IRON COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING
June 23, 2008
Minutes of the Iron County Commission meeting convened at 9:00 a.m. June 23, 2008 in 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
Michael Edwards Deputy County Attorney
Cynthia K. Robinson Deputy 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
Jared K. Wilson County IT Department
SYNOPSIS :
APPROVAL OF CERTIFIED TAX RATES
APPROVAL OF MINUTES June 9, 2008
APPROVAL OF WARRANTS & ADJOURN
BID OPENING FAIRGROUNDS AIR CONDITIONING PROJECT
BID OPENING FOR LANDFILL MAINTENANCE SHOP
CEDAR HIGHLANDS ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL
CROSS CONNECTION CONTROL POLICY, WOODS RANCH SPRING
DIXIE NATIONAL FOREST MOTORIZED TRAVEL PLAN COMMENTS
DRAINAGE AND WATER WAY AGREEMENT, UNION PACIFIC
PRESENTATION ON THE IRON WORKS HOMESTEAD
RECONSIDER BIDS ON ANIMAL SHELTER
REQUEST FOR IRON COUNTY TO BUILD OFFICE SPACE FOR STATE OFFICES
S.A.F.E.R. GRANT INFORMATION 1 2
VACATE LOT LINE, LOTS 1 & 2, BLOCK B, SKI VIEW ESTATES
Those assembled were led in the pledge of allegiance by Margaret Miller.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES June 9, 2008 :
Minutes of the Iron County Commission meeting held June 9, 2008 were approved as
amended on a motion by Wayne Smith. Second was by Lois Bulloch. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
Jared Wilson reported that their department will take over the operation and maintenance of the phones throughout the county offices . They have submitted ideas on the courthouse basement being converted to an IT Department when the Parowan Sr. Citizen’s move into their new facility. They have been working with Charlie Morris on the reverse 911 system. A successful test of the equipment was conducted with Milford City.
Dennis Ayers reported $390,000,000 increase in valuations this year. Even though the economy is seeing a decrease in construction, there is still plenty of construction going on. He stated his concern in assessing property with prairie dogs present. Property owners have expressed that they cannot sell lots with prairie dogs on them, because they are not able to have them cleared when they decide to build. The commissioner’s suggested he take it up with the State of Utah.
Patsy Cutler reported the Recorder’s office now has three additional desk scanner’s in place. They are working on scanning older recorded records. Their next project will be to scan the abstract books.
Margaret Miller reported the Justice Court is busy. The new employees are working the front window and learning the system. They are still trying to catch up on back tickets. They are also working on different possibilities in answering and distributing the incoming telephone calls.
Gene Adams reported the independent audit is coming along and is to be completed on July 1, 2008. He has also been working on the tax rates. He will be setting the dates for public hearings.
Alma Adams reported The Prairie Dog Recovery Credit System is moving along. He reported that the Geothermal Power Plant Facilities Ordinance is close to being presented to the Commission for adoption. Alma also reported that a memo explaining a new fuel policy will go out to all departments on conserving fuel to help departments stay within budget.
Cynthia Robinson reported that the Iron County Clerk, David I. Yardley, is absent due to distributing equipment for the Primary Election which will be conducted tomorrow. She expressed thanks to the IT Department for their help in working with the Clerk’s office on the elections.
Lois Bulloch reported that tonight is the Shakespeare Festival’s opening night.
She also said that The Iron Mission is considering a name change to more fully express their purpose. She presented a letter from the State Water Engineer on the public meeting held at Enterprise High School on January 10, 2008 where the State Engineer presented economic data and discussed the proposed ground-water management plan for the Beryl-Enterprise area.
PRESENTATION ON THE IRON WORKS HOMESTEAD :
Todd Prince, Iron Mission State Park Museum Director,. presented a film on the Iron Works Homestead Project. He explained that the Iron Works Homestead is a planned expansion of Iron Mission State Park. He also expressed that they will be sharing this DVD presentation with the community to build awareness and support for the project.
S.A.F.E.R. GRANT INFORMATION :
Paul Irons, Cedar City Fire Department Chief, explained the Federal Grant is to hire five new full time fire people. The grant will be for $500,000 with a thirty six percent increase, approximately $180,000, to the county for the first year. The grant needs to be submitted by this week. After reviewing the increase to the fire budget, Alma Adams made a motion to approve going forward with the grant. Seconded by Wayne Smith. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
CROSS CONNECTION CONTROL POLICY, WOODS RANCH SPRING :
Charlie Morris, Iron County Parks & Recreation Department, presented the policy to the Commission for adoption and signing. The policy is required by the State of Utah, Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Drinking Water. The policy relates to the cross connection control and backflow-protection for Iron County Parks and Recreation, Woods Ranch Spring. Wayne Smith made a motion to approve the policy and authorize signatures. Second by Alma Adams. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye
REQUEST TO VACATE LOT LINE, LOTS 1 & 2, BLOCK B, SKI VIEW ESTATES SUBDIVISION :
Chad Nay, Iron County Zoning Administrator presented the report from the Planning Commission regarding a request from owners, Vern & Dana Jennings, to vacate the lot line between Lots 1 and 2, Block B, Ski View Estates Subdivision which will result in one large lot. The Planning Commission has recommended approval of the request. Alma Adams made a motion to adopt the Planning Commission recommendation and approve the request to vacate the lot line. Seconded by Wayne Smith. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
An Ordinance will be required along with a meets and bounds legal description of the new lot for filing in the Recorder’s office. The Ordinance will be presented at a later meeting.
REQUEST FOR IRON COUNTY TO BUILD OFFICE SPACE FOR STATE OFFICES :
Cheryl Searle, State of Utah, Division of Facilities, accompanied with Jim Ross, State of Utah, approached the Commissioners with a request to explore the possibility of the county constructing office space to house such state offices as: Driver’s License, Highway Patrol, Dispatch Communications Center, AP&P, and the Drug Task Force. One of the possible locations discussed would be behind the current Iron County Jail. Alma Adams made a motion to proceed with a feasibility study for such a building. Second by Wayne Smith. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
DIXIE NATIONAL FOREST MOTORIZED TRAVEL PLAN COMMENTS :
Art Tait, presented maps explaining current motorized travel plan options on the Dixie National Forest. The commission reviewed the different options and recommended the Forest Service adopt option E as the preferred alternative. They requested Mr. Tait to write a letter to the Dixie National Forest stating that the Commission opposes any road closures, and that of the options presented they favor the option “E “with the least closures.
CEDAR HIGHLANDS ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL :
Jacqueline Tully, Cedar Highlands property owner, and others from the same subdivision, presented a request to the commission to allow their homeowner’s association to contract with an independent contractor to widen the county road which runs through BLM property below their subdivision. Iron County Deputy Attorney, Mike Edwards, explained the legal issue of having someone besides the county do the work on widening the road. Commissioner Wayne Smith asked the homeowner’s association to meet with Ryan Riddle, the Iron County Fire Warrant, BLM, Steve Platt, the Iron County Engineer, and the Iron County Attorney’s Office to discuss the possibilities of widening the road and to review the counties liability in doing such. He asked that they report back to the commission at the next scheduled meeting, on July 14, 2008.
Colette Eppley, presented for approval the following promotion Glendon Pederson EMT-Basic to EMT-Intermediate. Alma Adams made a motion to approve the promotion. Second by Lois Bulloch. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Absent; Alma Adams, Aye.
Colette also presented for approval the following contract positions; Council on Aging contract drivers, Paul Jordan, New Harmony; Judith Jordan, New Harmony; and Sandra Nason, New Harmony. They are paid only when they drive. Alma Adams made a motion to approve the new contract employees as presented. Seconded by Lois Bulloch. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Absent; Alma Adams, Aye.
Colette also presented the following volunteers for approval; Linda Pate, as a non driving meals on wheels volunteer. Alma Adams made a motion to approve Linda Pate as a non driving meals on wheels volunteer. Second by Lois Bulloch. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Absent; Alma Adams, Aye.
Colette also requested approval of a wage change for election workers including Trainers and Rovers from $10.00 to $12.00 an hour. Alma Adams made a motion to approve the requested increase. Second by Wayne Smith. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
Colette also presented a proposed job description and grade change in the IT Department for the GIS Specialist position from Grade 15 to Grade 19 which would result in a 5% increase in salary. Wayne Smith made a motion to approve the job description and associated grade change on condition that there are the funds in the current year’s budget. If the funds are not presently available, then the pay increase will become effective on January 1, 2009. Second by Alma Adams. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Absent; Alma Adams, Aye.
Colette also presented for approval the hiring of Jane Shaffer, Emergency/Parks Management Assistant, Grad 10. Effective date: June 23, 2008. Jane is currently a Vista Employee. Alma Adams made a motion to approve the hiring of Jane Shaffer and also to approve the new job description. Second by Lois Bulloch. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Absent; Alma Adams, Aye.
Colette also requested the Commission to consider the HR assistant position to go from a part time position to a full time position. Wayne Smith made a motion to table this request until the next budget year.
Colette Eppley reported that both the Resource Management Position and the County Administrator Position posting will close on Friday, June 27, 2008.
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.
BID OPENING FAIRGROUNDS AIR CONDITIONING PROJECT :
Bids were opened as advertised for the installation of an air conditioner system in the Fairgrounds Exhibit Building. Two bids were received as follows: Zion Plumbing bid $60,430.00. M&M Mechanical bid $40,300.00.
Because both bids were significantly above the budgeted funds, Alma Adams made a motion to reject all bids and to delay the project for the current budget year. Second by Wayne Smith. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.
DRAINAGE AND WATER WAY AGREEMENT, UNION PACIFIC :
A water way agreement submitted by Union Pacific Railroad was presented for approval however after preliminary review, Wayne Smith made a motion to table action to gather more information from the attorney and the engineer. Seconded by Alma Adams. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.
BID OPENING FOR LANDFILL MAINTENANCE SHOP :
The engineer’s estimate for the Landfill Maintenance Building is $228,000.00. Accepted bid’s are as follows: Blackburn & Associates $218,014.00, C & A Construction $339,000.00, Carter Enterprises $253,400.00, Double T Development $253,650.00, Ence Commercial $214,900.00, Forest Line Construction $327,000.00, Nichols Construction $233,985.73, Precision Development $215,900.00, Velocity Construction $224,719.00, and Wastach West Construction $343,962.00. A motion was made by Wayne Smith to turn bids over to the County Engineer to see if they were in order. Seconded by Alma Adams. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.
RECONSIDER BIDS ON ANIMAL SHELTER :
Alma Adams made a motion to have the Attorney and Sheriff to consider bids on the Animal Shelter. Seconded By Wayne Smith. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.
APPROVAL OF CERTIFIED TAX RATES :
Gene Adams presented the proposed tax rate as .001441 and the unincorporated service district is .001849 Alma Adams made a motion to adopt the tax rate as presented. Second by Wayne Smith. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.
APPROVAL OF WARRANTS & ADJOURN :
After the bills were reviewed and approved or rejected, the meeting was adjourned at 4:30 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