HomeMy WebLinkAbout770973.tiff MINUTES N0V 161977 I
WELD COUNTY COUNCIL
November 1, 1977 GREELEY. COLO.
The Weld County Council met in regular session in full
conformity with the Weld County Home Rule Charter at
9th Avenue and 9th Street, Greeley, Colorado, November
1, 1977 at the hour of 9:00 A.M.
ROLL CALL: The following members were present :
Nancy Clark, President
Bob E. White, Vice President
John Martin, Councilman
Floyd Oliver, Councilman
Robert Martin, Councilman
Also Present: Commissioners June Steinmark and Ed Dunbar;
Observer for the League of Women Voters, Bev Brown; Mr. Tom
Dority; 5 members of the press; 2 citizens; and the secretary,
Beverly Thomas
MINUTES: Nancy Clark made a correction in the attendance register
of the October 18, 1977 meeting minutes. Bev Brown should be
designated as an observer for the League of Women Voters rather
than as a citizen. Bob Martin made a motion that the minutes
be adopted as corrected. Bob White seconded the motion and it
passed unanimously.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: Mrs. Clark stated that Mrs. Steinmark was
present at the meeting to present a report regarding severed
mineral rights. Bob White said that there would be no report
today regarding the Department of Law.
CORRESPONDENCE: Nancy Clark noted receipt of copies of the County
Administrative Code for each Council member. She also acknowl-
edged receipt of two resolutions from the County Commissioners
and the 4-H Newsletter. A copy of the salaries approved by the
legislature for Colorado County officials had been received from
Mr. Herb Hansen. It was determined it should be filed until the •
spring of 1978 when the Council would be considering salaries.
REPORTS:
SHERIFF: Floyd Oliver felt that an editorial printed in the Highland
Times on October 20, 1977 regarding procedures of the Sheriff
Department in burglary cases was worthy of consideration. It.
was determined that a letter should be sent to Sheriff Bower with
a copy of the editorial and a request for an answer to the
accusations contained in the editorial.
SEVERED MINERAL RIGHTS: Mrs. Steinmark presented a file of information
to the Council regarding severed mineral rights. She also verbally
relayed steps the County Commissioners have taken regarding this
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County Council Min..‘ s Page 2
November 1, 1977
matter. She stated that in March of 1977 a memo had been
written to Mr. Herb Hansen requesting formulation of a plan
r^„ a , , -whereby all severed mineral rights 'in Weld County. Would be
--"" ' placed oh the'County tax�rolls. ' .In the October, 1977 budget '° y :
... hearings Mr. Hansen had told the Commissioners that he was
going to'be hiring two CETA persons to research these
mineral rights and that it may take up to two years before
the mineral rights would actually be on the tax roles.
Mrs. Steinmark also explained the dilemma the Commissioners
face to rid themselves of the County-owned mineral rights.
It is the .Commissioners'; opinion that based on input they
,.`receive from interested parties, it is desirable for�" the
'rights to go back to the surface owners. However, by state {r ,
Flaw the County must sell"mineral rights "at public: sale to the ^.
highest and best bidder" which the Commissioners assume would
be the large oil and/or gas interests. Mrs. Steinmark said it
appeared the alternatives for the County were to attempt to secure
legislation that would allow the County—to keep the mineral rights
or to sell them to the surface owners. She said the Commissioners
would appreciate the County Council taking an interest this
:matterif the Council has the :time and interest, as`it is a problem ' '
that continues to surface,;and cause frustration to the Commission
ers.
Bob White suggested that Mrs. Steinmark have any legal opinions
that the Commissioners receive and any decisions that the
Commissioners make on the matter sent to the County Council and
to special interest groups who are interested in the problem.
MEETING WITH EXECUTIVE DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE: Nancy Clark summarized
the events that had transpired in regards to arranging a meeting
between the Executive Committee of the Democratic Party of Weld
County and the County Council. She stated that Chairperson
Betsy Kearns did not wish to have a meeting unless it was co-
'' S y chaired.' It was not possible to hold a meeting with the
Committee at the Centennial Center on the same night that the
F Committee usually meets as it may be construed as a political
meeting. •
Nancy Clark said that she was not interested in holding meetings
to defend the Council's decisions, but only to explain the
Council 's role as it is a nevgoverrment body. John Martin said
that he was not in favor of a meeting that would be used for
political mileage.
Floyd Oliver made a motion that Mrs. Clark write Betsy Kearns a
letter offering the Council's' cooperation in setting up a meeting
-with the Council and the Executive Committee of the Democratic..
Party of Weld County at a date and place to be agreed upon.
John Martin seconded the motion. The motion was defeated four: to
one with Floyd Oliver voting yea.
• Bob White said that he would be willing to attend a meeting at
Democratic Headquarters.
County Council Mints ^ Page 3
November 1, 1977
Bob Martin suggested that possibly the League of Women Voters
would sponsor a meeting of the two groups. Mrs. Brown said
that she would be happy to bring that idea up at a League
t=.. ' meeting. ,
- •• Mrs. Clark said that it appeared that the Council had three
choices: 1) to go to the Democratic Committee meeting at
their headquarters 2) to do what Floyd Oliver's motion had
suggested 3) to do nothing.
Bob White made a motion that all Council members who were able
•
should attend the November 9, 1977 meeting of the Executive
Committee of, the Democratic Party of Weld County. John Martin
seconded the motion. The motion was carried with" Nancy Clark, •
' Bob White,` and John Martin voting yea. Floyd Oliver voted nay
and Bob Martin did not vote.
Mrs. Brown raised the question as to whether the Committee's
meetings were open to all interested parties. Further discussion
followed after which Floyd Oliver made a motion that the motion
to attend the meeting at Democratic Headquarters on November 9,
• 1977 be rescinded and that the Council do nothing regarding
arranging a meeting. - Bob Martin seconded the motion and Nancy
Clark and John Martin voted nay. The motion was carried with ,
three yeas.
BUDGET DISCUSSION WITH TOM DORITY: Tom Dority presented copies of
the mill levy ordinance adopted by the County Commissioners on
October 31, 1977. Mr. Dority then explained the fund transfers
and use of revenue sharing funds that enabled the Commissioners
to avoid more than a five percent increase. He stated that the
' 1978 Budget will require' use of $500,000.00 of the County's
reserve funds.
Mr. Dority said that 'all Department Heads thought that the newly-'
adopted pay plan was equitable and provided just compensation
`to employees. He statedithat now that County employees were to
be justly compensated an eight-hour day on the job site could
be required of Road and Bridge personnel. A discussion ensued
regarding supervision of Road and Bridge personnel.
Mrs. Clark asked Mr. Dority to notify the Council when the
Commissioners' worksession would be held at which the final
budget figures would be presented. .
MISCELLANEOUS: Bob Martin stated that he intends to have the names
of some persons who might do investigative work for the Council
• by the next meeting.
'A brief discussion was held between the Council and June Stein-
mark regarding the County Commissioners salary schedule. Nancy
Clark said that it was the Council's intent to consider the salaries
again in the early spring so that they will be public knowledge
by election time.
eAN
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November 1, 1977
Floyd Oliver was aked by Mrs. Clark to summarize the actions
taken and the projected schedule of the lawsuit for preliminary
injuction.
"$R, ,. 5 Mrs. Clark announced that the Council will hold its November 15,
1977 meeting in the regular Courthouse meeting room. The Council
will be moving to new offices in the Centennial Building on
November 16, 1977.
Discussion of future Council agendas was postponed due to the
lateness of the hour.
Bob White made a motion that the secretary be instructed to r § r prepare the list of the Council's concerns for each Council _.;
F ,- member to be-ready with the agenda of the next Council meeting.
Bob Martin seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Beverly Thomas APPROVED /
Council Secretary
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