Minutes of the Iron County Commission meeting held May 11, 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.

ELECTED OFFICIALS REPORTS :

Dennis Ayers reported that the assessment roll for 2009 is on schedule to be completed by May 29.

Geri Norwood reported that the annual tax sale is scheduled for May 28^th at 10:00. Currently there are 89 parcels still scheduled for the tax sale, however the owners have until Wednesday to pay the delinquency to remove it from the sale.

Debbie Johnson reported that the Recorder’s office is receiving inquires about properties scheduled for sale at the tax sale this week. There is not the traffic so far as in recent years but this will pick up as the week progresses.

Gene Adams reported that the independent auditors are working on the 2008 audit and will be visiting various offices during the next few days. The Auditor’s office is also working to prepare for the annual tax sale.

Jared Wilson reported that Eagle Tyler training is scheduled for the end of August at Park City. The conference this year will be sponsored by Summit County.

Reed Erickson reported that a growth model has been created for Iron County and should be available as a planning tool later this summer. This will help in planning growth mainly in the Cedar City and Enoch areas. This is a pilot program in the State and future development will use Iron County as a model.

David Yardley reminded elected officials of Girls State on June 3 at 9:30 a.m. County officials will explain their positions as has been done in past years.

Lois Bulloch recognized the Building Department for the booth they built and staffed at the Iron County Building Fair held recently in Cedar City. She commented on the quality of the display and the response from the public.

Lois also reported that the Cedar City airport would be closing for up to two weeks in August to allow for resurfacing the runway. All air traffic will be diverted to other airports.

Wayne Smith reported that the Road Department is preparing to chip seal shortly after June 1. He also reported that girls camps on Cedar mountain have requested a dumpster during the period when the camps will be in use. This is especially helpful to camps with out of county residents that have no way to dispose of their garbage.

Alma Adams reported that the Children’s Justice Center fun run is scheduled for May 30 at 8:00 a.m. The public is invited to participate.

RECOGNITION AWARD PRESENTATIONS :

Troy Little was presented the Attorney General Children’s Justice Award for 2008. The award was presented by Stephanie Furnival of the Children’s Justice System. The award is given to one person who makes a significant contribution to the CJC during the preceding year. The Commission congratulated Mr. Little and the staff and workers at the CJC.

The Foley Family of Cedar City was recognized for an article published in the Family Circle magazine in April 2009. The family was not present but a plaque has been made with the magazine cover and article framed. It will be presented to the family by County representatives.TAX MATTER RE BACK TAXES ON FORECLOSED PROPERTY :

Doug Lundgren appeared before the Commission to request reinstatement of Green Belt for tax purposes on two parcels of property they sold in Cedar Valley.

Dennis Ayers explained that the purchasers were notified it was going out of green belt and they declined to submit an application. The property went into foreclosure and was returned to the Lundgren’s in April 2009. Lundgren’s have applied for and received a green belt exemption for 2009.

David Yardley pointed out that in two similar cases, the Commission waived interest and penalty with the current owner responsible to pay the tax provided the tax is paid within a certain time period. Another case involving a large parcel, a settlement agreement was reached with the current owner.

After reviewing the problem, Wayne Smith made a motion to table the matter to June 22 to allow the County Attorney’s Office to submit an opinion on options available to the Commission. Second by Lois Bulloch. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.

BRIAN HEAD COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY :

Bryce Haderlie, Brian Head Town Manager, reported on progress with the Community Development Agency (CDA) after the first year of operation. New street signs have been installed and information Kisok’s which direct visitors to areas within Brian Head. The CDA is currently working on a street lighting plan. Bryce also reported that indications point to continued growth and investment in Brian Head with several new condominium projects slated for construction this summer.

PERSONNEL MATTERS :

Colette Eppley presented a recommendation to hire Tony Cottam as a part time culinary worker at the Jail. This is a replacement of an existing position. Wayne Smith made a motion to approve the hire of Tony Cottam as presented. Second by Lois Bulloch. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.

Colette also presented the following ambulance workers for approval: Jason Orton, EMT Basic, Parowan; Jake Smith, EMT Basic, Parowan; Mollie Sudweeks, EMT Basic, Parowan; Keith Averett, EMT Basic, New Harmony; Adrian Nielsen, EMT Basic, New Harmony; Lynette Shaw, EMT Basic, New Harmony; Matthew Goodman, EMT Basic, New Harmony; Sarah Gibbs, EMT Basic, Cedar City; Kenna Wright, EMT Intermediate, Cedar City; and Bridget Larsen, EMT Intermediate, Cedar City. Lois Bulloch made a motion to approve the ambulance workers as presented. Second by Wayne Smith. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.

Colette presented for approval the following volunteer workers: Derek Degay as a Parks and Recreation Maintenance worker. Mr. Degay will be paid through Workforce Services. Bernie Merono was also presented as a Council on Aging Meals on Wheels driver. Wayne Smith made a motion to approve the volunteers as presented. Second by Lois Bulloch. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.

Colette presented a position justification and workforce assessment for approval for an Evidence Technician at the Sheriff’s Office. Lois Bulloch made a motion to approve the position justification and workforce assessment for an Evidence Technician. Second by Wayne Smith. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.

Colette presented a position justification and workforce assessment for approval for a Lead Worker at the Ambulance Department in Cedar City. Wayne Smith made a motion to approve a Lead Worker position at the Cedar City ambulance station. Second by Lois Bulloch. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.

Jared Wilson met with the Commission to request a schedule change to four ten hour shifts within the Information Technology Department. The Department would stagger days off so that IT would be covered with a minimum of two staff members each work day. Weeks with a holiday the employees would work standard eight hour days. Reed Erickson suggested a staggered work week designated as 9/80 where employees would work five 9 hour days one week and four the next week for a total of 80 hours per pay period. Wayne Smith made a motion to approve the schedule change as requested. Second by Lois Bulloch. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.

BOARD OF EQUALIZATION :

Wayne Smith made a motion to convene as a Board of Equalization to hear an exemption request. Second by Lois Bulloch. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.

Christene Lowder presented a request from the Dixie and Anne Leavitt Foundation for a parcel they recently purchased in Cedar City. Upon the request of the Commission the County Attorney issued an opinion that under State Code, the property does not qualify for an exemption. Utah Code provides that in order to qualify for a tax exemption , the ownership must be in a non profit organization and the property must have a charitable or religious use. Currently this property is used as a rental property where the proceeds are distributed by the Dixie and Anne Leavitt Foundation.

After hearing the County Attorney’s letter of opinion, Lois Bulloch made a motion to deny the Dixie and Anne Leavitt Foundation request for a tax exemption on this rental property designated as Tax Serial Number B-1115-0023-0000. Second by Wayne Smith. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD :

Craig Spitler commented that the Central Iron County Water Conservancy District has completed improvements to the Sky View Estates water system in Cedar Valley and that the residents of the subdivision are very happy with the Water Conservancy District.

CALENDAR ITEMS :

The Commission and Reed Erickson coordinated calender items for the next two weeks.

AQUATIC CENTER FUNDING AGREEMENT REVIEW :

Reed Erickson reviewed with the Commission a proposed Aquatic Center funding agreement which will be presented for approval to the Cedar City Council. The agreement will give Iron County a lease hold interest in the facility and will provide that use rates will be equal for all County and Municipal residents during the life of the facility. The matter will be placed on the next Commission agenda for approval.

SID UPDATE ON 3800 WEST AND WITHIN MONTE VISTA UNIT 2&5 :

Steve Platt presented estimates for road improvements within Monte Vista Units 2 and 5 to bring the roads to a chip seal standard. The estimate was $991,457.34 for chip seal or $6,982.09 per lot. Pavement was estimated at $1,764,908.48 or $12,428.93 per lot.

Steve also presented an estimate that improvements on 3800 West in Cedar Valley would be $135.065.00 for chip seal on ½ mile of road or $15,007.22 per lot. Pavement was estimated at $257,054.00 or $28,561.56 per lot.

Since it has been a number of years since the residents submitted an application for an SID and the State Code involving Special Areas has been recodified, the matter was referred to the County Attorney’s Office to determine what the procedure should be to notify property owners.

PROPERTY INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC ON THE INTERNET :

The Commission discussed with Department supervisors information which can be made public on the internet. Dennis Ayers explained that a major concern is with existing software, it updates to the web work files prior to the final tax roll. It is also a concern that current assessment information would be available for only a portion of the year.

The Commission encouraged public information to be posted on the web as feasible and as accurate as possible in compliance with a motion passed in May 2008.

AMBULANCE DEPARTMENT OFFICE SPACE REQUEST :

The request of the Ambulance Department to move offices to the space vacated by IT was recalled. Reed Erickson presented a floor plan of the proposed space as requested and recommended approval of the move to provide security for ambulance supplies and to provide privacy for the Supervisor to conduct interviews etc. Lois Bulloch made a motion to approve the office change as requested. Second by Wayne Smith. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.

COUNTY TV GRANT DISCUSSION :

Dennis Johnson met with the Commission to discuss grant funds which will be made available to convert analog translators to High Definition (HD). The problem is that the equipment must be purchased and installed before a grant can be applied for. Funding is on a first come first served basis so by waiting, there is a possibility that there would not be funds available. The County currently has 38 channels to upgrade at a cost of $20,000 each.

The matter was referred to Commissioner Adams, Dennis Johnson and Reed Erickson to review the grant requirements and to make a recommendation back to the Commission

ADJOURN :

The meeting was adjourned at 3:00 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