BOCC Minutes November 21, 2023

PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

MONTEZUMA COUNTY, COLORADO

November 21, 2023

STATE OF COLORADO           )

                                                     ) ss.

COUNTY OF MONTEZUMA   )

At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners, Montezuma County, Colorado, held on Tuesday November 21, 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, County Clerk

CHAIRMAN CANDELARIA opened the meeting of November 21, 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, November 14, 2023 as presented.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT: Public comment was made by Mike Lynch and Allen Maez. 

BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MONTHLY REPORT: It being the time set aside, the Board of Social Services was conducted.  Director, Kelli Hargraves and Finance Officer, Lori Higgins were present. The Memo of Understanding between Montezuma County and Powers County was presented for approval. Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to sign the Memo of Understanding between Powers County and Montezuma County Board of Commissioners, for the child welfare hotline connection center.  Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.  (See attached)

PUBLIC HEALTH: Public Health Director Bobbie Lock met with the Commissioner to give a monthly report.  Topics discussed included: the Long Term Care Program move to Community Connections, a financial request for cubicles, scheduled interviews, the proposed change to the WIC Program, the Community Intervention Program, the Congressional Direct Spending Grant and staffing.  

VETERANS SERVICE: Veteran Service Officer, Frank LoBue was not available to report. 

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT:  Emergency Manager, Jim Spratlen met with the Commissioner and gave a monthly update.  Manager Spratlen presented the Monthly Situational Report for discussion and review.  Topics discussed included: highway closures and the main street water break, planning updates, grants, training and drills, the Community Involvement Expo event, scheduled for December 14, 2023 and emergency management radios.  (See attached)

NEW BUSINESS:

SOUTHWEST HEALTH SYSTEMS: (CEO) Chief Executive Officer, Joe Theine met with the Commissioners to give an update on the local hospital. Topics discussed included: completed Website updates, National Healthcare Challenges, staffing challenges, an increase in labor expense, staff turnover comparisons, Colorado Rural Workforce Environmental Scan, legislative activity, how to attract community members to receive care locally, building on healthcare workforce partnerships, additions, changes and recruiting of Providers, the SHS Board appointments, replacement of primary care providers, Senior Care and a scheduled fund raising event.  (See attached)

EXECUTIVE SESSION: Pursuant to Attorney MacLaren’s suggestion, Commissioner Lindsay moved 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) and to include Commissioners Candelaria, Lindsay and Koppenhafer, Administrator Anderson, Attorney MacLaren and Clerk Percell. Seconded by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.  Topics for the executive session were legal tactics of negotiation, legalities and procedure regarding the Mesa Sky Improvement District.  Commissioner Lindsay moved to go out of executive session, seconded by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.   (See attached)  

RESOLUTION: Resolution #23-2023, a resolution amending Montezuma County Resolution #22-2023, which formed, created and established a Local Improvement district for the chip sealing of County Road 26.1 Loop, serving the Mesa Sky Estates Subdivision was presented for approval.  Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve resolution #23-2023, a resolution amending Montezuma County Resolution #22-2023, which formed, created and established a Local Improvement District for the chip sealing of County Road 26.1 Loop, serving the Mesa Sky Estates Subdivision.  Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. (See attached)

COUNTY ATTORNEY REPORT: County Attorney, Ian MacLaren discussed the findings of the Board of Assessment Appeal Hearing, gave an update on the Ironwood case and discussed the Fair Board civil rights complaint.

PAYABLE EXPENDITURE REPORT: Administrator Anderson presented for approval, the October 2023 Accounts Payable Expenditure Reports in the amount of $4,803,481.48.  Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the financials for Montezuma County Board of Commissioners, for the month of October 1, through October 31, 2023, in the total amount of $4,803,481.48.  Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.   (See attached)

ADMINISTRATOR REPORT: County Administrator, Travis Anderson discussed stake holder meetings held after Proposition HH failed, possible adjusted budgets from preliminary findings, state assessments, a reduction of the assessment rate, County revenues and County services.

NATURAL RESOURCES, PLANNING & PUBLIC LANDS: Resource Director, James Dietrich, met with the Commissioners to give his weekly report.  Topics of the discussion included: a landowner’s pending BLM permit for Horse Tours in the Canyon of the Ancients National Monument, the (DWARF) Dolores Watershed and Resilient Forrest Coordination Collaborative, the CFLRP Collaborative, the Saulter EA and an update on the Paths to Mesa Verde Project.  (See attached)

COUNTY COMMISSIONER REPORT: Topics within the Commissioners reports included: Commissioner Lindsay discussed the attended Cortez City Council and Dispatch meetings. Commissioner Koppenhafer reported on the attended Colorado River Task Force and the Colorado Ag Water Alliance meetings.  Commissioner Candelaria discussed the attended Emergency CCI tax and finance steering committee meeting, the Ironwood site visit, the Monday E911 Board meeting and county compliance to statured public notices. 

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

CORRESPONDENCE: The following correspondence was read and noted:

MEETING ADJOURNED:  10:57 a.m.

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Clerk                  November 21, 2023                          Chairman