PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

MONTEZUMA COUNTY, COLORADO

October 26, 2021

STATE OF COLORADO           )

                                                     ) ss.

COUNTY OF MONTEZUMA   )

At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners, Montezuma County, Colorado, held on Tuesday October 26, 2021 at the Montezuma County Administration building in Cortez, Colorado, there were present:

Jim Candelaria, Chairman

Kent Lindsay, Vice Chairman

Joel Stevenson, Commissioner of Deeds

Shalako Powers, County Administrator

Ian MacLaren, County Attorney

Kim Percell, County Clerk

CHAIRMAN, CANDELARIA opened the meeting of October 26, 2021 with the Pledge of Allegiance.

MINUTES: Commissioner Lindsay moved to accept the minutes of the Proceedings of the Board of Commissioners Montezuma County, Colorado dated October 19, 2021 as presented.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Stevenson and carried.

PLANNING: Planning Director, Don Haley, and Planning Assistant, S. Jane Duncan presented for signatures of a Mylar for a Single Lot Development, submitted by Jimmy G. Suckla, on property located at 12588 Road 23, Cortez, CO, consisting of 49.37 acres, more or less, located east of Road 23, west of Hwy 491, situated in Section 9, T.36N., R.16W., N.M.P.M.  (Not available at this time.)

Director, Haley, and Assistant, Duncan presented for signatures of a Special Use Permit for a solar photovoltaic (“PV”) project, submitted by Fish Brothers Land & Cattle Co, Agent: Cortez Solar 3, LLC, on property located at 25506 Road F.6, Cortez, CO, consisting of 39.70 acres, more or less, located south of Road G, east of Road 25, situated in Section 11, T.35N., R.16W., N.M.P.M.

Director, Haley, and Assistant, Duncan held a discussion regarding a proposed amendment to the threshold standards of the Land Use Code, for line items #24, Lighting and #25, Noise.  The discussion was tabled until the November 2^nd meeting.  (See attached)

PUBLIC COMMENT: James Parks asked the Commissioners for an update on his request, that County Roads L, 32 and P, be placed on the Road & Bridge chip seal schedule.

BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES MONTHLY REPORT: It being the time set aside, the Board of Social Services was conducted.  Director, Gina Montoya and Finance Officer, Lori Higgins were present.  A discussion was held regarding a regional shortage of Foster homes.  Director Montoya mentioned that if anyone is interested they can contact her at gmontoya@co.montezuma.co.us or 970-564-4105.  (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, September 2021 was presented for the record.  Other topics discussed included; the September 2021 financial report, a review of office activities, the staff change over, State training, Officer Kuhn’s access to the VA claims program, and scheduled Veterans Day events.  (See attached)

SENIOR SERVICES: Administrative Assistant, Lori Thompson met with the Commissioners to give a departmental monthly report on the Senior Services programs.  A discussion was held on the proposed, commodity freezers and dry storage, transfer from the Fairgrounds to the Senior Service building.  (See attached)

CSU EXTENSION OFFICE: Extension Director, Gregory Felsen met with the Commissioners for a monthly report.  Topics of the discussion included; the My Preparation Presentation, an update on the new agent interviews, a community needs assessment, the overview of the Focus Group event, the Montezuma County Community Survey and the Montezuma County Program Plan.   (See attached)   

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 

RESOLUTION #16-2021: Administrator Powers presented for approval, Resolution #16-2021, a resolution, declaring the intent of Montezuma County Colorado to issue Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds for the Sleeping Ute Apartments Project.  Commissioner Stevenson moved to approve Resolution #16-2021, a resolution, declaring the intent of Montezuma County Colorado to issue Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds for the Sleeping Ute Apartments Project.  Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.  (See attached)

Administrator Powers presented for approval, the Certificate Required by Section 24-32-1709(2)(c) of the Colorado Revised Statutes as amended.  Commissioner Stevenson moved to allow Administrator Powers to sign the Certificate Required by Section 24-32-1709(2)(c) of the Colorado Revised Statutes as amended and the future application when it is finished.  Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.  (See attached)

Administrator Powers presented for approval. a letter of support addressed to the Colorado Department of Local Affairs regarding the Homesfund Application for HDG funds.   Commissioner Lindsay moved to sign the letter of support for Homesfund application for HDG funds.  Second by Commissioner Stevenson and carried.  (See attached)

ROAD & BRIDGE DEPARTMENT: Road Superintendent, Rob Englehart along with Maintenance Supervisor, Justin Sattler met with the Commissioners to present for approval a change order request in the amount of $31,440.00, to contract #08262021 for the Lost Canyon Shop Addition.  Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve the original contract #08262021, with the addition of the change order, not to exceed $65,000.00.  Second by Commissioner Stevenson and carried.  Other topics discussed included; a citizen complaint regarding truck traffic on non-designated roads, current truck routes, truck route signage, road stability on  Roads L, 32 and P, proposed additions to the official road map and maintenance on Road 29.2.   (See attached)

NATURAL RESOURCES, PLANNING & PUBLIC LANDS: Resource Director, James Dietrich, met with the commissioner to give a weekly report.  Director Dietrich presented for approval, a letter addressed to the Honorable Michael Bennett regarding the Dolores River Proposed National Conservation Area.  Commissioner Lindsay moved to sign the letter, for the Dolores River Proposed National Conservation Area, and send to Senator Bennett.  Second by Commissioner Stevenson and carried.  Other topics discussed included the Dolores Town Board 30×30 presentation.  (See attached)

COUNTY ATTORNEY REPORT: County Attorney, Ian MacLaren discussed civil cases, child protection cases and a discussions held with the Dolores Bike Club.  

 COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT: Administrator, Shak Powers presented to the Montezuma County Economic Development Team, the Economic Development Medium Community of the Year Award.  Team members in attendance included; Greg Felsen, Rachel Medina, Don Haley, Sherri Jane Duncan and James Dietrich.  

EXECUTIVE SESSION: Pursuant to Attorney MacLaren’s suggestion, Commissioner Lindsay moved to go into executive session for a conference with the attorney for the purpose of receiving legal advice on specific legal questions under C.R.S. Section 24-6-402(4)(d) for discussion of specialized details of security arrangements or investigations, and to include; Commissioners Stevenson, Lindsay and Candelaria, Administrator Powers, Attorney MacLaren, Clerk Percell, Sheriff Nowlin, Public Health Director, Bobbi Lock, and District Attorney, Matt Margeson, seconded by Commissioner Stevenson and carried.  Topics for the executive session were legal tactics of negotiation, legalities and procedure regarding COVID 19 protocols at the Jail.  Commissioner Stevenson moved to go out of executive session, seconded by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.  (See attached)

COUNTY COMMISSIONER REPORT: Topics discussed within the Commissioners reports included: Commissioner Stevenson reported on; the attended After Hours Event and constituent discussions.  Commissioner Lindsay reported on; constituent discussions, a culvert review expedition with MVI and the scheduled Cortez City Council meeting.  Commissioner Candelaria reported on, the attended League of Women Voters virtual meeting with the Assessor, constituent discussions, the Monday workshop presentations, attendance to the Dolores Town Board meeting and the MVI culvert review expedition.  

CORRESPONDENCE: The following correspondence was read and noted:

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

MEETING ADJOURNED: 3:45 p.m.