Board of County
Commissioners (BOCC)
—June 29, 2018
WESTCLIFFE, Colo.
by Jackie Bubis
The meeting started at 9 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call. Introductions of the public followed.
The minutes from June 20th and 25th were approved.
Commissioner Items:
All Commissioners reported on meetings they attended.
Commissioner Canda urged the citizens to be patient with the roads. Because of the drought conditions, the washboard conditions are exacerbated. The Road & Bridge Department is working on the roads on a priority basis. He also reported that load testing is complete on the runway at the airport but results are not back yet.
Commissioner Flower reported: CDOT has put up lit signs for us at Wetmore and Hillside reminding our visitors of the No Open Burning in effect, CSU Extension will have an interim agent here the week of the second and will be paying the full salary and they expect to have a new hire by sometime in September.
Attorney Items
Attorney Clint Smith worked on several legal documents for various offices and did the annual ethics review with the Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Adjustment.
The Board reviewed vouchers and signed checks.
Next on the agenda was a discussion about a possible workshop with the Tourism Board. Greg Smith and Angie Arturburn were in attendance. After discussion, it was decided that the presentation of the new branding materials that resulted from the branding grant would happen during the BOCC meeting on July 31st.
Another Tourism Board item was next: appointment of a member to replace Robert Weisenbach who resigned recently after the combative meeting regarding who must be on that board. Mr. Printz began a discussion by saying that the Tourism Board had become very difficult and contentious. Changes were suggested and approved.
First, the Board approved removing Brent Bruser (at his own request) from the tourism board. Greg Smith objected and stated that if this was done, he would resign as well (effective July 31.)
Next, the Board approved that no member of county boards were to be paid in any way for their services. This referred back to a possible conflict of interest from board member Greg Smith getting paid for services he provided to the Tourism Board. It was noted that Smith did recuse himself when those items were approved.
Last, the Board approved that no commissioner should be a member of any of the boards overseen by the BOCC. Mr. Printz has been a voting member of the Tourism Board and when this motion passed, he resigned his position on both the Tourism Board and the Attainable Housing Board.
Christopher (Kit) Tyler, owner of the Westcliffe Inn was appointed to the Tourism Board. Letters of interest for becoming a member of the Tourism Board are being taken at this time. No further appointment will be made until after more letters of interest are received and the Tourism Board makes recommendations.
Evan Brooks with SSC, Inc. representing AT&T FirstNet Cell Site appeared before the Board to discuss the lease of land to AT&T for a tower on county land near the Sheriff’s Office. After discussion, the Board voted to move ahead with the negotiations for this lease. This tower will provide AT&T FirstNet service and also better service to the AT&T customers in the area.
The Board approved an updated IGA for shared responsibility of radio tower maintenance between the County, the Sheriff, the Fire Department and the Clinic.
The Board approved the Auditor’s Report.
Dave McCain requested action to free up a small triangle of land (.6 acres) that was dedicated to the County for the Blumenau Fire Well. After discussion with the County Attorney, who stated that the county did not own that land or have any interest in it, the Board voted 2-1to sign a quit claim deed on that property. The reason Mr. Flower voted no was because the County had no ownership or interest in the property.
Sheriff Byerly discussed a contract with the school for a School Resource Officer. The school has set aside $25K for the 2018-2019 school year for this purpose. The Sheriff’s Department will provide an off-duty deputy during school hours who will be paid by the school. The Board authorized the Sheriff to sign the contract.