The Regular meeting of the Kiowa County Commissioners was called to order on April 27, 2023, at 9:08 a.m. by Chairman Donald Oswald. Oswald opened the meeting with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

• Donald Oswald, Chairman 
• Howard "Butch" Robertson, Commissioner Mike Lening, (Absent) 
• Delisa Weeks, County Clerk 
• Tina Adamson, County Administrator

Audience at 9:00 a.m. Debbie Shivers, Raina Lucero with the Kiowa Independent, and Alexander Arensburg, Partner with Squire Patton Boggs, LLP. 

Chairman Oswald advised the audience it would be about 20 to 30 minutes for signing vouchers. 

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

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

Agenda: Oswald moved, and Robertson seconded the motion to approve the agenda with one addition to Old Business, Redistricting for Commissioners. Motion carried. 

Social Service Director, Dennis Pearson entered meeting to advise the BOCC that Kim Briggs (Hoffman) had resigned. Pearson has hired Kathleen Bither as the Eligibility Technician for the Department of Social Services. 

Pearson reported that the Commodity Program for Kiowa County has 80 participants in it. They are trying to keep the Commodity count up as it seems there are more people qualifying for the program. 

Care and Share signed up for a grant which will assist in getting more food out to rural communities. 

Pearson thanked the BOCC and exited the meeting at 9:49 a.m. 

Beth Bell, CEO and Shannon Dixon, CFO of Kiowa County Hospital District entered the meeting at 09:55 a.m. to provide the BOCC with an update. Bell explained the purchase of land for a future hospital. They will conduct a financial feasibility study to help bring in more operations/services to offer as well as keep the current needs of our community. 

Bell said they are working on a Strategic Plan for the hospital. Bell questioned if the BOCC would be requesting more in the service line than what we currently have. There was discussion over the future needs of the County if they do get the turbine and wind energy in Kiowa County. Bell feels the hospital would be able to assist if there is an influx of people for a period of time. Administrator Adamson did mention the construction businesses usually brings in their own first-aid station, but most health concerns would need to go through a clinic or hospital. Bell explained that collaboration between the BOCC and Hospital will help each entity grow stronger. Chairman Oswald did request the continuation of financial and ambulance reports for the BOCC to review would be appreciated. 

Shannon Dixon did confirm that the Clinic can handle Veteran services. Dixon said there is a letter that the Veteran and Clinic has to sign and will be kept on file. 

Dixon and Bell both exited at 10:25 a.m. 

OLD BUSINESS: 

RREO Grant: Colorado Department of Public Health (CDPHE) will be here to do an audit at the landfill. This is for the roll offs and tire shredding. 

C-DOT IGA: Oswald moved to approve the C-DOT IGA as presented and Robertson seconded the motion. Motion carried. 

Planning and Zoning: Adamson advised she has sent out the setbacks notifications for the developers. 

Natasha Kiler with lnvenergy and Ashleigh Rieseberg with Blue Earth Renewables entered the meeting to discuss further the setbacks the Planning and Zoning Board have presented. The current setbacks presented will indeed affect 52% of the project lnvenergy has planned for Kiowa County. 

Kiler said they were here today to submit a pre-application for Plan East and Plan West. She realizes that public health and safety is a great concern for everyone. She discussed how ice could possibly build up on the blades but explained that did not happen all the time. She does not feel this should be of great concern for the public. 

Member of the audience, Debbie Shivers spoke in regard to her property rights on the east end of the County and she is very against wind turbines. She explained that she doesn't want to be forced to sign anything stating she wants to lease her ground. She said she will be attending the public meeting on May 11th to voice her concerns. Shivers herself, said she needs to hear more information. Shivers said one concern is the county roads and how they will hold up. 

Adamson said she sees this change for our community as a positive one. If we do not support the turbines and solar projects we will be looking at our County dissolving in the near future. 

Kiler and Riesberg thanked the BOCC for their time and said they would be here on the 11th to answer any further questions. They exited the meeting 11:00 a.m.

Redistricting: There has been no further action by Colorado College, who is assisting in the redistricting of the Commissioners. 

Road and Bridge 11:15 a.m.: Road Foremen Rick Spady and Allen Watts and Tim Wolf (R & B employee) had information /pricing on a backhoe from CAT, John Deere and CASE. Discussion ensued. No decisions were made. 

Foreman Spady asked the BOCC if they would consider in paying the $50.00 stipend to Tim Wolf for the DOT certification tracking. Mr. Wolf would like to have a $100.00 stipend for the book work. Oswald moved to pay Tim Wolf the $50.00 stipend for the month of May and then when Commissioner Lening is back the BOCC will review and possibly change the fee. Robertson seconded the motion. Motion carried. 

Watts, Spady and Wolfe exited the meeting at 11:15 a.m. 

Sheriff, Brian Williams entered the meeting at 11:15 a.m. to have a brief discussion in regard to the safety to his employees and the public. This was in regard to the abatement project in the lower hallway. Administrator Adamson explained the lower offices would have to be closed for two days extra and the area of abatement would be sealed so no one else would be able to enter. After clarification, Williams thanked the BOCC and exited the meeting. 

Landfill/Recycling Updates: Adamson discussed the need for possible part time worker at the recycling center in Sheridan Lake. 

Housing Update: The Cactus Corner project is having both water and sewer issues. 

Planning & Zoning Update: There will be a Public Hearing on May 11th at 11:00 a.m. for the setbacks that the P & Z Board have discussed for solar and turbine projects. 

Oswald moved, and Robertson seconded the motion to recess for lunch at 12:07 p.m. Motion carried. Members of the audience all exited the meeting at this time.

The regular meeting reconvened 1:20 p.m. 

Darlene Carpio, Representative for Congressman Buck, stopped by to provide an update as to what the Congressman has been doing. Carpio exited the meeting at 1:40 p.m. 

Upcoming Meetings and Reports were reviewed and signed. 

NEW BUSINESS: 

Time Off Request Forms: Oswald moved, and Robertson seconded the motion to approve the one time request. Motion carried.

R & B New Hire: Oswald moved, and Robertson seconded the motion to hire Paul Stoker to the Road and Bridge Department. Motion carried. 

Excel/QISG Right of Way Permit: Oswald moved to approve the temporary public access roads permits to Canacre. Robertson seconded the motion. Motion carried. There are 22 temporary permits being issued. 

About FACE IGA: Robertson moved, and Oswald seconded the motion to approve the FACE IGA. Motion carried. This is a program to assist families with family issues/ problems and parenting. 

Public Health Task Order 2024*0034: This is the CORE immunization Grant to reduce vaccine preventable diseases. Oswald moved, and Robertson seconded the motion to approve this order. Motion carried.

Employee Resignation: Kim Briggs (Hoffman} resigned from her position at the Social Service Department. The BOCC would like to thank Mrs. Hoffman for her years of service with the Department of Social Service. 

Election Grant Agreement Amendment: Robertson moved, and Oswald seconded the motion to approve the Election Grant Agreement. Motion Carried. 

Lake Clean Up IGA: The Road and Bridge Employees will continue to do the upkeep on the Lakes. 

Russ Watson, Fire Chief for Kiowa County Fire Protection District entered the meeting at 3:00 p.m. asking for the permission to use the Fairgrounds on July 5^th. He said the firework show will have to be after the 4th of July since they need a pyrotechnician available to shoot off fireworks. The BOCC agreed the Fire Protection District could use the fairgrounds for this purpose. 

The next regular Commissioner's meeting will be held on May 11, 2023 at 9:00 a.m.

With no further items to be discussed, Oswald moved and Robertson seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 3:58 p.m. Motion carried.

/s/ Delisa L. Weeks

County Clerk

/s/ Donald Oswald

Chairman