HomeMy WebLinkAbout20180420.tiffMINUTES
WELD COUNTY COUNCIL
December 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, December 18, 2017, at the Weld County Administration
Building, 1150 0 Street, Greeley, CO.
ROLL CALL:
a The meeting was called to order by President Brett Abernathy. Councilmen Michael Grillos,
Jordan Jemiola, Charles Tucker and Gene Stille were present, constituting a quorum of members.
Also present was County Council Secretary Linda Kane.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA :
Councilman Grillos made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Councilman Tucker
and carried.
APPROVAL OF DOCUMENTATION:
Approval of November 13, 2017, Minutes
Councilman Tucker made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Councilman Grillos the
motion carried.
REVIEW PROGRAM:
Board of County Commissioners Chair Julie Cozad gave a presentation
reviewing the 2017 year
Weld County Board of County Commissioners Chair Julie Cozad provided an overview of 2017.
la The 2018 budget had not yet been approved. It was expected to be approved Dec. 27. She
said expenditures are expected to be about $327 million and revenues at $400 million.
Commissioner Cozad said the year held challenges, but was also really good for Weld County.
She noted a ribbon cutting on Nov. 18 marked the completion of a County Road 49 project. She
said it was probably the most successful project of the year and was completed earlier than
expected and on budget.
The next phrase of that project continues. A lot of infrastructure needs to be moved and then
construction can begin. It's expected to be completed by the end of 2018. She said residents
along the construction route will get newsletters with pertinent information regarding access, etc.
Commissioner Cozad said commissioners focused on infrastructure throughout the year, taking
into account the growth in the county. It's their duty to make sure there's adequate
infrastructure. This includes coordination with CDOT.
Freedom Parkway, also known as Hwy 402, including Larimer County Road 18 and Weld
County Road 54, is a capital improvement project slated for the next five years. Commissioners
are working on an access control plan for that roadway. Weld County has planned $30 million in
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improvements.
Other infrastructure and planning projects included a planning and environmental linkage study
on Hwy 85. Other road projects include 1-25, with about $4 million allotted for that.
Commissioners continue to look at safety data, including crash data and congestion on
roadways. Councilman Abernathy asked about public input regarding changes dictated by
CDOT. Commissioner Cozad said the data comes from municipalities, the state patrol and
CDOT. Councilman Abernathy said the county is seeing big, bright red flashing stoplights in
smaller communities and they're disturbing to residents. Commissioner Cozad was unsure if
public input was regarded before making such changes.
Another accomplishment was the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Weld County
courthouse. She said about 200 people attended a celebration in June.
Communication updates have included an upgrade to the county web site. Commissioners
made their calendars available online and it's updated almost daily. She started taking notes
during work sessions, including attendance. Those notes are available to the public upon
request.
The Text 911 project kicked off in 2017, allowing residents to text during an emergency. The
county also received accolades for being "taxpayer friendly." From 2002 through 2018, the
county has credited back $482 million to taxpayers in mill levy credit. Additionally, several
departments received awards throughout the year.
The county hosted a pinning ceremony that recognized about 100 veterans. Commissioners
hope to continue that program. The county also implemented a Weld Oil and Gas Land
Assessment process. It's a process that includes the land owner, mineral owner and
surrounding property owners.
Councilman Jemiola asked about Council's request for $5,000 to retain legal counsel and it
being denied. Commissioner Cozad said it was not denied, there's money in the county
attorney's budget for additional legal counsel for 2018.
Councilman Jemiola asked about an IRS audit in which the county was fined $33,000, including
$3,000 for misreporting mileage reimbursement. Commissioner Cozad said mileage is an
allowed expense, but is taxable. She said the $3,000 was for the 2016 tax year.
Councilman Jemiola asked about mileage from home to work. He asked about it being part of
the compensation package to be set by Council. Commissioner Cozad didn't know the answer.
He also asked about the failure of ballot measures 1A and 1B and the formation of a charter
review committee. Commissioner Cozad responded by saying several items in the charter need
to be reviewed. She said a committee would include members of the public.
Councilman Stille asked about water issues and employees level within county dispatch
operations. Commissioner Cozad said the county obviously is concerned about water
availability. She said the county owns some water rights and it's an issue the commissioners
continue to study.
Regarding dispatch operations, the county invested in several new cell towers to help improve
those systems.
Councilman Grillos asked how the Council could pursue outside legal counsel. Commissioner
Cozad said that, in general, if outside counsel is necessary the County Attorney would review
the issue and deem whether outside counsel is necessary.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Gerald Kilpatrick of LaSalle said the Council should have outside legal representation at each
of its meetings.
Dave Kisker of Johnstown said commissioners told County Attorney Bruce Barker during a work
session to not provide counsel for the County Council. He said commissioners decided if the
Council had a legal question, they could submit it in writing and get a response back in writing.
He said he was optimistic that a charter review committee could be beneficial for the county.
NEW BUSINESS:
Coordinator Reports/Councilman Reports
Councilman Stille said Galeton received a $680,000 grant to help with upgrading their
sanitation district.
Councilman Abernathy said several people attended the County Road 49 ribbon cutting. He
said the county should be commended for completing it on time.
Bills
Councilman Grillos made a motion to approve bills, it was seconded by Councilman Stille and
carried.
o Weld County Phone Bill for November $18.96
o Mileage for Councilmen Tucker $55.62 and Stille $37.08
o Legal notices in Tribune for 2nd and 3rd quarter RTTPs: $131.16
Resolution 212: Meeting dates for 2018
Councilman Grillos made a motion to approve Resolution 212, seconded by Councilman
Tucker and the motion carried unanimously with a roll call vote.
ADJOURNMENT:
By acclamation, the meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
January 22, 2018
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ouncil ecretary, Linda Kane
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