IRON COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING
September 8, 2008
Minutes of the Iron County Commission meeting convened at 9:00 a.m. September 8, 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
SYNOPSIS :
APPROVAL OF MINUTES August 25, 2008
APPROVAL OF WARRANTS & ADJOURN
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT UPDATES
REQUEST FOR SUPPORT OF BOND ISSUE
UDOT PROPOSED CLOSURE OF HIGHWAY 143 DURING WINTER SEASON
Those assembled were led in the pledge of allegiance by Alma Adams.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES August 25, 2008 :
Minutes of the Iron County Commission meeting held August 25, 2008 were approved as amended on a motion by Alma Adams. Second was by Wayne Smith. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
Kal Kahler reported that he met with Enoch City Water where the Enoch City group discussed their wells, distribution system upgrades and commercial hookups. He also discussed concerns being voiced about the type of water rights being transferred. The concern is that people are transferring secondary rights as primary rights. The secondary rights do not provide the same level of access to water.
Scott Garrett reported that a new contract for operation of the Children’s Justice Center has been submitted. It is to be placed on the next agenda for Commission approval.
Alma Adams reported on a request by Rocky Mountain Power which asked for the County help in securing a rate increase approval from the Public Service Commission. The Commission determined that at this time it is not appropriate for the County Commission to be involved in this process.
Alma also discussed a proposed solar energy farm near Beryl. There is a request to lease more than 2,000 acres from SITLA to construct a solar farm. The Commission took no action on this matter.
Lois Bulloch discussed the UAC tax redistribution case which has been put on hold to allow negotiations on the problem. The State Tax Commission has arbitrarily decided to correct their error and make their action retroactive. This will result in major income losses to Counties. The Counties are not opposed to correcting the error but should not allow to be retroactive.
The Commission also requested a letter of thanks be written to Joyce Evans as Fair Chair to thank her for her work on the Fair.
Wayne Smith reported on the prairie dog working group meeting. The group will meet again on September 17 to continue work on a draft recovery plan that will cover the entire prairie dog range.
Wayne also discussed a concern with comic books distributed by the bookmobile that some parents have found offensive for the nudity, blood and gore displayed. Lois will discuss the matter at the next Bookmobile Library Board meeting.
REQUEST FOR SUPPORT OF BOND ISSUE :
Ron Chandler, Cedar City Manager, explained to the Commission two proposals which have been authorized to be placed on the November ballot. Proposal # 1 authorizes up to 9.3 million in bonds to construct an aquatic center and a multi activity center. Proposal # 2 authorizes up to seven million to construct an aquatic center only. Each proposal must stand on its own and must receive more than 50% of the votes cast in order to pass. Because of confusion on the two options, the City is encouraging citizens to vote yes on both proposals.
Mr. Chandler requested the County adopt a resolution in support of the bond proposals. Berra macGregor commented that the way the bond issues are worded, it is confusing to voters which will influence people to vote no on the proposals.
Alma Adams made a motion to adopt a proposed resolution as follows:
RESOLUTION NO 2008-5
A RESOLUTION BY THE IRON COUNTY COMMISSION ENDORSING CEDAR CITY’S PLANS TO BUILD A COMMUNITY ACTIVITY AND AQUATIC CENTER AND ENCOURAGING CEDAR CITY RESIDENTS TO VOTE YES ON PROPOSITIONS 1 AND 2 ON THE NOVEMBER 4, 2008 BOND ELECTION
WHEREAS the residents of Iron County have benefitted from the Cedar City public pool; and,
WHEREAS the Cedar City public pool is owned by the Southern Utah University and leased by Cedar City and the Iron County School District; and,
WHEREAS the lease expires in 2010 and SUU plans to tear down the pool; and,
WHEREAS the Cedar City Council proposes to replace the existing pool with a Community Activity Center that will consist of an Aquatic Center and Multi-Activity Center; and,
WHEREAS the Community Activity Center will benefit all Iron County residents; and,
WHEREAS Cedar City has paid $989,000 for 42 acres of property that will become a recreational complex consisting of a beach, ballfields and the Community Activity Center; and,
WHEREAS Iron County has pledged $1,250,000 and the Iron County School District has pledged $1,000,000 for the construction of the Community Activity Center; and,
WHEREAS Cedar City proposes to finance the remaining cost of the Community Activity Center through a general obligation bond; and,
WHEREAS the Cedar City Council voted on July 23, 2008 to place two propositions on the November 4, 2008 ballot; and,
WHERAS Proposition 1 is for the construction of an Aquatic Center and Multi-Activity Center; and,
WHEREAS Proposition 2 is for the construction of the Aquatic Center only. Now therefore;
BE IT RESOLVED by the Iron County Commission that we support Cedar City’s efforts to build a Community Activity Center.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Iron County Commission encourages Cedar City Residents to vote YES on Propositions 1 & 2 on the November 4, 2008 bond election.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 8th day of September, 2008 by the Iron County Commission.
_______________________________________
Lois Bulloch, Commission Chair
ATTEST:
________________________________________
David I Yardley. Iron County Clerk
Voting:
Lois L. Bulloch Aye
Alma L. Adams Aye
Wayne A. Smith Aye
Colette Eppley presented the following new employees for approval: Corbin Allred, EMT Basic; Aubrey McDonough, EMT Basic; Amber Dalton, EMT Basic; Barry Marshall, EMT Basic; Sterling Brown, EMT Basic; and Chelsea Goddard, EMT Intermediate. Alma Adams made a motion to approve the EMT’s as presented in an on call status. Second by Wayne Smith. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
Colette also presented for approval, Larry Blanchette as a volunteer cook at the Cedar City Senior Citizen Center. Mr. Blanchette will be reimbursed through the Easter Seals Foundation. Wayne Smith made a motion to approve Larry Blanchette as presented. Second by Alma Adams. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
Promotions
Reed Erickson met with the Commission to discuss vacation and sick leave accrual as the County Administrator. He requested that accrual rate be commensurate with his years of service in Iron County as County Planner. He has 8 ½ years of service with Five County AOG. Current balances of sick and vacation will not be transferred.
The item was discussed and the Commission requested that Colette draft a policy providing that an Executive position may receive a benefit package which could include credit for tenure with another Government agency.
Alma Adams 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 Wayne Smith. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye.
After reconvening in open session the Commission reported that no action was needed on items discussed in closed session.CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT UPDATES :
The Commission reviewed a draft of proposed capital improvement projects for a one year and five year plan. The Commission added a planning grant for a Courthouse upgrade of electrical and fire suppression; a new public safety office building to house UHP, Dispatch, and AP&P; and upgrades to the Fair exhibit building to add a new roof and air conditioning.
UDOT PROPOSED CLOSURE OF HIGHWAY 143 DURING WINTER SEASON :
The Commission received information that UDOT has decided to close SR 143 between Brian Head and Panguitch Lake during the winter months. The Commission requested that a letter in opposition be drafted citing the use by out of state visitors and workers accessing Brian Head during the peak ski season. This will cause a major economic impact on the Brian Head area.
APPROVAL OF WARRANTS & ADJOURN :
After the bills were reviewed and approved or rejected, the meeting was adjourned at 12:00 Noon on a motion by Alma Adams. Second was by Wayne Smith. Voting: Lois Bulloch, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.
Signed: Lois L. Bulloch, Chair
Attest: David I. Yardley
County Clerk