The Regular meeting of the Kiowa County Commissioners was called to order on December 14, 2021; at 9:00 a.m. by Chairman Donald Oswald. Oswald opened the meeting with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Those in Attendance: 

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

Minutes: Lening moved and Robertson seconded the motion to approve the November 23, 2021; minutes as presented. Motion carried.

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

Agenda: Oswald moved and Lening seconded the motion to approve the amended agenda with one addition. Motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS:

Grant Updates: Cindy McLoud, Coordinator for the Kiowa County Economic Development, entered the meeting along with Greg Thomason, who is with the State Office of Economic Development. Mr. Thomason explained the different items his office is working on such as housing, childcare, and assisting with economic development for first time businesses. After lengthy discussion, McLoud and Thomason exited the meeting at 09:52 a.m.

JC Carrica, with Southeast Mental Health, entered the meeting at 9:52 a.m. to announce they have a VA Provider on hand and will be working with the local Hospital/Clinic a day or two a month to assist our local Veteran's with their medical needs.

Mr. Carrica had met with Sheriff Frazee earlier in the morning, and had a great conversation and agreed that Southeast Mental Health would be working with the Sheriff's Office on a much closer relationship. Southeast Mental Health will be assisting on transportation of the transients passing through Kiowa County.

Carrica reported that there are 25 consumers in Kiowa County that are receiving assistance with Southeast Mental Health. Carrica thanked the Board for their time and exited the meeting at 10:21 a.m.

Oswald moved and Lening seconded the motion to recess the regular meeting and move into the 2022 Budget Public Hearing at 10:15 a.m. Motion carried. No one from the public attended. With no further action, Oswald moved and Lening seconded the motion to adjourn the public hearing and move back into regular session at 10:22 a.m. Motion carried.

Robertson moved and Oswald seconded the motion to recess the regular meeting and move into the Model Traffic Code Public Hearing at 11:00 a.m. Motion carried. Those in attendance: Sheriff, Forrest Frazee and Undersheriff, Mike Schneider. Sheriff Frazee informed the BOCC the only changes to the current Model Traffic were the fees for construction zone and school zone fines.

With no further questions/comments, Lening moved and Robertson seconded the motion to move back into regular session at 11:00 a.m. Motion carried. Lening moved and Robertson seconded the motion to adopt Ordinance NO. 2021-1 Model Traffic Code. Motion carried.

Landfill Update: There will be a landfill inspection on December 22^nd

Orsted MET Tower Public Hearing: Oswald moved and Lening seconded the motion to recess the regular meeting and move into the Orsted MET Tower Public Hearing at 11:30 a.m. Motion carried. Public in Attendance: Sam Webster. Lucas Buseck, Representative for Orsted provided information on the two MET towers that will be built on the west end of the County in the very near future. Mr. Webster questioned how close the windmills would be to a residence should they begin construction. Buseck said they would be at least 1500 feet from a resident's home. 

With no further discussion Lening moved and Robertson seconded to come out of the public hearing at 11:44 a.m. and move back into regular session at such time. Motion carried.

Robertson moved and Lening seconded the motion to approve the Orsted MET Tower Permits. Motion carried. Sam Webster and Lucas Buseck exited the meeting at 11:32 a.m.

Lening moved and Robertson seconded the motion to approve the building permit for KICT LLC elevator located at the intersection of Hwy. 96 and County Rd. 72. Motion carried.

Lening moved and Robertson seconded the motion to approve the building permit for solar to a residential address located at 22340 US Hwy. 287, Eads, Colorado 81036. Motion carried.

Oswald moved and Lening seconded the motion to recess for the lunch at 11:58 a.m. Motion carried.

Dennis Pearson, Social Service Director, entered the meeting to request approval of the Compliance Letter to the State. After review, Oswald moved and Lening seconded the motion to approve and sign the compliance letter. Motion carried.

Pearson discussed the Little Leaders Daycare Center and the lack of funding and state regulations that is required by State. He said the daycare has ceased operations at this time. Pearson also reported that the Director of the Daycare has also resigned from her position. Pearson exited the meeting at 1:52 p.pm. 

Eunice Weber, Kiowa County Ambulance Director, entered the meeting along with Jenifer Black. Weber said the ambulance service had 19 runs, 3 flights and 6 refusals for the month of November.

Dr. Weber, Medical Advisor, for the ambulance service has resigned from this position. A Dr. Paul Munson will be taking over as the Medical Advisor for the Ambulance Services.

Kemma Alfano, Kiowa County Library Director, entered the meeting to discuss the hours of business the Courthouse may be going to. She presented a letter from a Library Board member who also stated opposition to the Courthouse being closed on Fridays. She feels the library is busiest on Fridays when the kids are out of school. Alfano asked the BOCC to consider leaving the library open on Fridays. The

BOCC said they would take this into consideration. Alfano thanked the Commissioners and exited the meeting at 2:14 p.m.

Robertson moved and Oswald seconded the motion to approve the 2022 Budget as presented. Motion carried.

Robertson moved and Oswald seconded the motion to adopt the Resolution to Appropriate Sums of Money and the Resolution to set Mill Levies. Motion carried.

Oswald moved and Robertson seconded the motion to have the Courthouse Offices, Social Services and Public Health work 34 hours a week Monday-Thursday from 8:00-5:00 p.m. with a half hour lunch, with no monthly increase in pay.

The Public Library will be open Tuesday-Friday.

The Road & Bridge will work Monday-Thursday 40 Hour work week with a 5% pay increase.

NEW BUSINESS: 

Reports and meetings were reviewed and signed.

Letter of Resignation: The BOCC received a Letter of Resignation from Tyler Hainer as a member of the Fair Board. The Commissioners would like to thank Mr. Hainer for his time serving as a Fair Board member.

With no other business to discuss Oswald moved and Lening seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 2:55 p.m. Motion carried.