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PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
MONTEZUMA COUNTY, COLORADO
January 14, 2025
STATE OF COLORADO )
) ss.
COUNTY OF MONTEZUMA )
At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners, Montezuma County, Colorado, held on Tuesday January 14, 2025 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
Stephen Tarnowski, County Attorney
Kim Percell, County Clerk
Danielle Wells, Deputy Clerk
CHAIRMAN CANDELARIA opened the meeting of January 14, 2025 with the Pledge of Allegiance.
MINUTES: Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the Proceedings of the Board of County Commissioners of Montezuma County, for Tuesday, January 7, 2025 as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.
PLANNING: Planning Director, Don Haley along with Assistant S. Jane Duncan presented for signatures, a Mylar for a Subdivision Amendment and Rezoning to Lot #3 of the Millard Farms Subdivision, submitted by Edward & Carrie Jo Comisky, on property located at 13123 Road 21, Cortez, CO, consisting of 14.66 acres, more or less, located north of Road N, west of Road 21, situated in Section 1, Township 36N, Range 17W, N.M.P.M.
Director Haley along with Assistant Duncan presented for signatures, a Mylar for a 8 Lot Major Subdivision and AR3-9 Rezoning submitted by Kevin & Patricia Hale; agents: Jennifer Turner & Rachel Comisky, on property located at 30655 Road H, Cortez, CO, consisting of 36.05 acres, more or less, located east of Road 27, south of Hwy 160, situated in Section 34, Township 36N, Range 15W, N.M.P.M.
PUBLIC COMMENT: Public comment was made by Sandra Jumper and Allen Maez.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING: During the Monday workshop IT Director, Jim McClain presented the Memorandum of Understanding between DataSafe Services, LLC and Montezuma County. The Memorandum of Understanding between DataSafe Services, LLC and Montezuma County was presented for approval. Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the Memorandum of Understanding Amendment between DataSafe Services and Montezuma County dated December 22, 2024. Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried. (See attached)
GIS MAPPING: GIS Manager, Doug Roth met with the Commissioners review and certify the Colorado Department of Transportation HUTF mileage for the previous county year. Reports presented included the HUTF Road work and Changes for Reporting Year 2024, completed road projects and a map reflecting said reports. Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to accept the HUTF Road work and Changes for Reporting Year 2024 as presented with a total of 790.49 miles, 248.7 paved, 541.79 unpaved. Seconded by Commissioner Lindsay and carried. (See attached)
Public Health Director, Bobbi Lock presented with a 33 years of service to Montezuma County award.
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE: During the Monday workshop, Road and Bridge Equipment Manager Manger, Shane Higman, met with the commissioners to present the Fleet Vehicle Public Auction list to be sold on publicsurplus.com. (See attached).
Shane Higman also presented the proposed vehicle replacement list. Commissioner Lindsay so moved to go with the 2025 Subaru Ascent on the five-year lease for three vehicles. Seconded by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. (See attached).
DISCUSSION: Landfill: During the Monday workshop, Landfill Manager, Mel Jarmon discussed with the commissioners Landfill bids on alternative daily cover. Commissioner Lindsay moved to accept the bid from Environment Products in the amount of $22,220 for the landfill top cover. Seconded by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.
DISCUSSION: Montezuma County Jail Contract: During the Monday workshop, Sheriff Steve Nowlin discussed with the commissioners the Southern Health Partners Jail Medical Contract. Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to accept this contract between Southern Health Partners and Montezuma County for the contract period of January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025 for the jail. Seconded by Commissioner Lindsay and carried. (See attached).
DISCUSSION: HUMAN RESOURCES: Human Resources Assessment and Handbook Review: Human Resource Technician, Dennis Bugg presented for review the Human Resources Assessment and Handbook. Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to allow Commissioner Candelaria to sign this engagement letter with Polsinelli firm to look at the handbook review for county employees. Seconded by Commissioner Lindsay.
APPOINTMENT: Commissioner Candelaria postponed the decision for two weeks for appointing a board member to the Lebanon Cemetery District to allow for one week of advertising that the position is open.
NEW BUSINESS:
TRANSFER ORDER: Administrator Anderson presented a Transfer Order # 1-2025 for Senior Services and Transportation Fund – initial funding of $50,000. Commissioner Lindsay moved to authorize Transfer Order #1-2025 of Senior Services and Transportation Fund initial funding of $50,000. Seconded by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. (See attached).
COUNTY ATTORNEY REPORT: County Attorney, Stephen Tarnowski mentioned working on a MOU for the Landfill, waiting on the court’s decision for the Leaf Properties case, the Road 41 issue being resolved to the county’s satisfaction, and a few CORA requests.
ADMINISTRATOR REPORT County Administrator, Travis Anderson mentioned Road 41 being very well maintained now, KWR associates for 2026 budget processes, a zoom meeting with the Southwest Opioid Response District, discussions about interest in a race track lease, and financial work.
PAYABLE EXPENDITURE REPORT: Administrator Anderson presented for approval, the October 2024 Accounts Payable Expenditure Reports in the amount of $4,268,887.48 for the month of October 1 through October 31, 2024. Commissioner Lindsay moved to accept the October financials in the amount of $4,268,887.48. Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. (See attached)
PAYABLE EXPENDITURE REPORT: Administrator Anderson presented for approval, the November 2024 Accounts Payable Expenditure Reports in the amount of $3,988,435.35 for the month of November 1 through November 30th, 2024. Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve the November financials in the amount of $3,988,435.35. Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. (See attached)
DISSCUSSION: Public Health Director, Bobbi Lock spoke with the commissioners about communications with the state about providing documentation and reason on why the board decided to not sign the agreement about Personally Identifiable Information concerning state databases. The board authorized Bobbi Lock and Stephan Tarnowski to communicate with the state about the reasons why the board chose not to sign the original agreement.
COUNTY CLERK & RECORDER: County Clerk, Kim Percell introduced Deputy Clerk Danielle Wells, who she is training to do the minutes for the BOCC meetings.
COUNTY COMMISSIONER REPORT: Topics within the Commissioners reports included:
Commissioner Koppenhafer mentioned a meeting with AAA concerning personnel and funding issues that are affecting senior services. Attended a Town of Mancos meeting where a new deputy was sworn in.
Commissioner Lindsay: mentioned city council meetings and the meeting in Mancos.
Commissioner Candelaria: mentioned reports from Natural Resources, Noxious Weed, Building and Grounds, and Vehicle Maintenance departments during the Monday workshop. Travelling town hall held in Mancos discussed concerns with senior funding, roads, and land ease. Congratulations to Commissioners Lindsay and Koppenhafer swearing in to their new terms today. 123 bills on the first day of the legislative session. Upcoming fire commissioner meeting, and a town hall meeting concerning the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) code on Friday January 17, 2025.
MOTION TO ADJOURN: Commissioner Lindsay moved to adjourn, seconded by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.
ADJOURNED: 12:01pm
____________________________ ____________________________
Clerk January 14, 2025 Chairman
BOARD OF COUNTY HEALTH: The meeting would reconvene at 1:30 p.m., as the Board of County Health.
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