SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING SAN JUAN COUNTY COURT HOUSE, MONTICELLO, UTAH NOVEMBER 6, 2006 AT 10:00 A.M. The regular meeting of the San Juan County Commission was held on November 6, 2006 At 10:00 A.M. in the Commission Room at Monticello, Utah. Present: Lynn Stevens , Chairman Manuel Morgan, Vice Chairman Bruce Adams, SJC Commissioner Rick Bailey, SJC Administrator Norman Johnson, SJC Clerk /Auditor Dianne F. Neuss, SJC Deputy Clerk Commissioner Bruce Adams made a motion to approve the minutes of October 30, 2006. Commissioner Manuel Morgan seconded the motion. Commissioner Lynn Stevens declared the motion carried by unanimous vote. Evan Lowry – Planning Office Evan presented a written copy and a CD of the Forest Plan with including his comments on issues of concern. There are 99 comments in all. He has arranged a meeting with other county representatives to discuss and compare their issues related to the plan. Evan, representatives from Carbon County, San Pete County Emery County and Grand County will meet on November 22nd in Green River. Commissioner Adams will plan to attend this meeting. Evan said that there are some issues and changes that are already being legally challenged and said that there are more restrictions impacting our area than other areas. Issues related to scenery management and wildlife are of most concern. The Forest Service will hold a meeting with county representatives to review their comments on November 29th and 30th in Price at 10:00 a.m. Commissioner Stevens plans to attend the meetings. David Bronson and Lynn Laws traveled to the Hole in the Rock area to look at the damage to the road. Evan presented pictures of the area and a map to illustrate the problem. The plan is to establish another route from Nakai Dome, but in the meantime, try to repair the area of the road that is a serious safety hazard. Even though the road is damaged badly, people are still trying to get through. The BLM seems very agreeable to the plan for a new route into the area but we will have to get their permission to do any blasting of the existing road to make it less of a hazard. Commissioner Stevens will contact the BLM to discuss plans to work on the new road and fix the existing road so that it can be kept open. The plan will be to close the old road once the new road is finished. Commissioner Stevens said that the Park Service contacted us to let us know that they are planning to create a bigger parking area (80' x 64') near the trail head at Island in the Sky. This would increase the distance to the trail head by about four tenths of a mile. The distance is less than a half mile to the trail head now, so that the change is not significant. Cyndi Eldredge – Personnel Office Cyndi recommended hiring Kristina Hickman for the Receptionist/Office Manager position in the Economic Development Office. Interviews for the position were held last week. She also requested approval for an alternate candidate for the position, Jennifer Whipple, in the event that Ms. Hickman does not accept the position. This is a full time position with benefits, Grade 4, Step 40. Commissioner Manuel Morgan made a motion to approve hiring Kristina Hickman for the position of full time Receptionist/Office Manager and Jennifer Whipple as alternate. Commissioner Bruce Adams seconded the motion. Commissioner Lynn Stevens declared the motion carried by unanimous vote. Cyndi recommended hiring Krystal Bundy for the position of Senior Aid at the Monticello Senior Center. This is a part-time position, Grade 1, Step 1. Commissioner Manuel Morgan made a motion to approve hiring Krystal Bundy for the Senior Aid position at the Monticello Sr. Center. Commissioner Bruce Adams seconded the motion. Commission Lynn Steven declared the motion carried by unanimous vote. A recommendation to hire Lora Husky for the Dispatcher Position in the Sheriff's office was presented for approval. This is a full time position with benefits, Step 63. Cyndi asked that Jeremy Homedew be approved as an alternate in the event that Ms. Husky does not accept the position. Commissioners questioned the turnover in this position and Cyndi said that Ms. Husky has no interest in going into law enforcement as others have in the past. Commissioner Bruce Adams made a motion to approve hiring Lora Husky for the Dispatcher Position with Jeremy Homedew as the alternate. Commissioner Manuel Morgan seconded the motion. Commissioner Lynn Stevens declared the motion carried by unanimous vote. Cyndi made a recommendation that we go back to the previous Administrators of the Flex Spending Program because the present company has not performed as expected. Cyndi said that because of a change in the plan administrator from Aflac to National Benefit Services, some of the expected services are being done by County employees. She noted some of the issues of concern. The Commission asked that representatives from the company be invited to next week's Commission meeting to discuss the issues before making any change. Norman Johnson – Clerk/Auditor – John Fellmeth - IT Director/Assistant Auditor Norman and John presented the Preliminary Budget for 2007. All the budget information is not in as yet but the bottom line is that we are in deficit with more expenditures than revenue. A lengthy discussion regarding aspects of the budget ensued. The discussions related to the B- Road Fund, Health Care and Mental Health, Emergency Service, Bookmobile funding, Capitol Expenditures in addition to the expected increased tax revenues for 2006 which are due on November 30th. It was decided that meetings with individual departments will begin next Monday at 8:30 a.m. until 9:30 or 10:00 a.m. and then again after Commission meeting between 1:00 and 5:00 p.m. Norman will schedule the smaller departments first. Teague Eskelsen – Subdivisions and Roads Teague thanked Rick and others for their support with issues related to her subdivisions in Old LaSal. She requested that the Commission seriously consider establishing a Planning and Zoning Committee to deal with the subdivision process and issues. She said that because of the increase in subdivisions being planned and developed in the area it is becoming more of a problem to go through the process. She knows of two people who would be willing to serve on the Committee from the northern end of the County. She also offered her personal services on a contractual basis. She said that she has been involved with the development of subdivisions for the last seven years and would be willing to work with others to walk them through the process. The Commission will consider these recommendations. The Commission intends to create a Planning and Zoning Committee by the first of the year to comply with State statutes. Teague said that they are almost ready to turn the roads in her new subdivision over to the County. Lynn Laws will need to approve the new roads and then they will be put in the system in December. She also noted that the road to the LaSal Pass, which was approved to be maintained by the County previously, is not being maintained. Lynn Laws agreed and said that he will look into the problem. Rick Bailey – SJC Administrator Rick presented two Building Permits for approval. San Juan County - Monument Valley - Fire Building Brian Kellan - Wilson Arch Resort Community, - Residence Commissioner Manuel Morgan made a motion to approve the building permits provided all signatures are placed. Commissioner Bruce Adams seconded the motion. Commissioner Lynn Stevens declared the motion carried by unanimous vote. Rick noted that the Contractor needed a poly tank to mix concrete in order to haul water from the landfill to Monument Valley. They also asked for a fire inspection. Rick presented an application from Kristen Hendley for the Blanding Library Board. There are two at large positions available. Commissioner Bruce Adams made a motion to approve of Kristen Hendley to serve on the Blanding Library Board. Commissioner Manuel Morgan seconded the motion. Commissioner Lynn Stevens declared the motion carried by unanimous vote. Rick received two applications for the Health Service District Board, one from Walter Atene from the Mexican Hat Area and from Cloy Smith for the "at large" position. Since Walter Atene is on a school board, we will need to see what the policy is related to board membership. This will be put on next weeks agenda. Rick presented COOP agreements with UDOT for the Aneth and Halchita areas for signature. He also presented a procurement request submitted by the Road Department for approval to purchase a total of nine vehicles, 2 one ton pick-ups at a total of $37,568.00 and 7 3/4 Ton 4x4 pickups, total price of $135,527.00. The vehicles will be paid from the 2006 road budget. Commissioner Bruce Adams made a motion to approve the procurement request. Commissioner Manuel Morgan seconded the motion. Commissioner Lynn Stevens declared the motion carried by unanimous vote. Rick said that the situation at Navajo Mountain has greatly improved and that he expects that the pipeline will be in full operation in 5 to 6 days and that water will not have to be hauled to the area. The Bureau of Reclamation has agreed to reimburse the cost of hauling water to the area. The situation relating to the funding of water projects as well as road and other needed facilities was discussed. A suggestion was made that a specialist in grant writing be hired to write grants to the various Federal and State agencies to try to obtain funding for the many projects needed in the Native American communities. Various other suggestions for funding were discussed. Rick asked that the Commission consider awarding a plaque with the Governor's signature to each person (equipment operators and other laborers) who have worked so hard on the pipeline repairs at Navajo Mountain. Rick will give Commissioner Stevens a list of names to submit to the Governor. It was decided that the County should provide liability insurance for the Swinging Bridge in Bluff. The Commission discussed ways of funding the needed repairs. In order to receive Revitalization funds, we would need matching funds from another source. The Transportation Service District will be contacted and Commissioner Morgan said that the oil company in the area agreed to help with the funding for this historic bridge. Linda Larsen – SJC Ambulance Service Linda requested approval for the procurement of a new Ambulance for Monticello. She explained that the Ambulance Service received an excess of $70,000 over expected revenue. She said the budget was $270,000 and through JCI collections, CPR and revenue from movie shoots, $330,000 was received. She would like to purchase it now as the price will be going up. She also said that she does not want to wait until 2008 because design changes will be made and she was advised that it may take some time to make adjustments in a new design. The purchase price is $111,700 and it would be delivered in 2007. Linda stated that Montezuma Creek and Blanding are next in line to get a new ambulance. Rick suggested that we may want to donate the old ambulance or offer it for sale. Commissioner Bruce Adams made a motion to purchase the new ambulance. Commissioner Manuel Morgan seconded the motion. Commissioner Lynn Stevens declared the motion carried by unanimous vote. Douglas McLaughlin - Property Tax Issue Commissioner Bruce Adams made a motion to go into a BOE hearing to address a property tax issue. Commissioner Manuel Morgan seconded the motion. Commissioner Lynn Stevens declared the motion carried. Mr. Douglas McLaughlin asked for consideration and approval for the designation of his property as Greenbelt. The Assessor' office recommended the change based on Mr. McLaughlin's property meeting the qualifications for Greenbelt designation. Commissioner Bruce Adams made a motion to approve the change retroactive to 2006. Commissioner Manuel Morgan seconded the motion. Commissioner Lynn Stevens declared the motion carried by unanimous vote. Commissioner Bruce Adams made a motion to go out of the BOE Hearing. Commissioner Manuel Morgan seconded the motion. Commissioner Lynn Stevens declared the motion carried by unanimous vote. Open Time and Other Business Mr. Dennis Moser, CEO of the San Juan Hospital and Mayor Doug Allen asked about submitting a request for funding for equipment to the CIB. Rick said that the CIB equipment priority list is due to be submitted to the CIB on December 1st. Rick recommended that a letter of request be written and sent to the CIB with a copy to the AOG so that they can address the request at their next hearing in January or February. The funds are dispersed in August. The suggestion was made to request the funding in the form of a grant. Rick suggested that Ben Nielsen, from the Planning Office, work with him on the subdivision process and he will speak to Evan. Marilyn Boynton, from Bluff, offered her help in writing grants for projects for the Indian Community. She said that she has been successful in grant writing in the past. She will discuss this with Rick. It was noted that Representative Brad King and John Harja have been working with the Native American Community to amend legislation to increase the Revitalization Fund to $4,000,000. Greg Martin, Assistant City Manager, reported that the meeting regarding funding for the Visitors Center was held. He noted that the Forest Service did not attend the meeting. He presented the Commission with a chart showing the funding needed for six different levels of service. He went over the contributions needed for the different levels of service. Suggestions were made for eliciting additional funds from the partners, to provide a donation box for contributions, increasing employee hours provided by the SJC Economic Development Department. At present, four hours per week of coverage is provided which could be increased to eight hours a week. The additional funding this year from the County as well as from the National Park Service will allow the Center to continue to stay open until the end of the year. The plan is to monitor how many people are serviced in November and December. So far, September was the busiest month. It was suggested that we try to correlate the funding from the various partners with the benefits they derive from the Visitor's Center. Commissioner Stevens said that he plans to meet with Kate Cannon, Superintendent of the National Park Service, and will discuss this issue with her. It was agreed that all of the partners need to work together to keep it open for as much of the year as possible. Another suggestion is to increase the TRT tax but we will need to find out who has the authority to do this. It was noted that it would not be a very popular solution with community businesses. Another suggestion was to move one of the County's offices to the Visitor's Center. Greg will discuss some of these issues with Charles DeLorme, Director Economic Development. Meeting Adjourned: 1:30 p.m. Check # Payee Amount 34906 Alco Discount Store 28.93 34907 ALLTEL 10.44 34908 Alverez, Oscar 80.00 34909 Amerigas-Blanding 197.47 34910 Asbury, Billina 98.00 34911 Black, Kenneth 60.00 34912 Blanding City 445.58 34913 Blue Mountain Foods 31.35 34914 Blue Mountain Meats Inc. 43.78 34915 Blue Mountain Panorama 467.25 34916 Bluff Water Works 50.00 34917 Booth Fire Protection, Inc. 1,042.54 34918 Brooke Agency 635.00 34919 BW Cottontree Inn 390.00 34920 Christensen, Christine 10.00 34921 CIMS 75.00 34922 Cortez Diesel Sales, Inc. 142.46 34923 Cortez Journal 146.74 34924 County Information Systems Inc. 1,500.00 34925 EconoHeat, Inc. 53.51 34926 Empire Electric Assoc. Inc. 53.51 34927 Factory Parts Express 538.58 34928 Fisher, Mahana M.D. 300.00 34929 Four States Tire & Service 844.34 34930 Frontier 26,572.14 34931 Gallegos, David 206.00 34932 Garner, Martha 98.00 34933 Genevieve Mark 420.00 34934 Globalstar USA 107.52 34935 Grainger 130.40 34936 Grand County Clerk 15,791.74 34937 Grand Valley Foods 521.64 34938 Gritz, Steve 20.00 34939 IAEM 170.00 34940 IP Mobile Net 10,810.00 34941 J.C. Hunt Co. Inc. 3,919.11 34942 Johnson, Norman L. 169.55 34943 Jones & Demille Engineering 5,820.00 34944 Joyce Guymon Smith 396.86 34945 La Sal Store 213.09 34946 Larry H. Miller Ford Truckland 215.94 34947 Law Enforement Assoc. 1,005.00 34948 Lee, Brian L. 280.00 34949 LeGrand Johnson Construction 805,926.71 34950 Les Olsen Company 1,796.07 34951 LexisNexis 170.50 34952 M/A-COM, Inc. 1,346.84 34953 Maloy, Bill D. 100.00 34954 Mass Group Inc. 551.55 34955 Monticello City 50.00 34956 Monticello Home & Auto Supply 100.87 34957 Monticello Mercantile 5.08 34958 Monument Resources 24,030.00 34959 Morgan, Manuel 109.89 34960 My Tool Box 63.01 34961 Nationwide Trailer 28,000.00 34962 NENA 120.00 34963 New Country Auto Center 630.79 34964 Newman Traffic Signs 2,345.70 34965 Nolan Button Construction 2,531.00 34966 Orkin Inc. 147.53 34967 Pauls Wood & Iron Inc. 760.96 34968 PC Magazine 34.97 34969 Perkins, Chad H. 200.00 34970 Perkins, Justin 100.00 34971 Perkins, Kylor 200.00 34972 Pirtle, Mike 60.00 34973 Precis Communications 38.45 34974 Preston T. Johnson 40.00 34975 Priority Dispatch 39.00 34976 Quill Corporation 511.81 34977 Qwest 55.07 34978 Red Lion Hotel 136.00 34979 Red Mesa Trading Co. 267.52 34980 Redd's True Value 22.76 34981 Rocky Mountain Power 276.12 34982 Romero, Leroy 80.00 34983 Safety Supply & Sign Co., Inc. 510.50 34984 San Juan County 1,788.70 34985 San Juan Health Care Services 311.53 34986 San Juan Record 192.00 34987 Schultz, William L. 50.00 34988 Scott Machinery Co. 282.10 34989 SHELL 63.45 34990 SHELL 335.34 34991 Southwest Diesel Specialists 4,369.77 34992 Sysco Intermountain Food Svc 552.44 34993 Tessco Incorporated 65.31 34994 TigerDirect 884.99 34995 Tri-Hurst Construction Inc. 9,500.00 34996 UCIP 163,870.00 34997 UniFirst Corp. 158.77 34998 UPS 28.60 34999 USU 1,882.46 35000 Utah Chapter ICC 50.00 35001 Utah Council of Land Surveyors 115.00 35002 Utah State Treasurer 18,208.21 35003 Utah Valley State College 160.00 35004 Verizon Wireless 933.70 35005 Wallace Bindery Sales, Inc. 2,003.84 35006 Ward, Jerry 20.00 35007 WF Communications 1,871.50 35008 Wilcox, Kathryn 74.00 35009 Wojcik, Tyler 200.00 35010 La Sal Store 15.21 _______________________ ______________________________ Lynn Stevens, Chairman Dianne F. Neuss, SJC Deputy Clerk