March 7, 2022

Kiowa County Commissioners Meeting
March 7, 2022

Bert Lowery, John Bertram, Kristi Cooper, Chay Howard, Jay Schmidt, George Jennings, Michael Rainger, Kendal Lothman, Julie Lyon, Jessica Soto-Botello and Stacy Weaver attended the meeting.

Consent agenda included: Agenda, Payroll report, Accounts Payable reports, and Commissioner minutes of 2/28/2022.

Prior to the meeting, prayer was received by Stacy Weaver. Bert Lowery opened the meeting at 9:00. John moved to approve the consent agenda as presented and Bert seconded, motion passed unanimously.

Jay Schmidt invited John Riggins with Kirkham and Michael to come forward and present the agreement for the Kansas Local Bridge Improvement Program for the KDOT project number 049 C-5177-01 for the fiscal year of 2024 for approval. After review from the County counselor, Bert moved to approve the agreement as presented and John seconded, motion passed unanimously. Jay then presented a merit payroll change for K Koehn for review. John moved to approve the payroll change as presented and Bert seconded, motion passed unanimously. Next, he informed them that they have been working on M St. from 25th Ave through 27th Ave and that it is almost complete. Chay then presented 2 resolution drafts regarding enacting regulations for the excavation of section corner monuments within the County’s right of ways and enacting regulations for the use of the County’s right of ways for them to review and gave a quick review of the changes he made. He informed them that he would follow up at the next meeting to see if there are any changes they suggest. Lastly, George Jennings came forward for the discussion on the reusing of items in the landfill and Chay requested to table the discussion so he can look into the topic further.

Kendal Lothman came to present a payroll change for C McElroy for his 6-month probational period. After review of the payroll change John moved to approve as presented and Bert seconded, motion passed unanimously. Next, he presented a proposal from ATCI (Allied Technical Consultants Inc) for X911 mapping program and Verizon Connect Live Tracking for 36 GPS devices for the emergency service vehicles which included City PD, EMS, Fire and Sheriff departments. He explained Allied Technical Consultants INC (ATCI) how it is established and how it interfaces with the system ENTERPOL and their current CAD operating system. The cost of this would include X911 mapping program, 36 GPS devices, installation of equipment and integration subscription fees in the amount of $11,370.40 and then it would be $10,470.40 annually. He did want to inform them that he would cover the annual mapping fee of $2,500 since the Sheriff office will renew the service annually and that he would bill the individual departments for their share of the fees starting next year. After some discussion John moved to take the cost of $11,370.40 out of the Sheriff’s Special Equipment fund and Bert seconded, motion passed unanimously.

Kerri Ulrich came to request a Board of Health meeting session. Bert adjourned the Commissioner meeting at 9:46 and called the Board of Health meeting to order. She presented the application signature pages for the Family planning grant, COVID-19 IAP Supplemental 3 Vaccine access grant, COVID-19 IAP Supplement 4 Vaccine Equity, ELC grant, Immunization Action Plan(IAP), Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) and State Formula (SF) grant requests for approval in the amount of $132,552.70. Bert adjourned the BOH at 9:53 and called the Commissioner meeting to order. Bert moved to approve the grant application as presented and John seconded, motion passed unanimously. Next, she wanted to see if they would cover the expense for employees and members located in County owned facilities again this year for their health fair bloodwork. John moved to cover the costs mentioned for the health fair and Bert seconded motion passed unanimously.

Break called till 10:00

Julie Lyon, Economic Development Director, gave a brief update on how the 2 daycares are coming along and introduced Jessica Soto-Botello from Childcare Aware who came to discuss childcare needs and what services a health consultation for childcare in the county could do and how they can benefit local daycare providers.

Michael Rainger came to talk to them more regarding his services in energy savings and handed out some information for them to review.

Kristi Cooper presented a personal property tax correction for their approval. After review of the correction, John moved to approve the correction and Bert seconded, motion passed unanimously. Also, she informed them that the County Budget workshop with Lewis Hoper and Dick LLC will be held on June 27th starting at 9:00 am in the Commissioners meeting room. Last she presented payroll and accounts payable reports and minutes from February 28th for signatures.

During Commissioner discussion, Chay Howard wanted to briefly review the resolution he presented earlier for them to consider for Road and Bridge. He also informed them that he is still needing to talk with Ms. Barton with KNRC on some of the language of the resolution she presented at the last meeting and discussed his understanding of the Rails to Trails program and how it affects the County and what they need to do. Lastly, he gave a quick update on the tax sale.

Meeting adjourned at 10:46