Board of County Commissioners Business Meeting - workshop

So let's go ahead and get started with some introductions around the room, please. Jeff Baker, commissioner. Daniella Viadion, commissioner's office. Rhonda Fields, commissioner.

Ali McCord, third and recorder.

Leslie Summie, commissioner. Carrie Warren, Gulley,

Jeni Pinchino, open spaces director.

Yay. Commissioner Campbell is on her way. Okay. I mean, she's here. We just not here. Okay. So Shall we dive in? Yes. Let us dive in. Great.

Well, Dina and I came unrehearsed. So But we are good at reading each other's eye contact. Okay. She will catch me when I need to be caught. So, obviously, you know that you have a fair planning committee.

It consists of 10 members, and it it it's focus is to do all things related to four h public competition and the Farmers of America farm events. So that is their focus when it comes to the fair. They don't delve in the carnival side of things or any of the entertainment. There's solely this kind of agricultural heritage lane that we like to showcase as part of the county fair. The last time the bylaws for this committee were updated was in 2018.

Oh, that's not too bad. No. It's really bad. Were you thinking about it? I was waiting for

because that was the

eighteenth of the year. Right. Yeah. Exactly. You're right.

The inception of the

committee. We

brought the stone tablets in. So it was time for spruce up. And when I think about, like, the big picture of the changes that we are proposing, I would put them in two categories. About 50% of the edits are just good housekeeping things that we needed to address such as additional clarification about the role of the treasurer, electronic communication, and terms of members. And then the other 50% of the edits will have this kinda undercurrent that once I tell you about it, you'll start seeing it.

We we had a a moment in last year's fair as some fairs have, which just were was a bit drama prone. And we needed to make sure that this, you know, group of volunteers would be a a a helpful partner with us in this space. And so just have that frame in mind when you're hearing about some of these changes because I think you'll you'll start to pick up on the threat. The other thing I would just mention is, again, this is work that Dana and I are really proud of because we have spent the last five months with the Fair Planning Committee itself talking through and working through edits. So they have been alongside us for the totality of this effort.

And then poor Daniella got looped in and so did John Christopherson. So we we feel like this is a thorough homework production, if you will. So with that in mind, I'll just flag the I think the five things that I put on the BSR as kind of the the top lines so you're aware of it. Mhmm. For starters, the Arapahoe County Fair Planning Committee bylaws did not have there was no purpose specified for

Just that statement out of context sounds amazing.

Yes. I

love it. Yes. Yes.

A vision.

Right. It

was a vibes based commission. Yeah. Sorry, madam chair.

This great opportunity to specify what this committee focus was. So those are those five bullet points you'll see allowing public input into the four h public competition and FFA fair programs. That's bullet one. Establish and implement policies related to those events and programs. Number three, model appropriate behavior expectations for those engaging in these programs.

Number four, be accountable to the BOCC, you all. And then five, work closely with the county fairground manager and the CSU extension staff as they enforce the four h code of conduct and appropriate behavior expectations. Mhmm. So, again, the Fair Planning Committee members were all in agreement with this purpose, and I think that has really made this work stronger. I'll just keep going.

Mhmm. Unless you guys flag me. Okay. Next thing we did is Dina ran into this last year as she was navigating it. Committee members, whether or not they could be have to be residents of the county or if they could be individuals or spouses who were paying property taxes in Arapahoe County.

Be interested. So the fact pattern we were dealing with was a gentleman who's primary mailing address and residency is actually in Adams County. Mhmm. But their landholding goes into Arapahoe County. And so they are paying property taxes and farming Arapahoe County land, but they physically reside in Adams County.

And we we were of the mindset that that was acceptable as a potential membership. Mhmm. Next thing, we needed to really clarify that, the treasurer who has always been the CSU extension director, was obviously one of the 10 members and that they were serving as a nonvoting member of the committee. Mhmm. So, that was just not super clear, and we needed to tighten that up.

The other thing, and, Danielle gave me the history on this, which was helpful. We had these folks serving one year terms, and now we are proposing that they serve three year terms because I understand that you guys get after this with a lot more frequency than you once did. Yeah. And then the final thing that I would highlight for you is under member we had no specificity about what the actual duties were for all the other members. So we we we said what a vice chair was to do, what a secretary was to do, and what a chair, but we had no specification about what everybody else was supposed to do.

So we, specified, and those bullets are provide a leadership presence during the four h public competition and FFA events by physically attending as many events as possible, developing and understanding the rules that govern four H public competition and FFA. Three, ensuring at least one committee member attends each four H public competition FFA fair event. Partnering with CSU and Open Spaces staff to help foster the positive and supportive culture that is foundational to the programs. Five, complying with all county purchasing and financial policies. Shout out to Todd Weaver.

And then

the sixth one is identifying opportunities when possible to further support the work of the committee and Fairstat by volunteering to take on tasks and follow through with commitments that are made. So that is kind of the the essence. Then everything else I'd say is, like, again, kind of housekeeping housekeeping

stuff. Stuff. Okay. Commissioners? Commissioner Baker?

No. I'll wait. I'll wait. It could be coming.

Okay. Any other commissioner comments, questions? Commissioner Moragalli? Uh-oh. I'm intrigued now. Right. I am. Was like,

he's Can

we go to make him say it?

Right. He's sitting over there like the game room. Like, together. I You got to know.

Say it. Say it.

Say it. No. It's the

right it's not we're on the record. Just like

Go ahead. Give me your warm belly. So I know that there was drama last year. What has that been addressed here as far as or maybe that was a membership question if I remember correctly.

Let me take a stab at it, Dean, and you can augment.

Jazz and brush.

Yes. Exactly. I I think what we realized was that there was just we had moments which added to the drama drama of people not, adhering to the roles that they were supposed to play. Mhmm. So a small example, is that, hey.

We operate, this this committee through a quorum, and you had a moment where one individual was making a choice. So we had to just reset folks to know kind of the roles. Okay. So I'd say that was a piece. There were multiple pieces, but the other piece that I would say that really became known to me is just how important this partnership is between CSU Extension, myself, and this entity, and now the roles that they play in these moments.

The Fair Planning Committee, just to make it really simple, they are the the the gatekeeper on fair rules. So if somebody is stepping out of bounds on what some specific rule in the rule book. That is when this group opines. Okay. When there is a behavioral situation or some infringement on the code of conduct, that is the lane of CSU extension. Okay. And I just don't think that had been articulated so succinctly. Mhmm. I definitely was not aware of this.

It is to me?

It was. Yeah. Me. Yeah. So is that laid out here, or there's just a better understanding of

So in addition to doing this work here Mhmm. We also fix the fair planning book, which it makes this really clear, this delineation.

That's what I wanna do. Thank you, madam chair.

No problem. I Commissioner Baker? Little bit too.

Oh. We'll put we'll go, Dina, and then commissioner Baker. Okay. Thanks.

So where it says we're now requiring, to have presence at fair at those events listed, that's another way to kind of mitigate some of that drama too just, you know, with our four h staff. Everyone wants to clone Hannah. She can't be everywhere at once, so that should theoretically help as well to see that presence. Because to be honest, we didn't have presence from everybody. The parents that have kids in there absolutely, but some we didn't. So I think that that will really help too. Good point.

Thank you. Commissioner Baker? Now he's I'm

I'm ready now just

because I wanted to phrase it the right way. Kudos for the interaction with the current fair planning committee and and members. But there are you mentioned several other groups of of folks as well. I mean, there's CSU extension. There's the state four h. Mhmm. And then there's our founding when I say our, the four h

Arashemont County four h.

Arashemont County four h foundation. And while this is not the place for, I don't think, for a lot of fiscal I I'm glad that Todd gave some 30,000 foot view on following the county's financial things, but I think there's some confusion among the members about who buys what, and then who does that property belong

to. Mhmm. Mhmm.

That's a thank you for that.

I yes.

I Yeah. Commissioner Kim.

Without details. I don't I don't have details,

but I have heard of

this before, and I just want a second Yeah. Commissioner Baker and director Pinginot in getting that sorted out. It's things evolve, and and I think I think the it's interesting. Government sometimes we get something in place and then we go with it. And then we go, oh, no one's updated this in a while. And sometimes it arises out of questions and confusion. Sometimes you go, oh, there's just other changes that are happening. And I think this is a great time to update it and also speaks to how well it has functioned over time. Mhmm. And so Yeah.

It's but I think things are modernizing and confusing, and it's great to get those I as a government nerd, people, which I know you appreciate and others at this table, people overlook the importance of process and clearly delineated processes for purchasing, for votes, for that the distinction between what CSU extension is responsible versus the Fair Planning Commission. Yeah. And I just, I really appreciate this and wanted a second year note on that because as we say, clarity is kindness, and it can make things run very smoothly and expedite and as well as like diffuse disappointment comes from unmet expectations. Sometimes those expectations are set based on history. Sometimes they're set based on misperception or or individual Mhmm.

Desires.

Agendas, maybe. And the question is

to be a little bit more more neutral about it, but there you go.

What have you done or will you do to include not only the fair planning committee itself, but the foundation, the four h leaders, the the FFA. I I don't know that until this meeting or until I read the board summary report that the future farmers of America. Right? Yeah. What role they played in the fair?

Because I don't know that I've ever attended any events or, you know, I don't I'm not as familiar with them as I am with the youth livestock auction, auction, the you know, all of those events, the rodeo queens, things like rodeo royalty. Sorry. Not. But, anyway, so question is, did you already, or are you planning on doing additional kind of of where these may intersect with their rules?

Can I answer? Sure. So I don't have full answers for you, but believe this is the first year they're including FFA Okay. With events. But, basically, they're merging it all with four h. And so FFA, they're in charge of their own rules and stuff, but basically, it allows, a little bit more competition for the kiddos. Nice. And also allows for, yeah, I guess just different competition opportunities, for the kids. So it is kinda weird because for me, because I'm like, I don't New. Don't know anything about that, and it doesn't have anything to do with me.

But it sounds like a lot of the kids do both. Mhmm. So it can help them choose. You know, maybe they can get a little more in there, you know, by by doing them both. So so that's kinda neat. But this will be the first year of, like, me seeing what that looks like. But they should be able to enter in the livestock sale too. Good. So, yeah, just sort of sounds like because I was nervous about it at first. I'm like, what does this mean for us? But

You could see a role in in the homestead. The the the ribbons, you know, the pie or Mhmm. You know, the dressmaking and

Public competition. Poetry? Public competition. Is that what you were looking for? Yep. Yes. Mhmm.

Yeah. Poetry slam. Right. That'd be fun.

It sounds like this is, like, more the merrier

That's right. Kind of true. That's right.

The I guess the only thing that I might be able to add to the conversation is I am just now beginning to wrap my head around the four h foundation and the role that they play. And, I mean, in some ways, the good news is we do have, folks who are part of the foundation who are also members of the fair planning committee. So there is some, maybe useful crossover Yeah. Of of the two. The the foundation, I'm starting to learn more about them because I'm getting ready to make a pitch to them to help us fund the small animal paneling.

Mhmm.

Matt Bixon, Minh, and I are gonna turn on the charm factor and see what we can do to get their support. They, you know, they are I was just looking at their nine zero nine. And, I mean, they're really in the realm of funding scholarships, which is wonderful. And that's the the Ivy breakfast that we attend on an annual basis. So their little their lane has been fairly well defined and pretty in part because of their focus.

But when we do see overlap, I'm I mean, I think all I can say, commissioner Baker, as you typically do for me, you have planted a seed for me to just keep thinking about how these entities overlap and inner intermix. Yeah. So so I don't have any there there for you other than thanks for sparking the thought, and I'll keep my on how they all interact. Sure.

Thank you. Commissioners, anything else? I like it.

Are we gonna be

a thumbs up? Yes. Are we good for the bylaws? Well done. Yay. We have five we have five thumbs up for the bylaws.

Yeah.

Yes. We have five thumbs up, Callie. Here we go. See, little pink on you. Nice and simple.

It's the how your whole day works. Yes.

Right? Yeah.

Oh, damn. My They have the attorney. The attorney just wait. The attorney just raised his hand.

Oh. Remind me of this. Thank you. This would be on consent agenda then for the board to approve the the bylaws. Yes.

Okay. Great. Thank you very much. See? That's why we like them. Great. Come on in. Thank you. We got it. We got all the thumbs. It's gonna be on consent agenda. Thank you very, very much.

Good. We

appreciate it.

Have a good

That motion. I'm here. Yes, ma'am. Commissioner Morangulli. I move that the board go into executive session pursuant to section 24 dash six dash four zero two four b of the Colorado revised statutes to receive legal advice regarding a potential amicus brief in the Yellow Scene Magazine Mhmm. Versus City of Boulder case.

Mhmm.

Second. It has been approved and seconded to go into executive session. All in favor, say aye. Aye. Any opposed? The motion is approved. Thank you very, very much. We're going into executive session.