Larimer County Board of County Commissioners - Administrative Matters 4/30/24

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.”

Mission 
Larimer County government upholds and advances the community’s health, safety, well-being, and quality of life. 

Consent Agenda

Commissioner Chair Kefalas read the items from the Consent Agenda. The commissioners unanimously approved all items. 

1. Intergovernmental Agreement between Larimer County Natural Resources and the Larimer County Weed District
   1. TERM: January 1st, 2024 – December 31st, 2043
   2. NAMED PARTIES: Larimer County Dept. Natural Resources, Larimer County Weed District, Larimer County Board of County Commissioners
   3. TOTAL DOLLAR AMOUNT: $600,000
2. Appointment to the US-34 Transportation Management Organization Board
3. US 287 Corridor Safety Improvements Letter of Support - Support for US 287 Corridor Safety Improvements Discretionary Grant Application
4. Liquor Licenses – 3
5. Miscellaneous Tax Stipulations - 7

Executive Director of the Poudre River Library District Dianne LaPierre reviewed highlights from 2023’s library achievements. 

• The library rebranded itself from Creating Welcoming Spaces for All to The Space to Be. The library has become a community hub, with more people using their local libraries to visit and connect with other people and participate in programs and events offered by the Larimer County libraries. 
• Poudre River Libraries partnered with ISAAC (About ISAAC) for their 2023 Adelante Youth Fellowship Program. This workforce program places young adult students from marginalized communities with professional development opportunities, leadership training and workforce skills. 
• Poudre River Libraries has seen an increase in people using computers, laptops, and accessing the internet. The library is working on improving digital spaces by providing computer and tech classes.  
• Poudre Library celebrated the first birthday of Evie, The Mobile Library. Evie, Colorado’s first zero-emissions electric mobile library, was purchased April 22, 2024. In the first year, Evie traveled 2,100 miles, had 10,006 visitors, and 6,085 items were checked out. Evie helps connect with people in remote locations such as Livermore and Oakbrook Senior Living. 
• In 2024, Poudre River Library will partner with the city of Fort Collins and the Poudre School District to build a community center in southeast Fort Collins on the west side of Fossil Ridge. There will be upcoming opportunities for community, partner, and stakeholder feedback. 

Clerk & Recorder Tina Harris announced the winner of the 2024 Larimer County “I Voted” sticker design contest. In February, local high school students were invited to participate in Larimer County’s “I Voted” sticker design contest. The Clerk & Recorders office voted on all entrants and the top 10 were voted on by the public when polls opened on April 8. Julia Dicks, a senior from Loveland Classical Schools won the contest. Harris said Julia’s design captured everyone’s heart and inspired rank choice voting. Julia’s winning design can be found here. Julia thanked her teacher for encouraging her to submit a design. This will be Julia’s first year to vote in elections.

The Commissioners unanimously approved a Proclamation recognizing May 2024 as Mental Health Awareness month in Larimer County. Laura Walker, Interim Director of Larimer County Behavioral Health Services accepted the proclamation. Director Walker shared some statistics below that can also be found in the meeting packet.

• 46% of Americans will meet the criteria for a mental health condition in their lifetime and half of those will develop conditions by the age of 14.
• Almost 60,000 Larimer County residents reported poor mental health in the past year.
• 42% of Larimer County high school students felt sad or hopeless and stopped participating in activities, 46% felt their stress level was unmanageable, and 20% seriously considered suicide in the past year. 

Commissioner Stephens said this is a great program. When someone is in the middle of a crisis, it feels like you can’t make it through. Commissioner Shadduck-McNally agreed with Stephens and said early intervention is key during a crisis. Shadduck-McNally found the youth statistics alarming and said the county needs to work on eliminating barriers and reducing the stigma of mental health issues. 

The County Manager and Commissioners reported on their activities of the past week. 

The meeting adjourned at 10:45.  

Next Meeting: May 7, 2024 @ 9 a.m. by video or in-person at 200 W. Oak St., 220 Hearing Room, First Floor, Fort Collins.

Question

How will the library district’s Adelante Youth Fellowship Program be promoted for youth to discover it?

*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.