HomeMy WebLinkAbout941367.tiff MINUTES
WELD COUNTY COUNCIL
July 6, 1994 WELD COUNTY
Tapes #11-94, 12-94 !?c
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The Weld County Council met in regular session in full conformity with the Weld County H le Charter at
the Briggsdale School, 415 Leslie Street; Briggsdale, Colorado, on Wednesday, July 6l-o9 9P.m.
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ROLL CALL:
The meeting was called to order by President Campbell, and the following members were present, constituting
a quorum of the members thereof: Councilman Orr and Councilman Young. Councilman Gardner and
Councilwoman Janda were absent.
Also present were Scott Anthony; Bruce Barker, County Attorney; Commissioner and Mrs. George Baxter,
John Cooke, Weld County Sheriffs Dept.; Fred Gibbs; Sandra Ingram; Bob E. White; Patrick Armijo and the
Council secretary.
APPROVAL OF DOCUMENTATION:
Councilman Young moved to approve the minutes of the June 1, 1994, meeting. Councilman Orr seconded
the motion; the motion passed.
Councilman Orr moved to approve the Report to the People for the second quarter of 1994 as printed.
Councilman Young seconded the motion; the motion passed.
ADDITIONS TO AGENDA:
Additional items added after circulation of the initial agenda were noted with an " * ".
APPOINTMENTS:
President Campbell noted the appointments listed. Councilman Young will attempt to attend the 7/11/94
Elected Officials meeting. Councilman Young will be unable to attend the 7/19/94 KFKA "Coffee Break" show;
President Campbell will attend in his place. It was felt the focus of the "Coffee Break" show should be on the
7/30/94 County Council open house.
CORRESPONDENCE:
The correspondence received was duly noted by President Campbell and was subsequently circulated among
the Council members.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Special guest speaker Fred Gibbs, President of the Front Range Land &Mineral Owners Association and participant on
the Oil&Gas Regulations Task Force for Weld County spoke. He addressed various questions and concerns posed by
those in attendance.
REPORTS:
Coordinator Reports
Councilman Orr talked about progress the Comprehensive Plan task force has made. Growth guiding issues are starting
to be addressed and some good suggestions being made. The next meeting for the Comprehensive Plan will be on
7/12/94 at 4:00 p.m.in the Centennial Center building in Greeley.
Air Councilman Young declined making any report given the late hour. 941367
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County Council Minutes
July 6, 1994—Page 2
OLD BUSINESS:
Salary Setting Discussion RE: Coroner
Councilman Young questioned the status of the proposal made to the Commissioners regarding a wording
change to the Home Rule Charter where the words "and the Coroner" would be deleted from Article VI, Section
6-5(4). So that Section 6-5(4) would read "Except for County Councilmen, each county office shall be the
primary employment of the officer during the term for which he is elected or appointed." President Campbell
explained that the proposal was presented to Commissioner Webster in person for the Board to address at its
7/11/94 meeting.
Mr. Bob White questioned why the proposal made to the Board by the Council was not addressed six months
ago and that he did not feel it was fair to those people who might have run if this proposed wording change had
been presented then. Nor was it fair to those who are currently running for the position in that maybe one of the
candidates would not seek election if they had known it could be a full-time position. President Campbell
acknowledged Mr. White's concern. Councilman Young didn't know that it was fair, but that not doing
something about it might also be unfair. He also commented that there was somewhat of a dilemma in that the
position has changed moving from a position that has been associated more with a mortuary or undertaker to
someone who's not necessarily in that type of business/position.
Councilman Orr questioned how the previously tabled salary figure of$40,000.00 per year was arrived at.
Councilman Young explained that there were several factors involved in arriving at a salary amount. They
included: what other elected officials' salaries are; what the total per case compensation was last year and; the
projected current year per case compensation based on current death numbers thus far in 1994. Councilman
Orr did not feel that elected officials' positions were at a same monetary value as the levels of responsibility are
not the same. President Campbell suggested there be a motion to bring the previously tabled discussion off the
table for further discussion. Councilman Orr so moved and Councilman Young seconded. Councilman Orr
strongly felt there needed to be some finality regarding setting of the coroners compensation.
Sandra Ingram asked if comparisons had been made to other coroners' positions in other counties. President
Campbell referred to previous research done by the Council secretary of other counties coroners' compensation
rates. She also questioned the number of hours the coroners office is open and how many calls are made.
Councilman Young offered the various angles respective to the number of hours the coroners office is open and
how many calls are made.
Scott Anthony felt that if the wording change did pass, budget-wise, the salary increase for the coroner could be
offset by deleting a deputy coroner from the coroners office staff. Mr. White questioned whether the sheriffs
deputies could be deputy coroners. Although they could, Scott Anthony felt there were other issues that entered
into the situation in that there tends to be a misconception regarding what the coroner does as there's a lot of
responsibility for decisions that need to be made respective to a particular death. John Cooke agreed with Mr.
Anthony and offered insight regarding possible related logistics.
Councilman Orr indicated that he supported the proposal for a Home Rule Charter wording change, but could
not support an increase to a $40,000.00 salary. Councilman Young felt that up until now, the County has had a
good deal based on the compensation for the position of coroner. Scott Anthony added there are and will be
additional expectations/responsibilities as Weld County grows in regards to general population increases, the
opening of DIA, and OSHA requirements.
Councilman Orr moved to amend the motion tabled at the June 1, 1994, meeting to read that if the proposed
wording change to the Home Rule Charter of Weld County, Article VI, Section 6-5(4) passes, the salary would
be $35,000.00 for the years 1995, 1996 and $38,000.00 for the years 1997, 1998 with the coroner receiving the
benefits package that's offered. Councilman Young seconded the amended motion for discussion purposes.
Further discussion transpired regarding the amended motion. Councilman Orr called for the question.
Councilman Young requested a roll call vote. The amended motion passed as follows: Councilman Young
(no), Councilman Orr (yes), President Campbell (yes).
County Council Minutes
July 6, 1994—Page 3
After further discussion regarding the amended motion, Councilman Young felt the Council needed to move
ahead with setting a compensation amount for the coroner, thus calling for the question. A roll call vote was
taken and the motion passed as follows: Councilman Young (yes); Councilman Orr (yes); President Campbell
(yes).The motion read as follows: If the proposed wording change to the Home Rule Charter of Weld County,
Article VI, Section 6-5(4) passes, the salary for County Coroner would be $35,000.00 for the years 1995, 1996
and $38,000.00 for the years 1997, 1998 with the coroner receiving the benefits package that's offered or if the
proposed wording change fails, the coroner would be compensated $65.00 per case, with the previously
compensated $15.00 per body removal fee being eliminated.
NEW BUSINESS:
Consideration of Residency of Councilwoman Janda
John Cooke, Weld County Sheriffs Dept., shared about the investigation processes he utilized in attempting to
locate the whereabouts of Councilwoman Janda. Upon evidence presented by Mr. Cooke, it was recommended
by Bruce Barker, Weld County Attomey, that the Council formally notify Councilwoman Janda--by letter--
regarding the potential vacancy of her at-large office on the Council based on information filed with the Clerk &
Recorder's Office. And that she should be afforded the opportunity to come and address the Council at its next
meeting. Another option would be for the Council to obtain a resignation, verbal or written, from her.
Councilman Young moved to declare Councilwoman Janda's position vacant, pending an opportunity at the next
regular Council meeting in August for Councilwoman Janda to be present and refute the evidence obtained by
Mr. Cooke and Mr. Barker. And that a letter be drafted and sent immediately notifying Councilwoman Janda of
the Council's intent to declare the office vacant at its next meeting if nothing is heard contrary to information the
Council now has (letter to be sent certified, return receipt requested). Councilman Orr seconded the motion for
discussion purposes. Mr. Barker felt Councilwoman Janda's previously indicated desire to resign should be
enough to declare the office vacant, but that the other methods he suggested were to ensure fairness and due
process. Clarification was made regarding the implications of the potential vacated office pertaining to term
length, etc. A roll call vote was taken with the motion passing as follows: Councilman Young (yes); Councilman
Orr(no); President Campbell (yes).
Consideration of Procedures to Enforce Attendance of its Members and for Removal of Members who
Violate Such Rules
Given the late hour, this item of business was bypassed and will be put on the August 3, 1994, Council meeting
agenda under"Old Business."
Payment of the Bills
An amendment to the amount being claimed by President Campbell was made. Councilman Young moved to
pay the bills. Councilman Orr seconded the motion; the motion passed.
County Council Meetings
The next regular Council meeting will be held on August 3, 1994, at 7:30 p.m. in the Centennial Center's First
Floor Assembly Room in Greeley.
Recruitment of a special speaker for the September 7, 1994, Council meeting was discussed. The topic
requested by Nunn is water planning in relation to growth of the community and surrounding area.
SECRETARIAL RESEARCH REQUESTS:
The invitation and invite listing for the County Council open house on 7/30/94 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. were
reviewed. Invitations will be mailed on 7/11/94.
County Council Minutes
July 6, 1994—Page 4
Information regarding a discount for computers purchased by Weld County employees from Connecting Point in
Greeley was reviewed.
The Weld County employees' picnic will be held on Friday, August 26, 1994, starting at 6:00 p.m. at Island
Grove Park in Greeley.
The Commissioners'voice mail option was reviewed.
Information regarding the renovation of the Centennial Center Plaza was shared.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 10:35 p.m.
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Date Approved Ra C‘mpbell, Pres' ent
Connie Beckman, Secretary
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