IRON COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING
January 14, 2008
Minutes of the Iron County Commission meeting convened at 9:00 a.m. January 14, 2008 in Commission Chambers at the Iron County Courthouse, Parowan, Utah.
Officers in attendance included:
Wayne A. Smith Commission Chairman
Lois L. Bulloch Commissioner
Alma L. Adams Commissioner
Scott F. Garrett County Attorney
Michael Edwards Deputy County Attorney
David I. Yardley County Clerk
SYNOPSIS :
APPROVAL OF MINUTES December 20, 2007
APPROVAL OF WARRANTS & ADJOURN
BID OPENING FOR IRON COUNTY VISITOR CENTER STORAGE SHED
COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE PLANNING DISCUSSION
REORGANIZE COMMISSION AND DESIGNATE ASSIGNMENTS
WITHDRAWAL FROM CICWCD INFORMATION
Those assembled were led in the pledge of allegiance by Scott Garrett.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES December 20, 2007 :
Minutes of the Iron County Commission meeting held December 20, 2007 were approved on a motion by Lois Bulloch. Second was by Alma Adams. Voting: Wayne Smith, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
Lois Bulloch presented the other Commissioners copies of the independent audit report for FY 2006-2007 for Southwest Behavioral Center. She also reported that Cedar City Mayor, Gerald Sherratt has requested that Iron County sponsor Santa Land at the Christmas Festival. This will allow this event to use the Festival Hall facility at no charge. The Commission determined that this item needs further clarification of the request from Cedar City.
Wayne Smith discussed the reasoning behind a review of prairie dog policy prior to opening the allocation of take procedure. The number of dogs per project, how to authorize passing for the current year and how to remove inactive requests will be discussed later in the meeting.
Alma Adams reported on the progress with the Cedar City District of BLM work on the updated Range Management Plans. He also noted a meeting in Salt Lake City with UAC to discuss pending legislation which will affect Counties. Wayne Smith volunteered to attend this meeting.
REORGANIZE COMMISSION AND DESIGNATE ASSIGNMENTS :
Alma Adams made a motion to appoint Lois Bulloch as Commission Chair for 2008 effective following this meeting. Second by Wayne Smith. Voting: Wayne Smith, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
The Commission also approved keeping current assignments subject to future reallocation as needs may arise.
Lois Bulloch made a motion to convene a closed session in accordance with Utah Code 52-4 et. seq. for the purpose of a strategy session to discuss pending or reasonably imminent litigation. Second by Alma Adams. Voting: Wayne Smith, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
UNEV PIPELINE PROJECT UPDATE :
Jim Townsend, representing Holly Corp, the company proposing to construct a fuel pipeline between Salt Lake City and Las Vegas with a loading and storage facility in Iron County met with the Commission to discuss the pipeline project and terminal. Holly Corp is in the process of purchasing private rights of way for the construction project and are purchasing the storage facility in the Industrial zone near Iron Springs. Rights of way being acquired are 75' in width for construction and a 50' perpetual right of way.
Holly Corp has submitting a request for a conditional use permit with the Planning Commission for Iron County facilities. They are also in the process of obtaining permits and right of way across BLM lands through Utah and Nevada.
WITHDRAWAL FROM CICWCD INFORMATION :
Carlyle Johnson met with the Commission to discuss his frustration with the Central Iron County Water Conservancy District (CICWCD) for their negligence in considering a petition which was submitted to Water Conservancy District. Carlyle said he was representing petitioners from Comstock Road, Far West, Williams Sub, Old Iron Town Sub, and Pinto Creek who feel that they can gain no benefit from the CICWCD. They feel they have been ignored even though they have met every criteria required under State statute.
Roger Sanders, Counsel for CICWCD responded that their petition is scheduled to be considered by the District at their regular meeting on February 7. No action was required of the County Commission.
BID OPENING FOR IRON COUNTY VISITOR CENTER STORAGE SHED :
Bids were opened as advertised for the completion of a storage shed located adjacent to the Visitor Center in Cedar City. Two bids were received with Velocity Construction submitting the low bid of $14,212.47 which included all electrical work as specified. Lois Bulloch made a motion to accept the bid of Velocity Construction and authorize a contract for completion of the work. Second by Alma Adams. Voting: Wayne Smith, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
PERSONNEL MATTERS :
Colette Eppley presented for approval Kyle Adams as a full time Deputy Assessor effective January 1, 2008. Lois Bulloch made a motion to approve the hiring of Kyle as requested. Second by Alma Adams. Voting: Wayne Smith, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
Colette also presented a request for approval of a promotion for Iosepha Robbins from EMT Basic to Paramedic. She will be in “on call” status. Alma Adams made a motion to approve the promotion of Iosepha Robbins as requested. Second by Lois Bulloch. Voting: Wayne Smith, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
Colette presented a recommendation for a contract employee as Fair Manager to replace Art Walunas. The selection committee recommended Joyce Evans. Alma Adams declared a conflict of interest in this matter as Joyce Evans is his sister-in-law. Alma did not participate in the discussion.
Colette explained that the part time Fair Secretary last year was Wendy Evans, Joyce’s daughter. The selection committee recommended keeping Wendy on as secretary for the 2008 year to provide continuity in the office. After reviewing options, Lois Bulloch made a motion to appoint Joyce Evans as Fair Manager for 2008 and to authorize Wendy Evans to serve as Secretary of the Fair. Second by Wayne Smith. Voting: Wayne Smith, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Alma Adams, Abstain.
Lois Bulloch made a motion to convene in closed session to discuss personnel matters in accordance with Utah Code 52-4 et. seq. for the purpose of discussing the character, professional competence, or physical or mental health of an individual. Second by Alma Adams. Voting: Wayne Smith, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
After reconvening in open session Alma Adams made a motion to approve the terminations of employment of Tiffany Bull and Elaine Paulson. Second by Lois Bulloch. Voting: Wayne Smith, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
Alma Adams made a motion to waive rollback fees for a parcel of property donated by Brent Hunter to Iron County for a road right of way. The donation clarifies the boundary of Bulldog Road in Cedar Valley. Second by Lois Bulloch. Voting: Wayne Smith, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
PRAIRIE DOG MATTERS :
With Blaine Cox present, Wayne Smith presented for discussion the procedure to allocate prairie dog take under the guidelines of the HCP. It was determined that the maximum allocation would be 10 dogs per year per individual or project but with the option to appeal take approval on an individual basis. Approved take may be taken at approval in January or they may have an option to allow for spring counts before final approval. This process may allow for less prairie dog take depending on spring counts.
Because people are continuing to stay on the proposed take list without moving forward with development, the policy was also changed to allow an individual to pass three times before being dropped from the “take list”. Those individuals who have opted to pass for 2008 which have made their third pass this year will be given one more year to complete the take request and begin construction or be dropped from the list. All individuals that do not respond to letters regarding take will be dropped from the list and must start the process over.
Blaine Cox reported that Iron County may allocate 65.3 total permanent take dogs for 2008. Blaine also requested that Technicians be hired at the same wage rate as DWR temporary workers, currently $10.47 per hour. The Commission authorized the wage rate at $10.50 with a $0.50 per hour increase per year of experience as requested on a motion by Alma Adams. Second by Lois Bulloch. Voting: Wayne Smith, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
EMERGENCY SICK LEAVE REQUEST :
David Yardley requested permission for employees to donate vacation time to Shawna Galloway for sick leave. Shawna received emergency surgery and does not have sufficient sick leave and vacation to cover her absence. Lois Bulloch made a motion to authorize donation of vacation hours by County employees for Shawna Galloway as requested. Second by Alma Adams. Voting: Wayne Smith, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
Gene Adams discussed with the Commission the accounting of funds designated for predator control. It was reported that the process has been that before APHIS officials fly, a Commissioner must be notified and approve the use. Funding is paid by the livestock producer receiving the benefit of the helicopter flight, the County and State funding. Livestock producers are to be billed for their share of the cost and the state is to be billed for reimbursement of costs.
The coyote bounty has been set at $20.00 per coyote up to a maximum of 20 coyotes per individual per calender year. The bounty is for Iron County residents or property owners only.
COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE PLANNING DISCUSSION :
The Commission discussed funding of lobbyists for land use planning issues. It was determined that Bob Wiedner will be compensated $16,000 annually provided a monthly billing statement is submitted with a report of lobbying efforts in behalf of the County.
Randy Johnson will be compensated $1,500 per month plus additional travel costs capped at a total of $30,000 in efforts to submit and pass a comprehensive lands bill for Iron County. Travel costs are to be reviewed and approved by the Commission.
The involvement of joint planning efforts involving a matching grant through SUU to monitor and respond to BLM management plans was also approved. Beaver County may opt to participate in this effort.
APPROVAL OF WARRANTS & ADJOURN :
After the bills were reviewed and approved or rejected, the meeting was adjourned at 12:30 p.m. on a motion by Lois Bulloch. Second was by Alma Adams. Voting: Wayne Smith, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
Signed: Wayne A. Smith, Chair
Attest: David I. Yardley
County Clerk