Larimer County Board of County Commissioners - Administrative Matters 3/19/24
by Lee Thielen
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.”
Highlights
Realities for Children received a grant from American Rescue Funding to help create a Healing Sanctuary Campus adjoining the current facility.
The Climate Smart Future Ready Dashboard is developed with plans for action on 17 strategies for a healthier county.
Present: Commissioners Kefalas (Chair), Stephens, and Shadduck-McNally
Staff: County Manager Volker, Tom Clayton, and Sarah Martin.
Also present: Tessa Beaty from the Clerk and Recorder’s Office.
After the Pledge of Allegiance, the Commissioners opened for public comment. Paul Gessler invited the Commissioners to a meeting on Wednesday to discuss establishing a Restorative Justice Court to assist veterans.
Commissioner Stephens stated that there are quite a few specialty courts in the county, including those for Wellness, Drug, DUI, and Competency. The county is considering a Veterans Court. She stated that she wrote an opinion piece recently published in the Loveland Reporter-Herald about the work being done in Community Corrections. Commissioner Kefalas stated that he intended to go to the meeting to examine the idea of a Restorative Justice Court for veterans. Commissioner Shadduck-McNally stated that she recently attended a meeting on Veteran Services at the Veterans Administration Building with other key officials.
After approval of the minutes of the previous meeting and a review of next week’s meetings, Commissioner Kefalas reviewed the consent agenda.
The consent agenda included an Intergovernmental Government Agreement (IGA) with the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, Colorado Parks and Wildlife Division, to provide funding for the aquatic nuisance species program inspections for Carter Lake and Horsetooth Reservoir. The total amount of funding is $650,000 with $350,000 from Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Staci Shaffer, Susan Blanco, Greg Otte, Jeff Swoboda, Matthew Landers, and Gordon McLaughlin were reappointed to the Community Corrections Board. Richard Seaworth was reappointed to the Boxelder Basin Stormwater Authority.
Included in the Consent Agenda was a study for the Poudre Valley Fire Protection District on fire impact fees. Economic and Planning Systems is the company hired for the study.
County provides funding to Realities for Children to add a healing sanctuary campus
Craig Secher, Executive Director and Founder of Realities for Children, and Laura Walker, Human and Economic Health Director, presented plans for the development of a Healing Sanctuary Campus next to the current Realities for Children facility. A gift of 4 acres by a private individual creates an opportunity to add resources for children and youth experiencing trauma after physical and sexual abuse. The non-profit provides emergency services and healing support, and aims to break the cycles of abuse. This land will allow space for healing gardens, outdoor therapy, and a therapy farm. The county has awarded $500,000 for this project which is near the end of funds provided by the American Rescue Plan.
Climate Smart Future Ready prioritizes healthy air as the initiative rolls out
Heidi Pruess, Climate and Sustainability Manager for Larimer County, presented the Climate Smart Future Ready Initiative which is transitioning to action. Pruess said this plan involved considerable community engagement and involvement. The action phase is 2024-2029 with 17 strategies in 4 categories and 24 action items. Reducing unhealthy air days is a priority.
Commissioner Activity Reports
Commissioner Shadduck-McNally noted that Rocky Mountain National Park is starting a pilot program using transponders and annual passes to avoid delays in entering the park. These would not apply form 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. from May to October when reservations will be needed. Shadduck-McNally described how the Blue Moon property, purchased with $1.5 Million from Outdoors Colorado funding, is reusing building materials and is an example of avoiding landfill for demolished buildings.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 a.m.
Next Meeting
March 26, 2024, 9 a.m. at 200 West Oak, Ste. 2200 80521 or live streamed.
Questions to Consider
How many specific courts does our county need, and while veterans may benefit, will court staff be able to spread to meet all tasks?
How will the public be made aware of its role in the Climate Smart Future Ready Initiative?
*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.