HomeMy WebLinkAbout930941.tiff RESOLUTION
RE: REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE WELD COUNTY COUNCIL
WHEREAS, Section 13-4-(3) of the Weld County Home Rule ChaxtF ,specifies
that regular meetings of the Weld County Council shall be held: at'leAst"monthly
on a day or days to be determined by the Council by Resolution; and,
WHEREAS, the Weld County Home Rule Charter provides that the Weld County
Council will adopt Rules of Procedure governing the time, place and conduct of
its meetings and hearings; and,
WHEREAS, such Rules of Procedure require written notice for any change in
the location of meetings; and,
WHEREAS, it has been determined that meetings of the Council be held
periodically in rural towns of Weld County; and,
WHEREAS, the Weld County Council finds it to be in the best interest of the
citizens of Weld County and the Weld County Council for the Council's meetings
to be held periodically in the rural towns of Weld County.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the regular meetings of the Weld County
Council shall be held at the following times and places for the remainder of the
calendar year 1993, unless an appropriate notice of change has been written and
posted in the Board of County Commissioners' offices and notice given to all
Council members as required in the Rules of Procedure for the Weld County
Councils
Wednesday, April 7, 1993; 7:30 p.m. ; Kersey Town Hall
Wednesday, May 5, 1993; 7:30 p.m. ; Lochbuie Town Hall
Wednesday, June 2, 1993; 7:30 p.m. ; Weld County Centennial Center, Greeley
Wednesday, July 7, 1993; 7:30 p.m. ; Milliken Town Hall
Wednesday, August 4, 1993; 7:30 p.m. ; Weld County Centennial Center, Greeley
Wednesday, September 1, 1993; 7:30 p.m. ; Severance Town Hall
Wednesday, October 6, 1993; 7:30 p.m. ; Weld County Centennial Center, Greeley
Wednesday, November 3, 1993; 7:30 p.m. ; Firestone Town Hall
Wednesday, December 1, 1993; 7:30 p.m. ; Weld County Centennial Center, Greeley
The above and foregoing Resolution was, on Motion duly made and seconded,
adopted by the following vote on the 3rd day of March, 1993.
WELD COUNTY COUNCIL
David L. Young, Pres' ent
Ral Campbell, Vy President
//F6e7
Clair Orr
-excused on date of signing-
Barbara L. Ott
Date Signed: March 3, 1993
Resolution Number: 98 930941
D3I0S\q Rc 00 IC)
MINUTES
WELD COUNTY COUNCIL
February 3, 1993 24
Tapes 02-93, 3-93 and 4-93
The Weld County Council met in regular session in full conformity;with the Weld
County Home Rule Charter in the First Floor Assembly Room at the Centennial
Center, 915 Tenth Street, Greeley, Colorado, on Wednesday, February 3, 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 Councilman Orr. Councilwoman Ott
was absent.
Also present were approximately 85 citizens and employees of the Weld County
Sheriff's Department, Patrick Armijo and the Council Secretary.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Vice President Orr made a motion to approve the minutes the January 6, 1993
meeting. Councilman Gardner seconded the motion. Vote was taken and the motion
to approve the minutes carried unanimously.
President Young then changed the order of the agenda, moving appointments and
correspondence until later in the meeting. He then proceeded to explain the
purpose and duties of the Weld County Council to the large audience, thanking
everyone for their attendance. A few minutes were taken by him to explain the
County strategic planning session, "Reinventing Weld County Government," attended
by Vice President Campbell, Councilman Orr and him. This conference was
mandatory for all department heads, was well-attended by elected officials and
was brought about by Amendment 1. President Young showed models of government
on an overhead projector and stated that the purpose was to come up with a more
efficient County government. Vice President Campbell explained that the meaning
of the word "empowerment" as used in this context is that more input from the
citizens regarding the way government is run is necessary.
NEW BUSINESS:
SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT REORGANIZATION
At this point in the meeting, President Young explained that he and Vice
President Campbell had met with Sheriff Ed Jordan and that the Sheriff had
forwarded documents regarding his department's reorganization to him, displaying
said documents on the overhead projector. This included the proposed
reorganization structure, with the para-military structure being eliminated.
Copies of this document were not available at the meeting but may be obtained at
the County Council office.
The first speaker to this issue was Deputy Dale Engle. His concerns included:
1. A civilian training coordinator from Denver had been hired at allegedly
manager-level salary for one or two days work in Greeley. This woman has
g /lc
08/O173
Weld County Council Minutes
Page 2
February 3, 1993
allegedly been issued a $4,000 laptop computer to assist her in her duties. 2.
He believes that a conflict of interest exists between Sheriff Ed Jordan and a
subordinate. 3. The transfer between Deputy Dale Engle and another apparently
was not handled by any of the rules that had been used in the past; e.g. no SRI
test had been given. 4. He believes money is being wasted by poor management,
e.g. the employment of outside attorneys to defend against punitive damage suits
within the department, instead of using Weld County attorneys. 5. The issue of
low morale within the department was brought up.
Margaret Carleton then stated that her goal was to save the taxpayers $90,000,
the cost of a recall of Sheriff Ed Jordan. She wanted the record to show that
she had contacted the Sheriff with the issues and had invited him to attend the
meeting, to which he declined. She believes that certain Weld County personnel
policies have been violated and also that goals set by the department have been
negated by the reorganization and requested that the County Council investigate
this at a later date. She alleged that misuse of County funds by the Sheriff had
occurred, specifically in the areas of reimbursement of personal mileage
expenses, questionable travel expenses and unnecessary upgrades of equipment.
It is also her belief that the Sheriff's personal relationship with a member of
his staff has the potential of setting the County up with a sexual harassment
suit. DUI policies were questioned, and the statement that similar
reorganizations had been attempted in other locations and had not been
successful. Vice President Campbell requested a list of the places where
reorganization had been unsuccessfully (or successfully) tried. Mrs. Carleton
stated she would try to have specific data to back up her allegations regarding
the misuse of County funds within one month. The goals of the Sheriff's
Department are found in that department' s annual report. The final point of
discussion arising from Mrs. Carleton' s presentation was that 90 percent of the
department now belong to the Fraternal Order of Police, as compared to two
persons five years ago and less than ten percent two years ago.
The next speaker was Jan Stapleton, whose concerns included the following: 1.
The two-tiered health plan is unfair. Cost-of-living increases over the years
are barely covering health insurance increases. 2. She believes that the
shutting down of the juvenile facility against the advice of those working in the
area (judges, attorneys, prosecuting attorneys, etc. ) was an unwise decision.
3. The reorganization with regard to the jail is allegedly causing confusion as
to who is in charge. 4. With the managers on duty being unable to take a duty
position, a safety issue is created. Supposedly this does not leave enough
deputies to accompany an inmate when more than one are needed. 5. She claims
that the Weld County Sheriff's Department has become the laughing stock of the
western United States, and this in turn affects the way in which employees are
able to work with other agencies. Mrs. Stapleton concluded by stating she would
like to have the Sheriff admit that mistakes have been made and have people
willing to work together for a potentially good department. She stated that no
input from employees regarding the reorganization had been solicited.
John Fornier took the floor next and stated that in addition to the health
Weld County Council Minutes
Page 3
February 3, 1993
insurance issue, (non)communication continues to be a problem, with the
reorganization fueling the rumor mill and creating anxiety among the employees.
He referred to a new line employee evaluation policy as of September 1992 in
which numerical scores are no longer given (pass/fail only) and in which the
wording is vague. This new policy was supposedly implemented with no one being
aware of it. He claimed that the current attitude is that all employees are
replaceable and that the department is losing many good employees with much
experience. The issue of the part-time employee being paid close to manager's
salary for working one to two days a week was again brought up, along with the
unconfirmed rumors that: 1. when overnight stays in Greeley are required, it
is at the taxpayers' expense, and 2. mileage reimbursement may be being paid
(she lives in Aurora.) The gist of this issue appears to be that no one in the
department seems to know exactly what this person does, since she has no
supervisees. Mr. Fornier stressed that the employees in attendance do like their
jobs, like Weld County and don't want to leave, but were not happy about the way
the reorganization was done in secrecy. The employees feel as though they are
being treated as second class and not assets to the department. He claims that
not only the Sheriff, but also the Commissioners have refused to deal with the
employees face to face. In response to a question by Vice President Campbell,
he claimed that approximately two years ago the employees were placed on the
Commissioners' agenda and were not recognized.
Bev Turner stated that all of the issues she was concerned about had been
addressed but added again that the cost of living increases had not kept up with
inflation.
In the opinion of Les Hart, the reorganization had occurred too rapidly and had
not been thought through. He was also concerned regarding the lack of sufficient
uniforms in the jail.
Vice President Campbell then requested that if anyone present was interested in
having him contact him/her by telephone to please add his/her number to the
attendance sheet. He made a commitment to solicit the opinion of anyone
interested in discussing the evening' s issues.
Roger Ainsworth addressed the issues of the interview system for hiring, lost
evidence and the position of Undersheriff which has been eliminated under the
reorganization. This brings up the question of "who is in charge" should the
Sheriff somehow be incapacitated.
Thomas Johnston, Sr. , although a personal friend of Sheriff Ed Jordan, expressed
doubts about whether the Sheriff was aware of what is going on in the department.
He is concerned about evidence being transferred to the Greeley Police Department
and the procedure necessary to retrieve said evidence when it is needed. He
claimed that he was promised a computer for Weld County evidence years ago which
never occurred. As a result, all Weld County evidence work has been done
manually. Apparent lack of communication was also a concern. Mr. Johnston had
been told by Sheriff Ed Jordan and Mike Miller that under reorganization he was
Weld County Council Minutes
Page 4
February 3, 1993
going to be a work release supervisor. That evening, he received a telephone
call from John Cooke stating that it had been in error; Rick Dill said he was to
be trustee supervisor.
Dick Genova addressed the rumored combined "Weld County Department of Safety,"
being formed to avoid duplication of services. He felt that some of that
information may have come from him and explained that because his mother is a
Commissioner in Mesa County, she had heard about this proposal from the Sheriff
of Mesa County who had supposedly heard about it from Sheriff Ed Jordan.
Matthew Shyrock felt that this rumor was substantiated in that there has been
cross-training of records clerks, dispatchers, etc. at the Greeley Police
Department. He also cited poor communication within the department and gave as
an example that three years ago they had heard about schedule changes through a
Hudson newspaper.
Ken Poncelow spoke in defense of the reorganization and explained that all
department employees were scheduled for a training session during which they
would have a one on one to three on one opportunity to meet with the Sheriff and
a manager and ask any questions. Since Mr. Poncelow has a Master's Degree in
Communications, Vice President Campbell asked him for a commitment to get the
lines of communication going because that appeared to be a major concern of all
present. Councilman Gardner added that he intends to study the Weld County
Personnel Policy regarding the Undersheriff issue. Ed Haffner spoke briefly .in
defense of all those who had given years to the department.
President Young expressed concern about the allegations of illegal activity and
stated that the Council would be investigating said allegations but needed
specifics. Councilman Orr agreed that these were serious allegations and that
there was also a serious problem with the Charter issue regarding the
Undersheriff which should be dealt with immediately. President Young proposed
a special meeting with Sheriff Ed Jordan present to be held before the next
regular Council meeting. Vice President Campbell felt that the communications
issue should be dealt with before then.
APPOINTMENTS:
President Young noted the appointments listed and mentioned that he would be
unable to attend the Elected Officials' Meeting on February 8, 1993. Councilmen
Gardner and Orr will make every effort to attend that meeting. It was decided
to hold the dinner meeting with the Commissioners on March 3, 1993, at Potato
Brumbaugh's. Council secretary will make the arrangements.
ADDITIONS TO AGENDA:
There were no additions to the agenda at this time.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Weld County Council Minutes
Page 5
February 3, 1993
The correspondence received was duly noted by President Young and was
subsequently circulated among the Council members.
REPORTS:
COORDINATOR REPORTS
Councilman Gardner reported that he had obtained a file on the Milliken Sanitary
Landfill issue.
President Young attended the EMS open house on January 30 at the Union Colony
Civic Center. He also mentioned that the Council must deal with the Tom David
memo regarding salary and benefit issues. No response has been received from the
Council's investment recommendations. Follow-up on the Planning Department 1985
audit recommendations is also necessary.
OLD BUSINESS:
1993 MEETING SCHEDULE
The following schedule was tentatively agreed upon: April 7--Kersey; May 5--
Lochbuie; July 7--Milliken; September 1--Severance; November 3--Firestone; with
remaining meetings to be held in Greeley on the first Wednesdays'of June, August,
October and December. Councilmen will ascertain the availability of the various
Town Halls on those dates, and a Resolution will be adopted.
NEW BUSINESS:
VIEWING OF "AMERICAN AGENDA" VIDEO
It was decided, in the interest of time, to view this video at the next Council
meeting on March 3, 1993.
PAYMENT OF THE BILLS
Councilman Gardner 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 $60.50
Mileage for Barbara Ott $28.00
Mileage for James Gardner $16.00
Fort Lupton Press renewal $19.00
SECRETARIAL RESEARCH REQUESTS
There were no requests of the Council secretary at this time.
Weld County Council Minutes
Page 6
January 6, 1993
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
There were no further public comments at this time.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 11:30 p.m.
3/3/9 3
Date Approved David L. Yours , Pres' t
Sandra Nagel, Secretary
,..
MINUTES
WELD COUNTY COUNCIL
February 17, 1993 - fin. „'
Tapes #4-93 & 5-93
The Weld County Council met in special session in full conformity with the Weld
County Home Rule Charter in the First Floor Assembly Room at the Centennial
Center, 915 Tenth Street, Greeley, Colorado, on Wednesday, February 17, 1993, at
7:00 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,
Councilman Gardner and Councilman Orr. Councilwoman Ott was excused.
Also present were Weld County Sheriff Ed Jordan, Rick Dill, Mike Miller, Patrick
Armijo, the Council Secretary and approximately 90 Sheriff's Department employees
and citizens.
OLD BUSINESS:
WELD COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT REORGANIZATION
President Young began the meeting by explaining that this was the Council's
opportunity to talk with the Sheriff, after which the persons in attendance would
have a chance to address questions to the Council.
Let the record reflect that Vice President Campbell is now present at 7:10 p.m.
He explained the format of the meeting, which was that Sheriff Jordan would be
answering specific questions previously submitted to him by Council members:
1. Please give an overview of the reorganization. Who is in charge of the
Sheriff's Office at any given moment (is there an undersheriff, how do deputies
and other line workers get direction from managers?)
Sheriff Jordan referred to his Reorganization Proposal in which two levels of
supervisors have been eliminated, thus bringing five levels to two levels . Much-
needed additional staff (line workers) have been added to the jail. The Sheriff
had consulted with the County attorney and the personnel director regarding the
position of undersheriff, and the opinion of both was that the elimination of
this rank did comply with both the Weld County Home Rule Charter and Colorado
state statutes. In reality, there is no change from the past in that there
remains an undersheriff, but as an appointment and not a rank. Rick Dill is the
current undersheriff, but is subject to change by personnel order. The only time
the undersheriff could come into play is by the Sheriff's incapacitation or
death, which has not happened within the past six years. President Young asked
whether all department members know that Rick Dill is the undersheriff, i.e.
whether that information is posted in a prominent place. Sheriff Jordan replied
that all department employees are notified of personnel orders through electronic
mail and that the manager on duty is posted daily using this method.
Weld County Council Minutes
Page 2
February 17, 1993
Administrator Rick Dill proceeded to explain the reorganization as it affects the
jail. Pre-organization, there were four supervisory positions for two shifts
covering 24 hours a day, each managing 14 people and approximately 170 - 200
inmates, a considerable responsibility. Now there are eight managers supervising
four shifts, with two managers covering each shift. In order to accomplish this,
some managers have been reassigned to jail positions. However, additional
training is to begin this month. He explained that the issue of rotating
managers is still open and that management teams in the jail and operations had
been subdivided into three areas prior to reorganization. In response to
Councilman Orr's question of whether there had been any employee input available,
Mr. Dill stated that managerial input had been an ongoing process since August
1992 and did not know whether managers had received input from line workers
during that time. From Vice President Campbell ' s query, it was learned that 11
line workers had been gained from reorganizing; as a reply to President Young's
question, one of the two managers on duty designates himself to Rick Dill as the
lead manager.
2. What were the reasons for reorganization of the Sheriff's Office? Who had
input into the plan as it was developed? Are there plans now underway to
organize a Weld County Department of Public Safety for all of the County and the
municipalities within it?
Sheriff Jordan explained that the reorganization was not spur-of-the-moment and
that he had been thinking about how to improve the organization for at least two
years. He stated it was completely consistent with his 1986 campaign priorities
and that he alone is responsible for the reorganization. In implementing the
reorganization, he was dealing with the time constraints of the County budget
process in addition to the constraints of needing additional personnel and
training in the jail. There are no current plans for promoting a Weld County
Department of Public Safety; however he doesbelieve in efficient government and
not duplicating services . In this vein, vehicle maintenance and evidence storage
have already been combined with the Greeley Police Department, and the
possibility of comoined training, animal control and a regional juvenile
detention facility are being explored.
3. Some documents I have seen refer to the il-organization as a reduction in
force for management level positions. If that is true, were the personnel
policies referring to reduction in force folloyred?
The reorganization was never considered a reduction in force by either Sheriff
Jordan cr the County Attorney. Although some ranks, such as undersheriff,
sergeant and lieutenant were eliminated, different ranks (managers and
administrator) now exist.
4. Has this type of reorganization been successful in other counties or
municipalities? If so, what conditions contributed to their success?
The Boulder Police Department and the Larimer County Sheriff's Department have
undergone reorganization; however, no known agency has changed to the extent that
Weld County Council Minutes
Page 3
February 17, 1993
Weld County has , although Larimer County did eliminate its undersheriff.
5. Has this type of reorganization been unsuccessful in other counties or
municipalities? If so, what conditions contributed to their failure?
Different organizations have different needs, so it is difficult to evaluate
success or failure. Sheriff Jordan did speak to the Boulder Police Chief, who
stated that the reorganization is still in progress and is at times smooth and
others not.
6. How deep is the morale problem in the Sheriff's Office (both in Operations
and Corrections)? Would you term it a "significant" problem and, if so, what
plans do you have to remedy this problem?
Sheriff Jordan said that morale is an individual matter and that the Sheriff's
Office is presently dealing with resistance to change. His job is to dispense
information and help the employees deal with change. He stated that he was aware
there would be two critical points--one at the time of the announcement and one
in January when the actual pay reductions took place. He continues to stress the
positives in the organization and believes improved communication is an answer.
Meetings between him and three to four deputies have been initiated in order to
answer questions. He expressed concern that improvements in this area are needed
and intends to address the issue further.
7. Is communication between deputies, managers and the Sheriff a problem? If
so, what plans do you have to remedy this problem?
Sheriff Jordan stated that communication can always improve. He has an open door
policy but feels that it is not as successful as he would like to see. He
believes a problem does exist, but one of the seated outcomes of reorganization
is to improve communication. Possible solutions have begun, one being the
smaller group meetings as mentioned above. Councilman Orr brought up concerns
the Council had heard at its previous meeting regarding whether personnel
policies were being followed and whether the Commissioners had been involved in
the personnel process . Sh riff Jordan replied :hat personnel policies had not
changed, and the only time the Como::issioners rc,-,_d be involved is in having the
final say in firing during the grievance procedure.
8. How many inter-departmental lawsuits have ;een filed within the past three
years?
Two--one employee-generated suit c.nd one volunteer suit against Sheriff Jordan
and the department. Sheriff Jordan was/is being represented by attorneys other
than the County attorney. The legal costs are paid by the County through an
insurance pool. This is considered accepted procedure in these circumstances.
9. Explain the position of the Training Designer--duties, salary, special work
arrangements.
Weld County Council Minutes
Page 4
February 17, 1993
Mike Miller, her supervisor, answered this question. He explained that from 1987
until May 1992, there was a Training Coordinator position which has been
eliminated upon creation of the Training Designer position. The difference in
the positions is that a need for analyzing and assessing training needs and
designing in-house training programs, especially for the jail, was determined.
In addition to facilitating and coordinating training locations, recording
training documentation and evaluating training, this person was hired to bring
consistencies into training policies and procedures and design new training
programs for the department. The salary for this position is $2,937 per month,
pay grade 46, step A. The number of hours required is the same for anyone else
in this grade. This is a labor-intensive process as many graphics are needed and
must be checked for consistency. As such, some of this work can be done off-
site. There is no reimbursement for travel expenses (this person lives in
Denver) , and she does not present her own training programs.
10. You have indicated a willingness to have the County Council audit the
Sheriff's Office. What specific areas or proelems should be addressed?
Sheriff Jordan stated the Council would be we?come to loox into his personal
expenses and would cooperate with any areas being audited, including inter-
departmental communications.
11. What is the grievance procedure and who set.s the guidelines for it?
A copy of the current grievance procedure, set by the County Commissioners, was
distributed to each Council member. Each employee in the Department has been
issued a copy of said grievance procedure.
12. If the purpose of the new plan was to inolease service and get more staff
in the jail, why were transfers :nade that scer: ;:ct to fir the plan? Example:
People moved into new positions of management. 'ith nc experience.
Ali current managers within the Department w previously sergeants and, as
such, possess the experience needed.
13. Explain the volunteer program and its :e in the Sheriff' s Department.
Approximately 300 volunteers provide various services to the citizens of Weld
County, such as public relations and security ;or the Independence Stampede and
Grover rodeo, which would otherwise not be p_ovided without the posse. The
volunteer program will remain a viable part of one Sheriff's Office. A program
is still being developed with a supervisor liaison for the volunteer component.
The Council was presented with a list of programs and policies implemented at the
Sheriff's Office as a result of input by employees. President Young then thanked
Sheriff Jordan for so generously sharing his time with the Council this evening.
Discussion among Council members ensued regarding making a decision on dealing
with this issue. President Young recomended that the Council seek the outside
Weld County Council Minutes
Page 5
February 17, 1993
assistance of a performance auditor to deal specifically with allegations raised.
Councilman Gardner remarked that criminal allegations should be brought to the
District Attorney. Councilman Orr maintained that the grievance process had not
been utilized yet and questioned whether the Council should take on the expense
of an audit. Vice President Campbell was in savor of waiting for a while on
making a decision to audit. He then made a motion for the Council President to
contact the Center for Improvement of Public Management for information regarding
the cost to present their Win-Win Conflict Resolution seminar and to make a
recommendation regarding inter-departmental communication. Seconded by
Councilman Orr, vote was taken and the motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Royce Clark voiced support for the Sheriff and his reorganization; Don Mason
agreed. Former County Councilman Frank Stewart commented on Weld County's
exemplary Sheriff's Department and looking forward to the future. Amber Clark
inquired whether Council members had telephoned persons in attendance at the
Council' s February 3 meeting. Vice President Campbell had made eight or nine
calls and reported that some employees were disgruntled and some not, but all
agreed that communication is a problem. He continued by stating it appeared that
people were fearful of repercussions or retaliation and that it would not be
possible to obtain any real answers or improve communications in any concrete way
until this issue is dealt with. President Young contacted 12 to 15 people and
received similar responses as Vice President Ca:enbell, including his perception
of a "fear factor." Councilman Gardner commeltt,' that the three or four persons
he spoke with were willing to talk but concern nor their jobs was an overriding
factor. Wayne Hoover then came forward and stated that any criminal allegations
should be taken to the foreman of the Grand Jury.
The foregoing minutes are not intanded to be a verbatim account of this meeting,
but rather a brief account. Anyone interestec in listening to audio tapes of the
above meeting may contact the Council secretary at 356-4000, ext. 4780.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adourued at 0: ;u p.rr..
.//93
Date Approved Dauld L. Young, Presid
S:.-.c'.ra Nagel , Secretary
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