Following an executive session held Thursday, June 26, during a special meeting by the Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC), Commissioner John Ranson motioned to negotiate and enter into a lease with Wyndham for temporary county office spaces that were displaced by the June 12 fire at 449 San Juan St.
The motion was approved by a split vote of 2-1, with Ranson and Commissioner Veronica Medina in favor and Commissioner Warren Brown opposing.
Medina was designated to be the negotiator for the matter.
The county is planning to occupy the Wyndham building located on the southwest corner of Village Drive and Talisman Drive.
Prior to voting on the matter, Ranson indicated he is “excited to move forward” with finding a solution for the county offices that have been displaced.
Brown indicated that he would not support entering a lease with Wyndham with his vote, noting that, “for me, this is a process in timing.”
He added, “I see it differently in the process of timing of how this could be done.”
In response to a question from Medina, Brown explained that the 449 San Juan St. building is “probably not [American Disabilities Act, ADA] compliant,” but indicated that the owner of the building, Ronnie Urbanczyk, will “do whatever is needed to make it happen.”
Brown also mentioned that the county is considering spending “a lot of money” over a two- to four-year period, and that right now the county is not spending any amount to lease the old county courthouse.
Brown suggested the county could wait to have the old courthouse property inspected by a state ADA inspector before a decision is made on a lease, claiming that would take the subjectivity out of the decision if it is not reasonable to relocate in a different portion of the old courthouse.
“I know the board is incredibly appreciative of Mr. Urbanczyk’s generosity,” Brown said, adding that he is appreciative of the work being done in finding a solution.
“For me, this is not an emotional decision; this is a financial decision and money that we could be saving over this period of time,” he said.
Medina commented she was appreciative of Brown’s perspective, while noting, “but to say that the lease … costs us zero to stay there — it already cost the taxpayers upfront when the county decided to sell the building at a very low price.”
Medina went on to explain “that is one of the reasons why the building was sold for a for at a low price, because the piece was negotiated for the county to stay there rent-free, and so that value was calculated into the sales price.”
Medina then mentioned the input received from the county’s other elected officials, noting they were able to tour the potential new location within the 449 San Juan St. building, stating, “It is obvious to just the layman’s perspective of the building not being ADA compliant.”
She commented that Urbanczyk may be “very willing” to do whatever may need to be done in terms of renovations or upgrades at the old courthouse, but some of that cost will “probably be a shock to him.”
She added, “Because it’s gonna cost.”
She noted that Colorado Director of Elections Judd Choate indicated to the BoCC in a previous work session that because the county already occupies part of the building, the state would be unable to assist with any funds for projects needed to meet ADA requirements.
Medina also mentioned that she would defer to the electeds’ preference because they would be the ones working in that space.
“That space is not workable,” Medina said, specifically noting that the restrooms are currently not functioning.
“I’m taking into consideration what the electeds have expressed,” she said. “It’s the right thing to do for the electeds. It’s the right thing to do for the constituents.”
She added that delaying the decision any further “is not doing the right thing,” explaining the county does not have the option of waiting.
Ranson commented, “The sooner we can get back to doing business, the better.”
He added that he agrees with Medina that the county’s decision to sell the old courthouse for $550,000 was “already taken into account.”
He also mentioned that his main concern was that by moving the offices out of downtown, it would take away potential business for businesses that may be struggling during the construction of U.S. 160, noting he’s received feedback that downtown would benefit by freeing up parking and traffic congestion.
Ranson also spoke about how moving the offices to the Wyndham location would benefit the public.
“I think we’re elected to take care of the public,” he said, explaining the Wyndham location has parking and provides accessibility options for the public.
He noted that his decision is based on “what’s best for the public.”
Option to buy
The discussion continued during a July 1 work session, with Medina informing the board there was a “turn of events,” explaining that Wyndham is now offering to sell the property.
“They now do want to sell the building,” she said, mentioning that Wyndham has asked if the county would be interested in purchasing the property, or leasing with an option to buy.
Medina noted that she did not think the county would be interested in purchasing the property at this time, but wanted to bring it up for the other commissioners.
“I’d like to have an option put in there,” Ranson said, noting the county still does not know the size or cost of its new planned administration building, and that he’d “hate” to be in a similar situation a year from now.
Medina explained that she requested a two-year lease minimum, with an option to extend one year.
Medina also explained that, “the lease is now with [Wyndham’s] legal,” and will then be sent to the county for legal review.
clayton@pagosasun.com
