HomeMy WebLinkAbout940557.tiff MINUTES
WELD COUNTY COUNCIL
January 5, 1994
Tapes #1-94 & 2-94
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, January 5, 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, Vice President Gardner, Councilwoman Janda,
Councilman Orr and Councilman Young.
Also present were Weld County Coroner, Wesley Hall; Chief Deputy Coroner,
Dennis Bowker; William Dudley; Robert Schnepf; Jim Hayward; Stephanie
Hayward and the Council secretary.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Councilman Young made a motion to approve the minutes of the December 1,
1993 meeting. Councilwoman Janda seconded the motion. Vote was taken
and the motion carried unanimously.
APPOINTMENTS:
President Campbell noted the appointments listed, and Councilman Young
mentioned that he would try to attend the Executive Session Elected Officials'
Meeting regarding an update on the Wymer case on January 11, 1994.
ADDITIONS TO AGENDA:
There were no additions to the agenda at this time.
CORRESPONDENCE:
The correspondence received was duly noted by President Campbell and was
subsequently circulated among the Council members.2-1 1.�1 940557
Weld County Council Minutes
Page 2
January 5, 1994
REPORTS:
COORDINATOR REPORTS
Vice President Gardner had received additional information from the
Sunnyvale, California, City Manager's office providing a more in-depth look at
goal-setting with regard to pay for performance, which he turned over to
President Campbell.
Councilman Orr will follow up with the Planning Department on the minor
subdivisions issue.
OLD BUSINESS:
CORONER'S OFFICE FOLLOW-UP
• President Campbell had no follow-up on this item; however, Weld County
Coroner Wesley Hall spoke to the Council and informed them that William
Dudley's resignation had been accepted and the position filled. Councilman
Young expressed concern about losing an employee, particularly a volunteer, of
the Coroner's office before the Council had an opportunity to research the
issue. President Campbell opened the floor to public comment, and Mr.
Dudley told the Council that his main concern had been the refusal of the
County to pay for a follow-up blood test for Hepatitis-B after he had been
exposed to the disease. He referred to Weld County Personnel Policy adopted
on 10-19-92, page 32 regarding the communicable disease policy. Mr. Robert
Schnepf stated that he was also refused a follow-up blood test.
Coroner Hall then explained that he had been told by both Don Warden and
Dave Worden that OSHA does not apply to and has no jurisdiction over a
governmental entity. He continued to relate that he had requested blood
testing for the men but was told by Personnel that it would not be paid for by
the County and that Coroner's office employees are not subject to Personnel
regulations regarding communicable diseases, instead, a comprehensive plan
for employees should be posted in those areas or departments which are
exempt. When asked, Coroner Hall stated that he was not familiar with the
Weld County Personnel Policy. Councilman Young decided to investigate the
issue further. Jim Hayward suggested that it might be possible for employees
of the Coroner's office to join with employees of the Sheriffs office in their
communicable disease training sessions.
The Council decided to follow up on a number of issues. Councilman Young
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January 5, 1994
will contact Gary McCabe of the Weld County Ambulance Service, Sheriff Ed
Jordan and John Pickle of the Weld County Health Department regarding
their comprehensive plans. Councilman Orr will research the Weld County
Home Rule Charter exemption rule and stated that perhaps a charter
amendment may be in order.
NEW BUSINESS:
DISCUSSION OF WELD COUNTY'S AMENDED PERSONNEL POLICY
Vice President Gardner posed the question that if all employees are considered
"at will", a grievance policy is meaningless. Councilman Orr stated his
problem with the appeals process, in that if the Board of County
Commissioners could appoint themselves as the Board of Appeals, their
objectivity could be jeopardized. He added that he feels the Policy does comply
with the Home Rule Charter. Jim Hayward voiced concern with the reduction
in force policy, adding that most employees were unaware of the meetings prior
to adopting the new policy.
Councilman Young felt that this would be a good opportunity for the Council
to reassess its role in County government and to determine the extent and
direction of its involvement with particular issues that may arise. Councilman
On expressed the need to involve employees in the decision-making process
and the need for the Council to readdress "Reinventing Weld County
Government" with the Commissioners. Councilman Young added that the
issue of employee morale is of concern and that a performance audit is an
option for any given issue.
1994 ASSIGNMENT AREAS
• Council determined the following Assignment Areas for its members during the
year 1994: Department of Finance, General Services and Personnel: President
Campbell; Department of Health Services: Vice President Gardner; Department
of Planning: Councilman Orr; Department of Engineering: Councilman
Young; and Department of Communications Services: Councilwoman Janda.
The Council secretary will prepare a press release.
MEETING SCHEDULE AND POTENTIAL SPEAKER POOL FOR 1994
It was decided by Council to hold its out-of-Greeley meetings in the following
towns during the year 1994: Briggsdale, Fort Lupton, LaSalle, Nunn and
Platteville. The Council secretary will contact the appropriate persons to
ensure availability of the foregoing meeting places, develop a schedule and
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January 5, 1994
prepare a resolution.
Let the record show that Councilwoman Janda is now excused at 9:50 p.m.
Councilman Young made a recommendation for the out-of-Greeley towns to
request particular speakers at their respective meetings so that issues of
concern or interest to that area could be addressed.
REPORT TO THE PEOPLE
Councilman Orr made a motion to accept the Report to the People for the
fourth quarter of 1993 as written and to publish it in the usual manner. The
motion was seconded by Vice President Gardner. Vote was taken and the
motion carried unanimously.
PAYMENT OF THE BILLS
Councilman Young made a motion to approve the payment of the bills.
Councilman On seconded the motion. Vote was taken and the motion carried
unanimously.
Mileage for Ralph Campbell $11.00
Mileage for James Gardner $ 8.00
SECRETARIAL RESEARCH REQUESTS
Council members requested the following: the number of employee grievances
in each of the past five years and the organizational chart for the Coroner's
office.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
There were no public comments at this time.
ADJOURNMENT:
• The meeting was adjourned at 10:05 p.m.
(,/ _A/
Date pprov 4fr/
� bell, Presi nt
Sandra Nagel, Secretary
MINUTES
WELD COUNTY COUNCIL
February 2, 1994
Tapes #3-94 & 4-94
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, February 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, Vice President Gardner, Councilwoman Janda,
Councilman On and Councilman Young.
Also present were William Dudley; Robert Schnepf; four University of Northern
Colorado students; Patrick Armijo and the Council secretary.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Councilman On made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 5, 1994
meeting. Vice President Gardner seconded the motion. Councilman Young
made a motion to amend said minutes to indicate that Weld County Coroner,
Wesley Hall, had stated that he was unfamiliar with the Weld County
Personnel Policy. Councilman Orr seconded the motion. Vote was taken and
the motion carried unanimously. Councilwoman Janda made a motion to
approve the minutes of the January 5, 1994, meeting as amended. Councilman
Young seconded the motion. Vote was taken and the motion carried
unanimously.
APPOINTMENTS:
President Campbell noted the appointments listed, and Vice President Gardner
will attend the Elected Officials Meeting on February 14. KFKA's "Coffee
Break" show will feature Councilman Young on March 15, 1994.
ADDITIONS TO AGENDA:
There were no additions to the agenda at this time.
CORRESPONDENCE:
The correspondence received was duly noted by President Campbell and was
subsequently circulated among the Council members. Councilman Young
03 Clhq
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February 2, 1994
requested copies of Dave Worden's letter to Robert Schnepf and a letter
received by Council from Ed Lesh, Jr. re Greeley/Weld County Airport bidding
procedures. President Campbell added that Mr. Lesh's letter should be read by
all Council members.
REPORTS:
COORDINATOR REPORTS
Councilman Young circulated a sympathy card to be signed by Council
members for the family of Ralph Waldo, Jr., to show support and recognition
for Mr. Waldo's work as a past member and president of the Weld County
Council.
He added that he had spoken with Drew Sheltinga, whose opinion it is that the
citizens of southern Weld County have more concerns with County roads than
those residents of northern Weld County. Council will take this into
consideration when considering guest speakers for its out of Greeley meetings.
He had also gone to the Commissioners' executive session on January 11
regarding the Wymer update but was not allowed in. Lee Morrison spoke with
him briefly at that time.
Councilman On mentioned that the Planning Department is in the process of
setting up an 11-member board to study Weld County's comprehensive plan.
Applications must be received by February 4, 1994. President Campbell
requested that all Council members be notified of the first meeting of said
board.
OLD BUSINESS:
MEETING SCHEDULE FOR 1994
President Campbell read Council's Resolution regarding its 1994 meeting
schedule. Councilman Young made a motion to approve the Resolution as
written. Councilman Orr seconded the motion. Vote was taken and the
motion carried unanimously.
CORONER'S OFFICE FOLLOW-UP
President Campbell began by stating that he thought it would be better to
make the Coroner an appointed position rather than elected, but according to
State statute, if the Sheriff had to be arrested then it is the Coroner's duty to
do so. This would eliminate some of the checks and balances now in place,
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February 2, 1994
and the Home Rule Charter would also have to be changed in order to
accommodate this. He added that Council could request the Commissioners to
place this on the ballot or a petition to place it on the ballot could be
circulated.
Councilman Young stated that an elected official requires some expertise, and
maybe a case could be made to change the Home Rule Charter to require that
some qualifications be met in order to run for these positions. He had spoken
with Robert Schnepf and William Dudley on Monday. These men are no longer
employees of Weld County, but private citizens with valid concerns. He cited a
letter dated March 1992 from Dr. Myron Smith, pathologist at NCMC, to
Coroner Wesley Hall requesting that all similar blood tests be ordered at once.
This brought up a credibility issue concerning Coroner Hall because he had
stated that some of these tests could not be ordered. The issue of the blood
testing of Mr. Schnepf and Mr. Dudley, however, has been resolved.
Councilman Young added that he has major concerns about what is going on
in the Coroner's office at this time. A recent payroll voucher obtained by him
printed out Dennis Bowker's position as Chief Deputy Coroner. As of June 24,
1993, Mr. Bowker's title was Deputy Coroner, making it unclear as to exactly
when Mr. Bowker was appointed as Chief Deputy Coroner.
President Campbell will follow-up on some questions raised by Mr. Schnepf
regarding the $15 removal fee that the Coroner receives in addition to the $50
per call; Weld County hiring two new employees to replace one; and vacation
pay received by the Chief Deputy Coroner and not Deputy Coroners.
Councilman Young stated that if Coroner's office employees are exempt from
Personnel Policies, then maybe the Home Rule Charter needs to be changed in
order to address the changing role of the Coroner's office, as compared to the
old "mortuary system" in place when the Charter was written. President
Campbell requested that members look at that section of the Charter before
the next meeting. The removal fee needs to be looked at because it is not in
Council's Resolution regarding the Coroner's salary as a part of that
compensation.
NEW BUSINESS:
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. Although there
have not been many grievances filed, this may not be a good indication because
of the time and expense involved. Councilman Orr had requested the overall
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February 2, 1994
turnover rate from the Personnel Department and had received a computer
printout, which at first glance did not indicate a glaring problem. He felt that
a performance audit is not warranted at this time. Council did request,
however, that this item be placed on the next month's agenda.
SALARY SETTING DISCUSSION
President Campbell referred to Sunnyvale, California's salaries based on
internal audits of measurable goals. Councilman Orr stated that elected
officials get audited every two to four years by the voters. Councilman Young
added that the voters do extract goals from elected officials. President
Campbell expressed the need for something concrete with which to measure
incentive-based pay, perhaps with the 5% ad valorem. Vice President Gardner
felt the downside of that would be a decrease in services. President Campbell
thought a bonus might be given for saving money without cutting services or
employees. Councilman Young wondered how cut services would be verified.
He added that input is needed from the citizens of Weld County.
President Campbell felt it was a reasonable goal to have the salaries by May.
Councilman On stated that some systematic approach is needed and that
Council should proceed in some kind of order since salaries must be set for all
elected positions. Council then agreed to address the Assessor, Clerk and
Recorder and Treasurer at its March meeting. Councilman Young reminded
Council that the benefits issue has not been resolved and it would be necessary
for Council to state its position on this issue. It was agreed to invite Weld
County Personnel Director, Dave Worden, to attend the next Council meeting
in order to explain the executive compensation package.
PAYMENT OF THE BILLS
Councilman Young made a motion to approve the payment of the bills as
amended. Councilwoman Janda 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 James Gardner $52.92
Platteville Herald renewal $19.00
Windsor Beacon legal ad $ 3.64
SECRETARIAL RESEARCH REQUESTS
Council members requested that the secretary contact Fort Lupton to
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February 2, 1994
determine if there is an area or issue of concern in order to obtain a guest
speaker for the Council meeting to be held there in April. Councilman Gardner
requested a copy of the Council salary setting information file and the Weld
County Attorney ruling on the terms of office for County Councilpersons.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
There were no public comments at this time.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 9:55 p.m.
c-
Date Approved(l Ralph Abell, Preside t
Sandra Nagel,
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