HomeMy WebLinkAbout760686.tiff MINUTES
WELD COUNTY I COUNCIL
August 18, 1976
The Weld County Council met in regular session in full conformity
with the Weld County Home Rule Charter at 401 N. 15th Avenue,
Greeley, Colorado, on Wednesday, August 18, at the hour of 2 o'clock.
ROLL CALL: The meeting began with an invocation by Mr. John T. Martin, President.
On roll call the following members were present:
President, John T. Martin
Vice President, Nancy Clark
Councilman Floyd Oliver
Councilman Bob White
Councilman Robert Martin
Also present: Bonnie Hickman Secretary; Mr. Thomas 0.. David, County
Attorney; four members of the press.
MINUTES: The August 4 and 9, 1976 minutes were approved by motion of Bob
White and second by Nancy Clark. Unanimously carried.
REPORTS
WELCOME: The president welcomed Mr. Robert P. Martin officially to the
County Council. Mr. Robert Martin was sworn into office on
August 17 by Judge Arnold.
COUNCIL BUDGET REVIEW: Council secretary presented an itemized final budget
for the Council for 1977 and explained the increase over the August 9th
meeting.
Council members discussed the possible use of a telephone answering
service for 1977. Options presented were: purchasing a machine to
leave and record messages, hiring a personal answering service to
answer the phone and take messages, or renting from the phone company
a machine to answer calls and record messages. Floyd Oliver made a
motion seconded by Nancy Clark, to add enough in the budget for the
purchase of an answering service which can receive messages. Voting
results: Floyd Oliver, yes. Nancy Clark, yes. Bob White, no.
Robert Martin abstained because he was not familiar with Council needs.
John Martin, yes, with the stipulation the subject be researched before
any action is taken. Robert Martin changed his vote to yes.
760686
'County Council Minute" Page 2
August 18, 1976
COUNTY ATTORNEY: Mr. Thomas 0. David spoke with the Council concerning his
duties and concerns as County Attorney. He stated that the Law
Department is currently keeping time records of each day's events
and duties in order to analyze their performance by September.
He estimated that the Planning Commission takes up one third of
their time. He later discussed the necessity of legal counsel
being present at the Commissioners' formal meetings.
Mr. David discussed the transition period of special legal counsel
to the newly hired county attorney. He sees no problems and thought
it was impossible to set an arbitrary date for complete transition.
His office staff consists of two secretaries and two assistant
attorneys. The Law Department will hire another assistant to the
County Attorney to handle the Social Services work because of the
immense overload on that area. Mr. David stated it will take two
people, since Weld handles 1250 cases annually.
The question of the Charter's 5% tax limitation was discussed. Mr.
David was concerned about what to do if the budget succeeds that
amount. Currently the Law Department is investigating if the
Department of Local Affairs has any jurisdiction to grant permission
to the Home Rule County as to the possible conflict between state
statute and the Charter on the 5% tax limitation. They will have
an answer by Friday of this week.
Mr. David answered several questions regarding the use of resolutions.
Council members expressed their concern over a resolution passed on
December 31, 1975 which gave the temporarily hired special legal
counsel all county legal suits for 1976. Council members felt that
the resolution wasstill a legal binding contract and should be
rescinded immediately.
Hospital legal problems were discussed. Mr. David referred to
Section 4-3-(b) of the Charter and stated that it is in direct
conflict with state statute.
The Council urged Mr. David to suggest to them any changes that need
to be made in the Charter. Mr. David stated that the main problem
is in Section 3-8-(4b) regarding the Commissioner Board acting by
ordinance. Mr. David offered to visit the Council again and suggest
some more changes. Mr. White suggested he especially review Charter
Segtion 4-4-13) Discussion followed on procedures for
making amendments to the Charter. Any change in the Charter needs
to be done before October 1 to qualify for the November election.
REPORT SUBMITTED: Nancy Clark submitted a report on the visit to county road
shops of May 11, 1976. Floyd Oliver moved the Council accept the
report, seconded by Robert Martin. Unanimously carried. (See
attached report.)
`County Council Minute' Page 3
s August 18, 1976
CORRESPONDENCE: The Council received a letter from the Weld Mental Health
Association. Mr. White will gather more information and present
it at a later date.
A letter of application for the vacancy created by the death of
Lacy Wilkinson was received past the deadline date of August 4
from Mr. William R. Vasa. The secretary notified Mr. Vasa.
COUNTY BUDGET: The Council again discussed the 5% tax limitation. It seems
there is a conflict of opinions as to if the Department of Local
Affairs can make a ruling whether the Charter is more restrictive
than state statute. Nancy Clark made a motion, seconded by Bob
White, that if there seems to be a problem after receiving the
ruling from Mr. David, the Council will give John Martin the
jurisdiction to request a legal opinion from District Attorney
Robert Miller on the same matter. Motion carried. A special
meeting will be called if necessary.
The Council listed the information still needed for budget review -
1) 1975 audit report, and 2) the mil levy limitations on certain
funds including capital outlay.
MISCELLANEOUS: It was suggested that the budget will be discussed at the
next meeting and council members should begin thinking about
another plan for themselves. John Martin suggested finalizing
the lease-purchasing report.
Bob White added that August 27 is the county sale, but he had
seen no advertizing yet. He will discuss this with Mr. Buss.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by John Martin.
Respectfully submitted,
z-nlil% APPROVED
Bonnie Hickman, Secretary
Report on Visit to
COUNTY ROAD SHOPS
The five members of the County Council visited the county district
road shops on the afternoon of May 11, 1976.
The road overseers were not in any of the three shops. In each
instance we talked to the chief mechanic. The men showed us around their
facilities and were willing and capable of answering all questions.
The afternoon was well spent. Each member felt he had learned a
great deal more about the Road and Bridge Districts.
Some of the concerns that council members expressed were;
1. There appears to be a few cases of unnecessary and unused
equipment.
2. Lost time in driving to the shop and then to the job.
3. The qualifications and responsibilities of the road overseers.
4. The hiring of personnel.
5. Wage-level of new employees.
6. Training of the men to run difficult road equipment.
7. Purchasing policies.
8. Wasted time in the shops as well as on the roads.
9. The chain of command and adequate supervision for such a
large department of government.
The Greeley shop was visited on Monday, May 24. The visit didn't
change any of the concerns. It did help us to understand how the main
shop is used in conjunction with the three district shops.
The council decided to invite Mr. Dean Grasmick, Cost Accountant
for the Road and Bridge Department, to the June 16 Council meeting.
Mr. Grasmick is supervised by Barton Buss, Finance Director.
The minutes of June 16 give a detailed report of the beneficial
discussion that was held.
On July 21 Mr. Frank Smith, County Engineer and Mr. Gilman Olson,
Inspection Division of County Engineering Department, attended the
Council meeting. The minutes of that meeting again reflect the discussion
that was held.
Prepared by /// _e ' /= /5')/92
Nancy Clark - Dat
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