HomeMy WebLinkAbout20081253.tiff Minutes
WELD COUNTY COUNCIL ;LLG COUNTY
March 17, 2008 Cn : ISSIC 7qs
CD 3A2008
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The Weld County Council met in regular session in full conformity with the Weld County
Home Rule Charter, Monday, March 17, 2008, 6:30 p.m., at the Weld;C9uraty CVerRt finial
Center, 915 10th Street, Greeley, CO. "-�` t -LJ
ROLL CALL: The meeting was called to order by Vice President John Kivimaki.
Councilman Gene Stille, Councilwoman Nancy Teksten and Councilman Don Mueller
were present, constituting a quorum of the members. Council President Ginny Buczek
was excused. Also present was Brad Mueller, Lauren Lehman, Sean Conway and Karla
Ford, council secretary.
AGENDA APPROVAL: Councilman Mueller made a motion to approve the agenda as
stated and Councilman Stille seconded the motion and it passed.
REVIEW PROGRAM:
Brad Mueller came to present the comprehensive plan updates. The plan is a group of
principles that lead to a sense of community, priority to community values, used to guide
decision-makers (for land use changes such as re-zoning), goals, policies and
strategies. The comp plan is not a zoning map — it is a set of policies for a generalized
area.
Mr. Mueller described the guiding principles: private party rights, respect for agricultural
tradition, fairness in the land use process, recognition of the county's diversity, protect
health, safety and welfare, and economic prosperity.
Mr. Mueller informed the council that the population growth is the major reason to make
an update to the comp plan. Generally comp plans get updated every five years.
The update process started in spring 2007. A Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)
was put together and this group is meeting consistently. There is on-going public input
from towns and agencies. The planning group has held 4 workshops around the
county. There will also be public hearings and a suggestion to Board of County
Commissioners to approve the updated comp plan.
One of the areas for policies the county is looking at is agriculture. Agriculture is very
important to our state. Weld County is the biggest contributor, $1.2 billion market value
of products sold. The new agriculture census will be coming out in the next month.
This is a very important part of our county economy.
Development is another area being looked at— subdivisions in unincorporated
communities, subdivisions in municipalities and total parcels in subdivisions. Mr.
Mueller explained that 1/5 of the total Weld County population is unincorporated.
Transportation is a large issue for the county. There will be a detailed Transportation
Master Plan created —which will be a 20 year comprehensive plan regarding the road
system.
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Weld County Council Minutes
March 17,2008
Page 2 of 3
Item that will come up in future planning discussions will be urban development,
intergovernmental agreements, mixed use developments (MUD) and natural resources.
Mr. Mueller displayed the website where residents can review the draft comp plan and
give their comments. www.co.weld.co.us/compplan
Councilman Stille asked about the process to get a special use permit (regarding the
Uranium Mining issue) — Mr. Mueller stated the county is the last regulatory agency that
will hear a case. Before a company applies for the SUP, they go through the state and
federal regulatory process first.
The EAP looks at the water part of approval and the State Department regulates
nuclear functions, Division of Wildlife — looks at wildlife. When these are approved, then
Weld County reviews the land use —which is traffic, surface erosion, compatibility of the
area, and water quality. The Board of County Commissioners is required by law to
make the decisions based on policies, not by popularity.
Councilman Stille asked if Leprino Foods comes into Weld County, what will the affect
be on urban development if more dairies are needed to help with this company? Mr.
Mueller explained that whether Leprino comes to the county or not, the planning
department consistently works on finding a balance with agriculture being part of the
community. The Right to Farm policies are functioning well right now. These policies
are being enforced.
Councilman Mueller asked what in the comp plan has been done to get information from
other cities and towns? Mr. Mueller replied that with the update, the TAC was formed
so that Weld County citizens could interview to be on this committee. Three specific
seats were assigned to growth areas— Greeley, Windsor/Severance,
Mead/Firestone/Erie/Frederick/Dacono. There are also several at-large members.
Councilman Kivimaki asked if transportation quarters are being identified? Mr. Mueller
reported that there is a recommendation for a transportation plan. That will be a one-
two year plan. The commissioners are currently trying to hire a Transportation Planner.
Councilman Kivimaki asked if Frederick, Firestone and Dacono have IGA's (Inter
Governmental Agreement)? Mr. Mueller said they do, but in the last couple of months,
Firestone got out of the agreement. The next generation of IGA's are going to have to
be more individualized.
SHORT RECESS
APPROVAL OF DOCUMENTATION:
February 11, 2008 Minutes
Councilman Stille made a motion to approve the February 11, 2008 council minutes.
The motion was seconded by Councilman Mueller and carried.
Weld County Council Minutes
March 17,2008
Page 3 of 3
OLD BUSINESS:
Department Audits — Home Rule Charter
The council discussed and reviewed the Home Rule Charter regarding their roles and
responsibilities to perform audits within Weld County Government. Councilman Stille
suggested that the council be proactive and perform a small audit on a different
department each year. Councilwoman Teksten suggested the council work in
conjunction with the commissioners in regards to the audits. Councilman Kivimaki
suggested to either have the charter changed to not have the council perform audits or
have the council talk with the Board of County Commissioners regarding the audits.
Councilwoman Teksten made a motion to have Council President Buczek request a
discussion with commissioners to talk about performance audits to find the best way to
accomplish this task. Councilman Stille seconded the motion and it passed.
Additional discussion: Councilwoman Teksten suggested that it did not have to be done
right away and that they be open to work with commissioners to identify any area that is
appropriate and a budget.
NEW BUSINESS:
Secretary's Schedule Change
The council secretary will change her office days to Wednesday and Fridays effective
June 2008.
Council Meeting Schedule
Councilman Mueller and Councilwoman Teksten will switch their dates for June and
November as Councilman Mueller will not be at the June 2008 meeting. The council
secretary will update the meeting schedule and webpage to reflect this change.
Meetings/Invitations
The council was reminded of the upcoming meetings/invitations: 3/20 — United Way
Black Tie Breakfast, 3/21 - Greeley Chamber of Commerce Quarterly CEO Forum,
3/24— Elected Officials Meeting, 3/27 — Elected Officials Lunch.
Payment of the Bills
Councilman Stille made a motion the bills to be paid as listed:
Mileage for Councilman Gene Stille $ 22.31
Mileage for Councilwoman Nancy Teksten $ 8.73
Mileage for Councilman Don Mueller $ 11.64
Metrowest Newspaper—Report to the People $24.41
North Weld Herald—Subscription Renewal $ 32.00
Windsor Beacon—Subscription Renewal $24.95
The motion was seconded by Councilman Mueller and carried.
ADJOURNMENT: By acclamation the meeting was adjourned at 8:06 p.m.
April 21, 2008 Ginn czek, President
Ala
Karl Ford, Council Secretary
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