January 31, 2022

Kiowa County Commissioners Meeting
January 31, 2022

David White, Bert Lowery, John Bertram, Kristi Cooper, Chay Howard, Kerri Ulrich, Jay Schmidt and Theron McKinney attended the meeting.

Consent agenda included: Agenda, Payroll report, Accounts Payable reports, and Commissioner minutes of 1/18/2022.

After the pledge of allegiance, David White opened the meeting at 9:00. Bert moved to approve the consent agenda as presented John seconded, motion passed unanimously.

Kristi Cooper presented tax corrections for approval. After reviewing the corrections presented, Bert moved to accept the corrections as presented and John seconded, motion passed unanimously. Next, she presented payroll reports, account payable reports and minutes of January 18 for signatures.

Kerri Ulrich presented a payroll change for S Richmond for the contact tracer position that is no longer needed for her department for separation. Bert moved to approve the payroll change as presented and John seconded, motion passed unanimously. Next, she asked them on how they wanted to purchase the property adjacent to the Health Department which would expand for more parking but wasn’t sure if they would like to purchase title insurance or buy the property out right from the buyer. After some discussion it was by consensus to purchase the title insurance for the purchase of the property.

Jay Schmidt came and presented updates for the Public Works Department which included payroll changes for R Hohl and J Williams for merit raises. After review of the payroll changes David moved to accept them as presented and John seconded, motion passed unanimously. He also reported they began removing and trimming trees on Sun City Road around Belvidere, presented a quote for a self-propelled paint striper and is waiting on track loader lease agreement from Foley and will bring that to the next meeting when he receives it. No action taken on the paint striper purchase.

David brought up the topic regarding paying COVID-19 pay and wanted to revisit the conversation due to an employee requesting them to revisit the pay. After some discussion they choose to not reinstate the COVID-19 pay at this time and that the employees will need to follow the current Paid Time off (PTO) policy moving forward.

Theron McKinney came to inform them that Pueblo concrete has started the concrete pad they had approved and to discuss a countywide fire ban. Chay informed them that he would create a resolution on how county fire bans will be handled and gave a few suggestions as in time duration of the burn bans, penalties, fines and who is authorized to call for the ban as in the Fire Chief and/or Emergency Management Manager. Chay will work with him and get one ready for the next meeting. Last, he just gave a short update on personnel.

Chay asked for clarification on the purchase of the property for the health department and it was by consensus to go ahead and purchase the title insurance. The cost for the title company to prepare the documents will depend on the purchase price if they share the costs with the buyer or just have the county pay for that expense. He will work with a title company to prepare these documents and come back when they are completed for the purchase of the property. David requested a 15-executive session for advice with attorney-client privileges discussing the legal matters regarding wavier of fees on the use of right of ways and Bert seconded, motion passed unanimously. Regular session began at 11:25. David requested an additional 15 minutes for advice for attorney-client privileges discussing the legal matters regarding wavier of fees on the use of right of ways and Bert seconded, motion passed unanimously. Regular session began at 10:41 with no action taken.

Meeting adjourned at 10:42.