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PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
MONTEZUMA COUNTY, COLORADO
August 5, 2025
STATE OF COLORADO )
) ss.
COUNTY OF MONTEZUMA )
At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners, Montezuma County, Colorado, held on Tuesday August 5, 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 August 5, 2025 with the Pledge of Allegiance
MINUTES: Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the Proceedings of the Board of County Commissioners of Montezuma County, held on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.
PUBLIC HEARING: It being the time set aside a public hearing is held for review and determination regarding a proposed 2 Lot Moderate Subdivision Application submitted by Dolores State Bank; agent: Brian McLaughlin, on property located at 27880 Hwy 160, Cortez, CO, consisting of 9.14 acres, more or less, located south of Hwy 160, situated in Section 30, Township 36N, Range 15W, N.M.P.M. The roll was called, the public notice read, and the proceedings were recorded for the record. Agent, Brian McLaughlin was present. Planning Director, Don Haley along with Assistant, S. Jane Duncan 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 Mike Lynch. Hearing no further public comment, that portion of the hearing was closed. After hearing all the evidence presented Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the proposed 2 Lot Moderate Subdivision Application submitted by Dolores State Bank; agent: Brian McLaughlin, on property located at 27880 Hwy 160, Cortez, CO, consisting of 9.14 acres, with the addition of the 90×100 septic system location added to lot 1 instead of being in lot 2. Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried. Commissioner Candelaria closed the hearing at this time. (See attached)
PUBLIC HEARING: It being the time set aside a public hearing is held for review and determination regarding a proposed Subdivision Amendment Application, to Lots 1 & 2 of the Phelps Farms Subdivision, submitted by Fred Phelps, on properties located at 24351 & TBD Road T, Dolores, CO, consisting of 6.40 & 3.99 acres, more or less, both located north of Road T, west of Road 25, situated in Section 15, Township 37N, Range 16W, N.M.P.M. The roll was called, the public notice read, and the proceedings were recorded for the record. Mr. Phelps was present. Planning Director, Don Haley along with Assistant, S. Jane Duncan presented the details of the application and the findings of the Planning and Zoning Commission. Commissioner Candelaria opened the hearing to public comment. Hearing no public comment, that portion of the hearing was closed. After hearing all the evidence presented Commissioner Lindsay moved to accept the proposed Subdivision Amendment Application, to Lots 1 & 2 of the Phelps Farms Subdivision, submitted by Fred Phelps, on properties located at 24351 & TBD Road T, Dolores, CO. Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. Commissioner Candelaria closed the hearing at this time. (See attached)
PUBLIC HEARING: It being the time set aside a public hearing is held for review and determination regarding a proposed 3 Lot Minor Subdivision an AR10-34 and AR3-9 Rezoning Application submitted by Ruddy & Jackie Archuleta, on property located at 9000 Road 45.6, Mancos, CO, consisting of 40.02 acres, more or less, located west of Hwy 160, situated in Section 31, Township 36N, Range 12W, N.M.P.M.. The roll was called, the public notice read, and the proceedings were recorded for the record. Mr. and Mrs. Archuleta were present. Planning Director, Don Haley along with Assistant, S. Jane Duncan presented the details of the application and the findings of the Planning and Zoning Commission. Commissioner Candelaria opened the hearing to public comment. Hearing no public comment, that portion of the hearing was closed. After hearing all the evidence presented Commissioner Lindsay moved to accept the proposed 3 Lot Minor Subdivision an AR10-34 and AR3-9 Rezoning Application submitted by Ruddy & Jackie Archuleta, on property located at 9000 Road 45.6, Mancos, contingent upon CDOT’s access permit approval. Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer. With two votes in favor from Commissioners Lindsay and Candelaria and one vote against from Commissioner Koppenhafer, the motion carried. Commissioner Candelaria closed the hearing at this time. (See attached)
PUBLIC COMMENT: Public comment was made by Allen Maez and Mike Lynch.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
LETTER OF SUPPORT: During the Monday Workshop, from the Southwest Health Systems, Bridgett Jabour met with the Commissioners to request a letter of support addressed to the Southwest Opioid Response District, as it related to the proposed purchase of an automated pill counter. Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the letter of support for the Southwest Health Systems, through the (SWORD) Southwest Opioid Response District for a pill counter to make sure that the counting of opioids is more accurate. Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried. (See attached)
PUBLIC HEALTH: During the Monday Workshop Public Health Director Bobbie Lock presented the following documents for approval:
Categorial and Retail Food License fee increase. Commissioner Lindsay moved to accept the Public Health, Categorial and Retail Food License fee increase as presented. Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. (See attached)
Montezuma County Grant Application Submission Form for the Public Health Department, Colorado National Collaborative Suicide Prevention Grant, a reimbursement grant in the amount of $103,000.00. Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the Montezuma County Grant Application Submission Form, to CDPHE for reimbursement of $103,000.00 for the CNC Coordinator. Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried. (See attached)
Secure Transportation Service License and Permit applications for Axis Health System. Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the Secure Transportation Vehicle Permit for Axis Health System, for the period of the 5th day of August 2025 and ending the 5th day of August 2026. Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried. (See attached)
GRANT DISCUSSION: During the Monday Workshop the County Grant Coordinator, Faedra Grubbs, presented the Montezuma County Grant Application Submission Form for the Sheriff’s Office DUI/High Visibility grant. Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the Montezuma County Grant Application Submission Form for the Sheriff’s Office, CDOT, DUI/High Visibility Enforcement program, in the amount of $ 3,000.00. Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried. (See attached)
COUNTY ATTORNEY REPORT: Attorney, Stephen Tarnowski mentioned civil case updates, the Ironwood property, the Kinder Morgan / COT Committee Case, the Ellis Lewis denial appeal, the FOP Unionization Vote, the Social Services court schedule, the new Assistant County Attorney and the proposed Unfunded Mandates Committee.
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT: Administrator Anderson mentioned the Traveling Town Hall, scheduled August 11, 2025, to be held at the Yellow Jacket Livestock Auction on County Road X, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Other topics mentioned included a new consent agenda process, the Dolores Law Enforcement Service Contract, the proposed Unfunded Mandates Committee and the attended Region 9 meeting.
COUNTY CLERK & RECORDER: County Clerk, Kim Percell, no report.
COUNTY COMMISSIONER REPORT: Topics within the Commissioners’ reports included:
Commissioner Koppenhafer discussed his attendance and constituent discussions at the County Fair.
Commissioner Lindsay mentioned that there would not be a Cortez City Council meeting this week and discussed his attendance at the County Fair. Commissioner Lindsay also reminded constituents to be cognizant of school zones as school would be starting soon and to be cautious as fire season is upon us.
Commissioner Candelaria discussed working with Administration, the attended Region 9 meeting, a discussion with the new aide Amy Huff, at the Durango Office of Representative Hurd and the Monday Workshop.
EXECUTIVE SESSION Pursuant to Attorney Tarnowski’s suggestion, Commissioner Lindsay moved to go into an 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). Seconded by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. Included in the session will be Commissioners Candelaria, Lindsay and Koppenhafer, Administrator Anderson, Attorney Tarnowski,and Clerk Percell. Topics of the executive session included: Colorado Ute Mountain Ute Gaming Compact. Commissioner Lindsay moved to go out of the executive session, seconded by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. (See attached)
MOTION TO ADJOURN: Commissioner Lindsay moved to adjourn, seconded by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.
CORRESPONDENCE: The following correspondence was read and noted:
ADJOURNED: 11:11 a.m.
BOARD OF EQUALIZATION
1:30 P.M.
BOARD OF EQUALIZATION: It being the time set aside the following Board of Equalization appeal was heard. The proceedings were recorded for the record. The appeal is from Leroy V. Miller on account #R017275. The petitioner, Mr. Miller, was present. Mr. Miller gave an overview of his appeal. Assessor, Leslie Kennedy-Bugg discussed the petition for appeal and the process of valuation of said land. After hearing the evidence presented, Commissioners Lindsay moved to take the Assessors, recommendation, because they were not allowed to go on the property, at $313,385.00. Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. Commissioner Candelaria closed the hearing at this time. (See attached)
ADJOURNED: 2:28 p.m.
___________________________ ____________________________
Clerk August 5, 2025 Chairman
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