Alva Review-Courier -

Agenda items were shifted around at the regular meeting of the Woods County Commissioners on Monday due to late arrivals. Commissioners John Smiley called to say he was on his way, but he didn’t arrive until near the end of the meeting. With Commissioners Randy McMurphy and David Hamil present, there was a quorum so the meeting proceeded. Also present were Circuit Engineering District 8 (CED#8) engineer Donnie Head, Dr. Kay Decker representing the Alva swimming pool committee, and County Clerk Shelley Reed.

After approving minutes of the last meeting, the commissioners approved warrants and claims. They also approved the following monthly reports:

• Court Clerk Office Balance $64,224.30

• Election Board Balance $6,447.50

• Treasurer’s Office Balance $10,764.68

The conference with CED#8 was delayed for Smiley’s arrival. Head presented the invoice for bridge inspections. He said the nine bridges would cost $275.92 per bridge. He reminded the commissioners this is a pass-through cost that will be paid by a state fund.

Decker spoke under the new business part of the agenda. She has spent months gathering information and writing an application for a Land and Water grant from federal funds. As part of that process, she needs letters of support from each of the county commissioners for the Alva swimming pool project.

With the grant application not due until Sept. 30, McMurphy suggested the commissioners pass a resolution of support at their next meeting on July 18. Decker thought that was a good idea since the resolution could be used in future grants without needing further action by the commissioners.

Decker also assured the commissioners their only involvement in the project is to accept the debris from demolition of the concrete pool and surrounding concrete surfaces. The broken concrete can be used as rip rap around roads, bridges and other sites to prevent erosion.

The commissioners approved blanket purchase orders.

McMurphy asked Head to give CED#8 reports for Districts 1 and 2 while they continued to wait for Smiley. Head went over repairs needed to bridges in those two districts of the county.

A little later two other people arrived. Decker introduced Stephanie Widick, the newly hired City of Alva grant writer, and Jeremy Zeller, the new executive director of the Woods County Economic Development Committee. McMurphy asked them to give brief reports on their work.

During those reports, Smiley arrived. After Decker, Widick and Zeller left, Head gave the CED#8 bridge report for Smiley’s District 3. The commissioners then approved the CED#8 conference report and adjourned.