The Regular Meeting of the Kiowa County Commissioners was called to order on October 14, 2021; at 9:00 a.m. by Chairman Donald Oswald. Lening 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 September 30th; minutes as presented. Motion carried.

Vouchers: Robertson moved, and Oswald 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 to Old Business: C-DOT and the Pearson Building and the Courthouse Elevator. Motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS:

Cindy McLoud discussed the Build Back Better Grant and asked for a letter of support.

Grant Updates/ ARP Funding/C DOT Transit Grant: Adams Electric had requested payment for the work that was done at the Senior Center.

McLoud then turned the conversation to the Town of Eads. She said the Town is applying for a COOT Grant for ground, curb and gutter work in front of the theater. She said the trees that are in front of the Crow Luther Building and the old Senior Citizen are causing some issues to the cement sidewalk. McLoud questioned if the County would be able to assist in the removal of the trees and cement that is bad in that area. Oswald said the County could assist in hauling the cement and trees off. Lening is requesting a copy of the project for clarification. McLoud will get this information sent to Administrator Adamson. McLoud thanked to BOCC and set down as a member of the audience at 09:55 a.m.

Meghan Hillman, Department of Public Health; Dennis Pearson, Social Service Director and Shellie Engelhardt, Emergency Manager for Kiowa County; entered the meeting to attend the Public Health meeting.

Oswald moved, and Robertson seconded the motion, to recess the regular meeting and move into the Public Health meeting at 10:03 a.m. Motion carried.

Oswald moved, and Lening seconded the motion to adjourn the Public Health meeting at 10:37 a.m. and move back into regular session at 10:38 a.m. Motion carried.

Engelhardt exited the meeting at 10:38 a.m.

Social Service Update: Pearson provided an update on the COVID restrictions some of the employees in his office were facing. He reported they will be shorthanded for a couple of weeks.

County Assessor, Marci Miller; County Treasurer, Diana Flory and Tearle Lessenden Extension Agent for Kiowa County; entered the meeting at 11:00 to discuss Employee Evaluation Forms. Adamson feels this would be beneficial for giving raises to the employees. She would like the elected officials to review the evaluations and come back with comments or suggestions. Discussion followed on, with no decisions being made.

Assessor Miller, Treasurer Flory, Pearson, Hillman and Lessenden exited the meeting at 11:54 a.m.

Oswald moved, and Lening seconded the motion to recess the meeting at 11:55 a.m. for lunch. Motion carried.

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

OPIOD IGA: After review of the OPIOD Intergovernmental Agreement Lening moved, and Robertson seconded the motion to sign the IGA. Motion carried.

C-DOT & Pearson Building: We are currently waiting for COOT to respond regarding the status of the grant for the Pearson Building.

Courthouse Elevator: Chairman Oswald has not heard from the contractor regarding a proposal for the replacement elevator.

Planning & Zoning Update: lnvenergy will be holding an open house on October 25th at 12:00 - 5:00 p.m. at 67386 Hwy 96 Sheridan Lake, Colorado 81071. This will give the public an opportunity to ask questions in regards to the wind towers coming into Kiowa County.

There will be an open house in Eads on November 11, 2021 at the Plains Theater from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. hosted by Excel Energy. Excel Energy will be announcing the renewable energy opportunities they will be involved with in Kiowa County.

Administrator Adamson announced that a representative for lnvenergy was at the courthouse on October 13th and reported they had purchased land on the west side of Highway 385 where a substation will be located and possible plans for a 4000 acre solar farm.

2022 Budget: A work session with Road and Bridge is scheduled for October 26, 2021.

Upcoming Meetings: Meetings and reports were reviewed and signed.

NEW BUSINESS:

Time off Request Forms: Robertson moved and Lening seconded the motion to approve the Time off Requests. Motion carried.

LAVAA Resolution: Lening moved, and Robertson seconded the motion to sign a resolution of participation and approve the $537 .00 donation to Lower Arkansas Valley Area Agency on Aging for the 2021 year. Motion carried.

Fair Board Resignation: Lening moved, and Robertson seconded the motion to accept the resignation of Matt Prince. THE BOCC would like to thank Mr. Prince for his time serving on the fair board. Motion carried.

Oswald moved, to approve the letter of support for the Building Back Better Grant, which is a regional grant through SCEDD for improvements in transportation in our region. Robertson seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Lening moved, and Robertson seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 2:21 p.m. Motion carried.