PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

MONTEZUMA COUNTY, COLORADO

January 19, 2021

STATE OF COLORADO           )

                                                     ) ss.

COUNTY OF MONTEZUMA   )

At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners, Montezuma County, Colorado, held on Tuesday January 19, 2021 at the Montezuma County Administration building in Cortez, Colorado, there were present:

Jim Candelaria, Chairman

Kent Lindsay, Vice Chairman

Joel Stevenson, Commissioner of Deeds

Shalako Powers, County Administrator

John C. Baxter, County Attorney

Kim Percell, County Clerk, Absent

M. Lynn Dorenkamp, Chief Deputy

CHAIRMAN, CANDELARIA opened the meeting of January 19, 2021 with the Pledge of Allegiance.

MINUTES: Commissioner Lindsay moved to accept the minutes of the Proceedings of the Board of Commissioners Montezuma County, Colorado dated January 5, 2021 as presented.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Stevenson and carried.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS:  Commissioner Lindsay moved to nominate as the Board of County Commissioner Officers, Commissioner, Jim Candelaria as the Chairman, Commissioner, Kent Lindsay as the Vice Chairman and Commissioner, Joel Stevenson as the Commissioner of Deeds, for the year 2021.  Second by Commissioner Stevenson and carried.  (See attached) 

CHAIRMAN: Commissioner Jim Candelaria

VICE CHAIRMAN: Commissioner Kent Lindsay

COMMISSIONER OF DEEDS: Commissioner Joel Stevenson

2021 OFFICE APPOINTMENTS: Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve all of the office appointments as presented.   Second by Commissioner Stevenson and carried. (See attached)

County Attorney: John Baxter

County Administrator: Shak Powers

County Road and Bridge Supervisor: Rob Englehart

County Fairgrounds: Justin McGuire

County GIS/Mapping: Doug Roth

County Public Health: Bobbi Lock

County IT: Jim McClain

County Maintenance: Mike Chenard

County Natural Resources: James Dietrich

County Noxious Weed Program: Bonnie Loving

County Senior Nutrition: Jonathan Parker

Director of Social Services: Gina Montoya

Veteran’s Affairs Officer: Rick Torres

Emergency Manager: Jim Spratlen

MOCO/Transportation: Jennifer Morris

County Landfill: Mel Jarmon

County Planning: Don Haley

2021 BOCC REPRESENTATIVE APPOINTMENTS:

Southwest Regional Transportation Committee (TPR): Jim Candelaria

Alternate: Kent Lindsay

Region 9 Economic Development Board: Jim Candelaria

Alternate: Joel Stevenson

AAA: Kent Lindsay

Alternate: Jim Candelaria

Southwest Workforce Board: Kent Lindsay

Alternate: Joel Stevenson

Montezuma County Housing Authority: Jim Candelaria 

Alternate: Kent Lindsay

Housing Solutions: Kent Lindsay

Alternate: Jim Candelaria

Ute Mountain Tribal Council Meetings: Joel Stevenson

Alternate: Shak Powers

Lower Dolores River Group: Joel Stevenson

Alternate: James Dietrich

Club 20: Kent Lindsay

Alternate: Joel Stevenson

Native Fish Monitoring & Recommendation Team: Joel Stevenson

Alternate: Kent Lindsay

Legal Publications: Cortez Journal

CCI: Jim Candelaria

Alternate: Joel Stevenson

NEW SUGGESTIONS:

Liaison to the City of Cortez Meetings: Kent Lindsay

Liaison to the Town of Mancos Meetings: Joel Stevenson

Liaison to the Town of Dolores Meetings: Jim Candelaria

Liaison to UMU Tribal Meetings: Joel Stevenson

NEW:

Water Representatives: Ed Millard, Don Schwindt

PLANNING: Director, Don Haley with Assistant, S. Jane Duncan presented for signatures of a Mylar for a Subdivision Amendment for an Industrial Planned Unit Development to Lot #30 of the Blue Door Subdivision submitted by Brian & Kathy Lyons, on property located at 24227 Road G.2, Cortez, CO, located north of Road G.2, east of Hwy 160-491, situated in S.3, T.35N., R.16W., N.M.P.M

Director, Haley with Assistant, Duncan presented for signatures of a Mylar for a 2 Lot Moderate Subdivision and AR3-9 Rezoning submitted by Charles & Laurie Hall on property located at 13221 Road 32, Mancos, CO, consisting of 74 acres, more or less, located south of Road P, west of Road 32, situated in S. 1, T.36N, R.15W, N.M.P.M.

Director, Haley with Assistant, Duncan presented for signatures of a Mylar for a Single Lot Development and AR3-9 Rezoning, submitted by Cromar Ranch, LLC; represented by William & Carol Reynolds, on property located at 29467 Road N, Dolores, CO, consisting of 39.97 acres, more or less, located north of Road N, east of Road 29, situated in Section 4, T.36N, R.15W, N.M.P.M.

Director, Haley with Assistant, Duncan presented for signatures of a Variance to the setbacks, submitted by Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores, LLC, agent: Kevin McCarthy, located at 7006 Hwy 160-491, Cortez, CO, consisting of 5.16 acres, more or less, located east of Hwy 160-491, north of Road G situated in S.3, T.35N, R.16W, N.M.P.M. Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve the Variance to the setbacks for Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores, LLC, Located at 7006 Hwy 160-491, Cortez, CO, consisting of 5.16 acres, more or less, located east of Hwy 160-491, north of Road G situated in S. 3, T.35N, R.16W, N.M.P.M. Second by Commissioner Stevenson and carried. (See attached)

Director, Haley inquired whether or not the Commissioners had decided on an alternate for the Planning Board. After discussion Commissioner Stevenson moved to reopen the job opening for an alternate for the Planning Board. Second by Commissioner Lindsay and Carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT: Devin Camacho (via Zoom), representative for Congresswoman Lauren Boebert introduced himself and extended offer to help with any concerns the Commissioners might have now or in the future. Allen Maez welcomed new Commissioners.

LIQUOR LICENSE: Deputy Clerk, Jerri Frizzell presented for approval liquor license renewal applications for G Whil Liquors LLC, DBA G Whil Liquors located at 24001 Road G.2, Cortez, CO 81321 and  for The Gettin’ Place, Steele Investments Inc., located at 26060 Hwy., 491 Pleasant View, Co. 81331.  Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve the Retail Liquor License for G Whil Liquors LLC, DBA G Whil Liquors located at 24001 Road G.2, Cortez, CO 81321. Second by Commissioner Stevenson and carried. Commissioner Stevenson moved to approve the Retail Liquor License for The Getting’ Place, Steel Investments Inc., located at 26060 Hwy., 491 Pleasant View, CO 81331. Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried. (See attached)

DISCUSSION: Terri Wheeler with the Housing Authority did not attend due to the fact that they will not be requesting Commissioners signatures for a resolution prohibiting excessive force. (See attached)

SHERIFF’S MONTHLY REPORT: Sheriff Steven Nowlin met with the Commissioners to give his monthly report which included recruiting and retention of cadets  the 2020 Year to Date Transport Report, December 2020 total monthly inmate count, 2020 transport per diem and hotel costs, dispatch calls and an overview of some statutory responsibilities and authorities of Sheriff. (See attached)

COUNTY CORONER: Coroner George Deavers met with the Commissioners to give a monthly report.  Topics discussed included: overview of a Coroners responsibilities, and statistics for 2020.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY: Matt Margeson, (absent) and Clarisa Feuilly met with the Commissioners to give a monthly report.  Clarisa welcomed the new Commissioner and gave an overview of her position at the District Attorney’s Office. Also discussed the budget for the District Attorney’s Office.

EMERGENCY MANAGER REPORT: Emergency Manager, Jim Spratlen met with the Commissioner and gave a monthly update.  Topics discussed monthly Sit Report, Policies Introduction, training in ICS 402 Elective Officials in an emergency, and power point presentation with budget. (See attached)

PUBLIC LANDS:  Forrest Service District Ranger, Derek Padilla (via zoom) met with the Commissioners to give updates on various projects.

Bureau of Land Management, Connie Clementson (via zoom) left a chat note introducing Ray O’Neal the new Monument Manager who also joined in via zoom. Ray welcomed new Commissioners and gave a quick background about himself.

Commissioner Candelaria asked Derek Padilla and Ray O’Neal if they would prefer an allotted time on the agenda. Both Padilla and O’Neal preferred an allotted time slot so they can plan accordingly.

Chairman Candelaria announced the adjournment of the meeting for the LUNCH break.

Chairman Candelaria announced the meeting would reconvene.

DISCUSSION: Haley Leonard Saunders, with Axis Health Systems. Welcomed new Commissioners and gave a quick overview of what Axis Health Systems does. Introduced starting on the Community Response Program. (See attached)

COUNTY ATTORNEY REPORT: County Attorney, John Baxter, discussed 2020 law suits, still pending law suits and what Executive Sessions are and why they are held.

NATURAL RESOURCES, PLANNING & PUBLIC LANDS: Resource Director, James Dietrich, met with the Commissioners to give a weekly report.  Topics discussed included; his background working with and for Montezuma County as head of Natural Resources, Planning & Public lands. Challenges and Successes with working with Federal and State Agencies.     

COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT: Administrator, Powers gave an overview of his position as County Administrator, presented the following for review and approval: Public Notices, Nationwide law suit regarding Opioid Settlement break down and could he pose a question to the Attorney General regarding that break down of monies being allocated. Commissioners supported Administrator, Powers posing said question to the Attorney General. (See attached)

COUNTY COMMISSIONER REPORT: Topics discussed within the Commissioners reports included:  Commissioner Stevenson attended Mancos Town Board Meeting, Disabled Veterans meeting and 2 day CCI training. Commissioner Lindsay also had a 2 day CCI training, attended City of Cortez Meeting. Commissioner Candelaria, Friday January 8^th was on a call with CCI that included Representative Kip and Senator Juneau to discuss legislation regarding counties of 100K or less being a part of the Board of Health. Submitted to CCI the Transportation Funding Survey, Monday, meet with a Weld County Commissioner discussing when we were going to starts attending CCI meetings in person or Hybrid meeting, Thursday January 14^th on a call with DOLA, Rob with Road and Bridge did a great job giving his presentation for the DOLA Grant Application. Submitted application to CCI to be Co-Chair for transportation and telecommunications committee with Commissioner Williams for El Paso County, who would be Chair, and held interviews for the alternate position with planning, which has been reposted.

PUBLIC COMMENT: None

CORRESPONDENCE: The following correspondence was read and noted: None

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

MEETING ADJOURNED: 3:02 p.m.