• Three residents living along Last Chance Road in Peach Valley spoke with Commissioners to express extreme concern about a change to their road’s name without their approval or input. Each talked about not having been contacted by the county about the change, which they had recently learned about when county staff arrived to put up new signs on location. Commissioner Atchley explained that while the Commissioners made the decision, they had understood that residents were informed and were in agreement. He was assured by the residents that this was not the case and responded that he’d look into the matter.
• Paonia Town Administrator Ken Knight asked Commissioners to waive an impact report for an unidentified development were possible annexation is being investigated. Knight argued that the area in question has had a great deal of prior study already done. He said that he didn’t want to specify the applicant or the location (except to say that it was close to the bridge on Samuel Wade Road) to deter speculation. Commissioners agreed to waive the impact report.
• Commissioners adopt a new policy designed to improve how open meetings are conducted. The policy’s keystone elements include:
1) Notice will be given for all meetings where a quorum of commissioners is present to discuss county business and where decisions may be made.
2) Meeting notices and agendas will be posted at the Delta County Courthouse entrance and at the North Fork Annex (new posting site) with, at least, 24-hour public access. A copy will also be included on the county website, “as technology allows.”
3) A detailed agenda will include all known presenters and as will be as descriptive as possible at the time of the posting.
4) Each agenda item will be given a clearly identified time slot.
5) Additions and changes within the 24-hour notice period are permitted only under special and unusual circumstances, and must be justified on record.
To further improve transparency, County Commissioners have agreed to set up a task force to investigate what staff and technology would be needed to put documents included in public meetings on the county’s website along with posted agendas.