IRON COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

FEBRUARY 26, 1996

Minutes of the Iron County Commission Meeting held February 26, 1996, in Commission Chambers at the Iron County Courthouse, Parowan, Utah.

Officers in attendance included:

Robert L. Gardner Commission Chairman

Roy P. Urie Commissioner

Thomas B. Cardon Commissioner

David I. Yardley County Clerk

Justin Wayment Assist. County Attorney

Also present:

Merna Mitchell County Treasurer

Dixie Matheson County Recorder

Dennis Ayers County Assessor

Dennis Lowder County Auditor

Ira Schoppmann County Sheriff

Doug Wilson Data Coordinator

SNYOPSIS :

Personnel - Solid Waste

- Convention & Tourism position

- Resignation of Ken Laub

Equipment Vandalism

Cedar City TV Site

Landfill Equip Demostration

Rambouillet Road

Evaluation Training

Cedar City Annexation - Darwin Lamb

Bid Opening Pup Trailer

Board Appointments - Planning, Arlen Grimshaw

- Board of Adjustments, Chalres Esplin

One Stop Visitors Center

Tax Matter - SUU

Resolution 96-4 Road 3000 North

1996 Rodeo Contract

CDBG Grant - Ambulance

Valley View Medical Center Tax Exempt Request

Franchise Question

Hospital Parking Lot

MINUTES :

Minutes of the Iron County Commission Meeting held February 12, 1996, were approved as amended on a motion Roy Urie, second by Thomas Cardon with Robert Gardner voting in favor.

ELECTED OFFICIALS REPORTS :

Dennis Ayers discussed a proposed railroad tax agreement on personal property which was being negotiated on a statewide basis. Bill Peters, representing the Utah Association of Counties has asked for recommendations on whether the agreement is acceptable to each county with rail road service. The County Commission asked Dennis Ayers, Dennis Lowder and Merna Mitchell to review the proposal and make a recommendation.

Merna Mitchell reported that she had closed her books for 1995 and had started data input for 1996 as of February 19. Because the computer will not allow multiple user input, it is slowing the system down in inputting 1996 data, however, she felt that within a week her office would be current.

Dixie Matheson reported that the sale of time shares at the Brian Head Hotel is keeping her office very busy. Also, regular recording of real estate transactions do not seem to be slowing down.

Merna and Dixie discussed the method in which to show the taxes and fees are paid on properties prior to the time a new subdivision plat is filed. It was recommended that some type of notice be placed on the plat map itself.

Doug Wilson reported that the Sheriff's computer server has been installed and that the PC network is being installed today.

Doug also reported that a line has been hooked up to the State Wide Area Network (WAN) through his office and that the Clerk's office and the Assessor's office would have access to the network. Doug reported that the hard drive on the Visions portion of the courthouse computer, had filled up and a new one has been ordered. He said that when this was received, it would take approximately one-half a day to install the new hard drive.

David Yardley reported that County Day at Girls State was scheduled for June 5. He encouraged all of the elected officials to keep that date open for participation in Girls State.

PERSONNEL :

Claire Dalton discussed with the Commission the reevaluation of the solid waste job descriptions and grades. She reported that Jeff Christensen had recommended placing the solid waste and the roads' personnel on the same grade level. This would affect the truck drivers and the equipment operators. They will be placed at a grade 12 and the appropriate step. The gate attendants were reviewed and it was determined that they were in the correct grade at the present time.

Commissioner Roy Urie made a motion to change the grade of the equipment operators to grade 12 and the appropriate step. Second was by Tom Cardon with Robert Gardner voting in favor.

The approval of a full time position at the convention and tourism bureau was also discussed. LaRee Garfield had suggested that the position be funded from transient room tax and from the restaurant tax. After a full review, Tom Cardon made a motion approve a full time position as a secretary trainee with funding to come 100% from the transient room tax. Second was by Roy Urie with Robert Gardner voting in favor. Claire was asked to start the advertising process for this position.

EQUIPMENT DAMAGE :

Commissioner Gardner reported that Cedar City's Caterpillar which had been helping to move an old ore shovel at the Iron County Landfill had been damaged by vandals. He recommended that the County offer a $2,000.00 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals responsible for the vandalism. Commissioner Urie made a motion to approve a reward of $2,000.00 for information leading to the arrest and convictions of those responsible for the damage to this equipment. Second was by Tom Cardon with Robert Gardner voting in favor.

CEDAR CITY TV SITE :

Dennis Johnson came in to discuss with the Commission to discuss the placement of a powerline to the Lonetree TV site on Cedar Mountain. Dennis discussed the two proposals that had been received for installation of the line. He recommended that the County approve Utah Power & Light as the contractor even though their bid was higher than the one submitted by. It was his feeling that because of the inspections that were required and because Utah Power would be maintaining the line, they had included other improvements that facilitate future service, therefore, UP & L's proposal was the most feasible. Commissioner Urie made a motion to approve the proposal of Utah Power & Light. Second was by Tom Cardon with Robert Gardner voting in favor. Dennis also discussed with the Commission a comment that had been received in regard to the placement of the TV site and of the proposed right-of-way across BLM land to install that powerline. The Commission asked David Yardley to write a letter to the Bureau of Land Management explaining the necessity of the move of the TV site and what is proposed at the site.

LANDFILL EQUIPMENT :

John McGimpsey, representing Screening & Recycling Company, came to the Commission to submit a proposal for a horizontal feed chopper which could be used at the landfill to process branches and other wood materials for composting. After listening to his presentation, the Commission explained that it was not the intention at the present time to purchase any equipment and the Commission was in the process of coordinating with Cedar City for the type of equipment that would be purchased. However, at the present time, no purchase is planned.

HAL MITCHELL - ROADS :

Hal Mitchell came before the Commission to express his concern with a variety of items. Number 1 is noxious weed control along county roads. The Commission explained to Mr. Mitchell that they were going to have a road employee handle the spraying weeds along county roads this summer. Also, the County is in the process of purchasing a new tractor and mower to help with the weed control along county roads. Mr. Mitchell also discussed the Dry Lakes Road. He explained that he had heard rumor that there was some development being proposed in the area. He was concerned that Iron County would extend the road past its present boundaries. He explained that the County only has a prescriptive easement through his property and that he was requesting that they not go outside the disturbed area. The Commission explained that they had received a request from Raymond Lowe to write a letter granting the use of County right-of-way to bury a proposed water and sewer line, however, at the present time, there is not sufficient information on which to base any right of way grant proposal. David Yardley was asked to write a letter to Raymond Lowe expressing this position.

EVALUATION TRAINING :

Claire Dalton presented an evaluation training in conjunction with the new personnel grade and step policy. She explained how the evaluation process was to proceed and that the 1996 evaluation would be a baseline evaluation for each employee. The department supervisors were encouraged to perform job evaluations as instructed which will help develop better communication with employees' and better job performance.

EXECUTIVE SESSION :

The Commission convened in an executive session to discuss a personnel matter. After reconvening in open session Tom Cardon made a motion to accept the resignation of Ken Laub as a building inspector and to authorize the hiring of a new building inspector. Also, the payment of a one month COBRA health insurance benefit for Ken Laub to cover the month of March 1996 was approved. Second by Roy Urie with Robert Gardner voting in favor.

PROPOSED ANNEXATION :

Annexation of property to Cedar City by Darwin Lamb was presented for Commission approval by Greg Seegmiller. The property is located North of the existing City boundary along the East side of Airport road to 3300 North. After reviewing the proposal as presented, Tom Cardon made a motion not to oppose the proposed annexation contingent upon an agreement being reached with Cedar City for road maintenance and providing other services. Second was by Roy Urie with Robert Gardner voting in favor.

BID OPENING - PUP TRAILER :

Bids were open for the purchase of a new pup trailer to be used by the road department. Three bids were received:

1. Holland Equipment: Option A. $18,977.00 Option B. $19,927.00.

2. Tesco Williamsen: $17,998.00.

3. H&K Truck Equipment: $22,460.00.

Commissioner Urie made a motion to refer the bids to Neil Forsyth for his review to determine if all trailers were to specification to recommend approval of a trailer. Second was by Tom Cardon with Robert Gardner voting in favor.

COMMISSION REPORTS :

Commissioner Cardon reported that Nancy Dalton had accepted employment with the Parowan Main Street Board and therefore would not be able to serve as Fair Chairman. Several names were suggested. The matter was taken under advisement.

Planning Commission. Tom Cardon made a motion to appoint Arlen Grimshaw to the Planning Commission to replace Howard Nelson. Second was by Roy Urie with Robert Gardner voting in favor.

Board of Adjustments. Tom Cardon also made a motion to appoint Charles Esplin to the Board of Adjustments for another term. Second was by Roy Urie with Robert Gardner voting in favor.

ONE STOP VISITORS CENTER :

Tom Cardon discussed progress with the State in deciding what offices would be included in the one stop visitor's center. Mr. Cardon has advised the State Division of Facilities Construction and Management (DFCM) that the County would like to proceed with a request for proposals for design of the building by the first of April. At that time, Division of Water Rights and State Lands and Forestry needs to make a decision on whether they wish to be included in the new building.

TAX MATTER :

Southern Utah University has requested tax exempt status on property that they have purchased from the Brown Clinic in Cedar City. The property is identified by Serial Numbers B-575 and B-575-1. The effective date of the purchase was January 15, 1996. Commissioner Urie made a motion to approve the tax exemption. Second was by Tom Cardon with Robert Gardner voting in favor.

RESOLUTION 96-4 :

A Resolution stating the intent of Iron County to improve 3000 North was approved on a motion by Tom Cardon, second by Roy Urie with Robert Gardner voting in favor. David Yardley was asked to send a copy of the Resolution to Jerald Brindley, a property owner on 3000 North. A copy of the resolution is attached.

1996 RODEO CONTRACT :

Tom Cardon presented a contract with Diamond G Rodeo for the 1996 Iron County Fair Rodeo for approval and made a motion to approve the contract as written. The motion also authorized Commissioner Gardner to sign the contract on behalf of Iron County. Second was by Roy Urie with Robert Gardner voting in favor and signing the contracts.

CDBG GRANT - CONTRACT APPROVAL :

Approval of the contract for the ambulance garage was approved on a motion by Roy Urie, second by Tom Cardon and Robert Gardner voting in favor and signing the contracts.

VALLEY VIEW MEDICAL CENTER :

A Board of Equalization matter in which Valley View Medical Center has requested a tax exemption for 1996 was presented. No action was taken at this time.

FRANCHISE QUESTION :

Dixie-Escalante REA has requested a franchise approval for their electrical service in the Beryl area. The matter was referred to Justin Wayment to determine if the County issue franchises and if they are approved, the procedure to follow in approving a franchise.

HOSPITAL PARKING LOT :

Roy Urie discussed with the Commission the possibility of using county equipment and gravel to extend the parking lot near the hospital. After review, it was determined that more information needed to be obtained to determine how much gravel they were requesting and also what equipment would be required.

After the bills were reviewed and either approved or rejected, the meeting was adjourned.

APPROVED:_______________________

ATTEST:___________________________