HomeMy WebLinkAbout20183882.tiff AD-HOC Weld County Home Rule Charter
Amendment Study Committee
Meeting Minutes —May 9, 2018
CALL TO ORDER—ROLL CALL: Jackie Johnson, Chair, called the meeting to order
at 6:00 p.m., in the Windsor Town Hall. The following Home Rule Charter Committee
(HRCC)members were present: Al Dominguez, Sam Gluck, Dave Kisker, Mark Lawley,
Ray Patch, and Justus Pettit; Garrett Varra and James Welch were excused. Also present
were Bruce Barker - County Attorney, Jennifer Finch - Public Information Officer(PIO),
and Esther Gesick - Clerk to the Board.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — May 2, 2018: Al Dominguez moved to approve the
Minutes of May 2, 2018. The motion was seconded by Mark Lawley, and it carried
unanimously.
III. INTRODUCTION AND PRESENTATION:
A. GUIDELINES AND SUMMARY INFORMATION: The following informational items
were made available and reviewed by Mr. Barker: a two-page handout explaining the
intent, protocol and expectations for the Home Rule Charter Study Committee (HRCC)
meetings, the difference between Structural Home Rule government, versus Functional
Municipal Home Rule government, and the difference between the County Charter,versus
the Weld County Code.
IV. PUBLIC INPUT:
A. Laura Doyle, County resident, referenced Section 3-8 and stated the Commissioners need
to exercise the powers of the County but still "listen" to state laws and not try to overrule
state statutes. She also cited Section 3-9 and expressed support for better transparency of
compensation benefits, noting the information should be easier to locate. Ms. Doyle stated
the current term limits for elected offices should be reduced to one-time, three-year terms.
She also commented that planning projects should go through a vetting or scoring process
to ensure they are complete and meet all the regulations before proceeding through the
public hearing process, and the public should be afforded more time for review. Chair
Johnson directed comments need to remain focused on the structure of the Charter, versus
administrative matters addressed in the Weld County Code. Ms. Doyle referenced Section
4-3(A)(4) concerning the Board of Public Health and commented the minutes of their
meetings should be easier to locate for public access. She commented the Planning
Commission information is also difficult to locate, and the land use decisions should be
made in greater detail with adequate findings. Chair Johnson noted the comments
concerning the need to improved transparency and customer friendly information portals.
B. Lynette Kilpatrick, LaSalle resident, stated her appreciation for the open dialogue format
at the last meeting. She restated her support for two 4-year terms, with a clear restriction
on total years of service and not jumping to other offices. She stated the appointed
Page 1 2018-3882
BCoo►3
4
positions of Coroner and Treasurer should be elected to avoid pressure from the County
Commissioners. Further, she did not support making any of the existing elected offices
appointed positions, and added the County Attorney should also be elected since he
represents the County and its citizens. Mr. Barker clarified the Board of County
Commissioners are his clients to represent and he is charged with explaining the law and
can advise other offices and departments for the benefit of the County that the
Commissioners represent. Mr. Kisker commented the conflict between representing the
Commissioners and the County Council will need to be addressed. Mr. Barker explained
the Board of Commissioners needs an attorney/client relationship and an elected Attorney
wouldn't really represent anyone and there would be no confidentiality. Ms. Kilpatrick
stated the County Council should have their own budget for an annual audit or separate
legal counsel,if needed. She further stated the County Council should reinstate the practice
of visiting the various departments to form relationships and a better understanding of their
roles and responsibilities, which would make them more effective in the event of an audit
issue. Concerning qualifications for elected officials, she suggested residency in their
district for a minimum of one year prior to filing for candidacy should be required. She
also commented that the Board of Commissioners should not be able to pull duties away
from other elected officials. She also agreed with keeping government control at the local
level concerning ethics violations. Mr. Barker confirmed there is a one-year wait time to
reconsider something that failed during an election; however, the HRCC members may
propose amendments/revisions. For example, Amendment 1B passed and could be further
refined on the upcoming ballot.
C. Karen Speed, Windsor resident,agreed with the prior comments and the need for improved
ease to locate public information.
D. Ms. Doyle returned and referenced Section 16-6, stating public notice should be increased
to a minimum of 14 days with more visibility. She commented it was her understanding
that the County Attorney's role was to protect the citizens. Chair Johnson explained the
role of the County Attorney is to explain the laws and rules. Ms. Doyle commented his
salary is paid by the taxpayers and the role should be responsive to the citizens and it should
not be in fear of oversight by the Board of Commissioners.
IV. HRCC DISCUSSION: Chair Johnson stated she reviewed all the minutes and proposed
revisions submitted to-date, and volunteered to compile a summary of the issues raised for
review prior to the next general meeting. Mr. Kisker proposed splitting up the topics for
discussion and creating an Agenda to inform the public in case they want to come and
listen. Chair Johnson stated the HRCC members will also need to decide how they intend
to format the decisions, whether by vote or consensus, to ensure a constructive outcome.
Additionally, she stated if there is no consensus,then the HRCC members must determine
an orderly process for clear communication and resolution to allow the discussion to move
forward to other topics. Mr. Gluck commented that even if the HRCC members make a
recommendation, it is still up to the Commissioners to decide whether it is presented as a
ballot issue. Lastly, when asked if any other elected officers should be invited to attend,
Chair Johnson indicated her last communication with County Council Chair, Gene Stille,
Page 2
indicated they were satisfied with the information provided. She also questioned which
Commissioner would represent the whole,since they are each individually elected officials.
Mr. Barker suggested inviting Dr. Mark Wallace, Director of the Department of Public
Health and Environment, as well as Esther Gesick, Clerk to the Board, to make brief
presentations or answer questions, as the remaining positions which are specifically
addressed in the Charter, and the HRCC members concurred.
V. ADJOURNMENT: Chair Johnson stated the next meeting will be held on May 16th, at
6:30 p.m., in the Weld County Administration Building — Pawnee Conference Room, to
begin forming a recommendation. There being no further discussion, Chair Johnson
adjourned the meeting at 6:55 p.m.
*Minutes submitted by Esther E. Gesick, Clerk to the Board
Page 3
ATTEN NCE LIST
5- 9 --Ai-40/ 2
COUNTY OF
NAME - PLEASE PRINT LEGIBLY r ADDRESS, CITY, ST, ZIP EMAIL/PHONE NUMBER RESIDENCE ?
1)01 (e Ptt iejle sins CO 4 .51)k
Sa,Re S3 / 0 Cherry 6/ o5Som �r. Gu ,,,��- �- - L.� 1 -"nAtit_
Lqvt< t. kta ciC �f rez Cgs 33 LeaCelJec,�Q 1d
1
Hello