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HomeMy WebLinkAboutbocc.min.ws.10102006 PITKIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION AGENDA RIO GRANDE CONFERENCE ROOM TUESDAY. OCTOBER 10, 2006 1:00 PM 1. Site Visit at Airport (Meet at Plaza 3 at 12:45 for transportation to site or meet at I :00 pm at the Airport Operations Center) 2:15 2. Preparation for Meeting with USFS 2:45 BREAK 3:00 3. 2007 Budget -Trends and Issues with Section Leaders 4:00 4. Memos of Interest Future Agendas/ Agenda Requests/Monthly Calendar BOeC Open Discussion ADJOURN 5:00 MINUTES OF WORK SESSION Date: October 10, 2006 Meeting Start Time: 1:00 pJ;>N APPROVED BY BOCC I/-h--O C. Commissioners present: o Patti Clapper IZI Dorothea Farris IZI Commissioner Hatfield o Commissioner Ireland IZI Commissioner Owsley Commissioners not present: IZI Patti elapper o Dorothea Farris o Commissioner Hatfield IZI Commissioner Ireland o Commissioner Owsley WORK SESSION ITEM: Site Visit at Airport STAFF DIRECTION: The Board viewed the potential site for earthwork at the south end of the runway. Staff was present to answer questions. Discussion ensued. COMMISSIONER IRELAND JOINED THE MEETING AT 2:10 PM. WORK SESSION ITEM: Preparation for Meeting with USFS STAFF DIRECTION: The Board and staff identified the following topics for the upcoming joint meeting: I. Lincoln Creek Project 2. Hunter Creek Toll Road 3. Schedule A road maintenance 4. Drilling impacts of surface issues (Gustafson letter) 5. Status of campground closings 6. Status of the sale of public lands (overlay zone for public land) - need to do the zoning 7. White River Travel Management Plan - status of 90 day extension request 8. Status of Congdon issue 9. Update on the Forest Management Plan 10. Update on the Ajax communications site requests COMMISSIONER CLAPPER JOINED THE MEETING AT 2:40 PM WORK SESSION ITEM: 2007 Budget - Trends and Issues with Section Leaders STAFF DIRECTION: Commissioner Ireland opened the discussion on Trends and Issues by asking Section Leaders to tell the Board the most important issues. Phylis Mattice responded that they are affordable housing, transportation and wages. We are becoming less competitive while other employers are becoming more competitive. She cited the example of a County equipment operator who quit to work for the Town of New Castle and was only making 50 cents an hour less, and cutting his commute by three hours. We hear from employees that 4% increases do not keep up with the cost of living. Commissioner Ireland asked for an estimate of how much more it takes to overcome the commute barrier. Ms. Fletcher told the Board that the eity of Aspen has launched an aggressive housing program, and wants to be in a position to house their entire workforce within ten years. Commissioner Ireland asked whether our recruiting problem was uniform across the pay scale. Ms. Mattice responded that it is hitting harder at the bottom, but is starting to affect higher paid professional positions. Ms. Fletcher noted that the City of Ft. Collins has same pay range as Pitkin, while the cost of living is very different. eommissioner Ireland would like the total cost to properly fund salaries to retain workforce. Discussion ensufed regarding providing employee housing for County employee vs citizens and the political implications of this, as well as where this housing would be located, and the issue of losing housing when no longer employed. Commissioner Ireland raised the issue that as employees become more remote, it is more difficult for them to be part of a community. Commissioner Ireland would like data on the 10% turnover rate. 1 .Commissioner Hatfield raised the issue of sustainability, and stated that just offering money will not attract people. He would like to focus on a downvalley satellite office, since he doesn't foresee increase in revenues. Commissioner Ireland asked Section Leaders to assess how a downvalley office would facilitate recruiting. Ms. Mattice responded that we are already advertising whether the job opening is in town or at Public Works or the Airport. Commissioner Owsley suggested that housing and employment challenges are happening everywhere, and besides offering housing and higher wages, a third alternative is to reduce services. Ms. Fletcher noted that we tried to operate in that philosophy, but it was impossible to implement because neither staff nor BOCC are very good at saying no. The attempt to reduce plowing services up the Frying Pan failed because citizens demanded the services. Commissioner Ireland said that nevertheless, we have to constantly re-examine what we can stop doing. Commissioner Ireland commended Janice Vas-Caudill on the excellent job done on reaching out to community to register to vote and noted that the Clerk's Office has become more expensive to maintain because of unfunded mandates. Mr. Isaac reported that the Assessor's office predicts a 25-50 % increase in valuations, and that this is also a result of growth and approvals coming from other jurisdictions. He also cited the challenge of compatibility issues with elerk's software. Commissioner Ireland stated that he liked the idea of establishing caucus council. Ms. Fletcher said that both Ms. Sundeen and Ms. Houben want to explore the role of the caucuses and how we can better utilize the caucuses. Commissioner Farris said she strongly supports this and thinks it needs to be a priority. Ms. Fletcher stated that Community Relations has been using caucuses to get feedback and wants to develop more interactions with caucuses. Commissioner Ireland suggested we take advantage of Nan Sundeen's and Pat Bingham's broadcasting skills. Commissioner Owsley would like Community Relations to work to get citizens to attend BOCC meetings, so the public can see how the Board grapples with these issues. Ms. Fletcher stated that Community Relations is already doing this and working with reporters to establish relationships. The Board requested a breakdown of how the Community Relations Specialist distributes her workload throughout the organization. Commissioner Ireland questioned that there is an increase in the need for business based decision making. Ms. Fletcher stated that we need to do a thorough business based analysis on our services so the Board can make informed decisions, based on public policy. We aren't a business, but we do have to weigh the fiscal implications of everything we do. eommissioner Ireland requested an FTE count from HR that is comparable year to year. Commissioner Hatfield stated that not everyone accesses the web so we still have to serve people in person. He advocated increasing the use of Channel II to transmit public information. Commissioner Ireland stated that the public has to understand we aren't going to be able to do everything on the web. Commissioner Owsley would like to have wireless access in the Rio Grande meeting room, so packets can be accessed on line by more than one person. Commissioner Ireland asked Lorrie White what the trends and issues for the SO are: Ms. White outlined: better work space, keeping the training budget intact, support in going through succession process for turnover, better hiring wage, and support meeting new mandates and citizen demands. 2 Kathy Chandler cited the trends and issues for the Library: steady course with mil levy increase, continuing re- , indexing the collection, getting the new self checkout system up and running, and switching the collection over. The staffing level is comfortable. They were hoping to start opening an hour earlier, but this will not be possible until the re-indexing is done next year. There has been a doubling of the homeless population with an increase in unpleasant staff interactions. Ms. Fletcher stated the top three issues for Community Development are jurisdictional relationships and the goal to continue to nurture relationships, defining caucus roles, and office space. Commissioner Hatfield asked for a larger discussion on the surcharge for the E9 I I board. Ms. Fletcher stated that this information would come back to the Board in a memo of interest. Commissioner Ireland stated the Board is very appreciative of the work that staff and Section Leaders have done for the budget process. WORK SESSION ITEM: Memos ofInterest STAFF DIRECTION: I. 2007 Memberships and Dues - informational only, no direction needed. Commissioner Hatfield questioned the Water Quality and Quantity Committee membership. Discussion ensued. The Board requested that Rose Ann Sullivan and John Ely provide the Board with an opinion about service. 2. The Board requested a staff update from the County Attorney regarding the River District. 3. Letter from eDOT to Jeffrey Evans - informational only, no direction needed. WORK SESSION ITEM: Future Agendas/Agenda Requests/Monthly Calendars STAFF DIRECTION: I. Joint meeting with Eagle County and Town of Basalt re: annexation has been scheduled for Monday November 13th at the EI Jebel Tree Farm (4-6pm). Pitkin County will provide light refreshments. 2. Ribbon cutting for Lime Kiln project - the Board directed staff to find time in late October for this event. 3. CDOT Media Elected Officials Tour of Maroon Creek Bridge on Oct. 26th I I :30 am to 12:30 pm. Commissioner Owsley will attend. 4. Carl Bergman request for November 14th work session. Discussion ensued and the Board stated a preference for the Historical Society staff to resolve this issue. Ifnot, they will meet with Mr. Bergman and staff on November 14th. WORK SESSION ITEM: Open Discussion STAFF DIRECTION: I. City Ballot Questions - staff distributed parking plaza utilization infornmtion. Support transit. Support placement of recycling center on ballot. 2. School Spending Issue - distribute school response and information. 3. WCMHP sprinkling issue - the Board discussed the issue and concerns about locating manufacturers for replacement and new homeowners. Commissioner Ireland supported staff identifying and organizing the information and making it available to the homeowners. The Board directed a letter to the Fire Marshall requesting an information packet. 4. Airport Earthmoving Permit - Lance Clarke was present to check in with the Board about the permit request. The Board directed staff to issue the permit with the acknowledgement that further work is at risk if the Master Plan Amendment is not approved. 5. P&Z acknowledgement - Commissioner Clapper will follow up with staff to initiate planning. 6. Staff updated the research done on the recent political e-mail received by many county staff. 7. Dumpster overflowing at airport - compliance with bear ordinance. 3 . 8. The Board requested an update on the Dean Settlement from the County Attorney's Office. . 9. Commissioner Hatfield requested an updated copy of citizen board members. 10. Commissioner Farris updated the Board on the CCI Legislative Committee meeting. Staff will forward the draft affordable housing legislation to Commissioner Farris to forward to CCI staff. I I. Commissioner Farris updated the Board on the recent Crystal River Caucus meeting. Adjourned at 4:55 pm. Prepared by: ih' dlv~ Hilary Fie c er, County Manager 4