The Kiowa County Commissioners regular meeting was called to order on, May 14, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. by Chairman Richard Scott. Robertson opened the meeting with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Those in attendance were:

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

Lisa Thomas, CMG Coordinator entered the meeting at 9:00 a.m. to discuss the annual contract. After discussion of the program and funding, Oswald moved and Robertson seconded the motion to approve the Collaborative Agreement for the 2021 year. Motion carried. Thomas exited the meeting at 09:36 a.m.

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

Vouchers: Oswald moved and Robertson seconded the motion to accept the vouchers as presented. Motion carried.

Agenda: Scott moved and Robertson seconded to approve the agenda as AMENDED. Three additions were made to NEW BUSINESS: LAVAA Resolution and a VAC Truck Motion carried.

Tearle Lessenden, Kiowa County Extension Agent entered the meeting at 09:25 a.m. as member of the audience.

OLD BUSINESS:

Grant Updates: Administrator Adamson reported that the last bouncy house was delivered so this should complete the Mini Grant.

Latcon has returned to finish the Senior Citizen Building since some of COVID restrictions have been released. State Historical funds will be used to complete the project.

Jennifer Scofield entered the meeting at 09:45 a.m. Doug Uhland entered the meeting at 09:50 a.m.

Landfill/Recycling/R&B Charges: Jeff Scranton, Landfill Manager reported that the first quarter the landfill received 712,648 pounds of waste and the revenue was $22,002.20.

Public Health Order Variance: Members of the audience either in person or by video conferencing: Kemma Alfano, Tearle Lessenden, Jennifer Scofield, Doug Uhland, Ernie Lambright, Charlene Korrell, Ellen Lane, Dennis Pearson, Shellie Englehardt, Meagan Hillman, Public Health Coordinator and Dr. Lenderts.

COVID-19 Update-Variance Request:

Chairman Scott opened the discussion with a Variance Request from the Sheridan Lake Bible Church which Pastor Lambright had drawn up. Discussion followed. The BOCC had received a Variance Request from Mesa County as an example, but after review it could not be agreed upon by all entities involved. Public Health Coordinator Hillman said she will concentrate on a plan which will include a variance for the local restaurants, churches, and library. Hillman did request that Charlene Korrell, CEO of Weisbrod have input on her thoughts of opening back up. Korrell did state that she would not be able to approve the proposed plan as she has great concerns what kind of effect this could have on the Hospital/Extended Care Unit. Ellen Lane, Director of Nursing and Chief of Staff Dr. Lenderts also agreed that as a County we should have limitations on how to open up the local businesses. Hillman said she would draw up a Variance Request, but unless all entities, the County, hospital, and Public Health Department are in agreement the request will not go far.

The plan presented by Tearle Lessenden for livestock weigh-in for fair was acceptable to the Commissioners and Public Health Department. Tearle Lessenden, Extension Agent said if approved he would follow the guidelines for weigh-ins that the Colorado State University Extension Office had created. Oswald moved and Robertson seconded the motion to approve Kiowa County Extension Office to follow the recommendations set by Colorado State University in regards to the animal weigh ins. Motion carried.

Jennifer Scofield, owner of JJ's Restaurant said she had taken every safeguard to protect the public before all the guidelines had been put in place. She explained that she needed to open up because she has bills to pay and a family to feed. After further discussion all those present exited the meeting by video conferencing or in person with the understanding that a Variance Request would be drafted and presented to the BOCC in the very near future. Everyone exited at 10:45 a.m.

Don Steerman, County Attorney entered by video Conference at 10:50 a.m. and discussed further the Variance Request procedure and advised he will review the Request if needed. He exited the meeting at 10:57 a.m.

Adamson discussed the temperatures for the employees which will continue as well as the public when they enter the building.

NEW BUSINESS:

Reports and Upcoming meetings were reviewed and approved.

Time off Requests: Scott moved and Robertson seconded the motion to approve the one time off request. Motion carried.

New Hire Program: Everything is going well.

Splitter Subdivision Exemption: Michael Splitter requested an application for exemption from subdivision approval regulations to the property located at Section 13 Township 13 Range 44. Oswald moved and Robertson seconded the motion to approve Permit #SDE- 2020-02. Motion carried.

Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Davis requested a building permit for the property located Section 9 Township 19S Range 45W also known as 10880 CR 57.3 Chivington, Colorado. Robertson moved and Oswald seconded the motion to approve Building Permit #BLD-2020-08. Motion carried.

Veteran's Service Office: Adamson had received a letter from the Colorado Board of Veterans Affairs in regards to the Veteran's Office position. No action taken.

KCEDF-Sr. Citizens Center Lease- Oswald moved and Robertson seconded to sign a six-year lease instead of a five year lease due to the tax credits for the Senior Citizen Center Lease. Motion carried.

Chivington Gravel Pit: Administrator Adamson reported that BLM owns the mineral rights on a portion of the Chivington Gravel Pit. Discussion followed with no action required.

LAVAA Resolution of Participation: Oswald moved and Robertson seconded the motion to pay the LAVAA Dues for 2020 in the amount of $496.00. Motion carried.

Andrea Morgan, County Health Services contacted the BOCC in regards to a memorial service for Zach Gifford on May 23, 2020. The Gifford's would like to have the memorial service from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. south of Eads. The BOCC had no objections. Morgan did state they will follow the COVID regulations.

VAC Truck: Robertson has been in contact with a private owner on a 1986 truck that has 36,000 miles on it. This party would like to donate this truck. The BOCC agreed to pick this truck up.

Shellie Englehardt, Kiowa County EMS Coordinator, and Riley Frazee, Regional Emergency Field Manager, entered the meeting to provide a report on the pandemic. Frazee reported the Colorado Department of Agriculture is discussing the need to depopulate the finishing hogs at the hog farm south of the Plainview School. Frazee said both finishing barns in the northeastern and southeastern region of Colorado could be facing depopulation of hogs due to COVID. Discussion followed as to what procedures would take place in the disposal of these hogs.

Riley did say that there were some consumer goods delivered to the local hospital to help with the pandemic and shortage of supplies.

Riley also thanked the BOCC for choosing Englehardt as the EMS Coordinator. She has been catching up on some of the plans that needed to be updated. Englehardt discussed a "Recovery Plan" of action for COVID. Frazee and Englehardt thanked the BOCC and exited the meeting.

Oswald moved and Robertson seconded the motion to recess for lunch at 11 :57 a.m. Motion carried. The meeting reconvened at 12:58 p.m.

DSS Director, Dennis Pearson provided a monthly report by phone conference. Overall he said his office was returning back to some normalcy. Pearson ended his call at 1: 17 p.m.

Sheriff Sheridan entered the meeting at 1 :40 p.m. to provide an update to the BOCC. Scott moved and Robertson seconded the motion to enter into executive session at 1 :42 p.m. for personnel reasons and specialized details of a law enforcement investigation  (CRS of 24-6-402-f-d). Motion carried. Scott moved and Oswald seconded the motion to come out of executive session and enter back into regular session at 2:08 p.m. Motion carried. Sheriff Sheridan thanked the BOCC and exited the meeting at 2: 10 p.m.

Todd Marriott, State Parks and Wildlife Manager entered the meeting by audio conferencing. Marriott and the BOCC both agreed that it was time to open the lakes to camping. The Parks and Wildlife will put out information stating the lakes and camping are open. Marriott reported that Parks and Wildlife will supply the geo webbing for the repairs that are needed to be done at Nee Gronda. There was further discussion over the lakes. Marriott thanked the BOCC and completed his call at 3: 15 p.m.

With no other business to discuss, Oswald moved and Scott seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 3:27 p.m. Motion carried.