Archuleta County’s newly hired director of development, Eva Kruse, spoke to the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) during a work session on Tuesday, April 21, in regard to the current workplace conditions at the Public Works Department office located at 1122 U.S. 84.
The matter was initially brought up by Commissioner John Ranson during the “other items of mutual interest” portion of the work session’s agenda.
Ranson commented that he’s been saying “not now” to the county moving forward with having a new administration building constructed that would house the majority of the county’s employees, noting that he’d like to wait and see what happens with ballot elections this fall.
“But, that being said, I would sure like to throw out — we’ve got to find a solution for their trailer,” Ranson said in regard to the trailer that development services employees are currently working in.
He mentioned that he “knew it was bad,” but was unaware there is no running water or bathrooms available, and that employees are using towels by windows to keep water from leaking in.
“They have nowhere to meet with people,” Ranson added.
He then mentioned that if the county were to start the process of building a new administration building today, it would still take roughly three years before its completion and could have county employees move into it.
He also commented on the sentiment the BoCC has expressed about keeping “good people” employed with the county.
“We’re not gonna keep good people if we are situated in offices like that,” he said.
Ranson went on to say that he does not like bringing problems forward without having a solution.
“But, I’d sure like to start looking at an alternative for their offices,” he said, suggesting the county could rent more office space in the main part of town as a temporary solution.
“We just gotta get them out of there and get them in a decent spot,” Ranson said.
Commissioner Warren Brown asked for clarification on if there were no restrooms available that day at the Public Works offices, to which Kruse explained there were no restrooms available that morning.
She noted that there is only one male and one female restroom at the facility, and that the female restroom was being used for another purpose for roughly two hours that morning, forcing staff to drive to Tractor Supply to use restroom facilities.
Kruse commented that she was unaware of the female restroom being used for another purpose that day.
She then spoke about Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance with the Development Services office trailer, explaining that staff usually helps elderly constituents up and down the stairs.
“It’s not ideal for site plans,” Kruse said, explaining there is really no place for staff to sit down and review documents with constituents for an extended period of time.
“The trailer is not ideal,” she said, noting the two of the Development Services staff cannot be housed in the trailer due to allergies and mold.
Kruse noted the office trailer was intended to be a temporary thing, but that the county has been using it for at least two or three years now.
Brown commented that it has been every bit of that long.
Kruse stated that between mold, mildew, rodents and rain, “it’s not an ideal situation.”
Commissioner Veronica Medina stated that she was “appalled” to learn about this, indicating she was unaware of these kinds of issues at the trailer office, asking why no one has said anything before now.
Kruse noted that it was supposed to be a temporary thing, but at this point she would hate to think the county may still be there once winter rolls around again.
“I’ve never worked in a place where I had to wear, literally, work boots to go to the office,” Kruse said, explaining that when the restrooms are available, staff have to cross a muddy parking lot to get to it.
Ranson interjected, commenting that the county preaches economic development, “and if somebody walked into that as their first visit into our community to invest billions of dollars.”
Kruse mentioned that she has met with multiple people looking to invest in the community, and that once they get here there is really no place for them to sit down and review documents with staff.
“There just isn’t any more office space in the building,” she said.
“If nothing else, I’d like to look for a new location,” Ranson said, suggesting renting more space in town, along with looking at more long-term solutions.
Brown commented that the issue is “not new,” recalling his experience working for the sheriff’s department in trailers with no heat and in cramped spaces.
“It is appalling to me the way that we have chosen and continue to choose to do business,” he said.
Brown went on to talk about separating needs from wants, describing plans for a new administration building as a need.
He explained that he is an advocate for a new administration building not for the sake of liking or wanting to take on debt, but rather to address the two most important parts of taking care of county employees and residents.
“That’s what it is about,” he said, noting the county needs to find better temporary accommodations, but that is not going to stop the genuine need the county has for a new administration building.
Brown gave kudos to county staff for “sticking with us,” noting that, “it’s not less than miserable, many days, depending on the weather condition.”
clayton@pagosasun.com
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