The Regular minutes of the Kiowa County Commissioners was called to order on April 25, 2024 at 9:10 by Commissioner Howard Robertson. Robertson opened the meeting with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Those in attendance were: 

• Howard "Butch" Robertson 
• Mike Lening, Commissioner 
• Tina Adamson, County Administrator
• Donald Oswald and Delisa Weeks were absent. 

Justin Causey of lnvenergy entered the meeting at 9:30 

MINUTES: Lening moved, and Robertson seconded the motion to approve the minutes as presented, Motion carried. 

Vouchers: Lening moved, and Robertson seconded the motion to approve the vouchers as presented. Motion carried. 

Agenda: Lening moved, and Robertson seconded the motion to approve the agenda with two additions; Old business - Sales/Use Tax Ballot Question and New business - donation for fundraisers. Motion carried. 

OLD BUSINESS: 

Sheriff Williams entered the meeting to provide an update. They are looking into code enforcement in the town of Eads. They will be purchasing 2 new computers for their office. They are also looking for grant opportunities for School Resource Officers for both Eads and Plainview schools.

Williams exited the meeting at 9:40 a.m. 

Justin Causey with lnvenergy gave a short update on their progress. 

Grant Updates: Administrator Adamson has submitted the SECOG Mini Grants for the following projects; 1) sidewalk replacement at the courthouse; 2)roof replacement on the lean to on the west side of the grandstands; 3) an additional gate at the Sheriff's impound yard. The Town of Haswell applied for maintenance on their water tower. Adamson presented the applications at the SECOG meeting on April 24, 2024 and all four grants were approved. Adamson is scheduled to meet with the new COOT representative, Scott Skinner, to review and complete the grant documents for the Coroner/Transit Building Project. We are still waiting on plumbing and electrical estimates for the building. 

SECED is adding another position so we will have access to another grant writer. 

Landfill/Recycling Update: The landfill inspection was on Friday, April 19th and we have one item to address. We will need to place more cover dirt on the trash and once that is done it will be passed. 

Housing Update: There is still no power at the Cactus Lane units. SECED requested that the Commissioners contact SE CPA and urge them to move forward or provide a reason for the delay.

Planning & Zoning Update: The process and fees for permitting were discussed. Adamson will have documents for their approval at the next meeting. There has been a request for information on permitting a short transmission line in the southeastern part of the county that would come up from Prowers County and connect to Xcel's May Valley Substation. 

Road & Bridge Update: There is a request to vacate a county road in District 2. Adamson will start this process with the landowner. A new loader was discussed for the District 1 crew. Adamson will have Foreman Watts get estimates for a new loader. The old loader will be provided to the landfill for their daily maintenance needs. The condition of the county roads was discussed and the commissioners are in communication with the foremen to make a plan to make some needed repairs. 

Foreman, Shane Lessenden, has begun work on opening a new gravel pit in the west end of the county. Updates will be provided as progress is made.

Xcel Energy representatives, Ashley Valdez Heather Brickey and Stephan Grineier entered the meeting at 11 :00 to present the BOCC with a plaque commemorating the installation of Xcel's first transmission pole being erected in Kiowa County. The Commissioners were at the site on March 5, 2023 for this installation. The Commissioners accepted the plaque with great appreciation from the group representing Xcel and they exited the meeting. 

Courthouse Repairs: The new HVAC systems are all installed and working properly. The electricians have a little more work and then the entire project will be completed. Maintenance Supervisor, Nick Johnson, reported that there has been significant damage at the shooting range at the fairgrounds due to motor vehicles, dirt bikes and ATV's. Pictures of the damage were provided. The Commissioners approved installation of a fence and gate to prevent people from driving into the shooting range and signage will be installed that prohibits use of the fairgrounds, including the shooting range, for off road vehicles such as dirt bikes and ATV's. It was agreed that this type of use, when not planned and constructed for, creates a huge liability for the County. 

Mr. Johnson left the meeting. 

Adamson stated that we have received one offer for the old senior center on Maine Street. We will continue to take offers until Monday May 6, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. A decision on the sale of this building will be made at the May 14th Commissioner meeting. 

Russ Watson, District Fire Chief, has requested that the BOCC sell them the older Dodge pickup that is no longer used by the Sheriff's Department. After discussion, Lening moved and Robertson seconded to donate the pickup to the Kiowa County Fire Protection District. Motion carried.

Sales/Use Tax Ballot Question; Plans are ongoing to promote the county's sales/use tax question. Adamson will draft a letter to the voters and will schedule public meetings to be held in each Commissioner District.

Reports & meetings were reviewed. 

Lening moved, and Robertson seconded the motion to recess for lunch at 12:06 p.m. Motion carried. 

The regular meeting reconvened at 1 :25 p.m. 

Lening moved to hire Tristen Moyers for Road & Bridge District 3 equipment operator. Robertson seconded and the motion carried. 

Lening moved to approve the Public Health application for additional ELC Covid Funding. Robertson seconded and the motion carried. 

The annual Lake Clean Up IGA with CP&W was reviewed. Lening moved to approve the IGA. Robertson seconded and the motion carried. 

The Emergency Management Regional Tactical Interoperable Communications Plan was presented for approval. Lening moved to approve and Robertson seconded. Motion carried. 

The Kiowa County Technology Accessibility Plan that is now required by the State for website ADA accessibility was reviewed. Robertson moved to approve the plan. Lening seconded and the motion carried. 

Harkness County Road Request: Sean Harkness requested a new county road be built which would extend County Road 76 from Highway 96 south to County Road L. The Commissioners agreed to move forward with the process to complete this request. 

A request for the County to donate towards a fundraiser for two local women was presented. The Commissioners agreed to donate eight 2- day wristbands for the 2024 Kiowa County Fair & Rodeo for this fundraiser. 

Stephanie Gonzales with SECED entered the meeting at 1 :42. Lening moved to go into Public Hearing for the SE CED Post Award Hearing to close out CDBG 20-007 DOH Rehab Program. Robertson seconded and the motion carried. Gonzales gave a report on the program. There was no public in attendance. Lening moved and Robertson seconded to come out of the public hearing at 1 :50.

Lening moved to close out the CDBG contract ending 12/31/2023 and begin reporting. Robertson seconded and the motion carried.

County Assessor, Marci Miller, entered the meeting at 2:00 to request approval on two 2023 tax abatements. The first is a $2,267.98 abatement on a commercial property, the second is a $187.46 abatement on a State Assessed property. Lening moved to approve the abatements. Robertson seconded and the motion carried. 

Miller and Justin Causey exited the meeting. 

The interview for land use administrator was cancelled as the applicant withdrew his application. 

At 4:00 Lening moved to recess the regular meeting and move into executive session pursuant to C.R.S 24-6-402 subsection 4 (b) to discuss a legal matter with the County Attorney's. The particular matter to be discussed is the two 106 Actions that were filed against Kiowa County regarding the Towner East and Towner West Wind Projects. Robertson seconded and the motion carried. 

Those in attendance were Commissioner Mike Lening, Commissioner Howard Robertson and Administrator Tina Adamson. County Attorney Don Steerman and 1041 Attorney Darla Scranton-Specht attended virtually. 

At 4:49 Lening moved to adjourn the executive session and move back into regular session. Robertson and the motion carried. 

With no other business to discuss, Lening moved, and Robertson seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 4:50 p.m. Motion carried.

/s/Tina Adamson, County Administrator

/s/ Donald Oswald, Chairman