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

Kiowa County Commissioners meeting minutes – July 14, 2020

Kiowa County Courthouse in Eads, Colorado. © Chris Sorensen

The Kiowa County Commissioners regular meeting was called to order by Chairman Richard Scott on July 14, 2020 at 9:00a.m. Robertson 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

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

Oswald moved and Robertson 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: Fair and Planning & Zoning. New Business: Building Permit. Motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS:

Dennis Pearson, Social Service Director entered the meeting at 9:07 a.m. to provide information on: COVID and the effects that it has had on his department. Pearson did have information showing that 31.09% of Kiowa County receives Medicaid services.

Pearson exited the meeting at 09:25 a.m.

Grant Update: Oswald moved to contract with CTL/Thompson in the amount of $4,500.00 to do soil testing to determine if the soils would be adequate for a future addition to the Courthouse. Scott seconded the motion. Motion carried. This is one of the requirements that must be met in order to complete the construction documents for the Underfunded Courthouse Grant.

CSBG-Grant: Adamson spoke with the Kiowa County RE-2 School Superintendent Unruh in regard to their needs due to COVID-19. Unruh reported the biggest need would be funding for transportation. Adamson is waiting to hear more from the RE-1 Administrators in regards to their needs before committing funds.

Landfill & Recycling Update: Free Dump Day brought in 98,404 pounds of waste. This included metal, tree limbs and everyday trash. Jeff Scranton, Landfill Supervisor; reported that the landfill had taken in 150,000 lbs of waste from July 1^st thru July 13^th.

Scranton will have the trash compactor at the landfill worked on. It broke down on Saturday during Free Dump Day.

Oswald moved to purchase another bailer from Altitude Recycling in Denver, Colorado. Robertson seconded the motion. This bailer will be used mainly for recycling plastics.

Meagan Hillman, Public Health Director; entered the meeting by video call at 10:00 a.m. Discussion over what requirements it will take to have the county fair. Hillman said there will need to be a plan of action which shows there will be no rides; no parade and no chuck wagon type of meals. This all pertains to Governor Polis and his policies he put in place due to COVID. She did say she thought with the seating capacity in the grandstand area a rodeo could be considered, however there would need to be 6 foot distancing. Hillman is waiting to hear from the Fair Board as to exactly how they are going to hold their events and what course of action will take place to keep the public protected. She also said it will take the BOCC, emergency manager, county sheriff, fair board and the CEO of the hospital to all agree with this plan. Hillman exited the video call at 10:26 a.m.

COVID Update: Administrator Adamson discussed the PPE requirements for the Kiowa County Courthouse. She reported some offices weren’t enforcing their staff to use PPE and other offices were abiding by the requirements. After further discussion it was agreed that the Courthouse will continue with the same requirements of face masks, hand sanitizer use and a temperature taken.

Lake Updates: The Road and Bridge Department continues to assist in the Lake Clean Up. We appreciate their time and effort for this.

The BOCC attended an Amity Canal Meeting on July 13, 2020 to re-new discussionon getting water restored in the Great Plains Reservoirs.

Disc Golf Updates: Scott moved, and Robertson seconded the motion to approve Good Day Disc Golf to put a disc golf course in at the fairgrounds if they approve the final figure of $4400.00 for this course. Motion carried.

Cares Act Agreement: Adamson had scheduled an interview for a COVID Assistant applicant. This position would be paid by Cares Act funds and will close on July 17, 2020.

Sales Tax Question: Administrator Adamson has been in contact with the State in regard to estimates on items that could be taxed or what would need to be excluded if the County tries to ask for a 1.5% County Tax. Further information will be forth coming.

County Fair: There will be more information available after the fair board meeting.

Planning and Zoning: Administrator Adamson will send County Attorney Don Steerman, a copy of the 1041 Permit for review.

Joe Shields, Mayor for the Town of Eads; entered the meeting to discuss the Cares Act Agreement. Shields took the CVRF Agreement to present to his Town Board.