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Flags in front of the Kiowa County Courthouse in Eads, Colorado. The building is surrounded by trees.

Kiowa County Commissioners meeting minutes - June 25, 2020

Kiowa County Courthouse in Eads, Colorado. © Chris Sorensen

The Kiowa County Commissioners regular meeting was called to order by Chairman Richard Scott on June 25, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. Oswald opened the meeting with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Those in attendance:

  • Richard Scott, Chairman
  • Donald Oswald, Commissioner
  • Howard "Butch" Robertson, Commissioner
  • Delisa Weeks, County Clerk
  • Tina Adamson, County Administrator

Oswald moved and Robertson seconded the motion to approve the minutes as presented. Motion carried.

Robertson moved and Oswald seconded the motion to approve the vouchers as presented. Motion carried.

Oswald moved and Robertson seconded the motion to approve the agenda as amended with the following additions. Old Business: Tree Row County Rd S. New Business: Sales Tax Question and Transit Van. Motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS:

Grant Updates: The Administration office sent 48 letters to local businesses asking how and what type affects COVID-19 had on the community. Adamson said she received 8 business surveys back. She also sent surveys to some individuals of the community asking what type of needs that may have due to COVID-19. The main focus was assistance for the elderly and the specialty care thru telehealth. For personal needs transportation, food, healthcare, affordable daycare and internet were amongst the items that are of most importance.

Shellie Engelhardt, Emergency Manager; entered the meeting to provide a monthly report. Items that were reported: 3- dispatched county fires, 1 house fire, working on the Regional Recovery Plan and Preparing for a Cyber Security Plan. Engelhardt is working on dates for Emergency Siren testing. Engelhardt reported there have been 82 individuals tested for COVID-19 with 82 negative results.

Scott moved and Robertson seconded to donate two Dell laptops that had been in inventory under the Emergency Manager, to the daycare for educational purposes. Engelhardt exited the meeting at 09:50 a.m.

Michelle Nelson, Mayor of Haswell entered the meeting by audio conference with the BOCC in regards to COVID-19 expenses reimbursable by the Cares Act Funding. Nelson will do a letter for the BOCC in regards to support for the County to administer the Cares Act Funding for the Town of Haswell and agrees to provide expenses the town of Haswell has incurred directly related to COVID-19. Nelson ended her call at 10:13 a.m.~

Landfill & Recycling Update: Adamson provided the timeline for the EDOP (Engineers Design & Operations Plan) for the Landfill and presented the Waste-Characterization Plan for approval. Oswald moved to approve the presented Waste Characterization Plan. Robertson seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Belinda Zink with Zink and Associates had a video conference with BOCC in regards to the single point entry to the courthouse. The construction documents should be completed by the end of July so we can go out for bids in August. Adamson is not sure there will be grant funding available through the Underfunded Courthouse Grant but if so, hopes to submit a grant request in October for this project.

With all of the State's COVID-19 expenses there will be shortages in the Courthouse Security Grant for the upcoming year. Administrator Adamson said she had already been advised for the 2021 year, the Grant will cover wages only, no equipment or modifications to the courthouse will be funded.

Zink will finish the plans for the single point entry which will also include soil testing around the courthouse. Oswald moved to do a soil test for the possible single point entry to the courthouse with a cap on the fee of $5,000.00. Robertson seconded the motion.

Motion carried. Zink exited the meeting at 11:21 a.m.

Landfill update: The recycling bus that hauls the cardboard had some mechanical problems and is in the shop for repairs.

COVID-19 Update: The COVID-19 requirements for the courthouse will remain the same. We realize that some of the public is not happy with this decision but for the safety of everyone concerned it will remain with a temperature being taken, mask must be worn and hand sanitizer used.

Fair Board Bylaw Revision: Due to a recent review of the open meetings law, Oswald moved to add the exclusion of executive sessions to the Kiowa County Fair Board By­ Laws. Robertson seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Fairgrounds Improvements: Adamson will get the dimensions for the north and west side of the community building for the addition of an awning.

Scott moved and Oswald seconded to recess the meeting for the lunch hour at 11:51 p.m. Motion carried. The regular meeting reconvened at 1:05 p.m.

Areta Laird, David Walker and Dawn Back Fair Board Members; entered at this time to discuss the use of the fairgrounds. Mr. Walker provided information on possible ways to improve the horse stall area. Back and Walker both stated the horse training event that took place on June 6 and 7 was a success. It was discussed again at this time that there will be no executive sessions in a Fair Board meeting. If there is a need for an executive session the Board of Commissioners will need to be notified and the session will take place in front of them. Laird, Walker and Back, exited the meeting at 2:39 p.m.

Tree Row on County Rd S: Road Foreman Howard and his crew have been working on the removal of snow fence and replacing it with another fence.

NEW BUSINESS:

Upcoming Meetings and Review of Reports: Meetings and Reports were reviewed and signed.

Time off Request Form: Scott moved and Robertson seconded the motion to approve the time off request. Motion passed.

CDOT Grant to Promote Public Health & Economic Activity: Administrator Adamson will check into the CDOT Grant and apply for funding to purchase an electronic sign that would possibly be placed by the fair grounds. This sign would be used for community notifications.

OPIOD Settlement: The potential Colorado opioid litigation settlement directs 30% of proceeds to local governments which are on the front lines of dealing with the opioid crisis. Oswald moved to join with the other five surrounding counties to contract with Ochs Law Firm to represent the counties in the Opioid Litigation Robertson seconded the motion. Motion passed.

Regional Mobility Mgr.-Letter of Support: Robertson moved and Oswald seconded the motion to ratify a letter of support for a regional mobility manager position. Motion passed. This letter will show the need for a regional manager who will provide information and resources to riders in the six surrounding counties which will help close the gaps in transit and mobility services.

Hospital Board Resignation: The BOCC received a Letter of Resignation from John Negley. The BOCC would like to thank Mr. Negley for his years of service. Oswald moved and Robertson seconded to accept his resignation. Motion carried.

Hospital Board Letter of Interest: Oswald moved and Robertson seconded the motion to appoint Dale Back as a Kiowa County Hospital Board member. Robertson and Oswald voted yes. Scott voted no. Motion passed.

Sales Tax Question: Administrator Adamson discussed further about a county tax question for the 2020 Election. The BOCC agreed to begin the process of forming a Question on the 2020 ballot. There will be an informational letter sent to the public stating the Pros and Cons of having a County Tax. The commissioners agreed that if they do seek the question it will be for a 1.5% county tax. Kiowa County is one of the very few counties who do not have a county tax.

Transit Van: No action was taken.

Robertson moved and Oswald seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 3:37 p.m. Motion carried.