BOARD00073

• Board Meeting Date: 9/16/1949
• Description: Minutes and Resolution
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Meeting

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141

On motion duly seconded, the minutes of the meeting of
April 25-26, 1949 of the Colorado Water Conservation Board were
approved.

Item l(e) of the Agenda relating to the appointment of a Chief
Engineer of the Foard's staff was taken up. The Director reported results of a
study made by a committee previously appointed by the Board, and the results of
some interviews with prospective candidates. 1;any prospects were unqualified for
the position, and the qualified engineers were umvilling to accept the State's low
salary limitation. The Director reported that, as a result of the vacancy in the
position of Chief Engineer, Mr. Tipton had voluntarily served the Board in a dual
capacity, as consulting engineer and as acting supervisor of the engineering depart-
ment, in cooperation with R. M. Gildersleeve, ranking member of the office staff of
engineers.

Mr. Tipton informed the Board that in addition to interviewing candi-
dates who had made application, the committee had made contacts of its own with
persons considered qualified for the work, and reported that these prospects de-
clined state employment for three reasons (1) already 'working at salary greater than
State could offer; (2) reluctance to forfeit seniority, security and retirement ad-
vantages built up in present employment; and (3) present position often provided
better professional interest, namely, broader opportunities than seen in the state
position. Mr. Tipton said that the field of available, qualified candidates had
finally narrowed to one, a Mr. John R. EriCkson, nOw employed in the State of New
Mexico, who formerly, and for a period of about nine years, was an engineer employed
by the L:olorado -Water Conservation Board. Mr. Erickson left Bolorado employment
for a better salary and other reasons; and in his present wor~ in New Mexico is
receiYing $7,200 annually.

The Director said Mr. Erickson was interested in the Colorado position
, only if details of his employment were cleared locally first, namely, sa~isfactory
reaction in.the Water Board engineering staff, approyal of Civil Service and other
State officials, and assurance of a salary in proportion to his present earnings.
The Director reported that the initial step of State salary for the position was
not sufficient to be an inducement in the emploJcment of a chief engineer, but that
effort could be made to secure Civil Seryice approYal for a higher step rating,
with $6,900 being proposed. The Director said he hoped the Board wou:j.d approve and
authorize such approach, and if approyed, the proposition would be presented to the
Civil Service Commission and the Governor, for review.

On motion by L. Ward Barmister, seconded by Mr. Beaty
it was voted that the Director be authorized to negotiate with
Mr. Erickson on the possible appointment as chief engineer at a
recommended salary of $6,900 a year, after conferring with Civil
Service and after ascertaining that such appointment will not
interfere with desirable Colorado-New Mexico relations.

The yote was unanimous, except that Attorney General
Metzger stated that he was not voting.

Mr. Smith nominated George J. Bailey for the office
of Vice Chairman of the Board. The nomination was seconded by
Mr. Beaty. Nominations were declared closed, and on vote being
taken, Mr. Bailey was declared unanimously elected to succeed
himself as Vice Chairman of the Board.