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WELD COUNTY COUNCIL
October 19, 2009
CD 10A2009
The Weld County Council met in regular session in full conformity with the Weld County
Home Rule Charter, Monday, October 19, 2009, 6:30 p.m., at the Weld County
Centennial Center, 915 10th Street, Greeley, CO.
ROLL CALL: The meeting was called to order by President John Kivimaki. Vice
President Perry Buck, Councilwoman Buczek and Councilman Charles Tucker were
present, constituting a quorum of the members. Councilman Don Mueller was excused.
Also present was Mark Ward, Marcia Vincent, Derek Roe, Jordane Hartbauer and Karla
Ford, Council Secretary.
PUBLIC COMMENT: There was no public comment.
APPPOVAL OF AGENDA: Councilwoman Buck made a motion to approve the
agenda. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Buczek and carried.
APPROVAL OF DOCUMENTATION: Councilwoman Buczek made a motion to
approve the August 17, 2009 minutes, September 21, 2009 minutes and the 2009 3`d
Quarter Report to the People. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Buck and
carried.
REVIEW PROGRAM:
Mark Ward distributed a report to the council regarding responsibilities of the Coroner's
Office and Weld County Statistics. He stated there are approximately 1100 deaths in
Weld County yearly. The Weld County Coroner's Office handles 85% of those deaths.
The Coroner and Chief Medical Examiner is Dr. Patrick Allen. He was appointed for Weld
County and is the elected Coroner in Larimer County. The Weld County office consists of
a Chief Deputy Coroner/Chief Investigator, four full-time investigators and one part-time
administrative assistant. The office has an investigator on -call 24/7 for 365 days a year.
A back-up investigator is also available 24/7 if needed.
About 140-150 autopsies are done for Weld County each year. Autopsies are completed
at Mckee Medical Center by Dr. Patrick Allen and his partner, Dr. James Wilkerson IV.
The morgue is located within the Weld County Centennial Complex. There are
agreements with North Colorado Medical Center and McKee Medical Center to use their
refrigeration units if needed.
Organ and tissue donation — if one passes in an accident, it would be up to the cmoner to
make the first call to start the process and if one passes in the hospital, thylaw requires..
the hospital contact the Colorado Donor Alliance. The coroner's office dogs' playaa key i J
role with the organ donations with contacting family members and workinR`with the
Colorado Donation Alliance.
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Weld County Council Minutes
October 19, 2009
Page 2 of 3
January 2009 to date death statistics — there have been 21 suicides, 7 homicides, 9 drug
accidental deaths, 35 motor vehicle accidents. There have been total of 748 deaths
investigated versus 800 deaths investigated for 2008 to date.
The Coroner's Office deputies go to the scene, photograph the scene, describe the scene
in reports, conduct interviews with witnesses, get temperature readings, get GPS
coordinates, understand the mechanics of the accident and they also personally give the
death notification. They assist the family with making phone calls, answer questions, and
collect medical information regarding the deceased family member. They also assist at
the autopsy.
Per Councilwoman Buck's question, Mr. Ward responded that the law enforcement has
jurisdiction of the scene and the coroner has the jurisdiction over the body. They work
together as a team.
Mr. Ward also explained the education for a deputy coroner would include a college
degree in a related field is the preferred as in previous law enforcement, nursing, EMT
experience and then the office would send the person to school for certification and also
on-the-job procedures with the pathologist and other investigative training.
In response to Councilman Kivimaki, Mr. Ward stated the biggest challenge facing
Coroner's office is getting information quickly. Getting information electronically would be
more efficient. Currently everything is faxed into the office. Another challenge is the day
to day labor of moving a body on and off gurneys. The office does use mechanical lifts
when available, but generally there is significant risk of back injury and other similar
injuries in moving heavy bodies.
NEW BUSINESS:
Coordinator Reports
Councilman Kivimaki attended the Commissioner South West Service Center hours in
October. Councilwoman Buck attended the Upstate meeting and Councilman Tucker
attended the Greeley Water Tour — which was very informational.
Upcoming Meetings/Invitations
The Council was informed about the following upcoming meetings: The Town/County
Dinner on October 29 and the North Colorado Economic Development Luncheon on
November 19.
Payment of Bills
Councilwoman Buck made a motion for the bills to be paid as listed below:
Mileage for Councilman John Kivimaki $ 47.70
Mileage for Councilwoman Perry Buck $107.06
Mileage for Councilwoman Ginny Buczek $ 33.92
Mileage for Councilman Charles Tucker $ 90.63
The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Buczek and passed.
Weld County Council Minutes
October 19, 2009
Page 3 of 3
November 16, 2009
ADJOURNMENT: By acclamation the meeting was adjourned at 7:46 p.m.
r
i Joh Kivimaki, Pr sident
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K rla Ford, Council Secretary
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