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WELD COUNTY COUNCIL
April 7, 1993 j
Tapes #8-93, 9-93 and 10-93
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The Weld County Council met in regular session in full coafptmity with the Weld
County Home Rule Charter at the Kersey Town Hall, 332 Third Street, Kersey,
Colorado, on Wednesday, April 7, 1993, at 7:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
The meeting was called to order by President Young, and the following members
were present, constituting a quorum of the members thereof: President Young,
Vice President Campbell, Councilman Gardner, Councilman Orr, and Councilwoman
Ott.
Also present were approximately 25 citizens, Patrick Armijo and the Council
Secretary.
President Young welcomed those in attendance, thanking representatives from the
Town of Kersey for the use of their facilities, introducing the members of the
Council and briefly explaining the function of the County Council.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Councilman Orr made a motion to approve the minutes of the March 3, 1993 meeting.
Vice President Campbell seconded the motion. Vote was taken and the motion to
approve the minutes carried unanimously.
APPOINTMENTS:
President Young noted the appointments listed and mentioned that he would be
unable to attend the Elected Officials' Meeting on April 12, 1993. Commissioner
Hall informed Council that this meeting had been moved to April 19, 1993, due to
a public hearing on April 12. Councilman Gardner will make every effort to
attend that meeting.
ADDITIONS TO AGENDA:
There were no additions to the Agenda at this time. President Young then changed
the order of the agenda, moving the Combined Communications Presentation to the
first order of business.
CORRESPONDENCE:
The correspondence received was duly noted by President Young and was
subsequently circulated among the Council members.
NEW BUSINESS:
COMBINED COMMUNICATIONS PRESENTATION
After County Commissioner Dale Hall introduced Jack Statler, Communications
Director, and Frank Bishop, Greeley Police Department computer expert, the County
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Weld County Council Minutes
Page 2
April 7, 1993
Finance Director, Don Warden, presented the Council with a concise explanation
of the background and present status of the combined Weld County/City of Greeley
communications center, to be known as the Weld County Regional Communications
Center. The catalyst for this action was Amendment 1, which caused governmental
entities to take risks and be more cost-effective, although there had been
attempts to combine communications in the past. Since the County Communications
Center is already being remodeled, there is enough room to accommodate both. A
growing cooperation between the Greeley Police Department and the Weld County
Sheriff's Department will enable Weld County's outdated computer system to be
replaced with Greeley's already on-line system. This will provide enhanced
computer-aided dispatch, combined criminal justice information to avoid
redundancy, enhanced jail management and more efficient use for the District
Attorney's Office. Conversion is scheduled to take place on October 1, 1993.
The County Communication Director's position has been eliminated to avoid
duplicate management positions. A final contract is expected within the next 30
to 45 days, and displaced employees' (12 County positions) needs are trying to
be met with priority rehiring. Commissioner Hall emphasized that there will be
no change in service, nor will there be additional cost. Mr. Warden quoted a
$330,000,000 per year savings to Weld County as a result of this combination of
services. He also explained that the Weld County Home Rule Charter's provision
requiring a Director of Communications has been met because the County has
appointed Jack Statler to that position, although he will not be compensated by
the County and has waived rights to County benefits. Councilman Gardner
suggested that letters explaining the combined communications be sent to all town
boards, even though all fire districts and police agencies have been notified.
REPORTS:
COORDINATOR REPORTS
Councilman Gardner attended the Commissioners' hearing regarding the
possibilities of violations on the part of Central Weld Landfill in Milliken.
A show cause hearing has been scheduled for October 13, 1993 to determine whether
the permit should be revoked.
Councilman Orr met with Chuck Cunliffe of the Planning Department. A task force
has been set up by Commissioner Barbara Kirkmeyer in an attempt to streamline the
recorded exemption process. He will keep Council updated on the progress.
President Young noted that his time had been spent with old Council business and
had nothing new to report.
OLD BUSINESS:
SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT REORGANIZATION
Discussion on this issue began with a follow-up by Council members. Two issues
had been addressed by Councilman Gardner to the Weld County Personnel Director:
1. The protection of employees during the reorganization process, and 2. The
Weld County Council Minutes
Page 3
March 3, 1993
actual process of Reduction-in-Force vs. Reorganization. As a result, Mr. Worden
agreed to waive the statute of limitations with regard to the grievance procedure
and all grievance requests will be reviewed on an individual basis. Councilman
Orr met with County Attorney, Bruce Barker and Tom David and explained that
Reduction-in-Force (henceforth RIF) was set up to protect the employees and that
the policy had been followed. President Young's concern remains what could
happen in the future. He expressed a need for moving ahead, people working
together and improving communication within the Sheriff's Department. He
informed Council that Dr. Osorno would not make a bid on facilitating conflict
resolution at this time. It is his opinion that the time for team-building
opportunities is not right because some people still need to vent frustrations.
Margaret Carleton then distributed copies of a letter referring to a RIF,
pointing out inconsistencies regarding this policy in the Weld County Employees'
Handbook and confusion regarding open positions during the Reorganization because
seniority was not used and the RIF rules were not followed. Two grievances have
been filed, and President Young suggested the Council let them run their course,
using the results in determining where to go with a public recommendation. Vice
President Campbell suggested putting the issue aside for a while, with the intent
to reevaluate it in three months.
Councilman Orr made a motion that the Weld County Council has found no wrongdoing
with regard to personnel policies or the Weld County Home Rule Charter on the
part of Weld County Sheriff, Ed Jordan, in the restructure of the Weld County
Sheriff's Department. Councilman Gardner seconded the motion. President Young
explained that he would be voting "no" on the motion because "the jury is still
out." He believes that in the future, more areas of governments will be
reorganized and streamlined as a result of taxpayers' wishes, and that from this
standpoint, Sheriff Jordan did the right thing. However, he feels it is still
unknown as to whether or not policies were followed. It was Councilman Gardner's
belief that policies were followed, but perhaps the policies are flawed. Vice
President Campbell expressed support for the reorganization but is concerned that
Sheriff Jordan has not been totally honest with the Council. It is his opinion
and disappointment that Sheriff Jordan has been vengeful in carrying out
decisions, and for this reason intends to vote "no" on the motion. Councilman
Orr pointed out that Council only knows what has been brought before them and
that Sheriff Jordan is under much pressure. He urged Vice President Campbell to
reconsider his vote. Vice President Campbell replied that Sheriff Jordan had not
acted in the best interest of the employees and that the department is in
disarray. Roll call vote on the motion was taken, with the following result:
Councilman Gardner - yes; Councilman Orr - yes; Councilwoman Ott - abstain; Vice
President Campbell - no; and President Young - no. The motion failed.
Councilman Gardner then moved to table this issue for six months. The motion
died for lack of a second. Vice President Campbell moved to table the issue
until Council's August meeting. Councilman Orr seconded the motion. Vote was
taken and the motion carried unanimously. Vice President Campbell added that if
Sheriff Jordan requested an audit before that time, the Council should bring the
issue back sooner. President Young will inform Sheriff Jordan and report at the
next Council meeting.
Weld County Council Minutes
Page 4
March 3, 1993
INVESTMENT RECOMMENDATION FOLLOW-UP
President Young reported that no response had been received from Weld County
Treasurer, Mike Loustalet. He had been unable to attend Council's March 3
meeting, and would not come to this evening's meeting. Mr. Loustalet stated that
he would articulate his concerns regarding the recommendations and errors
contained therein in a letter to the Council before today but has not done so.
President Young expressed concern that there had been no dialogue with the
Council regarding the recommendations and intends to telephone Mr. Loustalet.
Vice President Campbell suggested also contacting the Commissioners regarding a
response and analyzation of Council's recommendations.
SALARY/BENEFITS ISSUE
President Young briefly explained the background of this issue. He had contacted
Bud Johnson and Councilman Gardner had contacted John Martin, both on the
original Weld County Home Rule Charter committee, and it had been learned that
the section pertaining to setting salaries had been obtained from state statutes.
The next step for Council is to get the state guidelines for setting salaries of
elected officials. President Young will pursue this, and it will appear on the
Agenda at a later date.
NEW BUSINESS:
REPORT TO THE PEOPLE
Vice President Campbell made a motion to approve the Report to the People for the
first quarter of 1993 and publish it in the usual manner. Councilman Gardner
seconded the motion. Vote was taken, and the motion carried unanimously.
QUESTIONS FOR SUNNYVALE, CA AND
APPROVAL OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR COUNCILMAN GARDNER
Councilman Gardner will be in San Francisco on business at the end of April, and
will attempt to set up a meeting with the City Manager and deliver specific
questions from Council regarding the set-up and operation of their government.
Council agreed to reimburse Councilman Gardner for one night's lodging and one
or two meals from their travel and meetings budget. Questions for delivery by
Councilman Gardner should be in the Council office no later than Thursday, April
22, 1993.
PAYMENT OF THE BILLS
Councilwoman Ott made a motion to approve the payment of the bills as amended.
Vice President Campbell seconded the motion. Vote was taken and the motion
carried unanimously.
Mileage for Ralph Campbell $11.00
Mileage for James Gardner $24.00
Weld County Council Minutes
Page 5
March 3, 1993
City of Sunnyvale video $10.00
Farmer-Miner renewal $19.00
North Weld Herald renewal $16.00
SECRETARIAL RESEARCH REQUESTS
Councilman Orr had two research questions: 1. Are severed minerals taxed? and
2. Can county governments or municipalities own severed minerals?
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Gerald Brethauer asked what, if any, Council involvement there had been with the
brine injection well located approximately five miles from town. He expressed
concern about County Road 46 deteriorating because of heavy drilling equipment
use. It was suggested that he contact Commissioner George Baxter regarding his
concern.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 10:50 p.m.
Date Approved V 5/93 David Youn Presi-
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Sandra Nagel, Secretary
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