Invocation, Pledge, Call to Order, Agenda Approval
CONSENT AGENDA:
Approval of CDS mylars; vouchers; acknowledgement of CDS Pipeline Report; Appointment of Shane Pynes to the North Central Region All-Hazards Board (filling vacancy created by T.J. Steck’s resignation.)
STAFF REPORTS:
> 9-11 Recognition and Moment of Silence – Also, Commissioners will recognize Elbert County's donation to the 9-11 Memorial & Museum to sponsor a cobblestone on the Memorial Glade on behalf of the Citizens of Elbert County in recognition and appreciation for the sacrifices of 9-11 first responders. (Sponsorship is funded from personal, voluntary contributions from county elected officials and department heads. The dedication will be available on the memorial's website, 911memorial.org.
> Kyrei Zion, Road and Bridge provided an update on current county road work/improvements. Heavy rains around the county have delayed work in some areas. CR 194 from Kiowa Bennett Road to Patrick Trail is receiving asphalt. CR 17 from highway 86 north is receiving asphalt today. Planned road projects can be found here: https://www.elbertcounty-co.gov/road_and_bridge.php#.V_bIhsmeAYl
> Alex Jakubowski, Emergency Management introduced Shane Pynes, new appointee to the North Central Region All-Hazards Board.
> Sherry Hewlett, County Treasurer, announced upcoming public interest items. Her office will be conducting the annual Tax Lien Sale on Nov 19 (back up date of Nov 26). About 430 parcels will be available for auction. Pre-registration for interested parties will be available this year.
> Christina Stanton, CDS Director spoke to changes in their onerous appraisal criteria. Changing language to make plat appraisal easier… can now be conducted by a state certified appraiser. My interpretation, perhaps incorrect, is that folks with fewer hours of state training will be able to perform plat appraisals.
> Dallas Schroeder, County Clerk and Recorder, informed the group that the county elections team will be absent from the county next Tuesday because they are conducting a recall election for Teller County.
The 2019 Elbert County ballot will be relatively short. His office has submitted all required state reports and is in the process of putting the ballot together in preparation for printing. He invited the public to attend two meetings being offered: Oct 2, 7pm, Samuel Elliot bldg. in Kiowa for familiarization on Elbert County’s election processes and Oct 3, 7pm, same location, for the required LAT, or Logic and Accuracy Testing on county voting machines. In 2020, Elbert County voters will receive ballots for the Presidential Primary (March 3), the State/Local Primary (June 30) and the Regular Election (Nov 3). Dallas offered praise to employees in the motor vehicle department who have responded efficiently to a sizeable increase in motor vehicle registrations…up 23% compared to this time last year.
> Sam Albrecht, County Manager, advised commissioners that supplemental budget appropriation requests would be made soon for LEAF (law enforcement assistance fund) to pay off leases, for the Impact Fund (capital purchases), and for the Road and Bridge Fund to repair a hail damaged building in Simla.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
> Resident and retired police officer Stacey Collis acknowledged all first responders in recognition of 9-11 and requested that county commissioners follow through with a budget that prioritizes the safety of Elbert County citizens by increasing the budget for the sheriff’s office. Criminal offenders pushed out of counties with better funded law enforcement departments tend to migrate to areas with inadequate resources for crime prevention. He said the budget needs to match the priority. The department needs to recruit and retain more officers and salaries need to be increased. Commissioner Richardson responded that almost half of the county’s $12 million General Fund goes to the sheriff. Commissioner Thayer said the question always is, “where do we get the funds?” It’s a balancing act because more for the sheriff means less for other departments. Oddly, there was never any discussion of reducing spending. Mr. Collis received clarification from Richardson that seized funds go back to the sheriff. Citizen Marlene Groves stated that the 2019 budget shows lots of staffing increases for other departments and believed the sheriff’s department should receive funding in 2020 for additional staffing. Citizen Susan Shick opined again that leaving $5M in impact fees from the Independence developer on the table cuts into the county’s ability to adequately fund needed county services. She urged the creation of and offered to serve on a citizen’s finance committee to provide elected officials advice and insight on desired revenue sources and spending priorities. Commissioners continue to reject the idea.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
1. IT Project Update – IT Director Jen Grote, County Manager Sam Albrecht, Deputy County Manager Eileen Krauth
A history of past IT issues, improvements to date, and the path for continued improvements were presented. Of note: while no budget numbers were offered, IT is expensive and IT demands continue to grow with constant attacks/hack attempts (even in Elbert County) from foreign entities, warnings from Homeland Security on expected 2020 election interference and GIS upgrades. Approximately 60% of IT’s problem tickets are personnel training issues on software. County is considering how to fund and manage the training issues by departments, rather than through IT. Hiring a webmaster to focus on improving the county website would be ideal, but not affordable at this time. Another project update is planned for December.
Take a look at IT’s presentation with more details here: https://elbertcoco.civicclerk.com/Web/GenFile.aspx?ad=448
ACTION ITEMS:
1. Approval of August 14 and 28, 2019 Minutes – Approved unanimously.
BOARD PLANNING:
Next Meeting: Sep 25, 9AM
1. 4-H Proclamation
2. Craig Curl to present update on East Colorado Small Business Development Center (SBDC), a 13 county partnership that fosters small business development. Curl is the Elbert County representative. See: https://eastcoloradosbdc.com/who-we-are/our-team/
3. Eileen Krauth (Deputy County Manager) is hosting two meetings on Sep 17: a morning work session with contractors who have assessed buildings/facilities future needs and an afternoon session to consider workforce projections in the coming years (no times provided). Meetings are work sessions, public may attend, no public comment allowed. County calendar shows only one meeting scheduled for 1-3 pm in the BOCC meeting room.
Meeting recessed at 10:15 am.
Meeting resumed at 1pm for Land Use Hearing
Reconvene at 1:00PM for LAND USE HEARINGS:
A. Nick French Beekeeping SUR (SU-18-0084)--A request for a Special Use by Review to construct a 40' x 80' x 12' (3,200 sq. ft.) accessory building in order to operate a beekeeping business on property located at 41322 London Drive, Parker
Status: Unanimously approved. No comments from the public.
B. Watts Rezone (RZ-18-0098)--A rezone of a 39.482 acre parcel from Agriculture (A) to Agriculture Residential (AR) for one 10.011 acre parcel and from Agriculture (A) to Agriculture-Two (A-2) for one 29.471 acre parcel at 31041 Private Road 23, Elizabeth, CO 80107
Status: Unanimously approved. No comments from the public.
C. Rampart Heliport (SU-19-0021)--Special Use by Review for the creation of a heliport for wildland fire support, utility construction support, and aerial external load operations on approximately 80 acres located at 21500 County Road 37, Elbert
Status: Unanimously Approved with 10 conditions:
The last seven conditions were developed at today’s meeting based on discussion between applicant, commissioners, and the public. Ten citizens provided public comment, which included concerns about noise and air (dust) pollution, zoning violations, incompatibility with County Comprehensive Plan, fuel storage and ground water protection, surrounding property devaluation and resultant tax base reduction, applicant’s lack of transparency and honesty, failure to engage neighboring property owners, only supporters of the project are county first responders, who the applicant allegedly courted, allowing a commercial endeavor of this type in the middle of agricultural/residential properties, negative impacts to livestock and humans interacting with frightened livestock, potential non-compliance with FAA requirements (applicant believes there are no FAA requirements for him building this heliport and only made application to the FAA a few days ago after concerns were raised by the planning commission, which ultimately recommended approval of the project). Elizabeth Fire Chief, T.J. Steck spoke in support of the project stating he has worked with the applicant on several fire fights and that the eyes from the sky are invaluable in aiding firefighters. In general, citizens supported the idea of an aerial fire-fighting asset in the county, but questioned the county procedures in determining an appropriate location. Basically, Elbert County zoning and land use regulations do not adequately protect citizens’ property and life-style. This applicant had to leave Douglas County when it was realized he had been operating for years in violation of a county code that prohibits the operation of a heliport on agriculture-zoned lands. Citizens must push for zoning regulations that align with their desires.
Meeting Adjourned
-- Susan Shick