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HomeMy WebLinkAbout760672.tiff MINUTES WELD COUNTY COUNCIL February 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, February 18, 1976 at the hour of 2 o'clock. ROLL CALL: The meeting began with an invocation by the President, John T. Martin and on roll call the following members were present: President, John T. Martin Councilman Floyd Oliver Councilman Lacy Wilkinson Councilman Bob E. White Absent - Vice President, Nancy Clark Also present: Bonnie Hickman, Secretary, and five members of the press. MINUTES APPROVED: The Council approved the minutes of the February 14th meeting with no corrections or additions. Floyd Oliver made the motion that the minutes be accepted. Lacy Wilkinson seconded. Motion carried. REPORTS ASSESSOR: Floyd Oliver discussed his concern regarding the assessment of County property. According to Mr. Oliver, under State law passed a year ago, property assessment must be done by July 1976. The main cause for concern is the need for extra assistance in com- pleting this job. The Assessor has requested the extra help of five persons. The Commissioners refused to give any more on the budget for extra help. The next alternative, said Mr. Oliver, would be to hire people through Manpower or the Human Resources Depart- ment. As of late, it was heard that they would get one extra person, instead of the five requested. If the property assessment is not done by July, the State will come in and do it. If so, this is another area in which the State will be taking over County Rule. Discussion followed. Mr. Oliver stated that this is not a priority area yet, but the Council needs to check out the problems present at first. Mr. Oliver will check on the possibility of having the Assessor come to the next Council meeting. 760672 n Minutes of County Council Page 2 February 18, 1976 OLD BUSINESS RULES AND REGULATIONS: Bob White made a motion that the Council accept the Rules and Regulations and Procedures Pertaining to Review and Reports Pursuant to Weld County Charter Provisions 13-4-(2), 13-8-(2) , (6), (7) and that each elected official be furnished a copy. Floyd Oliver seconded the motion. Carried unanimously. DISTRICT BOUNDARIES: John Martin reported that the Council Members listened to the Charter tapes on Monday, February 9, 1976, to determine the intent of the Charter in designating district boundaries, whether by population or geographical areas. Tuesday the Council Members met with the Commissioners at a study session and offered suggestions to the Commissioners as far as the Charter was concerned. The districts have been established through school districts, although population was considered up to a point. Bob White suggested someone write up a report in regards to the results of this study session and of what was said to the Commissioners. Lacy Wilkinson was selected to write the report. A copy will be kept in the Council's files. Discussion followed on whether it was made official that the districts were established. John Martin reported that the plan was approved on Wednesday, February 11, at the Commissioners' Meeting. Mr. John Martin suggested securing a map of the new districts to display in the Council Office. It was suggested that the Council be willing to find people to serve in these districts, but Floyd Oliver asked to delay the issue until the next meeting. NEW BUSINESS ISSUANCE OF SUMMONS: All Council Members and the Council as a whole have been served court summons. The plaitiffs of the suit are William S. "Bill" Garnsey and Barbara Tatman vs. Board of County Commissioners; S. Lee Shehee, Clerk and Recorder of Weld County; Norman Carlson and June Steinmakr, individually; The County Council of Weld County, and the Council Members, individually. The charge is that the Charter violates the Constitution of the State of Colorado and that the Council is operating illegally. Discussion followed on the matter of legal representation. Bob White made a motion that as matter of record the the Council ask the District Attorney to represent the Council in Civil Action 28085 and instruct him to work with a special counsel which has been appointed by the Board of County Commissioners and other counsels that are working for the defense. Motion seconded by Floyd Oliver. The motion was anemded to read - The District Attorney because Weld County at the present time has no County Attorney pursuant to Charter Provision Department of Law, Article 5. Lacy Wilkinson Seconded the completed motion. Carried unanimously. The Council discussed its need to meet with the District Attorney before any more motions are made. Minutes of County Council Page 3 February 18, 1976 Floyd Oliver made a motion to resind the action on the previous motion and meet with the District Attorney to advise the Council on procedures and prepare necessary resolutions asking for him to represent the Council in the Civil Action #28085. Lacy Wilkinson seconded. Motion carried unanimously. Bob White suggested making an additional motion asking the District Attorney to draw up a resolution for us for our motions. John Martin will set up an appointment with District Attorney, Bob Miller. Council Members will be notified of the date and time. The Council was dismissed for a five minute recess. OLD BUSINESS COUNTY ATTORNEY: John Martin read a report from Nancy Clark on the matter of the delay in hiring of a County Attorney. She expressed concern in that Mr. Telep seems to be purposely delaying the hiring because of a conflict of interests, namely that Mr. Telep is loosing a very lucrative client -- Weld County. The longer the hiring of the County Attorney takes, the more money Mr. Telep's law firm stands to make. Also, the numerous decisions that Commissioners are requesting amounts to a great deal of money since Mr. Telep is being paid $40 an hour. Discussion followed. Bob White presented a series of items that should be included in a review of this matter. His personal feelings are that the Council should review the steps taken and procedures in hiring a full time attorney for the County. He suggested the Council attend the Commissioners Meeting on Monday, February 23rd, and tell them of the Council's intent of doing a review and ask their cooperation. This review should be done immediately and a report presented at the next meeting. Bob White thought it very important that the County have an attorney and the issue has been allowed unnecessary delay. Discussion followed. Mr. Oliver made a motion that the Council meet and ask the County Commissioners to put the Council on the agenda for Monday, February 23 for the purpose of discussing the County Attorney. Bob White seconded. The motion was amended -- and that the Council hold a special meeting after they meet with the Commissioners and determine what action if any needs to be taken by the Council. Floyd Oliver accepted the amendment. Carried unanimously. The Council will meet at 1:30 Monday afternoon at 401 N. 15th Avenue. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by the President, Mr. John T. Martin. Respectfully submitted, 7 �' '7✓1'/�- /'' -i4-4 9ice'??-7t/ Approved o" c/ T. 272a Bonnie Hickman, Secretary esident Hello