Alva Review-Courier -

Kiowa's City Council held their October meeting Monday night with all members present, including Mayor Bill Watson, council president R.L. Simpson, B.J. Duvall, Brian Hill, Jason Thayer and Tom Wells. Also seated with the council was City Clerk Trish Brewer and council attorney Brandon Ritcha. The council opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer by Simpson.

BG Consultants engineer Sam Johnson joined the meeting by speaker phone to update the council on the city's $8 million waterline replacement project. The first part of the project is replacing waterlines from the city's water wells south of Sharon and down the Tri-City county road to Hazelton. Johnson said they still await two land easements. Some of the wait on those is dependent on railroad easements.

Johnson said the KDHE approved the final design of the project. “We can advertise the project now,” Johnson said.

COVID CARES grant money for the city

Simpson announced the amounts of some COVID CARES grant money received by the city. The police department received $7,100. That will go toward four defibrillators (AED), a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. The cost is approximately $5,980.

The city received just over $22,000 of this COVID CARES grant money. It will be used to purchase three automatic (touchless) doors the council intends to install at the city office and also at Kiowa's Community Building. The doors will cost just over $14,000. The city will have grant money remaining and have a list of other items to purchase with the money. The money must be used by Dec. 30.

More City of Kiowa Business

Fall Clean Up dates are Nov. 2–6 for the north side and Nov. 9–13 for the south side of town.

Simpson said he had an inquiry from a potential new business owner to Kiowa, but did not say who. The person asked about land annexation at Hardtner Street and KS-2 (directly north of D&W) and for zoning for commercial use.

Regarding the standing water problem in front of the General Store on the east end of Main Street, Simpson said they have a possible solution. This involves 422 feet to the corner by the ball field. It also involves Randy and Roxie Blunk's yard where water stands. The project will involve digging up a lot (a fiber optic main; a sewer main and a gas main). Simpson said they will use a hydrovac to insure the depth of all the lines. It's still in exploratory stages, he said.

Fire Chief Bill Duvall asked the council for direction in selling the old firetruck. He'll set a bottom price before they put it out for bid.

The council discussed more electric pole replacement. A truckload of 40 concrete poles cost $53,000. They also discussed the need for water tower inspections.

City Superintendent John Duvall shared a long list of what he is working on with the council. He said the city's old brick building is emptied out and ready to be torn down. The council approved Graves bid for fencing to go around the sub-station.

Duvall said he has price options from Caterpillar to service the city's generator. The issue was tabled until November.

The council voted 3-2 to purchase a dump trailer from Bogner. Duvall and Hill cast the no votes.

Brewer said Stan from the auditor's office has worked with her and Simpson on finances. “We're sitting better than we thought we were,” she said and added, “Stan is worth his weight in gold.”

Brewer said Blue Cross/Blue Shield sent a check for $1,138, which was a reimbursement on dental insurance for April.

Under the public comment period, Brian Ricke, resident and father of two young girlsm, addressed the council about a dog issue. “I don't feel safe playing with my kids due to the dogs,” Ricke said. He discussed two different times that mean dogs came into his yard – one time when the girls were playing and the dogs almost attacked them. The issue is being looked into.

Deb Helfrich thanked the council for working to fix the retaining wall in her yard.