PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

MONTEZUMA COUNTY, COLORADO

March 15, 2022

STATE OF COLORADO           )

                                                     ) ss.

COUNTY OF MONTEZUMA   )

At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners, Montezuma County, Colorado, held on Tuesday March 15, 2022 at the Montezuma County Administration building in Cortez, Colorado, there were present:

Jim Candelaria, Chairman

Kent Lindsay, Vice Chairman

Gerald Koppenhafer, Commissioner of Deeds

Shalako Powers, County Administrator

Ian MacLaren, County Attorney

Kim Percell, County Clerk

MINUTES: Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve the minutes of the Proceedings of the Board of Commissioners Montezuma County, Colorado dated March 8, 2022 as presented.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.

PLANNING: Planning Director, Don Haley along with Assistant, S. Jane Duncan presented for discussion a draft for a General Planned Unit Development submitted by Triple S Farms, LLC; Agent: Ernie Maness, on property located at 12261 Hwy 145, Cortez, CO, consisting of 247 acres, more or less, located south of Road M, west of Hwy 145, situated in Section 12, T.36N., R.16W., N.M.P.M.  Agent Ernie Maness was present. The Commissioners were in agreement that the application should proceed through the Planning process.

DISCUSSION: Director Haley along with Assistant Duncan held a discussion regarding CDOT access permits.  Topics discussed included; Road 37, the Summit Lake access, a proposed county access permit process, Road L, Road 38.5, the intersection of Road M and Hwy 491, and the State access permit process.

PUBLIC COMMENT: Allen Maez discussed the County Annex and the recently held Republican Party Assembly.  Mike Lynch presented the Commissioners a thumb drive, with electronic information regarding the 2020 election.   (Thumb drive available for review, within the County Clerk’s Office, during regular office hours)  

LIQUOR LICENSE: Deputy Clerk, Jerri Frizzell presented for approval a liquor license renewal application for The Gettin’ Place, Steele Investments Inc., located at 26060 Hwy., 491 Pleasant View, Co. 81331.  Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the renewal application for a retail liquor and fermented malt beverage, license for Steel Investments Inc., The Gettin’ Place, located at 26060 Hwy., 491 Pleasant View, CO.  Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.  (See attached)

12 HOURS OF MESA VERDE MOUNTAIN BIKE RACE: Board members Cap Allen, Kirk Underwood and Dani Gregory met with the Commissioners to request permission for a special event liquor license, to serve donated beer during the 12 Hours of Mesa Verde event, scheduled May 7, 2022.  Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve a special event liquor license, for the 12 Hours of Mesa Verde event at the County Fairgrounds.  Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.  (See attached)

COUNTY CORONER: Coroner, George Deavers met with the Commissioners to give a monthly report.  Topics discussed included: a Monthly 2021 Case Report, a 2021 Weekly Case Report, a, Hourly Case Report, the 2021 yearly statistics which included, 17 motor vehicle deaths, 19 suicides and 8 overdose deaths.  Coroner Deavers reported the current yearly statistics included: a total number of 39 cases that include, 2 motor vehicle deaths, 2 suicides and 5 overdose deaths.  The year to date, total number of autopsies completed was 50, with 15 being from Montezuma County and a total of 3 (possibly 4) homicides for the year.  Other topics discussed included; an increase in young deaths within the county and Senate Bill 22-065.  (See attached)

COUNTY SHERIFF’S MONTHLY REPORT: Sheriff, Steven Nowlin met with the Commissioners to give his monthly report.  Sheriff Nowlin discussed what the critical and priority needs would be for the proposed Public Safety Sales Tax and presented the 2022 Public Safety Sales Tax Requested Cost Estimates.  Topics discussed included the Detention Center, the Patrol Division, the Detective Division equipment, training, and salaries.   Reports presented for the record included the January and February, Calls for Service Report, the Jail Report, the Year to Date Transport Report, the Perdium and Cost for Travel Report, the Total Monthly Inmate Report, the Monthly Arrests Report, the Dolores County Billing Report, the City of Cortez Billing Report, the DOC Holds Report, the Operational Expense Report and the Monies Paid to the General Fund Report.  (See attached) 

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT:  Emergency Manager, Jim Spratlen met with the Commissioner and gave a monthly update.  Manager Spratlen presented for discussion and review, the Monthly Situational Report.  Topics within the report that were discussed included; drought, a COVID update and a water update.  Manager Spratlen presented for discussion, the Public Safety Sales Tax Disbursement for Emergency Management and Communications Proposal.  Topics discussed included; communication towers, a mobile communication trailer, full time employee positions, yearly costs, broadband opportunities and tower locations.  Maintenance Supervisor, Dustin Sattler joined the meeting to discuss the purchase of a used generator in the amount of $23,000.00.  The discussion will be postponed to a later date, to allow time to get a cost comparison for the energy source.  (See attached)

DISCUSSION: Cortez Fire Protection Chief, Jay Balfour, Battalion Chief Charlie Bordon and Lieutenant Rick Spencer met with the Commissioners to discuss the proposed Public Safety Sales Tax.  Chief Balfour discussed the history of the Fire District, current staffing and call volume history, apparatus, calls for service, additional services provided, an overview on current issues, where similar departments are currently, priority needs, the benefits of the proposed sales tax and needed capital improvements.  Chief Balfour discussed the Fourth of July Fireworks Display event.  (See attached)  

UNFINSHED BUSINESS: No unfinished business presented.

COUNTY ATTORNEY REPORT: County Attorney, Ian MacLaren gave updates on the Land Use Code Violation Case and the Weber Canyon / Road 41 lawsuit. 

NATURAL RESOURCES, PLANNING & PUBLIC LANDS: Resource Director, James Dietrich, no report given.   

COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT: Administrator, Shak Powers, presented for approval the Master Engagement Agreement by and between MGT of America Consulting, LLC, and Montezuma County Board of Commissioners.  Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve the Master Engagement Agreement, between MGT of America Consulting, LLC, and the Montezuma County Board of Commissioners.  Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.  Other topics discussed included: a scheduled drought mitigation meeting to begin the educational Water Wise Series, an update on the attended Detox Intergovernmental Agreement meeting, an update on the (SWORD) Southwest Opioid Response District meeting and a  County website link for behavioral health information. https://montezumacounty.org/behavioral-health/  (See attached) 

COUNTY COMMISSIONER REPORT: Topics discussed within the Commissioners reports included: Commission Koppenhafer discussed the attended Mancos Town Board meeting and the scheduled Club 20 meetings.  Commissioner Lindsay discussed constituent discussions, the attended Cortez City Council meeting, the attended Republican Party General Assembly meeting, and the passing of former County Commissioner Helen Mc Clellan.  Commissioner Candelaria discussed the attended CDOT meeting, the attended CCI Legislative meetings, the Dolores Town Board meeting, PILT Payments, the Republican Party Assembly and gave an update on the Monday Workshop topics. 

DISTRICT ATTORNEY: District Attorney, Matt Margeson and Office Manager, Clarisa Feuilly met with the Commissioners to give a monthly report.   Topics discussed included; the proposed Public Safety Sales Tax, an additional legal assistant, a proposed 8% cost of living adjustment, a budgetary increase for the department, increased requirements for data storage,  Senate Bill #217, proposed juvenile legislation and current department staffing.  (See attached)

CORRESPONDENCE: The following correspondence was read and noted: Email received from Joellen Dickey regarding updates on Ironwood Fire Mitigation.

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

MEETING ADJOURNED: 11:15 a.m. 

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Clerk                     March 15, 2022                              Chairman