City Council Workshops

CORTEZ CITY COUNCIL REGULAR WORKSHOP TUESDAY, NOVEMER 10, 2020, 6:20 p.m. By Virtual Contact – ZOOM 1. The workshop was called to order at 6:20 p.m., through Virtual Contact by ZOOM. Councilmembers present included Mayor Mike Lavey, Robert Dobry, Amy Huckins, Orly Lucero, Mayor Pro-tem Rachel Medina, David Rainey, and Arlina Yazzie. Staff members present were Director of Public Works Phil Johnson, City Manager John Dougherty, City Clerk Linda Smith, and City Attorney Mike Green. There were eight people signed up as participants on ZOOM. 2. City Manager Dougherty spoke about the COVID-19 issues noting that the City is preparing should any employees test positive. He stated that he has had discussion with the various departments on what steps would be taken should the City shut down again. He stated that if the State Governor changes the County’s status from the current ‘yellow’ stage, the City would be prepared. He noted that the City is looking into how to provide daycare for employee’s that may need help due to the school district closing until the first of the year. In answer to a question from Mayor Lavey, City Manager Dougherty stated that a few family member’s of employees that have tested positive, but no current employees are positive at this time. 3. George Tripp was interviewed by City Council for one of the open seats on the Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Advisory Board. Mr. Tripp spoke of his interest of serving on the Board and stated that he loves outdoor sports (tennis, Frisbee golf, skiing, and pickleball, etc.). He stated that he uses many of the City facilities and in answer to a question from Mayor Lavey, Mr. Tripp stated that he has a flexible schedule and would be able to attend the board meetings. Mayor Lavey noted that appointment of Mr. Tripp would be considered during the Regular Council Meeting session. 4. A.J. (Andrea) Dillon, Director of Cortez Retail Enhancement Association (CREA), introduced herself and stated that she is just getting started working with all the businesses/CREA boardmembers. She stated that she would make a full presentation to City Council in January and just wanted to say HI. Council welcomed Ms. Dillon to her new position. 5. Council adjourned at 6:30 p.m., to Executive Session for discussion of a personnel matter under C.R.S. Section 24-6-402(2)(f) and not involving: any specific employees who have requested discussion of the matter in open session; any member of this body or any elected official; the appointment of any person to fill an office of this body or of an elected official; or personnel policies that do not require the discussion of matters personal to particular employees. No decisions were made in Executive Session which ended at 7:20 p.m. 6. Council General Discussion included the request for a future worksession to have discussion on setting up a committee to review the homelessness situation in Cortez. Also, a request was made to add to the regular Council agenda (November 10, 2020), discussion on requesting that masks be worn in the community. City Attorney Green stated that a mask mandate can cause an issue for enforcement. Discussion was held on how the numbers are going up with COVID and Council agreed to discuss the issue further in the regular meeting. Several Councilmembers commented that they would like something done immediately regarding masks being required in public, rather than wait two weeks for the next Council meeting to make a motion on the item. Council will discuss the issue in the regular meeting. The zoom Worksession meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.