BOCC Minutes October 24 2023

PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

MONTEZUMA COUNTY, COLORADO

October 24, 2023

STATE OF COLORADO           )

                                                     ) ss.

COUNTY OF MONTEZUMA   )

At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners, Montezuma County, Colorado, held on Tuesday October 24, 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 24, 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 17, 2023 as presented.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT: No public comment was 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)

PUBLIC HEALTH: No report given.

VETERANS SERVICE: Veteran Service Officer, Frank LoBue met with the Commissioners to give a monthly report.  A copy of the Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs, County Veterans Service Officers Monthly Report, for September 2023 was presented for the record.  Other topics discussed included; the September 2023 financial report, a review of office activities, claim highlights, pending claims, statistical data and the indirect income to Montezuma County.  Other topics discussed included: out of state contracted examiners, the Montezuma Stand Down for Veterans event, a software update and the scheduled local events to celebrate Veterans Day. (See attached)

SENIOR SERVICES & MONTEZUMA COUNTY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION (MCCO): Director, Jennifer Morris met with the Commissioners to give a monthly report.  Topics discussed in the Transportation report included: transit ride statistics, the Feasibility Contract, the Bus Contract, an update on the van purchase, vehicle wraps and proposed advertising on the wraps.

Within the Senior Services report Director, Morris reported that in the month of September, 1100 meals were served, 366 congregate, 734 Meals on Wheels, with a total customer count of 158.  Other topics discussed included: customer engagement, the Mancos Senior Center remodel project, communication with the Dolores Senior Center and coordination with Social Services on Adult protective Services.

CSU EXTENSION OFFICE: Extension Director, Emily Lockard met with the Commissioners for a monthly report.  Topics of the discussion included: the 4-H Homecoming float, the mini excavator Green Machine Rental Donation Program, a National 4-H Week window decorating contest, the “Tour De 4-H” event, the quilting project, pressure canning tests, the scheduled Colorado Master Irrigator class, an Irrigator Management class, a proposed irrigator class for the Ag Expo event, the scheduled Ag Welding Workshops, the PCC Forestry Program focusing on wildland forestry, an opened part time administrative position, and a change of office hours starting the week of November 6, 2023.  (See attached)

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

DISCUSSION: Fairgrounds Manager, Justin McGuire along with Ireke Cooper met with the Commissioner to discuss the Fairgrounds Fire Suppression System Project. Topics discussed included: the completed flow testing, volume and pressure.  The Commissioners were in agreement to submit a plan with the wet system and eliminate the dry system.  (See attached)

LETTER OF SUPPORT: A letter of support addressed to B1 Energy, John Armstrong was presented for approval. Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to sign the letter of support for B1 Energy, out of Salida Co., in their efforts to drive sustainable energy and renewable energy, and regenerative practices related to recycling and waste diversion practices. Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.  (See attached)

FAIR BOARD: APPOINTMENTS: Letters of interests to serve on the Montezuma County Fair Board were received by Trent Carver, Hailee Harrison, Tiffany Small, Kristyn Spruell, and David Spiegel.  The Commissioners were in agreement to set up interviews with the applicants.  (See attached)  

DISCUSSION: The US Forest Service Community Wildfire Defense Grant – The Montezuma County CWPP Implementation Project, was presented for approval.  Commissioner Lindsay moved to sign the Wildfire Defense Grant for the Montezuma County CWPP Implementation Project.  Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. (See attached)

DISCUSSION: The Social Services, Health Care Policy and Financing Grant application was presented for approval. Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the application submission form for the Montezuma County Department of Social Services for security in the lump sum of $52,449.12.  Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.   (See attached)

DISCUSSION: A discussion was held related to the Employee Sick Leave Donation Program. Commissioner Lindsay moved to rescind the decision from last week on the Sick Leave Donation Pool, and dissolve the Sick Leave Donation Pool, at this time until we can realign and readjust and come up with something new if we can.  Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.  

NATURAL RESOURCES, PLANNING & PUBLIC LANDS: Resource Director, James Dietrich, met with the Commissioners to give his weekly report.  Director Dietrich presented for approval the CPW Motorized Trail Grant letter of support.  Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to sign the letter of support for the CPW Motorized Trail Grants, through the Colorado Parks and Wildlife, for the Dolores Ranger District’s motorized grant request.  Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.  Other topics discussed included: the attended BLM Southwest RAC meeting, the CFLRP Projects and Places Committee meeting, the BLM Big Game Management meeting, an update on the Paths to Mesa Verde Project, participation in the Emergency Evacuation Modeling meetings, the (DWARF) Dolores Watershed and Resilient Forrest Collaborative  and the CWPP updates.   (See attached)

COUNTY ATTORNEY REPORT: County Attorney, Ian MacLaren reported that they had been busy with day to day business.   

ADMINISTRATOR REPORT: County Administrator, Travis Anderson discussed; the Sherriff’s office vehicle issues, a meeting attended with Mountain States Employers Council, Fair Board MOU’s, the Access Code Reader, the Fire Suppression System, registration for CCI, and the proposed Public Safety Sales Tax.

PAYABLE EXPENDITURE REPORT: Administrator Anderson presented for approval, the September 2023 Accounts Payable Expenditure Reports in the amount of $4,803,481.48.  Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the expenditures from Montezuma County for September 1, 2023 through September 30, 2023, in the amount of $4,803,481.48.  Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.   (See attached)

COUNTY COMMISSIONER REPORT: Topics within the Commissioners reports included: Commissioner Lindsay reported he would be attending the scheduled Cortez City Council meeting.  Commissioner Koppenhafer reported he had several upcoming meetings and that he’d had constituent discussions.  Commissioner Candelaria discussed budget meetings, the attended Dolores Community Center banquet, the Dolores Town Board meeting, and BOCC authority over other Elected County Officials and the Monday workshop.   

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

CORRESPONDENCE: The following correspondence was read and noted:

MEETING ADJOURNED: 10:38 a.m.

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Clerk                          October 24, 2023                       Chairman