HomeMy WebLinkAbout20174149.tiffMINUTES
WELD COUNTY COUNCIL
September 18, 2017
The Weld County Council met in regular session in full conformity with the Weld County Home
Rule Charter at 6:30 p.m., Monday, September 18, 2017, at the Weld County Administration
Building, 1150 0 Street, Greeley, CO.
ROLL CALLL
r The meeting was called to order by President Brett Abernathy. Councilmen Michael Grillos,
Jordan Jemiola and Charles Tucker were present, constituting a quorum of members. Councilman
Gene Stille had an excused absence. Also present was County Attorney Bruce Barker and County
Council Secretary Linda Kane.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA :
Councilman Grillos made a motion to discuss the recommendation of an audit response
committee. Councilman Abernathy made a motion to read a statement regarding the audits.
Councilman Grillos made a motion to approve the amendments, seconded by Councilman
Jemiola, and carried.
Councilman Jemiola made a motion to approve the amended agenda, seconded by Councilman
Tucker and carried.
APPROVAL OF DOCUMENTATION,
Approval of August 21, 2017, Minutes
Councilman Jemiola made a motion to approve the January minutes, seconded by Councilman
Grillos and the motion carried.
Statement by Councilman Abernathy
Good evening and thank you for coming to this evening's Weld County Council Meeting. I am
Brett Abernathy, President of the Weld County Council and I have a statement I would like to read.
As a reminder to some who might have forgotten the words of the 1976 charter, (council mandate
from charter).
The Weld County Council is a volunteer position that takes both a devotion of time and treasure
from the people you see before you. We have not been trained in the political science nor make
our livings from a government paycheck. Serving the people of Weld County is a labor of love for
us, and the only payment we receive is knowing that we are helping make a better place for the
residents of weld County to live. Each of us swore to the same oath as each of the other elected
officials in this county, but we must pay our own way in order to serve you.
I would like to thank the Board of County Commissioners, this Weld County Council and the
citizens of Weld County for helping make the first audit released a successful audit.
Despite the anger, inuendos, rumors, personal attacks, disagreements, yelling, and overall
behavior that would embarrass a teenager, none of these reactions were unexpected or
surprising. The Weld County Council has produced a product which the county can be proud of.
This audit has produced the result that I had truly hoped for. A result that points out several areas
of improvement that can be made by the BOCC, but primarily compliments the people who make
Weld County work on a daily basis. To quote councilman Stille, " an audit is a win win for
everyone" I agree with that statement.
I invite the Board of County Commissioners to work with the Weld County Council, and set aside
petty differences that have arisen during this audit, in order to implement a plan of improvement for
the areas noted in the audit. The audit was requested, funded and supported by the citizens of
Weld County and I believe that it would be an insult to the citizens if nothing is done to improve the
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county based on these suggestions.
With regards to the soon to be released audit of the Clerk and Recorder's office. I would like to
thank all of the contributing staff who helped make this audit complete for release this evening. I
will reserve any further comments regarding this audit until after we have all had the chance to
review it in its entirety.
Now it is my pleasure to introduce Dan Goncher and Fred Brouseau from Harvey M Rose and
Associates to present the Clerk and Recorder's audit to Weld County.
FOR THE RECORD:
The strictest confidentiality was required by the Weld County Council for this audit to prevent any
"leaks" or "influence". I would like to ask the following questions for the record. This will help
clarify any confusing information and comments that have been released prior to or after these
audits.
• Prior to last week's release of the BOCC audit, the draft review and return of the Clerk's
audit and this evening's release. Has anyone, including council members, citizens or
media had any access to any results, findings or information contained in the two audits?
• Has anyone contacted you providing any steering, direction or information in order to alter
your normal audit procedures?
• Has anyone from any board, council, or other person contacted you by phone or email
requesting information about what was in the audit?
Did the persons contacting you give a name or were they anonymous? Names?
Do you have those communications and messages available to send to me for review?
• Do you believe that any information was provided, stolen or obtained prior to the release of
the two audits?
Thank you again for your professional performance and your continued focus on providing the
best possible completed product to the citizens of Weld County.
PUBLIC COMMENT;
Dave Kisker, of Johnstown, stated November ballot questions 1A and 1B, to dissolve the Weld
County Council, will cost taxpayers $150,000 in unexpected expenditures. He said it's another
example of the incredibly arrogant attitude of the county commissioners. He asked the Council to
propose a resolution immediately stating its opposition to question 1A.
Gary Oplinger, of Johnstown, said he opposed the ballot questions and the extra cost of $150,000.
He said commissioners approved this expenditure without reservation.
Gerald Kilpatrick, of LaSalle, is part of a committee to save the County Council. He said he will do
his part to educate voters on the Council's purpose. He said thank you to the Council for its work
and noted it's a voluntary position. He said he was appalled at the commissioners' actions during a
recent meeting when audits were released.
Karen Grillos, of Hudson, said she started a project in March with Ellen Kisker looking into the
Mountain States report regarding improprieties by Commissioner Sean Conway. She said looking
for consistency in statements was the purpose of their research. She said the comments are
subjective and the investigation was rife with unprofessionalism.
Dr. Ellen Kisker, of Johnstown, said her career entails providing and evaluating evidence. She said
the Mountain States Report has inconsistencies and does not present good evidence.
NEW BUSINESS*,
Coordinator Reports/Councilman Reports
There were no coordinator reports.
Councilman Tucker said he attended the Greeley Ag Tour via the chamber of commerce. He said
it was educational and important to see what's happening in the surrounding area agriculturally.
Bills
Councilman Grillos made a motion to approve bills; it was seconded by Councilman Jemiola and
carried.
o Weld County Phone Bill for August $20.95
Upcoming Meetings/Invitations
• Early Warning Budget Session set for tomorrow, Sept. 19, with
Don Warden.
• Ending Homelessness, Breakfast Sept. 25
Audit recommendation response committee
Councilman Grillos made a motion to develop an audit committee to implement audit
recommendations. He said he'd like to see Councilmen Tucker and Stille participate in that
committee. The motion was tabled for October's meeting.
OLD BUSINESS:
Discussion of Investigation Regarding Commissioner Sean Conway
Councilman Abernathy asked this item be tabled until the October meeting when Councilman Stille
can be in attendance and it was supported by each councilman.
Councilman Abernathy expressed fallout from the audits released last month. He said Council did a
good job and he's disappointed audit recommendations are not being supported by commissioners.
Councilman Grillos said the Council set forth to provide recommendations and improvements for the
Weld County citizens. He said Council responded to the public's request for audits and the reception
has been shocking and disappointing.
Councilman Jordan said he hoped recommendations for Commissioners and the Clerk & Recorders
Office would be implemented. He said spending an additional $150,000 is being done without public
input.
Councilman Tucker said the commissioners are implementing a few items to start and like anything
government related, the wheels turn slowly.
Tucker: commissioners are implementing a few items to start with. Like anything government, the
wheels turn slowly. I've seen where they've started making some changes. Have to see what
changes will come forth, and from clerk's office haven't heard anything.
Councilman Abernathy said if the ballot initiative to dissolve the Council is approved, the
commissioners would give themselves a $15,000 raise in salaries.
Motion for a Resolution
Councilman Abernathy made a motion to express disappointment and non-support of initiative 1A.
The motion is to be written and placed on the October agenda.
Councilman Grillos asked County Attorney Bruce Barker if he was aware the initiative would cost
$150,000. Barker said he questions whether the cost is actually $150,000 and if it is, he was unaware
of the expense.
There was further discussion including Barker about how the commissioners' salaries would be set
if not done by Council.
ADJOURNMENT:
By acclamation, the meeting was adjourned at 7:18p.m.
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Council Secretary, Linda Kane
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