The Kiowa County Commissioner’s Regular meeting was called to order by Chairman Richard Scott on November 30, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. Scott opened the meeting with prayer and the pledge of Allegiance. Those in attendance were:

Richard Scott, Chairman; - Cindy McLoud, Commissioner; - Donald Oswald, Commissioner; - Delisa Weeks, County Clerk; - Tina Adamson, County Administrator; -                                                 Member of the audience: Senator Larry Crowder

Scott moved and Oswald seconded to approve the November 14, 2017 minutes.  Motion carried.

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

Scott moved to amend the agenda and add Senator Larry Crowder. Oswald seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Larry Crowder provided updates for the different issues that are going on throughout the state of Colorado. Crowder explained one of the main concerns were the closure of landfills. Crowder also discussed the 1041 program. He had spoken with Tri State in regards to transmission lines in Kiowa County. He also mentioned the railroad. Discussion followed.

Oswald said the BOCC had been discussing with CDOT in regards to passing lanes between Eads and Hugo. Crowder said they have been setting aside funds to help with highway repairs/construction. Crowder thanked the BOCC for their time and exited the meeting at 09:40 a.m.

Chad Hart with Canyon and Plains and Janet Frederick with the National Park Service entered the meeting at 09:35 a.m. to discuss tourism in southeast Colorado. Hart requested support from the county for funding to produce a magazine for the eleven counties in the southern region. McLoud asked Hart to reach out to the Kiowa Independent in regards to publishing this type of magazine. Hart said he would consider it. Hart invited the commissioners to the Canyons and Plains annual meeting on December 14^th in La Junta.

Mike Weirich and Mark Weirich entered the meeting at 09:55 a.m. as members of the audience.

Scott moved to recess the regular meeting and enter into the 1041 Regulations Public Hearing at 10:02 a.m. McLoud seconded the motion. Motion carried. Mr. Mike Weirich was interested in what the BOCC thoughts were in regards to solar farms and the 1041 program. Scott explained that the 1041 program would strengthen the county’s position in development and offer certain protections to the County and landowners. He said the county encourages production as this would help the county and the property owner if a solar farm would come in. Adamson mentioned after touring the solar farms in Alamosa County she felt they would be an asset to Kiowa County. Discussion followed further in regards to the solar farms, permit fees and private land issues. Weirich also questioned the possibility of wind farms for Kiowa County. Scott said he had received reports that the North/South Tri State transmission line across Kiowa County might not carry enough load to be an enhancement for a wind farm in that area. Discussion followed.
Mike and Mark Weirich thanked the BOCC for their time and exited the meeting at 10:32 a.m.  Scott moved to close the 1041 public hearing and enter back into regular session at 10:34 a.m. Oswald seconded the motion. Motion carried. Scott moved and Oswald seconded to delay the adoption of the 1041 Regulations Program until the suggested revisions from the County Attorney have been made. Motion carried.

Grant Updates: Grant report are up to date. Adamson had received a letter from the State Historical Fund stating they had approved the letter of request she had submitted in the amount of $55,238.00. These funds will assist in the Murdock Project.

McLoud moved to accept the change of work order number 003 and Oswald seconded. Motion carried. The work order fee will come out of National Park Service Fund in the amount of $10,369.50. The work order will be primarily for earth work and excavation for the elevator that will be going in.

LANDFILL UPDATE: Adamson had received a letter from the State stating clarification and additions that had been made to the compliance schedule.

PCPHE-EH Contract: Jolynn Idler, Director of Kiowa/Prowers County Health Services and Seth Odett, Prowers Public Health Environmentalist presented the Environmental Health Contract. Oswald moved and McLoud seconded the motion to accept the Public Health and Environment Agreement. Motion carried.

Railroad Update: No Action.

HR 3354: No Action.

Oswald moved and McLoud seconded the motion to recess for lunch at 11:56 a.m. Motion carried. The meeting reconvened at 1:10 p.m.

2018 Budget: Oswald moved and McLoud seconded the motion to adopt the 2018 Budget. Motion carried.

McLoud moved and Oswald seconded to set the mill levies for 2018. Motion carried. The mill levy is set at 46.553.

Oswald moved and McLoud seconded to appropriate the monies for the county. Motion carried.

Dennis Pearson, Director of Social Services entered the meeting at 1:25 p.m. to provide a monthly report for his department.

McLoud moved and Oswald seconded the motion to sign the CDHS Certification of Compliance for the County Personnel and Merit System for 2018. Motion carried.

Terry Koehn, with CAT entered the meeting to discuss proposals for motor graders and a tractor. Oswald moved to trade the district one tractor for a Massey Ferguson tractor from CAT. The purchase price of the tractor is $28,000.00 after trade in. McLoud seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Oswald moved to purchase a CAT 140 M3 Road Grader for $205,500.00 after trading off a Volvo Grader ($43,800.00). McLoud seconded the motion. Motion carried. This will be purchased from the 2018 budget.

McLoud moved and Oswald seconded the motion to purchase a 938M Loader from CAT. Motion carried. (This purchase will be made from 2017 funds). The purchase price is $131,150.00.

CDOT MEETING: Scott moved and Oswald seconded to recess the regular meeting and move into the CDOT meeting at 2:45 p.m. Motion carried. Oswald moved and Scott seconded to move back into regular session at 3:45 p.m. Motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS:

Reports and Meetings: Scott reported on the S.E.C.E.D. meeting that was held in Lamar. He reported there will be a feasibility study done for a proposed Cobblestone Inn being built in Lamar, Colorado. Scott said he has concerns about this, due to the fact it may hurt our local Cobblestone Inn business.

Employee Evaluations: Adamson reported that Cora Grandy, Administrative Assistant has explained the need for evaluations to be done, due to one of the requirements for the CSBG Grant. After discussion it was decided that each elected official would prepare an evaluation form for their own office.

Assignment of County Held Certificate: Scott moved and Oswald seconded to sign the Tax Lien of Certificate that Treasurer Baxter had presented to the Commissioners. Motion carried.

Funding Options: The Commissioners will be discussing in the near future the possibility of a county sales tax                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Murdock Project: Oswald moved and Scott seconded the motion to approve the $6,100.00 to SECPA for the transformer installation at the Murdock Project. Motion carried.

The next regular commissioner’s meeting will be December 14, 2017 at 9:00 a.m.

With no other business to conduct, Oswald moved and McLoud seconded to adjourn the meeting at 4:50 p.m. Motion carried.   

Delisa Weeks                                                          Dick Scott
County Clerk                                                          Chairman