HomeMy WebLinkAbout770752.tiff RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 100 Leaves
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WELD COUNTY HOME RULE CHARTER
AMENDMENT STUDY COMMITTEE
GREELEY. COLO.
November 16, 1977
The Weld County Home Rule Charter Study Committee met in regular session
in the Third Floor Meeting Room of the Weld County Centennial Center,
Greeley, Colorado, on Wednesday, November 16th, at the hour of 7:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL: The meeting was called to order by Vice-Chairman Verdie Peddycord
in the absence of Chairman Gordon Lary. On roll call, the following members
were present, constituting a quorum of members thereof:
Verdie Peddycord, Vice-Chairman Barbara Sloan
William Butler Blair Macy
Helen Norton Dick Boettcher
Absent: Gordon JAry, Chairman
Wayne Brown
John Kunzman
ALSO PRESENT: County Attorney, Thomas O. David, Assistant County Attorney,
P. Kay Norton, Members of. the Press, one members of the League of Women
Voters, and Secretaries Sandy Moorhouse and Cathy Carter.
Verdie Peddycord asked:for comments on the memo received horn Kay Norton
on sample revisions and amendments of Section 3-8 (4) of the Weld County
Home Rule Charter. The samples concerned the elimination of the ordinance
• requiraukent for contracts while still requiring public input on contracts
involving substantial County expenditures. It was the general consensus
of the members that revision #2 was the most acceptable. It reads as follows:
Amend Section 3-8 (4) (b) to read,:
(b) Enact legislation including such means of enforcement thereof
as shall be authorized by law, and otherwise formally promulgate
county policy. Unless otherwise required by statute, the Board
shall act only by ordinance in matters of legislation, eentraete,
appropriations, and disposition of real property, and by ordinance,
resolution or motions, as may be appropriate, in other matters.
•
Add to Section 3-8 ,(4) (m):
Contracts involving: an expenditure by the County of $2000 or more
and which are not required to go through the bidding process of
Section 14-9 of this. Charter shall be the subject of a public notice,
published in a newspaper of general circulation in the County at
least seven (7) days before the Board meeting at which the contract
will be considered. Any approvals delayed by this process may be
made retroactive by the Board if the circumstances of the contract
so require.
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November 16, 1977
Blair Macy asked what would happen should the Board not approve a contract
that had boon delayed by the process. Kay Norton said the Commissioners__
could make the decision not to participate in the program. Bill Butler
asked if the county could legally operate programs when the contracts were
not approved and signed. Tan David replied that most contracts are on-
going programs through the state or federal government and the county
may not receive them until as long as four months after they have begun.
Kay Norton noted thebig expenditures or purchases are published through
the bidding procedures.
Mrs. Peddycord asked the Committee members if they wanted to get input fran
the Board of County Commissioners and/or the County Council on the practicability
of the proposed amendment. No decision was made at this time.
Bill Butler asked Mr. David if he had cost figures for publishing ordinances
during a one month period for the Committee to consider. Tom said he did
not have them compiled but would do so for the December meeting.
It was discussed whether the Committee wanted to hear from department heads
or elected officials on their concerns with the Charter. A notion was made by
Helen Norton and seconded by Barbara Sloan to invite department heads to
submit written or oral recommendations to the Committee. Discussion was
had on the motion. Blair Macy said it was his opinion that if they did
request more comments, itnay prove more disruptive to county government.
He stated he would like to see the Charter be given a longer time to
operate before many changes were made. Dick Boettcher said he thought it
would be more,appropriate for the elected officials to be invited rather
than department heads. He pointed out the Comnittee had talked with the
Commissioners who serve as coordinators for the departments of county
government and they would be the ones to offer suggestions for changes in
the departments administrative functions.
Tom David advised the Committee that the Charter did not change the functions
of the elected officials offices and the only relationship they have with
the Commissioners is at budget time.
After more discussion, Helen Norton amended her motion stating the elected
officials should be invited to bring written contents on their recommendations
for changes in the Charter. Dick Boettcher seconded the amended motion.
A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously. Blair Macy said he
wanted to discuss Charter changes only. The Conndttee agreed they would
discuss only the recommendations presented by the elected officials and their
affects on the Charter..
Article V, Department of Law, Qualifications
The Committee mnetnbers discussed the wording change in this section. They
decided to amend the Charter to read as follows:
The County Attorney shall be a resident of the County of Weld and
an attorney duly licensed by the State of Colorado for a least
five (5) years immediately prior to his appointment, and shall have
boon actively engaged in the practice of law during such five years.
Outside Attorney
The members discussed the need for an outside attorney to draft the proposed
changes to the Charter to.be submitted to the Board of County Commissioners.
Barbara Sloan said she thought it would be a waste of the taxpayers' money.
The Commissioners would have the wording and legality checked out with
the County Attorney's office before putting amendments on the ballot,therefore
it would be easier to have Kay and Tom draft the amendments. Blair Macy
said he thought it might put Tom David and Kay Norton in an awkward position
if the Committee did not seek outside assistance.
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November 16, 1977
Tom David pointed out the Commissioners could only put five amendments
on the ballot for the 1978 election. There is a question as to the scope
of the amendments that could be offered.
Dick Boettcher said he thought it would be a good idea to have a public
hearing on the amendments the Committee would offer before submitting them
to the Commissioners. Mrs. Peddycord said she thought it would be appropriate
and suggested the first part of the year for the hearing.
Article IV, Departments of County Governments, Section 4-2, Department of
Finance, Central Purchasing, and Personnel (B) (2) (f). Wayne Brown
expressed concern with this section at the last meeting. Dick Boettcher
said that since the problems arose with the city police department he
was sure the city would strengthen their ordinance against employees being
involved with political activity.
Article XIII, County Council
Discussion was had on the relationship between the County Council and the
County Commissioners. Dick Boettcher stated he did not think there could
ever be harmony between the two bodies. Helen Norton said she believed that
constructive non-harmony could be beneficial. Mr. Butler stated he did not
see the situation changing even if there were changes in the make up of
both boards.
Barbara Sloan said she thought they should concentrate their consideration
of changes on Section. 13-8, Power and Duties only.
It was decided to hold the December meeting on the second Wednesday, (14th)
instead of the third Wednesday. There being no further business to discuss,
Verdie Peddycord adjourned the meeting a 7:50 P.M. The next meeting will
be held on Wednesday;. December 14th in the Third Floor Meeting Room of the
Centennial Center.
APPROVED:
WELD CO HOME RULE CHARTER
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