HomeMy WebLinkAbout20180419.tiffMINUTES
WELD COUNTY COUNCIL
Nov. 13, 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, Nov. 13, 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,
Charles Tucker and Gene Stille were present, constituting a quorum of members. Jordan Jemiola
had an excused absence. Also present was County Council Secretary Linda Kane.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA :
Councilman Abernathy made a motion to add an agenda item to discuss the November
election, it was seconded by Councilman Grillos and passed. Councilman Abernathy made
a motion to approve the amended agenda, seconded by Councilman Grillos and carried.
APPROVAL OF DOCUMENTATION~
Approval of Oct. 16, 2017, Minutes
Councilman Grillos made a motion to approve the October 16, 2017, minutes seconded by
Councilman Abernathy, and the motion carried.
REVIEW PROGRAM:
There was no review program.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Sherrie Pief, of Greeley, and a journalist for Complete Colorado, read the following statement:
"For the past two months, many people from opposite sides of the fence, came out of the
woodwork and supported you as a group.
We came together to tell the board of Weld County Commissioners that we as residents of
this county won't stand for power grabs. We won't stand for intimidation. We won't stand
for retaliation. We won. We won because truth matters more than politics. We won because
integrity matters more than emotions. We won because keeping the Weld County Council
was the right thing to do.
This council has been torn in two directions for months if not years. But ballot issue IA
brought you together. You all supported keeping the council in place because it's what
the founders of our charter wanted. It's what makes Weld County unique.
But we still have a lot of work to get down to truly make this a new day for Weld. Playing
politics with each other and with the commissioners is not among it. So as you move
forward, I hope you all keep this in mind and do your jobs to the best of your ability
without playing games or trying to one up each other at every turn.
In closing, I'm going to quote some very wise remarks I've heard Johnstown Mayor Scott
James say over the past few months. I hope you think of them as you move forward before
you comment or before you vote.
C...0mmUni c ,--r;drms
oa/la/l-
2018-0419
First, do you ever look back over your life and see God's hand in it? Every experience,
every job, every place you've ever lived, God's had you there fora reason. You acquired
a skill and experience, or learned a lesson. On that twisted roadway, he has equipped
you for this moment."
Further, this job has to be done by someone who has the strength to occasionally be
wrong. The courage to admit when they are. The wisdom to say I don't know, and then
go and find the answers.
Finally, in politics, we need people who remember the art of conversation, and
compromise and consensus. In politics, we need more principled peacemakers and
fewer political pit bulls.
I chose those three beliefs of Mayor James because I believe they should and can be
applied by each and every one of you. You all have different traits and abilities that
round out this council into a great political body.
You have to set your differences with each other and with the board of commissioners to
get the job done.
Everything from tonight forward has to be fresh. The people of Weld County deserve to
make headlines because we are the leaders not because we are the laughing stock.
Thank you and congratulations again on surviving the election. I hope you all make the
best of the situation and do what is right for the resident of Weld County who gave you
this chance."
Dr. Ellen Kisker, of Johnstown, spoke on behalf of her husband, Dave Kisker, too. She said
many people worked hard to defeat 1A and we're so glad you're here tonight. She said the
victory presents a unique opportunity to make real changes to improve. We're here to support
the board and she looks forward to a new day in Weld County.
Karen Grillos, of Hudson, said today was a good day to thank everyone in their work to support
the council. She advised Council to honor and adhere to the oath you took to preserve the Weld
County Charter. The Council sits at the pinnacle in Weld County and civic duty is of the highest
importance.
She said, this is a working council, not a sitting council. It's great to see every member of this
council rolling up his sleeves and doing the work. She said there is steady leadership under
President Abernathy.
Gerald Kilpatrick, of La Salle, said he, too, wanted to congratulate the Council's election win. He
was thrilled with all the state politicians who showed support in keeping the Council. He said
election item 1B was not needed if 1A was voted down. It sounded so good, but it was not
necessary. Do our ethics go to the state or go to you guys? I think it would have been voted
down if people had known what it was. I think we've muddied the waters with 1B. I'm hoping in
2018, when you sit down to strengthen the charter so you have a budget, you have legal
representation and put some teeth in our charter.
Councilman Abernathy thanked everyone who spoke. I know how much time and effort everyone
put in to save the council. He said he hopes to secure the charter as it was originally written.
Moving forward we can act as a council and continue to be an oversight committee and
strengthen the Council.
NEW BUSINESS:
Coordinator Reports/Councilman Reports
Councilman Tucker attended the West Greeley Soil Conservation Committee annual meeting.
They discussed scholarships and how they provide aide to residents. He said they will assist in
weed control, wind breaks and they're quite an asset to the county.
Councilman Stille asked how many dozens of people have we talked to about the ballot issue
and how come it cost so much. We've had a ton of questions that we've had to answer and it
causes us to make sure we know what we're talking about. The election solidified the
cohesiveness of the Council. In regard to what the council does, he said constituents have a
better idea of the purpose and the need for the County Council.
Councilman Stille also read the following statement:
"After the voters confirmed that an oversight board is necessary in Weld County, I would like to
make a few comments regarding where we, the County Council, can go from this point on.
First, I would like to thank those who campaigned, talked, encouraged, or lobbied against Ballot
question 1A, to disband the County Council. However, we owe our constituents to be
responsible councilmen and perform the duties that they, the voters, expect of the council.
Consequently, the following are some suggestions to the council to go forward:
• We need to have a work session with all electeds on how we can work together.
(Commissioner Kirkmeyer suggested a work session this past summer),
• The council may need to have their own work session,
• There needs to be a working Whistle Blower program for county employees, county
residents, and county electeds,
• We need a policy of transparency,
• We need to make it easier for constituents to talk with the council and other electeds
without being intimidated,
• Bygones are to be bygones with emphasis on no grudges,
• We need to know how to make Recall of an elected easier, understandable and
available,
• We need to encourage using the council as a stepping stone to higher office as a good
thing, e.g. Clerks to Judges/Justices, City Council to Mayor, Aids to Legislators, etc.,
• We need better PR to explain to the residents the purpose of the council,
• We should consider a resolution to study an issue before going on the ballot. It cost
money to someone or some group something to put an issue on the ballot. The study
should indicate if the issue is a concern of the voter or not and what the chances are of
its passing,
• How can the council be more involved in the community? We need to solicit invitations
to organizations/groups/county departments and accept these invitations. (There had
been a time when there were invitations and for some reason, the invitations were
axed.),
• Ad Hoc committees should be kept to a minimum as the council should be "the
committee" even though there would be 3 or more councilmen to constitute an Open
Meeting,
• Council members should make every effort to attend Commissioner Hearings and, at
least once a month, spend some time with every other county department,
• Should the council have an Open House? Should we have our own social media site,
i.e. Facebook?
The voters gave the County Council a mandate to be more responsible/involved and we should
make every effort to be more proactive."
Councilman Grillos said he thanks Mr. Kilpatrick, Dr. and Mr. Kisker and every person who
sacrificed a lot of time prior to the election.
Councilman Abernathy said he believes 80 percent of those who voted to retain the Council
are now more educated about its purpose.
He also stated a ribbon cutting would be held Nov. 18 for the County Road 54 project.
Bills
Councilman Stille made a motion to approve bills, it was seconded by Councilman Tucker and
carried,
3rd Quarter Report to the People
Councilman Grillos made a motion to approve the 3rd quarter RTTP, it was seconded by
Councilman Tucker and carried.
Resolution 211
Councilman Grillos made a motion to approve Resolution 211 — Expressing no further action
needed by Council regarding investigations of two County Commissioners, it was seconded by
Councilman Stille and carried.
ADJOURNMENT:
By acclamation, the meeting was adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
- /
ecember 1:, 2017
taJl(L ! i17
Council Secretary, Linda Kane
, ernathy
Hello