The Regular meeting of the Kiowa County Commissioners was called to order on May 11, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. by Chairman Donald Oswald. Commissioner Robertson opened the meeting with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

• Donald Oswald, Chairman 
• Howard "Butch" Robertson, Commissioner Mike Lening, Commissioner 
• Delisa Weeks, County Clerk 
• Tina Adamson, County Administrator
• Members of the audience: Cindy McLoud, KCEDF Director and Alexander Arensburg. 

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

Vouchers: Lening 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 presented. Motion carried. 

Lisa Thomas, Collaborative Management Director for Southeast Colorado entered the meeting to provide an update on the services she provides for this area. Thomas' works with different entities such as Department of Public Safety, Social Services, Judicial, Probation, SIGNAL Substance Use Entity, Schools and also Domestic Safety Resource. Thomas's main goal is to assist the youth and families from entering into the child welfare system and try to deter or slow down the behavioral issues with parents and children. Thomas provided further information on other programs she assists with. Thomas thanked the BOCC for their time and remained in the meeting to attend to the Board of Health Meeting. 

Dennis Pearson, Megan Hillman and Shellie Englehardt entered the meeting at 10:00 a.m. as members to the Board of Public Health. 

Oswald moved to recess the regular meeting and move into the Board of Public Health meeting. Robertson seconded the motion. Motion carried at 10:12 a.m. 

Oswald moved, and Lening seconded the motion to adjourn the BOH meeting at 10:33 a.m. and move back into regular session at 10:43 a.m. Motion carried. 

Oswald moved to recess the regular meeting at 11:00 a.m. and move into the public hearing on the 1041 Setbacks for alternative energy development projects. Robertson seconded the motion. Motion carried. Those in attendance for the Public Hearing:

• Alex Arensberg 
• Greg Brophy 
• Lane Stum 
• Linly Stum 
• Evan Hopkins 
• Melanie Medeiros 
• Heather Guffy 
• Randy Larrew 
• Joe Kasza
• Betsy Barnett 
• Ken Flory 
• Mark Sanders 
• Ashley Rieseberg 
• Greg Miller 
• Donald Oswald 
• Delisa Weeks 
• Steve Cunningham 
• Tran Weaver 
• Nick Leiker 
• Rick Harris 
• Sam Nelson 
• Ryan Britten 
• Alex Thompson 
• Delton Eikenberg
• Randy Carney 
• Marty Neugebauer
• Kemma Alfano 
• Terry Laird
• Matt Allen 
• Tina Adamson
• Josh Framel 
• Norman L. Arends 
• Jolene Leiker 
• Tim Harris 
• Tearle Lessenden 
• Natacha Kiler 
• Patricia Breslin 
• Mike Splitter 
• Vincent Koeller 
• Roger Saffer 
• Pamela Cole 
• Jimmy Brown 
• Jerry Allen 
• Darla Specht
• Howard Robertson

Those Attending By ZOOM: 

• Jacob Baker 
• Michael Hankard 
• Marci Miller 
• Donette Miranda 
• Steve Gray 
• Laura Miner 
• Mark Roberts
• Jeff Ellenbogen 
• Mike MaRous
• Dawna Peck 
• Doug Tallman 
• Wade lverstine 
• Tiffany Pulliam
• Lauren Kaapcke 
• Amy Weirich 
• Debbie Shivers 
• Emily Fern 
• Jennifer Chester 
• William Osborn

Oswald moved, and Lening seconded the motion to move out of the Public Hearing at 12:20 p.m. 

Due to time constraints the BOCC held a work session during lunch and discussed draft recommendations with the County Attorney for preparation of a resolution and proper language regarding 1041 setbacks. No decision was made.

The regular session resumed at 1:30.

Brook Matthews, Southeast Region Extension Agent and Kiowa County Extension Agent, Tearle Lessendenentered the meeting at 1:30 p.m. Agent Lessenden introduced Matthews to introduce the BOCC. Discussion ensued over duties and concerns with the different 4-H programs for the 2023 Fair. 

Matthews and Lessenden exited the meeting at 2:00 p.m. 

Road Foreman, Rick Spady entered the meeting at 2:15 p.m. to discuss the possibility of purchasing a backhoe. Discussion ensued. Robertson moved to purchase the John Deere 310P Backhoe for $124,033.12. Lening seconded the motion. Motion carried.

A review of the buyout for the John Deere Road Graders ensued, Oswald moved and Robertson seconded the motion to buy one of the road graders. Motion carried. 

Lening moved, and Robertson seconded to pay Tim Wolf, County Road & Bridge employee $100.00 per month to review the DOT inspections on the seventeen trucks that have to be inspected yearly. Motion carried. 

Foreman Spady exited at 2:38 p.m. 

OLD BUSINESS: 

Landfill/Recycling Updates: The rainstorm took out the scales at the landfill. The BOCC agreed the Landfill Manager, Scranton should close for the weekend due to the scales. 

KCEDF Update: McLoud reported she had received one local bid for the Legion Hall rehabilitation project. 

McLoud reported, Librarian Kemma Alfano wrote a grant through a library membership for solar panels to be placed on the Crow Luther building. Alfano should know by next month if it was approved. 

A local donor has paid the matching funds to a DOLA Grant for the Town of Haswell and Sheridan Lake to replace existing sidewalks around their Community Buildings. 

McLoud thanked the BOCC for their time and remained at the meeting. 

P & Z Update: The companies that have submitted 1041 permit applications are considered vested so new setback requirements for those projects could be waived. 

Redistricting: If Administrator Adamson has not received information from Colorado College by May 25th the BOCC will use the mapping that was done by Logan County. 

Upcoming Meeting and Reports were reviewed and signed. 

NEW BUSINESS:

New Hire Report: The newest employee is working very well. 

HP Board Resignation and Letter of Interest: Jeff Campbell resigned from the Historic Preservation Board. Robertson moved, and Lening seconded the motion to approve Gay Uhland to fulfill the position. Motion carried. The BOCC would like to thank Mr. Campbell for his services to the Historic Preservation Board. 

RETAC Board Appointment: Jodi Stolzenberger, Chief Nursing Officer will fill the vacant position on the RETAC Board. 

Fair Parade Theme Contest: The BOCC sent their three choices to the Fair Board, to make the final decision for the 2023 Parade.

BluEarth CUP Extension: BluEarth has a current MET Tower and is requesting an extension of the Conditional Use permit from five years ago. Lening moved, and Robertson seconded to approve the permit. Motion carried. 

Public Health Task Order: Oswald signed and returned to the Administrator. 

With no further business to discuss, Oswald moved, and Robertson seconded to adjourn the meeting at 3:52 p.m. Motion carried.