Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout20131447.tiffRECORD OF PROCEEDINGS MINUTES BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WELD COUNTY, COLORADO JUNE 10, 2013 The Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, met in regular session in full conformity with the laws of the State of Colorado at the regular place of meeting in the Weld County Administration Building, Greeley, Colorado, June 10, 2013, at the hour of 9:00 a.m. ROLL CALL: The meeting was called to order by the Chair and on roll call the following members were present, constituting a quorum of the members thereof: Commissioner William F. Garcia, Chair Commissioner Douglas Rademacher, Pro-Tem Commissioner Sean P. Conway Commissioner Mike Freeman Commissioner Barbara Kirkmeyer Also present: County Attorney, Bruce T. Barker Acting Clerk to the Board, Susan Brown Controller, Barbara Connolly VA MINUTES: Commissioner Rademacher moved to approve the minutes of the Board of County Commissioners meeting of June 3, 2013, as printed. Commissioner Conway seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA: There were no amendments to the agenda. CONSENT AGENDA: Commissioner Conway moved to approve the Consent Agenda as printed. Commissioner Rademacher seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. PUBLIC INPUT: Joy Brewer, County resident, thanked the Board for their recent actions and resolutions. She said the recent work session on the gun control issue allowed her to learn more about the Commissioner's dedication and the work that they do. Commissioner Kirkmeyer replied that talking with constituents is the best part of being a County Commissioner, and Commissioners Conway and Freeman concurred. -- Steve Teets, County resident, spoke in regard to his on -going concern with the quality of First Transit's service (non -emergency medical transportation) in Weld County. He relayed that his committee, the Citizen's Bus Improvement Committee, wrote Health Care Policy Finance a letter and got a response from a Medicaid Manager (to whom it had been forwarded) who said that they were going to try to improve, and Weld Seniors on Disabilities, has invited the Manager of First Transit to meet with them and Mr. Teets invited the Medicaid representative to that meeting as well. Secondly, Mr. Teets noted the issue of Northern Colorado becoming a state, and said although he agrees with the general sentiment, he has apprehension about cost and ramifications. Minutes, June 10, 2013 2013-1447 Page 1 BC0016 Commissioner Conway asked to be notified when the First Transit meeting occurs and also mentioned that there will be hearings on the Northern Colorado/51st State issue and public input is encouraged. El BIDS: 1) PRESENT BID #B1300124, CONDUIT/BORING DISPATCH BUILDING (1551) - DEPARTMENT OF PHONE SERVICES: Trevor Jiricek, Director of General Services, reviewed this bid, which has one vendor and will be brought back for approval on June 24, 2013. Commissioner Kirkmeyer noted that this is specific to phone services for the dispatch center and wondered if the E911 Board should discuss this bid. Mr. Jiricek agreed to attend an upcoming E911 board meeting. NEW BUSINESS: 1) CONSIDER NON -FINANCIAL MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING AND PROTOCOL AND AUTHORIZE CHAIR TO SIGN - NORTHERN COLORADO CHILD ABDUCTION RESPONSE TEAM (CART): Judy Griego, Director of Department of Human Services, explained this will establish a perpetual interagency child abduction team with the Department of Social Services and various law enforcement agencies for response to abductions, as well as missing and endangered child cases, with the additional goal of successfully prosecuting abductors. Commissioner Kirkmeyer moved to approve said memorandum of understanding and authorize the Chair to sign. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Conway, and it carried unanimously. In response to Commissioner Conway, Ms. Griego explained this stems from a national effort to include the child protection aspect of social services in abduction response in order to provide improved communication of pertinent issues, timeliness of response, and better follow-through. This is a new strategy, and there is potential for additional law enforcement agencies to come onboard. 2) CONSIDER 2013 PARTNERSHIP AND VENDOR AGREEMENTS AND AUTHORIZE CHAIR TO SIGN - GREELEY INDEPENDENCE STAMPEDE: Dr. Mark Wallace, Director of Department of Public Health and Environment, stated the next four items are for the Youth Tobacco Prevention Program - primarily directed at spit tobacco. This agreement is a partnership with the Greeley Stampede for PSA announcements and a health education booth on -site during the events. Commissioner Rademacher moved to approve said partnership and vendor agreements and authorize the Chair to sign. Seconded by Commissioner Conway, the motion carried unanimously. Commissioner Conway thanked the Tobacco Free Coalition for their focus on Weld County youth and noted that this programs funding comes from Colorado Amendment 35 (the tobacco tax). 3) CONSIDER AGREEMENT FOR RADIO AND ONLINE ADVERTISING OF TOBACCO CONTROL PROGRAM AND AUTHORIZE CHAIR TO SIGN - TOWNSQUARE MEDIA: In response to Commissioner Conway, Dr. Wallace said this part of the project targets youth via ads on local radio stations. Commissioner Rademacher moved to approve said agreement and authorize the Chair to sign. The motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Conway, carried unanimously. 4) CONSIDER AGREEMENT FOR SCHOOL BUS ADS CONCERNING TOBACCO CONTROL PROGRAM AND AUTHORIZE CHAIR TO SIGN - SPOT ON SOLUTIONS: Dr. Wallace explained this part of the campaign targets districts which use bus advertising and routes were surveyed to determine which have higher tobacco use. School District 6, in Greeley and Evans, because they don't have policies against advertising on their buses, is the only place utilizing this part of the campaign so far. Commissioner Conway moved to approve said agreement and authorize the Chair to sign. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Freeman, and it carried unanimously. Minutes, June 10, 2013 2013-1447 Page 2 BC0016 5) CONSIDER AGREEMENT FOR OUTDOOR ADVERTISING OF TOBACCO CONTROL PROGRAM AND AUTHORIZE CHAIR TO SIGN - THE LAMAR COMPANIES: Dr. Wallace explained that this part of the campaign includes public service announcements on bus benches and billboards, including electronic billboards which have rotating digital messages, and is again focused on youth and spit tobacco. Commissioner Freeman moved to approve said agreement and authorize the Chair to sign. Seconded by Commissioner Conway, the motion carried unanimously. 6) CONSIDER VICTIM'S ASSISTANCE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT (VALE) GRANT APPLICATION FOR WELD COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT VICTIM'S SERVICES: Donny Patch, Sheriff's Office, explained this is a grant for the purchase of uniforms (shirts and jackets) for paid and volunteer victim's services advocates, which will give them increased recognisability when they are at a crime scene. In response to Commissioner Conway, he explained victim services advocates are on 24 hour call to do crisis intervention with crime victims, and their assistance also allows officers to focus on their primary job of investigation. The advocates help the victims up until the point the case enters the court system, at which point victim's services advocates in the District Attorney's office take over. Commissioner Kirkmeyer moved to approve said grant application and authorize the Chair to sign. The motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Conway, carried unanimously. ta 7) CONSIDER TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF CR 4 BETWEEN CRS 49 AND 53: Janet Carter, Department of Public Works, reviewed the request for a temporary road closure to replace a culvert. Commissioner Kirkmeyer moved to approve said temporary road closure as amended for a typo, replacing CR 39 with CR 49, and authorize the Chair to sign. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Conway, and it carried unanimously. 8) CONSIDER TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF CR 34 BETWEEN CRS 17 AND 19: Ms. Carter reviewed the temporary road closure request on a paved road due culvert replacement for drainage wash -out repairs. Commissioner Rademacher moved to approve said temporary road closure and authorize the Chair to sign. Seconded by Commissioner Conway, the motion carried unanimously. In response to Commissioner Conway, Ms. Carter spoke in regard to the intersection of CR 31 and SH 14 where there was a recent fatal auto collision. She said it made her Hazard Elimination Study (HES) list this year, at number 25, which is fairly low, but what seems to be occurring is that people are willfully disregarding the stop sign. After examining the site, she determined that it is a safe intersection, but unfortunately there has been driver error, with tragic consequences, on more than one occasion. Ms. Carter said she visited the intersection post -accident and also consulted with CDOT staff. 9) CONSIDER NONEXCLUSIVE REVOCABLE LICENSE AGREEMENT CONCERNING SURFACE USE FOR PIPELINE ACCESS AND AUTHORIZE CHAIR TO SIGN - SUNCOR ENERGY (USA) PIPELINE COMPANY: Stephanie Arries, Assistant County Attorney, said this license is for Suncor's surface access to a pipeline across Weld County property, currently the location of a well used for dust suppression. Commissioner Rademacher moved to approve said nonexclusive revocable license agreement and authorize the Chair to sign. The motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Conway, carried unanimously. Minutes, June 10, 2013 2013-1447 Page 3 BC0016 a 10) CONSIDER PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AGREEMENT AND AUTHORIZE CHAIR TO SIGN - CORVETTES WEST CAR CLUB CHAPTER: Brad Yatabe, Assistant County Attorney, said this contract is for providing a space at the 2013 Weld County Fair to hold the Corvette auto show. In response to Commissioner Rademacher, Mr. Yatabe said it is not uncommon to be requested by the Fair Board to provide a plaque. Commissioner Kirkmeyer moved to approve said professional service agreement and authorize the Chair to sign. Seconded by Commissioner Conway, the motion carried unanimously. ER 11) CONSIDER PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AGREEMENT AND AUTHORIZE CHAIR TO SIGN - RANCH SORTING NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP: Mr. Yatabe said this is another 2013 Weld County Fair event, with workshops and a cattle sorting competition. Commissioner Kirkmeyer moved to approve said professional service agreement and authorize the Chair to sign. The motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Conway, carried unanimously. 12) CONSIDER AMENDMENT TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AGREEMENT AND AUTHORIZE CHAIR TO SIGN - WOW BUBBLES, LLC: Mr. Yatabe said this contract was previously approved, and the Fair Board has decided to double the number of bubbles in response to demand. Commissioner Kirkmeyer moved to approve said professional service agreement and authorize the Chair to sign. The motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Conway, carried unanimously. 13) SECOND READING OF CODE ORDINANCE #2013-2, IN THE MATTER OF REPEALING AND REENACTING CHAPTER 20 IMPACT FEES, OF THE WELD COUNTY CODE: Commissioner Kirkmeyer moved to read by title only. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Conway, and it carried unanimously. Tom Parko, Director of Planning Services, explained this ordinance deals with raising impact fees by two percent to reflect inflation. Commissioner Kirkmeyer moved to approve said code ordinance on second reading. Seconded by Commissioner Freeman, the motion carried unanimously. 14) FINAL READING OF CODE ORDINANCE #2013-3, IN THE MATTER OF ENACTING CHAPTER 4 COMMUNICATIONS, OF THE WELD COUNTY CODE: Commissioner Rademacher moved to read by title only. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Kirkmeyer, and it carried unanimously. Christopher Woodruff, Weld County Assessor, acting as a representative of the Weld County Governance and IT Governance Committees, related that he had a productive meeting with senior management in the Human Services Department answering questions regarding policy, and that all the other departments have given positive feedback and indicated they are anxious to utilize social media. Commissioner Kirkmeyer said the FEMA exercise made it clear what a valuable tool social media is during emergencies. The Board thanked Mr. Woodruff for his hard work on this new mode of communication. Commissioner Kirkmeyer moved to approve Code Ordinance #2013-3. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Rademacher, and it carried unanimously. Chair Garcia said although he has been a staunch opponent of the government use of social media due to the potential for abuse, Mr. Woodruff's work ensuring protections are in place was very helpful. He also thanked Jennifer Finch, Communications Manager, for working on this and convincing him of the value of this medium. 15) FINAL READING OF CODE ORDINANCE #2013-4, IN THE MATTER OF REPEALING AND REENACTING, WITH AMENDMENTS, CHAPTER 6 LAW ENFORCEMENT, OF THE WELD COUNTY CODE: Commissioner Kirkmeyer moved to read by title only. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Conway, and it carried unanimously. Mr. Barker read the title for the record and confirmed there have been no changes since the second reading. Commissioner Conway noted that there was a productive three hour meeting with constituents prior to the Board's last work session on Minutes, June 10, 2013 2013-1447 Page 4 BC0016 this ordinance. Chair Garcia then opened the floor to public input. Mary Beard, County resident, stated the right to life and the right to be safe from violence should supersede gun rights. She said back ground checks ensure that convicted drug users, felons, domestic abusers and the mentally ill are prevented from obtaining guns, which is a common sense response. la Louie Beard, County resident, said the majority of Americans think there is a problem (in reference to mass shootings in public places), and he said the State legislature is seeking solutions for this problem. Mr. Beard said guns are the common denominator although gun control is only one part of the solution. He noted that if the Commissioners refuse to enforce the law it is guaranteed not to work and also asked the Commissioners if they had other solutions. Susan Carey, County resident, said many voters in the County support the State's new gun legislation. She noted that it is intimidating to publicly take up any position questioning the 2nd Amendment while knowing the opposition has suns. She also objected to the Commissioners making their stance so firm prior to public input. County resident, spoke in support of the Commissioners stance on this issue. " Mike Speeker, County resident, spoke in support of the Commissioners stance on this issue and said he felt the Constitution is clearly against gun restrictions. He said background checks are not effective, and also noted that people die in automobile accidents but no one wants to ban cars and referenced history. El Walter Fanning, County resident, said this ordinance is unenforceable and was laid out ahead of public input and that is disconcerting. In response to Commissioner Conway, Mr. Fanning requested that the Board make media announcements that a topic is being considered and they would like public input before they make their stance known. Joe Perez, County resident, said that Constitutional rights are not without reasonable limits. He stated there are emotions on both sides of this issue, but the bottom line is that we are responsible for the safety of our society and community. He said he is a gun owner, but also feels that innocent children in public places should be protected. Mr. Fanning asked if the Commissioners would provide some information regarding the County's funding for mental health, gang intervention and other protections for Weld County citizens. [a Doug Meyer, County resident, claimed that background checks are being done, even at gun shows, and noted that other types of weapons can be used to kill people. He said this is a moral problem that cannot be legislated and the Second Amendment is a God-given right that does not come from government. _ Timothy Daniels Sheely, aka Scooter McGee, County resident, noted that three months ago he and other Weld County citizens brought a pre -written ordinance to the Board. Mr. Sheely apologized for some previous comments to the Board. He stated the most dangerous thing in the United States is ignorance and noted that violent crime in Weld County is at record lows. He said the opposition continues to say these are reasonable restrictions, but they are not. He implied that constitutional rights are being incrementally eroded. In response to Chair Garcia, Mr. Sheely said that, although the watered down version of the ordinance seems worthless, this is a start, albeit a weak foundation, so he will support it. Commissioner Freeman moved to approve said code ordinance on final reading. Seconded by Commissioner Kirkmeyer, the motion carried unanimously. Commissioner Conway thanked everyone who participated in the process and outlined the reasons he supports this resolution. He noted that a bi-partisan group of Colorado Sheriffs, 55 of Colorado's 64 sheriffs, has filed a lawsuit asserting the laws are unconstitutional. Commissioner Conway also noted that funding mental health issues allowing for better access and programs in schools, is what the Commissioners stand behind. He said the Juvenile Assessment Center (JAG) and Youth and Family Connections work collaboratively with the school districts, and the Board has increased funding for North Range Behavioral Health, and said that the Colorado General Assembly did not increase funding for mental health, but instead rushed to put in place laws which punish law-abiding citizens, and that will not solve the problem. These laws would not have prevented the recent shootings. Are we addressing the issues that need to be? He said we need to work collaboratively, but not via gun control, mental health is more important. He noted the Steve Teets, Minutes, June 10, 2013 2013-1447 Page 5 BC0016 homicide rate in cities such as Chicago, which has stringent gun control laws, and said that punishing law abiding citizens is not the way to accomplish safety. Commissioner Kirkmeyer concurred with Commissioner Conway, and thanked those who attended the work session. She noted that in most of the recent mass shootings the guns involved were illegally obtained. In regard to perceived intimidation due to the Commissioners making their beliefs known, she noted, "we make our positions known when we campaign". And, in regard to getting public opinion prior to introducing an ordinance, she explained that the only way that County Commissioners can get opinions in a broad way is by introducing an ordinance which provides three opportunities/invitations to come forward and speak. Commissioner Kirkmeyer concurred that Weld County funds mental health extensively and said their goals are to get people the help that they need and keep people out of jail. She said "we try to get resources to children and families preventively". She also contended that this ordinance is enforceable; it simply states that the Board will not enact any ordinances to restrict the Second Amendment. The Board would have to change this code prior to doing that. The Board of County Commissioners cannot nullify a State law, and have not said they will not uphold the laws of the State of Colorado, but want to ensure congruently that Weld County is upholding the Constitution. Commissioner Kirkmeyer announced that the Weld County Attorney is writing an Amicus Brief in support of the Sheriff's Lawsuit, and when it was announced 20 other Colorado counties expressed interest in participation. Commissioner Rademacher stated his stance has not changed since the Second reading. Commissioner Freeman said this Ordinance is as far as we can go at this time. In regard to the County's support of mental health services, Chair Garcia outlined some of the County's programs and their funding, and said mental health is the crux of this issue. He also noted that crime and incarceration in Weld County is down, and if prisons or jails close that savings should be put towards mental health resources. In regard to Commissioners having opinions, he reiterated that a legislative action by the Board requires three readings, an issue is proposed and the public is invited to comment and try to change the minds of their representatives. Chair Garcia noted Mr. Barker's explanation that this ordinance, as originally written by constituents, exceeded the Commissioner's authority, explaining that, although it is not an overwhelming obstacle, there is a usefulness to this ordinance; if a future board of County Commissioners wishes to limit gun rights, they must first change this Code, which requires consideration and provides a period of time for public input. RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES: The resolutions were presented and signed as listed on the Consent Agenda. No Ordinances were approved. Let the minutes reflect that the above and foregoing actions were attested to and respectfully submitted by the Acting Clerk to the Board. Minutes, June 10, 2013 2013-1447 Page 6 BC0016 There being no further business, this meeting was adjourned at 10:37 a.m. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WELD COU jJYCOLORADO ATTEST:• (1e emu, e 1�e �,, �e" Will m F. Weld C•unty Clerk to the Board BY: Deputy rk to the Boa cher, Pro -Tern Sean P. Conway Mike Freem ✓� Barbara Kirkmeyer Minutes, June 10, 2013 2013-1447 Page 7 BC0016 Hello