UNOFFICIAL MINUTES FOR MARCH 29, 2011

The Regular Meeting of the Kiowa County Commissioners was called to order at 9:05 a.m. by Chairman Richard Scott on March 29, 2011. Commissioner Scott opened the meeting with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.  Those attending were:

Richard Scott, Commissioner

William E. Koehler, Commissioner

Donald Oswald, Commissioner

Debra C. Lening, County Clerk

Peggy Dunlap, Administrator

Minutes from the March 10, 2011 Regular Meeting were presented. Oswald made the motion, seconded by Koehler, to approve the minutes as presented. All Commissioners voted affirmative.

 The vouchers were reviewed. Twelve vouchers were questioned. Vouchers were approved and signed.

 Jeanne Sorensen entered the meeting as a visitor.

 Kiowa County Extension Agent Bruce Fickenscher met with the Commissioners to discuss a meeting that was held in Akron regarding the potential major grasshopper infestation issues we may be facing this summer due to drought conditions. It is projected to be one of the largest infestations since the 1930’s. The Commissioners will look into what can be done to stay on top of this situation.

 The public hearing for the Kiowa County Model Traffic Code Ordinance to add a County Surcharge was opened at 10:00 a.m. The Ordinance was published twice and read in open meeting as required. With no public opposition received, Koehler made the motion, seconded by Oswald, to adopt the Kiowa County Model Traffic Code Ordinance #2011-4 with the amendment to add the Sheriff’s Surcharge Fund. All Commissioners voted affirmative. This goes into affect immediately. The Ordinance is on file in the County Clerk’s office and the Commissioner’s office.

 Oswald made the motion, seconded by Koehler, to recess the Regular Meeting to go into a Kiowa County Board of Public Health meeting at 10:05 a.m. All Commissioners voted affirmative.

 The Regular Meeting resumed at 10:30 a.m. The Meeting was moved to the Courtroom to meet with the Senior Citizens delegation. Those attending were Sharon Frazee, Larry D. Gifford, Betty V. Crow, Betty Holthus, Margaret Frazee, Joyce Berry, Loretta Seibel, June Blooding, Annie Cole, Bob and Renee Woods, LaVerle Kelley, Dolores Rector, Jeanne Sorensen and Kim Richards.

 Sharon Frazee was the spokesperson. She started off by saying, “We’re just here to ask for your reconsideration of putting money forth for this Colorado Historical grant. We do realize that the County is in hardship and we know that your budget has been cut as it is, but what we would like to propose – I have been talking to Jane (Daniels) and she feels that $5,000 from the County is a must and that is the minimum that they would expect. The Senior Citizens have raised $5,000 themselves that they would like to put forth as a match for the $5,000 that we hope that you could contribute. I think this Historical grant is very crucial. When I went to Philanthropy Days, I talked to other foundations. Most all of them did not do brick and mortar, but they were very, very favorable for helping as we get past this beginning phase. I talked to the Daniels Fund, and to El Pomar and the Gates Family Foundation. When I went and talked to them, I asked for $1.4 million. I figured they would laugh me right out of my chair and they did not. They were all groups that did big projects and senior citizens were their favorites. They said as soon as you get through your beginning phases, come back to us and we will be happy to look at your project and they felt that they would be very, very favorable towards granting a big, big portion of it. The Theater Group had the opportunity to apply for this grant, as well, because that’s where much of the money has come from for their project. They did not apply for it because they felt that the Murdock Project was better suited for it and needed it more at this time than what the theater did. So, we’ve worked hard to collaborate the projects together to show the community is working together to improve the entire community not just one project or the other. And I think the Senior Citizens are doing that as well. I think if we can all come together and work on this together, we can do this. I understand that there are more asbestos and construction issues. I don’t know any details as far as that, just what little I’ve seen in the paper and in the Minutes. I know that’s what they ran into with the theater, so I know that is a huge problem and a big issue. But I would just like you to rethink and to realize that the Senior Citizens are really working, that they won’t stop working, that they will continue to raise money, continue to work to help this project. And they have some things they would like to say, as well. Thank you.”

 LaVerle Kelley said, “I just feel like we’ve already invested a lot of money in the buildings. I don’t know how much, but I know it’s $200,000 or $300,000 I imagine and the time spent and if we don’t continue, that money is just wasted and the buildings will just fall down and that will be a determent to enticing people to come to our area. And room where we’re at at the Senior Citizens, the floors are very uneven and it’s a danger. I’ve seen so many people almost fall and we’re busy catching them. And if you look at the room and put in a wheel chair and about 10 walkers, there’s not room to get around. It’s just too small for our group. And I’ve noticed through the years that we have some new senior citizens and people that are interested in coming and they come to a meeting and say, ‘Oh, you’re too crowded!’ and don’t come back. So I think we could get a large population involved if it was larger. And right now, the chair legs we have really angle out and when people are sitting at the tables, when people walk by to go get lunch or drinks, they trip. So like I say, it’s a safety issue. And if you really look at our attendance books, that center is used almost every day by some group of senior citizens. And then it’s a proven fact that being with others and eating with others promotes health and well being for everybody.”

 Loretta Seibel stated, “If we’re going to promote this as a retirement area, we definitely need the space and the area for them to help bring them in.”

Betty Crow said, “Our new building was going to have a game room with ping-pong tables and pool tables and we would have somewhere to go for entertainment. Eastern Slope and Roger Saffer gave us a big TV for our center. We put it up over there, hoping to put it up in our new center and we’re having movie nights with a soup supper or salad supper and then have a movie night with popcorn. But it’s very congested and we just need more room. The senior citizens are willing to work harder and help with the money as much as we can. We would sure like to help if there is any way the County could help us. We’ve made $5,000 just by pie sales, afghan sales, and food sales. We’ve raised that money and we would be willing to put that toward the monies if the county could help us out in any way, shape or form. We don’t want to stop now. We’ve got a man that retired here in Eads so he could fish and golf. We’ve got to continue this – we don’t have much else going and we need to use this as a retirement center for people to move down here. There are people buying lots out here in our new part of town that are senior citizens. We just need to have a vision for these kids like Kim and Peggy. We’re getting up there 70, 80 and 90 years old. We just need to keep plugging along some how, some way and I wish the Commissioners would try to reconsider. Try to just start out with the $5,000 so we can finish the brick. We can’t stop now. That’s my personal opinion.”

 Bob Woods stated, “The whole group was excited when project started. I know I was, but I think everyone in the center was really excited that they were really going to get a place large enough that it could accommodate all they want to do. And if that goes down the tube, what are we left with?

 Jeanne Sorensen said, “I’m looking at it as a business owner and that we need more things to come downtown and if you have your center over there and if the National Park Service comes over there, we’re attracting people downtown. I understand the Park Service would be paying you rent to be in that building. Why are you giving up rent? I mean, that’s money for the County, so why are you giving that up? Because, right now where they’re at, they’re paying rent but that isn’t even staying in the County. The only thing you are giving up is property tax so why aren’t you encouraging more growth?

Commissioner Scott stated, “I don’t think anyone here wants to stop that project, but as these projects work, and I think you’ve probable already experienced with the Theater thing, these things have a way of – you know, you put in some money and you do a phase, and now, pretty quick, we’re at another phase and you need more money to put into it. And I guess my question is, 'Where does this end?' You know, the other day when Jane (Daniels) was here, I guess I didn’t ever hear a $5,000 figure mentioned. It was just that they were short of money and they were wondering about what they were going to do for a grant even to finish this phase, but then they’ve got to have another phase. Correct me if I’m wrong, Donald.”

 Commissioner Oswald said, “I think, as I understand it, we have the money to finish the present phase and the present phase is predominately on the very north building, the one they call the Slater or 1301. It is to replace the floor at the ground level, to replace the second story floor and a new roof on that structure. It is also to do the pointing on the brick on the north and, I believe, the west side of that building. It does nothing for the doors or windows on the structure. Those will all be ‘ply wooded’ over. There will be no windows or doors. And there would be a new east wall built onto the facility. And that is all this one takes care of besides the asbestos abatement. The asbestos world did change some. I was on the phone an hour and a half yesterday and I’m not sure I can explain where the asbestos is going, so I’ll just wing it as best as I can. They did find some more places with asbestos and other concerns. Some of them it depends on whether we are going to disturb it or not going to disturb it. If we don’t disturb it, we can do it one way. If we are going to disturb it, we have to do it another way. For example, in that north building on the interior walls there is plaster in the west half of that building on the inside of the walls. That has asbestos in it. So if we take all the plaster off, you have more work, more expense. If we can clean the plaster up and the loose stuff and then seal it, then put in basically new interior walls inside of it, close it up and forget about it, we’re done. So the architect is now looking at sealing it, closing it, and so forth. The price tag for doing that hasn’t been defined, so I don’t know where this one fits into all this. So that’s kind of the asbestos thing there. There are a few asbestos concerns, part of which, I think but I’m not sure, they cleaned up in the other two buildings and but then they found some more and part of why they found some more is in the basement there under the Wissel Building, for example, that basement is approximately from here to that far wall, and most of that was, until very recently, full of old stuff. So they really couldn’t get to the boiler to look at it real carefully and to some of the pipes and everything and say whether or not it was asbestos. Well, we’ve cleaned the debris out and now they’re able to say, ‘We have a problem here and we have a problem there.’  And to be honest with you, some of the problems in the asbestos world surprised me. Some of it is glazing, the caulking around windows, and the caulking around the door frames. It’s just amazing where they’re finding asbestos. I never thought of those being the sources. So, again, it’s whether we disturb it or what we’re going to do with it and the architect is supposed to answer some of that.”

 Commissioner Scott asked, “But isn’t that correct that we’ve got probably enough money, or rather they have got enough money to finish this project, or rather, this phase of it? Then you start into another phase and there are costs associated with that. And where is that money coming from and how much is that?”

 Commissioner Oswald answered, “At this point, that is the new grant round and I do not know how big of a grant they’re working for or what they’re planning for the phase. I missed the meeting you are talking about. I wasn’t there, so I can’t vouch for that. But I do know they’re going for State Historical Funds. I don’t know if DOLA and some of those are still involved, but the projected amount of money that the County may have available, as Peggy told me, is roughly $11,000 from this present phase to roll into the next phase.” 

Sharon Frazee stated, “Okay, if I may say, the $5,000 was a number that Jane gave me when I asked her ‘What were we looking at? What did we have to come up with?’ And she said she thought $5,000 was a minimum of what the County could give; much more would be better. She said that the grant that they are going for was still a little bit undecided exactly because of the issues that you brought up. She said that she thought it would be no more than $200,000 that they would be asking for from the Historical Society. She said this next phase will probably be closer to $300,000 total cost. She said they already are in the works as far as other funders and she said, as we know from other grants, once you have a grant, then it is easier to get other grants to match your matching money. And she said that that was what they were planning on doing. She said that they did not want to ask for more than that, because, as you know, the Historical Fund now is depleted because it’s going to the dome (the Colorado State Capitol Building dome). I guess I would like, Faye, if she would, just to say something. Faye, probably, has been a member of the senior citizens center for longer than anyone here. And she has worked hard, I think, for the center. She has made afghans, quilts, baked goods, and everything in the world you can imagine, working towards the center and I think it is people like her, especially, and many of the other ones. She and her sister and the Wissel sisters, all in their 90’s, have been there and working for that center for 50 years. And I think they, especially, deserve one and need one.”

 Faye Barber said, “Well, I don’t know that I’ve done very much of anything, really. But I think that now you’re going to finish this north building?”

 Commissioner Oswald answered, “As far as getting it closed in so that it’s weather tight.”

 Faye Barber said, “Well, I mean, you’re going to handle that. Well, my thought is the building you’re in you have to spend quite a little money just to keep that up and it isn’t really adequate and if the senior citizens were willing to work to bring in funds themselves, would you feel better about – of course I know there’s only so much money and you have to work with what you’ve got – but would you be willing to go ahead with it if we were willing to do something like that? Now, I’ve got a quilt right now, and I know that doesn’t sound like much, but that will bring $500 easy if you go out and sell tickets. I’ve done it many times and I can make quilts just ever little bit and could use some help while I’m working on it, too. And we might even learn a little bit while we’re doing that. But it seems to me that it’s more feasible to go ahead unless that building is not fixable. I’m not a carpenter or anything like that, but sometimes these things are not, you can’t do it, so you might as well quit, but I think that if you can fix up that north building, that those other buildings can be fixed, too.”

 Commissioner Scott replied, “I think that’s right.” He then relinquished the floor to Joyce Berry, who stated, “Dick, I think Sharon was trying to answer your question. Are you going to need more funds as more phases go along? That was your question on how much is it going to cost, not for this phase, but for the next phase and the next phase, is that your concern?”

 Commissioner Scott replied, “Yes! If I knew that all you had to come up with was $5,000 to see this project through, it would be instantaneous. We’d find that money somewhere. You’d do it! But, I sat and listened to those folks talk the other day, the construction people and the Colorado Preservation Inc. and the State Historic people – everybody began talking about the building was more difficult than they anticipated. What I’m hearing is that that building is going to cost more than they anticipated. And I think I’m safe in saying that! When every one of them said that this was more difficult and we didn’t prepare for this and we didn’t prepare for the big pilings they may have to put under that building, I guess my concern is where does this end? You know, here we’ve another phase coming on and you need to come up with some more money. And then you’ll have another phase and you’ll have to come up with some more money, and then finally the building is done and then the senior citizens have to put $90,000 worth of money into it to furnish the thing and Park Service has to finish their part of the building. Isn’t that what they said? It would basically be a shell and then it’s up to whoever uses that building to finish it. There’s more money! Where’s that coming from? Do you folks have $90,000 to furnish that?”

 Sharon Frazee responded, “No, sir, we don’t, but there are grants out there for that, as well.”

 Commissioner Scott relied, “See, that could happen, but I guess my concern is, where do we end this thing? Where do we stop? And like I said, if I thought $5,000 would see this thing through, we would do it in a heart beat. I don’t think you’d even have to blink an eye. You’d just get her done! But, that’s not going to be the end of it.”

Commissioner Koehler interjected, “Has anybody seen what they anticipate what this whole deal is going to cost? I saw a number the other day. Wouldn’t somebody like to guess?” Sharon Frazee guessed $6 million. “$1.9 million! That’s what’s scheduled for a shell!” Betty Crow asked if that was for all three buildings and Koehler responded affirmatively. She asked what the proposed amount was when this project was started. Administrator Dunlap stated that the County’s total portion for the project for all phases was projected at  $65,000 for the shell. Crow asked what the whole project was visualized at when the project was first started, not just the County, but what the whole project was going to cost.

 Commissioner Scott stated, “I’m going to make a guess on that and I’m going to guess there wasn’t one! Because, the way they operate, the Colorado Preservation Inc and all, they go through this thing in phases and I think they knew what the first phase might figure, but I don’t think they knew what figure the other phases were going to be.”

 Commissioner Oswald stated, “They did throw out a ballpark amount later on, not in the very beginning, as you got into the process of going there, they had a ballpark figure at one point of about $3 million for the project. This was including the guts filled in and everything. This was not just the shell.”

 Betty Crow said, “Well, if we can get the shells, there are grants out there to finish those projects. I’m sure there are grants out there that we can finish with.” Commissioner Koehler stated, “I’m afraid that my grandkids better started having cookie socials to have money to get into it.”

Margaret Frazee asked, “Well, what will you do with the building if we don’t do it? Just leave it set there?”

 Commissioner Scott said, “What I want to do, I want to put all the pressure I can on Colorado Preservation Inc. and the State Historical people to follow through on that project and get it done. You know, they had indicated that there would be so much County money that would have to be into that thing. We probably went past that now. I’m wanting to put a little more pressure on them and say, ‘You get your part done.’”

 Joyce Berry, because of her involvement with the theater, explained her interpretation of the grant process, stating “Each phase, a certain organization, like Colorado Historic, will say we’ll pay this much and this is the matching. And then the matching, instead of it coming from you, they will use other grants for the matching. So all of them working together are suppose to help with the next phase. For the town, right now, as far as I know, every year they budget $40,000 and they haven’t had to spend any of it yet because they use the matching from the other funds. Now, if that’s all incorrect, that’s how I understand it.”

Loretta Seibel stated, “But they needed the commitment.” Joyce Berry said, “Yes, they have to have the commitment.”

 Commissioner Koehler stated, “With that $40,000 commitment, you can’t work on the streets. You’ve got $40,000 committed to that, that $40,000 could be put in the streets.”

Betty Crow asked, “Don’t they have a budget for streets?”

 Commissioner Koehler stated, “Yeah, but you’re committing that $40,000, so this amount can not be budgeted elsewhere.”

 Betty Crow said she couldn’t think of a better place to commit it.

 Sharon Frazee asked, “If you do not go forward with this project, if you don’t feel that it is viable to do, do you have any intention of ever providing a senior center for these people? And if you do, if you’re going to tear down the historical part of it and build something new, what is that going to cost you? Money will not come for new projects like they will for old projects, and that is their heritage, as well.”

 Commissioner Scott replied, “I understand that and I appreciate that and that’s what happens, and I think part of that may be intentional on the part of the Preservation people and the State Historical people. They get a project going; you get underway; you put money in it; then you say, ‘Oh my gosh! We can’t quit now! We’ve got that money in there, we’ve got to put more in.’ and, if you don’t think that happens, just look at the paper work on Prairie Pines. See, those kinds of things happen and it gets to be a little more and you put in a little more, and pretty quick, you’ve got more debt on the books than you have total net worth of your county. And if you want to look at page 65 of the budget, I think you’ll see that the debt figure that Kiowa County has right now is probably bigger than what the carryover balance of funds is. So somewhere, you’ve got to stop here somewhere and not get too far to get this thing – one of the things I guess you can do if you get so far along in this project and you say, ‘Well, we don’t want to quit it”, but we don’t have any money, you do one of those evil things that we’ve done before and you ask taxpayers for more money. And see, that’s essentially, I think, what happened with Prairie Pines. You had too good of a thing to not go ahead with it. The County didn’t have the money to do it. It seemed to me like there was only one choice left, and that was to ask the people if they wanted to do that. I don’t know just exactly how you would do that with this particular thing, but I assume that there is a way. You know, it’s a County project, as I see it. It’s a County owned building so, I guess you could have a County Mil that went into that. I would far rather see us someway finance that thing without doing that, but I don’t know. I don’t want to get into a deal where we say, ‘Okay, we’ll put in $5,000, because that’s going to do it!’ and then we get into Phase 2 and they say, ‘Look, we actually need another $40,000 from you guys!’ and so you say, ‘Well, we’ll scrabble that up.’ Then comes Phase 3 and we didn’t anticipate all of these things, so here’s more money. I want those people that started that project to finish the thing; the Colorado Preservation Inc and the State Historical Society. I want them to bear down and get the funding that they said they could do in the beginning to make that project work. And one of the ways that I would put pressure on them is by telling them that I’m not putting in any more County money.”

 Sharon Frazee stated, “Well Dick, as I understand it, their take on that is if you’re not going to support the project, why should they?”

 Commissioner Oswald said, “I guess I have two things, and I’ve shared with Sharon, but since I have the other group here, I’ll present it. I guess, first, is somewhere in later phases here, I’m already aware that in the structure you have the steel ceilings and many would like to have those steel ceilings still visible at the end project. As the phases come along, that steel ceiling must be taken down and we can decrease the cost to all of us if we have volunteers to take that ceiling down and store it away safely, because if we pay a contractor, they’re going to come in there and they’re not going to want to do it gently. They’re going to want to get it tore out; the new put in, and get on with the project. The same is also for the wood floor on the Wissel Building, in particular, but I think you’re going to have to do it on the Schoggen’s Building also. They have to take it up because they have to check those floor joists and find whether they have enough structural strength for the load carrying capacity they are planning for this structure to have for both layers. Plus, you have all your heating, air conditioning, plumbing, electrical, and everything else that has to go back into it. So, be thinking of volunteering and people who can volunteer, and so forth, because we’re going to need those people. That’s the only way I can see to decrease costs. And the second, do I understand at this point, that the senior citizens are recommending or sharing with we, the Commissioners, that you would like to contribute the $5,000 that you have earned to go through the County towards the ongoing of this process?”

 Sharon Frazee responded, “No. If I’m correct, that is not our intent. Our intent is to match your $5,000, because, if I understand correctly from Jane, they want to see the commitment from the County, not just the money. They want to see the commitment. So, no, we don’t intend to give the $5,000 that they have to you to give to them. They want to use their $5,000 to match your $5,000, if you feel you can give that.”

 Commissioner Oswald stated, “I just wanted to clarify that, so thank you.”   

 Sharon Frazee added, “I just wanted to add that Jane said $560,000 had already been committed from other sources to the project as well. So it’s not like other place aren’t already trying to help.”

 Commissioner Scott asked, “Do you think if the County comes up with $5,000 right now for this project, do you think that will be the end of it?”

 Sharon Frazee responded, “No, I’m not naive enough, and I don’t think anyone else here is either, to think that that is all the money you will ever have to put in. I don’t believe that. I guess we’re asking to go one phase at a time and don’t stop now. And we appreciate you listening to us and taking your time.”

 Commissioner Scott asked, “Am I right, that this is $5,000 above the $11,000 we have left in funds that have already been committed? This is $5,000 above that?”

 Administrator Dunlap answered, “Yes. From what I understand from Jane, it’s not just a matter of money in, money out. There was money allocated for stage one, there’s the DOLA, there’s stage two. Some of our funds that we’ve been putting in for two or three years now have gone to stage one and some have been reimbursed by DOLA. So, we are at about $11,000, but we’re not finished with this part of this yet. We still have funds in phase one, and hopefully that phase is going to be closed out before too long, but she said $3,000 out of the $11,000 is still going to go the phase one. Then we have DOLA that we have to do, and then we have stage two over here that these funds keep going in to. Most of it is the architectural and structure part is where our funds of the $65,000, along with the purchase of the buildings, are going to. DOLA is for the construction part, I believe. Is that right, Donald? It’s so confusing.”

 Commissioner Oswald responded, “The $65,000 included the purchase price of the buildings.”

 Administrator Dunlap continued, “Right, it included the purchase price of the buildings. And so, until we get a final number, we still are paying architect bills of $4,000 or $5,000. It’s however she reports that on her report because we don’t do the reporting. We just do money in and money out. The State Historic Society and Colorado Preservation Inc. do the reporting to the government agencies.”

 Sharon Frazee said, “Jane didn’t say anything to me about the $11,000, so I don’t know about that.”

 Administrator Dunlap continued, “She knows that we’re getting close, though. She knows that we’re real close to the money that we said we would put into this project. She knows we’re really close so she understands where they are coming from.”

 Commissioner Scott said, “Okay, I guess I have one questions for us, Donald, Bill and myself. If we’re going to put $5,000 into this thing, where is it coming from?”

 Commissioner Oswald answered, “The only place I know would probably be reserve.”

 Commissioner Koehler stated, “We can’t afford to do that!”

 Joyce Berry asked, “How much do you have in your reserve fund?”

 Commissioner Scott said, “I think maybe we’ll get a Treasurer’s Report later on today, but this is what I was talking about. I think you’re going to see a figure of some $4 million plus in that reserve.”

 Commissioner Oswald added, “Of that $4 million, there’s going to probably be at least $2 million if not more that is Road & Bridge reserves. Road & Bridge reserves have to be used for Road & Bridge, because the majority of the money that made that reserve is through the Highway Users tax fund that we all pay with our gasoline taxes and the restrictions on to that is it has to be for roads and equipment. That’s all we can use it for. And some salaries, but they’re very strict what we can use it for. So at best, $1.5 million, and I’m not sure that I would say that’s actually what is our reserve, because even that reserve, part of that is committed to when we have to close our landfills. Because, when we have to close those, there is an amount that’s already defined and required by the State we have to have on reserve to reclaim those landfills. We have no choice. It has to be there. So, some of this is multiply committed is what it boils down to.”

 Commissioner Scott said, “One of the things, and I mentioned this earlier, we do have some reserve, and undoubtedly, if we do this, that’s where that money’s going to have to come from. There’s probably no question about that. But, at the same time, when you look at page 65 of your county budget, you will see that you have debt for Kiowa County of over $5 million. Between Colorado East Bank & Trust and USDA for Prairie Pines, you have over $5 million debt. Well, that’s not very good business, is it, if you’ve got more debt than you’ve got money on hand?”

 Joyce Berry asked, “So $5 million, that’s all Prairie Pines? Is that correct?”

 Commissioner Oswald answered, “Prairie Pines right now is at $2.6 million. That’s what we owe, is $2.6 million.”

 Commissioner Scott added, “If you look at the debt figure on page 65 of the budget, by the time you pay off USDA and you pay off Colorado East, you have over $5 million (with interest). You’re indebted to that. That’s on the books. Now, if we could pull a rabbit out of the hat and get rid of that USDA debt, that changes that picture a bunch, and we’re working on that. Whether we’re going to get it done or not, I have no idea. That would help.”

 Betty Crow asked, “But they’re paying that back monthly, aren’t they on both accounts?”

 Commissioner Oswald replied, “We’re paying $500 a month to the USDA only loan, which does not make interest payments. We are paying the full amount to the Colorado East Bank and that’s roughly $8,700 a month.”

 Commissioner Scott added, “And that came from the mil levy that passed last year.”

 Betty Crow said, “Yes. But it’s full and you’ve got a waiting list for over there.” There was further discussion regarding Prairie Pines. Joyce Berry stated that it was amazing how this small community could have so many wonderful things for its senior citizens, such as the Assisted Living, the nursing home and hospital, Unity Village, ambulances, etc.

Commissioner Scott added, “I know you won’t believe me but I do want to see this project succeed! But I do not want to get us into a deal to where the County is taking on more debt for this thing. I don’t want that to happen. And that’s kind of where I’m coming from, is trying to get all people that were all enthused about this from the standpoint of Colorado Preservation Inc. and the Historical folks. The enthusiasm is great when one of these is new and ‘we can get grants’ and ‘we can do all these things.’ Then all at once, when it gets down to the nitty-gritty of building the building and doing all these things, ‘We underestimated this and it’s going to cost you more money!’ and it happens every time! It happens EVERY time! And finally, I would like for some of these folks that say we can do all these things to do it. Now, I, for one, would put up the $5,000, but I’m saying that at some point in time, we’re going to have to draw a line here somewhere. It can’t just go on and in every phase, say, ‘Well, put in some more. Put in some more.’ And I have no idea whether you could make a mil levy thing work on this or not.”

 Jeanne Sorensen asked, “I have a question. Now, is this scheduled for 3 phases? Is that right?”

 Commissioner Koehler answered, “They don’t know. Five, six, seven – who knows. Nobody will give you an answer.”

 Jeanne Sorensen asked, “So this $5,000 is for the next phase, is what they’re talking about?”

 Commissioner Scott answered, “They don’t number them – they don’t say phase 1,2, 3, 4, 5 – they just say the next phase, and I’m assuming the $5,000 is for the next phase after they do the stabilization phase.”

 Sharon Frazee stated, “It’s just for the Colorado Historical Society and the reason we were asking today is because it is due April 1^st.”

 There was further discussion. The Bransgrove Building project was discussed. It was explained that this was a different funding stream than this current project. It involved federal monies and was at a much lower cost than this project.

 Commissioner Scott added, “Sharon, I guess we really didn’t answer you. We appreciate you coming and we appreciate your concern and I know where you’re coming from. It doesn’t make good sense to stop this project now. But, how are you going to do the funds?”

 The Commissioners were asked if they were going to finish the phase that involved the $11,000 and they said, yes, that money was committed and this phase would be completed. Commissioner Koehler said the state had shut them down for now because of the asbestos and they were waiting on the state to continue. After further discussion, Commissioner Scott told them that they needed to move on to another appointment but they would talk about it and would consider the $5,000 request.

Day Care Director Yonda Leonard met with the Commissioners to discuss the part time position for the cook that was advertised for. She stated that the person she was anticipating hiring now has another job and is no longer interested. She would like to make this a full time position with one hire instead of two part time positions. The Commissioners would like for her to advertise for the full time position and have a closing date for receiving applications instead of leaving it open ended. Leonard will do the hiring. The Commissioners asked her what her thoughts were regarding a time clock, since they are looking for a time clock for Prairie Pines. She said it didn’t make any difference to her one way or the other, that whatever they wanted to do was fine.

 Maintenance Supervisor Mike Crain met with the Commissioners regarding obtaining a shop vehicle with a snow plow attachment for the parking lots at the courthouse and Prairie Pines. He stated that this would save a lot of man-hours. The 4-wheeler takes a long time and it’s very cold sitting on it in the winter. The Commissioners think there might be a 4-wheel drive pickup out at the shop that could probably be used. They will check into it and then check on getting a blade for it. If there isn’t one available, they’ll start looking for one. Crain also reported that the north door isn’t always being locked after hours. With courthouse security issues, he was wondering if the Sheriff’s department could check this out at night, particularly when the library is opened late. The Commissioners said this would be addressed. Also, maintenance overtime at Prairie Pines needs to be addressed.

 Dennis Pearson, Director of the Department of Social Services (DSS)  presented the Medicaid Report for January and February, 2011. Medicaid paid out $128,941 and $104,977, respectively, on behalf of Kiowa County residents. Pearson also stated due to confidentially laws, he could provide demographic information to the Commissioner’s office regarding people who ride on the transit van, but the names of the clients can not be divulged. His office will give all other information requested that does not involve confidentiality of the person.

 Loss Prevention Team Leader, Ted Lindtvert, with CTSI (Colorado Technical Services, Inc.) Insurance met with the Commissioners to present the annual Colorado Counties Casualty Pool and County Worker’s Compensation Pool reports and the Healthcare Pool report. All in all, he said Kiowa County is doing better than the average county.

 Alexa Roberts met with the Commissioners regarding the Historic Preservation Commission. She stated that the 7 member commission represents the county. Several properties are on the local and state registers and one is on the national register. She was wondering if there should be a section in the Zoning and Planning regarding historic preservation of historic buildings. Historic preservation is good for a community and for the “health” of a community. This will be mentioned at the next Zoning and Planning meeting.

 Roberts said, regarding National Parks Services, that Congresswoman Markey had drawn up a House Bill authorizing the Parks Service to contribute up to $650,000 just prior to leaving office. Roberts stated that this would have to be presented to Congressman Gardner now to be able to move forward. This is not an appropriations bill. It just allows the Parks Service to apply for this money for local projects, such as the Murdock Building project.

 The two DSS employees working as case aid workers turned in time cards for the Commissioners to review.

 A letter was sent to Maine Street Retreat as a reminder for the rent and utilities as outlined in their contract.

 There was further discussion on the personnel policy, including job descriptions for the assistant administrator at the Assisted Living facility. This is an ongoing project.

 Oswald made the motion, seconded by Koehler, to adopt Resolution 2011-1, prohibiting the operation of medical marijuana facilities in the unincorporated Kiowa County, to wit:

RESOLUTION NO 2011-1

A Resolution Prohibiting Operation of Medical Marijuana Facilities.

 WHEREAS, the Colorado General Assembly during the 2010 legislative session adopted HB 10-1284, article 43.3 of Title 12 of the Colorado Revised Statutes, known as the Colorado Medical Marijuana code, and

 WHEREAS. C.R.S. 12-43.3-106 specifically authorizes the governing body of a County to “… vote to prohibit the operation of medical marijuana centers, optional premises cultivation operations, and medical marijuana-infused products manufacturers’ licenses”, and

 WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners has considered the impact of medical marijuana centers, optional premises cultivation operations and medical marijuana-infused products manufacturers’ licenses on the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Kiowa County,

 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Kiowa County that it is UNLAWFUL for any person to operate, cause to be operated, or permit to be operated a medical marijuana center, optional premises cultivation operations, or facilities for which a medical marijuana-infused products manufacturers’ license could otherwise be obtained within the unincorporated portion of Kiowa County, Colorado, and all such uses are hereby prohibited in any location within the unincorporated portion of Kiowa County, Colorado.

 MOVED, PASSED AND ADOPTED this 29^th day of March, 2011.

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

KIOWA COUNTY, COLORADO

_/s/Richard Scott_________________________ Richard Scott, Chairman

_/s/Donald Oswald________________________

Donald Oswald, Commissioner

_/s/William Koehler_______________________ William Koehler, Commissioner

ATTEST:

_/S/Debra C. Lening______________

Debra Lening, Clerk to the Board

  All Commissioners voted affirmative.

 The renting of the Community Building had been discussed in the previous meeting regarding allowing the building to be used free of charge for funerals, but the Fair Board feels that since they have to pay for the building to be cleaned, they need to charge everyone the same fees. There was discussion about the County taking the Community Building over instead of it being a burden on the Fair Board. Koehler will see what it will cost to put in separate meters. Several ideas were tossed around and the Commissioners will bring more ideas to the next meeting.

 Having a mower operator for summer was discussed. This was tabled until the next meeting.

 The Sheriff’s report was signed and filed.

 The Veterans report was reviewed.

 One bid was received for lake clean up. However, the bid was over budget. Oswald made the motion, seconded by Koehler, to reject the lake clean up bid and re-advertise for bids. All Commissioners voted affirmative. Bids will be due back April 11, 2011 at 4:00 p.m.

 Erin Hieb Morgan met with the Commissioners regarding the fitness center to respond back to the email sent to Hospital Administrator Warren Yule. She has received grants to help finish the area requested, to purchase equipment, etc. Now, there is equipment sitting under the grandstands with no where to set it up. Maine Street Retreat will have this location until November 1. Morgan said she wishes this information would have been available prior to her meeting with the Commissioners last November. Now, they are going to have to find a different space to use for the fitness center. There are a lot of things already in place that would make this project work right away if they could find an available space.

 She also asked the Commissioners if they would reconsider having the day care open on Presidents Day, Columbus Day and Veterans Day. These holidays are not holidays for all work places and it’s very difficult to find day care on these days. The Commissioners would like to receive letters of support from parents this would affect to see if there would be enough families affected before making any decisions.

 Commissioner Scott signed the Application of Membership/Electrical Service with Southeast Colorado Powers Association for the Murdock Buildings.

 A General Status Inquiry from All Star Financial Group was signed regarding Empire Carpentry LLC,  the contractor on the Murdock Buildings Project.

 The landfill operator has requested a leave of absence April 9^th – 17^th.

 A letter of congratulations was received from Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS), Division of Child Support Enforcement (CSE), to recognize the Kiowa County DSS CSE staff for their efforts in improving Colorado’s child support program.

 The 2011 Annual Wildfire Operating Plan (AWOP) was signed.

 There was discussion regarding a new gravel pit on the west end of the county. If other pits are depleted and/or another pit is needed for the benefit of the county, the Commissioners would consider opening a new pit at that time.

 Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) might have grant funds available for the transit system.

 There was discussion regarding a match with the senior citizens in the amount of $5,000 for the Murdock Buildings project. A call was made to Jane Daniels with Historic Preservation, Inc. The Colorado Historical Fund Application is due Friday and she is trying to get this application put together to send in on behalf of the County. She understands the County’s apprehension of putting more money into this project, but with all the entities that have committed money to this project, she would like to see the County put in $5,000 if at all possible to continue to show commitment to the project. This amount is pretty standard. The County does not have to put in money each phase, but to expect others to fund the project, the County needs to help chip in. Commissioner Scott explained that this hasn’t been budgeted and would have to come out of reserves, but informed her that the County has more debt than reserves. Commissioner Scott conferred with Commissioners Oswald and Koehler on their thoughts about asking KCEDF for a $5,000 commitment in order to enable the grant application to proceed. It was decided to authorize Jane Daniels to list Kiowa County on the grant application for the $5,000 commitment and the Commissioners will ask KCEDF for the money. This will enable Daniels to meet the time deadline and complete the grant application on that basis. She will then fax the paperwork for necessary signatures. Thus the grant application for this next phase of the project will be submitted.

 The next Regular Meeting will be April 12, 2011.

 With no further business, Oswald made the motion, seconded by Scott, to adjourn at 5:07 p.m. All Commissioners voted affirmative.