HomeMy WebLinkAbout931326.tiff MINUTES
WELD COUNTY COUNCIL
July 7, 1993
Tapes #13-93 & 14-93 ": 27
The Weld County Council met in regular session in full conformity with the Weld
County Home Rule Charter at the Milliken Community Center, Milliken, Colorado,
on Wednesday, July 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 and Councilwoman Janda. Councilman
Orr was excused.
Also present were Peggy Wakeman, Milliken Town Clerk; Dave Rasbach; Doris Fields;
Frank Stewart; County Commissioner Dale Hall and the Council Secretary.
President Young welcomed those in attendance, thanking representatives from the
Town of Milliken for the use of their facilities, introducing the members of the
Council and briefly explaining the function of the County Council.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
After amending the minutes to indicate Councilman Gardner's second to the motion
for adjournment, Vice President Campbell made a motion to approve the minutes of
the June 2, 1993 meeting. Councilwoman Janda seconded the motion. Vote was
taken and the motion to approve the minutes carried unanimously.
President Young then changed the agenda outline in order to ensure payment of the
bills.
OLD BUSINESS:
PAYMENT OF THE BILLS
Councilman Gardner made a motion to approve the payment of the bills. Vice
President Campbell seconded the motion. Vote was taken and the motion carried
unanimously.
Mileage for Ralph Campbell $16.00
Mileage for James Gardner $26.00
Mileage for David Young $17.90
Reimbursement for David Young $52.60
Windsor Beacon legal ad $ 8.69
Mileage for Barbara Janda $14.00
APPOINTMENTS:
President Young noted the appointments listed and mentioned that he would attend
the Elected Officials' Meeting on July 12, 1993.
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Weld County Council Minutes
Page 2
July 7, 1993
ADDITIONS TO AGENDA:
There were no additions to the Agenda at this time.
CORRESPONDENCE:
The correspondence received was duly noted by President Young and was
subsequently circulated among the Council members.
REPORTS:
COORDINATOR REPORTS
Vice President Campbell went on record as commending the Weld County
Commissioners for their "Commitment to the Residents of Weld County." The
Council secretary distributed copies of the statement to those in attendance.
President Young voiced his intention to find out more about "Reinventing Weld
County" and report back to the Council at its next meeting.
Councilman Gardner reported that the Brine Plant hearing he had attended on this
date had been continued until August 30 and August 31.
NEW BUSINESS:
DISCUSSION RE PERFORMANCE AUDIT OF THE WELD COUNTY TREASURER
President Young provided some background on this issue and explained that no
response to Council's requests to attend meetings had been received from Weld
County Treasurer, Mike Loustalet. The Treasurer had also refused to attend a
proposed special meeting of the Council, but did agree to meet with Council
members individually. To date, Councilman Orr and President Young have met
privately with Mr. Loustalet. President Young relayed that during his meeting
with the Treasurer, Mr. Loustalet expressed concern that the Council had not
listened to him regarding what had actually happened. The Treasurer also
reported that there have been no policy changes since the incident, and he takes
full responsibility for his actions. He is currently looking at two new trust
pools, and President Young would like to see background checks on these pools
before Weld County's money is invested. President Young added that he is leaning
in favor of a performance audit. Councilman Gardner felt that he would like to
meet with Mr. Loustalet before deciding on a performance audit.
Vice President Campbell then made a motion to conduct a performance audit of the
Weld County Treasurer's Office. Councilwoman Janda seconded the motion.
President Young, in response to Vice President Campbell's question on the cost
of a performance audit, stated that the cost would depend on the scope of the
audit. Since a financial audit is not necessary, the focus would be on the issue
of financial safety. The Council agreed that a vote on the motion be delayed
until additional information regarding the cost and scope of the audit can be
Weld County Council Minutes
Page 3
July 7, 1993
obtained.
In providing the Council with some specific feedback on its recommendations,
Commissioner Dale Hall, addressing numbers 1 and 2, stated that Mr. Loustalet
must comply with State statutes regarding investing in government securities.
Number 3 had been tried by Montrose County but had been disapproved by the FDIC.
With regard to Number 4, the money would not remain in Weld County if invested
in "local" firms, and banks must pledge collateral of 102% on deposits over
$100,000. He felt that an advisory board, as suggested by Number 5, doesn't make
sense, as investments are already defined by State statute. In conclusion, he
added that the County Commissioners will look very carefully at any new
investment pools.
President Young commented that the issue is not what is invested in but, rather,
who is invested with. He reiterated that a background check should have been
done. Vice President Campbell felt his motion should be tabled until the next
Council meeting. Councilwoman Janda made a motion to table Vice President
Campbell's motion until the next meeting. Councilman Gardner seconded the
motion. Vote was taken and the motion carried unanimously. Prior to the next
Council meting, President Young will pursue audit costs, and the remaining
Council members will meet with Mr. Loustalet.
NEW BUSINESS:
REPORT TO THE PEOPLE
Vice President Campbell made a motion to approve the Council's Report to the
People and publish it in the usual manner. Councilman Gardner seconded the
motion. Vote was taken and the motion carried unanimously.
SECRETARIAL RESEARCH REQUESTS
There were no formal requests of the Council Secretary at this time.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Frank Stewart expressed some concern about the operation of the Weld County
Coroner's Office, first giving a brief background of Coroner Wesley Hall's
election to office. He then explained that Mr. Bob Snapp, Chief Deputy Coroner,
reportedly receives no compensation for his position and works up to 168 hours
a week (on call 24 hours a day) . A second deputy also reportedly works an 168
hour week for $800 per month. Mr. Stewart's main concern rests with the third
deputy, Mr. Bowker, who is Wesley Hall's son-in-law. Mr. Bowker reportedly is
on medical disability from the State and cannot lift more than 50 pounds, and
works 15 hours a week for the Coroner's Office, receiving $800 per month. Mr.
Stewart brought this matter before the Council because Mr. Hall had requested a
ruling in December 1992, based on Mr. Stoddard's precedent. It is his feeling
that the Coroner's Office needs to be set up more equitably.
Weld County Council Minutes
Page 4
July 7, 1993
President Young outlined the following issues: 1. Can someone work with no pay?
2. There appears to be an inequity between the number of hours worked and the
pay received for those hours; and 3. Are equal benefits paid. President Young
commented that it had been the Council's understanding that Mr. Bowker was to be
hired as the Chief Deputy Coroner and will discuss the matter with Mr. Hall.
Vice President Campbell and Councilwoman Janda will follow up on the above issues
and will address them at the next Council meeting.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
//93
Date Approved David L. Youn Pre ent
Sandra Nagel, Secretary
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