BOCC Minutes September 26 2023

PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

MONTEZUMA COUNTY, COLORADO

September 26, 2023

STATE OF COLORADO           )

                                                     ) ss.

COUNTY OF MONTEZUMA   )

At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners, Montezuma County, Colorado, held on Tuesday September 26, 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

Malinda Fuller, Chief Deputy

MINUTES: Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the Proceedings of the Board of County Commissioners of Montezuma County, for September 19, 2023 as presented.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.

PLANNING: Director, Haley along with Assistant, Duncan presented for signatures of an Exemption Amendment Application to Resolution #P-82-77 ATF, submitted by Sheryl H Merritt Living Trust, on property located at 28244 Road T.5, Dolores, CO, consisting of 12.78 acres, more or less, located south of Hwy 145, situated in Section 17, Township 37N, Range 15W, N.M.P.M.  (See attached)

DISCUSSION: The Pinnacol Assurance and Work Comp proposal was presented for review and discussion.  Commissioner Lindsay moved to accept the proposal from Mountain West Insurance Financial Services for our workman’s comp through Pinnacol Insurance. (See attached)  

PUBLIC HEARING: It being the time set aside a public hearing is held on a proposition to create a Local Improvement District in Montezuma County, Colorado, to be known as Montezuma County Local Improvement District No. 2023-1 (Upper Road 42), for the purpose of constructing, installing, completing, and acquiring certain local improvements, together with any necessary incidentals, and assessing the costs thereof against the property in the District.  The roll was called, the public notice read, and the proceedings were recorded for the record.   Agent, Bud Smith was present.   County Attorney, Ian MacLaren presented the details of the application.  Commissioner Candelaria opened the hearing to public comment. Fred Schroeder and Linda Mount commented. After hearing all the evidence presented Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve Resolution NO. 21-2023 for Montezuma County, creating a local improvement district NO. 2023-1 (upper road 42)   to be designated as Montezuma County Local Improvement District NO. 2023-1 (upper road 42)  authorizing an election by the owners of the property to be assessed for improvements in said district and additional procedures for developing final plans and funding for the district and to appoint Laura Rieck as the administrator and to have a mail ballot election for the creation of this district.  Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried. (See attached)

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)

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 August 2023 was presented for the record.  Other topics discussed included; the August 2023 financial report, a review of office activities,  claim highlights, pending claims, statistical data and the indirect income to Montezuma County.  (See attached).

SENIOR SERVICES & MONTEZUMA COUNTY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION (MCCO): Director, Jennifer Morris met with the Commissioners to give a monthly report on Public Transportation and the Senior Center.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

DISCUSSION: The 2024 Strategic Planning Proposal was presented for review and discussion. No decision was made.  (See attached)  

DISCUSSION: The Southern Health Partners Contract was presented for review and discussion. Commissioner Lindsay move to accept the Southern Health Partners Contract for 2024.  Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried. (See attached)  

RESOLUTION #20-2023: Attorney MacLaren presented for approval, Resolution #20-2023, a resolution a Resolution in Support of the Paths to Mesa Verde Trails Project – CPW Non-Motorized Trails Grant.  Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve Resolution #20-2023, a Resolution in support of the paths to Mesa Verde.  Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried. (See attached)  

DISCUSSION: The Paths to Mesa Verde Non-Motorized Trails Grant Letter of Intent was presented for approval. Commissioner Lindsay moved to sign the grant support letter for the Montezuma County grant application submittal form for #CP3JC6K322G3.  (See attached)

LETTER OF SUPPORT: A letter of support addressed to Dawn DiPrince, History Colorado Director related to the Cortez Cultural Center Grant Request was presented for approval.  (See attached)

DISCUSSION: A discussion related to the delivery of donated gravel to the Fairgrounds was held.  (See attached)

ORDER: Order # 2-2023. Order # 2-2023 in the amount of $546,992.78 a transfer from the Road and Impact Fee Fund to the Road and Bridge to reflect Road impact fees collected, was presented for approval.  Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve Order #2-2023, a transfer of $546,992.78 from the Road and Impact Fee Fund to the Road and Bridge to reflect Road impact fees collected.  Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.  (See attached)   

NATURAL RESOURCES, PLANNING & PUBLIC LANDS: Resource Director, James Dietrich, met with the Commissioners to give his weekly report.  Topics of the discussion included EIS, Mesa Verde Right of Way.  (See attached)

COUNTY ATTORNEY REPORT: County Attorney, Ian MacLaren gave an update on the Ironwood Mill Property Case and the assessment of fines scheduled.  Other topics discussed included: day to day operations.   

ADMINISTRATOR REPORT: County Administrator, Travis Anderson discussed his work on the 2024 budget, on the attended meeting with the new Hospital CEO, a review of benefit aspects, discussions related to the Casino Contract, Recycling meeting, Fairboard meeting and Proposition meeting. 

PAYABLE EXPENDITURE REPORT: Administrator Anderson presented for approval, the August 2023 Accounts Payable Expenditure Reports in the amount of $3,643,973.44. Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve the August Financial in the amount of $3,643,973.44. Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.    (See attached)

COUNTY COMMISSIONER REPORT: Topics within the Commissioners reports included: Commissioner Lindsay discussed the attended Cortez City and meeting the new hospital CEO.  Commissioner Koppenhafer discussed the a few phone calls.  Commissioner Candelaria reported on the attending the las Party in the Park, workshop and Dolores Town Hall 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: 10:12a.m.

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Clerk                          September 26, 2023                  Chairman