BOCC Minutes April 22, 2025

PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

MONTEZUMA COUNTY, COLORADO

April 22, 2025

STATE OF COLORADO           )

                                                     ) ss.

COUNTY OF MONTEZUMA   )

At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners, Montezuma County, Colorado, held on Tuesday April 22, 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 22, 2025 with the Pledge of Allegiance.

MINUTES: Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the Proceedings of the Board of County Commissioners of Montezuma County, Tuesday, April 15, 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 of a proposed Commercial Rezoning Application, a High Impact Permit Application and Setback Variance Application, submitted by Ute Mountain Ute Tribe; agent: Beth Cascaddan, on property located at 27601 Hwy 160, Cortez, CO consisting of 4.05 acres, more or less, located south of East Empire St, north 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, Cascaddan 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 Cortez Cemetery Board Member, Howard Kaime.  Hearing no further public comment that portion of the hearing was closed.  After hearing all the evidence presented, Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the High Impact Permit Application and Setback Variance Application, submitted by the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, on property located at 27601 Hwy 160, Cortez, CO consisting of 4.05 acres, along with the proposed Commercial Rezoning, contingent upon the CDOT access, acoustical music only, privacy fence and MVI access to the irrigation canal.  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 of a proposed Subdivision Amendment Application & Rezoning to Lot North of the Hema-Casey Subdivision, submitted by Waldey Harris Mikkelson Family Trust; agent: Michael Mikkelson, on property located at 14902 Road 29.75, Dolores, CO, consisting of 20.32 acres, more or less, located east of Road 29.75, south of Hwy 184, situated in Section 33, Township 37N, Range 15W, N.M.P.M.  The roll was called, the public notice read, and the proceedings were recorded for the record.  Travis Mikkelson 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 Monte Carmack.  Hearing no further 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 & Rezoning to Lot North of the Hema-Casey Subdivision, submitted by Waldey Harris Mikkelson Family Trust; agent: Michael Mikkelson, on property located at 14902 Road 29.75, Dolores.  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 of a proposed Single Lot Development and AR3-9 Rezoning Application, submitted by Joshua & Gina Boren, on property located at 15511 Hwy 145, Cortez, CO, consisting of 68.87 acres, more or less, located west of Hwy 145, south of Road S, situated in Section 30, Township 37N, Range 15W, N.M.P.M.  The roll was called, the public notice read, and the proceedings were recorded for the record.  Mr. Boren 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 Koppenhafer moved to approve the proposed Single Lot Development and AR3-9 Rezoning Application, submitted by Joshua & Gina Boren, on property located at 15511 Hwy 145, Cortez, CO.  Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.  Commissioner Candelaria closed the hearing at this time.  (See attached)

PUBLIC COMMENT: Public comment was made by Mary Dodd.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

FEE SCHEDULES: The following Fee Schedules were presented for review and discussion: The Fairground’s Rate Schedule Comparison, the Planning and Zoning Fee Schedule, the Sheriff Office’s Civil Fees, CCW Application Fees, Records Fees, Office Fees, Sex Offender Fees and the Public Health 2025 Fee Schedule.  All of the Fee Schedule discussions were postponed to a future date.  (See attached)

NEW BUSINESS:

GIS MAPPING: GIS Manager, Doug Roth met with the Commissioners to present for signatures a Memo of Understanding between Montezuma County Colorado and the Towns of Mancos, and Dolores, the City of Cortez and Dolores County Colorado, regarding a cooperative effort to enhance geographic information systems (GIS) within regional planning and emergency services area.  Commissioner Lindsay moved to enter into a Memo of Understanding between the Montezuma County, towns of Mancos, Dolores and the City of Cortez and Dolores County, for regional partnership regarding a cooperative effort to enhance geographic information systems within regional planning and emergency services area.  Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.  (See attached)

COUNTY ATTORNEY REPORT: Attorney, Stephen Tarnowski mentioned adult protection and child support hearings, the court schedule, working with the Planning Department on current issues, solar regulations and proposed road realignments, also the reposting of the expanded Assistant County Attorney position. 

COUNTY ADMINSTRATOR REPORT: Administrator, Travis Anderson reported he had done a review of the Severance Tax funding loss, done research for the JBBS contracts, attended meetings with the Sheriff and Road & Bridge Departments, reported on the District Attorney staff move, mentioned the Hwy 184 and Road 25 Realignment Project survey, a discussion held with Jackson County related to the restructuring of a Noxious Weed Program, and addressing insurance issues related to Useful Public Service clients coming out of the courts. 

COUNTY CLERK & RECORDER: County Clerk, Kim Percell reported that she had made an error on numbering a Resolution that had been approved on April 15, 2025.  Attorney Tarnowski will review and advise. 

COUNTY COMMISSIONER REPORT: Topics within the Commissioners reports included:

Commissioner Lindsay discussed the agenda for the scheduled Cortez City Council Meeting and gave an overview of the attended Energy and Environment Symposium.

Commissioner Koppenhafer mentioned the attended Commissioner Town Hall meeting held in Dolores and the scheduled Mancos Town Board meeting.

Commissioner Candelaria discussed attended departmental meetings, the CCI legislative update Zoom meeting, the Southwest Health System update form Joe Theine during the Monday Workshop and the Commissioner Town Hall meeting held in Dolores.

Chairman Candelaria announced the meeting would adjourn until 1:00 p.m. for a discussion with Congressman, Jeff Hurd. 

Chairman Candelaria announced the meeting would reconvene.

DISCUSSION: Congressman Hurd met with the Commissioners to discuss local concerns and gave an update on his first 100 days.  District Director, Betsy Bear and Senior Legislative Assistant, Chis Zhen were introduced as members of the team.  Congressman Hurd’s legislative Committee assignments included the Natural Resources Committee, (Subcommittees Energy and Minerals and is the Chairman of the Indian and Insular Affairs subcommittee), the Transportation Infrastructure Committee: (Subcommittees Aviation, Roads and Surface and Water Infrastructure), and the Science Space and Technology Committee. Topics discussed included; permanent location for BLM Headquarters, Public Land management plans, Wildfire Forest Management, the Second Amendment, Rural Health Care, Secure Rural Schools (SRS) Funds, the budget  reconciliation process, the Farm Bill, Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT), the National Conservation Area (NCA), Water issues, Wilderness Study Areas (WSA), Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC), the Head Start Program / Child care funding, local transportation areas of concern, County and City Law Enforcement needs, Drought resilience, Forest Service Fire Fighter positions and Border Security,

CORRESPONDENCE: The following correspondence was noted:

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

ADJOURNED: 2:00 p.m.

___________________________                              ____________________________

Clerk        April 22, 2025                                            Chairman