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June 25, 2024 Special Board Meeting Minutes

Minutes Of A Special Meeting Of The Board of Directors Of 

Upper Thompson Sanitation District 
Held: June 25, 2024, at 1 :00 p.m., at the 
District Office, 2196 Mall Road, Estes Park, Colorado 

Call to Order 

A special meeting of the Board of Directors of the Upper Thompson Sanitation District, Estes Park, Colorado, was called to order at 1 :00 p.m. and held as shown above and in accordance with the applicable statutes of the State of Colorado with the following Directors present and acting: 

Pledge of Allegiance 

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 

Attendance 

Board of Directors: 
Christopher Eshelman, Chairman 
Susan Doylen, Vice-Chairman/Secretary 
Stanley Gengler, Treasurer 
Jack Reed, Assistant Treasurer/Secretary 
Kent Bosch, Assistant Treasurer/Secretary 

Staff: 
Suzanne Jurgens, Assistant District Manager 
Gina Moore, Financial Officer 
Matt Allen, Operations Manager 

Next Meeting Date 

A regular meeting of the Board of Directors will be held on July 16, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. 

Approval of Agenda 

The Board considered the Agenda. 

It was moved by Ms. Doylen and seconded by Mr. Bosch to approve the Agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously. 

Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest 

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is a topic of discussion at every Board meeting to address potential conflicts of interest that may arise as new agenda items are introduced. District Directors who have disclosed potential conflicts of interest can vote as issues arise. 

Public Forum 

Mr. Eshelman opened the meeting for public comment. 

Mr. Eshelman explained the Public Forum is an opportunity for presentation by the public to provide information to the Board of Directors on any non-agenda item. He further explained the Board cannot take action on non-agenda items but may direct staff to include the item on a future agenda. 

Regarding public comment on Agenda Items, Mr. Eshelman provided the following statement: 

Public comments will be heard by the Board at the conclusion of the presentation of the agenda item. Persons addressing the Board shall first be recognized by the District Manager or Board Chairman and may speak only one time per agenda item. Speakers shall stand at the podium, state their name and address for the official minutes, address comments to the Board as a Body, and shall be allotted three (3) minutes for public comment.

No members of the public joined the meeting. 

At 1:02 p.m., Ms. Moore and Mr. Allen excused themselves from the meeting. 

Executive Session 

At 1 :02 p.m., it was moved by Ms. Doylen and seconded by Mr. Bosch to go into Executive Session pursuant to §24-6-402(4)(f), C.R.S. "Personnel matters" related to position of the District Manager and consideration of Ms. Suzanne Jurgens for the District Manager position. Motion carried unanimously. 

The Executive Session was attended by Directors Reed, Doylen, Bosch, Eshelman and Gengler; and Ms. Jurgens. 

The Board did not engage in substantial discussion of any matter not enumerated in §24-6-402(4)(f) C.R.S., nor did it adopt any proposed legislative policy, position, resolution, rule, regulation, or formal action.

At 2:06 p.m., Ms. Jurgens excused herself from the Executive Session. 

At 3:00 p.m., per the Board's request, Ms. Jurgens rejoined the Executive Session. 

The Executive Session was adjourned at 3:11 p.m. 

At 3:11 p.m., the Board took a 6-minute recess. 

Return to Regular Session 

At 3:17 p.m., the Board returned to Regular Session. 

At 3:17 p.m., Ms. Moore and Mr. Allen rejoined the meeting. 

The Board directed District staff to compose an employment offer letter to Ms. Suzanne Jurgens for the District Manager position, effective January 3, 2025. 

Mr. Eshelman stated this employment offer to Ms. Jurgens is in continuation of previously Board discussed and agreed upon succession planning due to Mr. Bieker's planned retirement from the District Manager role after 37 years of service. 

Mr. Eshelman then commended Ms. Jurgens stating she is the most qualified person for the District Manager position and that he is confident she will do an excellent job in this role. 

Ms. Doylen added that Ms. Jurgen's skill set, experience, knowledge of the District, respect for the employees and the organization, high level of integrity, and excellent communication skills will serve the District well in the years to come. 

Ms. Jurgens commented that she appreciates the Board's confidence in her and that she will serve the District well and to the best of her abilities. Ms. Jurgens thanked the Board for this opportunity. 

It was moved by Ms. Doylen and seconded by Mr. Reed to formally offer Ms. Suzanne Jurgens the position of District Manager, effective January 3, 2025. Additionally, the Board requests Ms. Jurgens to reply, in writing, to the offer letter. Motion carried unanimously. 

Adjournment 

Having no further business, at 3:21 p.m. it was moved by Ms. Doylen and seconded by Mr. Gengler to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously.