The regular meeting of the Kiowa County Commissioners was called to order on March 10, 2022; at 9:10

a.m. by Chairman Donald Oswald. Commissioner 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
• Tina Adamson, County Administrator

Minutes: Robertson moved, and Lening seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the February 24, 2022, meeting as presented. Motion carried.

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

Motion carried.

Agenda: Robertson moved, and Lening seconded the motion to approve the agenda as presented.

Motion carried.

Cindy McLoud, KCEDF Coordinator; entered the meeting at 09:15 to provide an update on the housing

projects-Kiowa Creek Estates. Mcloud presented a check for the Tax Credits for the Senior Citizens Center. This is the final payment in the amount of $18,898.55. McLoud thanked the BOCC and exited the meeting at 09:52 am.

Old Business:

Grant Updates: RREO Grant: Administrator Adamson had filed the Grant and the county is waiting for a response on approval

Transit Van Building: Discussion followed with no decisions being made.

Landfill/Recycling Update: Jeff Scranton will be transporting the first load of plastics and cardboard to Clean Valley in Rocky Ford on March 11th

Oswald moved and Robertson seconded the motion to move into executive session at 10:05 a.m. for Legal Consultation C.R.S. 24-6-402 (4) (b) and Personnel Matters (4) (f) (1). Motion carried.

Oswald moved, and Robertson moved to exit the executive session and enter back into regular session at 10:47 a.m. Motion carried.

SCEDD: The housing projects are moving along and should be under construction in the near future.

Legislative Update: The Polis letter was discussed with no action taken.

Upcoming meetings: Meetings and Reports were reviewed and signed.

Road Foremen: Road Foremen Watts and Spady entered the meeting at 11:30 a.m. to discuss further on the cleaning of the cattle guards. The BOCC agreed that there will be a fee billed to each property owner in the amount of $125.00. There will be additional fees if the cattle guard is need of repairs.

The Chrysler van that is being used for transit has some mechanical issues and will be taken to a mechanic in Lamar or the Dodge dealership.

The Road Foremen exited the meeting at 12:12 p.m.

Oswald moved, and Lening seconded the motion to recess for lunch at 12:15 p.m. Motion carried.

The regular meeting reconvened at 1:00 p.m.

Upcoming meetings and reports we reviewed and signed.

Dennis Pearson, Director of Social Services entered the meeting to provide an update for his department. He reported that Child Welfare has been busier than ever. Pearson said they are receiving 3 to 4 applicants a week for the food stamp program. Pearson thanked the BOCC and exited the meeting at 1:25 p.m.

NEW BUSINESS:

Time off Requests: Lening moved, and Robertson seconded the motion to approve the two time off requests.

Liquor License Renewal: Lening moved, and Robertson seconded the motion to approve the liquor license renewal for the Eads Golf Course. Motion carried.

Personnel Policy/Confidentiality Statement: The BOCC agreed that the Confidential Statement will be reviewed and signed when being hired.

Tri-State Designation of Activity of State Interest: Oswald moved, and Robertson seconded the motion to sign the Tri State Generation and Transmission Association Inc. from Burlington to Lamar 230 Kilovolt Transmission Project as an Activity of State interest such as site selection and construction of major facilities of a public utility. Motion carried.

Public Health CORE Service Agreement: Robertson moved, and Oswald seconded the motion to approve the CORE Services Agreement. Motion carried.

Land Use Attorney Agreement: Lening moved, and Robertson seconded the motion to hire Darla Scranton Specht as Kiowa County Land Use Attorney. Motion carried.

Chase Stolzenberger, Eads High School Senior Representative requested permission for the use of the Kiowa County Community Building on April 3^rd.  The Senior Class will be holding a Corn Hole Tournament on this date. They will use the Community Building only if there is inclement weather. The BOCC agreed to charge for the deposit but would waive the fee.

Oswald moved, and Robertson seconded the motion to go into executive session at 2:09 p.m. Motion carried. Executive Session per C.R.S. 24-6-402 (4) (b) Contract Negotiations and Attorney Consultation.

Lening moved, and Oswald seconded the motion to move out of Executive Session and back into regular session at 2:30 p.m. Motion carried.

Excel/Landowner meeting: 33 Landowners and National Park Service/Xcel people were her along with 44 people by Zoom. Total attendance for the meeting was 87. Those in attendance were:

People In Person:

• Donald Oswald 
• Howard "Butch" Robertson 
• Mike Lening
• Tina Adamson 
• Delisa Weeks 
• Jordan Weirich
• Dawna Peck 
• Marci Miller 
• Jimmy Brown
• Jenn Chester 
• Heather Brickey 
• Mandy Ewing
• Terry Ferrington 
• Bob Weber 
• Joseph Burk
• Laning Peterson 
• Dale Stewart 
• Karen Roberts
• Melissa Jones 
• Rex Barlow 
• Fran Lee Larrew
• Randy Larrew 
• Art Fox 
• William Wilcox
• Vickie Wilcox 
• Russ Loyd 
• Desa Inskeep
• Jessica Rodriguez 
• Trev Comstock 
• Linly Stum
• Tiffany Pulliam 
• Nisha Fleischman 
• Tom Davis
• Greg Brophy 
• Amber Dedus 
• Dusty Tallman
• Cody Fox 
• Betsy Barnett 
• Burl Scherler
• Darla Scranton Specht 
• Travis Weaver 
• Doug Tallman
• Pam Cole

Online Attendees:

• Alexa Roberts 
• Ryan Ortiz
• Matt LeBlanc
• Karl Kumli 
• Chantalle Hanshu
• Tracy Coppola
• Kari Linker 
• Richard Holtorf 
• Travis Grant
• Renee Martinez
• Regan O'Donnell
• Tom Henly
• Kelliy Flenniken
• Julie Stencel 
• Emma Tajchman
• Lucas Buseck 
• Jan Bybee 
• Gerald Kelly
• Michelle Wilgers 
• Nick Nebauer 
• Mary Jo Tallman
• Kelly Spitzer 
• Jared Ivie 
• June Beaman
• Carly Rower
• Nolan Tallman
• Tim Conboy

• SRE 
• Chris Sorensen
• John Snow

Commissioner Lening, began the discussion with the County Clean Energy Plan and how Xcel came about with the route that was chosen.

The landowners voiced their concerns about the 10 mile radius view shed the Sand Creek Massacre Foundation and Tribes are requesting. They questioned as to who was really making the decisions was it the local government or the NPS\ Tribes. Some landowners feel that their property rights have been violated as they have not been contacted by anyone in regards to the view shed and the pathway that was chosen by Xcel.

Doug Tallman, landowner; then explained what kind of impact this could have on Landowners (Stakeholders) and the County. With 120 sections of land being effected Tallman explained that the County could lose millions of dollars.

Burl Scherer, landowner wanted the commissioners to support the view shed in option 3 in the original site survey and make a positive decision, however the commissioners were highly advised not to make any decisions today.

Administrator Adamson stated that the commissioners of the county wanted to make sure every protection was in place for landowners for things like this project to help protect the landowners. She also stated the financial condition the county is in is not good, and we need a project like this to come into the county.

The Xcel representatives stated the Commissioners will have the final say on any project with Xcel.

Chairman Oswald asked for a show of hands about the view shed and everyone in the room was opposed to the 10 mile radius.

Each commissioner stated as a view of their own, they were not in favor of the 10 mile view shed but will not officially vote on anything until the 1041 proceeding is completed.

Commissioner Lening stated that he very much appreciated everyone for coming and being part of the conversation about this project.

Xcel stated there is a website you can go to, to leave comments on the website and receive emails on the project you can do that at the website Coloradospowerpathway.com. The email is Coloradospowerpathway@xcelenergy.com and phone number is 855-858-9037.

Everyone exited the meeting at 5:38 p.m.

Oswald moved, and Lening seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:40 p.m. Motion carried.