BOCC Minutes August 12, 2025

PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

MONTEZUMA COUNTY, COLORADO

August 12, 2025

STATE OF COLORADO           )

                                                     ) ss.

COUNTY OF MONTEZUMA   )

At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners, Montezuma County, Colorado, held on Tuesday August 12, 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, Absent

Travis Anderson, County Administrator, by Zoom

Stephen Tarnowski, County Attorney

Kim Percell, County Clerk

Jim McClain, Director of IT

CHAIRMAN CANDELARIA opened the meeting of August 12, 2025 with the Pledge of Allegiance

MINUTES: Attorney Tarnowski presented as an addition to the  August 5, 2025 minutes, Resolution #13-2025, A Resolution of the Board of County Commissioners of Montezuma County, Approving the Subdivision Application submitted by the Dolores State Bank, with conditions along with Resolution #14-2025, A Resolution of the Board of County Commissioners of Montezuma County, Approving the Subdivision Application submitted by Ruddy and Jackie Archuleta with conditions.  Commissioner Lindsay moved to accept the Proceedings of the Board of County Commissioners of Montezuma County, for August 5, 2025, with the addition of the resolutions, as presented.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Candelaria and carried.

PUBLIC HEARING: It being the time set aside a public hearing is held for review and determination regarding a proposed Subdivision Amendment Application, to Lot 2 of the Pickens 2 Lot Moderate Subdivision, Amended, submitted by Suzanne Hermon and Neil & Terri Jones; agent: Neil Jones, on properties located at 13654 & 13526 Road 23, Dolores, CO, consisting of 15.12 acres & 43.42 acres, more or less, both located south of Road P, east of Hwy 491, both situated in Section 4, Township 36N, Range 16W, N.M.P.M.  The roll was called, the public notice read, and the proceedings were recorded for the record.  Mr. Jones 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 Lot 2 of the Pickens 2 Lot Moderate Subdivision, Amended, submitted by Suzanne Hermon and Neil & Terri Jones; agent: Neil Jones, on properties located at 13654 & 13526 Road 23, Dolores.  Second by Commissioner Candelaria and carried.  Commissioner Candelaria closed the hearing at this time.  (See attached)

PLANNING: Planning Director, Don Haley along with Assistant, S. Jane Duncan presented, to the Board of Adjustments, for discussion and approval of an After-The-Fact Setback Variance Application, submitted by Eugene Creany, on property located at 9452 Road 42, Mancos,  CO, consisting of 3.40 acres, more or less, located south of Road 42, east of Hwy 184, situated in Section 28, Township 36N, Range 13W, N.M.P.M.  Attorney Tarnowski reminded the Board that he had advised on this issue during executive session and invited the Board to consider prosecuting Land Use violations in County or District Court.  Commissioner Candelaria moved to approve the After-The-Fact Setback Variance Application, submitted by Eugene Creany, on property located at 9452 Road 42, Mancos,  CO, with a consequence of the variation of $5,719.68 along with the written decision to be approved with the minutes.  Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried. (See attached)

CONSENT AGENDA: Chairman Candelaria gave an overview of the new Consent agenda process.

PUBLIC COMMENT: Public comment was made by Allen Maez.

LETTER OF SUPPORT: During the Monday Workshop,  Resource Director, James Dietrich along with Cara Gildar made a request and presented for approval a letter of support addressed to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, as related to the Montelores Coalition’s application for the Regional Partnership Initiative Outdoor Recreation  and Conservation Planning, Implementation and Early Wins grant.  Commissioner Lindsay moved to sign the letter of support for the Montelores Coalition.  Second by Commissioner Candelaria and carried.  (See attached) 

COUNTY ATTORNEY REPORT: Attorney, Stephen Tarnowski mentioned court appearances, introduced the new Assistant County Attorney Gus Maxwell, discussed preparation for trials the Ironwood property case, the FOP Unionization Vote, child protection cases, the Land Use Code enforcement and pending appeals. 

COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT: Administrator Anderson made his report by Zoom.  Topics discussed included: the County Administrator Association discussions related to State Unfunded Mandates, parking lot evaluations for capital improvements, the FOP Unionization Vote, a discussion with the City of Cortez related to the Paths to Mesa Verde Project, a discussion with the Landfill Manger Mel Jarmon related to Rule 31, and proposed Employee Handbook updates.

COUNTY CLERK & RECORDER: County Clerk, Kim Percell, discussed, Coordinating with local School Districts on the November election.  Clerk Percell mentioned that statute requires the Clerk to coordinate the election, but it is the district’s responsibility to certify the ballot content, including candidates.  Candidate petitions could start circulation on August 6, 2025 and must be turned into to the School Districts no later than August 29, 2025.  

COUNTY COMMISSIONER REPORT: Topics within the Commissioners’ reports included:

Commissioner Koppenhafer was absent from the meeting. 

Commissioner Lindsay discussed the agenda for the scheduled Cortez City Council meeting, thanked the Yellow Jacket Livestock for hosting the Commissioner’s Town Hall meeting, thanked the retiring Cortez Police Detective Tom Quinnett for his 30 years of service and discussed signing up for Veteran Services.   

Commissioner Candelaria discussed the attended Commissioner’s Town Hall meeting, the attended Forest Service meeting related to current active fires, poor air quality due to smoke hazards and gave an overview of Department Head reports given during the Monday Workshop.   

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

CORRESPONDENCE: The following correspondence was read and noted: the Montezuma County Senior Services Newsletter for August 2025

ADJOURNED: 10:01 a.m.

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Clerk        August 12, 2025                                         Chairman