IRON COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING
January 9, 2012
Minutes of the Iron County Commission meeting convened at 9:00 a.m. January 9, 2012 in Commission Chambers at the Iron County Courthouse, Parowan, Utah.
Officers in attendance included:
Dale M. Brinkerhoff Commission Chair
Alma L. Adams Commissioner
Daniel L. Webster Commissioner
Michael Edwards Deputy County Attorney
David I. Yardley County Clerk
Also Present:
SYNOPSIS :
APPROVAL OF MINUTES December 19, 2011
APPROVAL OF PUBLIC DEFENDER AGREEMENT FOR 2012
CHILDREN’S JUSTICE CENTER AGREEMENT
ELECTED AND APPOINTED DEPARTMENT SUPERVISOR DISCUSSION
MEMORANDUM OF COOPERATION SUPAC
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING CHILDREN’S JUSTICE CENTER
SURPLUS VEHICLE DEPARTMENT REQUEST
UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT
Those assembled were led in the pledge of allegiance by Dale Brinkerhoff.
REORGANIZATION OF COMMISSION :
As the first item of business in the new year Dan Webster made a motion to appoint Dale Brinkerhoff as the Commission Chair for 2012 and to reassign the Human Resource Commission Liaison to Commissioner Brinkerhoff from Commissioner Adams. Second by Alma Adams. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Dan Webster, Aye; Dale Brinkerhoff, Aye.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES December 19, 2011 :
Minutes of the Iron County Commission meeting held December 19, 2011 were approved as amended on a motion by Dan Webster. Second was by Alma Adams. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Dan Webster, Aye; Dale Brinkerhoff, Aye.
Alma Adams reported that prices have been secured for the purchase of a new excavator for use by the Engineering Department, flood control. Caterpillar has offered a machine for $178,661 with a trade in on the current machine of $50,000 making the total purchase price of 128,661. They also agree to buy the machine back in three years for $125,000. The proposal also provides full new equipment coverage for the term of the agreement.
Dale Brinkerhoff discussed the Southwest Public Health assessment and budget. The County is assessed $4.94 on a per capita ratio annually. Southwest Public Health used old population estimates from 2008 and estimated Iron County population at 52,000 when in reality our population is closer to 46,000. Washington County appears to be impacted by the same faulty use of estimates. The current best population figures available are the 2010 census counts. This issue will be further discusses with Health Department personnel.
Dale also discussed the need to provide asbestos handling and disposal training for landfill employees and the public. Jaren Scott later reported that landfill personnel have received this training and he is willing to provide the training to contractors or other interested citizens.
David Yardley reported on progress toward amending voting precincts to conform with State House Districts 71 and 72. There are a few areas of concern that will be submitted to the Legislature to request amending the house boundary lines to prevent very small precincts where ballot secrecy could be compromised especially in Municipal elections. School Board precincts will be realigned and population balanced as required under Utah Code. The maps and proposed changes should be ready for consideration at the next Commission meeting.
MEMORANDUM OF COOPERATION SUPAC :
A memorandum of cooperation with the Southwest Utah Planning Authorities Council (SUPAC) for 2012 was presented for consideration. Alma Adams explained that the group includes many Federal, State and Local entities and involves the five County area. The cost to the County to participate is $60.00 annually. Alma Adams made a motion to approve the memorandum of cooperation and authorize payment of the annual dues. Second by Dan Webster. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Dan Webster, Aye; Dale Brinkerhoff, Aye.
UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT :
Alma Adams introduced a standard cooperative agreement for Utah State University Extension Educational work for 2012 and recommended approval whereupon he made a motion to approve the agreement. Second was by Dan Webster. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Dan Webster, Aye; Dale Brinkerhoff, Aye.
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING CHILDREN’S JUSTICE CENTER:
Dan Webster introduced a Memorandum of Understanding for operating the Children’s Justice Center for 2012. He noted that the center is funded from grant funds which are administered through the County. Dan Webster then made a motion to approve the MOU as presented. Second by Alma Adams. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Dan Webster, Aye; Dale Brinkerhoff, Aye.
CHILDREN’S JUSTICE CENTER AGREEMENT :
Dan Webster presented a Multidisiplinary Team Linkage Agreement with Southwest Behavioral Health Center (SWBHC). The agreement provides interaction between the CJC and the Behavioral Health Center and Dan recommended approval. Dan Webster then made a motion to approve the agreement as presented. Second by Alma Adams. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Dan Webster, Aye; Dale Brinkerhoff, Aye.
Vicki Nielsen presented the final three RAP training for the first year. Week 48 covered office hazards. According to the Nation Safety Council (NSC), in 2004 there were 5,601 deaths and 3,700,000 disabling injuries in the workplace at a cost of $142 billion dollars. In general,
offices are safe places to work, but there are plenty of hazards lurking in this environment. Office safety awareness is the best defense against accidents and injuries in the office. She then explained areas of concern including slippery floors, electrical hazards and trip hazards.
Week 49 training covered fire training. Fire in the workplace is one of the most significant hazards to employee. It is a hazard which can potentially strike any workplace, at any time. The effects of workplace fires are devastating to employees and to employers.
Week 50 training was a review of goals set at the start of the program to which was to reduce the number and severity of workers compensation injuries, multi-line claims, and automobile accident claims. Based on evaluations and feedback from staff, RAP has been successful and certainly elevated our risk control awareness.
Vicki Nielsen presented a request from the Sheriff’s Office, Corrections Division to advertise and fill a hiring roster for up to eighteen months. She explained that the current roster has expired and because the roster process takes some time, it is important to get a new roster started. Dan Webster made a motion to approve establishing a new roster for Corrections. Second by Alma Adams. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Dan Webster, Aye; Dale Brinkerhoff, Aye.
Vicki presented a request to transfer Larry Lanier from Sheriff’s, Patrol Division back to Corrections effective December 29, 2011. Dan Webster made a motion to approve the request and return Larry Lanier to Corrections. Second by Alma Adams. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Dan Webster, Aye; Dale Brinkerhoff, Aye.
Vicki also presented a request to transfer Duane Hertzler from Patrol back to Corrections. Officer Hertzler initiated the request and both the Sheriff and Corrections are in favor of the transfer. Dan Webster made a motion to approve the transfer of Duane Hertzler back to Corrections. Second by Alma Adams. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Dan Webster, Aye; Dale Brinkerhoff, Aye.
Dan Webster made a motion to approve the justification to fill the vacant position in Patrol of Duane Hertzler. Second by Alma Adams. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Dan Webster, Aye; Dale Brinkerhoff, Aye.
Vicki presented a request to transfer Jake Hoyt from a part time Bailiff position to a full time Patrol officer in the Sheriff’s Department. Dan Webster made a motion to approve the transfer as presented. Second by Alma Adams. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Dan Webster, Aye; Dale Brinkerhoff, Aye.
Vicki then presented a request to approve a justification to fill the vacant part time Bailiff position. Dan Webster made a motion to approve the justification and to advertise the part time Bailiff position. Second by Alma Adams. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Dan Webster, Aye; Dale Brinkerhoff, Aye.
Vicki also presented a justification and request to fill a part time evidence clerk position in the Sheriff’s office. Dan Webster made a motion to approve the justification and authorize the posting of the vacant part time evidence clerk position. Second by Alma Adams. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Dan Webster, Aye; Dale Brinkerhoff, Aye.
Vicki reported that Matthew Bell has resigned as a Landfill Technician and she requested approval of a workforce justification to fill the vacant position form the existing hiring roster. Dan Webster made a motion to approve the justification and to authorize hiring from the existing roster. Second by Alma Adams. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Dan Webster, Aye; Dale Brinkerhoff, Aye.
The name of Jeremy Truman was presented for approval to fill the vacant position of Landfill Technician. Dan Webster made a motion to approve the hiring of Jeremy Truman as Landfill Technician. Second by Alma Adams. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Dan Webster, Aye; Dale Brinkerhoff, Aye.
Vicki presented for approval the hiring of Kourtney LeFevre as an outreach worker to work in the Cedar City and Parowan Senior Citizen Centers. Dan Webster made a motion to approve the hiring of Kourtney LeFevre as an outreach worker for the Council on Aging. Second by Alma Adams. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Dan Webster, Aye; Dale Brinkerhoff, Aye.
Vicki and Ron Johnson requested approval to transfer John Miller from Full Time Training Officer to Full Time Paramedic with an adjustment in salary downward to reflect the change. Dan Webster made a motion to approve the transfer within the Ambulance Department as presented. Second by Alma Adams. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Dan Webster, Aye; Dale Brinkerhoff, Aye.
Ron requested approval to fill the Training Officer position within the Ambulance Department. Dan Webster made a motion to approve advertising the Training Officer position within the Ambulance Department. Second by Alma Adams. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Dan Webster, Aye; Dale Brinkerhoff, Aye.
Ron Johnson requested approval to fill a vacant full time Paramedic position from within the Ambulance Department. Dan Webster made a motion to approve filling the vacant position. The motion received no second and was withdrawn. The matter will be studied and presented at a later meeting.
Wendell Shallenberger commented that minutes from previous meetings are not being published on the County website quickly. He requested that they be updated as soon as possible.
Ryan Bundy commented that he was in favor of the County paying public defender costs however he felt the County had too many Deputy County Attorney’s that are trying to justify their jobs by prosecuting minor offenses. He suggested that one or two Deputy Attorney positions be eliminated.
ELECTED AND APPOINTED DEPARTMENT SUPERVISOR DISCUSSION:
The Commission and other Elected Officials and appointed Department Supervisors conducted a semi annual round table discussion. Dale Brinkerhoff introduced the program and explained the purpose of the meeting. Areas of concern within Departments or with County operations were discussed.
Items discussed included accrual of sick leave by employees. Currently the County has no cap on sick leave. There is a proposal under consideration to cap sick leave at 320 or 460 hours as is standard through out government agencies within the State. Chad Nay suggested that accrued hours should be considered for conversion to vacation or insurance coverage at the end of employment.
Cindy Bulloch asked about doing a County vehicle fleet with a maintenance department for management of vehicles. The matter is under discussion but there are no current plans to establish a Department.
E filing of documents was also discussed. The system is currently being used in the Recorder’s office. By using e filing the need to keep the volume of paper would be reduced. This option will be studied further.
Department Supervisors thanked the Commission for considering employees and presenting a token of appreciation by awarding an additional $400.00 and two additional days of leave at Christmas for County employees. The bonus was greatly appreciated by employees that have not had a pay increase for three years.
A new prairie dog habitat exchange program is due to be announced today in which permanent take credits may be purchased to permanently clear property for future development. Unlike our current HCP this program will allow credits to be held in perpetuity as cleared. Money collected for the sale of credits will be used to purchase conservation easements as permanent prairie dog habitat. The program covers the full range of the Utah prairie dog.
SURPLUS VEHICLE DEPARTMENT REQUEST :
Ryan Riddle requested transferring one surplus Sheriff vehicle to the County Fire Warden office for use in transporting personnel to fires. The vehicle is to be stationed at the Fiddlers building and will only be used for County fires. Dan Webster made a motion to approve transferring the 2004 Dodge Durango to the Fire Warden office. Second by Alma Adams. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Dan Webster, Aye; Dale Brinkerhoff, Aye.
APPROVAL OF PUBLIC DEFENDER AGREEMENT FOR 2012 :
An agreement to provide public defender services in conflict and Juvenile cases between Iron County and Brian Jackson was presented for approval. The County Attorney has recommended approval of the contract for 2012. Alma Adams made a motion to approve the contract. Second by Dan Webster. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Dan Webster, Aye; Dale Brinkerhoff, Aye.
CICWCD: Alma Adams made a motion to appoint Paul Cozzens, Cedar City Council representative, to the unexpired term of Steve Wood on the governing board of the Central Iron County Water Conservancy District effective immediately. Second by Dan Webster. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Dan Webster, Aye; Dale Brinkerhoff, Aye.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:00 p.m. on a motion by Alma Adams. Second was by Dan Webster. Voting: Alma Adams, Aye; Dan Webster, Aye; Dale Brinkerhoff, Aye.
Signed: Dale M. Brinkerhoff, Chairman
Attest: David I. Yardley
County Clerk