IRON COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING
June 28, 2010
Minutes of the Iron County Commission meeting convened at 9:00 a.m. June 28, 2010 in Commission Chambers at the Iron County Courthouse, Parowan, Utah.
Officers in attendance included:
Wayne A. Smith Commission Chair
Alma L. Adams Commissioner
Lois L. Bulloch Commissioner
Michael Edwards Deputy County Attorney
David I. Yardley County Clerk
Reed Erickson County Administrator
Also Present:
Chad Nay County Zoning Administrator
Steve Platt County Engineer
Neil Forsyth County Road Supervisor
Jaren Scott County Landfill Supervisor
SYNOPSIS :
3800 WEST ASSESSMENT AREA MATTER
APPROVAL OF MINUTES January 26, 2010
CALENDER SCHEDULE COORDINATION
CERTIFIED TAX RATE FOR IRON COUNTY
REQUEST TO VACATE ROAD EASEMENT
SURPLUS PROPERTY DISPOSAL ISSUES
TEMPORARY BUILDING RESTRICTION CEDAR HIGHLANDS
Those assembled were led in the pledge of allegiance by Chad Nay.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES June 14, 2010 :
Minutes of the Iron County Commission meeting held June 14, 2010 were approved as amended on a motion by Lois Bulloch. Second was by Alma Adams. Voting: Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye.
Chad Nay reported that May building permits show that values on new construction is stabilizing compared to last year. Larger projects are being investigated by developers. This has been an area that has not received much attention during the past two years due to the slow economy and the mortgage situation nationwide.
Chad reported that a request for a reasonable accommodation has been submitted for a group home in Parowan valley to be known as Kiva Point. This is the same group that received a reasonable accommodation for Shiloh Ranch. They are requesting approval of up to 48 youth at the facility.
Steve Platt reported on projects with the Engineering Department. He reported that the snow melt appears to be over with no major flooding problems reported. Senator Bennett is pursuing funding to study options for flood control west and north from I-15 in Cedar Valley. He also reported on a FEMA flood plain update which should be released shortly.
Steve reported on work on the west belt route in Cedar Valley. Survey work and appraisals are being prepared for additional right of way north of SR 56 to Iron Springs Road.
Neil Forsyth reported that the Road Department should finish chip sealing by Wednesday if the weather holds. The Road Department budget has a cost over run for fuel due to increases in fuel prices. Currently costs are $0.86 above 2009 prices resulting in a $28,000 cost so far this year. The Road Department is working to get a computer program to track maintenance scheduling for the County Roads. This will take some time to get all of the data into the system and working before it will be functional for the department.
Jaren Scott reported on solid waste and landfill items. The concrete project at the landfill has been completed. The new collection truck has been placed into service which leaves one collection vehicle as surplus. Jaren also reported that there was a fire at the landfill which was of unknown origin. The fire was extinguished by landfill workers and the Cedar City fire department.
Lois Bulloch reported that the Federal Government is late in processing PILT payments. They anticipate the payments may be sent by mid July or early August.
Alma Adams reported that the Dalley farm has been planted with oats as prairie dog feed. The well has not been started and the area irrigated. DWR is not working very effectively in getting the area watered.
Alma reported that Casey Adams is working on mosquito control in the Quichapa area due to mosquito complaints from area residents. Alma also reported that Mike Worthen attended a conference in Denver regarding wild horse management issues.
David Yardley reported that the primary election went smoothly with very few complaints. The main concern was the Republican party closing their primary to allow only registered Republicans to cast ballots. The Clerk’s office is working to process provisional ballots and late arriving absentee ballots in preparation of the canvass scheduled for July 2.
Reed Erickson reported on a meeting with the Southern Utah Museum of Art (SUMA) on the progress of the construction project. If all financing can be secured, construction will start in the fall of 2010 or early spring of 2011.
REQUEST TO VACATE ROAD EASEMENT :
Carl and Marjorie Evans met with the Commission to request the County to vacate fifteen feet of the road right of way paralleling their farm designated as property serial number D-0012-0012-0000 located within the Southeast 1/4 of the Southwest1/4 of Section 13, Northeast 1/4 of the Northwest1/4, Southwest 1/4 of the Southwest1/4, and the South 39 Acres of the Southeast 1/4 of the Southwest 1/4 of Section 24, Township 34 South, Range10 West and D-0020-0000-0000 within the Southwest 1/4 of the Northwest 1/4 of Section 24, Township 34 South, Range 10 West. Mr Evans explained that they are attempting to put a pivot sprinkler on their farm and as designed it will encroach approximately ten feet into the existing road right of way.
The Commission suggested that Mr. Evans contact the NRCS to locate the center of the proposed pivot sprinkler and determine the exact path of the sprinkler in conjunction with his current operation. The Commission also requested an opinion from the County Attorney’s office regarding the procedure in abandoning County Rights of way. Action was tabled to the first meeting in July.
TEMPORARY BUILDING RESTRICTION CEDAR HIGHLANDS :
John Tully, Cedar Highlands Homeowners Association, met with the Commission to clarify building restrictions in Cedar Highlands Subdivision. He explained that the Homeowners would like to construct a well house in a common area parcel of at least 20 acres.
The Commission explained that the temporary ordinance allows construction on 20 acre or larger parcels so the well house would qualify as explained. The Planning Commission will be considering a replacement ordinance for recommendation to the County Commission at the next Planning Commission meeting scheduled for July 1.
CERTIFIED TAX RATE FOR IRON COUNTY :
Gene Adams met with the Commission to explain the proposed certified tax rates for 2010. Under a new law passed by the 2010 Legislature, the 2011 tax rate will require addition of delinquent redemptions into the formula. This will not be required in 2010. Because of reductions in valuation, certified tax rates will increase. Proposed rates have not been verified with the State Tax Commission at this time but it appears it will be .001993 for the County rate and .002738 for the Municipal Service Fund in the unincorporated area.
The Commission tabled action until rates could be verified with the State Tax Commission. The matter will be placed on the next agenda for action.
The Utah Highway Patrol has requested that the contract for working extra shifts within Iron County specifically on State highways be amended to reflect an amendment which was not memorialized. The contract would require payment of $50.00 per shift plus $0.50 per mile. This is the same rate other participating County’s are required to pay. After clarifications, Lois Bulloch made a motion to approve the contract as described with the increase being provided within the current budget. The County Attorney is to draft the contract for signatures. Second by Alma Adams. Voting: Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye.
PERSONNEL MATTERS :
Vicki Nielsen presented for approval replacement hiring of Antonio Perez as a part time cook at the Jail and Andria Williams as a part time Clerk at the Justice Court. Alma Adams made a motion to approve the two replacement employees as presented. Second by Lois Bulloch. Voting: Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye.
Vicki presented workforce assessment and grade change for the Corrections Maintenance Supervisor position. The grade change requested would be reduced from Grade 21 to Grade 20. Alma Adams made a motion to approve the workforce assessment and grade change as presented. Second by Lois Bulloch. Voting: Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye.
A workforce assessment for a part time receptionist at the Visitor Center was also presented for approval. Lois Bulloch made a motion to approve the workforce assessment. Second by Alma Adams. Voting: Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye.
Ida Holst and Kathy Canada were presented for approval as volunteers in the Cedar City Senior Center. Lois Bulloch made a motion to approve Ida Holst and Kathy Canada as COA volunteers. Second by Alma Adams. Voting: Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye.
Vicki also presented for approval a volunteer driver for the Council on Aging. William Jueschke was approved on a motion by Lois Bulloch. Second by Alma Adams. Voting: Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye.
The Commission discussed the possibility of allocating prairie dogs to clear the commitment to the Canyon View school complex. They requested this item to be placed on a future agenda for action.
The Commission reviewed a request to appoint a County representative to an exploratory committee to determine if a Veteran’s cemetery could be located in Iron County. Jan Neth was selected as the County representative on the committee.
Lois Bulloch made a motion to approve the bookmobile contract for FY 2010/2011 as presented. Second by Alma Adams. Voting: Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye.
3800 WEST ASSESSMENT AREA MATTER :
Reed Erickson discussed options for proceeding with the requested Assessment Area for road improvements on 3800 West in Cedar Valley. Since two property owners have indicated they are unwilling to participate and will not voluntarily relinquish the required 33 foot right of way along their property, the apparent option is to proceed with a condemnation action.
The Commission agreed to get an estimate on the cost to proceed with condemnation and include the costs involved in the proposed improvement. The matter will then be re submitted to property owners to determine if they wish to proceed.
SURPLUS PROPERTY DISPOSAL ISSUES :
Reed Erickson presented a draft of a proposed policy regarding the disposal of real or personal property by the County in compliance with Iron County Code Section 2.36.010. The proposed policy would require elected or appointed Department Supervisors to submit information to the County Clerk. The County Clerk would forward lists to the Commission who can then authorize the items to be submitted to other County Departments to determine needs.
The County Commission would then reassign the property or authorize the disposition by sale or other means. No action was taken by the Commission at this time.
CALENDER SCHEDULE COORDINATION :
Reed Erickson coordinated calendars with the Commissioners until the next Commission meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:30 p.m. on a motion by Lois Bulloch. Second was by Alma Adams. Voting: Wayne Smith, Aye; Alma Adams, Aye; Lois Bulloch, Aye.
Signed: Wayne A. Smith, Chairman
Attest: David I. Yardley
County Clerk