Larimer County Board of County Commissioners - Administrative Matters 6/04/24

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

View the meeting agenda and packet.

When available, a video recording of the meeting will be on the Larimer County Government YouTube channel.

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.”

Highlights

Proclamation declaring June 2024 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month to celebrate the hard-fought victories of the LGBTQ+ community and to acknowledge that more work remains in order to achieve full equality, inclusion, representation and acceptance.

Approval of grant agreement regarding American Rescue Plan Collaborative projects sub award to Fort Collins Habitat for Humanity for $1 million to purchase nine lots in the Heartside Hill Development Site.

After the Pledge of Allegiance, the Commissioners opened for public comment. 

• Van Doherty, owner of a vape shop in Larimer County, discussed the increasing popularity of single use vapes and the need for a recycling option. Currently Larimer County only accepts single use vapes if they have been deconstructed into their components and the lithium battery has been wrapped in electric tape. Doherty said this is not realistic and creates a risk of fire from the battery component if buyers place the entire vape in the trash or recycling. He has talked to Boulder County where they have a successful program that accepts whole single use vapes and takes them apart. 
• Charlie Meserlian stated that there has been an increase of 22% in property taxes at the same time that inflation was 5 to 6% resulting in an additional $150 million in property tax revenue. He is especially concerned about low-income residents and that the proposed temporary decrease of around $5 million does not address their problems.

Commissioners Shadduck-McNally and Stephens thanked Doherty for raising the issue of recycling for disposable vapes and the Boulder experience. They will follow up with the county’s solid waste disposal leadership and ask them to contact Doherty. 

Commissioners Shadduck-McNally and Stephens thanked Meserlian for his comment. They pointed to information on the County website about the mill levy and tax credits for 2024.  

Public comment was closed. After approval of the minutes of the previous meeting and a review of next week’s meetings, Commissioner Stephens reviewed the Consent Agenda that was unanimously approved.

The Consent Agenda included agreements, tax relief and stipulations, liquor licenses, retail marijuana store and cultivation licenses, and other county fees and certifications. Notable items included:  

• Midterm Appointments to the Open Lands Advisory Board for Debbie Hayhow and Jim Wurz beginning June 4, 2024 and ending June 30, 2026. 
• Appointment to the Open Lands Advisory Board for Wes Knoll for a full three-year term beginning July 1, 2024 and ending June 30, 2027.
• Approval of projects to use unexpected oil and gas revenues for 2024 based on Commissioners’ priorities to address air quality, oil and gas environmental impacts, and to provide housing stability support for residents who rent rather than own their homes since they did not benefit from the temporary mil levy credit. Staff presented various alternatives that could be supported with these funds at a Work Session on March 20, 2024.

Proclamation declaring June 2024 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month to celebrate the hard-fought victories of the LGBTQ+ community and to acknowledge that more work remains in order to achieve full equality, inclusion, representation and acceptance. Commissioners heard from Laura MacWaters who serves as the Vice Chair of the County’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board. She spoke about the importance of the proclamation and raising its visibility given the ongoing assault on the LGBTQ+ community. Kimberly Chambers, founder of NOCO SafeSpace and Executive Director for Larimer County of Splash Youth of Northern Colorado, also supported the proclamation and asked for additional county resources, especially for behavioral health. 

Commissioners Shadduck-McNally and Stephens and County Manager Volker recognized the importance of celebrating Pride Month and how the county can do better going forward. They thanked everyone who joined the meeting in person and MacWaters for serving on the Advisory Board. (photo)

Approval of grant agreement regarding American Rescue Plan Collaborative projects sub award to Fort Collins Habitat for Humanity for $1 million to purchase nine lots in the Heartside Hill Development Site. Alia Rodriguez, Housing Stability Program Manager for the county discussed how the lots will support Habitat for Humanity and their partnership with Poudre Schools to build the houses. Kristen Candella, Executive Director of Fort Collins Habitat for Humanity, elaborated on the partnership with Poudre High School where 1000 students have helped build homes over the past 9 years providing valuable career and volunteer experience. The grant will allow 1000 more students to participate in the program and 9 new homeowners will have an affordable place to live.

The Commissioners and County Manager recognized the importance of affordable housing in a fast-growing community like Fort Collins. They asked about funds for construction and heard that Fort Collins Habitat for Humanity invests in raising $350 thousand to build each home through support from businesses, the community and County. Commissioners also asked about the opportunity for homeowners to build equity. Habitat for Humanity has a shared appreciation model with a fixed appreciation schedule that provides an opportunity for homeowners to build equity.

County Manager Update. County Manager Volker reported on representing the County at last week’s Colorado Counties, Inc. 2024 Summer Conference. She coordinated with county leadership and met with the organization’s head to discuss common interests.

Commissioners in the Community. Commissioners Shadduck-McNally and Stephens reported on meetings and community events they attended.

The meeting was adjourned for an executive session at approximately 10:25 am to cover two items. First they received legal advice and made a decision regarding the Estate of Ryan Wayne Harmon, et al vs. Board of County Commissioners for the County of Larimer, et al. The decision will be reported in the minutes. They also met to discuss purchase of real or personal property related to open space with no decisions to be made.

Next Meeting

June 11, 2024, 9 a.m. at 200 West Oak, Ste. 2200 80521 or live streamed.

Questions to Consider

What actions can Larimer County government and citizens take to achieve full equality, inclusion, representation, and acceptance for LGBTQ+ citizens?

What additional steps can Larimer County take to provide affordable housing?

*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.