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HomeMy WebLinkAbout770962.tiff stoat MINUTES WELD D COUNTY COUNCIL AUG 2 1977 July 19, 1977 r 41;Wecry COLD. The Weld County Council met in regular session in full conformity with the Weld County Home Rule Charter at 9th Avenue and 9th Street, Greeley, Colorado, July 19, 1977 at the hour of nine o'clock. ROLL CALL: The following members were present: Nancy Clark, President Bob E. White, Vice President John T. Martin, Councilman Floyd Oliver, Councilman Bob Martin, Councilman Also present: Mr. A. J. Lorie, Mr. Dennis Woodroof, Mr. Thomas Rood of Stone, Gray and Company; County Commissioner, Mr. Ed Dunbar; five members of the press; an observer; and secretary, Bev Thomas. MINUTES: John Martin made a motion that the minutes of the July 5, 1977 meeting be adopted. Bob Martin seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Later in the meeting Floyd Oliver pointed out that Mary Ann Feuerstein's title was recorded incorrectly in the July 5, 1977 minutes. It was changed from Chief Deputy Clerk and Recorder to County Clerk and Recorder. CORRESPONDENCE: Nancy Clark announced that a file would henceforth be available at each meeting that would include copies of letters the Council had sent since the last meeting as well as copies of those letters the Council had received. She then read a memo from Mr. Dority regarding budget preparation. Correspondence from Stone, Gray and Company, Mr. Gary Fortner, the Greeley Chamber of Commerce, and the Weld County Correspondent was available in the file. REPORTS: FINANCE: Bob Martin said that Telep and Connell had been paid $340. for special counsel which did not seem to be out of line. Bob White suggested the Council obtain a list of items sold at the May 20, 1977 County auction. The secretary was instructed to secure that list along with a list of the prices the items were sold for and a list of the advertised merchandise. Bob White also suggested securing any record of recommendations made by the County Commissioners for next %ear's auction. ENGINEERING: Floyd Oliver pointed out that in recent days. the Road and Bridge Division had again been reorganized. Also a rock crusher had been purchased with funds from the IGA. Nancy thought it was 770962 4oa / zo17 O/77 County Council tastes Page 2 % July 19, 1977 important that the Council keep abreast of these actions as the Council was pursuing an audit of this Division. OLD BUSINESS: CONCLUDING ELECTION REPORT: Nancy read a Concluding Report of 1976 Election Problems and Concerns for possible approval by the Council. Several alterations to the proposed report were made. Nancy Clark made a motion to change the original paragraph three to paragraph four and to insert a new paragraph three. Bob White seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The final draft of the report is hereto attached. The secretary was instructed to send the entire election report to all elected officials. REQUEST FOR PLANNING COMMISSION INVESTIGATION: The letter sent by the Council to Gary Fortner and George Yoder regarding Rolanda Feed Company was read to the Council. The Council then read Mr. Fortner's response. Nancy Clark felt that the Council should not be involved in this matter until final determination has been made regarding it by the county boards involved. Bob Martin made a motion that the Council send a copy of the letter from Mr. Fortner to the persons requesting Council action. The letter should draw attention to the portion of the Fortner letter saying there would be a public hearing before a final decision was made regarding Rolanda Feed Company. The letter should state that the Council will continue to monitor the situation. John Martin seconded the motion and it carried. John Martin and Bob Martin were instructed to compose the letter. BATY GRAVEL REMOVAL CASE: Nancy Clark explained to the Council her reasons for cancelling the Baty Hearing on July 12, 1977. She said Mr. Baty had been welcomed to the July 19, 1977 meeting. Bob Martin made a motion we table the Baty case until Mr. Baty submits a bill to the County for the gravel that was removed from his property. If, after the County acts on that bill, Mr. Baty remains dissatisfied the Council will again consider the case. Bob White seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The secretary was instructed to send copies of that letter to Mrs. Steirmark and Mr. David. ROAD AND BRIDGE INVESTIGATION: Mr. A. J. Lorie, Mr. Dennis Woodroof, and Mr. Thomas Rood of Stone, Gray, and Company were welcomed to the meeting. Mr. Lorie stated that the letter he had sent to the Council enumerated merely examples of the types of things that could be pursued in an audit. Nancy Clark read aloud potions of that letter for the benefit of the press. The possibility that the current changes that are occurring in the Road and Bridge Division might hinder an audit at this time was suggested. Commissioner Dunbar felt that these changes were a big step toward solving the Road and Bridge problems. He thought the Council might save itself some audit money by reviewing testimony the Commissioners have gathered from Road and Bridge personnel. County Council Mfltes Page 3 July 19, 1977 The secretary was instructed to obtain copies of this testimony for Councilmembers. Mr. Lorie did not feel the current changes in the Road and Bridge policy would affect their investigation. He said the audit would not concern itself with historical aspects of the Division, but would concentrate on this questions Are current operations efficient? Bob White wanted a price estimate from Stone and Gray. Mr. Lorie said that less than $7000.00 spent on the project would be inadequate. Mr. Lorie recommended the investigation center on 1) accounting and recording systems 2) budget and accountability 3) documentation of the decision-making processes. He felt that these topics tied together well and also offered easy transition into a variety of other aspects of the Division. Bob White made a motion that Mr. Lorie and his associates present a statement of cost estimate and the work to be done for that cost to the Council for their consideration. John Martin seconded the motion. and it passed unanimously. The Council is to hear from Stone and Gray by August 2, 1977. APPROVAL OF RESOLUTIONS: Nancy Clark read aloud the meeting-time resolution written by Robert Ray. Nancy Clark made a motion the resolution be adopted. Bob White seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Nancy read aloud the proposed Loustalet Resolution. Bob White felt the phrases "based upon the allegation" in paragraph one and "of the alleged conflict of interest" in paragraph two were inappropriate. A discussion ensued in which Mr. Ray was told the Council's decision was not instigated by allegations, but rather by a letter from Mr. Loustalet. Mr. Ray is to rewrite the resolution and send it to the Council for approval. MISCELLANEOUS: John Martin commended the County Commissioners for their contact with the public at the recent town meeting in Fort Lupton. Ed Dunbar explained that two locations in each district were picked for these meetings. Nancy Clark also commended the Commissioners for relating to the public in meetings beyond the regular district meetings. Nancy Clark told the Council Bob Martin had written the July newsrelease. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Beverly Th as APPROVED6:-/A2"Z tiat eat: Council Secretary • n 1976 ELECTION PROBLEMS 8 CONCERNS A Concluding Report July 19, 1977 Members of the Official Canvas Board met with the Weld County Council on July 5, 1977. Also present were: Wanda Hughes, Election Officer; and Mary Ann Feuerstein, County Clerk and Recorder. The role of the Canvas Board was explained after which the Board was questioned by the Council in an attempt to resolve earlier-stated election concerns. The Canvas Board explained the ballots of the 1976 election were in good condition. Furthermore, hand-counted ballots tallied with the totals from the computer. The Council was also assured that there were no problems determining to whom any votes were to be credited. Having heard the report of the Canvas Board the Council determined: 1) The results of the November, 1976 election accurately reflected the will of the electorate, even though results were processed slowly. 2) Though the County's election procedure is not perfect, it is probably better than most systems. With further experience with the present equipment, procedures will probably be improved. 3) It is the Council's belief that corrective measures are being taken but the Council will meet with the election officials in September, prior to the next election, to see what changes have been made and to see what problems are anticipated for that election. 4) Following the 1978 election, the Council will perhaps reconsider some of the questions raised during the 1976 election and make a new report. Hello