Larimer County Board of County Commissioners - Administrative Matters 1/30/24

For more information (including members in attendance) see the full notes document here.*

View the meeting agenda and packet.

A video recording of the meeting is available here.

From the Board of Commissioners website:

“Larimer's three-member Board of County Commissioners is the main policy-making body in the County and works to represent the interest of the citizens of Larimer County at local, state, and national levels. Commissioners are elected at large from one of three geographic districts for four-year staggered terms. In Larimer County, Commissioners are limited to serving three four-year terms.”

Commissioner Kefalas opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance at 9 a.m.

Key Points

• The Acute Care Facility at Longview opened on December 2 and has already served 887 clients. They reached capacity for beds within 23 hours.
• The Commissioners passed a proclamation commemorating Black History Month.
• The county will work with the Homeward Alliance to identify a consultant to prepare a regional strategic plan on homelessness in the county.

Public Comment

Cindy Burkhardt from the Larimer County 4-H Foundation addressed the issue of the bake sale at the 4-H Carnival. The Ranch manager has chosen not to allow the sale of home baked goods. She proposed an open meeting to see what the public desires on this issue.

After Approval of Minutes and a review of the Commissioners’ schedules, Commissioner Kefalas stated that he will inquire with the County Manager and the Ranch Director to see what is getting in the way of a resolution on this issue.

Consent Agenda

The Consent Agenda included the decisions on 10 refund of taxes petitions. These occurred in 20-21 and 21-22.

Agreements approved under Consent Agenda:

• Amendment to Grant Agreement between CARE Housing for Civil Construction and Associated Costs for a Community Building and Affordable Housing Units in the Heartside Hill Site modifying reporting requirements.
• Amendment to the agreement between Larimer County and The Matthews House for the Operation of the Youth Shelter that modifies reporting requirements.
• Pass-through grant for Larimer County Natural Resources to serve as a fiscal sponsor for Colorado State University for the Phemister Trail and Bridge Project.
• Development Agreement between the Board of County Commissioners and Todd and Janet Jones dividing a 35-acre parcel into two lots.

A Letter of Support was approved for Windsor’s SH 392 Safety and Mobility Corridor Project to the Federal Highway Administration.

Black History Month

The Board approved a proclamation commemorating Black History Month 2024. The proclamation acknowledges the significance of Black History Month as an important opportunity to commemorate the tremendous contributions and legacy of all Black Americans who have shaped the history of Larimer County and our nation.

A photo was taken of the Commissioners, the County Manager, and the proclamation.

Summitstone offers update on the Acute Care Facility at Longview

SummitStone Health Partners provided an update on the work of the Longview facility which opened December 2, 2023. Laura Walker, Human and Economic Health Director for Larimer County, introduced Michael Allen, CEO of SummitStone, and Dr. Leslie Brooks, Medical Director for Longview.

The facility has only been open for 60 days but has already seen 887 clients. They were at capacity for the beds available within 36 hours of opening. They are focusing on walk-ins -- which is currently 76% of the clientele. The first patient who walked in stated, “I am here to get sober.”

The clients served included 43% female, 57% male, with most ages 17-65. They had 6 clients under the age of 10 years old. They are tracking veterans and where clients live.

They currently have 10 exam rooms and 24 crisis stabilization and withdrawal beds. They will be expanding to an additional 16 residential substance use treatment and 16 additional crisis and withdrawal beds.

They said they will not turn people away and will instead work to find clients a bed with partners, if needed.

They are at 97% of staffing and intend to have 180 total positions for the facility.

They use peer support, termed “lived experience” staff, who are key to the organization.

For accountability and transparency, they have a Quality Committee and a Finance Committee, both of which include Larimer County staff.

They work with UC Health in adopting a Medical Records System called EPIC. Now information about clients is available to both partners. This partnership is seen as very important to client success.

County agrees to help make a plan for area homelessness

Larimer County will manage the Request for Proposal (RFP) for Homeward Alliance to identify a qualified consultant to create a regional strategic plan to address homelessness in Larimer County. The project will be managed by the Homeward Alliance for Larimer County. It is anticipated to take 60-90 days to award the contract. It will include information from the studies and strategies of Loveland, Fort Collins, and Wellington.

County Manager Update

County Manager Lorenda Volker stated that Employee Recognition Events had been held in the County Offices and the Sheriff’s Office. She appreciated the Human Services tour where artwork done by children is shown in areas where children are served.

Commissioners Activity

The Commissioners highlighted many meetings, events, and political/policy engagement from the week. This included a dedication of two homes built by Habitat for Humanity. The Red Feather Lakes Committee included 60 people who heard from Liane Jollon and Dr. Paul Mayer from the Health District of Northern Larimer County.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:53 a.m.

The next meeting will be on February 6 at 9 a.m.

Questions

1. When will the strategic plan for homelessness in Larimer County be finished?
2. Can the Acute Care Facility at Longview keep up with the demand for services in the future? How will it manage the demand for staff?

*Citizen Observers further the commitment of the League of Women Voters to its principle of Citizens Right to Know, however, we are not acting as journalists. Omissions and errors are possible. It is assumed that users of this information are responsible for their own fact-checking. This could include contacting a government clerk, conversing with an elected official or staff, and/or asking us to speak to the Observer who attended.