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PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
MONTEZUMA COUNTY, COLORADO
April 15, 2025
STATE OF COLORADO )
) ss.
COUNTY OF MONTEZUMA )
At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners, Montezuma County, Colorado, held on Tuesday April 15, 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
CHAIRMAN CANDELARIA opened the meeting of April 15, 2025 with the Pledge of Allegiance.
MINUTES: Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the Proceedings of the Board of County Commissioners for a Special meeting on April 7, 2025 and for the regular Tuesday, April 8, 2025 meeting, at the Montezuma County Board of County Commissioners, as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.
DISCUSSION: Planning Director, Don Haley held a discussion related to the Planning & Zoning process on the proposed land purchase for the Hwy 184 and Road 25 Realignment Project.
PUBLIC HEARING: It being the time set aside a public hearing is held for review and determination of a proposed Amendment Application to High Impact Permit #HIP-09-2023, submitted by Yesco, LLC; agent for HD Cortez, LLC and Maverik, Inc, located at 7255 Hwy 160/491, Cortez, CO, consisting of 10.60 acres, more or less, located west of Hwy 160/491, north of Road G, situated in Section 4, Township 35N, Range 16W, N.M.P.M. The roll was called, the public notice read, and the proceedings were recorded for the record. Agent, Clint Carver, from Maverik, Inc., was present by Zoom. Planning Director, Don Haley presented the details of the application and the findings of the Planning and Zoning Commission. Commissioner Candelaria opened the hearing to public comment. Public Comment was made by Garrett Baxstrom. Hearing no further public comment that portion of the hearing was closed. After hearing all the evidence presented Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve, contingent upon the letter from the FAA, the proposed Amendment Application to High Impact Permit #HIP-09-2023, submitted by Yesco, LLC; agent for HD Cortez, LLC and Maverik, Inc, located at 7255 Hwy 160/491, Cortez. Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. Commissioner Candelaria closed the hearing at this time. (See attached)
PUBLIC COMMENT: Public comment was made by John Durbin, David Raubeson and Allen Maez.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
PUBLIC HEALTH: During the Monday Workshop, Public Health Assistant Director, Laurel Schafer presented for approval the Public Health Air Quality Monitoring Program Contract. Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve the Public Health Air Quality Monitoring Program Contract, with the State of Colorado. Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. (See attached)
INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT: During the Monday Workshop, the Intergovernmental Agreement Policy Concerning Cooperative Planning Efforts, between Montezuma County and the Town of Dolores Colorado was presented for approval, by Resource Director, James Dietrich. Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the Intergovernmental Agreement Policy Concerning Cooperative Planning Efforts, between Montezuma County and the Town of Dolores. Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried. (See attached)
RESOULTION: Resolution #5-2025, a Resolution Authorizing a Loan from the General Fund to the Senior Services and Transportation Fund, in the amount of Seventy Thousand Dollars ($70,000.00) was presented at the Monday Workshop by Robert Dobry, Montezuma County Finance and Budget Manager along with Transportation Director, Kelli Hargraves. Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve Resolution #5-2025, a Resolution Authorizing a loan from the General Fund to the Senior Services and Transportation Fund in the amount of $70,000.00. Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried. (See attached)
TRANSFER ORDER: Administrator Anderson presented Transfer Order #7-2025, a transfer of $70,000 from the General Fund (001) to Senior Services and Transportation Fund (072) as a loan, detailed in a Resolution dated April 14, 2025, to help resolve a temporary cash flow issue. Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve Order #7-2025, to transfer $70,000 from the General Fund to Senior Services and Transportation Fund. Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. (See attached)
RESOULTION: Resolution #6-2025 a Resolution of the Montezuma County Board of County Commissioners Enacting a Moratorium of acceptance of new applications for Utility-Scale Solar power generation in Montezuma County, Colorado for six months or until appropriate standards are incorporated into the Montezuma County Land Use Code, whichever comes first, was presented for approval, by County Attorney, Stephen Tarnowski. Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve Resolution #6-2025 a Resolution of the Montezuma County Board of County Commissioners Enacting a Moratorium of acceptance of new applications for Utility-Scale Solar power generation in Montezuma County, Colorado for six months or until appropriate standards are incorporated into the Montezuma County Land Use Code, whichever comes first. Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried. (See attached)
NEW BUSINESS:
COUNTY SHERIFF: Sheriff, Steven Nowlin met with the Commissioners to give an update on the Highway 491/CR-M accident and to present the following Sheriff’s Office fee schedules: Civil Fees, CCW Application, Records Fees, Office Fees and Sex Offender Fees. (See attached)
COUNTY ATTORNEY REPORT: Attorney, Stephen Tarnowski discussed civil case decisions on the Leaf Property Dollar Store case and the Severance Tax case. Other topics mentioned included Child Protection cases and working with the Planning & Zoning. He reported that he would be out of office next week on a personal matter and would be participating in the Middle School Career Fair.
COUNTY ADMINSTRATOR REPORT: Administrator, Travis Anderson mentioned 2026 budget requests, the destruction of a guard rail on County Road H and reported he is working on (RFP’s) Requests for Product, Agreements and Contracts.
COUNTY CLERK & RECORDER: County Clerk, Kim Percell no report.
COUNTY COMMISSIONER REPORT: Topics within the Commissioners reports included:
Commissioner Lindsay gave an overview of the attended Cortez City Council Meeting and mentioned constituent letters and phone calls. He also reported that the City of Cortez would be celebrating their 140th anniversary in 2026.
Commissioner Koppenhafer discussed the attended Mancos Town Board, the Southwest Water Conservation Board and the (MVI) Montezuma Valley Irrigation Board meetings.
Commissioner Candelaria discussed the attended Fire Commission, CCI Steering Committee and Housing Authority meetings. He also addressed Mr. Durbin’s public comment.
CORRESPONDENCE: The following correspondence was noted: A letter from Eve O’Neill and Richard Gerrard.
MOTION TO ADJOURN: Commissioner Lindsay moved to adjourn, seconded by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.
ADJOURNED: 10:05 a.m.
___________________________ ____________________________
Clerk April 15, 2025 Chairman
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