The Kiowa County Commissioner’s Regular meeting was called to order May 25, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. by Commissioner Donald Oswald with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Those in attendance were:

Cindy McLoud, Commissioner

Donald Oswald, Commissioner

Tina Adamson, County Administrator

Richard Scott, Chairman absent

Delisa Weeks, County Clerk-Absent for morning session

McLoud moved and Oswald seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the May 11, 2017 meeting. All Commissioners voted Affirmative.

McLoud moved and Oswald seconded the motion to approve the vouchers as presented. All Commissioners voted Affirmative.

Oswald moved and McLoud seconded the motion to accept the agenda as presented with one addition to Old Business: ESRTA Review and one addition to New Business: DSS flooring. All Commissioners voted Affirmative.

OLD BUSINESS:

Grant Updates: There will be a work session June 8^th for the Rialto Project.

The Planning and Zoning Update: The Planning and Zoning Board instated a 3 month moratorium on solar development. This will allow them to get policy and procedures in place.

Contract on Lake Cleanup: The Contract needs to be signed by the commissioners.

Shalberg Pond: Adamson will review the Shalberg Pond Lease and if it is determined that the pond will not be able to be used for recreation purposes it may be necessary to terminate the lease

Hospital Insurance Agreement: McLoud moved and Oswald seconded to transfer the ambulances and vehicle titles back to the hospital and the county will refund the hospital insurance premiums for 2017. The County can no longer supply insurance coverage on the hospital vehicles, per CTSI requirements.

ESTRA: Adamson will review the agreement from 2014 to see if fees should be charged or not.  

Howard Votruba, County Fire Chief entered the meeting at 10:05 a.m. to provide an update on the training for the volunteer firefighters. McLoud moved and Oswald seconded the motion to approve $500.00 for Fire Rescue One training. All Commissioners voted Affirmative. There would be enough funding for 10 volunteers to attend at this training. Captain Christine, of the Limon Fire Department donated 3 slots for training that has already been paid for. Chief Votruba exited the meeting.

Ryan Sneller, maintenance person for the TV tower entered the meeting at 10:27 a.m. to provide the semiannual report on the tower. Oswald moved and McLoud seconded the motion to replace the current lights with LED lighting. The total cost for the LED lighting will be $2,200.00. All Commissioners voted Affirmative. Mr. Sneller thanked the board for their time and exited the meeting.

Belinda Zink Architect for the Murdock Project and Michelle Chichester, State Historic Preservation Specialist, was present to review the pre-construction plans. All of the deliverables that were due for the State Historic Grant were brought up to date.

Jon Wagner and Marilyn Wagner with CTSI entered the meeting to review the updates and loss analysis on our insurance and workman’s compensation for 2016. Mr. Wagner conducts different types of safety training throughout the year for the county employees as well as the volunteers for the county. John Wagner and Marilyn Wagner exited the meeting at 2:10 p.m.

Road Foreman Jack Howard entered the meeting to discuss the time off request from the land fill operator and how the landfill will remain opened while he is absent. McLoud moved to approve the time allowable for the landfill operator to be off and Oswald seconded the motion. All Commissioners voted Affirmative.

Foreman Howard exited the meeting at 3:00 p.m.

Theresa Witte, EM Director entered the meeting to discuss her monthly report and the status of the sirens. Witte said Electra Pro would inspect the sirens on the 31^st of May.

Witte updated the commissioners on some of the safety plans for the schools in Kiowa County. Witte reminded the commissioners of the full scale exercise set for June 17^th.

The SECED report was provided by Commissioner McLoud. She also provided a road transportation report. McLoud had spoken with Karen Roe (C-DOT) in regards to Highway 287 north of Eads. Roe said Highway 287 is considered to be an average road. McLoud also reported that the Town of Eads will receive $5000.00 for upkeep at the rest stop for 2017 but after that the State will no longer assist in funding the roadside park. Roe had informed McLoud there will be no further major construction on the state highways in Kiowa County until 2021. The current chip seal project on Hwy. 96 east will continue to the Kansas state line.

New Business:

Lake Clean-Up: Adamson presented the approved contracts for signatures from the Commissioners.

Ron Pitman, with Titan LED entered the meeting to discuss the lighting on the outside of the courthouse as well as the other county buildings, including the fairgrounds and pavilion area. He will provide energy audits on the county’s buildings and fairgrounds.

Reports were reviewed and signed. McLoud moved and Oswald seconded to approve the time off request. All Commissioners voted Affirmative.

Employee Policy for Funeral Leave & Transit: Adamson would like to revise the policy on the Funeral Leave to be consistent and fair to all employees. The transit policies will need to be added to the employee policy handbook. Adamson will recommend the changes and have the Commissioners review the policy.

Discussion followed over full time employees working part time and still receiving full time benefits. An employee must work 37.5 hours or 40 hours per week to be considered full time and receive benefits, depending on their job requirements. If they work less than that they have to use sick/vacation hours to supplement their time and remain full time employees.    

Audit: Administrator Adamson said the audit had been completed.

DSS Flooring Bid: Oswald moved and McLoud seconded to accept the bid from Cook’s Floor and Wall Covering for all materials and flooring for two bathrooms in the amount of $937.65. All Commissioners voted Affirmative.

Oswald moved and McLoud seconded to adjourn the meeting at 4:57 p.m. All Commissioners voted Affirmative.

___________________________________       ________________________________

Delisa L. Weeks, County Clerk                           Donald Oswald, Commissioner