IRON COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING
February 9, 2009
Minutes of the Iron County Commission meeting convened at 9:00 a.m. February 9, 2009 in Commission Chambers at the Iron County Courthouse, Parowan, Utah.
Officers in attendance included:
Alma L. Adams Commission Chair
Wayne A. Smith Commissioner
Lois L. Bulloch Commissioner
Scott F. Garrett County Attorney
David I. Yardley County Clerk
Reed Erickson County Administrator
SYNOPSIS :
APPROVAL OF MINUTES January 26, 2009
APPROVE LANDFILL COMPACTOR BIDS
IRON COUNTY NATURAL RESOURCE ADVISORY COUNCIL
REGISTRATION PROGRAM FOR COUNTY RESIDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Those assembled were led in the pledge of allegiance by Wayne Smith.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES January 26, 2009 :
Minutes of the Iron County Commission meeting held January 26, 2009 were approved as amended on a motion by Lois Bulloch. Second was by Wayne Smith. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.
Gene Adams reported on overtime used in January by Department. He also reported on line item expenditures within Departments that were over budget. Budget overages have occurred in the following areas: contracted services, fixed assets, office supplies, employee benefits, overtime, Fiddlers building, Visitor Center, Justice Center, TV, buildings and grounds, and Natural Resources.
Reed Erickson reported that invitations have been sent to interested parties regarding the Emerging Transportation Plan for Cedar Valley. An open house has been scheduled at the Festival Hall for February 25 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The public is invited to attend.
Reed also reported that the Coordinating council discussed a draft agreement for participation in Reverse 911. As the draft is completed, Charlie Morris will mail copies to each participating entity.
Kal Kahler reported on issues raised at the monthly meeting of the Central Iron County Water Conservancy District. Issues discussed included use of gray water from the Cedar City sewer treatment plant in a steam generator system being discussed for Cedar Valley. The Conservancy District is concerned with the volume of water that would be lost to recharge the aquifer.
Scott Garrett reported that he has received a letter from the County independent audit company requesting information on outstanding lawsuits against the County. These include Hollingsworth encroachment, Quichapa flooding, jail suicide, Shiloh Ranch reasonable accommodation, Cedar Storage illegal assessment value, and Alden Smith Drug Task Force action.
Lois Bulloch reported that Cedar City is advertising the Economic Development Director position vacated by Bryan Dangerfield. Reed Erickson suggested that the County offer office space at the Visitor Center for the Economic Development Director.
Wayne Smith reported that he has been appointed to the State Joint Highway Commission.
David Yardley discussed the need to have job descriptions before advertising positions which has been done with positions at the Visitor Center as Public Relations Specialist and Recorder’s Office Manager. This is an area that we did not meet minimum requirements in the best practice program through our insurance carrier UCIP.
Alma Adams reported that at a meeting in Richfield with the US Forest Service it was determined that each forest, Dixie, Fishlake, and Manti LaSal will each have their own RAC. He also stated that NEPA documentation will be required on all forest projects.
Doug Messerly and Scott Dalebout, Division of Wildlife Resources, met with the Commission to present a payment in lieu of taxes payment for properties within Iron County. Amount of the payment for 2009 is $2,505.34. Mr. Messerly also reported on extended hunting opportunities in Iron County for 2009 and for additional elk permits on the Panguitch Lake and Southwest Desert units.
The Commission discussed with Mr. Messerly concerns with the reduction in counts of prairie dogs in established colonies. The Commission questioned whether dusting or spraying is occurring to protect the colonies from flea infestations that lead to bubonic plague outbreaks causing the colonies population to collapse.
Mr. Messerly responded that currently counts are conducted in compliance with standards outlined in the HCP. He also stated that the population collapse is being studied and options are being studied to stabilize the populations. In the meantime transplants are being done to healthy areas to increase populations. Currently these areas are in Garfield and Wayne Counties.
REGISTRATION PROGRAM FOR COUNTY RESIDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS :
Charlie Morris, Iron County Emergency Services Manager, and Sandy Meissner Americorp Vista Volunteer, met with the Commission to present a proposal to participate in a notification system which alerts emergency responders to special needs in case of an emergency. Ms. Meissner explained to database access would be limited to three people in the County and could only be accessed for official purposes. The program does not require service or a response by first responders.
Lois Bulloch made a motion to approve the agreement with an emphasis that the County assumes no liability for participation. Second by Wayne Smith. After discussion the motion and second was withdrawn and Wayne Smith made a motion to table action on this agreement until the next Commission meeting to address with the County Attorney’s office concerns with liability and future participation in the system. Second by Lois Bulloch. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Nay; Wayne Smith, Aye.
IRON COUNTY NATURAL RESOURCE ADVISORY COUNCIL :
Mike Worthen, Iron County Natural Resource Manager presented a draft of the Natural Resource Advisory Council roles and responsibilities for the Commission consideration. The proposed role of NRAC is to provide support and council to the Commission and other appropriate staff. Members will be appointed by the Commission and will represent expertise in one or more of the natural resource areas. A final proposal will be presented at a future meeting for formal approval.
Colette Eppley presented for approval new employees Brett Robinson and Joshua Meredith as IT Specialists. The positions have been reviewed and recommended through the justification and workforce assessment process. Lois Bulloch made a motion to approve the hiring of Brett Robinson and Joshua Meredith as recommended. Second by Wayne Smith. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.
Colette also presented for promotion from EMT Basic to EMT Intermediate the following individuals: Corbin Allred; Daniel Stubbs; Deanna Volk; Leann Pointer; Jennifer Packwood; and Amber Dalton. Lois Bulloch made a motion to approve the promotions as presented. Second by Wayne Smith. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.
Colette presented a promotion request for Bonnie Oldroyd from Secretary 1 to Public Relations Specialist, a part time position, within the Tourism and Convention Department. Lois Bulloch made a motion to approve the promotion. Second by Wayne Smith. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.
Colette presented volunteer approval requests for Ron Miguel as a meals on wheels worker and kitchen helper in the Cedar City Senior Center and Kay Ayers as a receptionist at the Visitor Center. Lois Bulloch made a motion to approve the two volunteers as requested. Second by Wayne Smith. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.
APPROVE LANDFILL COMPACTOR BIDS :
Alan Wade met with the Commission to review bids submitted for the purchase of a landfill compactor. The low bid submitted by Rasmussen Equipment for a Bomag machine did not meet the specifications in several areas including air cleaners, radiator cleaning ability, drive train operation, oil life, maintenance periods, parts supplies, etc. The review committee included Alan Wade, Wayne Smith, Michael Edwards and Reed Erickson.
After reviewing bids and recommendations, Wayne Smith made a motion to accept the bid of Wheeler Machinery for a new compactor. Bid price: $549,600.00 as the low bid meeting specifications. Second by Lois Bulloch. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.
Kerry Hinton commented on the rejection of the landfill compactor bid submitted by Rasmussen Equipment stating that the Bomag machine although not meeting specs was in fact a good machine used in many landfills and that concerns with air cleaners and parts availability were addressed and that in his opinion that the difference in cost should have been the factor to consider in selecting the machines.
Central Iron County Water Conservancy District: Wayne Smith made a motion to appoint Dale Brinkerhoff to a term on the CICWCD Board to replace Eldon Schmutz. Second by Lois Bulloch. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:45 p.m. on a motion by Lois Bulloch. Second was by Wayne Smith. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.
Signed: Alma L. Adams, Chairman
Attest: David I. Yardley
County Clerk