IRON COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING
November 9, 2009
Minutes of the Iron County Commission meeting convened at 9:00 a.m. November 9, 2009 in Commission Chambers at the Iron County Courthouse, Parowan, Utah.
Officers in attendance included:
Alma L. Adams Commission Chair
Wayne A. Smith Commissioner
Lois L. Bulloch Commissioner
Michael Edwards Deputy County Attorney
David I. Yardley County Clerk
Reed Erickson County Administrator
SYNOPSIS :
APPROVAL OF MINUTES October 26, 2009
BLM COOPERATING AGENCY AGREEMENT
CALENDER SCHEDULE COORDINATION
INTERLOCAL COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT
RESOLUTION 2009-8 UCIP VOTING REPRESENTATIVE
TAMIFLU DISTRIBUTION PROCEDURE
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE :
Those assembled were led in the pledge of allegiance by Michael Edwards.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES October 26, 2009 :
Minutes of the Iron County Commission meeting held October 26, 2009 were approved as amended on a motion by Lois Bulloch. Second was by Wayne Smith. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.
Kal Kahler reported on actions taken by the Water Conservancy District. Included was a report of an award received by the District from the EPA for being an outstanding example of what a Water Conservancy District should be. This is one of thirty one such awards presented nationwide.
Reed Erickson reported that Mike Empey representing Congressman Matheson’s office, is working with David Burton to determine if a solution can be reached to a grazing permit which would be inside of the proposed Cedar Breaks National Park boundaries.
Reed also discussed County vehicles being taken home by employees. He explained that custodians will no longer be allowed to drive County vehicles to and from work. He urged that all Departments look at the policies for personal use of County vehicles.
Reed reported that projected revenue for 2009 is running about $950,000 below expectations. This is due in large part to a reduction in Jail reimbursement revenue and from reduced Building Department fees.
Mike Edwards discussed a proposed letter to property owners served by the Kanarra Lower Basin Road. The road has been gated which limits travel on a maintained County road. The property owners will be told to remove the gate.
Lois Bulloch reported that the Vista grant which has funded help in the LEPC will be eliminated in 2010 and the workers will not be available. There is no plan to replace the positions at this time.
Lois also reported that costs for maintenance and clean up at the shooting range is significant. Cedar City will be asked to fund $2,000 to match $2,000 from the County to help with clean up. An option of using prisoners to maintain the shooting range is also being discussed.
Lois reported that due to damage to the pickup used by the Parks Department, the Parks Department will not be plowing snow at Woods Ranch. The Road Department or UDOT will be asked to help with snow removal at the Woods Ranch area.
Wayne Smith reported on complaints he has received regarding furniture in the foyer of the Jail. The furniture along with the worn out carpet is in serious need of replacement. The matter will be discussed with the Sheriff to determine how the appropriate repairs can be made.
Alma Adams reported that Dennis Johnson has submitted letters to the FCC regarding proposed TV licenses at Blow Hard and at Levan Peak which, if allowed, would seriously interfere with current service provided by Iron County. The letters requested that the licenses be denied.
BOARD OF EQUALIZATION REQUEST :
Wayne Smith made a motion to convene as a Board of Equalization to discuss a review request for Veterans Exemption. Second by Lois Bulloch. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.
Christene Lowder presented an appeal submitted by David Cleve Matheson for a vacant parcel of property in Paragonah where he intends to build a home sometime in the future. Utah Code governing Veterans Exemptions were reviewed which clearly disallow the requested abatement. The code section Mr. Matheson relied upon refers to tangible personal property such as vehicles, not real estate.
Lois Bulloch made a motion to uphold the decision by the Auditor’s office denying Veterans Exemption for vacant land. She also motioned to inform Mr. Matheson of other options for exemptions which may be available to him as a veteran. Second by Wayne Smith. Voting: Alma Adams, Abstain; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.
Commissioner Adams explained that Mr. Matheson is a relative and therefore he would not participate in the discussion or vote on the matter.
RESOLUTION 2009-8 UCIP VOTING REPRESENTATIVE :
Wayne Smith made a motion to adopt Resolution 2009-8 as follows. Second by Lois Bulloch. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.
RESOLUTION NO. 2009-8
RESOLUTION OF APPOINTMENT OF A IRON COUNTY REPRESENTATIVE AND AN ALTERNATE REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE UTAH COUNTIES INSURANCE POOL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Iron County, Utah, is the proper authority to appoint a qualified person to act as the official representative for Iron County at the Utah Counties Insurance Pool Membership Meeting to be held on December 3, 2009; and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Iron County, Utah, has been informed that the By-laws of the Utah Counties Insurance Pool require that the official representative and an alternate representative for Iron county be elected or appointed officers or employees of a member county and be appointed by majority vote of the governing body and designated in writing,
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by the Board of County Commissioners of Iron County, Utah, hereby appoints David Yardley as the official Iron County representative for the Utah Counties Insurance Pool Membership Meeting to be held on, December 3, 2008 with Wayne A. Smith as an alternate representative.
RESOLVED ADOPTED AND ORDERED this 9th day of November, 2009.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
IRON COUNTY, UTAH
/s/ Alma L. Adams
Alma L. Adams, Chair
/s/ Wayne A. Smith
Wayne A. Smith, Commissioner
/s/ Lois L. Bulloch
Lois L. Bulloch, Commissioner
ATTEST:
David I. Yardley, Iron County Clerk
By: /s/ David I. Yardley
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Michael Edwards, Deputy Iron County Attorney
By: /s/ Michael Edwards
TAMIFLU DISTRIBUTION PROCEDURE :
Charlie Morris, LEPC Director, discussed with the Commission the use of the County stockpile of 150 doses of Tamiflu the County purchased in 2008. Washington County has taken the position that “First Responders” would be eligible to receive the Tamiflu with a Doctors prescription. The Commission tabled action to allow time to research the minutes to determine how the purchase was approved and if stipulations were included regarding distribution.
INTERLOCAL COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT :
Reed Erickson presented an interlocal agreement between Cedar City and Iron County for the payment of light detection and ranging topographic and ortho-imagery project. This is an aerial photography project in Cedar City and Cedar Valley to determine flood zones for updates to the FEMA flood maps along the Coal Creek drainage. The agreement spells out that Iron County will pay Cedar City $29,500 for their portion of the study.
Lois Bulloch made a motion to approve the Interlocal Agreement as presented. Second by Wayne Smith. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.
BLM COOPERATING AGENCY AGREEMENT :
Mark Cox representing Rocky Mountain Power, reported on two projects that are in the environmental study stage. The first is a 345 KV line from Siggurd to Red Butte in Washington County. The second is identified as the “Energy Gateway South” project which is a 500 KV line which would terminate at Crystal Nevada. Both of these projects would be AC lines which can be tapped for service along the corridor.
A project also in the scoping stage is a 500 KV DC line from Wyoming to Nevada. This line would not be available for local use. This project is not a Rocky Mountain Power project.
Mr. Cox suggested that Iron County become a cooperating agency with the BLM to have access to information and decisions regarding the proposed projects. The matter was tabled to the next meeting for action on the cooperating agency matter. This will allow for appropriate paper work to be submitted by the BLM.
Colette Eppley presented for approval Stephanie Orton, Beverly Landes, Colleen Adams, Donnett Vincent and Tena Day as temporary seasonal workers in the Treasurers office. Lois Bulloch made a motion to approve the hires as presented. Second by Wayne Smith. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.
Colette also presented for approval Jessica Roy as a full time Victim Services Coordinator in the County Attorney’s office. This is to replace Lora Lee, who recently resigned. Lois Bulloch made a motion to approve the hiring of Jessica Roy as recommended. Second by Wayne Smith. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.
Colette presented Kenzie Tobler as a Paramedic, Lisa Iler, Tyler Savage, and Jennifer Davis as EMT Basic, and Cindy Applegate as an EMT Intermediate. These would be part time on call positions. Wayne Smith made a motion to approve the ambulance workers as presented. Second by Lois Bulloch. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye. Colette presented for consideration the promotion of Nancy Robinson as an on call Paramedic from an EMT Intermediate. Wayne Smith made a motion to approve the promotion of Nancy Robinson to Paramedic. Second by Lois Bulloch. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.
Colette presented Sean Lindsey as a volunteer fire fighter in the Newcastle Fire Department. Lois Bulloch made a motion to approve Sean Lindsey as a volunteer fire fighter. Second by Wayne Smith. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.
Colette presented a job description and position justification and workforce assessment for a secretary position to work with the Beaver/Iron County Major Crimes Task Force. The position is specified in the agreement adopted by the Commission at a previous meeting. Funding would be through grant funds and the position would terminate when the grant funds are expended. Lois Bulloch made a motion to approve the position and job description and to move ahead with advertising and filling the position subject to a final contract being executed between Iron and Beaver County. Second by Wayne Smith. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.
The County Employee Insurance Committee met with the Commission to present their recommendation regarding the health insurance benefit supplied by the County. They recommended that the County adopt a wellness plan with a requirement that all employees participate. The employee would be able to opt out of the plan but would then be required to pay a portion of their monthly premium. They requested $2,000 in 2010 to start the program and to start implementation in 2010. Employee’s and spouses would be asked to participate.
The Committee also discussed cases where both partners are employed by the County and the County pays premiums for both people. They suggested that the Commission drop coverage for one individual and fund through the cafeteria plan the deductible which would be lost from the double coverage. This would result in a savings to the County of $9,000 annually per couple.
Lois Bulloch made a motion to approve the Committee recommended plan with a 12.5% increase over 2009, to fund $2,000 toward an employee wellness plan, and to evaluate double coverage options as recommended. Second by Wayne Smith. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.
Reed Erickson reported that in evaluating exchange formulas for prairie dogs on the Little Horse Valley project, the formula will not allow for an exchange. The State and Federal participants realize there is a problem with the implementation of the evaluation procedure and will work to correct the problem and develop a workable procedure to determine exchange rates.
CALENDER SCHEDULE COORDINATION :
Reed Erickson coordinated calendars with the Commissioners for the next two weeks.
David Yardley reported that Parowan City has submitted a notice of proposed annexation of approximately 50 acres known as the Ward and Judy Gubler Annexation. The property is located on the east side of 600 West and approximately 600 North. The matter was tabled without action to allow time for Parowan to provide a map of the proposed annexation area.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:20 p.m. on a motion by Wayne Smith. Second was by Lois Bulloch. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.
Signed: Alma L. Adams, Chairman
Attest: David I. Yardley
County Clerk