SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 18, 2006 The regular meeting of the San Juan County Commission was held on September 18, 2006 at 10:00 A.M. in the Commission Room at Monticello, Utah Present: Lynn Stevens, Chairman Manuel Morgan, Vice Chairman Bruce Adams, Commissioner Tammy Gallegos, SJC Administrative Ass't Norman Johnson, SJC Clerk-Auditor Dianne F. Neuss, SJC Deputy Clerk Commissioner Manuel Morgan made a motion to approve the minutes of September 11, 2006 with changes and corrections. Commissioner Bruce Adams seconded the motion. Commissioner Lynn Stevens declared the motion carried. Charles DeLorme - SJC Director of Economic Development Charles requested Commission approval for his nomination of Anthony Torres to the San Juan County Economic Advisory Council. Charles said that he is making every effort to attract people from diverse fields and that he has spoken with Rick Bailey who highly recommended Mr. Torres. Mr. Torres has expertise in the telecommunications field and would be a great asset to the Council. He indicated that he would welcome the opportunity to serve on the Council if approved. Charles plans to meet with him tomorrow at the Advisory Council Meeting. The Commission signed the letter to Mr. Torres approving his appointment to the Council. Charles continues to seek another board member for the Council to represent the southern part of the County. Charles will meet with members of the Governor's Office of Economic Development in the Commission Chambers this coming Friday. He advised the Commission that Jason Perry from the Governor's Office will attend the Rotary Club Luncheon in Blanding on October 9th and Charles suggested that Commissioners may want to meet with Jason later in the afternoon. Commissioner Bruce Adams reported that he recently attended an organizational planning meeting for the Intermountain Harvesting Summit. The Summit is planned for March 14th,15th, and 16th of 2007. Professors from Utah State University, Kathy Hartman and Ed Stafford, are working to develop the event which will focus on bio-fuels, public policy and other related issues. They recently completed studies on renewable energy for Box Elder and Tooele Counties and are interested in doing a renewable energy study for San Juan County. Commissioner Adams gave Charles the related information and asked if he would offer them any assistance they may require. Commissioner Stevens will see if the Governor or someone from the Governor's office will be available to attend the Summit. Charles is working to improve our information through electronic media during the transition of the Adventure Guide. He stated that the Adventure Guide is quite costly ($70,000 for printing and postage) and thinks we can do better in this area. He expects to have the website updated in two to three months. He is also working with the local Chambers and business organizations and hopes to tie them into our website. Charles said that he is looking forward to working with the Commission on the Economic Development budget for 2007. Water Bird, Attorney - SJC Personnel Department Walter requested approval to hire Susan Hamann for the position of full-time Deputy Assessor, (Step 40). Susan was employed as a part-time Library Assistant for the County before accepting the position in the Assessor's office. The Commission questioned the policy and procedures related to hiring. Walter advised the Commission that he thinks the policy, as written, should be kept in place as it allows for flexibility. He said that it is advisable to offer the opportunity for County employees to apply for a position first before going outside to fill a position. Commissioner Bruce Adams made a motion to approve hiring Susan Hamann for the position of full-time Deputy Assessor. Commissioner Manuel Morgan seconded the motion. Commissioner Lynn Stevens declared the motion carried. A meeting was set up to discuss leave time with the Road Department because there is some confusion related to use of time. Walter asked that the meeting be postponed until he can circulate a draft to department heads on the subject and get their response. Walter will contact Wanda Franklin and let her know that the meeting is cancelled. Commissioner Lynn Stevens - Changes to the Resolutions Establishing Districts Commissioner Lynn Stevens reviewed the proposed draft of changes to the Resolutions relating to the establishment of the various districts. Sections dealing with the district's governing authority, number of board members, and the per-diem rate paid for serving on a board were included in the proposed changes and will be discussed further with Attorney Bird at a meeting later today. The Health Service District Resolution and the Transportation District Resolution will be addressed first. Public notices will be published in the newspapers this week and next week to notify the public of the proposed changes. Rigby Wright - SJC Weed Board Report Rigby requested that the County Commission support the partners of the San Juan Watershed Woody-Invasives Initiative. The San Juan Institute of Natural and Cultural Resources will maintain a database of partners and expertise within the partnership. The Commission agreed that they would like to participate in this initiative and asked that Rigby to add the SJC Commission to the list of supporters. Rigby discussed the success of the introduction of leaf beetles to eradicate the tamarisk along both sides of the Colorado River in Moab between Potash and the bridge. They released the beetles in three areas along the river from the bridge to midway up the river. Rigby reported that 70% of the tamarisk in the area are dying. He said that it takes about three years to kill a single tamarisk. The other trees and plant life are not affected by the leaf beetle. Rigby explained that he, and others in the weed department, have been capturing the beetles to release in areas in San Juan County where there is a problem with tamarisk. Grand County said that they will only treat areas to the mouth of the Green and that they do not want to get involved with the Lake Powell area. He reported that someone released leaf beetles at Decker. He explained that the adult leaf beetle is preferable to the larvae but that both feed on the tamarisk plant. A land owner in Hatch Wash agreed to have the beetles released on his property. The Fish and Wildlife agency is objecting to the beetles being released as well as some environmental groups. Rigby suggested that the beetles should be released in Perkins Ranch, at Dove Creek and near the Dolores River which would help areas in Utah that are affected. The BLM has done some Arial spraying of about 40 acres of land to try and eradicate the tamarisk and this was somewhat effective. The Commission thanked Rigby for all of the work he and his team have done and continue to do to help with this problem. Jim Keyes reported that Dave and Becky, employees of the Weed Department, did a great job and he is very pleased with their energy and enthusiasm for their work. He said it would be great if we could continue with this program through the fall and that he will work on ways to keep it going. Commissioner Adams, who is on the Weed Board, said he is very pleased with the work that is being done. Jim will speak to Lynn Laws to see if someone from his department may be available and he will ask Dave to continue working with the Weed Department through the fall. Norman Johnson - SJC Clerk/Auditor Norman noted that the 2006 budget for the Southern Navajo Fair did not include the $5,000 to be paid to Brenda Harvey, in fact the fair went $1,000 over budget. It was determined that the money should be paid from the County General Fund. Norman also reported that Brenda submitted additional bills to be paid from the $1,700 reserve funds. The Commission decided that since Brenda will be managing the fair again next year, her fee will be added to the budget for the fair for 2007. Norman reported that a refund from the Rodeo Association in the amount of $3,600 is being sent back to the County. Part of this money will be used to purchase tarps for the SJC Fair and the remainder will go back into the General Fund. Norman questioned the Commission about permanently switching the Columbus Day holiday for the Friday after Thanksgiving. This issue continues to come up every year. The Commission agreed that it would be a good idea. The schedule for Commission Meetings in October was discussed. Since Commissioner Adams and Commissioner Morgan will be away the week of the October 23rd. Meetings will be held on October 2nd, 9th, 16th and the 30th. Tammy Gallegos, SJC Administrative Assistant Tammy advised the Commission that Nels Holmgren, Alan Ormsby and Darren Hotton from the State Division of Aging Administrative Services, are planning to come to the Commission Meeting next Monday. After their visit with the Commission, Tammy will accompany them down to the Reservation to show them the area. It was suggested that they could possibly meet with Commissioners at 9:00 a.m.before the meeting. Tammy will call and see if this can be arranged. Tammy also reported that Representatives from the USDA will be visiting on September 26th for photos in conjunction with the three grants that were given to the City and County. They will visit the City offices at 8:30 a.m. and the County offices at 8:00 a.m. Commissioner Stevens will sign the final papers for the grants. The grants are for four SJC Sheriff Vehicles, in the amount of $140,000, the second is for the SJC HazMat Vehicle in the amount of $164,800 and the third grant is for the LaSal Senior Citizens Center in the amount of $220,000. Howard Randall, SJC Assessor Howard requested the Commission go into a BOE meeting to discuss changes and corrections related to property tax assessments. Commissioner Manuel Morgan made a motion to go into a BOE meeting. Commissioner Bruce Adams seconded the motion. Commissioner Lynn Stevens declared the motion carried. Howard presented a list of corrections and changes to tax assessments for Commission approval. He discussed the list of corrections and changes and this list will be an addendum to the minutes. He noted that after the changes are approved, they will be forwarded to Norman and he will sent out the new Valuation Notices. Commissioner Manuel Morgan made a motion to accept the list of corrections and changes as recommended by Howard Randall. Commissioner Bruce Adams seconded the motion. Commissioner Lynn Stevens declared the motion carried. Commissioner Manuel Morgan made a motion to exit the BOE session. Commissioner Bruce Adams seconded the motion. Commissioner Lynn Stevens declared the motion carried. Commissioner's Reports All three Commissioners will attend the Commissioner Conference in Midway Utah sponsored by the Association of Counties. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of this week. Commissioner Stevens plans to meet with Kate Cannon, Superintendent of the Southeastern Area Nation Park to discuss defoliation of tamarisk through the parks. Commissioners will attend the Four County Meeting in Bullfrog regarding Glen Canyon on September 26th and 27th. Commissioners will try to attend a dinner on the 28th of September at 7:00 p.m. given by Rocky Mountain Power in Price. Meeting Adjourned: 12:12 p.m. Check # Payee Amount 34111 Adams, Greg 164.58 34112 Alco Discount Store 29.68 34113 ALLTEL 10.68 34114 Amerigas-Blanding 274.09 34115 Autumn R. Fitzgerald 3,282.50 34116 Bennett Management Serv. LLC 391.07 34117 Blanding Clinic 71.40 34118 Blanding Senior Center 40.34 34119 Blue Mountain Meats, Inc. 622.53 34120 Blue Mountain Panorama 1,294.10 34121 Bob Barker Company, Inc. 513.75 34122 Booth Fire Protection, Inc. 6,252.41 34123 Bound Tree Medical, LCC 240.00 34124 Carhart Feed & Seed, Inc. 215.04 34125 Certified Ford, Inc. 575.78 34126 CEU San Juan Campus 107.70 34127 Chevron & Texaco Card Serv. 232.06 34128 CIMS 297.00 34129 Comfort Suites 195.00 34130 Conference Services 99.00 34131 Connected Technologies 19.95 34132 Corn, Richard 500.00 34133 Cortez Diesel Sales, Inc. 50.27 34134 Cortez Journal 546.00 34135 Crystal Inn-Med Valley 68.00 34136 Days Inn- Monticello 275.00 34137 Demco Media 53.97 34138 Diamond C. Fuels, Inc. 3,883.22 34139 Dove Creek Press 54.00 34140 Empire Electric Assoc. Inc. 3,633.23 34141 Forestry Suppliers, Inc. 215.90 34142 Four States Tire & Service 808.08 34143 Frank L. Morrell 115.12 34144 Freestone, Alan 98.00 34145 Frontier 1,680.95 34146 Galls Incorporated 85.96 34147 Glen Pierce 133.33 34148 Grand County Clerk 18,566.16 34149 Great North American Companies 96.73 34150 Grover, Clark 1,100.00 34151 Grover, Preston 400.00 34152 Hampton Inn SLC Downtown 68.00 34153 Harris, Joe 330.00 34154 Hoggard, Denise 459.86 34155 Holiday Inn - Cedar City 195.00 34156 Holday Inn-Price 55.00 34157 Ingram Library Services 369.60 34158 Intouch Paging 8.00 34159 J.M. Custom Welding Inc. 303.28 34160 Jason Shumway 120.00 34161 Javelina Trading Company 1,249.71 34162 Jody Shumway 149.49 34163 Johnson, Norman L. 654.50 34164 Joyce Guymon 483.68 34165 Jury Duty Miscellaneous 231.50 34166 Karen Blackwater 320.00 34167 Keep Safe Storage 105.00 34168 Ketron, David 161.78 34169 Lacy, Mike B. 79.00 34170 Larry H. Miller Truckland 47.71 34171 LexisNexis 464.00 34172 LexisNexis 23.60 34173 Lyle Northern Electric, Inc. 115.20 34174 Meadow Gold Dairies, Inc. 479.00 34175 Med-Tech Resource, Inc. 273.01 34176 Miscellaneous Payables 32.00 34177 Moab Communications LLC KCYN 434.00 34178 Monticello City 303.75 34179 Information Only 0.00 34180 Information Only 0.00 34181 Monticello Home & Auto Supply 1,838.99 34182 Monticello Mercantile 12.99 34183 Motor Parts 1,023.11 34184 National Audio-Visual Supply 63.95 34185 National Park Service 2,687.39 34186 Navajo Tribal UtilityAuthority 88.05 34187 New Country Auto Center 305.92 34188 Newman Traffic Signs 91.44 34189 Nicholas & Company 1,827.70 34190 Office Depot 291.61 34191 Oljato Chapter 339.90 34192 Packard Wholesale co. 57.55 34193 Palmer, Preston 402.32 34194 Penworthy Company 326.46 34195 Playa Brine, LLC 2,730.00 34196 Popular Subscription Service 860.52 34197 Public Safety Center, Inc. 111.94 34198 Questar Gas 1,043.25 34199 Quill Corporation 554.38 34200 Redd, Jack & Virginia 500.00 34201 Redd, Jay Whitney 500.00 34202 Redd's True Value 50.63 34203 Richardson, Bill 150.00 34204 Ricks Glass, LLC 119.52 34205 Robert Christensen 150.00 34206 Rocky Mountain Info. Network 150.00 34207 Rocky Mountain Power 248.14 34208 San Juan Building Supply 103.26 34209 Information Only 0.00 34210 San Juan Clinic 699.00 34211 San Juan Dental 231.00 34212 San Juan Health Care Services 868.25 34213 San Juan Task Force 394.16 34214 Scrapbooks Etc 35.76 34215 SemMaterials L.P. 9,210.27 34216 SHELL 167.54 34217 SJC Blanding Library 149.96 34218 SJC Landfill Operations 136.86 34219 SJC Mini Livestrock 75.00 34220 Southeastern Utah District 201.00 34221 Southwest Diesel Specialists 27.07 34222 State of Utah 34,275.00 34223 Steve Keetch Motors, Inc. 5.40 34224 Sunrise Environ.Scientific 168.29 34225 Sysco Intermountain Food Svc. 2,005.76 34226 Taylor, Alberta 54.84 34227 Taylor, Susan 49.00 34228 TBA Fairs & Festivals, LLC 1,250.00 34229 Thayn, Anna 870.73 34230 TigerDirect 354.64 34231 TR Electric & Supply Company 805.73 34232 Tucker, Robert 4,680.00 34233 UniFirst Corp. 151.16 34234 UPS 25.93 34235 Utah Women's Conference 25.00 34236 Valdez, John 250.00 34237 Verizon Wireless 165.41 34238 Wheeler Machinery Company 588.07 34239 Blue Mountain Meats, Inc. 177.98 34240 Monticello Home & auto Supply 306.52 34241 Nicholas & Company 528.91 34242 Redd's True Value 69.85 _______________________ ______________________________ Lynn Stevens, Chairman Dianne F. Neuss, SJC Deputy Clerk