The regular meeting of the Kiowa County Commissioners was called to order on February 11, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. by Chairman Donald Oswald. Robertson 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
• Jordan Weirich, Administrative Assistant

• Tina Adamson, County Administrator (by Video Conference)

Robertson made the motion, seconded by Oswald to approve the minutes of the January 28, 2021 meeting as presented. Motion carried.

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

Oswald made the motion, seconded by Lening to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS:

Grant Updates: Administrator Adamson prepared a financial spreadsheet for the Murdock Project. The County has put in approximately $643,000.00 for the Senior Center, which initially was agreed that Kiowa County was to put in no more than $300,000.00.

Adamson reported that the County should still receive funding for two other grants. Adamson said the project started in 2007, so it has taken 14 years to complete.

COVID-19 Update: We are at level blue, with zero cases being reported at this time. 09:20 Ann- Marie Crampton and Renee Woods with Lamar Community College; entered the meeting to discuss the COSI Scholarship. Crampton asked for a donation from the County to fulfill the COSI Scholarship for Kiowa County. The Commissioners agreed they would discuss the scholarship donation at a later time.

Chairman Oswald questioned Crampton on the effects that COVID has had on the college. Crampton said there has been a 14% reduction rate in students. After further discussions Crampton and Woods both exited the meeting at 10:20 a.m.

Road & Bridge Foremen: Rick Spady, Alien Watts and Jack Howard entered the meeting at 10:50 am. to discuss items that need to be addressed. Some items mentioned were:

District 1: Old Sheridan Lake Shop and possibly purchasing a storage unit

District 2: Working on the dump truck

Garage Door Issues

District: 3 Continuation of work on the diesel tanks

The Road Foremen exited the meeting at 11:45 a.m.

Legal Publications: Betsy Barnett, owner of the Kiowa Independent; had entered the meeting at 11:45 a.m. to voice her concerns once again over the vote of the Kiowa County Press as the legal newspaper. She is concerned readers will not be receiving the most current and updated legal notices if they are continued in the Kiowa County Press.

Discussion continued. Robertson moved to rescind his earlier motion to approve the Kiowa County Press as the legal paper. Lening seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Robertson said after speaking with the county attorney he feels that he should rescind his motion. There were no further decisions at this time. Barnett thanked the BOCC and exited the meeting at 12:05 p.m.

Mike Lening made the motion, seconded by Robertson to recess the meeting for lunch at 12:07 p.m. Motion carried.

The regular meeting reconvened at 1:19 p.m.

Pearson entered the meeting at 1:19 p.m. to provide a monthly report for his department. Pearson reported 55 families have enrolled in the Obama Care Act.

Seventy-two families received commodities for February. Pearson exited the meeting at 1:37 p.m.

Legal Publications: Oswald moved to have the Kiowa County Independent as the legal paper for Legal Notifications. Lening seconded the motion. Motion carried. Lening requested a letter be sent to the Kiowa County Press explaining the legal decision.

Hospital Board: Tabled till the end of March.

Upcoming Meetings: Reports and Upcoming meetings were reviewed and signed.

Craig Kerfoot and Betsy Barnett entered the meeting at 1:50 p.m. to discuss the status of the Kiowa County Economic Development Foundation. Kerfoot reported that funding is a vital part for the Kiowa County Economic Foundation. Kerfoot said without continued support the Economic Foundation will no longer be able to operate in the very near future. Discussion followed. Barnett said the one positive for KCEDF is that they are a 501 C3. No decisions were made. Kerfoot and Barnett exitedthe meeting at 2:47 p.m.

GN Bank Authorization Letter: Oswald made the motion, seconded by Robertson to add Mike Lening to the authorized. signature letter. Motion carried.

Funded Miles: Lening moved and Robertson seconded the motion to approve the HUTF Report. Motion carried.

West Kiowa County Recreation District Letter of Interest: Oswald moved and Lening seconded the motion to approve the appointment of Nancy Miller to the West End Recreation District Board. Motion carried.

Library Board Members: Audrey Johnson, Barbara McCoin, Kemma Alfano, Librarian and Library Assistant, Valerie Briggs; entered the meeting to discuss the Wissel portion of the Murdock Project.

Members of the Senior Center entering the meeting were Joyce Berry, Doris Lessenden, Gail Voss, Loretta Seibel, Lola Igou, Madonna Pollreis, Phil Pollreis, Donna Owens and Areta Laird.

Administrator Adamson provided information as to what it will take to repair the Wissel portion of the Senior Center and how the library is in need of more space. Some of the senior citizens are now very concerned what this would do to the Senior Center if the library was to move in.

Gail Voss began speaking on behalf of the Senior Citizens that were present. She said the Senior Center members do not want to share this space. They would like to hold dances and other activities for the community. Voss said one other concern is as to who was going to clean the Wissel space.

Librarian, Kemma Alfano; spoke on behalf of the Library District. She explained the library .is running out of room for the programs that they would like to implement such as children's crafts, reading programs and book fairs. Alfano went onto explainthat the Library Board wanted to get feedback from the seniors in regards to the Wissel addition. Alfano said she could tell by the conversation the seniors still wanted the space. The Library Board in no way wanted to cause any issues.

Doris Lessenden spoke in regards to the use of the Wissel addition. She explained the Senior Center would like to rent the building for funerals, wedding receptions, baby showers and other events.

After lengthy discussion, Oswald made the motion, seconded by Robertson to leave the Wissel portion to the Senior Center. Motion carried. All of the above mentioned individuals exited the meeting at 4:02 p.m.

Tearle Lessenden, Kiowa County Extension Agent; entered the meeting at 4:02 p.m. to request a Letter of Support-from the BOCC on behalf of the local Extension Area. Lessenden explained the need for the letter to state the importance of having an Extension Office for this area as well as the surrounding counties. Robertson moved and Lening seconded the motion to sign a Letter of Support on behalf of the Extension Office. Lessenden thanked the BOCC and exited the meeting at 4:07 p.m.

Blowing Dirt Complaint: There will no action taken until Adamson receives the written complaints.

Impact Assistance Grant Application: Robertson moved and Lening seconded the motion to sign the Impact Assistance Grant. Motion carried.

Medical Leave Bank: Tabled till next meeting.

With no other business to conduct, Oswald moved and Lening seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 4:30 p.m. Motion carried.