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66.
COUNTY OF WELD
Filed with the Clerk of the Board
MINUTES of County Commissioners
WELD COUNTY COUNCIL JAN 91978
December 6, 1977
33 COUNTY CLLR[AND RECORDER
aDePutY
The Weld County Council met in regular session in f
conformity with the Weld County Home Rule Charter at
915 10th Street, Greeley, Colorado, December 6, 1977
at the hour of 9 A.M.
ROLL CALL: The following members were present:
Nancy Clark, President
Bob E. White, Vice President
John T. Martin, Councilman
Floyd Oliver, Councilman
Robert Martin, Councilman
Also present: Observer for the League of Women Voters, Bev
Brown; Commissioner Ed Dunbar; Attorney Robert Ray; Mr. Ron
Richardson; 5 members of the press; and the secretary, Bev
Thomas.
MINUTES: Bob White made a motion that the minutes of the
November 15, 1977 meeting be adopted. The motion was
seconded by John Martin and passed unanimously.
CORRESPONDENCE: Nancy Clark presented copies of the Summary of
Fund Balances for the 1978 Budget. She then read a copy
of a memo from the County Attorney regarding the sale of
county-owned mineral rights. The secretary was instructed
to make copies for each member of the resolution received
from the County Commissioners regarding Approval of the
Weld County Road and Bridge Maintenance and Construction
Plan for 1978.
SEVERED MINERAL RIGHTS: Floyd Oliver wondered if the special-
interest groups interested in the sale of county-owned
severed mineral rights had received copies of Mr. David's
memo. The secretary was instructed to see that they re-
ceive copies of it if they have not already been sent
by the Commissioners' Office.
OLD BUSINESS: •
SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT: Nancy Clark read a letter from Editor of
The Eaton Herald, Mr. Ed Kummer. She also read Sheriff
Bower's response to that letter. John Martin stated that
he continues to receive citizens' complaints regarding the
Sheriff's Department's apparent inactivity and lack of
follow-up. He said that he felt that with the increase
in the Sheriff's budget citizens felt as if they were not
getting much for their money. He said he thought follow-up
telephone calls from the Sheriff's Department to citizen-
victims would improve the Sheriff's Department's public
relations. 770975
County Council Mid 3s tes, Page 2
December 6, 1977
The secretary was instructed to write a letter to Sheriff Bower
expressing the Council's appreciation for the Sheriff's response
to Mr. Kummer's letter and suggesting follow-up telephone calls
be made to victims of crime telling them what steps have been
taken by the Sheriff's Department.
COUNCIL'S LIST OF CONCERNS: Bob White pointed out that the 1978
Election should be added to the Concern's List. He also
suggested that the secretary should continually update the
list as necessary.
Other items added to the Concern's List were 1) election of
the Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners 2) the lack
of a working relationship between the Council and the Commissioners.
Floyd Oliver made a motion that the Concern's List be made a part
of the Council 's records to be available whenever it is wanted
by the Council. Bob Martin seconded the motion and it passed
unanimously.
ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSIONERS: Bob White stated that the
election of the 1978 Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners
at a non-public meeting was a matter of concern to the Council.
He did not see the reason for the secrecy of the new Chairman's
identity. Mr. Dunbar was asked about the procedure used to
elect the Chairman and he stated that the election was an
unofficial action so necessary printing could be finished before
the first of the year. He stated that the Commissioners officially
cast their ballots in January as outlined in the Home Rule Charter.
He added that if the procedure was improper he assummed the
Commissioners would be corrected by the County Attorney.
It seemed to Bob Martin that official action had been taken in
the ordering of printing to be done. It appeared to the Council
that the election of the 1978 Chairman was conducted in a manner
that was not in keeping with the Home Rule Charter. Therefore,
possibly the Charter needs to be revised if a pre-January election
of a Chairman is necessary for ordering supplies. John Martin
suggested that the Charter Revision Committee be asked to check
on the procedure.
Bob White made a motion that the Council ask the County
Commissioners to give specific reasons why the Chairman was not
elected in an open, public meeting. Furthermore, the Council
shall ask the Charter Revision Committee if it is necessary to
revise the portion of the Charter regarding election of the
Chairman of the Board. (Article III 3-5 (1) John Martin seconded
the motion and it passed unanimously.
COUNCIL'S APPROVAL OF 5%BUDGET INCREASE: Attorney Robert Ray
presented a verbal answer to the Council's question regarding
whether Council's approval of a 5% budget increase was required
on the total budget or on individual mill levy funds. Mr. Ray
stated that it was very clear that the 5% referred to the total
County Council Mies re) Page 3
• December 6, 1977
ad valorum taxes. The total revenue derived from the mill
levy cannot increase more than 1 % without County Council 's
approval. He said that the Home Rule Charter provision on
this topic was taken almost word for word from state statute.
He said a written memo on the matter would be forth coming
from his office.
Councilmembers mentioned that this year the Council was told its
approval was required only if the total budget was over a 5%
increase whereas last year the Council was asked to approve
each mill levy fund that was over 5%; namely the General
Fund and Social Services. Mr. Ray said that he thought it
was worth noting that the procedure was different last year.
Bob White made a motion that the Council write a letter to
the County Commissioners indicating approval for this year's
method of referring the budget to the Council for approval
if the total increase exceeded 5%. Floyd Oliver seconded the
motion and it passed unanimously.
Floyd Oliver made a motion that the Council recess to Executive
Session for fifteen minutes to confer with their lawyer. Bob
White seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
MISCELLANEOUS: It was determined that the Council would meet on
their regular meeting date of December 20, 1977.
Mr. John Martin said that two men had contacted him with
complaints about the planning department. One of them was
expected at today's meeting but as he did not come, Mr. Martin
suggested the planning complaints not be discussed today.
HIRING OF AN INVESTIGATOR: Bob Martin made a motion that the Council
meet in Executive Session to interview Mr. Ron Richardson as
many allegations would be raised during the interview. Floyd
Oliver seconded the motion and it carried.
Mr. Neil Best of KUNC voiced his objections to the reason given
for having an Executive Session. Nancy Clark said that at the
next regular meeting of the Council there would be discussion
regarding Executive Session procedure and the comments of the
press would be welcome at that time.
Following the Executive Session Bob White made a motion that
the Council hire Mr. Ron Richardson for an indefinite period
of time for the purpose of doing investigation and research for
the Council at a salary of $10.00 per hour which will include
mileage and other expenses that he may incur. Bob Martin
seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Bob White made a motion that the Council ask Mr. Richardson for
a preliminary or a full report at a 9 A.M. Executive Session to
precede the Council 's regular meeting on December 20, 1977 to be
rescheduled at 9:30 A.M. Floyd Oliver seconded the motion and
it carried.
County Council MCtes Page 4
December 6, 1977
Bob Martin suggested that Mr. Richardson should keep track of
his mileage and hours and should also bring that to the
December 20th meeting.
The secretary was instructed to prepare a letter of introduction
for Mr. Richarson stating that he had been hired pursuant to
Home Rule Charter Article 13:8 (6-7) .
Councilmembers answered questions from the press.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
4-712/ Zaiiia!)
Beverly , homes
Council Secretary APPROVED
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