HomeMy WebLinkAbout940945.tiff MINUTES
WELD COUNTY COUNCIL V':I=LD COU; TY
May 4, 1994
Tapes #8-94 & 9-94 r ,
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CLERK
The Weld County Council met in regular session in full conformity with the W�+ feE, f-4ojne Rule Charter at
the Platteville Town Hall, 411 Goodrich Avenue, Platteville, Colorado, on Wednesday, ft*4, 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: Vice President Gardner, Councilman Orr, and Councilman Young.
Councilwoman Janda was absent.
Also present were Robert Thorson, Platteville Administrator; Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Hall; Scott Anthony ; Mike
Taugher and the Council secretary.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Councilman Orr noted a typographical error on the April 6, 1994, meeting minutes located on Page Two under
"Old Business -- Salary Setting for Assessor, Clerk and Recorder, and Treasurer," in the information recounted
from the March 2, 1994, minutes (second-to-the-last sentence). "Clark" will be changed to "Clerk." Correction
will be made prior to distribution of approved minutes. Councilman Young moved to approve the corrected
minutes of the April 6, 1994, meeting. Vice President Gardner seconded the motion. The motion passed.
APPOINTMENTS:
President Campbell noted the appointments listed. The date of the Elected Officials meeting was clarified as
being held on May 9, 1994, at 10:00 a.m.; Vice President Gardner will try to attend this meeting. Councilman
Orr is scheduled to represent the Council at the May 17, 1994, KFKA "Coffee Break" show. President Campbell
encouraged everyone to listen. Vice President Gardner shared information from the April Elected Officials
meeting.
ADDITIONS TO AGENDA:
Additional correspondence received after circulation of the initial agenda was noted with an " * "; Payment of bill
for publishing of Report to the People in the Windosr Beacon; and details pertaining to the June County Council
meeting.
Councilman Orr requested discussion around the potential vacancy on the Council for Councilwoman Janda's
place and issues around rules regarding absences. This item was placed under"New Business."
CORRESPONDENCE:
The correspondence received was duly noted by President Campbell and was subsequently circulated among
the Council members.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Councilman Orr arranged for Fred Gibbs, President of the Front Range Land & Mineral Owners Association and
participant on the Oil & Gas Regulations Task Force to address the topic of Oil & Gas Regulations. However,
Mr. Gibbs was unable to attend the meeting due to unforeseen circumstances. He expressed his sincere
regrets regarding cancellation of the commitment. Given time constraints, Councilman Orr was unable to
secure an alternate speaker.
Mr. Gibbs shared with Councilman Orr that a meeting had taken place earlier on May 4, 1994, and an
agreement between the landowners and the oil industry regarding some regulations is close at hand. Another
meeting will take place between the two parties on May 5, 1994.
Platteville Town Administrator, Robert Thorson, commented that the rough draft regulations "look real good,"
except when there's a surface agreement signed by the landowners that abuts the city limits of a town such as
,y7 Plattevvil`llle.. When this occurs the rules and regulations do not apply because of the surface agreement. It was
B�`/ 940945
County Council Minutes—May 4, 19:
Page 2
requested of the Council to relay to the County Commissioners that when reviewing the draft to discuss the
possibility of having some type of referral to the communities when this abutment is within a certain distance
(i.e. feet, yards, miles) due to the tremendous impact it can have on a town.
Councilman Orr expressed concern over the possibility of Gerrity Oil "going under" and who would be
responsible for clean up, if this happens.
REPORTS:
COORDINATOR REPORTS
Councilman Orr gave a brief update of what developments were transpiring regarding revision of the
Comprehensive Plan.
Vice President Gardner talked about his involvement on the Wellness Task Force. He will plan on attending the
May 6, 1994, meeting.
OLD BUSINESS:
Information was sent to Councilman Young from Bruce Barker, County Attorney, regarding a statement made by
Councilman Young at the April 6, 1994, Council meeting (found on Page Three under "New Business--Salary
Setting for Coroner" in the first paragraph, third sentence). Copies of the letter from Mr. Barker were made and
circulated amongst the Council members.
Councilman Young pointed out to the Council that given State statute, the salary of an elected official could not
be changed once that official's term commences. And if the Council would like to see a change in the way that
the position of coroner is handled in the future, then waiting until after elections take place means having to wait
an additional four years for anything to really take effect. He was, therefore, reluctant to set a salary in a
different fashion for the coroner and not stipulate within the charter that this position should be the coroner's
primary (not only) employment.
President Campbell felt it was not in the realm of the Council to make any decision regarding required office
responsibilities, but that this person was elected by the people. And it is the responsibility of the person in the
elected position to ensure the respective office is run smoothly. He went on to say that the Council has two
avenues it can pursue at this time in regards to compensation of the coroner: to set a salary; or a per case
amount.
Councilman Orr pointed out that if compensation was chosen in the form of a salary, the amount would have to
be high enough if the position of Coroner was mandated as that person's primary occupation in order to meet
that person's costs of living.
Councilman Young offered to investigate the idea of a recommended change to the Charter on the ballot via a
recommendation to the County Commissioners and what the time lines would be in regard to a recommendation
being made. It was the consensus of the Council for Councilman Young to pursue this investigation and report
back to the Council as early as the June meeting, but most likely at the July meeting.
Wes Hall shared that the larger counties in Colorado do have salaried positions for coroner, but that the time
spent on some cases is not always taken into account given some of the salary amounts.
Vice President Gardner expressed concern that the Coroner's Office secretary position is only part-time and
would like to see that position go to full-time. Wes Hall concurred, pointing out that he is only allowed two
additional part-time positions aside from the secretary.
Scott Anthony added that the demographics of the county will change with surrounding growth (i.e. DIA)
occurring and this should be a consideration for increasing man hours in the Coroner's Office.
Wes Hall shared that the number of cases has continued to increase (480 in 1993; now over 500 in 1994) and
County Council Minutes—May 4, 199,
Page 3
that there have been more traffic fatalities in Weld County versus that number in the State.
President Campbell reviewed research done by the Council secretary on various coroners offices in the
surrounding areas. The current compensation rate of the Weld County Coroner's office is $50.00 per call and
$15.00 removal fee (viewed as contract labor). Given 1993 statistics, this would put compensation for the
position of Weld County Coroner at approximately $25,700.00 in 1993. Vice President Gardner pointed out that
Mr. Hall was responsible for paying his own taxes, etc. out of this compensation amount. Discussion took place
around the history of the removal fee (aside from per call compensation).
Councilman Orr felt the Council needed to set the salary even if a recommendation was made to change the
Charter and pointed out that if this was put on the ballot, the results wouldn't be known until after the election.
Councilman Young was reluctant in changing the salary until the Council decided on which avenue of
compensation would be used (salary versus per case). Councilman Off favored the idea of a set salary, along
with the rest of the Coroner's Office employees becoming part of the Weld County Personnel system. Wes Hall
pointed out that was his understanding of the way it is now with Coroner's Office employees. Councilman
Young felt the position should be salaried and benefitted and that a Charter change would help set a
practice/standard that was deserving of a salary.
President Campbell commented that it would only make sense to follow up the setting of a salary with a
Resolution for the Commissioners to put on the ballot regarding prior discussion around the coroner's position
being that person's primary or only employment.
Mrs. Hall felt consideration for a 24-hour-a-day position such as the coroner's position needed to be taken into
account when setting the compensation amount.
It was the consensus of the Council to wait on any decision making until further research is completed by Bruce
Barker regarding a possible wording change in the Home Rule Charter.
NEW BUSINESS:
Position of County Councilwoman Janda
Councilman Young suggested contacting some people who might know her whereabouts; President Campbell
will attempt to contact people who might have some information. Vice President Gardner felt writing a letter to
Councilwoman Janda would be appropriate. Councilman Young will check with the County Attorney's office
regarding the legal issues related to this situation. Vice President Gardner will also do some research regarding
missing of meetings and issues around how the Rules and Regulations might apply. Councilman Orr strongly
recommended that the Council consider establishing a rule/regulation whereby a certain number of absences
from Council meetings constitutes removal from the Council. President Campbell warned that he did not want
the Council perceived as a self-perpetuating board if a new person is appointed. Vice President Gardner
pointed out, however, that this appointment would only be valid until the next election took place.
Signing of Resolutions
The unsigned Resolutions (numbers 100, 101, 102) were read by President Campbell for the following: Salaries
of County Clerk and Recorder, County Assessor, County Treasurer; Salary of Weld County Sheriff; and Salaries
of County Commissioners. Councilman Orr moved to accept the Resolutions as read by President Campbell.
Vice President Gardner seconded the motion; the motion passed.
Payment of the Bills
President Campbell moved to amend his reimbursement amount for an additional $71.53 for meals.
Councilman Orr moved to pay the bills. Vice President Gardner seconded the motion; the motion passed.
County Council Minutes-May 4, 1994
Page 4
Secretarial Research Requests
RE: Computer Equipment
Discussion centered around the type of computing environment desired for the County Council office. Vice
President Gardner made the motion to explore further information around the purchase of a laptop
environment. Councilman Young seconded the motion; the motion passed.
RE: County Council Clerical Support Manual
An example of an updated procedure for claiming mileage was circulated. Approval was given to the
Council secretary to make further updates to the support manual. The Council could be consulted for
direction on an as-needed basis.
ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENTS:
President Campbell thanked Robert Thorson for Platteville's hospitality in holding the Council meeting at the
Platteville Town Hall.
Vice President Gardner questioned court exemptions for those houses located in the middle of cornfields.
Councilman On-addressed this question.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned by President Campbell at 9:25 p.m.
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Date App/ ved Ralp ampbell, President /
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Connie Beckman, Secretary
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