The Archuleta Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) recently approved the second readings of two ordinances that implement a new model traffic code and regulate noxious weeds.
The first reading of Ordinance 1-2024, adopting the 2024 model traffic code, was originally read during the Nov. 12, 2024, BoCC meeting and was presented by Sheriff Mike Le Roux.
No changes were made to the ordinance from the time of the first reading to the second reading during a regular meeting held on Dec. 10, 2024, Le Roux indicated.
During the Dec. 10, 2024, meeting, County Attorney Todd Weaver explained that the ordinance only needed to be read during the second reading if there were any changes made from the time of the first reading.
“To my knowledge, there’s no changes,” Le Roux stated.
The BoCC unanimously approved the second reading, with Commissioner Ronnie Maez explaining the ordinance is available for viewing on the county’s website.
Also during the Dec. 10, 2024, meeting, the BoCC unanimously approved an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) between the Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe regarding the housing of inmates between the two agencies.
Le Roux explained that he asked for an IGA to be documented that “gives us the ability to house tribal inmates within our jail and Archuleta County inmates in Southern Ute jail, should that situation arise.”
Le Roux noted that the IGA would be “good” to have in place, mentioning the Southern Ute Indian Tribe drafted the IGA and Weaver reviewed it.
He added that it is “a standard operating IGA agreement between two governmental entities for the housing of inmates.”
The second reading of Ordinance 2-2024, regulating noxious weeds, was unanimously approved by the BoCC on Dec. 17, 2024.
The first reading of the ordinance was on Nov. 19, 2024, presented by Weed and Pest Supervisor Ethan Proud.
No changes were made to the ordinance between the time of the first to the second reading, Proud noted.
During the Nov. 19, 2024 meeting, Proud explained that the main difference with this new ordinance is adjusting the fees to align with new state laws.
He also indicated that with the approval of Ordinance 2-2024, Ordinance 20-2018 is rescinded.
Proud further explained that the state has changed its laws so that first day offenses can be fined in the amount of $500 to $1,000, with every day after being up to $100.
“So, our plan is to kind of split the difference for fines,” Proud said, explaining the first day fine would probably be a $500 fine with a fee of $50 for each additional day.
Proud explained the new fees would be effective 30 days after the second reading.
Emergency operations plan
During the Dec. 17, 2024 meeting the BoCC also unanimously approved Resolution 2024-91, adopting the county’s emergency operations plan, which was presented by Emergency Management Commander Ryan Foster.
He explained that the most significant change to the emergency operations plan is the addition of Appendix E, which is a summary of the Colorado Emergency Preparedness Assessment (CEPA) that was completed in the first quarter of 2024.
According to the emergency operations plan, the CEPA “assists local jurisdictions to obtain a greater understanding of local preparedness levels and to better position the state to support local disaster preparedness, response and recovery efforts. The planning process, performed every three years, assists the County in its efforts to assess risk and local capabilities and the potential need for support and resources during and after emergencies or disasters.”
clayton@pagosasun.com
