IRON COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING
MINUTES
February 10, 1997
Minutes of the regular meeting of the Iron County Commission held February 10, 1997 in Commission Chambers at the Iron County Courthouse, Parowan Utah convened at 9:00 a.m.
Officer in attendance included:
SYNOPSIS :
- AMBULANCE RATES 3
- ANIMAL CONTROL AGREEMENT 4
- BID OPENING - COAL CREEK BRIDGE AT 3000 NORTH 3
- BOARD APPOINTMENTS 5
- Accident Review Board 5
- Board of Adjustments 5
- Bookmobile Library Board 5
- Boundary Commission: 5
- Merit Review Board 5
- Personnel Advisory Board 5
- Planning and Zoning 5
- BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT PROPOSED REGULATIONS 5
- COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT- UDOT - SHIRTZ CREEK 4
- DIXIE NATIONAL FOREST 2
- LANDFILL AND SOLID WASTE COLLECTION FEES 3
- MINUTES 1
- REPORTS 1
- Dennis Ayers 2
- Doug Wilson 1
- Ira Schoppmann 2
- LaRee Garfield 2
- RS-2477 Roads 2
- SESQUICENTENNIAL WAGON TRAIN 3
- SHIRTZ CREEK BRIDGE PROJECT ENGINEER 4
- SNOW CAT PURCHASE 6
- SURPLUS 1996 PLAT MAP BIDS 4
- TALLEY - SHEETS LAWSUIT COUNCIL 4
- TAX MATTER - BUD AND DENNIS BAUER 4
- TOURISM AND CONVENTION MARKETING PLAN 2
MINUTES :
Minutes of the Iron County Commission Meeting held on January 27, 1997 were approved as amended on a motion by Dennis Stowell. Second by Tom Cardon. Commissioner Urie was not present on this vote.
REPORTS :
Doug Wilson discussed with the Commission the need for a standardized County logo for use on letterhead, brochures and electronic transmissions. At the present time there are no less than five different logos being used by different departments. The options available for design work on a new logo were discussed. It was decided to coordinate with LaRee Garfield and the tourism group to determine the best way to proceed in getting proposals for a new logo.
Ira Schoppmann reported that Brian Eichel, a resident of Cedar Valley, had been found frozen to death in Paragonah Canyon. He emphasized the importance of letting someone know where you are going and when you plan on returning. Mr. Eichel had become stuck in the snow and had attempted to walk to town for help.
RS-2477 Roads have not been formally adopted by ordinance or resolution. David Yardley was ask to discuss with the Recorder the type of map to file and to place this item on the next agenda for formal action.
Dennis Ayers reported on several bills before the Legislature that the Assessors were tracking that could have major impacts on their offices. One bill would freeze the value for property when someone retires or reaches a certain age. Dennis is concerned with the implementation of such a plan and felt that this would be unmanageable.
LaRee Garfield, Maria S. Twitchell, and Susan Hayman came before the Commission to discuss a proposed agreement to allow Susan Hayman and her company, Meetings By Design, to coordinate and solicit meeting groups to use the convention facility. She would replace Jill Dail as the contact person. LaRee will be the County liaison. The proposed agreement was taken under advisement for review.
DIXIE NATIONAL FOREST :
Ron Wilson, Dixie National Forest Ranger for the Cedar City District came before the Commission to report on activity of concern to the County. Mr. Wilson requested a meeting with Commissioner Urie and Neil Forsyth sometime in April to discuss road concerns and proposed improvement projects. The road to Brian Head Peak is receiving a lot of use with visitors and mountain bikers. Ron suggested that this road could be improved in a cooperative agreement.
Commissioner Stowell asked about the status of RS-2477 roads on Forest Service areas. Mr. Wilson reported that they were in the process of doing an inventory of roads and they would try to have a report by the April meeting.
Mr. Wilson reported on continuing efforts to control the bark beetle, both in the spruce and pine stands. The logging will continue in the Sidney Valley and Navajo Ridge this summer. The beetle is also reinfesting the Rainbow Meadows area and this will be reevaluated this summer. Mr. Wilson also reported that more work would be done using fire as a management tool in the future to help reestablish aspen stands.
Mr. Wilson reported that in the law enforcement on the Forest the fines for infractions have been increased so that they are more of a deterrent. There is no plan to change law enforcement procedure at this time.
TOURISM AND CONVENTION MARKETING PLAN :
LaRee Garfield, Maria S. Twitchell and Jerry Bixman presented a marketing plan for 1997 for the Tourism and Convention Bureau. The mission for 1997 is to push early week participation (Monday through Wednesday) and to work on increasing tourism during the spring and fall months. This will include sponsoring several new events which will be announced later.
Iron County will also be advertising in publications that reach to all parts of the United States and they are stressing the European market. These marketing efforts are in addition to the effort by the Color Country Board.
Iron County has participated in two travel shows and plan on attending one more in February. This show will be in Las Vegas. This effort is intended to draw more groups and tours.
AMBULANCE RATES :
Ron Johnson, Ambulance Coordinator, came before the Commission to request that Iron County adopt the Utah Standard Rate for emergency responses. He explained that at the present time we have a collection rate of 80% of billed charges. Iron County has maintained their rates lower than the State average to keep the service at a break even point. During 1997 additional costs will be incurred to replace a minimum of five defibrilator units. The units are old and parts are no longer available. The manufacturer will no longer certify the machines for service. Cost for replacement will be about $8,100.00 each.
After reviewing the ambulance service and requests, Commissioner Stowell made a motion to adopt the 1997 State Rate plan and to review the rate schedule annually. At the annual review, rates may be adjusted up or down to maintain the service. Second was by Roy Urie and Tom Cardon voted in favor.
SESQUICENTENNIAL WAGON TRAIN :
Vyonne Chamberlain requested County funding for a wagon representing Iron County to participate in the Sesquicentennial wagon train. This activity will start at Winter Quarters and end in Salt Lake City. The Iron County wagon would join the train in Casper Wyoming and continue on to the finish.
Roy Urie made a motion to fund $1,250 for the participation of an Iron County wagon as requested with funds to come from the Transient Room Tax fund. Second was by Dennis Stowell and Tom Cardon voted in favor.
LANDFILL AND SOLID WASTE COLLECTION FEES :
Alan Wade, Landfill Supervisor, came before the Commission to discuss the option of Iron County taking back the Solid Waste Collection from Enoch City. He felt that if rates were increased $1.00 for collection and $1.00 per household for Landfill that sufficient funds would be generated to offset the increased costs associated with the operation of the collection and landfill operations.
The Commission authorized Alan to continue to collect information on the possible return of the service to Iron County from Enoch City.
BID OPENING - COAL CREEK BRIDGE AT 3000 NORTH :
Steve Platt presented bid results for the installation of a precast concrete bridge at 3000 North in Cedar Valley. The low bid was submitted by Schmidt Construction for $60,015.00 After reviewing the bids, Steve recommended that the bid of Schmidt Construction be accepted.
Roy Urie made a motion to accept the bid of Schmidt Construction as recommended. Second was by Dennis Stowell and Tom Cardon voted in favor.
COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT- UDOT - SHIRTZ CREEK :
David Yardley presented a Cooperative Agreement to provide review services for the Shirtz Creek Bridge Replacement Project. This agreement must be accepted before the project can proceed if federal funds are to be used.
Roy Urie made a motion to approve the agreement between Iron County and UDOT for the consulting services as presented and to authorize Commissioner Cardon to sign the agreement for Iron County. Second was by Dennis Stowell and Tom Cardon voted in favor.
SHIRTZ CREEK BRIDGE PROJECT ENGINEER :
Steve Platt, Iron County Engineer was designated as the Engineer of Record for the Shirtz Creek Bridge Replacement Project and a contract for $18,002.00 for the design phase was approved on a motion by Roy Urie seconded by Dennis Stowell and Tom Cardon voted in favor.
Tom Cardon was authorized to sign the contract as soon as it is available.
TAX MATTER - BUD AND DENNIS BAUER :
Bud and Dennis Bauer requested that property they had previously owned and which was taxed under Greenbelt was now in the process of foreclosure. In 1966 the taxes were rolled back as provided in State law. The Assessor has written several letters to the buyers requesting that a new greenbelt application be completed. The buyers have not filed any applications.
Roy Urie made a motion to reinstate the greenbelt designation on parcels located in the East ½ of Section 32, Township 36 South, Range 11 West, Salt Lake Base & Meridian. Second was by Dennis Stowell and Tom Cardon voted in favor. The Tax Account numbers of the three parcels are: 1. SN D-1060-5 Account 373255. 2. SN D-1060-1-4 Account 371044. 3. SN D-1060-1-6 Account 383221.
ANIMAL CONTROL AGREEMENT :
An agreement between Cedar City and Iron County to provide an addition to the existing animal shelter and a fee schedule for housing animals was approved on a motion by Dennis Stowell, Second by Tom Cardon. Roy Urie was not present and did not vote.
TALLEY - SHEETS LAWSUIT COUNCIL :
The Commission approved an agreement to retain David Nuffer to defend Iron County in lawsuits filed by Chris Talley and Charles Sheets as recommended by the County Attorney on a motion by Dennis Stowell, Second by Tom Cardon. Roy Urie was not present and did not vote.
SURPLUS 1996 PLAT MAP BIDS :
Bids for the purchase of surplus 1996 plat maps were opened and reviewed. Three sets of plats will be available and three bids were received. Southern Utah Title bid $1,100.00, Cedar Land Title bid $1,051.00 and Mark R. Allen bid $400.00 for a partial set which has been used by the Assessor’s office.
Dennis Stowell made a motion to approve the bids as submitted with the highest bid receiving first choice of the set they take, Second by Tom Cardon. Roy Urie was not present and did not vote.
BOARD APPOINTMENTS :
Planning and Zoning: Tom Cardon recommended that Craig Clark and Clinton Nielson be reappointed for a new term on the Planning and Zoning Commission. Dennis Stowell made a motion to appoint Craig Clark and Clinton Nielson as recommended. Second was by Tom Cardon. Roy Urie was not present and did not vote.
Bookmobile Library Board: Dennis Stowell made a motion to appoint Richard Webster to an additional term on the Bookmobile Library Board with his term to expire 2001, Sandra Bowler, Term expires 1998, Arlan Grimshaw, Term expires 1999 and Twila Brinkerhoff, Term expires 2000. Second was by Tom Cardon. Roy Urie was not present and did not vote.
Board of Adjustments: Dennis Stowell made a motion to appoint Grant Messerly to the Board of Adjustments, Term expires 2000, and David Millett, Term expires 2002. Second was by Tom Cardon. Roy Urie was not present and did not vote.
Boundary Commission: Tom Cardon made a motion to appoint Dennis Stowell as an alternate on the Boundary Commission to replace Robert L. Gardner. Second was by Dennis Stowell. Roy Urie was not present and did not vote.
Personnel Advisory Board: Dennis Stowell made a motion to appoint Claire Dalton to a three year term on the Personnel Advisory Board and to appoint Karla Staheli to replace Justin Wayment on the Board. Second was by Tom Cardon. Roy Urie was not present and did not vote. The County employees not covered by the Merit Review Board will elect one person to the board.
Accident Review Board: Dennis Stowell made a motion to appoint Karla Staheli to the Accident Review Board to replace Justin Wayment. Second was by Tom Cardon. Roy Urie was not present and did not vote.
Merit Review Board: Dennis Stowell made a motion to appoint Paul Radmall to an additional term on the Merit Review Board, Term expiring 2001. Second was by Tom Cardon. Roy Urie was not present and did not vote.
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT PROPOSED REGULATIONS :
Tom Hansen, law enforcement officer in this area came to the Commission to discuss proposed changes in law enforcement responsibility and authority for BLM employees. He explained that the proposed regulations have been in the drafting stage for three years and it is an attempt to consolidate in the Code, all of the law enforcement responsibility. He explained to the Commission that no additional power would be granted through the proposed change.
The Commission expressed concern with the wording in the proposed change that gives additional authority on water which runs onto BLM property and with creating a Federal police force which would operate independent of local authority.
The proposed regulations will be reviewed by the Commission and a letter in response to requests for public comment will be drafted. The Comment period is scheduled to end on March 7, 1997.
SNOW CAT PURCHASE :
A snow cat for use by Search and Rescue has been located through State Surplus. Total cost to the County would be $35,000 delivered to Cedar City. Dennis Stowell made a motion to approve the purchase of the snow cat as presented. Second was by Tom Cardon. Roy Urie was not present and did not vote.
After the bills were reviewed and either approved or rejected, the meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m.
Approved: /s/ Thomas B. Cardon
Thomas B. Cardon, Chairman
/s/ David I. Yardley
Attest: David I. Yardley, Clerk