Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout20100617 RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS MINUTES BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WELD COUNTY, COLORADO MARCH 29, 2010 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 Centennial Center, Greeley, Colorado, March 29, 2010, 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 Douglas Rademacher, Chair Commissioner Barbara Kirkmeyer, Pro-Tem Commissioner Sean P. Conway Commissioner William F. Garcia Commissioner David E. Long Also present: County Attorney, Bruce T. Barker Acting Clerk to the Board, Elizabeth Strong Director of Finance and Administration, Monica Mika MINUTES: Commissioner Conway moved to approve the minutes of the Board of County Commissioners meeting of March 24, 2010, as printed. Commissioner Kirkmeyer seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. READ ORDINANCE BY TAPE: Commissioner Kirkmeyer moved to read Code Ordinance #2010 by tape. Commissioner Garcia seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. CERTIFICATION OF HEARINGS: Commissioner Long moved to approve the Certification of Hearings conducted on March 24, 2010, as follows: 1) USR#1726 — Otoniel Goldman; and 2) USR #1727 —The New Cache La Poudre Irrigating Company. Commissioner Conway seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA: There were no amendments to the agenda. PUBLIC INPUT: No public input was given. CONSENT AGENDA: Commissioner Conway moved to approve the Consent Agenda as printed. Commissioner Kirkmeyer seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. PRESENTATIONS: CONSIDER RECOGNITION OF UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN COLORADO MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM FOR 2009-2010 SEASON: Chair Rademacher read the certificate into the record, recognizing the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) Men's Basketball Team for the 2009-2010 Season. Minutes, March 29, 2010 2010-0617 Page 1 901) BC0016 Commissioner Garcia recognized Will Figures for his leadership and being ranked 48th in the country for his free-throw percentage, which is 85.2 percent. He stated Mr. Figures has 1,283 career points and is among the top ten (10) highest scorers to attend UNC. He further stated throughout the season the team was successful at free-throws, did a great job with defense, and played as a unit. Commissioner Conway recognized Tad Boyle, Coach for the UNC Men's Basketball Team, for instilling enthusiasm and pride in the community and the student body. He stated Coach Boyle is a tremendous asset to the community and he hopes that he will choose to remain in the community, since he has opportunities elsewhere, and he thanked him for what he has accomplished for UNC, the City of Greeley, and Weld County. Coach Boyle stated this recognition means a great deal to the Basketball Program, it is a special honor, and the community support has not been taken for granted by the Team. He introduced BJ Hill, the Associate Head Coach, and he stated Mr. Hill has been an instrumental part of building the Basketball Program. He stated Mr. Figures is also present today. Coach Boyle thanked the Board for its recognition and all the Board does to make the City of Greeley and Weld County special places. (Clerk's Note: This presentation was discussed as the first item of new business, following bids, since the Board initially prepared a resolution to recognize the Team; however, the Board subsequently opted to provide a certificate of recognition to the Team, as opposed to a resolution.) COMMISSIONER COORDINATOR REPORTS: There were no Commissioner Coordinator Reports. BIDS: APPROVE BID #B1000068, KERSEY GRADER SHED COMPLEX - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS: Barb Connolly, Controller, recommended acceptance of the low bid from Clark Enterprises, in the amount of $247,000.00, for the grader shed, the salt and sand sheds, and the accent panels. Commissioner Long moved to approve said low bid from Clark Enterprises, in the amount of $247,000.00. Seconded by Commissioner Conway, the motion carried unanimously. NEW BUSINESS: CONSIDER PETITION FOR ABATEMENT OR REFUND OF TAXES - DOM AND ANA KICKBUSH: Christopher Woodruff, Assessor, stated this petition is for the years 2007, 2008, and 2009, and he requested a continuance of one (1) week in order to better evaluate the issues. Dom and Ana Kickbush were not present. Commissioner Conway moved to continue the matter to April 5, 2010. Seconded by Commissioner Garcia, the motion carried unanimously. CONSIDER PETITION FOR ABATEMENT OR REFUND OF TAXES - SCHOOLHOUSE FINANCE, LLC: Mr. Woodruff stated this petition is for the year 2009, and it is for a charter school in the Saint Vrain School District. He stated staff requires proof to grant an exemption, and a copy of the lease was submitted in January, 2010, which proves the school qualifies for tax exemption; therefore, approval of the petition is recommended. Commissioner Conway moved to approve said petition for refund of taxes, in the amount of $187,354.31. Seconded by Commissioner Garcia, the motion carried unanimously. CONSIDER APPLICATION FOR A TEMPORARY ASSEMBLY OF MORE THAN 350 PERSONS ON MAY 16, 2010 - FRANK'S RIDE FOR CHILDREN, C/O GREG RISEDORF: Bruce Barker, County Attorney, stated this and the following item are connected and necessary for Frank's Ride for Children to conduct a special event. Mr. Barker stated the County has worked with Frank's Ride for Children for a number of years. Greg Risedorf, Frank's Ride for Children, stated this is the 24th year Frank's Ride for Children has operated in Weld County. Mr. Barker stated the event has been successful every year, and Minutes, March 29, 2010 2010-0617 Page 2 BC0016 Mr. Risedorf has consistently submitted the necessary application materials in advance. He stated the certificate of liability is correct and includes all the necessary items, and he recommended approval of both applications. Mr. Risedorf stated Frank's Ride for Children has worked with Make-A-Wish Foundation of Colorado, Inc., since the year 1995, and since then it has earned $430,000.00 and it has granted 89 wishes for children. Commissioner Kirkmeyer moved to approve said application. Commissioner Conway thanked Mr. Risedorf for the work he has accomplished, he stated Frank's Ride for Children is an asset to our community, and he seconded the motion for approval. Mr. Risedorf stated Frank's Ride for Children is operated entirely by volunteers who are representative of all walks of life and return for the event each year. Commissioner Long suggested Mr. Risedorf write a book in order to catalogue the organizations experiences and inspire others. Mr. Risedorf stated Frank's Ride for Children has become one of the largest fund raisers for Make-A-Wish Foundation of Colorado, Inc. There being no further discussion, the motion carried unanimously. CONSIDER APPLICATION FOR SPECIAL EVENTS PERMIT AND AUTHORIZE CHAIR TO SIGN - MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION OF COLORADO, INC.: Based on previous discussion, Commissioner Kirkmeyer moved to approve said application and authorize the Chair to sign. Seconded by Commissioner Conway, the motion carried unanimously. (Clerk's Note: After the applications were approved, Mr. Risedorf submitted two (2) photographs into the record, marked Exhibits A and B, in order to demonstrate the required notice for the event is posted on the property.) CONSIDER AGREEMENT TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL CONSULTING SERVICES AND AUTHORIZE CHAIR TO SIGN - MAXIMUS CONSULTING SERVICES, INC.: Ms. Connolly stated this agreement is an annual agreement for Maximus Consulting Services, Inc., to provide the cost allocation plan for the County, which the County submits to the State. She stated the fee will be the same as previous years, which is $5,500.00, and the County Attorney has reviewed the agreement; therefore, she recommends approval. Commissioner Conway moved to approve said agreement and authorize the Chair to sign. Seconded by Commissioner Kirkmeyer, the motion carried unanimously. CONSIDER AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AND AUTHORIZE CHAIR TO SIGN - JUSTICE BENEFITS, INC.: Mr. Barker stated the County has entered into this agreement for several years. Commissioner Kirkmeyer stated she remembers discussing the matter at a work session, and Justice Benefits, Inc., works with local government entities to prepare federal reimbursement claims. Sterling Geesaman, Weld County Sheriff's Office, concurred with Commissioner Kirkmeyer's explanation of the service provided by Justice Benefits, Inc., and he stated the company has been completing this type of work for the Sheriff's Office for approximately ten (10) years and it does a good job. Commissioner Conway stated the reasons the County contracts with Justice Benefits, Inc., are because it saves time and Justice Benefits, Inc. tends to collect more reimbursement for the County than the County is able to collect without utilizing the company's services. Mr. Geesaman concurred. In response to Commissioner Kirkmeyer, Mr. Barker stated that Cyndy Giauque, Assistant County Attorney, has reviewed the agreement. Commissioner Kirkmeyer moved to approve said agreement and authorize the Chair to sign. Seconded by Commissioner Garcia, the motion carried unanimously. FIRST READING OF CODE ORDINANCE #2010-3, IN THE MATTER OF REPEALING AND REENACTING, WITH AMENDMENTS, CHAPTER 5 REVENUE AND FINANCE, OF THE WELD COUNTY CODE: Dave Bressler, Director, Weld County Paramedic Service, stated the proposed fee adjustments are the result of recommendations from both the Director of Finance and Administration and himself, at the work session conducted on March 22, 2010. Mr. Bressler stated the proposed rates are listed in the appendix and are intended to offset a continued loss. Chair Rademacher gave the opportunity for public testimony; however, none was given. Minutes, March 29, 2010 2010-0617 Page 3 BC0016 Commissioner Kirkmeyer moved to approve Code Ordinance #2010-3 on first reading. Commissioner Long seconded the motion. Commissioner Garcia stated the need to raise fees was discussed at the work session, in order to address the shortfall for the Paramedic Service, and the Board also discussed the difficulty of maintaining the Ambulance Service as a "pay as you go" service, which is not subsidized by the County's general fund. He stated the costs will continue to increase if the Ambulance Service continues as a "pay as you go" service; however, the amounts of the fee increases are difficult for him to accept. He stated he is concerned more people will have others drive them to the emergency room, as opposed to utilizing an ambulance, as a result of the fee increases. Commissioner Kirkmeyer stated she was the Commissioner Coordinator for the Paramedic Service last year and the smallest proposed fee increases were implemented, in order to see if the Paramedic Service could make ends meet without larger fee increases; however, the lower fee increase was not adequate to sustain the service. She stated rates are increasing whether paramedic services are government provided or private services, there are private ambulance services in the same financial situation, and the eastern plains area has had difficulty with maintaining and retaining paramedic services, and has had to greatly subsidize the cost with general funds. She stated the County may have to subsidize the cost with general funds at some point; however, she does not want to do so before it is necessary. She further stated privatizing the Paramedic Service has been considered for at least 16 years, and each time it has been determined that it is not a good option for our County because the high population centers will be identified for service coverage and the provision of services for the unincorporated areas of the County will become non-existent, for example, the Towns of Grover, New Raymer, Keenesburg, Kersey, Platteville, Gilcrest, and Eaton may be excluded. Commissioner Kirkmeyer stated part of the problem is the way the Federal government operates its charges and reimbursements, and there is nothing the County can do about that. Commissioner Conway stated last year the County wrote off $3,000,000.00 in unpaid Paramedic Service debt and this is the cost of doing business. He concurred with Commissioner Kirkmeyer that many factors are outside of the County's control, for example, the Federal government reimburses just eight (8) cents out of each dollar for Medicaid and the County is likely to not receive any Medicaid reimbursement in the future. He stated if privatization was an option, there would be a great deal more of it occurring. Commissioner Conway stated there is another county in northeastern Colorado which has been dealing with a private provider, and Weld County is assisting as it separates from the private provider due to cost and service issues. He stated when considering a County as large as Weld County and providing the best possible service, the fees must be increased; however, he is concerned fewer people will utilize the Paramedic Service due to the increased cost. He stated the Commissioners should discuss the impacts of State and Federal decisions on the Paramedic Service when they next have the opportunity to interact with congressman and senators. Commissioner Conway stated the Paramedic Service deals with matters of life and death and people will be negatively or positively affected by how the Board proceeds. Commissioner Rademacher stated he is not typically in favor of fees and he believes the increased fees will force more people to utilize private vehicles and more people may die before arriving at the hospital as a result; however, he will be voting in favor for the Ordinance, since it seems to be the lesser of two evils. Commissioner Garcia stated he will vote in favor of the Ordinance for first reading; however, he will continue evaluating the matter. There being no further discussion, the motion carried unanimously. Minutes, March 29, 2010 2010-0617 Page 4 BC0016 PLANNING: CONSIDER CANCELLATION AND RELEASE OF COLLATERAL FOR FINAL PLAN, MF #1053 - MARY F. CARLSON REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST AND GEORGE CARLSON REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST: Rich Hastings, Department of Public Works, stated this is a request for the final release of collateral associated with Prairie Ridge Estates, which is located on County Roads 84 and 15. Mr. Hastings stated the collateral is for an off-site agreement for road stabilization; however, the road never met the criteria for stabilization and the five-year term has concluded; therefore, the owner has requested the release of the collateral. He stated the collateral for this site was through New Frontier Bank, and when the bank closed, the owner wrote a personal check to replace the initial collateral, and he recommended the release of said collateral. Commissioner Conway moved to approve said cancellation and release of collateral for Final Plan, MF#1053. Commissioner Kirkmeyer seconded the motion, and she thanked Mr. Hastings for his diligence ensuring adequate collateral has been obtained and releasing the collateral at the appropriate times. Commissioner Conway concurred. There being no further discussion, the motion carried unanimously. RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES: The resolutions were presented and signed as listed on the Consent Agenda. Ordinance#2010-3 was approved on first reading. Let the minutes reflect that the above and foregoing actions were attested to and respectfully submitted by the Acting Clerk to the Board. There being no further business, this meeting was adjourned at 9:35 a.m. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS j / S WELD COUNTY, COLORADO ATTEST: J/ • e4 1861 ( s •• G�Tu.la Rademac -r, Ch-ir Weld County Clerk to the Boardc ,--. 3 , ,O r , /l '®u 'r .rbara Kirkmeyer, P o Tem ep Cler t the Board 412 can onw y t tam . a cia n David-1✓. Log J y\ Minutes, March 29, 2010 2010-0617 Page 5 BC0016 Hello