PC Commissioners make emergency declaration following recent storms

Throughout the month of June, Phillips County Commissioners conducted several items of business related to storms that struck Paoli and Haxtun the same month. In addition to hearing information related to removal of storm debris from the County Landfill Manager, the Commissioners met with other local and state officials to assess the damage in addition to adopting a resolution to declare a local disaster emergency due to the severe thunderstorms.

County Road and Bridge employees assisted the Town of Haxtun with a multi-day clean-up in addition to Bob Heldenbrand, with Phillips County’s Office of Emergency Management, working with the local police force to assess damage.

On Saturday, June 13, State Senator Cory Gardner visited Haxtun with the Commissioners along with representatives from the Town of Haxtun. The Emergency declaration from the County was made on June 19.

Phillips County Landfill Manager Bill Andrews met with the Commissioners on the same day and asked if the Commissioners planned to forego fees for those who brought debris from the storm. Andrews mentioned that some of the costs would be covered by homeowner’s insurance and the Commissioners agreed to charge the customers since they would be reimbursed by insurance.

The Commissioners asked Andrews to track weather-related disposals so that figures could be submitted to FEMA.

On a different note, Andrews said that over the two-day county wide clean up days, in which the Commissioners waive fees, the Landfill brought in a total of 24 loads on Friday and 33 on Saturday. The 57 loads would have totaled just over $800 plus two days of man hours and overtime.

At the beginning of June, Phillips County Commissioners sat down with Joe Bellm, owner of BST Racing, the organization that manages stock car races at Phillips County Raceway. The group talked about issues that arose following the two-day event on May 29 and 30, which was also the season opener.

Several items of discussion included trash. It was agreed that Phillips County would provide more trash cans in the event of another two-day race event as well as add in the possibility of bringing in a roll-off dumpster from the Landfill. Additionally, the Commissioners and Bellm discussed the County’s Maintenance clean up and costs; Bellm agreed on a $200 clean-up fee for the grandstands and a $100 clean-up fee of the fairgrounds.

In the event of future two-day events, the Commissioners also agreed to contact the port-a-potty rental company about cleanliness and hand sanitizer, especially with COVID-19 recommendations.

Additionally, Bellm is to relate information to drivers about the disposal of waste oil and tires being left in the pit area after the May races. Drivers are responsible for their own waste oil, tires and hazardous waste. Bellm was also asked to remind drivers of the $10 overnight camping fee should the RV park be used during race events.

In June, the Commissioners also met with Heldenbrand about the activation and deactivation of the Emergency Operations Center during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Phillips County EOC was open for a total of 99 days. Heldenbrand’s office also received grant funds from FEMA and there are three projects he is working on for those funds including: the purchase of four small tables for the EOC which requires a 50 percent match. Total the tables are expected to cost $640; a voice over internet protocol for a total of $200, also with a 50 percent match; and a county-wide emergency siren replacement, a cost of $22,000 per siren.

In relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Commissioners heard from Holly Ferguson, Tom Bennett and Brenda Brandt, Help Holyoke Committee members. The group said total the assistance fund has brought in $68,000 and after all funds are received, the anticipated total will be approximately $90,000-$95,000.

To date, the Help Holyoke fund has helped 19 businesses with 52 full-time employees and 36 part-time employees.

The Commissioners also acted on the topic of camping spots at the RV park during fair, slated for July 21-26. According to minutes from the June 9 meeting, only one camper will be allowed per spot and slide outs and length may not take up other camping space. If so, the campers will need to pay for an addition space. Additionally, lines will be placed to mark camping sites.

The Commissioners said harvesters will be asked to group together, but will not be asked to move from their initial space. Regardless of fair participation, each camper will pay the regular set fee. Prior campers will be notified of the rule changes.

In a meeting a few weeks later, Commissioners met with Fair Board President Kayla Kafka to discuss the upcoming fair. She asked to reserve camper spaces for vendors and the fair princess and queen. Kafka also asked the Commissioners to review rates for fair participants.

No action was take on fair rates, but the Commissioners did approve saving spots for fair vendors and the princess and queen. The Commissioners do not allow reservations for any other fair participants, including 4-H members with animals.

In other business the Commissioners:

• Met with Kristie Ham with the Northeast Colorado Post-Secondary and Workforce Readiness Partnership, to discuss the career fair event held in January. Ham said many Holyoke businesses are getting involved and she expected to host the 2021 event on Jan. 20. The Commissioners agreed to waive the use fee for that day. Ham will pay for the set up charge the day prior.

• Discussed and approved flex/comp time for exempt employees and agreed for 1:1 time off with exempt employees keeping track of their own overtime hours. Effective June 1, exempt employees can have 32 hours of flex time carry over each year. Phillips County Commissioner Harlan Stern abstained from the vote.

• Accepted a resignation from Deanna Webster as the Pavilion Reservationist. Carrie Anderson has accepted the position on a trial basis. Webster told the Commissioners that there is a need for more horse stalls;

• Accepted an Intergovernmental Agreement regarding the use of the AIS Logger and Recorder with the City of Sterling with the same terms as the present with the expiration date of June 30, 2021;

• Approved hiring part-time help for COVID-19 cleaning using CARES funds;

• Approved retaining Briar Bergner as part-time help for the Communications Center;

• Donated $67.50 to High Plains Radio for wheat harvest goody bags.