BOCC: Justice Center Progress, Land Sale,
New Extension Agent, Airport Improvements

Board of County
Commissioners (BOCC)
—November 14, 2018
Westcliffe, CO

by Jackie Bubis

The meeting started at 9 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call. (Attorney Smith was not present for roll call but showed up at 9:20 a.m. after having mistakenly gone to Wetmore for the meeting.) Introductions of the public followed.
Commissioner Items:
Commissioner Canda reported that the strategic plan process is ongoing. The survey is in the works and there will be many ways for citizens to participate. He deferred until later for the bids to be opened for the work at the airport. He mentioned a meeting between CenturyLink and the Forest Service that he will be attending. This meeting will address options for getting service back to the Wetmore area people who have lost their phone service. He also believes that the Board should discuss the hours at the landfill due to the number of people needing the landfill
on the weekend.
Commissioner Flower brought up the Underfunded Courthouse grant hearing to be held November 30th in Denver. After discussion, the BOCC meeting for the 30th was changed to the 29th so that all three commissioners can attend to defend the grant.
Commissioner Printz congratulated Commissioner Canda on his victory at the polls. He listed a number of meetings he had attended and asked if anyone had heard anything about the housing study. No one had.
All three commissioners commented on the wonderful job the American Legion did with the Veterans Day dinner.
Commissioner Flower reported that our new County Extension Agent will be Guinevere Nelson. She hails from Creede, Colorado, and has been working for a nonprofit mining reclamation firm for nine years there. He also reported that Commissioner Canda was honored at the School Board meeting for his work getting the new scoreboard.
Attorney Items:
Mr. Smith has been working on the easement for a cistern requested by Fire Chief Kit Shy. He’s worked on an ordinance to protect County property, has worked on several cease-and-desist orders for Jackie Hobby, and worked with the Sheriff on several issues.
Public Comments:
Tthis reporter asked for clarification on the relationship between the Attainable Housing Committee and the County. The answer is that Attainable Housing will have its own budget and is indeed a County Board.
Clerk Kelley Camper asked about the staff Christmas party at the courthouse. After discussion, it was decided that the party would be moved off-site, that each person going would pay $5, and that the county would cover the remainder.
Dawna Hobby presented six resolutions for the supplemental budget. She also brought up the topic of Christmas bonuses for the staff. Since 1995, each department has given dedicated service bonuses (a.k.a. Christmas bonuses) to their staff if they have money left over for it. The Board approved these bonuses but suggested that a new process should be addressed before next budget season.
The Special Use permit for San Isabel Propane (Ed Lyons) was approved unanimously.
Christe Coleman presented an award to Cindy Howard for her service during hurricane Irma.
The bids for the next phase at the airport were opened. The work includes the removal of the berm on the east side of the airport and re-sloping at the south end. Mountain Valley Excavating (Ed Lyons) presented a bid for $97,340. Seifert Enterprises presented a bid for $70,750. A motion to accept the lowest bid passed unanimously. This work will be paid for in full by Aught Six Ranch.