SAGUACHE — The July 13 Saguache County commissioners meeting, the first held since the filing of the lawsuit against commissioners by Valley Publishing for open meeting violations, provided a few surprises last Tuesday.

The meeting opened with mention of an amendment of the agenda to include an executive session to be held for personnel matters and a second session to be held for legal matters later in the meeting. The sessions were not listed on the agendas made available at the door.

Sam Pace mentioned that the first session would be held “for personnel matters,” but did not elaborate, as required by law, on the subject matter of the session. County co-administrator Wendi Maez asked Pace to add the reason for the executive session and, at her prompting, Pace added that the session was for clerk and recorder staff hiring.

A lengthy discussion then followed concerning the posting of the Tessera 1041 application to the county website. The BOCC also heard Mary McClure’s reapplication under Saguache County’s fiscal authority for the Headstart renovation grant. Next on the agenda was the discussion of noise and lighting complaints made by neighbors near Valley View Hot Springs.

The Tessera application was discussed again briefly then the BOOC heard the county attorney’s report. Both executive sessions were held under this part of the meeting.

Gibbons then announced the proper state statute for convening an executive session for legal purposes, adding that the session would discuss the present suit against the county.

Attorney Chris Beall, handling the present open meetings lawsuit with the help of Tom Kelley, stated that legally the executive session for personnel matters should not have been necessary and was not justified.

Commissioner Mike Spearman also cautioned commissioners that they have been sloppy in their bids process and must clean up their act.





For the complete article see the 07-22-2010 issue.

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