HomeMy WebLinkAbout940703.tiff MINUTES
WELD COUNTY COUNCIL
March 2, 1994
Tapes #4-94, 5-94 & 6-94
The Weld County Council met in regular session in full conformity with the
Weld County Home Rule Charter at the Centennial Center, 915 Tenth Street,
Greeley, Colorado, on Wednesday, March 2, 1994, at 7:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
The meeting was called to order by President Campbell, and the following
members were present, constituting a quorum of the members thereof:
President Campbell, Councilman On and Councilman Young. Vice President
Gardner was excused and Councilwoman Janda was absent.
Also present were William Dudley; Robert Schnepf; four University of Northern
Colorado students; Scott Anthony; Paul Stoddard; Commissioner George
Baxter; Patrick Armijo and the Council secretary.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Councilman Young made a motion to approve the minutes of the February 2,
1994 meeting. Councilman Young seconded the motion. Vote was taken and
the motion carried unanimously.
APPOINTMENTS:
President Campbell noted the appointments listed. KFKA's "Coffee Break"
show will feature Councilman Young on March 15, 1994.
ADDITIONS TO AGENDA:
Interviewing secretarial applicants was added to the agenda under New
Business.
CORRESPONDENCE:
The correspondence received was duly noted by President Campbell and was
subsequently circulated among the Council members.
REPORTS:
COORDINATOR REPORTS
Councilman Orr recounted a press release scheduling meetings of the newly
formed, but not yet selected, board for the review of Weld County's
comprehensive plan. The first meeting will be held on March 14 in Johnstown;
seven subsequent weekly meetings have been scheduled at various locations
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Weld County Council Minutes
Page 2
March 2, 1994
throughout Weld County. He emphasized that public input will be needed at
each of these meetings.
President Campbell then briefly explained the role of the Weld County Council
for the benefit of those in attendance.
OLD BUSINESS:
SALARY SETTING FOR ASSESSOR, CLERK AND RECORDER AND
TREASURER
Weld County Personnel Director, David Worden, made a presentation to
Council outlining the County's executive compensation package for elected
officials and department heads. This includes enhanced medical benefits in
which all out-of-pocket medical expenses, premiums and deductibles are
reimbursed. In the past, the average dollar amount of this benefit has been
$4,076 for elected officials. This does not include either the Coroner or Chief
Deputy Coroner.
Councilman On then suggested proceeding with setting the salaries of the
above-named elected officials. He wondered whether there is a major difference
in the responsibilities among those three positions. Councilman Young cited a
national assessors' survey in which some assessors are compensated according
to the number of land parcels. He also stated that although the current Weld
County Home Rule Charter does not provide that a certain level of expertise be
required for these positions, a certain level is nonetheless anticipated. The
annual budgets for each of these departments was requested by President
Campbell, including the number of employees in each. Weld County Finance
Director, Donald Warden, provided this information and added that both the
Clerk and Recorder's and the Treasurer's office are fee supported.
Councilman Orr made a motion, in view of the amount of responsibility and
budget and the number of employees, that the salaries of the Clerk and
Recorder and the Treasurer be raised to $42,000 per year for the years 1995,
1996, 1997 and 1998 and that the salary of the Treasurer be lowered to
$38,000 per year for the years 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998. This motion was
seconded by Councilman Young for discussion purposes. Councilman Orr
stated that an approximate $4,000 in benefits would actually be added to
those salary amounts, bringing the annual compensation amounts to $46,000
and $42,000 respectively. Upon learning that the average annual salary of
Weld County department heads ranges between $55,000 and $60,000,
Councilman Young decided to vote against said motion, believing that the
salaries set for elected officials was not sufficient to attract qualified persons
with desired expertise to these positions. He also felt there is too much
Weld County Council Minutes
Page 3
March 2, 1994
discrepancy between the annual salaries of department heads and those of
elected officials. Councilman Orr stated that he would be open to an amended
motion.
Councilman Young then moved to amend Councilman Orr's motion so that
each of the salaries in Councilman Orr's motion would increase by $2,000 for
the years 1997 and 1998. Councilman Orr seconded the motion. Vote was
taken and the motion carried unanimously. The following recaps the motion:
Salaries for the Clerk and Recorder and the Assessor would be $42,000 during
the years 1995 and 1996 and $44,000 during the years 1997 and 1998. The
Treasurer's salary would be $38,000 during the years 1995 and 1996 and
$40,000 during the years 1997 and 1998. Councilman On then moved to table
the motion until Council's next meeting in order to receive public comments
and input from the excused and absent Council members. President Campbell
declared the motion tabled.
CORONER'S OFFICE FOLLOW-UP
Councilman Young began by stating that the Coroner's office is currently in a
state of transition. Up until four years ago, the position had traditionally
been held by a mortician, thus saving the County many tax dollars. Former
Coroner, Paul Stoddard thought that the Charter needs to be reassessed,
perhaps making the Coroner a salaried position. David Worden then
commented that it would be possible for the Board of County Commissioners
to lift the exemption of the Coroner's office from the Weld County Personnel
Policy, thus removing the necessity for a Charter amendment. Councilman On
felt that the Council should make an appropriate recommendation or
resolution. Councilman Young expressed the need for the Council to sit down
with the Commissioners to discuss the issue, adding that the Commissioners
should deal with policy-making but the Council could make recommendations.
Paul Stoddard offered his assistance in any way needed; Councilman Orr
requested written suggested minimum requirements for the position of
Coroner.
DISCUSSION OF PERFORMANCE AUDITS
This item was put on the agenda by Councilman Young because of the
concerns he has about the morale of Weld County employees. He had
contacted Weld County Attorney, Bruce Barker regarding the number of
internal and civil rights lawsuits, which have averaged one per year over the
past five years. The general consensus was that a performance audit on this
issue is not necessary unless the number of grievances and/or lawsuits go way
up as indicators.
weld County Council Minutes
Page 4
March 2, 1994
NEW BUSINESS:
SECRETARIAL SEARCH
Council agreed to interview five applicants on the evening of March 16, every
one-half hour beginning at 6:00 p.m.
PAYMENT OF THE BILLS
• Councilman Young made a motion to approve the payment of the bills as
amended. Councilman Orr seconded the motion. Vote was taken and the
motion carried unanimously.
Mileage for Ralph Campbell $11.00
Mileage for James Gardner $ 8.00
Reimbursement for Sandy Nagel $ 4.68
Fort Lupton Press renewal $29.00
North Weld Herald renewal $17.50
Greeley Tribune renewal $114.00
SECRETARIAL RESEARCH REQUESTS
There were no additional secretarial research requests at this time.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
There were no public comments at this time.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 10:50 p.m.
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Date Approved Ralp ampbell, Preside C
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Connie Beckman, Secretary
feet mEmoRAnDum
wipe To Elected Officials
0 Date April 8, 1994
COLORADO From Connie Beckman, County Council Secretary
Subject: First Quarter Report to the People
In accordance with the Weld County Home Rule Charter, Section 13-8-(6) , the Weld
County Council is sending you the attached copy of its Report to the People for the
first quarter of 1994.
WELD COUNTY COUNCIL
REPORT TO THE PEOPLE
MARCH 15, 1994
The Weld County Council is mandated by the Home Rule Charter
of Weld County, Colorado to report to the people the events that
have shaped the previous quarter. This report summarizes the
activities of the Weld County Council during the first quarter of
the calendar year 1994.
At the January meeting held in Greeley, members followed up
with a discussion of some of the personnel issues
surrounding recent developments in
the
Coroner ' s office and initiated a discussion of Weld
County ' s Amended Personnel Policy . New
assignment areas for Council members were determined as follows :
Department of Finance, General Services and Personnel: President
Ralph Campbell; Department of Health Services : Vice President
James Gardner; Department of Planning: Councilman Clair Orr;
Department of Public Works : Councilman David L. Young; and
Department of Communications: Councilwoman Barbara Janda.
Continuation of the Coroner' s office discussion occurred
during the February meeting in Greeley, with new issues arising
regarding possible change of the Weld Home Rule Charter in order
to accommodate the changing role of the Coroner's office. A brief
discussion of performance audits ensued. Council then began
elected officials ' salary setting discussions, with a request for
future citizen input on this item.
Report to the People
Page 2
March 15, 1994
Salary setting for Weld County Assessor, Clerk and Recorder
and Weld County Treasurer was continued at the March meeting held
in Greeley. Weld County Personnel Director, David Worden, gave a
presentation explaining the County' s executive compensation
package for elected officials and department heads . A motion
setting the salaries of the above positions for the years 1995
through 1998 was made, seconded and tabled. Most of the Coroner's
office and performance audit issues were declared resolved.
During the course of the first quarter of 1994 , the Council
has met periodically with the Commissioners and various Elected
Officials and Department Heads in an attempt to keep the lines of
communication open.
This report is not meant to be an exclusive enumeration of
the activities entered into by the Council. It is, however, an
attempt to communicate with the voters on our activities . The
County Council believes that the Weld County Home Rule Charter
continues to be a viable tool for the citizens of Weld County.
WELD COUNTY COUNCIL
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Ralph Campbell resident
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Barbara Jan a
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Clair Orr
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