SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES September 10, 1990 The regular meeting of the San Juan County Commission was held at 10:00 A.M. in the commission chambers at Monticello, Utah. Present: Ty Lewis, Chairman Mark Maryboy, Vice Chairman Bill Redd, Commissioner Rick Bailey, Administrative Assistant Dena Hunter, Deputy Clerk A motion to approve the minutes of the September 4, 1990 meeting as written was made by Commissioner Redd and seconded by Commissioner Maryboy. UNANIMOUS. CURRENT BUSINESS Purchase Request/LaSal Property Dick Nap met with the Commission to request to purchase from the County. Mr. Nap would like to purchase Lot #5 in the Woodruff Subdivision in LaSal. This parcel of land was deeded to the County from the 1988 tax sale. It was determined by the Commission that the minimum acceptable bid for this parcel of land would be the back taxes owing on the parcel to date in the amount of $585.50. A motion to advertise for bids on this parcel with the minimum bid being $585.50 was made by Commissioner Redd and seconded by Commissioner Maryboy. UNANIMOUS. Clerk/Auditor Gail Johnson will do the advertizing. Well Request Larry Gordy, Bessie Yellowman and Tom Yellowman met with the Commission to request help in getting a water well drilled on their allotment. Mr. and Mrs. Yellowman live in a remote area of Monument Valley. Mr. and Mrs. Yellowman need the well to water livestock and culinary use. Commissioner Maryboy said he has been working with Richard Holyoak of the ASCS office on getting water wells drilled on the Reservation. Mr. Gordy and Mr. and Mrs Yellowman will go and talk with Richard Holyoak. Preliminary Census The Commission has gone over the figure sent by the Census Bureau. The figures for the census are very low in all areas of the Reservation and other area of the County. A motion to approve a letter in protest of the Census count for San Juan County to Larry Dennison was made by Commissioner Redd and seconded by Commissioner Lewis. UNANIMOUS. Airport and Road Agreements The final draft of the airport and road agreements with Cities of Monticello and Blanding were presented for the approval and signature of the Commission. A motion to approve the agreements and the signatures was made by Commissioner Redd and seconded by Commissioner Maryboy. UNANIMOUS. The agreements will be sent to the Cities for their signatures. Drought Proclamation The Drought Proclamation was presented for renewal. A motion to extend the Drought Proclamation for September 10, 1990 to October 10, 1990 was made by Commissioner Redd and seconded by Commissioner Maryboy. UNANIMOUS. Solid Waste Disposal Commissioner Redd reported he had attended a meeting of the Solid Waste Disposal Committee. Recommendations were made to send to the State for managing solid waste. Two proposals were discussed to be presented to the State. The first proposal was to suggest that the funding be a 50% match with the State and the Counties. The second proposal was to do a University study or have a private consultant do a planned development. It was the decision of the Committee to recommend to the State the 50% funding proposal for the solid waste disposal. Indian Health Services provides all of the solid waste disposal for the Reservation except the Utah portion. The Committee felt that Indian Health Services should be responsible to fulfill the responsibility of solid waste disposal for all of the Reservation. A motion was made by Commissioner Redd to recommend to the State a 50% match program between the State and the Counties for solid waste management. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Maryboy. UNANIMOUS. Filming Contracts Commissioner Redd reported he had some concerns about the contract that is being drawn up to allow the Sheriff's department to do security work for the film companies. Commissioner Redd said he felt the contract needs to include the rate and a liability clause. Sheriff Lacy will be contacted about this matter. Commission Convention Commissioner Lewis and Commissioner Redd will attend the Commission Convention in Logan on September 13-24, 1990. Senior Citizens Center/Bluff Commissioner Redd reported the plumbing problems at the Bluff Senior Center have been repaired. Press Release Commissioner Maryboy read the press release that was put out by Susan Taylor of the Travel Council concerning the Utah Navajo Fair to be held on September 12-14, 1990. Navajo Transportation District Meeting Commissioner Maryboy reported there will be a meeting with the Navajo Transportation District at Navajo Mountain on September 12, 1990 at 10:00 A.M. Commissioner Maryboy, Commissioner Lewis and Engineer Doug Pehrson will attend. State Lands and Forestry Director of State Lands and Forestry Dave Klayson met with the Commission to discuss the Cave Towers area. A memorandum of Understanding was signed for this area by Commissioner Calvin Black in 1982. Mr. Klayson said the land is currently Institutional Trust Land. Mr. Klayson said he is working with the State History Department on this 40 acre State section. There has been some interest shown in preserving the archeological ruins on this section. Mr. Klayson said he felt the Memorandum of Understanding needed to be reviewed and felt the Commission should have input regarding whether of not the Memorandum needed to be changed. The Commission felt the original Memorandum should remain as it is now. A discussion was held concerning the possibility of trading State Lands on the Reservation for other parcels of lands near major highways and Recreation areas. Mr. Klayson felt this was a good concept and will do some research on the possibility of this trade. Administrative Assistant Rick Bailey thanked the Division for the additional money for fire fighting equipment for the County. Utah Navajo Fair Proclamation Commissioner Maryboy presented a Proclamation from Dick Neztsosie, UNDC Executive Director, for the signature of the Commission. This Proclamation proclaims September 10-16, 1990 as Utah Navajo Fair Week. A motion to approve the Proclamation and the signing was made by Commissioner Maryboy and seconded by Commissioner Redd. UNANIMOUS. Fencing Problems Commissioner Maryboy reported he had been contacted by Daisy Cowboy concerning the washing out of some section of fencing that separates the Reservation from the BLM land in the Hatch area. Mrs. Cowboy said that the agreement with Navajo Tribe included the maintenance of fences. Mrs. Cowboy is concerned about her livestock being impounded because the fences are not fixed. Edwin Taylor has the BLM permit in this area. Head Start Expansion Commissioner Maryboy reported he has been contacted by several residents concerning the Head Start center being set up in Richfield instead of in the Hatch area. Commissioner Maryboy said the statistics show that education is needed in this area of the reservation. Commissioner Maryboy felt that the SEUCAP Board should push to get the Hatch Head Start Center funded. Montezuma Trash Dump Commissioner Maryboy reported that the Montezuma Creek trash dump needs to be pushed. Window Rock Meeting Commissioner Maryboy reported he had met in Window Rock, Arizona with Leonard Haskie, Navajo Tribal Interim Chairman, and the Land Administration concerning the approval for the Piute Creek and Oljato bridges. The documents should be processed and back to the County in two weeks. A FAX was sent to the Navajo Tribe last week requesting a waiver of the $500 fee for the right-of-way clearance from the Tribe for the Piute Creek and Oljato bridges. Utah Department of Transportation A letter will be sent to Dan Julio of the State Department of Transportation advising that the right-of-way has been secured for the Piute Creek and Oljato bridges from the Navajo Tribe. The funding for these bridges will be by the Federal Bridge Replacement Program. Aneth Chapter Resolution A copy of a resolution from the Aneth Tribe was presented by Commissioner Maryboy. The resolution was sent the Navajo Tribe in support of the $ 1.7 million for the Aneth to Ismay road project. A resolution was sent from the Aneth Chapter to the Utah State Department of Transportation in support of the road project on State Highway #262 from Aneth to the Colorado State Line. Economic Development Meeting A meeting of the Economic Development Board will be held on September 11, 1990 at 7:00 P.M. in the Conference Room at the courthouse. Utah State Tax Commission A letter was sent from the Commission to the State Tax Commission requesting information on Chuska Energy Company that is doing oil well drilling in San Juan County. Chuska Energy is not on the property tax rolls for San Juan County and the Commission would like the tax Commission to research this matter. Bluff Residents Letter A copy of a letter sent to Steve Noble of the Department of Transportation was received. The letter requested noise abatement signs be placed at both ends of Bluff. The residents are complaining of truck braking noises in the middle of the night. Board of Equalization County Attorney Craig Halls and Assessor Bruce Bunker met with the Commission to discuss the roles of the Assessor, Commission and the Treasurer at the Board of Equalization. Once the Assessor certifies the tax rolls and gives them to the Board of Equalization it is up the Board of Equalization to make any adjustments that are made on the tax rolls. The Commission as a Board of Equalization has until October 1st to make any changes. After October the only changes that can be made are by the State Tax Commission. Public Hearing/Transient Room Tax A public hearing for the raising of the Transient Room tax from 1 1/2% to 3% was held at 1:00 P.M. There were fifteen people present. Commissioner Lewis asked for a roll to be sent around to allow those who were present and wanted to speak to sign. Harold Lyman from the Job Service in Blanding and a member of the Economic Development spoke in favor of raising the transient room tax. Mr. Lyman said he felt the increase in the transient room tax will allow more advertising for tourism and help diversify the economy away from dependence on the mineral industry. Phil Mueller, of the Economic Development Board and co-owner of KUTA Radio, spoke in favor of the increase in the transient room tax. Mr. Mueller said he would like to see an increase in the sales tax use base and he felt increased tourism would accomplish this. As Chairman of the Economic Development Board Mr. Mueller would like to see more motel and hotel owners involved in the Board and have a say in the way the money generated by the transient room tax is used. Mr. Mueller said the Board would not request the increase without first bringing a plan to the Commission for the use of the increased funds. Frank Heyden, motel owner, said he felt that the transient room tax was an unfair tax because not all of the tourists are paying this tax. Mr. Hayden said he feels if some of the tourists are going to be taxed all of the tourist should be taxed. Mr. Hayden suggested taxing gas, convenience stores and other businesses a 1/2% tax and the increased monies could be generated this way. Paul Sondregger, motel owner, said he felt that the current transient room tax needs to be utilized the best way it can and have no waste. Mr. Sondregger said he is bothered to see tourist information pamphlets in Monticello that have a Moab telephone number to call for information. Mr. Sondregger said he felt the advertising in Monticello should promote Monticello not Moab. Mr. Sondregger said he was opposed to the increase and felt and that businesses other than hotels and motels needed to share in the tourism industry. Buddy Black, motel manager, said he was opposed to raising the transient room tax. Mr. Black said he is not opposed to the Economic Development Board or tourism but feels it is an unfair tax. Mr. Black said tourism will not replace the loss of an industry such as the UMETCO Minerals Mill. Moab is an example that tourism is not a mainstay. Mr. Black said he felt the City of Blanding could do more to promote tourism by allowing the selling of beer. Mr. Black said he knew this had issue had nothing to do with the County but felt he should make the statement. John Black, President of Monticello Chamber of Commerce, said he felt the transient room tax should be increased. Mr. Black said the motels don't pay the tax they just collect the tax. Mr. Black said most of the events that are sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce are tourist oriented and he felt more motel owners should be members on the Chamber. Mr. Black said he felt the people who benefited from the Chamber were the ones that were the least involved. Mr. Black said all other counties with the exception of Tooele are collecting 3% transient room tax and the tax hasn't prevented tourists from going to these counties. Mr. Black said most projects can only be funded by help from Economic Development. Jack Young, Monticello City Mayor and businessman, said he as a businessman he supports the increase in the transient room tax. Mr. Young supports the tax because he feels it is a users tax. Mr. Young said he felt Monticello and San Juan County should be promoted as a destination not just a stopping point. Rye Nielson, Bed and Breakfast owner, said he is in favor of the increase in transient room tax. Mr. Nielson said he felt his business had benefited from the advertising done by the Economic Development. Mr. Nielson said he felt the increase in the transient room tax would increase the amount of advertising done for this area. Diane Nielson, Bed and Breakfast owner and member of the Economic Development Board, said she felt that money was the key to the solution. The increase of the transient room tax would be the fairest way to earn more money. Mrs. Nielson said that she would like to respond to the comment that was made about the brochures in Monticello being in a Moab box. This advertising is done through the matching funds from the State, Grand and San Juan County. Mrs. Nielson said she didn't feel that advertising from Moab was a deterrent to San Juan County. A lot of the business Mrs. Nielson receives is from Moab referrals. Mr. Nielson said she has been trying to get a Motel- Hotel Owners Association started in San Juan County but hasn't had success. Ken Curtis, chairman of the Canyonlands Travel Region, said he was a property owner in both San Juan and Grand Counties and he felt that his tax dollars should not be used to supplement programs when the funds could be generated by raising the transient room tax. Andrew Bradford,motel manager, said he was representing the motel owner he works for and the owner is opposed to an increase in the transient room tax. Mr. Bradford said as the manger of the motel he felt the transient room tax should not be raised. Mr. Bradford said he felt the money could be used better if the events that are being sponsored were for other times of the year than at times when the motels in the area are already doing a good business. Brett Hosler, Blanding City Planner, said he was representing Blanding City in favor of the increase of the transient room tax. Mr. Hosler said he felt the problem with having tourists come to San Juan County to stay is with the infrastructure. Mr. Hosler said he felt the County needed more restaurants and other facilities to accommodate the people who do come into the area. The Commission received written response concerning the transient room tax from the Navajo Trail Motel opposing the increase. Rosalie Goldman of Bluff wrote in favor of the increase. John Herron of Blanding wrote in favor of a small increase. A letter was received from the San Juan Inn in Mexican Hat opposing the increase. The Commission will not make a decision on the request for an increase at this time. Utah State Fair/County Booth Commissioner Lewis reported he attended the Utah State Fair. Commissioner Lewis said the San Juan County booth was very well done and he had watched the people as they viewed the booth. Commissioner Lewis said everyone he observed that passed the booth stopped and looked and picked up a brochure. The booth received the Grand Prize at the fair. Payroll Increase A payroll change was presented for Susan Taylor. Ms. Taylor has been asked by the Commission to do press releases for the County. The Commission hopes this will help to get more correct information to the public especially on controversial issues. Ms. Taylor will be raised to Grade 2 Step 11; $1024 per month, effective 09-10-90. A motion to approve the increase was made by Commissioner Redd and seconded by Commissioner Lewis. UNANIMOUS. Financial Statements The Commission received the financial statements for the County for August. Deputy Auditor John Fellmeth reviewed the statements with the Commission. A discussion was held concerning the deficit in the library fund and making the Library Board aware of this problem. BILLS APPROVED FOR PAYMENT Einerson Construction draw down sr. center $ 15000.00 Esther Lansing primary poll official 75.00 Abajo Electric electrical work road dept. 732.45 Allied Carriers exchange freight road dept. 48.00 Belt Savage Company supplies road dept. 44.88 Black Oil Company freight road dept. 488.64 Nicky Black haulage 653.25 Blanding City of utilities library (B) 2.95 Blue Mountain Foods supplies sr. center 472.44 Blue Mountain Music antenna road dept. 22.95 Bluff Water and Sewer Users Association utilities sr. center 14.62 Steven Bradford labor.abajo peak 134.50 Brodart, Inc. svc Cost 90 134.50 Bruce Bunker bldg. inspection 265.97 Chipman Painting labor courthouse 90.00 M.V. Christensen haulage 539.00 Colorado Kenworth Inc. parts road dept. 2137.68 Continental telephone Company phone library (B) 55.72 Delwes Company, Inc. supplies sheriff's dept. 48.86 Direct Safety Company supplies EMS 156.47 Eastman Kodak Company aug 90 billing 466.00 Elf Asphalt asphalt road dept. 41685.76 Empire Electric Assoc. Inc. utilities PSB 2940.48 First Security Bank of Utah paper punch assessor 24.75 Four Corners Care Center meals aging dept. 390.00 Frito-Lay, Inc. vending supplies 28.71 Gus Paulos Cheverolet parts road dept. 87.57 History Book Club books road dept. 26.99 Wesley L. Hunt Company holsters EMS 104.00 International Business Machine copy main. ag 143.59 KNDN The INdian Station election information 375.00 KTNN fair rodeo ads 96.00 Kent's Foods supplies sr. center 464.62 The Lawyer's Co-operative am law review 44.90 G.O. Miller DDS dental s.o. 133.00 Kenneth Miller haulage 770.00 Monticello City of utilities road dept. 334.50. Monticello Justice/Peace s.o. collection 340.00 Monticello Mercantile supplies fairboard 50.91 Motor Parts Company supplies communication 871.42 Motor Parts supplies road dept. 1416.32 Motorola Incorporated tone reed ems 230.55 Mueller Broadcasting ads election 131.50 National Assoc. of County Treasurer treasurer dues 25.00 Office Equipment Company service/roller aging 53.00 Office Outpost supplies recorder 32.50 Orkin Exterminating Co., Inc. service Bluff Bldg. 40.00 Page Brake Warehouse parts road dept. 517.04 Palmer's supplies road dept. 20.35 Parley Redd's Foodtown supplies fairboard 347.68 Pepsi-Cola Company vending supplies 49.35 Petrolane Gas Service propane library (B) 21.45 Prentice-Hall, Inc. payroll mgr letter 143.06 Quill Corporation supplies purchasing 117.61 Salt Lake Stamp Company signs courthouse 11.03 San Juan Building Supply fence road dept. 88.53 San Juan County bail forfeiture 4274.29 San Juan County Hospital meals aging 403.00 SJC Seventh District Court kelly shumway rest. 100.00 San Juan Pharmacy pharmacists hours 1963.16 San Juan Record notice elections 487.11 Sargent-Sowell, Inc. supplies EMS 193.02 Schafer Tires tube road dept. 75.20 Scott Machinery Company parts road dept. 1833.86 Dayne Shumway Enterprises haulage road dept. 635.25 State of Utah Central Stores copy paper courthouse 375.88 Trailside General Store gas queen pageant 26.01 Utah Power & Light Company utilities communication 19.44 Utah State Archives prints recorder 80.00 Utah State Library books library (B) 10.22 Utah State Treasurer revenue jun 90 1246.00 Utah State Treasurer jul 90 rev circuit court 4940.00 Utah State Treasurer displaced homemaker 3395.00 Utah State University adult leadership reg 79.20 Steven E. Warren M.D. svc. sheriff's dept. 1370.00 White Mesa Ute Council meals aging 702.00 Young's machine Company steel road dept. 31.56 Stephen Pearson Raymond Whitehorse 25.00 Book-of-the-Month Club book library (B) 24.79 Fiver Star Preview card kit library (B) 4.33 ABC Distributing silk tree clerk 25.43 Days Inn bldg insp. school 33.00 Don Cole overpayment fine 61.39 Colorado State University jr. livestock 4.85 Coca-Cola Bottling Co. vending supplies 39.00 Dove Creek Press fair rodeo ads 3.97 Division of Wildlife Resources Maryboy fine 300.00 Melvin Gaines labor/bluff 179.25 Chet Johnson bail refund 450.00 Mildred Palmer travel exp. lib. conf. 26.00 Ricks Glass glass/labor courthouse 659.60 Southwest Diesel Specialists parts road dept. 43.69 Larry C. Wright bail refund 80.00 ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 3:17 P.M. Ty Lewis, Chairman Dena Hunter, Deputy Clerk