The Regular meeting of the Kiowa County Commissioners was called to order on November 22, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. by Chairman Donald Oswald. Robertson opened the meeting with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Those in attendance were:

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

Cindy McLoud, Kiowa County Economic Development Coordinator; entered the meeting at 9:00 a.m. along with Morgan Van Camp with the Jump Start Program. Ms. Van Camp is planning to visit with the mayors of Eads, Sheridan Lake and Haswell. She would like to visit with them in regard to how the Jump Start Program works and the possibility of what kind of growth this could have Kiowa County. This is a state program that is run through the Economic Commission. Ms. Van Campen and McLoud exited the meeting at 9:30 a.m. 

Minutes: Lening moved, and Oswald seconded the motion to approve the minutes with one correction. Motion carried. 

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

Agenda: Oswald moved, and Robertson seconded the motion to approve the agenda as amended with two additions. Old Business: Lease agreement on the EMS building and the Aldrich Pit. Motion carried. 

OLD BUSINESS: 

Grant Updates: Administrator Adamson reported that she still had not received any information from Royce Electric on the current mini grants. 

The flooring for the Courthouse hallway will be here next week. 

Discussion continued with the 2023 mini grants and what the BOCC would like to apply for. 

Landfill/Recycling Update: Lening, has spoken to Brandon Murdock, who will be cleaning up the scrap metal pile at the landfill. 

Landfill Manager, Jeff Scranton has a load of plastic ready to be recycled in Rocky Ford. 

P & Z Update: Adamson stated, the County had received the permitting application for a MET Tower installation by Blue Earth Renewables. She will be setting a hearing date in the near future for the review of this application. 

2023 Budget: The BOCC had reviewed the 2023 Budget. No action taken. 

Lease EMS Building: Discussion followed over the EMS Building (Former Senior Center). It was agreed that the BOCC is not interested at this time in renovating this building. 

Secure Transportation Licensure Discussion: People present for this discussion were:

Sheriff Forrest Frazee Deputy Marlow Undersheriff Kayla Murdock Dennis Pearson Brian Williams (Sheriff Elect) Betsy Barnett

Sheriff Frazee discussed how the Sheriff's Office does not have the man power, funds or population to provide coverage for this kind of transportation. Lening suggested that we speak with Prowers County to see how they transport those with mental issues. He said we need to see what procedures and protocols they have and what we need in place to be able to transport these kinds of patients. Lening said we need to get in contact with our Senators and Representatives and let them know what this looks like for the small counties that don't have holding facilities. 

Adamson has tried to contact J.C. Carrera, Manager of Southeast Mental Health but he has not responded in regards to the Secure Transportation licensure. 

There was no action taken at this time and all the above mentioned exited the meeting at 11:28 a.m.

Robertson moved to rent office #400 in the Bransgrove building for $100.00 per month, Lening seconded noting that it is the small windowless office in the upstairs of the Bransgrove building. Motion carried. 

Aldrich Pit: No response. 

Upcoming Meeting and Reports were reviewed and signed: 

Oswald moved, and Lening seconded this motion to recess for the lunch hour at 11:54 a.m. Motion carried. 

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

Sure Shot Solar-Battery Storage Presentation was presented by Robert Kaniecki, Colleen Christmas-Garner, and Megann Cranfore. Discussion followed with fire prevention, monitoring and an early warning system. They described how Sure Shot will be able to monitor the batteries for the Solar panels from their home base office and will be able to locate which battery is going bad. They will be able to then send someone to replace the battery. There was a question as to where the old battery will be stored. They assured the BOCC they will not be going to our local landfill. 

Sure Shot did discuss the possibility of potential employment for a few local people. They would have to see how things were going once construction begins. 

Members of the Sure Shot team thanked the BOCC for their time and exited the meeting at 1:30 p.m. Other members of the audience that were present for the presentation were Betsy Barnett and Jordan Weirich. 

NEW BUSINESS: 

Time Off Request Forms: Lening moved, to approve the one time off request with Robertson seconding the motion. Motion carried. 

Employee Resignations: There were 3 from the Sheriff's Office that has recently resigned. Those resigning were Trent Negley, Kayla Murdock, and Jonah West. Lening moved, to accept the three employee resignations as presented, Robertson seconded. Motion passed. The BOCC would like to thank the three Sheriff Office employees for the work they have done. 

Excel Energy 1041 Permit: Members of the Excel Team that were present by ZOOM: Tiffany Pullian Crystal Pardue Ashley Valdez Julie Stencel Heather Brickey Delaney Selvage Aurti Goyal Kelly Flanniken Jerry Allen Gill McNish Lauren Pillar 

Other members of the audience were: Jordan Weirich Betsy Barnett 

Administrator Adamson read Resolution 2022-6 regarding the 1041 permitting for Excel aloud to the public. 

After discussion, Lening moved and Robertson seconded the motion to approve the 1041- Resolution permitting the 86 mile of transmission line through Kiowa County with the approved corrections. Roll Call was taken: Robertson-Yes, Lening- Yes and Oswald - Yes. Motion carried. 

The Excel members attending by ZOOM thanked the BOCC and exited the meeting. Julie Stencel, Assistant General Counsel did state they may have to ask for further clarification on a few line items. 

Robertson moved, and Lening seconded the motion to recess the regular meeting and move into executive session at 2:33 p.m. pursuant to CRS24-6-402 4(b) for legal matters. Motion carried. 

Oswald moved, and Robertson seconded the motion to adjourn the executive session at 2:47 p.m. and moved back into regular session. Motion carried.

Burrell Graves, with Cleary Building entered the meeting at 3:00 p.m. to discuss the building that will house the County Coroner's Office and the transit van storage at the fairgrounds. There was lengthy discussion with no firm decisions being made. Mr. Graves exited the meeting 3:40 p.m.

Cody Fox, fair board member entered the meeting to discuss the fun day dates for the 2023 fair. Fox said as it stands now it will be held on the Monday before the County Fair. Discussion ensued over the planning and organization it is going to take to make a successful fair. The BOCC assured Mr. Fox that they are seeking people who are interested in the fair and the daily activities it will take to make the fair more enticing for the public. 

Betsy Barnett Editor of the Kiowa County Independent exited the meeting at 3:44 p.m. 

The next regular meeting will be held on December 15, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. 

With no further line items to discuss, Oswald moved and Robertson seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 4:20 p.m.