The Regular Meeting of the Kiowa County Commissioners was called to order on December 12, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. by Chairman Richard Scott. Scott opened the meeting with a 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.

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

Agenda: Scott moved and Robertson seconded the motion to approve the agenda as amended. Motion carried. Added to the Agenda in New Business: Mower, Annual Operating Plan and the Cooperative Wildfire Protection Agreement. 

Laura Tyler with Baling Twine Recycling and Kiowa County Extension Agent, Tearle Lessenden entered the meeting at 09:35 a.m. to discuss recycling. Tyler explained that her business will pay youth groups 10 cents per pound for baling twine. She went onto explain that the twine will have to be cleaned before the recycling can be done, this includes picking pieces of hay out of the twine. Extension Agent Lessenden will take this information back to the 4-H Council to see if there is any interest in recycling baling twine. Tyler thanked the board and exited the meeting.

Kelley Roesch, Colorado Extension Agronomist; entered the meeting at 09:50 a.m. to provide an update on the 2019 agriculture production throughout the southeast corner of Colorado. Roesch reported that there had been some hemp production in Kiowa County this last year. Roesch and Lessenden exited the meeting at 10:40 a.m. 

OLD BUSINESS: 

Grant Updates/Underfunded Courthouse Grant Award: Oswald moved and Robertson seconded the motion to accept the Underfunded Grant for the Single Point Entry for the Courthouse. Motion carried. The State will award Kiowa County $67,000.00 and the County will have to put in $5000.00 for the County’s match. 

Landfill/Recycling Update: The compactor has been repaired and back into working order. The heater has been installed in the old Road and Bridge Shop in Sheridan Lake.

Eunice Weber, Kiowa County Ambulance Director entered the meeting at 10:56 a.m. to discuss the RETAC (Regional Emergency Trauma Advisory Council) Grant. Weber explained if she is approved for this grant, she will use the funds to have EMR training, radio repairs, public education and EMT training.  Robertson moved to approve the grant application for the Southeast Colorado Regional Emergency Trauma Advisory Council in the amount of $10,000.00. Motion carried. Weber thanked the BOCC and exited the meeting at 11:07 a.m.

2020 Budget: Oswald moved to approve the 2020 Budget Resolution #2019-7. Robertson seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Oswald moved and Robertson seconded the motion to approve Resolution #2019-8. This Resolution will set the Mill Levies for 2020. Motion carried.

Oswald moved and Robertson seconded the motion to approve Resolution # 2019-9 To Appropriate Sums of Money. Motion carried. 

Wolf Coalition Resolution: Robertson moved and Oswald seconded the motion to approve the Wolf Coalition Resolution # 2019-6. This resolution states Kiowa County will oppose any efforts to introduce or expand the population of wolves into Colorado. Motion carried. 

Road Foremen Rick Spady, Allen Watts and Jack Howard entered the meeting at 11:20 a.m. to discuss the possibility of purchasing a truck. Oswald moved and Robertson seconded the motion to approve $60,000.00 maximum for purchase of a semi truck. Motion carried. The BOCC will leave it up to the three road foremen to make the final decision in the purchase of a semi truck.

Oswald moved and Robertson seconded the motion to recess for lunch at 12:12 p.m. Motion carried. The regular session reconvened at 1:10 p.m.

Social Service Director, Dennis Pearson entered the meeting at 1:10 p.m. to provide an update for his department. Pearson presented the contract with the attorney for Social Services. Oswald moved to accept Don Steerman as the Attorney for DSS at a rate $125.00 per hour. Motion carried. Pearson exited the meeting 1:17 p.m. 

Comp Time Policy: Oswald moved to allow comp time in a pay period and Robertson seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Jerry Allen entered the meeting at 1:22 p.m. to discuss Land Use. Allen discussed Impact Fees instead of using a county tax or have it included with the county tax fee.

Upcoming Meetings and Reports: Meetings and reports were acknowledged and signed.

Scott moved and Oswald seconded the motion to recess the regular meeting at 2:28 p.m. and move into the Planning and Zoning Public Hearing in regards to the Viaero Tower near Brandon, Colorado. Motion carried. Mr. Denardo, Manager for Viaero provided information in regards to the location of the tower. Mr. and Mrs. David Fench, property owners near the Viaero tower entered the meeting to listen to concerns. There were none. Oswald moved and Robertson seconded the motion to come out of special meeting and move back into regular session at 2:31 p.m. Motion carried. Oswald moved and Robertson seconded the motion to approve the Conditional Use Permit for the Viaero 120 foot self supporting tower. Motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS:

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

New Hire Progress Reports: The new Road and Bridge Employee is working out very well.

Railroad Letter of Support: Scott made a motion to hold off on a letter to the Railroad until meeting with CPR and Oswald seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Schmidt & Chivington Pits BLM Permits: Discussion proceeded over BLM surface rights in Kiowa County. Oswald moved and Scott seconded the motion to approve the BLM Schmidt and Chivington Pits. Motion carried.

JD Dozer Buyout/Lease Option: Robertson moved and Oswald seconded the motion to finance the Caterpillar graders for 48 months. Motion carried.

Transit: Adamson discussed the credit card usage for each of the transit drivers. Oswald moved and Robertson seconded the motion to issue a credit card to each transit driver. Motion carried.

Christmas Ad: Robertson moved and Oswald seconded the motion to put a Christmas Ad in the local newspaper. Motion carried. Commissioners paid for this ad out of their personal funds.

Oswald moved and Robertson seconded the motion to adopt the Wildfire Annual Operating Plan and the Cooperative Wildfire Protection Agreement. Motion carried.

With no further business to discuss, Oswald moved and Robertson seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 3:37 p.m.