Minutes of the Iron County Commission meeting convened at 9:00 a.m. January 12, 1998 in Commission Chambers at the Iron County Courthouse, Parowan, Utah.
Officers in attendance included
Roy P. Urie Commission Chairman
Thomas B. Cardon Commissioner
Dennis E. Stowell Commissioner
Karla Staheli Asst. County Attorney
David I. Yardley County Clerk
SYNOPSIS :
APPROVAL OF MINUTES DECEMBER 22, 1997 2
BOARD APPOINTMENT - PLANNING COMMISSION 6
Bill Weymouth 3
BOE - WECCO 3
CDBG GRANT PRIORITIZATION 5
Cedar City (Cedar City Housing Authority) 2
Newcastle Fire Station 3
Parowan City (Water System Upgrade 2
Summit SSD 2, 3
COMMISSION REPORTS 2
Affordable Housing Study 2
Division of Wildlife Resources 2
Enterprise Water Tank Project 2
Shooting Range 2
Visitor Center Change Order 2
COMMISSION REORGANIZATION 2
CROSS HOLLOW HILLS UNIT II ROAD REQUEST 1
DIXIE NATIONAL FOREST - ROAD ACCESS 4
FIDDLERS CANYON BUILDING REPAIRS 6
I-15 MEDIAN MAINTENANCE REQUEST 3
IRON COUNTY/UTAH STATE CORRECTION FACILITY 4
PARAGONAH FIRE DEPARTMENT 4
PAROWAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 4
PERSONNEL MATTERS - EXECUTIVE SESSION 6
PERSONNEL POLICY AMENDMENTS 5
PRAIRIE DOG HCP AMENDMENTS 5
SOUTHERN UTAH TIRE RECYCLERS 6
TAX MATTER - BROWN & SCHMUTZ 4
TAX MATTER - GREG BATTY 4
TAX MATTER - UTAH PAIUTE HOUSING AUTHORITY 3
UTAH HIGHWAY PATROL - REQUEST FOR SUPPORT 3
COMMISSION REORGANIZATION :
Dennis Stowell made a motion to appoint Roy Urie as the Commission Chairman for 1998. Second was by Roy Urie and Tom Cardon voted in favor. The change was then made and Commissioner Urie conducted the remainder of the meeting.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES DECEMBER 22, 1997:
Minutes of the Iron County Commission Meeting held December 22, 1997 were approved as amended on a motion by Dennis Stowell. Second was by Tom Cardon and Roy Urie voted in favor.
COMMISSION REPORTS :
Visitor Center Change Order: Commissioner Cardon explained a change order for the Visitor Center. The mechanical drawings did not include back draft dampers for the furnaces. The Contractor has reported that these are a necessity in order to make the furnaces operate correctly. The total change order would add $1,925.00.
Tom Cardon made a motion to approve the change order for $1,925.00 second was by Dennis Stowell and Roy Urie voted in favor.
Shooting Range: Tom Cardon reported that Cedar City has requested that the County fund half of the cost of an archaeological study for the new shooting range. Cost of the study was $3,800. The Commission denied the request because it had not been pre authorized.
Affordable Housing Study: Roy Urie reported that an affordable housing study needs to be completed by each municipality and the County by the end of 1998. He suggested that this should be discussed at the Coordinating Council meeting to see if it would be advantageous to combine the studies into one county wide study. David Yardley was ask to contact Connie Robinson and place this on the next agenda for the Coordinating Council.
Enterprise Water Tank Project: The Commission reviewed a notice of action by Dixie National Forest in which Enterprise City has requested property to construct a new culinary water tank. The Commission authorized David Yardley to write a letter of support to the Dixie National Forest.
Division of Wildlife Resources: Has requested that the Commissioners participate in preparing a strategic plan for the Division of Wildlife Resources. A letter was distributed explaining what type of information they were seeking. The Commission ask to have this placed on the next agenda for further discussion.
CDBG GRANT PRIORITIZATION :
Grant proposals for FY 1998/99 were reviewed by the Commission and prioritized as follows:
1. Iron County (Newcastle Fire Station) Project would enlarge the existing fire station by two bays and purchase various firefighting equipment. Funding request CDBG $71,000; Local Match $5,000; Total Cost: $76,000.
2. Iron County (Summit SSD) Project would install security fencing around two water storage reservoirs and a chlorination building. Funding request CDBG $13,500; Local Match $1,500; Total Cost; $15,000.
3. Parowan City (Water System Upgrade) Project will fund engineering and replacement of approximately 8,050 lineal feet of 8" and 12" water main in the existing culinary water system. Funding request CDBG; $87,500 Local match; $28,625 Rural development (applied); $87,500; Total Cost; $203,625.
4. Cedar City (Cedar City Housing Authority) Project would assist in development of new 18 unit housing complex for elderly and disabled persons. CDBG funds to be used in construction of common facility. CDBG funding request: CDBG; $132,000; Local match UHFA Tax Credit Reserve $550,000; Olene Walker Housing Trust Fund $330,000; Total Cost $1,012,000.
5. Cedar City (Cedar City Housing Authority) Project will assist first time home buyers by paying reasonable closing costs and/or down payment for eligible low to moderate income first time home buyers. CDBG funding request: $33,000. No local match identified. Total Cost $33,000.
BOARD APPOINTMENT - PLANNING COMMISSION :
Commissioner Cardon reported that he had received a letter from Arlen Grimshaw in which Mr. Grimshaw resigned as a member of the Planning Commission effective immediately.
Commissioner Cardon made a motion to accept the resignation of Arlen Grimshaw and to appoint Bill Weymouth to fill the unexpired term. Second was by Dennis Stowell and Roy Urie voted in favor. Term to expire February 5, 1999.
FIDDLERS CANYON BUILDING REPAIRS :
David Yardley reported that the carpet in the Fiddlers Canyon offices was in need of replacement in the Building Inspector's office, Assessor's office and the Southwest District Health office on the main floor. The carpet is the original that was in the building when it was purchased and it has too much pad which has caused the carpet to separate from the backing. The Commission approved ordering the new carpet and to repair other problems in the offices while the carpet is being replaced on a motion by Dennis Stowell, second by Tom Cardon and Roy Urie voted in favor.
TAX MATTER - UTAH PAIUTE HOUSING AUTHORITY :
Merna Mitchell presented a request from the Utah Paiute Housing Authority to authorize a retro active tax exemption on a home identified as Serial # D-518-43-1-4, Account # 372232 for 1996 and 1997. The home was purchased in 1996 by the Housing Authority. Total amount of the tax for 1996 is $444.96 and for 1997 $392.44.
Tom Cardon made a motion to approve the tax exemption request. Second was by Dennis Stowell and Roy Urie voted in favor.
TAX MATTER - GREG BATTY :
The Utah Paiute Housing Authority purchase a home from Greg Batty on November 26, 1997 and at that time the property was to become tax exempt. Mr. Batty had paid the taxes for the entire year and therefore requested a refund of $70.70 for the time the property would be exempt. The Tax Serial number is B-1381-2-5. Account number 342508.
Tom Cardon made a motion to approve the tax exemption request and to authorize a refund of $70.70. Second was by Dennis Stowell and Roy Urie voted in favor.
TAX MATTER - BROWN & SCHMUTZ :
Merna Mitchell reported that Ralph Brown and Richard Schmutz own a parcel of property identified as Tax Serial number B-1152-5-2. The parcel has been taxed under two accounts for many years. The problem was brought to the attention of the County in 1996 but apparently was not corrected. They have requested a tax refund on one account for the five years allowed by law.
Dennis Stowell made a motion to authorize a refund of $608.93 to cover a double assessment back to 1991. Second was by Tom Cardon and Roy Urie voted in favor.
PARAGONAH FIRE DEPARTMENT :
Royce Barton, Paragonah Fire Chief came before the Commission to request funding an expansion of the Paragonah fire station. He explained that they were requesting some site preparation work and funding $4,000 toward the cost of the building. Tom Cardon made a motion to help with the site work and to place the funding request on the 1999 budget request list. Second was by Dennis Stowell and Roy Urie voted in favor.
I-15 MEDIAN MAINTENANCE REQUEST :
Raida Baker came before the Commission to request their support in requesting that UDOT provide median crossing improvements in northern Iron County. She explained that the Highway Patrol troopers have trouble getting across the median and therefore they concentrate their efforts south of Cedar City. The Commission agreed to lend their support in requesting improvements in the median crossings.
CROSS HOLLOW HILLS UNIT II ROAD REQUEST :
Rett Shakespeare representing the developer of Cross Hollow Hills, Unit II requested that the County assume maintenance of the roads in the subdivision. The Commission reaffirmed their policy that maintenance will not be assumed in subdivisions until half of the lots are occupied. Since the County does not have a written policy at this time, the Commission requested that a resolution explaining the County policy on accepting road for maintenance be drafted and presented for action at the next Commission meeting.
IRON COUNTY/UTAH STATE CORRECTION FACILITY :
Haze Locke discussed with the Commission several options for the continued operation of the Iron County/ Utah State Correction Facility. The options included purchasing the State share, split the facility and operate by each entity or continue the partnership as is. The State is requesting that a decision be made so that they can decide what to do with the position they are holding open in Adult Probation and Parole for Jay Barton, the temporary director of the facility.
Commissioner Cardon will meet with Jay Barton and Jerry Robinson at the facility to discuss possible solutions to the problems at the jail.
SOUTHERN UTAH TIRE RECYCLERS :
Chad Nay and Karla Staheli reported that they requested a rider on the bond held by the County increasing the amount from $20,000 to $50,000. The expiration date of the bond was not extended for an additional year. The Commission ask that Nick Bird be contacted to extend the term of the bond. If this is not accomplished, then Karla Staheli was instructed to call the bond and to start the bid process to clean up the tire piles located at the Hecla mine site.
BOE - WECCO :
The Commission convened as a Board of Equalization to discuss the Board of Equalization request submitted by WECCO, Halatron, and American Azide. Karla reported that she needed additional time to research similar cases.
Dennis Stowell made a motion to extend the time to make a decision until the next Commission meeting. Second was by Tom Cardon and Roy Urie voted in favor.
PERSONNEL POLICY AMENDMENTS :
The Commission discussed changes in the County Personnel policy. One of the holidays recognized by the County has been Arbor Day. Since the County is one of only a few entities recognizing this holiday, it was suggested that a personal preference day be granted in lieu of Arbor Day. The County employees have been contacted and the majority would prefer the personal preference day.
Tom Cardon made a motion to adopt a personal preference day in lieu of the Arbor Day holiday effective this year. Second was by Dennis Stowell and Roy Urie voted in favor.
Hiring policy for part time employees was also discussed. The reference in the personnel policy is Section 7 (b). The wording was amended to read that part time positions must follow the hiring procedure by advertising the job opening and following the selection procedure as required for full time employees.
Tom Cardon made a motion to adopt the change in hiring procedure as outlined. Second was by Dennis Stowell and Roy Urie voted in favor.
PERSONNEL MATTERS - EXECUTIVE SESSION :
Dennis Stowell made a motion to convene in executive session to discuss personnel matters. Second was by Tom Cardon and Roy Urie voted in favor.
After reconvening in open session, Tom Cardon made a motion to approve a 2.2% cost of living salary increase for Ken Adams for 1998. Second was by Dennis Stowell and Roy Urie voted in favor.
Tom Cardon also made a motion to approve the hiring of S. Garth Jones as a custodian at the Visitor Center effective January 1, 1998. Second was by Dennis Stowell and Roy Urie voted in favor.
UTAH HIGHWAY PATROL - REQUEST FOR SUPPORT :
Lieutenant Clayton Allred, regional supervisor of the Highway Patrol ask for the County to support legislation requesting 80 additional troopers state wide. He also requested that language be included to insure that some of the troopers are assigned to rural areas.
Lieutenant Allred explained the need in this area and that we were at a critically low level of coverage. He also reported that in 1997 the Southwest region including Iron, Washington, Beaver and Millard counties had 51 traffic fatalities. Of that number none were wearing seat belts. This is an area that officers have been instructed to look for. The other area of concern is speed. With the increase in freeway speeds, more accidents involve high rates of speed, some in excess of 100 MPH. This causes more serious injuries and deaths.
PRAIRIE DOG HCP AMENDMENTS :
The Commission reviewed several changes that had been drafted into the Prairie Dog Habitat Conservation Plan by Deb O'Neil and Keith Day. There continue to be questions about charges to develop property and also administration of funds by US Fish & Wildlife. The Commission ask that a conference call be set up between the Commission, Deb O'Neil and Marilette Zablan to review some of the changes.
DIXIE NATIONAL FOREST - ROAD ACCESS :
Ron Wilson and Bevan Killpack came before the Commission to discuss a change in policy on the Dixie National Forest. At the present time all roads are considered open unless they are posted as closed. This has led to enforcement problems in critical areas as people have removed closed signs and also problems have developed with off road vehicle traffic.
Dixie National Forest is planning to change to a method used by most Forests in the State which is all roads are closed unless they are posted as open.
The Forest Service is also working on a joint mapping program to identify roads, trails, OHV trails and ATV areas. This will be coordinated with the State and BLM. It is planned that the map will be printed this year subject to revision as more information becomes available.
The Commission also discussed maintenance on the Yankee Meadow road and the Five Mile Campground in Parowan Canyon. The Forest Service said they were willing to work with Parowan City in taking over maintenance and management of the Five Mile Campground.
PAROWAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE :
Glen Halterman and Ken Reeves came before the Commission on behalf of the Parowan Chamber of Commerce to request participation in maintenance of two billboards located North and South of the Parowan exits. The Commission explained that $1,500 had been budgeted to the Northern Iron County Chamber of Commerce and they could use the funds as they saw fit.
APPROVAL OF WARRANTS AND ADJOURN :
After the bills were reviewed and either approved or rejected, the meeting was adjourned at 2:30 p.m.
Signed: Roy P. Urie, Chairman
Attest: David I. Yardley, County Clerk