The Regular meeting of the Kiowa County Commissioners was called to order on November 30, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. by Chairman Donald Oswald. Chairman Oswald 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

Members of the audience: Cindy Mcloud, KCEDF Director and Joshua Cousey with lnvenergy were present as members of the audience.

Mcloud Director of Kiowa County Economic Development reported that she had been working with the local businesses in Eads in regard to maintaining sustainability. She is also working with the Town of Haswell on business opportunities.

Mcloud discussed the status of the Legion Hall, Fishing for Fun and the Sheridan Lake Project. Mcloud thanked the BOCC for their time and returned back to her chair and remained as a member of the audience.

Robertson moved, and Lening seconded the motion to approve the October 26, 2023 minutes as presented. Motion carried.

Robertson moved, and Oswald seconded the motion to approve the November 14, 2023 minutes as presented. Motion carried.

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

Lening moved, and Robertson seconded the motion to approve the agenda as amended, with 4 additions. Old Business: Road & Bridge Update. New Business: Zimmerman Right of Way Permit, Letter of Support for the PUC and a letter to the Governor. Motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS:

Grants Updates:

Administrator Adamson reported that the County should be notified by December 15th if they have been approved for the Underfunded Grant.

Commissioner Robertson discussed further the roofing on the north side of the grandstands. He said it needs to be replaced. Adamson will continue to search for grants that would fit the criteria for replacing the grandstand roof.

Commissioner Lening said he would like to give the local construction people an opportunity to do some of these projects. Administrator Adamson said local construction people would be notified of the possible employment opportunities.

Landfill Recycling Update: Adamson advised that Geocycle would be here today (Nov. 30th) to load a large number of tires from the landfill. Adamson advised the BOCC this will be a very high bill as there are hundreds of tires to be hauled off.

Land Use Position: Adamson is requesting assistance from the BOCC for a paid employee land use position. Adamson said this position and the required hours for this type of work would require the necessity of a paid position. No action was taken at this time.

Planning and Zoning: Discussion of duties between a Variance Board and a Board of Adjustment occurred. It was agreed that the BOCC would be the Board of Adjustment.

Courthouse A/C Update: The new air conditioner compressors will go on the roof and the piping will go down the side of the courthouse. The A/C units have yet to arrive at this time.

Road & Bridge: Chairman Oswald has been checking the price of pipe for cattle guard repairs. Collaboration will be taking place regarding this project.

Russ Watson, County Fire Chief called in for an audio conference with the BOCC at 11:30 a.m. Mr. Watson's inquiry was in regard to the use of the former Senior Center and the Barrel Train for the "Merry on Maine" festivities. The BOCC agreed to allow the use of both items. Additionally, it was stated that the operator of the Barrel Train must proceed much slower than in past times.

Watson said he would contact the chair people for "Merry on Maine" and thanked the BOCC for their time. Watson ended the call at 11:45 a.m.

Oswald moved, and Robertson seconded the motion to recess the meeting at 11:50 p.m. for lunch break. Motion carried.

The regular meeting reconvened at 1:05 p.m.

Jon Saunders and Ann Boswell with SECOM entered the meeting to discuss the funding mechanisms for rural broadband. They asked if they could deem the eastern part of Kiowa County as under-served in the technological study. They stated they would share the information they receive. The BOCC agreed to do this.

Saunders and Boswell exited the meeting at 1:30 p.m.

Sewer Lines: There was discussion over the sewer line at the Sand Creek Massacre building. The sewer line was crushed when Eastern Slope installed their fiber optics. There will be further discussion in the near future, as no decision was made at that time.

A work session will be held December 12, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. A discussion of the GOCO Grant and the impact fees will be part of this discussion.

Transportation building: Chairman Oswald said he would like to get clarification from Jimmy Brown as to what he all needs for the Coroner's Office which will be included in the transportation building. This project will be constructed at the fairgrounds.

Planning and Zoning: Adamson spoke about the wildlife study that will need to be completed before any kind of construction can begin with the wind towers.

Upcoming meetings were discussed and approved. The County Reorganization Meeting will be held on January 9, 2024 at 9:00 a.m.

NEW BUSINESS:

TV Tower Generator Maintenance Agreement: Robertson moved, and Lening seconded the motion to sign the Maintenance Agreement for the TV Tower. Motion carried.

ESF #3-Public Works & Engineering Annex: Chairman Oswald and Lening seconded the motion to approve and sign off on the ESF #3. Motion carried.

Commissioner Lening moved and Robertson seconded the motion to approve the Zimmerman Right of Way Permit. Motion carried.

PUC Letter of Support: Lening moved and Robertson seconded to sign the Letter of Support for the PUC. Motion carried.

Letter to Governor: Robertson moved and Lening seconded the motion to write a letter to Governor Polis. Motion carried.

Employee Raises: After very lengthy discussion, Robertson moved and Oswald seconded the motion to give an approximate 7% raise to the County Employees. Motion carried.

With no further business to discuss, Robertson moved and Lening seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 3:35 p.m. Motion carried.