IRON COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING
April 28, 2008
Minutes of the Iron County Commission meeting convened at 9:00 a.m. April 28, 2008in Commission Chambers at the Iron County Courthouse, Parowan, Utah.
Officers in attendance included:
Lois L. Bulloch Commission Chair
Wayne A. Smith Commissioner
Alma L. Adams Commissioner
Scott F. Garrett County Attorney
David I. Yardley County Clerk
Also Present:
H. Eugene Adams County Auditor
Dennis W. Ayers County Assessor
Patsy T. Cutler County Recorder
Geraldine S. Norwood County Treasurer
Mark O. Gower County Sheriff
Margaret Miller Justice Court Judge
SYNOPSIS :
AGREEMENT WITH UDOT ON OLD IRON TOWN ROAD IMPROVEMENTS
APPROVAL OF MINUTES April 14, 2008
APPROVAL OF WARRANTS & ADJOURN
BOARD OF EQUALIZATION TAX EXEMPT REQUEST REPORT
CONTRACT FOR INDIGENT DEFENSE COUNSEL SERVICE
EMERGENCY WATER PROJECT CONTRACTS/O&M PLAN
PUBLIC HEARING REQUESTED ROAD NAME CHANGE
REQUEST FOR CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT KENNEL
REQUEST TO VACATE AND AMEND A LOT LINE
SPECIAL USE LEASE AGREEMENT FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS SITE
SPRINT/NEXTEL EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT AGREEMENTS 1 2
THREE PEAKS ALCOHOL PERMIT PROCESS DISCUSSION
WORKLOAD AND MANPOWER STUDY REPORT
Those assembled were led in the pledge of allegiance by Michael Edwards.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES April 14, 2008 :
Minutes of the Iron County Commission meeting held April 14, 2008 were approved as amended on a motion by Wayne Smith. Second was by Alma Adams. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
Margaret Miller reported that there are three new employees in the Justice Court office. The Commission discussed with Judge Miller case load and case processing. She explained that current cases are being processed. There is a lag on processing older active cases. Having tickets forwarded from troopers has helped with data input.
Geri Norwood reported that the tax sale is scheduled for May 22. Currently there are 131 parcels which will be auctioned. This includes two homes and a total of 7 parcels with buildings.
Gene Adams discussed with the Commission the steps in implementing the Municipal Service Fund tax. He also presented the Commission with audit reports of expenditures for the first quarter.
Patsy Cutler reported that the book repair company has scheduled a visit to Iron County during the summer. They come to the County and repair record books on site. Patsy also reported that land records back to 1997 have now been scanned into the computer for easier access.
Dennis Ayers reported that the Assessment roll for 2008 is scheduled to be completed by the May 22 deadline established by Utah Code. He also reported that State Tax Appeals have been scheduled for May 8 and 9 here at the Courthouse.
Alma Adams reported that in a meeting with UDOT Engineers, a provision to allow a street cut of Main Street and Old Highway 91 for installation of a sewer line to the Senior Citizen Center was approved. This will help in cost savings by not requiring drilling the lines under the roads.
Wayne Smith discussed the agreement to purchase SITLA property for a prairie dog preserve. Documentation has been received authorizing the transfer. A patent on the property will be prepared for recording upon return of documentation to SITLA.
David Yardley reported on departments that have not submitted current safety inspections. He also reported that elected officials have again been invited to attend Girls State on June 4 at 9:00 a.m.
BOARD OF EQUALIZATION TAX EXEMPT REQUEST REPORT :
Wayne Smith made a motion to convene as a Board of Equalization to receive a report from Valley View Medical Center regarding tax exemption status. Second by Alma Adams. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
Valley View, represented by Jason Wilson, Reed Sargent, and Wayne Clark met with the Commission to report on their eligibility for tax exemption status for 2008. They explained that Valley View provided more than $3,000,000 in charity care during 2007. This does not include an additional $1,900,000 in bad debt which was written off.
They also reported on an expansion project at the hospital where a new radiology department and full service kitchen are being constructed. A new parking lot is also being added. Valley View also shares a PET scan system in partnership with McKay Dee Hospital and American Fork Hospital. This is a benefit to cancer treatment patients which would otherwise be required to travel to other hospitals to receive these scans.
After reconvening in Commission meeting to following items were presented.
REQUEST FOR CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT KENNEL :
Chad Nay reported that a request to build and operate a kennel in the Beryl area will be on the Planning Commission agenda for a conditional use permit. He reviewed the Staff suggestions for conditions and requested the Commission to add additional items they deem appropriate.
AGREEMENT WITH UDOT ON OLD IRON TOWN ROAD IMPROVEMENTS :
Agreements with UDOT for the road improvement project to widen and oil the road leading to Old Irontown was presented by Steve Platt. After review of the documents and a recommendation to approve from the County Attorney, Wayne Smith made a motion to approve the agreement and authorize signatures. Second by Alma Adams. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
REQUEST TO VACATE AND AMEND A LOT LINE :
A request to vacate and amend the subdivision plat of Lots 1 & 2, Blk B, Ski View Estates Subdivision, Unit B to make one lot was forwarded to the Planning Commission on a motion by Alma Adams. Second by Wayne Smith. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
SPRINT/NEXTEL EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT AGREEMENTS :
Dennis Johnson, Iron County TV Department, presented two agreements for TV equipment with Sprint/Nextel Communications. He explained that the equipment being replaced will be for our equipment which operates on frequencies Sprint/Nextel would like to use. Alma Adams made a motion to approve the agreements and to designate County contacts as Dennis Johnson, David Yardley and Alma Adams. Second by Wayne Smith. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
EMERGENCY WATER PROJECT CONTRACTS/O&M PLAN :
Steve Platt, Iron County Engineer presented for approval contracts for construction of flood control projects authorized under Emergency Watershed Project grants. Wayne Smith made a motion to approve the contracts with Precision Excavating and Feller Stone for construction of the EWP projects. Second by Alma Adams. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
Wayne Smith also made a motion to approve the Operating and Maintenance plan for the EWP projects. Second by Alma Adams. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
SPECIAL USE LEASE AGREEMENT FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS SITE:
A proposed twenty year lease for the TV site located at Locust Hill near Kanarraville was approved upon the recommendation of Deputy Attorney Michael Edwards. The site has operated without a lease for nearly a year. The cost of the lease will be $1,200 annually. Wayne Smith made a motion to approve the contract. Second by Alma Adams. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
PUBLIC HEARING REQUESTED ROAD NAME CHANGE :
Wayne Smith made a motion to open a public hearing to receive comments regarding a request to change the name of roads in subdivisions near Brian Head from Bear Flat Road to Steam Engine Meadows Road. Second by Alma Adams. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
David Yardley reported that notice has been mailed to all property owners along the Bear Flat Road with responses being received opposed to the change. The majority of property owners did not respond to the notice.
Bryce Haderlie explained that the road as it leaves SR 143 is designated as Bear Flat Road and has been know by this name since development of the area. Brian Head Town is not opposed to the name change as requested by Developers of Steam Engine Meadows but will follow the recommendation of the County Commission to avoid additional confusion.
Gayle Snyder, County address authority, stated that it is not good policy to rename streets within existing subdivision due to confusion created with filed plats and continuity with addressing systems. She also stated that this sets a precedent for other similar requests.
Daniel Kemp, representing Griffin Development, the developers of Steam Engine Meadows stated their request is to clarify addresses in the area so that there are not name changes on the same street through different jurisdictions.
Lois Bulloch commented on issues with changing street names experienced by Enoch City several years ago. She also expressed concerns with costs associated with the name change.
After all public comments were received, Wayne Smith made a motion to close the hearing and to table action on the request to allow the County Attorney to issue an opinion on requirements for name changes on existing streets. Second by Alma Adams. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
Colette Eppley presented for approval a new hire in the Justice Court of Alice Staheli as a part time court clerk. Alma Adams made a motion to approve the hiring. Second by Wayne Smith. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
Colette also discussed the resource management position and associated costs. A job description is being developed for the position and will be presented for approval at a later meeting.
WORKLOAD AND MANPOWER STUDY REPORT :
David Colvin presented results of the workload and manpower study conducted on all departments. Written reports were given to each department supervisor and reviewed with explanations where appropriate. Several minor changes were noted by Department Supervisors. The report gives some bench marks to judge efficiency in offices and to give direction on where additional personnel may be needed in comparison with similar size counties.
David also presented a separate more detailed report on the Justice Court. He explained that it may require additional staff to process the backlog of cases. Options to add additional staff included adding a second part time shift with a trained shift supervisor to work evenings to process old cases. David also recommended that senior management staff need additional training in management. He suggested a course of Certified Public Management through SUU or the State of Utah.
Departments are to review findings of the study and schedule meetings with the Commission to discuss staffing needs within their departments.
Wayne Smith 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: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.
Reed Erickson discussed with the Commission the development of a video with the help of SUU students and staff to show to Senator Bennett to explain the problems with prairie dog management in Iron County. Areas considered for inclusion in the video included the Cedar City golf course, Cedar and Paragonah Cemetery’s, Kolob Regional Care Center expansion limits, Paiute Tribal area, Holyoak Lane expansion, Livestock concerns with injury, health issues with the prairie dog as a disease vector, and problems at airports. People to consider for use in the video were also discussed with several names to consider.
THREE PEAKS ALCOHOL PERMIT PROCESS DISCUSSION :
Michael Edwards discussed with the Commission development of a permit process for use of alcohol at functions at Three Peaks. Development of the application and permit will be managed by the Park Director except where sale is permitted and then appropriate State licenses and County Business Licenses will be required.
CONTRACT FOR INDIGENT DEFENSE COUNSEL SERVICE :
Scott Garrett presented for approval a contract for indigent defense counsel for the Nelson murder case. Since this is a capital case, special counsel is required. Costs of defense will be reimbursed through the State indigent defense fund. Alma Adams made a motion to approve the contract and authorize signatures. Second by Wayne Smith. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
APPROVAL OF WARRANTS & ADJOURN :
After the bills were reviewed and approved or rejected, the meeting was adjourned at 5:15 p.m. on a motion by Wayne Smith. Second was by Alma Adams. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.
Signed: Lois L. Bulloch, Chair
Attest: David I. Yardley
County Clerk