Alva Review-Courier -

Due to weather conditions, the Woods County Courthouse in Alva was closed on Monday. The county commissioners canceled their meeting that morning, but payroll had to be approved. A special meeting was held Wednesday, Oct. 28, at 2 p.m. Commissioners present were Randy McMurphy, David Hamil and John Smiley.

The commissioners approved minutes of the last meeting, payroll, warrants and claims.

Eight road-crossing permits for the Sundance Wind project were approved. These are for electrical transmission lines for power generated by the wind turbines once they are in place. Smiley said they are building the power line down to the Cleo curve. Roads crossed and legal descriptions are:

E350 from SW4 24N 13W S33 to NW4 23N 13W S4

N2480 from NE4 23N 13W S4 to NW4 23N 13W S3

N2490 from NE4 23N 13W S3 to NW4 23N 13W S2

E0360 from SW4 23N 13W S2 to NW4 23N 13W S11

E0370 from SW4 23N 13W S11 to NW4 23N 13W S14

E0380 from SE4 23N 13W S14 to NE4 23N 13W S23

N2500 from NE4 23N 13W S23 to NW4 23N 13W S24

E0390 from SE4 23N 13W S24 to NE4 23N 13W S25

The commissioners discussed Invenergy changes to the roads and miles they are going to use for transporting wind turbines during construction of the Sundance Wind project. Smiley said they decided to make no changes to what has already been approved in Woods County. However, Sundance has obtained approval from Alfalfa County to use some roads there. He said they will be coming in from the east on the Aline blacktop (Highway 8) for five miles in Alfalfa County and two miles in Woods County to County Road 490. No action was needed on this agenda item.

When the other commissioners asked about progress on the project, Smiley said Sundance first needs to pour and form the concrete bases for the wind turbines. However, the recent cold weather is hampering that effort. Otherwise, the project seems to be going alright.

Regarding the next agenda item, County Clerk Shelley Reed said a long time ago the county started working on getting bids to update the 911 system. At first, the county was told no resolution was needed. Now they are being told the commissioners need to pass a resolution. So the commissioners approved a resolution stating the county went out for bids to update GIS data and plans to apply for 911 grants from the state 911 authority. The grant is being sought to update addresses for the county 911 system.

The commissioners approved a transfer of appropriations from Highway District 1 and District 2 CIRB accounts to Highway District 1 and District 2 personal services in the amount of $18,491.58 each.

A material list for Circuit Engineering District 8 was approved. McMurphy said the materials will be used to rock three miles of road with limestone in Woods County District 2.

The commissioners approved blanket purchase orders before adjourning.