The Regular meeting of the Kiowa County Commissioners was called to order on September 14, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. by Chairman Donald Oswald. Oswald opened the meeting with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

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

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

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

Agenda:  Oswald moved to approve the agenda as amended. Robertson second the motion. Motion carried. There were two additions in Old and New Business each.

Member of the audience: Melanie Medeiros, Consultant with SWCA

Grant Update/SECRETAC/Underfunded Courthouse Grant: Discussion followed over the new round of grant money that is available through the Underfunded Courthouse Grant. No decisions were made at this time.

Oswald moved to approve the SECRETAC Grant. Robertson, seconded the motion. Motion carried. 

Janet Frederick with the National Park Service entered the meeting at 09:50 a.m. to discuss the National Park Service visit center. Frederick reported that the visit center has stayed very busy this summer. Frederick asked the BOCC if the NPS could use some of the remaining funds to add a temporary wall which would display artifacts from the Massacre. Frederick is also requesting the original doors need to be replaced as well as painting around the windows. 

Robertson moved, and Lening seconded the motion to approve a temporary wall that will be built at the Sand Creek Massacre Visitor Center. This wall will offer a secure area for pictures of the Massacre and other artifacts. It was agreed that the windows and doors will have painting and updates added. Frederick exited the meeting at 10:35 a.m.

Landfill/Recycling Update: Chairman Oswald discussed the possibility of purchasing a second roll off trailer through the RREO Grant. No decision was made at this time.

Fairgrounds Update: A review of the 2023 budget for the fair and rodeo will be discussed at a later date. The BOCC would like to thank all the fair board members, Gary Wollert and Donna Adame for all of their hard work to bring this fair together. The BOCC would also like to thank all the Kiowa County employees for their hard work to make this fair a successful one.

Road & Bridge complaint: A local farmer contacted a Commissioner in regard to  the fees the County charges to clean out the cattle guards. The farmer was told how they were charged out. The farmer feels there should be no charge for this. The BOCC will review the rates at budget time, but agreed the fee rates remain the same for the rest of 2023.

Air Condition /Heat for Courthouse: Oswald moved, and Lening seconded the motion to approve the replacement purchases on the HVAC units for the upper floor of the Courthouse. Motion carried.

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

The regular meeting reconvened at 1:03 p.m.

Dennis Pearson entered the meeting at 1:03 p.m. to provide a monthly report for his office. Pearson reported that his office had completed the Budget for 2024 and has been filed with the State.

Pearson reported the Care and Share Program is still going well and that the monthly food distribution went well. Pearson exited the meeting at 1:35 p.m.

Shellie Englehardt, Emergency Manager for Kiowa County entered the meeting to discuss the EOPR. Veronika Hanna joined the meeting by Zoom.

Hanna reviewed the status of the vaccinations for COVID and Flu shots for 2023.

She also reported that the West Nile Virus is very active in Colorado this year. There have been 18 deaths 203 hospitalizations due to the West Nile virus. Hanna thanked the BOCC for their time and exited the meeting by ZOOM.

Upcoming meetings and reports were signed and acknowledged.

Health Benefits/Employer Options: No changes will take place. 

Public Health ELC Grant SOW: Oswald moved to approve the ELC Enhancing Detection COVID-19 Supplemental Funds (Round 2) to LPHAs. Robertson seconded the motion. This project serves to support the transition from COVID-19 pandemic response to routine operation. Motion carried.

Emergency Mgt.-ESF #2 & #5: Lening moved to approve the Emergency Management ESF #2 & #5. Robertson seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Legislative Issues: The BOCC reviewed the upcoming issues that were presented. No action taken.

R & B Backhoe Bids: Robertson moved, and Oswald seconded the motion to approve the bid from the Town of Haswell. Motion carried.

Cost Allocation Plan: The County will maintain the same plan. No action taken.

Elevator Inspection Agreement: Lening moved, and Robertson seconded the motion to approve the contract with Peak Elevator for 5 year testing for the Courthouse Elevator. Motion carried.  

DERA- Designated Emergency Response Authority: The BOCC agreed the County Sheriff is the designated person for hazardous spills.

Melanie Medeiros, member of SWCA, filed the final 1041 permits for the Towner East Wind Project. 

Oswald moved to approve the suggested modifications to the 1041 program to be reviewed with the attorney and Lening seconded the motion. Motion carried.

The next meeting will be held on September 28, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. 

With no further discussion, Oswald moved and Robertson seconded the motion to end the meeting at 3:45 p.m. Motion carried.