IRON COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING
August 25, 2008
Minutes of the Iron County Commission meeting convened at 9:00 a.m. August 25, 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
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 :
ADOPT MUNICIPAL SERVICES TAX RATE
APPROVAL OF MINUTES August 11, 2008
APPROVAL OF MINUTES July 28, 2008
APPROVAL OF WARRANTS & ADJOURN
AUTHORIZE PAYMENT OF ROLLBACK TAX
DIXIE NATIONAL FOREST OIL & GAS LEASING EIS
FIDDLER'S CANYON ROOF REPAIR AND AIR CONDITIONER AGREEMENT
NATURAL RESOURCE PLANNING PRIORITIZATION
PAROWAN GAP ARCHEOLOGICAL PROJECT
SENIOR CITIZENS CENTER CHANGE ORDER NO. 4
Those assembled were led in the pledge of allegiance by Charlie Morris.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES July 28, 2008 :
Minutes of the Iron County Commission meeting held July 28, 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.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES August 11, 2008 :
Minutes of the Iron County Commission meeting held August 11, 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.
Those present observed a moment of silence in honor of ten individuals from Cedar City and surrounding areas who were killed in an airplane accident near Moab. Dr. Ellsworth and his staff had completed a clinic in Moab and were returning to Cedar City when the plane went down and all aboard were killed.
Michael Edwards presented training on Notice of Claim requirements for any claim against the County. He explained that Utah Code provides that all claims must comply with UCA 63-30d-401 et.al. By following this policy, lawsuits against the county can be reduced and it allows for better defense options for the County and our insurance carrier.
Margaret Miller reported that the lateral file system has been installed at the Justice Court. Staff is in the process of coding and placing files in the new system.
Jared Wilson reported that the Tyler software conference is scheduled to begin tomorrow in Park City. There will be people attending from each County Department using Tyler software.
Dennis Ayers reported that the Assessor’s Office will be reappraising commercial properties within the County this year. The State Tax Commission has determined that the County has under valued Commercial this year and they have issued a letter advising the County to bring appraisals into compliance.
Patsy Cutler reported that book repairs have been completed in the Recorder’s Office. She stated that the work is excellent and should preserve the records for many years to come.
Mark Gower reported on marijuana growing operations that have been located and eradicated in Iron County. They appear to be part of a larger operation which included Washington and Garfield Counties.
Alan Wade reported that the new shop building at the Landfill is nearing completion. Framing is completed and metal is being installed on the roof and walls.
PAROWAN GAP ARCHEOLOGICAL PROJECT :
Garth Norman, representing ARCON INC discussed archeological work at the Parowan Gap. He explained that the petroglyphs have been dated to about 5000 years old. It is a premier sacred site for native American tribes and is one of the most important sites in North America.
Mr. Norman requested help from the County in communicating with UDOT to get phase II of the project back on track. He explained his frustration with UDOT in completing Phase I due to changes in personnel and other issues. The Commission referred Mr. Norman to the County Attorney’s Office.
DIXIE NATIONAL FOREST OIL & GAS LEASING EIS :
Kenton Call, US Forest Service, presented the Commission a briefing guide on a draft environmental impact statement outlining alternatives for oil and gas leasing on the Dixie National Forest. Five alternatives have been identified with alternative C which would open up 93% of the Dixie to oil and gas leasing Restrictive stipulations would be placed on lands that are identified in the forest plan to have special values for a variety of visual, river, recreation, wildlife, watershed, soil, vegetation and cultural resources. The draft EIS will be released in October 2008 and there will be a 60 day comment period and open houses to accommodate public comments.
ADOPT MUNICIPAL SERVICES TAX RATE :
The Commission recalled the issue of the Unincorporated Municipal Service Tax Rate for action. Commissioner Bulloch again explained that it is unfortunate that the truth in taxation hearings are held in August when in fact, the budget was approved in December. At that time public hearings were advertised and held after which budgets were adopted.
Wayne Smith made a motion to adopt the Municipal Service Tax Rate as proposed after a thorough study and due diligence in budgeting tax funds to cover expenses to the County to provide law enforcement, fire protection service, roads, etc. to the unincorporated portions of the County in compliance with requirements set forth in Utah Code and to fund the level of service currently provided in the unincorporated area. Second by Alma Adams. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
Colette Eppley presented for approval Russell Burt as a new hire in the Road Department as a Mechanic to replace Kenneth Davis. Wayne Smith made a motion to approve Mr. Burt as presented. Second by Alma Adams. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
Colette also requested approval of Vicki Nielsen as a part time receptionist in the Human Resource Department. Alma Adams made a motion to approve Ms. Nielsen as requested. Second by Wayne Smith. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
Colette also presented for approval Reed Erickson as County Administrator. Wayne Smith made a motion to approve. Second by Alma Adams. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
Colette reported that the position of IT Director has been posted and applications close today. One person has applied and he is the recommended replacement for Erik Jorgensen. Wayne Smith made a motion to approve the promotion of Jared Wilson to IT Director. Second by Alma Adams. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
Colette presented volunteers for approval in the Council on Aging at the Cedar City Center. Merrilyn Nay as a Meals on Wheels worker and William Jueschke as a Meals on Wheels Driver. Alma Adams made a motion to approve the volunteers as presented. Second by Wayne Smith. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
Colette also presented promotions within the Ambulance Department of Julie Woods, Stephanie Orton, and Bruce Niedrauer from EMT Basic to EMT Intermediate. Alma Adams made a motion to approve the promotions as presented. Second by Wayne Smith. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
Alma Adams made a motion to convene in closed session to discuss personnel matters in accordance with Utah Code 52-4-205 et. seq. for the purpose of discussing the character, professional competence, or physical or mental health of an individual. Second by Wayne Smith. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
NATURAL RESOURCE PLANNING PRIORITIZATION :
Mike Worthen, Iron County Natural Resource Department, met with the Commission to request direction on priorities to pursue as Natural Resource Officer. The Commission gave Mr. Worthen information regarding Dixie National Forest Draft EIS on oil and gas leasing. Mr. Worthen was asked to review this as quickly as possible as the comment period will begin in October.
Other projects to consider included: CRMP, prairie dog issues, timber management, grazing, and mining.
The Commission discussed progress on planning for finalizing a draft HCP for prairie dogs. A meeting has been scheduled for September 4 in Provo to meet with all players in the process.
AUTHORIZE PAYMENT OF ROLLBACK TAX :
The matter of people donating road rights of way to the County which, if the property is in green belt, then generates a roll back tax which is forwarded to the property owner was again discussed. The Commission requested that the Assessor, Treasurer, Engineer and Attorney meet at a Commission meeting to discuss options in dealing with this problem. Outstanding roll back charges will be discussed at that time.
SENIOR CITIZENS CENTER CHANGE ORDER NO. 4 :
Alma Adams made a motion to approve change order # 4 for an increase of $6,200 to the contract as recommended by the Architect and authorize the Commission Chair to sign. Second by Wayne Smith. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
FIDDLER'S CANYON ROOF REPAIR AND AIR CONDITIONER AGREEMENT :
David Yardley presented a proposed contract between Iron County and Honeywell to replace aging air conditioners and to repair the roof on the Fiddlers building. Michael Edwards requested clarification by Honeywell of two items. One was a requirement to insure equipment during shipment to the site and the second was to correct some minor spelling errors.
Wayne Smith made a motion to approve the contract provided changes were made to the satisfaction of the County Attorney. Second by Alma Adams. 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 2:30 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