IRON COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING
August 24, 2009
Minutes of the Iron County Commission meeting convened at 9:00 a.m. August 24, 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
Michael Edwards Deputy County Attorney
David I. Yardley County Clerk
Reed Erickson County Administrator
Also Present:
H. Eugene Adams County Auditor
Dennis W. Ayers County Assessor
Deborah B. Johnson County Recorder
Geraldine S. Norwood County Treasurer
Mark O. Gower County Sheriff
Margaret Miller Justice Court Judge
SYNOPSIS :
APPROVAL OF MINUTES August 10, 2009
BID OPENING FOR GRAVEL CRUSHING
CALENDER SCHEDULE COORDINATION
NOTICE OF PETITION FOR ANNEXATION CEDAR CITY
PREDATOR CONTROL CONTRACT FOR FY 2010 APPROVAL
Those assembled were led in the pledge of allegiance by David Yardley.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES August 10, 2009 :
Minutes of the Iron County Commission meeting held August 10, 2009 were approved as amended on a motion by Wayne Smith. Second was by Lois Bulloch. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.
Dennis Ayers expressed his concerns with Commission action regarding a reversal of his judgement in removing a parcel of property owned by Lowman Nelson from greenbelt. He explained that the parcel does not qualify for greenbelt under State law and does not qualify as an agricultural use as it has clearly been used as a gravel mining operation. Commissioner Smith explained that as a neighbor for many years, he has been aware of the use in the Nelson family livestock operation and that the recent division of the property into separate parcels was done to clarify ownership only, use was not changed.
Debbie Johnson reported that recording of documents has been picking up. This is due in part to proof of work on mining claims are required to be filed prior to September 1 of each year.
Gene Adams reported that Board of Equalization filings are down from last year. This year two hearing officers will be used which should reduce work loads and allow for work on BOE hearings to be completed in a more timely way.
Margaret Miller reported that small claims filings are increasing in the Justice Court, primarily from an increase in the limit of small claims to $10,000 and with local attorney Matthew Graff’s failure to file or pursue cases. Mr. Graff is currently not authorized to practice law.
Reed Erickson discussed maintenance issues at Three Peaks. Under the current agreement with BLM, the County is responsible to clean and maintain all of the restroom facilities on the recreation area. BLM continues to install additional rest room facilities which has increased the work load significantly for County staff.
Mark Gower reported that the Sheriff’s Department is preparing to provide security for Fair activities. Activities to this point have been well attended and there have been no major incidents.
Lois Bulloch reported on proposed changes to the State Retirement System. The Legislature is looking at major changes to the system to reduce costs. Proposals include changing law enforcement and fireman retirement dates to correspond to the public sector. They are also looking at reducing compensation to retirees from 2% per year of service to a lower percentage. This will be a topic of discussion at the Commissioner workshop scheduled for September 23 at Park City.
Lois also discussed a proposal being considered by the State Parks Board to allow hunting of bighorn sheep on Antelope Island. This could bring thousands of dollars into the state parks budget annually.
Lois reported that Paul Thorpe, director of Southwest Mental Health is retiring. Mike Diehl will be appointed to replace Mr Thorpe.
Wayne Smith reported that the Utah Counties Insurance Pool (UCIP) will be increasing rates for workers comp coverage for 2010 to reflect actual costs for coverage. It has been the practice to supplement this from surpluses from the liability pool. A Board decision to make workers comp stand on its own has resulted in the increase. The liability insurance side rate will decrease about 16% for 2010.
Alma Adams presented a request from Commissioner Gardner from Washington County to consider a resolution in opposition to the Cap and Trade bill being proposed in Congress. He requested this to be placed on the next agenda for action.
Alma also reported that the elected officials are invited to participate in the Fair parade on Labor Day. Either a float or a horse drawn wagon will be provided. The elected officials were also invited to a breakfast prior to the parade to be held in the Commission room.
APPROVAL OF BAILIFF CONTRACTS :
Sheriff Gower presented for approval Bailiff contracts for service within State Courts including Fifth District and Juvenile Courts. The contract is the same as currently in place. Wayne Smith made a motion to approve the contract for Bailiff services for one year. Second by Lois Bulloch. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.
Colette Eppley presented for approval Larry Leigh as a part time driver for the Parowan Senior Citizen Center and James Oaks as a part time custodian at the Parowan Senior Citizen Center. These two positions are replacements for the recent resignation of an employee. Lois Bulloch made a motion to approve the hiring as presented. Second by Wayne Smith. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.
Colette presented for approval Teresa Caldwell as a part time temporary assistant BOE Clerk in the Auditor’s Office. Wayne Smith made a motion to approve the hiring of Teresa Caldwell as presented. Second by Lois Bulloch. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.
Colette presented a request to promote Mickelle Quintanilla from part time Evidence Technician to full time Lead Evidence Technician. Lois Bulloch made a motion to approve the promotion as presented. Second by Wayne Smith. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.
Colette presented a request to promote Tyler Romeril from Deputy Attorney I to Deputy Attorney II as requested by the County Attorney. Wayne Smith made a motion to approve the promotion as presented effective today. Second by Lois Bulloch. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.
Colette presented for approval a position justification and workforce assessment for a part time Evidence Technician to replace Mickelle Quintanilla in the Sheriff’s Department. Lois Bulloch made a motion to approve the position justification and workforce assessment and authorized advertising the position. Second by Wayne Smith. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.
Colette presented for approval a position justification and workforce assessment for a replacement Engineer Technician/Equipment Operator to replace Howard Cox who recently died in an automobile accident. Wayne Smith made a motion to approve the position justification and workforce assessment and to authorize advertising this position. Second by Lois Bulloch. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.
Colette also presented a request to adjust the grade for the Drug Court Tracker position. When the position was created, the intent was to give a two grade increase from a grade 17 to grade 19 as a temporary assignment. The paper work, however mistakenly placed the grade at 17. Lois Bulloch made a motion to correct the error and to approve a grade change from grade 17 to grade 19 as temporary duty of the Drug Court Tracker position. Second by Wayne Smith. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.
Chad Nay requested a temporary modification of work schedule for Adam Richins to allow his attendance at a college course. This request was referred to the Human Resource Department and the Commission Liaison to HR for further consideration.
Gene Adams and Reed Erickson passed out budget packets for fiscal year 2010 to Department Supervisors and Elected Officials. They explained that the budget material should be returned by September 11 if possible to allow work to begin on the budget. They reminded Departments that projected revenues for 2010 are either flat or down and requested that budgets not exceed 2009 levels. They also explained that it does not appear that there will be funding for any type of salary increase for County employees for 2010.
Jennifer Weaver thanked the Commission for an invitation for a reporter to attend a tour of the proposed expansion of Cedar Breaks National Monument to National Park status and to include the Ashdown Gorge area. She also thanked the Commission for their willingness to answer questions in interviews with reporters.
BID OPENING FOR GRAVEL CRUSHING :
Bids were opened for crushing gravel at the Parowan pit. The request for bids has been advertised and nine requests for packets were received. Six bids were received as follows:
JP Excavating $4.90 per cubic yard $68,600.00
Mel Clark, Inc $6.35 per cubic yard $88,900.00
Progressive Contracting, Inc $4.97 per cubic yard $69,580.00
Quality Crushing* $4.48 per cubic yard $62,720.00
Sunroc $7.76 per cubic yard $108,640.00
Susan Martin Construction $7.48 per cubic yard $104,720.00
*Apparent Low Bid
Wayne Smith made a motion to refer the bids to the County Engineer to determine if the bid packets were in compliance with the bid request and if all documentation is in order to award the bid to the lowest responsible bidder. Second by Lois Bulloch. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.
The Commission thanked the contractors that submitted bids for their interest in the job.
Operation of the Dalley Farm as a prairie dog preserve was discussed. Alan Dalley has delivered the sprinkler pipe to the farm and concerns with planting of permanent feed was discussed. The project will be coordinated with DWR.
NOTICE OF PETITION FOR ANNEXATION CEDAR CITY :
A notice of a petition for annexation submitted by Cedar City was presented for Commission review. The property is located along Lund Highway and is currently known as the Harl Judd farm. Wayne Smith made a motion not to oppose the proposed annexation to Cedar City as it is adjacent to current Cedar City boundaries and is within their annexation declaration area. Second by Lois Bulloch. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.
CALENDER SCHEDULE COORDINATION :
Reed Erickson coordinated meeting calenders with the Commission for the next two weeks.
PREDATOR CONTROL CONTRACT FOR FY 2010 APPROVAL :
Gene Adams presented a proposed extension to the Predator Control contract with the State of Utah for FY 2010. He explained that funds have been received from livestock owners and sportsmen groups to continue the coyote bounty program. Lois Bulloch made a motion to approve the contract extension as presented and to continue the coyote bounty programs as long as funds available. Second by Wayne Smith. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye; Wayne Smith, Aye.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:30 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