The Kiowa County Commissioner's regular meeting was called to order on March 11, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. by Chairman Donald Oswald. Robertson opened the meeting with a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance.

Those in Attendance: 

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

Oswald moved and Robertson seconded the motion to recess the regular meeting at 09:55 a.m. and move into executive session. Motion carried. Executive session was in regard to Statute 24-6-402 (4) (f) personnel matters. Oswald moved and Robertson seconded the motion to adjourn the executive session and move back into regular session at 10:53 a.m. Motion carried.

Minutes: Robertson moved and Lening seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the February 25, 2021 minutes as presented. Motion carried.

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

Agenda: Oswald moved and Lening seconded the motion to approve the agenda as amended. Motion carried. The following items were added to the agenda: NEW BUSINESS: Nelson sound system, roadside signage and CEDS-Comprehensive Economic Development.

OLD BUSINESS:

Grant Update: The County still has not received the Notice of Occupancy for the new Senior Center.

Administrator Adamson had received notification that the new Stimulus Bill passed, and Kiowa County should receive $275,000.00 from this bill. Discussion followed with no action taken at the time.

Fair Board members David Walker, Areta Laird and Mr. Prince, entered the meeting to discuss events for the fairgrounds. Yonda Leonard, a member of the audience also entered the meeting to discuss the Fair Royalty activities. Walker said Darwin Nelson had discussed selling his sound system to the Fair Board. No action taken at this time. Other line items Walker brought to the BOCC were:

• An I-Pad for the Fair board Secretary.
• Walker questioned when the horse stalls would be repaired.
• Tillage of the arena needs to be done soon. Walker wants the arena to be ready to go every weekend especially throughout the summer. He says it needs to be ripped and groomed.

Fair Board Vacancy: Walker said there was lengthy discussion with no action taken on the Letter of Interest that was presented at the fair board meeting. 

Adamson brought to the attention of the Fair Board that the County still had not received $700.00 from the 2019 Fair. Adamson would like to get these funds accounted for. Discussion followed.

Tearle Lessenden, Kiowa County Extension Agent; presented information on the wear and tear of the curtains that are hanging at the pavilion. Lessenden would like to get some retractable curtains if possible but realizes it will be more costly. Lessenden will get more information and bring back to the BOCC.

Meat out Day on March 20. Robertson moved and Lening seconded the motion to approve the use of the fairgrounds on March 20.  There will be a rental fee of $100.00 and a refundable fee of $300.00, as long as they clean the fairgrounds and pick up the trash.

Kemma Alfano, Kiowa County Librarian; entered the meeting to discuss a Letter of Replacement for Library District Board Member, Cathryn Anderson. A review of the bylaws states after missing consecutive meetings a board member can be replaced due to inactive service. Oswald moved to accept the Letter of Replacement on Ms. Cathryn Anderson. Lening seconded the motion. Motion carried. Oswald said the Commissioners would like to thank Cathryn Anderson for her many years of service. Alfano thanked the BOCC and exited the meeting.

Landfill Update/Recycling Update: Adamson reported that there was an in inspection at the county landfill. There were three items that needed to be corrected before passing inspection. Landfill Manager, Jeff Scranton has already completed the three items that needed to be addressed.

Lakes Update: No action taken at this time.

COVID-19 Update/ (Plans for Prom/Ag Day/Prom Fundraiser BBQ):

Consensus from the BOCC that the Jr/Sr Class sponsors need to attend the next meeting and present a plan to the Commissioners for review and then forward this plan onto the Public Health Director, Meagan Hillman.

Russ Watson would like to use the Community Building to hold a benefit dinner for the Jr/Sr Class Prom. The money he makes will be donated to the Prom. Mr. Watson will have to submit a plan and forward it to the Public Health Director, Meagan Hillman.

Ambulance Service: Adamson is still waiting on the NPI Number to be able to move forward.

APHIS Work & Financial Plan: Discussion followed. Oswald moved to approve the Work and Financial Plan for APHIS. Robertson seconded the motion. Oswald-yes, Robertson - yes and Lening - No. Motion carried.

Hospital Board Appointment: Oswald moved to appoint Karl Eikenberg as a member to Weisbrod Memorial County Hospital Board. Lening seconded the motion. Roll call was taken Oswald - Yes, Lening - Yes and Robertson - Abstained. Motion carried.

2nd Amendment Resolution: Discussion followed with no decision being made. Resolution 2021-2: Lening moved, and Robertson seconded the motion to adopt Resolution 2021-2 for support for our cattlemen and other livestock producers, proclaiming March 20, 2021; as Kiowa County Cattlemen's Day. Motion carried.

Oswald moved and Lening seconded the motion to recess for lunch at 11 :57 a.m. Motion carried.

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

DSS Report: Social Service Director, Dennis Pearson; entered the meeting to provide an update for Social Services. Pearson reported that there were three new child welfare cases in regard to children. All had drug related issues.

Pearson said there were still more people applying for the LEAP Assistance Program.

Pearson exited the meeting at 1 :30 p.m.

Upcoming Meetings and reports: Meeting and reports were reviewed and signed.

Chairman Oswald moved to go into executive session at 1:50 p.m. Robertson seconded the motion. Motion carried. Personnel matters Colorado Statute 24-6-402 (4) (f) were discussed. Oswald moved and Robertson seconded the motion to adjourn the executive session and move back into regular session at 2:48 p.m. Motion carried.

Medical Leave Policy: Lening moved to accept the Medical Leave Policy excluding the employer contribution of hours. Oswald seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Robertson moved and Oswald seconded the motion to approve the revision to the Leave Donation Policy. Motion carried.

NPS Letter of Support for Camp Amache: Lening moved, and Robertson seconded the motion to approve the Letter of Support for Camp Amache for the NPS. Motion carried.

KCEDF: Discussion followed over the future of KCEDF. No action taken.

911 Surcharge: Robertson moved, and Oswald seconded the motion to approve the surcharge fee. Motion carried.

Fair Board Applicants: Adamson will speak to the two interested applicants and schedule a time to come in for interviews.

Fairgrounds Sound System: It was consensus of the BOCC that they are not interested at this time to purchase a sound system.

Roadside Signage: Adamson will look into this and have further information at the next meeting.

CEDS: Comprehensive Economic Development. Discussion followed as to what CEDS could do for economic productivity within the different regions. Several meetings will need to take place in the next few months to develop this plan. No action taken.

Adamson spoke with Veteran's Officer, Patricia Roper about the sanding project that needs to be completed at the Legion Hall. Roper said the Veteran's Office could help pay for someone to sand the floors. The BOCC agreed this should be done.

The next regular meeting will be March 25, 2021 at 9:00 a.m.

With no further business to discuss, Lening moved, and Robertson seconded to adjourn the meeting at 4:00 p.m. Motion carried.

RESOLUTION 2021-2

RECOGNIZING THE MANY PAST AND CURRENT CONTRIBUTIONS

OF KIOWA COUNTY CATTLEMEN AND OTHER LIVESTOCK

PRODUCERS AND SUPPORTING THE LOCAL RANCHING INDUSTRY

WHEREAS, the Governor of Colorado has proclaimed a boycott of meat products, referred to as a "MeatOut" - in order to promote meatless diets as promoted by the Farm Animal Rights Movement (FARM), to be observed by Coloradans on March 20, 2021; and

WHEREAS, cattle and other livestock production has historically been, and continues to be, one of the key economic drivers in Kiowa County; and

WHEREAS, Kiowa County Cattleman and our ranching families are part of a $3.4B state industry with a $40B economic impact; and

WHEREAS employment in the agriculture sector and related industries provides jobs to Kiowa County citizens, a very large number of which are involved in ranching and livestock production; and

WHEREAS, the2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recognizes that a variety of animal and plant proteins is important to a healthy diet; and

WHEREAS, the Colorado General Assembly is considering passage of Senate Bill 21-079 which concerns deregulation of direct to customer meat sales in support of ranch to table private enterprise.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THAT THE KIOWA COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF KIOWA COUNTY, COLORADO declares its support for our cattlemen and other livestock producers and proclaims March 20, 2021 as Kiowa County Cattlemen's Day; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Commission express their concern that the Governor of Colorado would call for a boycott, even of one-day duration, of an industry that is key and essential to both our local and state economy; and FINALLY, SHALL IT BE RESOLVED, that this Commission supports Senate Bill 21-079 concerning deregulation of direct to customer meat sales in support of ranch to table private enterprise and all other legislative actions that support strengthening Colorado agriculture.

The vote was: 

Commissioner Oswald               Aye

Commissioner Robertson          Aye

Commissioner Lening                Aye

The Chair declared the motion adopted and so ordered.

PASSED AND ADOPTED this 11^th day of March 2021 in Kiowa County, Colorado.

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF KIOWA COLORADO

/s/ Donald Oswald, Chair

/s/ Mike Lening, Commissioner

/s/ Howard "Butch" Robertson, Commissioner

Attest

/s/ Delisa Weeks, Kiowa County Clerk