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WELD COUNTY COUNCIL
January 20, 2014
The Weld County Council met in regular session in full conformity with the Weld County
Home Rule Charter, Monday, January 20, 2014, at the Weld County Administration
Building, Greeley, CO.
ROLL CALL: The meeting was called to order by Councilman Don Mueller and
on roll call the following members were present, constituting a quorum of members
thereof:
Councilman Don Mueller
Councilwoman Marge Klein
Councilman Brett Abernathy
Councilman Bernard C. Kinnick
Councilman Jeffrey Hare
Also present: Eric Berglund of Upstate Colorado, Karleen Watson, Council Secretary
and Cathie Johnson secretary in training.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Councilman Hare made a motion to approve the
January 20, 2014 agenda with the amendment of the approval of minutes from October
21, 2013. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Klein and carried.
REVIEW PROGRAM: Eric Berglund of Upstate Colorado Economic Development
described Upstate Colorado the county economic trends. Countywide nonprofit
economic development corporation formed as a partnership between government,
business and education throughout Weld County. Governed by a 13 member Board of
Directors (7 private sector, 6 public sector). Economic development is the creation of •
primary jobs and a healthy tax base. This is done by attracting and retaining primary
employers that invest in Colorado. The purpose of economic development is to
positively affect economic change by generating community wealth, diversify the local
economy, increase job opportunities and higher wages, preserve and grow business
and personal incomes and build a strong tax base.
Upstate Colorado operates under four pillars. The first pillar is marketing by having a
regionally compelling brand, prospects are sought proactively and leads are responded
to. The second pillar is Connect. Mr. Berglund explained that by retention and
expansion, research and data and prospect visits connections are made. Pillar Three is
to facilitate by incentive packaging, tool management, negotiating, completing
applications and receiving approvals and workforce development. The fourth pillar is
advocating leadership by driving positive change through useed fund" projects,
networking and best practices with local elected officials, legislative monitoring and
influence by testifying at key hearings in front of the legislature.
2017-2899
Weld County Council
January 20,2014
Minutes
Mr. Berglund explained that the site selection process is a focus for potential
businesses. Businesses try to identify a location that enables a company to be profitable
in its market. Does the community have and retain the talent needed by a business.
Labor, education and quality of life among the other factors businesses take into
consideration.
The Upstate Colorado 2013 preliminary results show in the market area there are 58
new business leads. The state has practiced proactive outreach and industry specific
profiles such as energy, manufacturing, health &wellness, agricultural/food processing
and business services. In the connect area, there has been 47 retention calls that
resulted in 29 expansion projects. Also funded three loans totaling $1,400,000 and 214
positions. Upstate Colorado facilitated by working with the State Incentive Project for
Lincoln for$532,000. New companies for a total of 145 jobs and $60.7 million invested.
Expansions of companies have resulted in 1,145 new jobs and $58 million invested and
1,837 existing jobs retained. Companies provided assistance to: FMC Technologies,
Nobel Energy, BioChar Now, Sanjel, Heartland Renewable, Pro Media leads and Cargill
Steel most recently. Regional Efforts include Northern Colorado/Upstate Colorado,
Metro Denver EDC, Weld/Larimer business loan fund, weld/Adams sector and H1 B
grants,
Mr. Berglund stated that the economy is currently solid, steady and unspectacular. The
Flood of August 2013 impacted this area because money was no longer available for
fun/entertaining spending which impacted the economy locally. However, Federal
Dollars have gone to aid in the repair of our infrastructure. Our area should continue
growth by 2.5%, real estate availability is a challenge, labor force and wage rates did
not keep up with increased skills demanded by employers. Background checks are not
being passed by potential employees. The political uncertainty has impacted Colorado
in the news, as well as wildfires, floods, continued implementation of recreational
marijuana, rejection of school tax shows that the educated workforce may not be
supported. School shootings have impacted Colorado in the news also. Mr. Berglund
explained that after five years of expansion, the next recession begins in 2016.
Mr. Berglund provided a fact sheet entitled "Weld County: On the Map!"which shows
highlights of job opportunities in Greeley and Weld County Communities.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Councilman Klein made a motion to approve the
December 16, 2013 Minutes. The motion was seconded by Councilman Kinnick and
carried. Councilman Kinnick made a motion to approve the October 21, 2013 Minutes.
The motion was seconded by Councilman Hare and carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None at this time.
OLD BUSINESS: Councilman Kinnick provided a report regarding a request from
Mr. Christopher P. Robbilard. A lawsuit filed by Mr. Robbilard was dismissed in 2012.
A second lawsuit filed in 2013 is pending in District Court awaiting a decision. Once
that is handed down, then the council may revisit this issue. Councilman Kinnick will
Weld County Council
January 20,2014
Minutes
send a letter to Mr. Robbilard regarding the Council's decision not to pursue an
investigation. He is no longer employed by Coroner's office. Motion by Councilman
Abernathy not to consider the request for an investigation at this time due to pending
litigation. A letter to Mr. Robbilard will be sent by the Council President, subject to
approval by Bruce Barker. The Motion was seconded by Councilman Kinnick and
carried.
Councilwoman Klein made a motion to pay bills. The motion was seconded by
Councilman Kinnick and carried.
NEW BUSINESS:
Coordinator Reports—none at this time
Nomination of Councilwoman Klein by Councilman Kinnick and vote taken.
Councilwoman Marge Klein was elected the new Council President.
Election of Council Vice President— nomination of Councilman Abernathy for Council
Vice President by Councilwoman Klein and was seconded by Councilman Kinnick. The
vote was unanimous in favor of Councilman Abernathy for Vice President.
The 2014 Council Coordinator Assignments were set. The 2014 Meeting Review
Programs and Meeting Planners were decided as well as the 2014 Meeting Locations.
Due to a Special Meeting on January 9, 2014, the Council hired a new Weld
County Council Secretary. Councilman Kinnick made a motion to approve the hiring of
Cathie Johnson as Weld County Council Secretary. Councilman Abernathy seconded
and the motion was carried.
ADJOURNMENT: By acclamation, the meeting was adjourned at 8:06 p.m.V)/(January 20, 2014 Council President Mueller
i1 _
Coun ii Secretary Kar een Watson
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