PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

MONTEZUMA COUNTY, COLORADO

March 22, 2022

STATE OF COLORADO           )

                                                     ) ss.

COUNTY OF MONTEZUMA   )

At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners, Montezuma County, Colorado, held on Tuesday March 22, 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, Absent

1. Lynn Dorenkamp, Chief Deputy Clerk

MINUTES: Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the minutes of the Proceedings of the Board of Commissioners Montezuma County, Colorado dated March 15, 2022 as presented.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.

PLANNING: Planning Director, Don Haley along with Assistant, S. Jane Duncan presented for approval of an Exemption Resolution submitted by Gregory Taylor; agent: Eric Taylor, POA, on property located at 25453 Road T, Dolores, CO, consisting of 5.55 acres, more or less, located south of Road T.5, east of Road 25, situated in Section 14, T.37N, R.16W, N.M.P.M. Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve the Exemption Resolution for Gregory Taylor; agent: Eric Taylor, POA for property located at 25453 Road T, Dolores, CO, consisting of 5.55 acres, more or less. Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. (See attached)

PUBLIC COMMENT: George Tripp wanted to introduce himself to the Board of County Commissioners, as he is running for city council. Mike Lynch gave more information regarding election equipment to the County Commissioners. (See attached)

SPECIAL EVENT LIQUOR LICENSE: Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo Board members Cindy Green, Marti Spitzer, and Lacey Murphy met with the Commissioners to request permission to include alcohol sales during the scheduled Ute Mountain Ute Rodeo event held at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the Special Event Liquor License for the Ute Mountain Rodeo on June, 9, 10 and 11^th from 4p.m. till 11:00p.m. Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried. (See attached)

BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MONTHLY REPORT: It being the time set aside, the Board of Social Services was conducted. Finance Officer, Lori Higgins and LueAnn Everett were present.  Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve the Record of Proceedings and financials for Montezuma County Social Services for February 2022 in the amount of $1,852,175.37. Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. (See attached)

VETERANS SERVICE: Veteran Service Officer, Sara Kuhn met with the Commissioners to give a monthly report.  A copy of the Colorado Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, County Veterans Service Officers Monthly Report and Certification of Pay, February 2022 was presented for the record.  Other topics discussed included; the February 2022 financial report, a review of office activities, statistical data and the indirect income to Montezuma County.  (See attached).

SENIOR SERVICES: Director Jonathon G. Parker met with the Commissioners to give a monthly report on the Senior Services programs.

CSU EXTENSION OFFICE: Extension Director, Gregory Felsen and Emily Lockard met with the Commissioners for a monthly report.  Topics of the discussion included; Upcoming 4 States Ag Expo and the presentations that they will be giving during the Ag Expo, ongoing relationship with Pueblo Community College and overview of  the Seed Share Event and Fire Mitigations and Land Restoration in Forest Areas. (See attached)

UNFINSHED BUSINESS: None at this time.

COUNTY ATTORNEY REPORT: County Attorney, Ian MacLaren overviewed the default judgement that was issued last Friday on the Land Use violation regarding the property south of town. Finished the brief for the Court of Appeals for the Road 41 case.

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

COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT: Administrator, Shak Powers, attend the SWORD meeting for Opioid settlement for the 2 year plan. Record clean up, need to resubmit the payable for November 2021. Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve the November 2021 payables in the amount of $3,365,145.89. Second by Commissioner Candelaria and carried. Clarification to the public regarding the Durango Herald article and its misleading headline saying La Plata and Montezuma County receiving over 11 million. The only entity in Montezuma County receiving any of those monies is the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. (See attached)

COUNTY COMMISSIONER REPORT: Topics discussed within the Commissioners reports included: Commissioner Lindsay attend Monday’s workshop. Commissioner Koppenhafer attended last weeks’ meeting with the National Conservation Area Work Group that’s studying the NCA below the McPhee Dam. Montezuma County wanting to reengage in that process and get a seat at the table if this process goes through to be a part of that plan. Call from Senator Hickenloopers’ aids regarding the Farm Bill. Commissioner Candelaria discussed the cancellation CDOT meeting, met with the Extension Office out at the Fair Grounds specifically to the wash rack, attended the Corn Beef and Cabbage dinner, and Monday’s workshop.

CORRESPONDENCE: The following correspondence was read and noted:

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

MEETING ADJOURNED: 10:32 a.m. 

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Clerk                     March 22, 2022                              Chairman