PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

MONTEZUMA COUNTY, COLORADO

June 27, 2023

STATE OF COLORADO           )

                                                     ) ss.

COUNTY OF MONTEZUMA   )

At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners, Montezuma County, Colorado, held on Tuesday June 27, 2023 at the Montezuma County Administration building in Cortez, Colorado, there were present:

Jim Candelaria, Chairman

Kent Lindsay, Vice Chairman

Gerald Koppenhafer, Commissioner of Deeds

Travis Anderson, County Administrator

Ian MacLaren, County Attorney

Kim Percell, Absent

Malinda Fuller, Chief Deputy Clerk

CHAIRMAN CANDELARIA opened the meeting of June 27, 2023 with the Pledge of Allegiance.

MINUTES: Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the Proceedings of the Board of County Commissioners of Montezuma County, for Tuesday, June 20, 2023 as presented.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.

PUBLIC HEARING: Planning Director, Don Haley along with Assistant S. Jane Duncan reported that the petition, for review and determination of a General Planned Unit Development and Rezoning Application submitted by Triple S Farms, LLC; agent: Ernie Maness, on property located at 26960 Road N, Cortez, CO, consisting of 10 acres, more or less, located south of Road N, west of Hwy 145, situated in Section 12, T.36N, R.16W, N.M.P.M., had been withdrawn by the applicants.  (See attached)

PLANNING: Planning Director, Don Haley along with Assistant, S. Jane Duncan presented for discussion and approval of a Boundary Line Adjustment Application submitted by Eric & Shelly Hooton, on property located at 3113 Hwy 160-491, Cortez, CO, consisting of 7.84 acres, more or less, located west of Hwy 160-491, situated in Section 32, Township 35N, Range 16W, N.M.P.M. and Thomas & Jacklyn Burnison, on property located at TBD Hwy 160-491, Cortez, CO, consisting of 190.24 acres, more or less, located east of Hwy 160-491, situated in Section 32, Township 35N, Range 16W, N.M.P.M. Commissioner Lindsey moved to approve the Boundary Adjustment. Motion seconded by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.

Planning Director, Don Haley along with Assistant, S. Jane Duncan presented for signatures of a Mylar for a 2 Lot Moderate Subdivision, submitted by Travis & Kacia White, on property located at 38645 Hwy 160, Mancos, CO, consisting of 9.94 acres, more or less, located north of Hwy 160, situated in Section 36, Township 36N, Range 14W, N.M.P.M.

PUBLIC COMMENT: Public comments were made by James Russell Meyer, Dr Kent Akin, Mary Dodd, Allen Maez, Charles Jeter, Mike Lynch, B MacAfee, Phil Schmitt, and Jim Law.

SOUTHWEST HEALTH SYSTEMS: (CEO) Interim Chief Executive Officer, Gene Miller, (CNO) Chief Nursing Officer, Lisa Gates and (CFO) Interim Chief Financial Officer, Shelle Diehm met with the Commissioners to give an update on the local hospital.  Topics include: Enhancing Revenue, new CEO, stability of senior positions, financial plan, and staffing issues.

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 new Director, Kelly Hargraves were present.  Also joining via zoom was Laura Strother from CDHS to present a Distinguished Performance Award and Certificate of Appreciation to the Social Services Department.  (See attached)

VETERANS SERVICE: Veteran Service Officer, Frank LoBue 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, May 2023 was presented for the record.  Other topics discussed included; the May 2023 financial report, a review of office activities, statistical data and the indirect income to Montezuma County.  (See attached).

SENIOR SERVICES: Interim Director, Lori Thompson met with the Commissioners to give a monthly report on the Senior Services programs.

CSU EXTENSION OFFICE: Extension Director, Emily Lockard met with the Commissioners for a monthly report.  Topics of the discussion included MOU with CSU, Director Position, financial and vehicles, and the upcoming Montezuma County Fair.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

DISCUSSION: A discussion was held related to the Community Development Block.  Commissioner Lindsay moved to sign the Community Development Block for Business Loan Fund also the Intergovernmental Agreement that pertains to that and the Letter and the Citizen Participation Development Plan and the Residential Anti Displacement and Relocation Assistance Plan.  Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.   (See attached)

DISCUSSION: A discussion was held related to the 23-24 Gaming Impact Grant.  Commissioner Lindsay moved to sign the Application for the 2023 Gaming Grant. Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.  (See attached)

DISCUSSION: A discussion was held related to the Cooperative Agreement between Montezuma County and the Forest Service. Commissioner Lindsay move to sign the Cooperative Forest Road Agreement between Montezuma County and USDA, Forest Service San Juan National Forest Agreement No. 23-RO-1102-300-039. Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. (See attached)

DISCUSSION: A discussion was held related to the, Montezuma County Employee Sick Leave Pool. (See attached)

NATURAL RESOURCES, PLANNING & PUBLIC LANDS: Resource Director, James Dietrich, met with the Commissioners to give his weekly report.  Topics of the discussion included, BLM Southwest Rack meeting and recreation trail systems, CPW Grant for Wildlife, Pass of Mesa Verde and CFLRP Collaborative Process. (See attached)

COUNTY ATTORNEY REPORT: County Attorney, Ian MacLaren reported Contempt Motion filed with CDPHE against Ironwood case, Ellis Lewis Land Use Case and day to day business.

ADMINISTRATOR REPORT: County Administrator, Travis Anderson reported   receiving a lot of calls and emails regarding the hospital situation, restructure of Senior Services, negotiations on Dolores Contract for Law Enforcement services, Board to Board meeting between Mancos and BOCC, spending Thursday and Friday at the Landfill with CDPHE and Gaming Grant.

COUNTY COMMISSIONER REPORT: Topics discussed within the Commissioners reports included: Commissioner Lindsay also receiving a lot of phone calls and messages about the hospital, no meetings last week and attending the upcoming MVI and SHS meetings.  Commissioner Koppenhafer mentioned constituent discussions related to the hospital, appointment to the Colorado River Task Force and attending the upcoming MVI meeting. Commissioner Candelaria reported the he also had many calls and messages regarding the hospital, Proposal for weed funding, and gravel for improving “red roads” and gave an overview of the Monday Workshop.

MOTION TO ADJOURN: Commissioner Lindsay moved to adjourn, seconded by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.

CORRESPONDENCE: The following correspondence was read and noted: John D Rutledge.

MEETING ADJOURNED: 11:29 a.m.

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Clerk                                 June 27, 2023                       Chairman