PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

MONTEZUMA COUNTY, COLORADO

February 28, 2023

STATE OF COLORADO           )

) ss.

COUNTY OF MONTEZUMA   )

At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners, Montezuma County, Colorado, held on Tuesday February 28, 2023 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

Ian MacLaren, County Attorney

Kim Percell, County Clerk

CHAIRMAN, CANDELARIA opened the meeting of February 28, 2023 with the Pledge of Allegiance.

MINUTES: Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the minutes of the Proceedings of the Board of Commissioners Montezuma County, Colorado dated Tuesday, February 21, 2023 as presented.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.

PLANNING: Planning Director, Don Haley along with Assistant, S. Jane Duncan presented for discussion and approval of a Boundary Line Adjustment Application submitted by Anthony & Gina Denten, on properties located at 16045 Road R.75, Cortez, CO, consisting of 39.84 acres, more or less & TBD Road R.75, Cortez, CO, consisting of 29.93 acres, more or less, both located north of Road P, west of Road 17, situated in Section 29, Township 37N, Range 17W, N.M.P.M.  Mrs. Denten was present.  Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve the boundary line adjustment application submitted by Anthony & Gina Denten, on properties located at 16045 Road R.75, Cortez.  Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. (See Attached)

PLANNING: Planning Director, Haley along with Assistant, Duncan presented for signatures of a Mylar for a Subdivision Amendment to the Fox Run Development, 2nd Amendment, submitted by Ute View Farms, on property located at 7255 Hwy 160/491, Cortez, CO, consisting of 9.78 acres, more or less, located west of Hwy 160/491, situated in Section 4, T.35N., R.16W., N.M.P.M.

PLANNING: Director, Haley along with Assistant, Duncan presented for signatures of a Mylar for a Commercial Planned Unit Development Amendment for Mancos Valley Storage, submitted by Will & Sandra Lochte; agent: Erin Johnson, on property located at 40575 Hwy 160 BR, Mancos, CO, consisting of 3 acres, more or less, located north of Hwy 160 BR, west of E. Monte St., situated in Section 29, T.36N., R.13W., N.M.P.M.

PLANNING: Director, Haley along with Assistant, Duncan presented for signatures of a High Impact Amendment for Mancos Valley Storage, submitted by Will & Sandra Lochte; agent: Erin Johnson, on property located at 40575 Hwy 160 BR, Mancos, CO, consisting of 3 acres, more or less, located north of Hwy 160 BR, west of E. Monte St., situated in Section 29, T.36N., R.13W., N.M.P.M.

PUBLIC COMMENT:  No public comment was made.

BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MONTHLY REPORT: It being the time set aside, the Board of Social Services was conducted. Assistant Director, Louann Everett and Finance Officer, Lori Higgins were present. (See attached)

PUBLIC HEALTH: Public Health Director, Bobbie Lock, Assistant Director, Laurel Schafer along with the Katy Maxwell and Holly Hyde met with the Commissioner for a monthly report.  Director Lock reported on the Lor Foundation Grant award, the availability of car seat / booster seats, delivery and distribution of the Naloxone shipment and the Fentanyl Test Strip Program.  Ms. Maxwell and Ms. Hyde presented the Suicide Prevention in Montezuma County (CNC) Colorado National Collaborative Annual Report.  A discussion was held regarding COVID statistical data reports.  Assistant Director Schaefer discussed data collection within Montezuma County.   (See attached)

VETERANS SERVICE: Veteran Service Officer, Frank LoBue was not available to give a monthly report.

SENIOR SERVICES: Lori Thompson was not available to give a monthly report.

CSU EXTENSION OFFICE: Extension Director, Emily Lockard met with the Commissioners for a monthly report.  Director Lockard reported that the new program assistant had completed the on-boarding process and they are now fully staffed.  A discussion was held regarding the scheduled Advisory Board meeting and the received letters of interest, for the 2023 Proposed Extension Advisory Committee Terms. Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to appoint the 2023 Proposed Extension Advisory Committee Terms as presented, a one year term for Don Baine to expire in 2024, a one year term for Taylor Oliver to expire in 2024, a two year term to expire in 2025 for Abdel Berrada, a two year term to expire in 2025 for David Temple, and a three year term to expire in 2026 for Gayel Alexander.  Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.  Other topics discussed included; an Open House scheduled for March 6, 2023 from 3:30 to 6:30, the January Grazing Workshop, the January “Women’s Risk Management in Agriculture” course called Annie’s Project, the scheduled Livestock and Forage Grower Update Webinar, the postponement of the Pruning Workshop to March 17, 2023, the CSU Rural Engagement Initiative, a scheduled Mental Health Listening Session,  proposed county based suicide data relating to drought severity, scheduled Comet Training, the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI),  the CSU Producer Custom Rate Survey, the Drought Advisor Program and the development of drought plans, warm season cover crops, the Colorado Ag. Water Alliance grant funding, soil probe installs through the Star Plus Soil Health Program, and the development of a Colorado Master Irrigation Class.  (See attached)

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: Emergency Manager, Jim Spratlen met with the Commissioner and gave a monthly update.  Manager Spratlen presented the Monthly Situational Report for discussion and review.  Topics discussed included; the Drought Disaster Declaration, water capacity, snow pack, COVID updates, statistical data, communications, the FEMA Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS), the Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG), the Debris Management Plan, the attended Public Information Officer / Emergency Manager Conference, the spring runoff, a reunification drill, School Base Incident Training, the Access Functional Needs Workshop, a scheduled Pipeline Class, scheduled Public Information Officer Training, Regional ICS Training, the Incident Management Team Class, the Emergency Operations Center Manager Certification, the Incident Commander and Logistics Section Type 3 re-certification,  an updated weather report, proposed emergency management legislation and a proposed Wildfire Resiliency Code Board.  (See attached)

Manager Spratlen encouraged all Montezuma County residents to sign up to receive Nixel Alerts. (Text your zip code to 888777) 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

DISCUSSION: The Community Intervention Program (CIP) contract, between the Montezuma County Administration and Southwest Colorado Mental Health Center Inc., D.B.A Axis Mental Health Services, along with the Community Intervention Program (CIP) contract, between the Montezuma County Administration and Cortez Fire Protection District were presented for discussion and approval.  Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the Contract for Community Intervention program between the Montezuma County Administration Colorado and Southwest Colorado Mental Health Center D.B.A Axis Health System and the contract between Community Intervention Program between the Montezuma County Administration Colorado and the Cortez Fire Protection District.  Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.  (See attached)

NEW BUSINESS:

SPECIAL EVENT LIQUOR LICENSE: Deputy Clerk, Jerri Frizzell presented for approval a Special Event liquor license application for the Kiwanis of Mesa Verde.  The event is scheduled for May 6, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., and will be held at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds.  Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the application for a special events permit, for the Kiwanis of Mesa Verde, at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds on May 6, 2023.  Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried. (See attached)

LIQUOR LICENSE: Deputy Clerk, Jerri Frizzell presented a liquor license renewal application for the Mancos Brewing Company LLC., located at 484 East Frontage Road, Mancos, CO., 81328.  Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve the Mancos Brewing Company’s, retail liquor, or fermented malt beverage license renewal application, located at 484 East Frontage Road, Mancos, CO.  Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.  (See attached)

ADDITIONAL UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

DISCUSSION: The Landfill’s Compost Pad Proposal was postponed to a later date.

DISCUSSION: Baler wire cost estimates for the Landfill, were presented for discussion and approval. The lowest bid received was from Baling Wire Direct in the amount of $25,728.00.   Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the bid from Baling Wire Direct, for the Landfill wire, in the amount of $25,728.00, for 15 stems of 11 gauge galvanized Hi-Ten stem wire.  Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.  (See attached)

DISCUSSION: A discussion was held regarding the Strategic Planning Services provided by the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) at no cost. The Commissioners were in agreement to move forward with the Strategic Planning Services offered by the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA).  The previously received, strategic planning services bids included; ZILO in the amount of $40,000.00, Better City in the amount of $30,000.00, Berry Dunn in the amount of $54,900-$70,000.00, Same Page Solutions in the amount of $10,980-$12,255.00 and TPMA in the amount of $66,892-$79,542.00.   (See attached)    

DISCUSSION: A discussion regarding County vehicles owned by Montezuma County being used out of county was postponed to the March 23, 2023 meeting.

DISCUSSION: A discussion was held, regarding the Montezuma County Sheriff’s Marijuana Black & Gray Enforcement Grant #2022-2023 GBMJ-23-259, in the amount of $11,945.91.  Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the Marijuana Black & Gray Enforcement Grant #2022-2023 GBMJ-23-259 in the amount of $11,945.91.  Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.  (See attached)

DISCUSSION: A discussion was held, regarding Montezuma County Sheriff’s Gaming Impact Grant #22-014 Project Grant Award for 2022-2023, in the amount of $118,000.00 for the 2023 Award and a total amount of $198,349.07.  Commissioner Lindsay moved to sign the Gaming Impact Grant, #22-014 Project Grant Award for 2022-2023, is $118,000.00, with a rollover making it a total of $198,349.07.  Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.  (See attached)

GIS MAPPING: GIS Manager, Doug Roth met with the Commissioner to present for approval, Resolution #06-2023, a Resolution Revising and Establishing the Three Commissioners Districts. Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve Resolution #06-2023, a resolution revising and establishing the three Commissioners Districts, for Montezuma County.  Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.  (See attached)

DISCUSSION: The MOCO Public Transportation, State of Colorado SUBAWARD Agreement #23-HTR-ZL-00071/491003112 in the amount of $272,540.00, was presented for approval.  Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the State of Colorado SUBAWARD agreement between Montezuma County Department of Transportation #23-HTR-ZL-00071/491003112, in the amount of $272,540.00.  Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.  (See attached)

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

COUNTY ATTORNEY REPORT: County Attorney, Ian MacLaren reported that the Colorado Supreme Court had issued a written ruling in the Colorado Property Tax Administrator VS CO2 Committee case. Attorney MacLaren also discussed correspondence received from the Public Health Department regarding properties that had installed septic systems, but had not completed the permitting process. A hearing schedule will be developed for non-compliance properties.

ADMINISTRATOR REPORT: County Administrator, Travis Anderson gave a weekly report.  Topics discussed included; gathering salary and FTE information for the Sheriff’s office, the scheduled Leadership Training, the Fairground’s Solar Project, the CCI legislation meeting, the scheduled CSU Advisory Board meeting, development of Vision / Mission Statements and the scheduled Representative/ Noxious Weed meeting.

COUNTY COMMISSIONER REPORT: Topics discussed within the Commissioners reports included: Commissioner Koppenhafer discussed constituent phone calls.  Commissioner Lindsay mentioned gratitude for the County Road crews during the past snow storms and the scheduled Cortez City Council and CSU Advisory Board meetings.  Commissioner Candelaria reported that the Housing Authority meeting had been cancelled, reported on the CCI legislation discussions and the attended Town of Dolores Board meeting.

Chairman Candelaria announced the meeting would reconvene at 1:30 p.m. for the Alkali Creek Bridge Project Bid Opening.

ALKALI CREEK BRIDGE PROJECT BID OPENING:  Road and Bridge Supervisor, Rob Englehart met with the Commissioners for the bid openings of the Alkali Creek Bridge Project.  Bids received included: Ralph L Wadsworth Construction Company, LLC, in the amount of $2,960,275.85 and D&L Construction in the amount of $2,682,491.00.  The Bids will be reviewed for a future award.  (See attached)

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

CORRESPONDENCE: The following correspondence was read and noted:

MEETING ADJOURNED: 1:32 p.m.

_______________________________                       ____________________________

Clerk                     February 28, 2023                              Chairman