PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

MONTEZUMA COUNTY, COLORADO

January 31, 2023

STATE OF COLORADO           )

                                                     ) ss.

COUNTY OF MONTEZUMA   )

At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners, Montezuma County, Colorado, held on Tuesday January 31, 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 (By Zoom)

Travis Anderson, County Administrator

Ian MacLaren, County Attorney

Kim Percell, County Clerk (Absent)

Malinda Fuller, Chief Deputy

CHAIRMAN, CANDELARIA opened the meeting of January 31, 2023 with the Pledge of Allegiance.

MINUTES: Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to accept the minutes of the Proceedings of the Board of Commissioners Montezuma County, Colorado dated Tuesday, January 24, 2023 as presented.   Motion was seconded by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: Emergency Manager, Jim Spratlen met with the Commissioner and gave a monthly update.  Manager Spratlen presented for discussion and review; the Drought Disaster Declaration.  (See attached)

PLANNING: Planning Director, Don Haley along with Assistant, S. Jane Duncan presented for discussion, approval and signatures a Variance Application 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, Township 36N Range 13W, N.M.P.M.  Ms. Johnson was present. After hearing all the evidence presented Commissioner Lindsey moved to approve the Variance Application for Mancos Valley Storage, submitted by Will & Sandra Lochte; agent Erin Johnson on property located at 40575 Hwy 160 BR, Mancos CO Second by Commissioner Candelaria and carried.

PUBLIC HEARING: It being the time set aside a public hearing is held for review and determination of a proposed 2 Lot Moderate Subdivision and Rezoning Application, submitted by Andrew Gassner, on property located at 16920 Road 20, Cortez, CO, consisting of 11 acres, more or less, located east of Road 20, south of Road T, situated in Section 24, Township 37N, Range 17W, N.M.P.M.  The roll was called, the public notice read, and the proceedings were recorded for the record.  Mr. Gassner was present. Planning Director, Don Haley 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 approve the proposed 2 Lot Moderate Subdivision and Rezoning Application, submitted by Andrew Gassner, on property located at 16920 Road 20, Cortez, CO. Second by Commissioner Candelaria and carried.  Commissioner Candelaria closed the hearing at this time.  (See attached)

PUBLIC COMMENT: Mike Lynch commented.

MONTEZUMA COUNTY FIRE OPERATIONS PLAN: Logan Davis and Charles Lanoue presented for discussion and decision an Amendment to the Montezuma County Fire Operating Plan.  After review and discussion Commissioner Lindsey moved to sign the Amendment to the Montezuma County Fire Operating Plan. Second by Commissioner Candelaria and carried.

COUNTY TREASURER/ TRUSTEE: Treasurer, Ellen Black met with the commissioners to give an update on the operations of her office including Tax Bills, Interest Rates, and Special Districts and reporting no major changes.

COUNTY ASSESSOR: Assessor, Leslie Bugg presented for discussion and approval Value West Contracts and TASC contracts.  After review and discussion Commissioner Lindsey moved to sign the contracts with Value West and also TASC for contract for services for the assessor’s office.  Second by Commissioner Lindsey and Commissioner Candelaria and carried. (See attached)

COUNTY SHERIFF: Sheriff, Steven Nowlin met with the Commissioners to give his monthly report which included the Calls for Service Report, the Jail Report, the Year to Date Transport Report, the Per Diem and Cost for Travel Report, the Total Monthly Inmate Report, the Monthly Arrests Report, the Dolores County Billing Report, the City of Cortez Billing Report, the DOC Holds Report, the December 2022 Operational Expense Report and the Monies Paid to the General Fund Report. Sheriff Nowlin requested the commissioners to approve the 2023 Budget for Dolores. Commissioner Lindsey moved to approve the budget for the Montezuma County Town of Dolores for Sheriff Services. Commissioner Koppenhafer seconded and motion was carried. Also discussed were the Casino Contract 2023 Budget and Gaming Impact Grant.  (See attached)

SOUTHWEST HEALTH SYSTEMS: (CEO) Chief Executive Officer, Jeanie Gentry, (CNO) Chief Nursing Officer, Lisa Gates and (CFO) Chief Financial Officer, Julie Leonard met with the Commissioners to give an update on the local hospital.  Topics included New Officers, Monthly Operating Report, Roster and Financial Statement, ER visits, and Outpatient Pharmacy. (See attached)

WATER ISSUES:  Randy Carver; Montezuma County’s Representative to the Southwest Basin Round Table, Cory Schmitt and Chris Garner; Mancos Conservation District, Ken Curtis; Dolores Conservation District and Brenda Funk; High Desert Conservation District met with Commissioners to discuss and update current water issues and challenges.  Topics included Nozzle Exchange Program, Drought Resiliency Project, Conservation Pilot Program, Available Funding, Land Use Regulations and District Techs Responsibilities.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

MONTEZUMA COUNTY SOCIAL SERVICES: Finance Officer, Lori Higgins was present to request approval and signatures for Resolution NO. 3-2023. Commissioner Lindsey moved to adopt the Resolution to change the 2022 budget #3-2023 which is resolved this 24^th day of January 2023, The Montezuma County Board of Commissioners authorizes expenditures in excess of the amount approved in the Social Services budget for calendar year 2022.. Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and Commissioner Candelaria and carried. (See attached)

LIQUOR LICENSE:  Deputy Clerk, Jerri Frizzell, presented for approval and signatures a liquor license renewal for Triple H&J Inc DBA Smitty’s Liquor’s 10255 Hwy 491, Cortez CO. Commissioner Lindsey moved to approve the liquor license for Smitty’s Liquor at 10255 Hwy 491, Cortez CO. Second by Commissioner Candelaria and carried.

COUNTY ATTORNEY: Attorney MacLaren for the ROAD & BRIDGE DEPARTMENT presented Resolution NO. 4-2023 for approval and signatures. Commissioner Lindsey moved to adopt Resolution NO. 4-2023 Confirming Substantial Completion of the Road Y and Road 16 Reconstruction Project. Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and Commissioner Candelaria and carried.

COUNTY ATTORNEY REPORT: County Attorney, Ian MacLaren reported meeting with a landowner regarding the Road 14 Easement for access to BLM land and meeting with Counsel for the plaintiffs on the Weber Canyon Road (Road 41).   

COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT: County Administrator, Travis Anderson reported an extremely busy week, Caselle issues, Brownfield, and CCI.

COUNTY COMMISSIONER REPORT: Topics discussed within the Commissioners reports included: Commissioner Candelaria reported on spending the week in the Capitol, having breakfast with Senator Simpson, Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Bill, meeting new Commissioners, Repeal of Prohibition of Local Rent Control Bill and Monday’s workshop.  Commissioner Lindsay reported the Holiday Inn selling, the workshop, and conversations in grocery stores.   Commissioner Koppenhafer warned everybody to be careful on the ice.   

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

CORRESPONDENCE: The following correspondence was read and noted:

MEETING ADJOURNED: 11:30 a.m.

MONTEZUMA COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING: 1:30 p.m.

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Clerk                     January 31, 2023                              Chairman