During a work session held by the Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC), County Manager Jack Harper provided an update on the status of a potential lease for the county to occupy the Wyndham building located at the corner of Talisman Drive and Village Drive.
Harper also noted that he will be the project manager and will work with potential contractors and insurance representatives in regard to work to be done at the old county courthouse located at 449 San Juan St., which was the target of the June 12 arson attack, displacing multiple county offices and disrupting county services.
“That’s the most important thing I got going on,” he said, explaining that County Attorney Cathleen Giovannini would also be assisting in coordinating with the county’s insurance provider, County Technical Services Inc.
Harper indicated that Public Works Director Mike Torres and Building and Grounds Manager Daniel Matyniak will be assisting in coming up with the “scope of work for what they’re gonna do,” along with developing a timeline for that work.
Harper went on to comment that Giovannini “is still working diligently with Wyndham on the potential lease.”
Commissioner John Ranson asked if the county were to indicate it wants to be in the building by a certain date if that would help accelerate the process.
“No,” Commissioner Veronica Medina replied, explaining she and Giovannini have been dealing with Wyndham and “going back and forth.”
Medina explained that a lease was sent over from Wyndham for the county to review and that it needed “some minor adjustments.”
She indicated the adjusted lease was sent back to Wyndham’s legal team to review.
“They said that they are kind of like government; it takes them a long time to get anything done,” she added.
Harper noted that it took two weeks for Wyndham to send over the initial lease, with Medina commenting that she is hopeful it will not take that long this time, “but right now we’re at the mercy of their legal.”
Harper added that once the county receives the green light on the lease, it will only take about a week to make the Wyndham building “office ready.”
Ranson asked if the lease includes a purchase option.
Giovannini explained there was no option included initially, and that was one of the adjustments made.
Ranson mentioned that having the purchase option is “important,” noting the county is on a “time constraint right now.”
He added that with multiple entities in the community needing funding, “If the admin building is delayed for any reason, it’d sure be nice to have another option available to us.”
Update on services
Following the June 12 arson, multiple county offices were forced to temporarily relocate, which included the clerk and recorder, treasurer and assessor.
“The Clerk and Recorder is now open for business,” Medina said, explaining that the Clerk and Recorder’s Office is currently operating out of the county’s Department of Human Services building located at 550a Hot Springs Blvd. Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Medina noted that residents are able to renew license plates and register vehicles, but that credit card payments are not being accepted at this time and that exact cash or a check is needed.
Medina mentioned that the treasurer is currently working out of the county’s administration building at 398 Lewis St.
She also explained the assessor is currently working out of a county building with limited access and therefore is requesting that people call to set up an appointment.
“So, just know they are available. Just call them, make an appointment and they’ll be happy to assist,” she said.
clayton@pagosasun.com
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