Commissioner Candelaria and carried.  Topics for the executive session included questions directly pertaining to the public hearing and the high impact permit that is being discussed today.  Commissioner Lindsay moved to go out of executive session, seconded by Commissioner Candelaria and carried.  After hearing all the evidence presented Commissioner Lindsay moved to revoke the High Impact Permit #675 and Special Use permit #7-2019 based on significant adverse conditions presented to the surrounding properties and also significant fire danger.  Seconded by Commissioner Candelaria and carried.  Commissioner Candelaria closed the hearing at this time.  (See attached)

PUBLIC COMMENT:  Public comment was made by Cortez Fire Protection District, Chief Jay Balfour.

UNFINSHED BUSINESS:

AXIS- CIP CONTRACT: Administrator Powers presented for signatures the contract for Community Intervention Program (CIP) between the Montezuma County Administration, Colorado and Southwest Colorado Mental Health Center, Inc., DBA AXIS Health System.   Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve the contract for the Community Intervention Program otherwise known as CIP, between the Montezuma County Administration, Colorado and Southwest Colorado Mental Health Center, Inc., DBA AXIS Health System.  Second by Commissioner Candelaria and carried.  (See attached)

Administrator Powers presented for signatures the OPIOID REGIONAL INTERGOVENMENTAL AGREEMENT (IGA): Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve the Southwest Opioid response District otherwise known as SWORD Intergovernmental Agreement of Participating Local Governments.  Second by Commissioner Candelaria and carried.  (See attached)

PRECINCT BOUNDARY ALLIGNMENT: County Clerk, Kim Percell, GIS Department, Manager, Doug Roth and Mapping Specialist, Rachel Medina met with the Commissioners to present RESOLUTION #3-2022.  A resolution approving 2022 precinct changes. Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve Resolution #3-2022 authorizing the change of the precinct map.  Second by Commissioner Candelaria and carried.  (See attached)

Chairman Candelaria announced the adjournment of the meeting for the LUNCH break.

Chairman Candelaria announced the meeting would reconvene

BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MONTHLY REPORT: It being the time set aside, the Board of Social Services was conducted.  Director, Gina Montoya and Finance Officer, Lori Higgins were present.  RESOLUTION #2-2022, a resolution to change the 2021 Budget, was presented for approval.  Commissioner Candelaria moved to accept resolution #2-2022, for the change of the 2021 budget, to show the fund balance of zero, after moving money out of Leap and OAP.  Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried. (See attached)

VETERANS SERVICE: Veteran Service Officer, Sara Kuhn met with the Commissioners to give a monthly report.  A copy of the Colorado Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, County Veterans Service Officers Monthly Report and Certification of Pay, December 2021 was presented for the record.  Other topics discussed included; the 2021 November and December financial reports, office activities, statistical data and the indirect income to Montezuma County.  Other topics discussed included; check in phone calls for at risk veterans, VA staff shortages, the Durango clinic and tele-health appointments, VSO certification for Frank LoBue and the scheduled VFW Stand Down event. (See attached).

MONTEZUMA COUNTY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION (MCCO): MCCO Manager, Jennifer Morris met with the Commissioners to give a monthly report.  Topics discussed included; contracts for the designated route feasibility study, the CDOT 53-11 Grant, the total ride numbers for December 2021, staffing levels, the Bus Fund and a future 2021 yearly report.

SENIOR SERVICES: Director, Jonathon G. Parker met with the Commissioners to give a monthly report on the Senior Services programs.  Topics discussed included; the total number of meals served for 2021, the Meals on Wheels program, meals provided through the on-site lunch programs, meal donations and the annual Annex rental income.  (See attached)

CSU EXTENSION OFFICE: Extension Director, Gregory Felsen along with the new Livestock and Agriculture Agent, Emily Lockhart met with the Commissioners for a monthly report.  Topics of the discussion included; the scheduled Livestock & Forage Grower Update event, the Drought Leadership Training schedule, Ag Water Workshops scheduled in Mancos and Cortez and the (AgrAbility) Winter Workshops 2022 schedule.  Other topics discussed included the 4-H youth that will be attending the Leadership Development Conference.  Livestock and Agriculture Agent, Lockhart discussed her roles and responsibilities.  Other topics discussed included; the Drought declaration, congratulations to Kaydence Spruell who placed 5^th with her hog at the National Western Stock Show and a proposed sales tax initiative discussion.   (See attached)

COUNTY ATTORNEY REPORT: County Attorney, Ian MacLaren discussed the Road Y lawsuit and Land Use cases.

NATURAL RESOURCES, PLANNING & PUBLIC LANDS: Resource Director, James Dietrich, met with the Commissioner to give a weekly report.  A discussion was held regarding the DRAFT Montezuma County DOLA Housing Planning Grant (IHOP).  Other topics discussed included; federal actions, the communication towers, pre-scoping comments on the Mesa Verde National Park projects, pre-scoping comments on the Fire Plan, the draft CWPP and a discussion with concerned citizens regarding road access on Road Y.  Director Dietrich presented for the record, a letter to South West Regional Manager, Patrick Rondinelli, from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, regarding the HB21-127 DOLA Innovative Housing Strategies, Planning Grant Program.   (See attached)

COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT: Administrator, Shak Powers, presented RESOLUTION #1-2022, a resolution amending the 2021 Budget.  Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve Resolution #1-2022, a resolution amending the 2021 budget.  Seconded by Commissioner Candelaria and carried.  (See attached)

Administrator Powers presented for approval RESOLUTION #4-2022, a resolution amending the Certification of Mills and Levies and Tax Roll.  Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve Resolution #4-2022, amending the certification of mills and levies and tax roll.  Second by Commissioner Candelaria and carried.   (See attached)

Administrator Powers presented for signatures a letter of support for the Ute Mountain Rodeo Grant Application.  Commissioner Lindsay moved to sign the letter of support for the grant for the Fairground’s parking lot.  Second by Commissioner Candelaria and carried.  (See attached)

Other topics discussed included; an ALL county offices closure for January 31, 2022 in honor of Commissioner Stevenson, a public notice that both Commissioners would be attending the memorial service for Commissioner Stevenson and a public notice that both Commissioners would be attending the Republican Vacancy Committee meeting scheduled January 27, 2022. 

COUNTY COMMISSIONER REPORT: Topics discussed within the Commissioners reports included: Commissioner Lindsay, discussed the attended, Montezuma Valley Irrigation meeting, the scheduled City of Cortez Counsel and Mancos Town Hall meetings and constituent discussions.  Commissioner Candelaria discussed the attended Doctor Lucas weight loss seminar, the CCI legislative briefing, a Housing Authority Board meeting, the Montezuma Valley Irrigation meeting, the Dolores Town Hall meeting and the Monday workshop meeting.

CORRESPONDENCE: The following correspondence was read and noted: the Monday workshop, slide presentation from Cortez Fire Protection District.

MOTION TO ADJOURN: was made by Commissioner Lindsay, seconded by Commissioner Candelaria and carried.

MEETING ADJOURNED: 2:30 p.m. 

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Clerk                     January 25, 2022                           Chairman