Board of County Commissioners (BOCC)
—March 6, 2018
Westcliffe, CO
by Jackie Bubis
The meeting started at 9 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call. Introductions of the public in attendance followed.
A question from this reporter started the meeting: Can the agenda be amended at the beginning of the meeting on an item that will require a vote, or must there be 24-hour notice on such agenda changes? The answer from all three commissioners and the county attorney was that those changes required the 24 hour notice.
Commissioner Items:
Commissioner Printz met with the Wetmore Community Center (WCC) Board. There are still lingering issues and the new construction is nearing the end of the warrantee period. Mr. Printz sent a note to Mr. Duke regarding these issues. The consensus of the BOCC was that the WCC would be under the same maintenance as the rest of the county buildings. He also reported meeting twice with the Custer County Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC.)
Chairman Flower attended the Clinic Board meeting and will be attending the Republican caucus. He recommended to his fellow commissioner talking to Cindy Howard (OEM) regarding the all-call list for Code Red Alerts if they want to receive all the Code Red Alerts. Flower also reported that he will mediate a meeting between Bill Baker and the Fair Board on March 19th.
Commissioner Canda reported meeting with Gary Hyde and Roger Squire regarding the Hibbs tower. The BLM is open to discussion regarding ownership, upkeep, and management of this tower. He spoke with the Reis family regarding the county purchasing their land adjacent to the landfill. He told them it was still an option but not a great one. Speaking about a fuel glitch at the airport, he brought a check from a friend who was paying for fuel he was not charged for. Canda would like to explore the idea of the towns helping pay for fuel to drive the price down and make our airport even more competitive.
Attorney Items:
Attorney Smith has researched the name of the Airport Advisory Board. He reported that the Airport Authority Board was established in 1994, but with no resolution. There was a fund set up for them, though. In 2011, the name was changed to Airport Advisory Board – still no resolution. He also has been writing compliance letters for the Planning and Zoning office. He reminded the Board of the statutes requiring the setup of the Weed Advisory Board – he stated that the majority of that board be made up of property owners with more than 40 acres.
There were no Administrative Assistant Items.
Staff Reports
Gary Hyde brought the Road and Bridge report. His traffic counter malfunctioned on its latest count. He reported that his department is now having weekly safety meetings. He researched the Airgas cylinders leased by his department. There are 25 units on the lease but only 17 in their possession so he will pursue taking the eight missing cylinders off the lease. He also stated that purchasing these cylinders would be more cost effective than leasing and he’ll put together a plan. He reported that Greg Morrel wants to donate about 400 ton of rock for road base for the county.
Regarding the Hermit Bridge project: after doing research on box culverts, he feels ready to move forward with this project. The Board signed the DOLA grant and the project will be put out to bid.
Regarding the Hibbs tower, Hyde reported that though the BLM would be all for the county purchasing the property the tower is on, they “don’t have the personnel for that.” The County has a lease agreement forever but the BLM would like us to manage the tower. Also the road right-of-way to the tower needs to be researched as a private land owner wants to block that road or get money. There was little doubt from Attorney Smith and Hyde that the County has the proper right-of-ways.
Rusty Christensen reported for the landfill and recycling. The engine is ready to be installed in the compactor. Revenue is a little ahead of last year. There was a discussion of gas and tires and the purchasing policy.
Shannon Auth, the new CSU Extension Agent, reported that the expensive, paid version of the fair entry software was not required at this time. The Rulebook for 2018 first draft is finished. The Fair Board is not working on edits. There will be an updated code of conduct and an anti-cyber bullying section. Cheryl Laramore (Fair Board) is looking for grants for capital improvements at the fairgrounds. The Project Fair gained fourteen new 4-H enrollments. Brianna Evert will work on the open division, in order to get more community involvement in fair projects. Thirty-eight youth participated in Meata Quality Assurance/Pork Quality Assurance with their parents (required). Auth is working on a Meet Your Extension Agent and is also putting together all the contacts to move forward with filling the Extension Advisory Committee. Concerning the Weed Board, CSU does not want Auth to be a voting member of that board, but thinks it advisable that she be an ex-officio member.
A short discussion about other ways to make the County Fair more like the old fashion county fairs we all remember. Ideas included more venders, booths, and even a carnival.
Dawna Hobby had nothing new or pressing to report for the HR/Finance department.
Laura Lockhart presented the Human Services report.
Old Business
The Wetmore Community Center has ongoing maintenance needs. A discussion was held regarding how to best serve their needs. Courtney Davenport, the husband of the library director in Wetmore, has been doing a bit of maintenance down there as a volunteer. Mr. Printz will speak with him to see if he’d like to continue doing small maintenance and be paid to do it. This would save the county maintenance person from having to drive down to Wetmore regularly.
Christine Stanley, the CTSI Senior Loss Prevention Specialist met with the Board to discuss insurance pool updates.
During the public comment time, this reporter followed up on an item brought up by Commissioner Canda regarding the makeup of the Tourism Board. Mr. Printz said he’d check with the Tourism Board on this issue.
Former resident John (CJ) Goebel told the Board that he owns the stone house just south of the courthouse and that he would like to discuss whether the County is at all interested in buying or leasing this building. He was told to come back before the board with a proposal with options for the Board to consider.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:48 a.m.