CONSENT AGENDA:
-Approval of CDS mylars, voucher approvals, CDS Pipeline Report, County Policy Updates
ELECTED OFFICIALS/DEPARTMENT HEADS/STAFF REPORTS:
-Facilities Assessment Project Update: Deputy County Manager Eileen Krauth reported that an RFP (request for proposal) has been issued for a consultant to work with county staff to do a comprehensive facility assessment (looking at condition, occupancy, systems associated with buildings, ventilation, electrical, plumbing, IT infrastructure, projected growth of county staff, etc.). Outcome of study will be a report (most likely end of 2019) that will make recommendations, options for financing projects, investments in ongoing maintenance, and plans to take EC into the future. So far, there has been significant interest in the RFP; deadline is May 14 with selection of firm planned for June. Commissioner Thayer stated that this study is to include ALL county facilities; Commissioner Richardson stated that the Coroner’s facility, specifically, needs attention.
-County Manager Sam Albrecht spoke about the county currently being in “storm prep mode” for today’s projected weather. County offices closing at noon.
-County Attorney Bart Greer spoke about the research he’s done with county’s animal control history. In 2015, the county realized that there had been no updates since 1999 on ordinance; some language was obsolete. Greer will continue to work on this issue. Citizen Linda Krausert spoke about this issue in Sun Country; Sheriff Tim Norton made an appearance in her neighborhood to address animal control. Sheriff Norton summarized the sheriff department’s response to the recent animal attacks; no other calls about this in the last week. His staff is being “bombarded with calls” about the need for animal control and is working with county on a resolution about how to proceed in the future with this problem.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
-Ed Ingvee (not an EC resident) from Renegade Oil and Gas spoke about monies his company provides to EC via wells owned by Renegade; a lot of wells have been shut down, and he would appreciate any help the county can provide to get these wells productive again. Commissioner Thayer invited him to discuss this more in-depth.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
-Public Works Blizzard Report: Road and Bridge Superintendent Rory Hale utilized a power point to summarize statistics from March 13, 2019 “bomb cyclone” storm; showed many pictures from the storm; thanked his employees and all who cooperated and worked together.
-2018 Supplemental Appropriation Resolution: drafted a resolution to reappropriate funds; County Finance Manager Michelle Schrote reported that most of the reappropriation has to do with the Sun Country Capital Project fund. Sun Country will be broken out into 2 separate funds to comply with government regulations.
-IT Project Plan: per Albrecht, “getting ready to kick off” this project; no updates.
-Employee Referral Bonus Program Policy: per Krauth, the challenge of recruiting and retaining county staff (in particular, sheriff’s deputies) is difficult. Suggested utilizing current staff to recommend/refer others to work in EC; intent is to enrich candidate pipeline.
ACTION ITEMS:
-Approval of 3/27/19 minutes
-Library Board Appointments:
Allen Krenek (2021 term) and Patty Lampman (2020 term) approved.
At this point, Commissioner Thayer rehashed the lawsuit against the county filed by the library district when the county attempted to pre-empt State Library Law, misstating the amount that the library spent on the lawsuit (by double). He then stated that the library board is required to submit “new” recommendations when the commissioners reject a nominee.
Rick Brown: not approved - the reason given by Richardson and Thayer was that Brown had already been declined as a nominee. When asked by Patty Lampman why Brown had previously been declined as a nominee, Richardson stated that it was “a matter of record” and that the “culture” of the library board needed changing. Commissioner Pettitt stated that he was struggling with the IGA between the county and the library. Commissioner Richardson was “disappointed” to see the renomination of Brown. Richardson then stated that it was “like pulling teeth” to get the statutorily required annual reports, and that this report was the responsibility of the library board, which contributed to his denials of Brown and O’Neill. Commissioner Pettitt moved to approve Jill Duvall, seconded by Richardson. Thayer then spoke highly of his time working with Duvall, yet he recused himself from the vote. Pettit voted “aye” and Richardson voted “nay” so Duvall was not reappointed (a tie is a “no” vote). Paula Wilderman approved (Pettit and Thayer voted “aye” and Richardson voted “nay.”) Richardson’s reasoning for voting “nay” on Duvall and Wilderman was because they were part of the library board that submitted Brown’s name.
EDITORIAL COMMENT: This entire library board discussion/spectacle was clearly pre-orchestrated....which violates the Open Meetings Law. The preordained outcome appeared to have overtones of a personal vendetta against Brown and Duvall, which was corroborated by the testimony of a former library board president at a prior BOCC meeting (and is a matter of public record). And why would Thayer recuse himself (the commissioners need to learn the difference between recusal and abstention...and follow the ethics guidelines that one leaves the room when recusing) when he has been off the library board for almost 3 years and would actually have the best insights as to the qualifications and performance of board members submitted for reappointment?? And when will Commissioner Richardson learn to speak clearly into the microphone.....it’s been an ongoing issue.
-Resolution supporting and organizing the 2020 Census Complete County Committee
-Child Abuse Prevention month proclamation
BOARD PLANNING:
-Agenda items for next meeting, workshops/study sessions, pending hearings
LAND USE HEARINGS 1PM:
-postponed due to weather
Adjournment.
-Jill Duvall