Present, County Represented
Terry McMillian – Crowley
Roger Stagner, Meagan Hillman – Prowers
Troy Bishop – Baca
Jennifer Scofield – Bent
Rob Oquist, Donna Rhode – Otero
Dennis Pearson, Meagan Hillman – Kiowa
Karl Sporleder – Huérfano
Felix Lopez, Tony Hass – Las Animas
Mile Lucero – Pueblo
Call to Order
Meagan Hillman called the meeting to order at 3:04 p.m.
Approval of Agenda
Felix Lopez and Miles Lucero moved and seconded the approval of the Agenda – Agenda approved.
Approval of Minutes
Donna Rhode and Jennifer Scofield moved and seconded the approval of the minutes, with the change of putting Scofield in as Jennifer’s last name in the attendance part. – Minutes approved.
Public Comment
No public comment at this time.
Facilitator Update
Rose gave an update in regards to the talk about the RFP committee and that the Board has six people interested in serving on that committee. Currently Otero has two representatives on the RFP review committee. The Board had discussion on adding one more member and gave direction that the committee would have six members, but a county can only have one vote on the committee. Miles Lucero, Pueblo County, was added to the RFP review committee for 2025.
Rose also opened up discussion on Kristin Carpenter’s email regarding cuts to peer services in the area. Kristin talked of other regions, such as Region 12, that did emergency funding for some of the peer positions to keep them working. The Board did not give direction on next steps for this request.
Financial Manager Report
Wendy updated the Board on the financials. There were some questions on the spreadsheet that was presented and an error was found. The new spreadsheet will be corrected and the financials will incorporate the suggestions from Donna and Felix on the spreadsheet. Discussion was had on the interest payments that the money is earning while in the bank and this will be added to the future reports. Wendy did remind the Board that the interest payments will abide by the MOU of the Board and that the interest is being reported in the financial reports that are required by the State Opioid Council.
Open Discussion on the Criminal Justice Funding
Wendy gave an update on the concerns that she heard from the Attorney General’s Office in regards to the Sheriff’s Office’s presentations at the last meeting. The State was holding their meeting for the COAC on March 11th and would give us an update after their meeting on the proposal that was submitted by Felix and his Sheriff’s Office. It was noted that in the MOU that Crisis Response was the purpose listed in the MOU for Criminal Justice and the Board will need a written ruling from the COAC before they move ahead with the Criminal Justice requests because the Board will have to pay back the funding, if it is issued incorrectly.
VOTING ITEM: Southern Colorado Harm Reduction Association on Contract
The Board asked for the original RFP and the Board had questions for Southern Colorado Harm Reduction Association (SCHRA). Jude Solano from SCHRA joined the call to answer questions in regards to the EMT on wound care and Hep C treatment. She explained that they felt that hiring an EMT, and not a Peer, was a way to serve the individuals that they support. Meagan Hillman did question the use with the MOU and making sure that it stayed within the scoop of the MOU and RFP approval. They also asked for use of the extra funds from buying the van as they found one below the asking price in the grant proposal. They want approval of the extra money to be used to buy a shed to house the van they bought to keep it safe from the weather and the other elements that can happen.
Felix Lopez and Miles Lucero moved and seconded to table the request to get further information on the original grant and the MOU–motion approved.
DISCUSSION ITEM: Criminal Justice funding for detention facilities.
No Sheriff’s Offices attended so this item was delayed until next meeting and the Board was asked to reach out their Sheriffs and have them attend the next meeting.
DISCUSSION ITEM: Harm Reduction RFP
Miles Lucero was asking why the needle exchange was excluded in the Harm Reduction RFP. He questioned why the Board is excluding any of the menu of services from the MOU and the settlement language in the RFP. Meagan and Miles both agreed that the Board needs to add all of the approved uses into the RFP. Felix does not care for the needle exchange and sees it as an enabling service. Meagan asked for a harm reduction specialist to come to the next meeting and explain the benefits of harm reduction. Karl also has questions about the needles showing up in different areas from the exchange. Meagan talked of safe disposal. Rob and Jennifer talked about both of their counties having concerns regarding needle exchanges. Felix suggested a work session. Donna talked about injections of substances is decreasing right now. It was decided that Rose and Meagan will get a couple of experts to come to the meeting on May 12th and help with education and understanding of what harm reduction means and what needle exchange is.
Other Business:
No other business was discussed.
Adjournment
Rob Oquist and Felix Lopez moved for adjournment. Adjournment was at 4:10 p.m.
Next Meeting:
Monday, May 12th, 2025 at 3:00 p.m.