> Meetings & Minutes > 1994 Minutes

PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 1994

ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

(#75)

The Board of County Commissioners met at 9:30 a.m. in regular session with Frank Lancaster, Incoming County Administrator. Chair Duvall presided; Commissioners Disney and Hotchkiss were present. Also present were the following from the Human Development Department: Rena Mackrill, Director; Joannie Schlueter, Administrative Director; Susan Szymanski, Grants Manager; and Shelley McGraw, Office on Aging Director; Donna Hart, Assistant to the County Administrator; and Bill Gordon, County Administrator. Recording Clerk, S. Graves.

1. DISCUSSION REGARDING FUNDING OF RURAL SERVICE BY CARE-A-VAN: Ms. Mackrill provided an overview of the current conflict existing between Care-A-Van and the Human Development Department and the reasons for delay in payment of funds to Care-A-Van; i.e., payment is being delayed until the needs assessment data, which is currently being compiled, is available--anticipated completion date is August 31, 1994. Ms. Szymanski noted that compilation of the needs assessment data was delayed because when the request for proposal for a consultant to compile the needs assessment data was submitted, only one response was received and three are required, thereby necessitating another RFP, causing a month delay. Also, Human Development Staff noted that it has been difficult to obtain the necessary information requested from Care-A-Van regarding rural transportation and the numbers of persons being served. Care-A-Van is concerned about missing a deadline for the Administration on Aging grant and local funding sources need to be identified and secured before this deadline.

After much discussion, Chair Duvall summarized the situation by noting that two pieces of information are needed: 1) When is the application deadline for the Administration on Aging grant? and 2) Who has been identified in the grant for local match funding? Chair Duvall requested Ms. Mackrill to obtain this information, and also to ascertain the level of service being provided in the rural area, and report back to the Board if the grant application deadline is before August 31, 1994.

2. APPOINTMENT AND REAPPOINTMENTS TO THE YSB ADVISORY BOARD:

M O T I O N

Commissioner Disney moved that the Board appoint Kate Brown and reappoint Ron Ayres, Beth Dickson, and Laurie Klith to the Youth Service Bureau Advisory Board, each for a three-year term ending June 30, 1997, as recommended by the YSB Advisory Board.

Motion carried 3 - 0.

3. COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS - ADMINISTRATIVE:

-- Commissioner Disney reported on the "Executive Summary" Presentation Meeting he attended in Estes Park last week and the camera survey which was conducted. Kodak donated 200 recyclable cameras, 100 of which were given to 4 different user groups in July and 100 in September who were told to take pictures of things important to them in the Rocky Mountain National Park. They received a 94% return and are currently reviewing the data--which shows, ranked in priority order: 1) Vistas; 2) Specific Mountains; 3) Wildlife; 4) Water Features, etc. in the Park; there were nine different categories. Commissioner Disney wanted to share this information with the Board as an interesting way of collecting data.

-- Commissioner Hotchkiss expressed appreciation to the Larimer County Road and Bridge personnel for their efforts during and after the recent fire in Pingree Park; they did a marvelous job providing equipment and tankers and getting the road back into shape. The Board requested Mr. Lancaster to write letters of appreciation to the Larimer County Road and Bridge Department and to the Emergency Management Department for their efforts in fighting the fire and to the Division of Wildlife.

-- Commissioner Hotchkiss reported he recently visited the shooting range and it was packed with people, he also visited with the man in charge and was impressed; Commissioner Hotchkiss noted this is a good recreational facility and should be expanded.

-- Chair Duvall requested Mr. Lancaster to help the Board assemble an "on the road" slide show to present to citizen groups showing the beautiful parts of Larimer County, which the Board is attempting to preserve; the Board would like the slide show ready for presentation in August.

-- Chair Duvall reminded the Board they need to begin scheduling meetings with service groups as soon as possible to discuss the vision statement for Larimer County along with a package of implementation tools.

-- Mr. Lancaster stated he has been asked by the Fairgrounds Manager for a decision regarding the Board's participation at the Fair this year; the Board indicated that, at this time, they intend to ride in the parade and Chair Duvall will attend the rodeo. Mr. Lancaster will inform Mr. Holt of the intentions of the Board and determine the mode of transportation for the Commissioners in the Parade.

4. DOCUMENT REVIEW: The following documents, of a routine nature, were considered by the Board:

M O T I O N

Commissioner Disney moved that the Board approve the Minutes for the week of July 11, 1994 and the Agenda for the week of July 25, 1994, as submitted.

Motion carried 3 - 0.

M O T I O N

Commissioner Disney moved that the Board approve Petitions for Abatement, as recommended by the County Assessor, for the following: Team Petroleum; State Farm Insurance; Reflections Typesetting; Tau Kappa Epsilon; Wiant; Milner Mountain Properties; Cebul/Taddonio/Arnold; Kowal; Feldman; Gibson; Trethewey; Hird; ZTI Development Group; Hemeon; and Scavo.

Motion carried 3 - 0.

LIQUOR LICENSES: Licenses were issued to: Rustic Resort - 6% WITH EXTENDED HOURS - Bellvue, CO.; Smoke House & Grill - 6% - Livermore, CO.; Rustic Liquors - 6% - Bellvue, CO.; J.J.'s Country Corner - 3.2% - Fort Collins, CO.; and Red Feather Super Market - 3.2% - Red Feather, CO. County Approval was granted to: Nightingales - 6% - Fort Collins, CO.; Dal-Rae's High Country Inn - 6% - Red Feather, CO.; Custom Cakes and Catering - 6% - Wellington, CO.; and Greater Ram Club Spirit Committee - SPECIAL EVENTS 3.2% License - Hughes Stadium Parking Lot, Fort Collins, CO. for September 10 and 24, October 15 and 22, and November 5, 1994 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

M O T I O N

Commissioner Disney moved that the Board approve the Operating Procedures 320.10A - Indirect Costs.

Motion carried 3 - 0.

M O T I O N

Commissioner Disney moved that the Board approve the following documents:

A94-119 AGREEMENT FOR YOUTH EMPLOYMENT SERVICES BETWEEN

THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND THE CITY

OF FORT COLLINS (Expansion of Youth Conservation Corp/Operation

Brightside Program)

A94-120 WARRANTY COLLATERAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND ROBERT

UNDERWOOD FOR MANOR RIDGE FIFTH FILING

C94-45 CONTRACT BETWEEN THE BOARD OF COUNTY

COMMISSIONERS AND CATHOLIC COMMUNITY SERVICES,

NORTHERN (Renewal Contract)

C94-46 CONTRACT BETWEEN THE BOARD OF COUNTY

COMMISSIONERS AND THE STATE DIVISION OF

CRIMINAL JUSTICE (Funding for Family Emergency Team

Screening Process)

R94-84s RESOLUTION REGARDING RELEASE OF COLLATERAL FOR

MANOR RIDGE FIFTH FILING

R94-85s FINDINGS AND RESOLUTION APPROVING THE CHANGE OF

CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL OF PLAT OF JENKS MINOR

RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT

R94-86z REZONING FINDINGS AND RESOLUTION CONCERNING THE

PETITION OF GLACIER VIEW MEADOWS

R94-87s FINDINGS AND RESOLUTION GRANTING THE VACATION OF

ACCESS EASEMENT IN AVIARY SUBDIVISION

R94-88s FINDINGS AND RESOLUTION ABANDONING THE MASTER

PLAN OF MARY'S LAKE PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT

R94-89s FINDINGS AND RESOLUTION APPROVING THE MASTER PLAN

AND PRELIMINARY PHASE PLAN OF SMITHERMAN PLANNED

UNIT DEVELOPMENT

R94-90s FINDINGS AND RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PRELIMINARY

PLAT OF BOXELDER CREEK ACRES SUBDIVISION

R94-91s FINDINGS AND RESOLUTION TO AMEND A CONDITION OF

APPROVAL OF HORSESHOE PARK FARMS SUBDIVISION

R94-92s FINDINGS AND RESOLUTION APPROVING THE VACATION

OF RIGHT-OF-WAY AND AMENDED PLAT OF LOT 2 IN

ORTON-SULLIVAN SUBDIVISION

Motion carried 3 - 0.

The meeting recessed at 10:20 a.m.

MEETING REGARDING THE FRONT RANGE SALARY SURVEY RESULTS

(#76)

The Board of County Commissioners reconvened at 1:30 p.m. in regular session with Ralph Jacobs, Director of Personnel. Chair Duvall presided; Commissioners Disney and Hotchkiss were present. Also present were: Patsi Maroney, Compensation and Benefits Specialist; Bob Grewell, Director of Finance; Neil Gluckman, Assistant County Administrator; Donna Hart, Assistant to the County Administrator; and Frank Lancaster, Incoming Administrator. Recording Clerk, S. Graves.

Mr. Jacobs presented the Analysis of the 1994 Front Range Salary Survey Results, as completed by the Personnel Department, and the recommendations for the 1995 Pay Plan adjustments. It was noted that of the 31 benchmark positions currently used by Larimer County to apply market-based salary adjustments, only 2 are above the survey average for the minimum starting salary; when ranked in order from highest to lowest paying, Larimer County ranks on average from 7th to 8th out of the 9 front range counties.

In order to make projecting potential market adjustments workable with the current payroll system, five options for market-based payplan adjustments were developed and salary costs projected. Ms. Maroney reviewed the five options for the Board: #1) Attempts full implementation to meet the Front Range Budget Conference (FRBC) averages; 2) Attempts to bridge half of the difference between Larimer County's figures and the FRBC averages; 3) Gives benchmarks a 2-grade increase if they are 10% or more off the FRBC average and gives benchmarks that are off the average by 7.5% or less a 1-grade increase (similar to the plan implemented for 1994); 4) Attempts full implementation with a 10% cap; and 5) Attempts full implementation with a 7.5% upper limit. Another option for the Board to consider is a 3% across-the-board "cost of living" increase, which would provide an equal percentage increase for all employees, but would not specifically address the goal of reaching FRBC averages. The recommendation from the Personnel Department is for the Board to select Option #2 for the 1995 pay plan, as it will move Larimer County towards its goal and reward the employees which are further behind on the pay scale; this plan is more flexible and provides a more efficient approach to having all benchmarks meet the FRBC average. It was noted that whatever option is chosen, the merit program will not be changed.

There was discussion of how long it will take to reach the goal and it was determined that this question cannot be answered as the goal is a moving target. Much discussion followed of the various options and it was noted that merit and plan #2 will amount to an average 5.92% increase for employees and an additional $1,555,551 for the payroll budget for 1995. It was noted that the real question to be answered is: Do we give salary increases and give up employees, or retain employees and not give a salary increase? Mr. Jacobs noted that turnover in Larimer County increased considerably during the past year Chair Duvall directed Mr. Jacobs and Planning Staff to work on a combination of plan #2 and #3 and obtain exact figures and costs; in the interim, these options will be discussed further at the Cabinet meeting tomorrow morning. Commissioner Hotchkiss suggested that maybe Larimer County should "divorce" itself from the Front-Range Budget Conference salary survey and concentrate on paying our employees fairly, provide good benefits, and attempt to keep up with inflation.

The meeting recessed at 2:30 p.m.

PLANNING STANDING MEETING

(#77 & #80)

The Board of County Commissioners reconvened at 2:35 p.m. in regular session with John Barnett, Director of Planning. Chair Duvall presided; Commissioners Disney and Hotchkiss were present. Also present were: County Attorney George Hass; Jeannine Haag, Assistant County Attorney; Gayle Morgan, Planning Staff Services Manager; Jill Bennett, Comprehensive Planner; Dick Anderson, Facilities Manager; Jim Stokes, Director Information Management; Bob Keister, Budget Manager; Neil Gluckman, Assistant County Administrator; and Frank Lancaster, Incoming County Administrator. Recording Clerk, S. Graves.

Mr. Barnett informed the Board that there are four issues for discussion today: Shortage of Space, Work Program, Windsor Annexation, and Regional Plan.

1) SHORTAGE OF SPACE ISSUE: Ms. Morgan and Mr. Anderson reviewed the various options and costs which have been researched for alleviating the current shortage of space in the Planning Department; such as: 1) Install a double-wide trailer in the courthouse parking lot; 2) Rent space in the Opera Galleria; 3) Expand to the existing Emergency Management area; etc. Ms. Morgan stated that, in their estimation, expansion to Opera Galleria would be the best option. Chair Duvall inquired about the possibility of expanding the Planning offices out into the hall; Mr. Anderson stated this is not possible because a four-foot access is required around the corner to the stairwell. Mr. Stokes outlined the expense and difficulty in installing cable to the trailer and noted that the existing parking lot would have to be dug up for installation of cable. After discussion of the options, the Board stated that they are opposed to moving the Planning Department out of the Courthouse; it was suggested that the Information Management offices be moved into the Emergency Management area and Emergency Management be moved out with Emergency Services on north Shields Street; Mr. Anderson will talk to Emergency Management about this possibility. Mr. Keister asked if there were budget implications with this move; Mr. Anderson will determine relocation costs and return to the Board as soon as possible with that information.

2. WORK PROGRAM: Mr. Barnett provided an update on the Planning Division Timeline for Special Projects for 1994-1995 (Work Program). Mr. Barnett noted that the highlighted projects on the workplan outline submitted are currently being worked on or about to begin; the projects with asterisks, are projects for which time, staff, and funding resources are not available; such as, VISTA, TDR's, Land Use Institute, metering, and Laporte rezoning. Ms. Bennett stated that it is possible that the highlighted projects, given the funding level provided by the Board, will be accomplished within a certain timeframe; however, since budget time, a number of additional projects have been given to the Planning Department to either start or consider; these additional projects double the number of projects originally given to the Department. Ms. Bennett reviewed the special projects listed on the outline and when completion is expected for each. Ms. Bennett stated that the revised development fee project is about complete and will soon be submitted to the Board, as well as revised non-combustible roofing regulations. At this time, Chair Duvall asked about the possibility of adding fire hazard mitigation measures to the roofing regulations. Staff responded this is not a simple task, the roofing project is about ready to go, and if they add fire mitigation measures, they will need to start the project over. The Board expressed a desire to add wildfire mitigation and defensible space to the project list and suggested that Erik Nilsson and Bill Nelson be asked to take the lead on this project as they have expertise in fighting forest fires. Chair Duvall noted that the County is expected to pay for the forest fires and it is imperative that something be done to mitigate fires; she directed Staff to inquire what Boulder does with regard to fire mitigation, how they implement it, and try and tie it into the roofing project. Mr. Barnett stated that in order to add this project to the list, they will need to drop a large project from the list of special projects and he asked which one the Board would like to drop. This question was discussed at length and it was decided to drop VISTA and LaPorte Rezoning from the list at this time. There was also discussion of dropping SERG from the project list; however, it was decided to combine SERG with TDR's.

With regard to the utilities project, Ms. Bennett stated that Staff is in the process of having discussions with the fire and water districts and writing code amendments to the water, fire and sewer standards, which are part of the subdivisions regulations; a public hearing will be required before adoption of the code amendments. On the corridor project, this Friday a set of alternative plans will be completed and will be discussed Monday evening at the Corridor Task Force meeting; there will be subsequent meetings and a final draft plan will be submitted for the Board to consider in October. Mr. Barnett stated that metering will become effective in September; Chair Duvall asked why this can't be adopted as an emergency procedure right now, as it is needed now, and if it can be done thru administrative action; Mr. Hass responded in the affirmative. However, it was decided that a meeting regarding metering will be put on the agenda and advertised and possibly held in the evening to allow public discussion on this subject. Staff cautioned the Board that when metering is adopted, it will still be six months before an impact is felt.

Commissioner Hotchkiss noted that the Board has given Planning Staff so many projects and the projects need to be prioritized so Staff will know what to work on immediately. After discussion, Chair Duvall stated that the Board's consensus is that metering should be given top priority; and TDR's be given 2nd priority.

In summary, SERG and TDR's will be combined, the revised development fee project will be presented in August; the roofing project in October, the corridor plan project in November, and the utilities project in December; Staff will proceed with GIS implementation and metering will have #1 priority. Chair Duvall asked about Chapter 70 - Mr. Barnett stated that Chapter 70 would take a full-time staff person and implementation will be controversial. Commissioner Disney requested that Staff also look at site plan review and incorporate some of the VISTA concepts. Chair Duvall requested Staff to research what Jackson County is doing regarding a Special Use Permit for 35-acre building permits.

3. WINDSOR ANNEXATION: Mr. Barnett reported that yesterday he received an annexation impact report from the Town of Windsor for an area that extends into Larimer County; he presented a map of the first cut of a regional map that the six cities group put together which identified the areas each of them consider their growth areas. This morning, Mr. Barnett met with Glen Weldon, Windsor Town Administrator, and was informed that this annexation is scheduled for public hearing on the 19th and 22nd of August, 1994. Mr. Barnett stated that the Board has three options: 1) Ignore it; 2) Meet and discuss an intergovernmental agreement which spells out some cooperative principles; or 3) Fight it. Mr. Barnett requested direction from the Board on this matter. Mr. Weldon stated that Windsor would like to host a dinner to discuss this matter with the Commissioners either the week of August 15 or 22; they do not want to wait on this, they want to respond to the developer right away. Mr. Barnett noted that if we fight, we could lose the battle and then it would be difficult to come back and work on an IGA; Mr. Barnett recommended going to talk to them. The Board will discuss the legal aspects of this matter during legal matters in Executive Session on July 27, 1994, and the Board agreed to meet with Windsor to discuss this annexation further. Mr. Hass apprised the Board that he has been approached by the Poudre R1 School District about this annexation; however, he doesn't think there is a conflict of interest.

4. REGIONAL PLAN: In reference to the regional map previously presented, Mr. Barnett stated that Larimer County needs to have some involvement in Regional Planning.

The meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m.

( S E A L )

________________________________________

JANET S. DUVALL, CHAIR

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

ATTEST:

_________________________________________

Sherry E. Graves, Deputy County Clerk

July 20, 1994