BOCC Minutes October 17 2023

PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

MONTEZUMA COUNTY, COLORADO

October 17, 2023

STATE OF COLORADO           )

                                                     ) ss.

COUNTY OF MONTEZUMA   )

At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners, Montezuma County, Colorado, held on Tuesday October 17, 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 October 17, 2023 with the Pledge of Allegiance

MINUTES: Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the Proceedings of the Board of County Commissioners of Montezuma County, for Tuesday, October 10, 2023 as presented.  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 regarding a proposed Subdivision Amendment Application for a proposed Commercial Rezoning and Commercial Planned Unit Development to Lot #31 of the Blue Door Subdivision submitted by Kenneth Hinton; agent: Richard O’Brien, on property located at 7351 Road 24.3, Cortez, CO, located south of Road G.3, east of Hwy 160-491, situated in Section 3, Township 35N, Range 16W, N.M.P.M.  The roll was called, the public notice read, and the proceedings were recorded for the record.  Agent O’Brien 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 Subdivision Amendment Application for a proposed Commercial Rezoning and Commercial Planned Unit Development to Lot #31 of the Blue Door Subdivision to include special uses to repair tractor trailer, heavy equipment, also SME and all associated uses thereof, submitted by Kenneth Hinton; agent: Richard O’Brien, property located on 7351 Road 24.3, 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 for signatures of a Mylar for a Single Lot Development and Rezoning, submitted by Ronnie & Rachel Hurst, on property located at 29998 Hwy 184, Dolores, CO, consisting of 15 acres, more or less, located south of Hwy 184, west of Road 30, situated in Section 21, Township 37N, Range 15W, N.M.P.M.

PUBLIC COMMENT: No public comment was made.

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 Perdium 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 July Operational Expense Report and the Monies Paid to the General Fund Report.  Other topics discussed included; the arrest of an habitual criminal, the Southern Health Partners Contract, the 2024 proposed budget, the $30,000.00 Cost Pool, the statutory responsibilities and authorities of the Sheriff, under Colorado Revised Statutes Article 2, 30-2-106 and 30-10-506, and a proposed public hearing to discuss the full time employees.  IT Director, Jim McClain joined the meeting to discuss proposed software reductions for the 2024 budget.  (See attached)

COUNTY CORONER: Coroner, George Deavers met with the Commissioners to give the monthly report.  The September 2023 reported numbers included; 13 coroner cases, 2 hospice deaths, 4 autopsies, 1 motor vehicle accident, 1 suicides, 1 overdose deaths and 0 homicide.  The Year to date Totals were updated to include; 198 total cases, 120 coroner cases, 78 hospice deaths, 40 autopsies, 11 motor vehicle accident, 11 suicides, 3 overdose deaths and 4 homicide.  Other topics discussed included; motor vehicle accidents, a year to date comparison and alcohol related deaths.  (See attached)

DISTRICT ATTORNEY: District Attorney, Christian Hatfield and Office Manager, Clarisa Osborn met with the Commissioners to give a monthly report.  DA Hatfield reported that things were proceeding at pace, that there was no back log and that they were fully staffed.  Other topics discussed included; trial continuations and an update on a Public Nuisance Action.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

DISCUSSION: Public Health Director, Bobbie Lock met with the Commissioner to present the CDPHE Workforce Grant, Task Order #23FAA00035 in the amount of $274,926.00.  Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve Master Task Order Contract #23FAA00035, between the State of Colorado and the Montezuma County Board of Commissioners for the Public Health Agency.  Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.  (See attached)

DISCUSSION: Fairgrounds Manager, Justin McGuire along with Grant Coordinator, Robert Dobry, met with the Commissioner to discuss the Fairgrounds Solar Project bids from Shaw Solar and Utopian Power Company.  Commissioner Lindsay moved to accept the Shaw Solar bid, for the Solar Project at the Fairgrounds.  Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.  (See attached)

NEW BUSINESS: From Human Resources, M. Lynn Dorenkamp met with the Commissioners to discuss the Employee Sick Leave Pool.  Commissioner Lindsay moved to remove the catastrophic illness or accident portion definition, of the accrued sick leave donation program and allow donations made on a per case bases.  Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.  The Commissioners were in agreement to add the information to the County Handbook.  (See attached)    

GRANT COORDINATOR: Grant Coordinator, Robert Dobry met with the Commissioners to give a monthly report. Topics discussed within the report included; the Land Water Conservation Fund Motorized Trail Grant application, the Reconnecting Communities Grant application, the Community Wildfire Defense Grant, Proposition 123 and a future Solar Grant application to help with electrical expenses within the County.  Coordinator, Dobry presented the Montezuma County Grant Application Submission Form for the CDPHE Overdose Data in Action Grant. Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the Montezuma Grant Application for George Deavers, the Coroner, the UEI Grant to be submitted under #CP3JC6K322G3, up to $45,000.00 requested for toxicology expenses.  Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried. (See attached)

COUNTY ATTORNEY REPORT: County Attorney, Ian MacLaren gave an update on a scheduled Board of Assessment Appeals hearing and discussed an easement issue on County Road 20.5.  

ADMINISTRATOR REPORT: County Administrator, Travis Anderson discussed working on the Road 20.5 easement issue.

COUNTY COMMISSIONER REPORT: Topics within the Commissioners reports included: Commissioner Koppenhafer discussed the Road 20.5 easement issue, reported on the attended Southwest Water Conservation Board, the Colorado River Task Force and the Mancos Town Board meetings. Commissioner Lindsay discussed the attended Cortez City Council meeting and the attended “Fly In” event at the local airport. Commissioner Candelaria discussed the attended (TPR) Southwest Regional Transportation meeting, and the attended Fire Commission Meeting.

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

CORRESPONDENCE: The following correspondence was read and noted:

MEETING ADJOURNED: 11:00 a.m.

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Clerk                          October 17, 2023                       Chairman