BOCC Minutes March 25 2025

PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

MONTEZUMA COUNTY, COLORADO

March 25, 2025

STATE OF COLORADO           )

                                                     ) ss.

COUNTY OF MONTEZUMA   )

At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners, Montezuma County, Colorado, held on Tuesday March 25, 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 March 25, 2025 with the Pledge of Allegiance.

MINUTES: Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the Proceedings of the Board of County Commissioners of Montezuma County, for Tuesday, March 18, 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 Single Lot Development and AR3-9 Rezoning Application, submitted by L. Chappell, LLC.; agent: Keenen Lovett, on property located at 16795 Road S, Cortez, CO, consisting of 280 acres, more or less, located west of Road 18, north of Road S, situated in Section 20, Township 37N, Range 17W, N.M.P.M  The roll was called, the public notice read, and the proceedings were recorded for the record.  Agent Lovett 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 Lindsay moved to accept the proposed Single Lot Development and AR3-9 Rezoning Application, submitted by L. Chappell, LLC.; agent: Keenen Lovett, on property located at 16795 Road S, Cortez.  Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.  Commissioner Candelaria closed the hearing at this time.  (See attached)

Planning Director, Haley along with Assistant, Duncan presented a request for a three (3) month extension to the Vested Rights for the previously approved 2 Lot Minor Subdivision & Rezoning Application, submitted by previous owners Justin & Tammy Hooten, on property located at 26510 Road K.5, Cortez, CO, consisting of 35 acres, more or less, located west of Hwy 145, north of Empire Street, situated in Section 24, T.36N, R.24W, N.M.P.M.  The approval date was April 5, 2022 with the three (3) year Vested Rights set to expire April 5, 2025.  For the record, the new owners are Adam and Brittany Bryan.  Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the (3) three month extension to the Vested Rights for the previously approved 2 Lot Minor Subdivision & Rezoning Application, submitted by previous owners Justin & Tammy Hooten, on property located at 26510 Road K.5, Cortez.  Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.  (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 to Lot 3 of the Eagle’s Roost 3 Lot Subdivision, submitted by Morathore, LLC.; agent: Michelle Ingvar, on property located at 13538 Road 32.4, Mancos, CO, consisting of 6.31 acres, more or less, located west of Road 33, north of Road P, situated in Section 1, 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 Ingvar 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 Subdivision Amendment Application to Lot 3 of the Eagle’s Roost 3 Lot Subdivision, submitted by Morathore, LLC.; agent: Michelle Ingvar, on property located at 13538 Road 32.4, Mancos, CO.  Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.  Commissioner Candelaria closed the hearing at this time.  (See attached)

Director, Haley reported that the draft Variance Section to be added to the Land Use Code would be posted to the County webpage for public review and that the Public Hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.  

PUBLIC COMMENT: No public comment made.

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

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

LETTER OF SUPPORT: During the Monday Workshop, representing Southwest Health Systems, Bridgett Jabour along with Chief Financial Officer, Adam Conley, met with the Commissioners to request a letter of support, addressed to Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper related to a proposed replacement purchase of a Computed Tomography (CT) scanner for Southwest Health System Inc. dba Southwest Memorial Hospital.  Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the letter of support, addressed to U.S. Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper, for Southwest Health Systems, to get a new CT scanner, to replace the old one.  Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.  (See attached)    

COST SHARE APPLICATION: During the Monday Workshop Weed Department Manager, James Dietrich presented for approval, the 2025 Montezuma County Weed Program Cost-Share Application.  Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve the Noxious Weed Department Cost-Share Application.  Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.  (See attached)     

GRANT APPLICATION: Also during the Monday Workshop, Manager, Dietrich presented the Montezuma County Grant Application Submittal Form for the Colorado Parks & Wildlife Habitat Partnership Program Gant in the amount $10,000.00.  Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the Montezuma County Grant Application Submission Form, for the Noxious Weed Department, through the Colorado Parks & Wildlife  in the amount $10,000.00 with no cash match.  Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried. (See attached)

COUNTY ATTORNEY REPORT: Attorney, Stephen Tarnowski discussed the FOP Unionization Election, his court appearance schedule continued work with the Planning & Zoning Department, and the two law students from DU Law that are participating in the Alternative Spring Break Program in Montezuma County.   

COUNTY ADMINSTRATOR REPORT: Administrator, Travis Anderson discussed a service award and scheduled special event for the retiring Veterans Officer, Rick Torres, a meeting held with La Plata County Administrator, Chuck Stevens, a proposed HR software, the departmental fee structures and budget discussions.  Administrator Anderson also reported that Road and Bridge Supervisor, Rob Englehart would be retiring and that the position will be posted. 

COUNTY CLERK & RECORDER: County Clerk, Kim Percell discussed new legislation, related to Document filing fees and reported that at all County Clerk Offices will change to a flat fee, effective July 1, 2025.  (See attached)

COUNTY COMMISSIONER REPORT: Topics within the Commissioners reports included:

Commissioner Lindsay mentioned constituent discussions and the scheduled Cortez City Council meeting.  

Commissioner Koppenhafer mentioned constituent discussions and the scheduled Town of Mancos Board, Southwest Water Conservation Board and the Water meetings.

Commissioner Candelaria mentioned budget discussions, attendance to the Orly Lucero services, the attended Dolores Town Board meeting, the Coffee with the County meeting and scheduling evening meetings, and traveling town hall meetings.

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

CORRESPONDENCE: The following correspondence was noted: Email from Patty Coen.

ADJOURNED: 9:42 am

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Clerk        March 25, 2025                                          Chairman