PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

MONTEZUMA COUNTY, COLORADO

April 12, 2022

STATE OF COLORADO           )

                                                     ) ss.

COUNTY OF MONTEZUMA   )

At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners, Montezuma County, Colorado, held on Tuesday April 12, 2022 at the Montezuma County Administration building in Cortez, Colorado, there were present:

Jim Candelaria, Chairman

Kent Lindsay, Vice Chairman

Gerald Koppenhafer, Commissioner of Deeds

Shalako Powers, County Administrator

Ian MacLaren, County Attorney

Kim Percell, County Clerk

MINUTES: Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve the minutes of the Proceedings of the Board of Commissioners Montezuma County, Colorado dated April 12, 2022 as presented.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.

PLANNING: Planning Director, Don Haley along with Assistant, S. Jane Duncan presented for signatures of High Impact/Special Use Permit with Commercial Rezoning Application, submitted by Lighthouse Baptist Church; agent: Dale Murphy, on property located at TBD Road L, Cortez, CO, consisting of 9.32 acres, more or less, located north of Road L, west of Hwy 145, situated in Section 13, T.36N, R.16W, N.M.P.M

Planning Director, Haley along with Assistant, Duncan presented for approval of a Variance submitted by Ruben & Pauline Jasso, Lot #50 of the Summit Lake West Unit l Major Subdivision, at 14517 Road 35.9, Mancos, CO, consisting of 1.21 acres, more or less, located south of Hwy 184, west of Road 35.9, situated in Section 33, T.37N, R.16W, N.M.P.M.  Mr. and Mrs. Jasso were in attendance.  The letters of non-opposition from neighboring property owners, had not been completed at this time.  The Commissioners were in agreement to postpone the discussion to the April 17, 2022 meeting. 

PUBLIC COMMENT: Mike Lynch read excerpts from the third report of the forensic audit for the Mesa County Colorado Voting System.  Nicci Crowley discussed public safety for County Road L, with consideration to current property developments along the road.  

DISCUSSION: City of Cortez Municipal Clerk, Linda Smith, Assistant City Clerk, Donna Murphy, and from the County Clerk & Recorder’s office, Clerk, Percell, along with Election Deputy, Danielle Wells, and Miranda Warren met with the Commissioners to discuss the recently held Municipal elections and the coordinated efforts to conduct such elections.

VEHICLE MAINTENANCE: Road & Bridge Equipment Manager, Shane Higman met with the Commissioners to give a monthly report.  Manager Higman reviewed the current Vehicle Replacement Plan.  Topics discussed included; a review of the fleet proposal recommendations, current capital funds, the County’s total vehicle count, yearly mileage on vehicles and inter-departmental vehicle use.    (See attached)

GROUNDS AND BUILDINGS: Maintenance Supervisor, Dustin Sattler met with the Commissioners to give a monthly report.  Supervisor Sattler reported on current and completed projects.  Projects discussed included; completion of the Road Department’s Dolores office, a ditch cleanup project at the Combined Courts Building, the purchase and installation of the Administrative Building’s backup generator, a window tint project at the Clerk & Recorder’s office and the installation of a vacuum and compressor at the Public Health’s Dental office. 

GIS MAPPING: GIS Manager, Doug Roth and Mapping Specialist, Rachel Medina met with the Commissioners with a monthly report.  Topics discussed included; data quality control, LiDAR data, contour lines, development of a degree slope layer data, sloping aspects, property owner wildfire mitigation assessments, home owner defensible space maps, updates to the snow plow routes, the future presentation of the Official 2022 Road map and an increase in property development within the County.  (See attached)

PUBLIC LANDS: Mesa Verde National Park, Kayci Cook Collins, met with the Commissioner to give an update on the Park.  Topics discussed included; an increase in visitation numbers, the National Parks Week, the April 16th fee free Saturday event, an updated facility report, the Aramark openings, the Far View Lodge/Metate Room opening, Spruce Tree Terrace, the Far View Terrace, Morefield Campground, Wetherill Mesa, tours and the purchase of tour tickets on https://www.recreation.gov/, the Cliff Palace Loop paving project, the future Mesa Top Loop paving project, a closure of the Chapin Mesa Museum, the Fire Management Plan, the Wildfire Emergency Response Plan, the Senior Pass Program and the Wild Mustang Adoption Program.  

UNFINSHED BUSINESS:  LETTER OF SUPPORT:  Commissioner Candelaria presented for approval, a letter of support, addressed to Senator Michael Bennet, regarding the Lower Dolores River National Conservation Area (NCA). There was a discussion regarding the language to the final document.  The Commissioners were in agreement to postpone the approval for the letter of support until the language had been finalized.  (See attached)

LETTER OF SUPPORT: Administrator Powers presented for approval, a letter of support, addressed to Senator Michael Bennet, regarding the Support of La Plata County’s Congressionally Directed Spending Application, for converting the Bob Denier Center in Durango, CO into an inpatient substance use treatment facility.  Commissioner Lindsay moved to sign the letter of support for the La Plata County’s congressionally directed spending application.  Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.  (See attached)

COUNTY ATTORNEY REPORT: County Attorney, Ian MacLaren reported on a meeting attended with County Assessor, Leslie Bugg, to discuss deeds for property transfers.  Attorney MacLaren gave an update on the Carver Landfill title restrictions, discussed development of a Suicide Prevention Coalition Data Analysis Contract and participation in the Judicial Performance Commission process for the 22^nd Judicial District.  

NATURAL RESOURCES, PLANNING & PUBLIC LANDS: Resource Director, James Dietrich, no report given. 

COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT: Administrator, Shak Powers, no report given.

COUNTY COMMISSIONER REPORT: Topics discussed within the Commissioners reports included: Commissioner Lindsay discussed the Suckla Auction, possible electronic road signs for heavy traffic during the auction next year, the attended Home and Garden Show, constituent discussions and the scheduled Cortez City Council meeting.  Commissioner Koppenhafer discussed the Suckla Auction and the scheduled Montezuma Valley Irrigation meeting.  Commissioner Candelaria discussed the attended CCI Steering Committee meetings, proposed legislative bills, the attended Home and Garden Show, the attended Kiwanis Banquet, the Monday workshop and the Dolores Town Board meeting.

CORRESPONDENCE: The following correspondence was read and noted:

MOTION TO ADJOURN: was made by Commissioner Lindsay, seconded by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.

MEETING ADJOURNED: 10:30 a.m.