HomeMy WebLinkAbout20172908.tiffMINUTES
WELD COUNTY COUNCIL
May 15, 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, May 15, 2017, at the Weld County Administration Building,
1150 0 Street, Greeley, CO.
ROLL CALL:
The meeting was called to order by President Brett Abernathy. Councilmen Michael Grillos,
Jordan Jemiola, Charles Tucker and Gene Stillewere present, constituting a quorum of members.
Also present was County Attorney Bruce Barker and County Council Secretary Linda Kane. The
meeting was delayed 10 minutes by request of a board member.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA :
Councilman Abernathy made a motion to discuss retaining independent counsel for ongoing
audits of the commissioners and clerk's office, to be discussed during new business. The
motion was seconded by Councilman Grillos and carried.
Councilman Grillos made a motion to discuss updates from the auditors also during new
business. The motion was seconded by Councilman Abernathy and passed.
Councilman Grillos made a motion to approve the agenda, with additions, seconded by
Councilman Jemiola and carried.
APPROVAL OF DOCUMENTATION:
Approval of April 17, 2017, Minutes
Councilman Grillos made a motion to approve the April minutes, seconded by Councilman
Jemiola , and the motion carried.
Approval of First Quarter 2017 Report to the People
Councilman Stille made a motion to approve the RTTP, seconded by Councilman Tucker, and
the motion carried
REVIEW PROGRAMS:
Weld County Assessor Chris Woodruff and Deputy Assessor Brenda Dones gave a
presentation regarding property values.
Highlights included: notation that the average home price in 2010 was $175,000 and in
2016 has jumped to $290,000; they reminded Council they estimate property values - not
taxes; and provided an abstract of assessment which is available to the public. More
information about the assessor's office can be found at www.co.weld.co.us.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Ellen DeLorenzo, of Johnstown, told the Council she appreciates the diligence regarding the
ongoing audits. She said she's in favor of independent counsel to prevent any conflict of
interest.
County employee, Eliza Kunkel, expressed concern that employees in the clerk's office were
not being allowed time to answer survey questions by auditors during work hours, while other
departments were allowed.
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Councilman Abernathy advised Kunkel to send concerns directly to auditors. Councilman
Grillos concurred. Councilman Stille questioned why employees in the clerk's office were not
allowed to complete audit interviews/questionnaires during work hours. Councilman Jemiola
stated each department has its own parameters.
Joe Koppes, of Greeley, said the parameters were set by Commissioner Barbara Kirkmeyer
to prevent employees in the clerk's office from completing audit surveys during work hours.
Councilman Grillos concurred. Councilman Stille stated that interactions between
departments and the auditors is not consistent.
NEW BUSINESS:
Discussion of Independent Counsel
Councilman Abernathy met with Commissioners Julie Cozad and Mike Freeman in a work
session to discuss financing of independent counsel for the audits, roughly $5,000 or less.
Councilman Abernathy said neither commissioner seemed to understand why outside
representation was needed and they questioned whether funds were available.
Councilman Abernathy showed funds were available, though not specifically earmarked.
Commissioner Cozad said the issue could be brought before the Board of County
Commissioners for approval. Based on this conversation, Councilman Abernathy said he
felt it was unlikely the commissioners would support funding independent counsel.
Therefore, he moved to nullify the previous motion approving the hiring of outside counsel,
seconded by Councilman Stille.
Discussion included questions from Councilman Jemiola as to what prompted the change
in the motion.
Councilman Abernathy said that although the majority of County Council supported hiring
of independent counsel, he didn't believe the commissioners would approve funding to do
so.
In a roll -call vote, Councilman Jemiola voted aye for the motion to withdraw hiring of
outside counsel, though he doesn't believe approval of funding from commissioners was
necessary. Councilmen Abernathy, Stille and Tucker voted aye, while Councilman Grillos
abstained, and the motion carried.
Councilman Grillos asked County Attorney Barker about District Attorney Michael Rourke's
responsibility to the County Council. Councilman Grillos said he was at an event with DA
Rourke and asked whether he could step in to represent the Council if necessary. His
response was - he worked for the 19th judicial district, period, and as a result, he is unable to
represent the Council.
Attorney Barker noted a state statute that references the District Attorney providing some
counsel when there is a conflict of interest. It's not without precedent.
Councilman Jemiola asked County Attorney Barker if he believed a conflict of interest exists
between the County Council and County Commissioners. County Attorney Barker said no.
Discussion of Audit Updates
Councilman Grillos said auditors sent out a confidential survey to county employees on May 5
and sent a blanket email to all staff requesting confidential phone interviews on May 1.
Auditors have also conducted a risk assessment of the Commissioners and Clerk's office.
Bills
Councilman Jemiola made a motion to approve bills, it was seconded by Councilman Grillos and
carried.
o Weld County Phone Bill for April
o Award Alliance — Biz cards for Stille and Grillos
Coordinator Reports/Councilman Reports
There were no coordinator reports.
$19.15
$104.95
Councilman Stille was contacted by the Galeton water and sanitation board about funding for
repairs to its sanitation system. Councilman Stille then met with Commissioners for assistance
and grants and matching funds will be used to help fix Galeton's sanitation issues.
OLD BUSINESS:
Discussion regarding audits of the Clerk and Recorder's Office and
County Commissioners
Items were already discussed during New Business.
ADJOURNMENT:
By acclamation, the meeting was adjourned at 8:07 p.m.
June 19, 2017 Council President, Brett Abernathy
Council Secretary, Linda Kane
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