HomeMy WebLinkAbout780512.tiff RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
FORM 9 C.F.Miff CELL B.P.X L.CJ.
MINUTES
WELD COUNTY HOME RULE CHARTER
AMENDMENT STUDY COMMITIEL
May 17, 1978
The Weld County Home Rule Charter Amendment Study Committee met in regular session
in the Third Floor Conference Room of the Weld County Centennial Center, Greeley,
Colorado, on Wednesday, May 17, 1978, at the hour of 7:00 PM.
ROLL CALL: The meeting was called to order by Chairman Gordon Lacy. On roll call,
the following members were present, constituting a quorum of the members thereof:
Gordon Lacy, Chairman Blair Macy
Verdie Peddycord, Vice Chairman Wayne Brown
Bill Butler Helen Norton
John Kunzman
Absent: Dick Boettcher and Barbara Sloan
ALSO PRESENT: County Attorney Thomas O. David, County Council Member Nancy Clark,
County Commissioner June K. Steinmark, Members of the Press, Secretaries Sandy
Moorhouse and Rita Kummer.
MINUTES APPROVED: A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the
April 19, 1978 meeting. There being no additions or corrections to said minutes,
the motion passed.
Chairman Lacy noted that Dick Boettcher and Barbara Sloan contacted him that they::would
be unable to attend the meeting. He than asked for comments on the list of proposed
amendments compiled from the previous meeting. Verdie Peddycord stated she did not
agree with the decision made on item #5, "Should the County Council be retained?".
She asked that it be recorded and stated in the minutes that she did not think the
Council should be voted on and she did not feel the action taken reflected the
opinion of the entire membership of the Study Committee. Helen Norton voiced her
agreement with Mrs. Peddycord's statement. Mrs. Norton asked for a clarification
from County Attorney Tom David where the power of the council would fall should a
vote of confidence fail. Mr. David stated the powers exercised by the council
would be covered by state statutes and would be carried out as before home rule
was instituted in Weld County.
Nancy Clark asked what provisions on rules of order the Committee had established
to make it possible for an issue to be reconsidered. Gordon Lacy stated the Committee
would follow the same procedures as set up previously. The issue could be brought
up if a member of the majority vote side makes the motion for reconsideration.
No motion for reconsideration of item #5 was made.
Nancy Clark stated that speaking as a citizens of Weld County, she believed the
decision on the County Council should be brought up again when the entire Committee
membership was present. The vote on the issue did not reflect the total thinking
of the Charter Study group. John Kummzman stated he thought the issue was a moot
one and asked that the committee continue with the other work they had to complete.
Article XIV, Finance and Budget, Section 14-7, LIMITATIONS ON ANNUAL TAX LEVY.
Gordon Lacy stated in his opinion no change was needed in this section. John Kurtzman
said he would like to see the limitation lowered from 5% to 4%.• Verdie Peddycord
stated the people of Weld County should realise that they will have to ask less
from their government if the budget is to be kept in hand. Wayne Brown agreed
stating that county government cannot do everything for the citizens of Weld County.
Helen Norton made a motion and Verdie Peddycord seconded it to make no change
in this section of the charter. The motion passed on the following vote:
780512
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
ECRK'0 C.F.HOECKEL B.P.R L.Cl.
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May 17, 1978
Gordon Lacy Yes Blair Macy
Yes
Verdie Peddycord Yes Wayne Brown Yes
Bill Butler Yes Helen Norton Yes
John Kunzman Yes
Article VI, Elective Officers, Section 6-6, COMPENSATION.
June Steinmark commented that she had no problem with this section of the Charter.
Although the Commissioners salaries at this time are not the same as other elected
officials and she feels they should be . She indicated the Commissioners realize this
is a transition period under the Charter and the problem will be taken care of in
the future. Nancy Clark stated the Council had set the salaries for the elected
officials positions around the first of March of this year. June said this had
worked out well and as long as the salaries are set before precinct caucuses, no
problems would occur. Verdie Peddycord moved and Blair Macy seconded the motion
to make no change in this section. The vote passed on the following vote:
Gordon Lacy No Blair Macy Yes
Verdie Peddycord Yes Wayne Brown Yes
Bill Butler Yes Helen Norton Yes
John Kunzm n Yes
This concluded the voting on the proposed amendments discussed during the past
year by the Committee.
Gordon Lary suggested the Committee discuss the details of presenting the
proposed amendments to the Board of County Commissioners at the conclusion of
the discussion with Mr. Henderson. Blair Macy objected, stating he did not think
the county manager concept should be a topic of discussion by the Charter Study
Committee. He suggested the Committee disband before hearing from Mr. Henderson.
Mr. Macy made a notion to disband the Committee and Helen Norton seconded the motion.
After discussion of the motion, Wayne Brown moved and Bill Butler seconded a motion
to table Mr. Macy's motion until after the discussion with Mr. Henderson. The motion
to table passed on the following vote: •
Gordon Lacy Yes Blair Macy No
Verdie Peddycord No Wayne Brown Yes
Bill Butler Yes Helen Norton Yes
John Kunzman Yes
Chairman Lary introduced Mr. Bill Henderson from the Western Governor's Policy Office
to the members of the Study Committee and the citizens of Weld County present. Mr.
Henderson stated instead of making a presentation he would prefer a question and
answer format. He stated he favored an appointed county manager and generally thought
the concept provided an easier and more efficient way to run county government.
The City Council/Commissioners would be the policy making board while the
county manager would be the administrator. He listed advantages of, 1) more consistency
in the organization , and management of government, 2) a motivating factor to employees,
3) making it possible for department heads to report to only one person instead
of a number of people, and 4) taking the administration of county government out of
the political arena to support this concept.
After a number of questions, Mr. Henderson did state that political realities would
play a major part in the acceptance of the concept in Weld County. He suggested that
some of the elected officials other than the Commissioners should be changed to appointed
positions, especially in the case of the Sheriff. He said he realized this could not
happen over night but could be accomplished over a period of time.
Bill Butler asked if the Commissioners would be full-time or part-time under the county
manager system. Mr. Henderson said this would be an issue the citizens would have
to decide but in a county the size of Weld, it would be feasible to have full-time
Commissioners. After further discussion, Henderson concluded the discussion by suggesting
the citizens talk with some City and/or County Managers if enough interest was generated.
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Page 3
May 17, 1978
He stated they could supply more in-depth information on the specific functions of
the job. Chairman Lacy thanked Henderson for appearing before the Committee.
Gordon Lacy next called for a vote on the proposed amendments. Wayne Brown made
a motion and Blair Macy seconded it to submit the Committee's findings to the
Board of County Commissioners. The motion passed on the following vote:
Gordon Lacy Yes Blair Macy Yes
Verdie Peddycord No Wayne Brown No
Bill Butler Yes Helen Norton No
John Kunarran Yes
Wayne Brown requested a cover letter accompany the proposed amendments recommending
appropriate action be taken by the Board. He asked that Chairman Lacy sign the
letter on behalf of the Committee.
After a short discussion, it was decided that the Weld County Home Rule Charter
Amendment Study Committee would not hold further meetings unless requested to do
so by the Board of County Commissioners. It was further decided that since the
Commissioners established the Committee, it would be their decision when it should
be disbanded. Commissioners June Steinmark expressed the Board's appreciation for
the time and effort put into the study of the Charter by the Committee members.
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 PM. .
APPROVED:
WELD COUNTY HOME RULE CHARTER
AMENDMENT T TITTER
C .C
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Vice-Chairman
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