HomeMy WebLinkAbout20201524.tiffOFFICE OF WELD COUNTY COUNCIL
1150 O Street
P O BOX 758
GREELEY, COLORADO 80632
EMAIL: countycouncil@weldgov.com
PHONE: 970-400-4780
WEBSITE: www.weldgov.com
WELD COUNTY COUNCIL
2020 — 1st Quarter
REPORT TO THE PEOPLE
The Weld County Council is mandated in accordance with the Home Rule Charter of Weld County,
Colorado, to report to the people of Weld County on a quarterly basis, those matters related to the
council's review of Weld County government. This report summarizes the activities of the Weld County
Council during the first quarter of the calendar year 2020.
January 20, 2020
Selection of PresidenWice-President
Councilmember and incumbent Tonya L. Van Beber, At -Large, was selected Council
President. Councilmember James Welch, District 3, was elected Vice -President.
Commissioner Replacement Procedures
Councilmember Brett Abernathy stated that Council devised replacement procedures in 2018
in the event of a commissioner vacancy. He noted the procedures are available on the county's web
site. He explained that on January 31 County Attorney Bruce Barker would declare the vacancy of
Commissioner Sean Conway's seat after his resignation.
Council President Van Beber read Commissioner Conway's letter of resignation and stated
Council accepted his letter.
Councilmember Abernathy made a motion to formulate rules for the selection process of a new
commissioner, it was seconded by Councilmember Welch, and carried.
Councilmember Abernathy presented a commissioner replacement schedule. Applications will
be accepted through 5 p.m., February 5, with interviews conducted during the regular meeting
February 17. After discussion, Councilmember Abernathy made a motion to amend Weld County
Council Article XIII, Section 13-8-8 to include clarification that a vote of at least 3 members shall be
necessary to approve an appointment, it was seconded by Councilmember Welch, and carried
unanimously.
After discussion, Councilmember Abernathy made another motion to modify Article XIII,
Section 13-8-2, to state applications may also be received via electronic mail, it was seconded by
Councilmember Gene Stille, and carried.
Special Meeting February 12, 2020
Discussion regarding final candidates for the vacated
County Commissioner At -Large Position
Councilmember Welch presented the five final candidates to be interviewed for the vacated
County Commissioner At -Large position. They are: Gary White; Mike Finn; Elijah Hatch; Kevin Ross;
and Perry Buck.
Council President Van Beber requested Secretary Linda Kane to contact the candidates and
notify them of interviews to be held at the Council's regular meeting, Monday, February 17.
Discussion was held on which questions to ask candidates and how much response time to give
them. It was decided each candidate should be asked the same questions with a limit of roughly
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Weld County Council
2018 4th Quarter Report to the People
Page 2 of 3
three to six minutes available for response.
County Attorney Bruce Barker suggested the Council ask candidates to leave the meeting
Feb. 17, prior to interviews. At that time, Council may discuss the questions to be asked.
February 17, 2020
Approval of Resolution 217, Meeting Dates for 2020
The meetings of the Weld County Council will be held at 6:30 p.m., the third Monday of the
month, at the Weld County Administration Building, 1150 O Street, unless public notice is given of
a date change.
Interviews of Five Candidates for Weld County Commissioner
Mike Finn was the first to be interviewed. He said the financial arena is his strongest asset and
he's also been involved in the executive aspect, too. He said his weakness probably lies in the
administrative facet.
He said he is retired and being a commissioner would be his full-time job. He said he has a planning
degree and ran for commissioner a couple years ago.
He said that a comprehensive plan is a critical part of what commissioners are doing for next year. He'd
like to see them help alleviate some miscommunications of land use issues.
He said he's worked with the commissioners for nearly 10 years. He's been on various boards will
almost all of them.
Perry Buck was next to be interviewed. Ms. Buck said she is good at unifying people with different
backgrounds. She has served four terms in the legislature and currently is serving her eighth and final
year.
She said it's important to stay within your budget and she's proud of Weld County being debt -free and
having no sales tax. She said she's a fiscal conservative. She said her father was a commissioner and
he took pride in spending time with residents of smaller towns. She would act as a liaison for the county
with smaller communities.
She said Weld County is under attack and she'd work to preserve its oil and gas industry. She supports
jobs that provide a living wage, good retirement, health care and supporting law enforcement.
Elijah Hatch said he held strengths in finances, administrative and legislative issues. He has no
plans to run for commissioner for the 2021 session. Despite owning several businesses, being a
commissioner would be his full-time job.
He said he's a firm believer in the Second Amendment, that gun rights should never be tampered with.
Oil and gas regulations are something he would fight for, too. He said it's tough for people on the other
side of the state to see how Weld County relies on it.
He said his goal as commissioner would be to support residents. He would represent his constituents
in a just and honorable way.
Mr. Hatch has served on the planning and zoning board in which they make recommendations to
commissioners on zoning issues. He's also served on the county fair board and he has a diverse ag
background.
Gary White Jr. said to be a good commissioner, you have to listen well, be clear -spoken and have
a willingness to see new ideas.
He said his strengths lie in the financial arena and his weakest would be legislative. He currently is
mayor of Ault, but being a commissioner would be his full-time job.
He said the number one item on his radar is what's happening with oil and gas. A comprehensive plan
is vital to the county and land use issues are also at the top of the list.
Another issue he's passionate about is water. He'd like to see the county coordinate a relationship
between development and agriculture.
A couple years ago he was asked to be on the Road 29 Coalition. He spent 2-3 years working on an
access plan for Road 29.
Weld County Council
2018 4th Quarter Report to the People
Page 3 of 3
Kevin Ross was the final candidate to be interviewed. He said he was the mayor of Eaton and
would resign should he be appointed commissioner. When dealing with the legislative aspect, it's
important to keep in mind unintended consequences, making sure the decisions commissioners make
don't have negative impacts on the future of residents.
He said he's a geek about understanding financial issues. He said the county is amazing in that it has
no debt and no sales tax, and also has a low mill levy.
He would also focus on the attack of the oil and gas industry; investing in capital improvements;
hardening IT infrastructure; and budget items.
He plans to run for the commissioner seat in November.
After consideration, Councilmember Abernathy made a motion to appoint Kevin Ross as At -Large
Commissioner for Weld County, it was seconded by Councilmember Nancy Teksten. A unanimous roll
call vote affirmed the appointment.
March 16, 2020
Due to the Coronavirus pandemic and recent quarantine implementations, the March 16 Council
meeting was canceled.
WELD COUNTY COUNCIL
Council
Cou
17(e,
esident Tonya L. Van Beber
I Vice -President Jame .Welch
Cou"ncilmem r Nancy Teksten
Counc l(member Gene Stille
UK -S4 Ao5ehrL_
Councilmember Brett Abernathy
Date Signed: May 18, 2020
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