SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING August 27, 2007 The regular meeting of the San Juan County Commission was held on August 27, 2007 At 10:00 A.M. in the Commission Room at Monticello, Utah Present: Bruce Adams, Chairman Kenneth Maryboy, Vice Chairman Lynn Stevens, Commissioner Rick Bailey, SJC Administrator Norman Johnson, SJC Clerk /Auditor Dianne F. Neuss, SJC Deputy Clerk Attendees: Georgiana Simpson, Phil Glaze, Neil Joslin, Hank Louis, Mitch McComb, Marilyn Boynton, Jim Hardin, Leah Schrenk, Bob Bushart, Doug Wright, Clayton Holt, Maxine Deeter, Skip Meier, Claron Bjork, Jim Adamson, David Arrotti, Verona McDermott, Debbie Christiansen Commissioner Lynn Stevens made a motion to approve the minutes of August 13, 2007 and, after ratification of several issues carried over from last week's Commission Meeting, to also approve the minutes of August 23rd. Commissioner Kenneth Maryboy seconded the motion. Commissioner Bruce Adams declared the motion carried by unanimous vote. Commissioner Adams noted that the next Commission Meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 4th, due to Labor Day which is observed on Monday, September 3rd. Cyndi Eldredge - SJC Human Resources Cyndi requested ratification of salary adjustments for Linda Larsen, EMS Coordinator, Kathryn Wilcox, Justice Court Lead Deputy Clerk, and for Lois Scheer, Deputy Assessor. Commissioner Lynn Stevens made a motion to ratify the approval of the three salary adjustments. Commissioner Kenneth Maryboy seconded the motion. Commissioner Bruce Adams declared the motion carried by unanimous vote. Cyndi requested approval to hire Glenna Merket for the part time Library Assistant position at the Blanding Library, Grade 1, Step 1. Commissioner Lynn Stevens made a motion to approve the recommendation to hire Glenna Merket for the part time Library Assistant position for the Blanding Library. Commissioner Kenneth Maryboy seconded the motion. Commissioner Bruce Adams declared the motion carried by unanimous vote. Cyndi reported that the State of Utah Retirement System will hold a hearing for the Sheriff's Department employees regarding transferring to a non contributory system tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. Following the hearing, they will be available for all employees in the Commission Chambers at 2:00 p.m. to answer any questions regarding retirement. Hank Louis - Design Build Bluff Hank is the Director of Design Build Bluff, which is a nonprofit organization supported by the University of Utah, Architecture Department, HUD, and private donors. The organization was created to build homes for residents who live on the Reservation. HUD has provided $72,500 in grant funds for the last two years. The Blue Mountain Dine Trust Fund donated $4,000 to Design Build Bluff which was used for water pipes on the home they are building for Dora & Baxter Benally in Bluff. The house is being built on a parcel of property leased to the Benally's by the Episcopal Church. Hank explained that they have a tight budget for the project but are now at the point of final inspection. He requested the Commission to waive the building permit fee of $1,336.25 Benally home. He indicated that the project helps families but also brings in revenue to the County with up to 17 students living and working in the County. In addition to contributing to the economic health of the County, the project is getting a lot of publicity and Hank noted that "Dwell" Magazine came down and did an article about the project. Design Build Bluff is working on finding ways to provide more homes on the Reservation. There was some discussion regarding setting a precedent if the waiver is granted but, because most homes are built on the Reservation, this would be a one time action, if approved. Commissioner Lynn Stevens made a motion to approve the request to waive the building permit fee for the Benally building project. Commissioner Kenneth Maryboy seconded the motion. Commissioner Bruce Adams declared the motion carried by unanimous vote. Norman L. Johnson - SJC Clerk/Auditor Norman requested clarification of the information contained in the Commission Minutes of December 2006 regarding the $50,000 given to the College of Eastern Utah for a Medical Coding Revolving Scholarship Fund. He wanted to verify that the money was given as a Grant from the County School District Recreation Trust Fund. Commissioner Stevens made a motion to clarify that the $50,000 approved at the December, 20006 Commissioner Meeting, was provided as a Grant to the College of Eastern Utah for their Medical Coding Revolving Scholarship Fund. Commissioner Kenneth Maryboy seconded the motion. Commissioner Bruce Adams declared the motion carried by unanimous vote. Norman also requested confirmation that the $50,000 given to the San Juan Health Service District Board was a Grant. It was determined that the $50,000 was a Grant from the Nursing Home Trust Fund. The money was provided for the development of a long range strategic business plan and for seed money to help to obtain funding from the CIB. Commissioner Stevens made a motion to clarify that the $50,000 provided to the San Juan Health District Board was a Grant for developing a long range business plan and to provide seed money to obtain additional funding. Commissioner Kenneth Maryboy seconded the motion and Commissioner Bruce Adams declared the motion carried by unanimous vote. Norman presented an amendment to the Social Service Black Grant (SSBG) application to include our insurance policy's "limits of liability." In the past, we only needed to provide proof of insurance coverage. The amendment requires Commission signature. Commissioner Lynn Stevens made a motion to authorize Bruce Adams, Commissioner Chair, to sign the amendment to the Social Service Black Grant as requested. Commissioner Kenneth Maryboy seconded the motion. Commissioner Bruce Adams declared the motion carried by unanimous vote. Norman reported that the 2006 Audit is very close to being completed and that the auditors will come to the September 17th Commission Meeting to make their presentation. Commissioner Lynn Stevens - Blanding City Annexation Commissioner Stevens indicated that there were no objections to the planned Blanding City Annexation of County property but with this action, the County's B-roads in the area will become C-roads and the City of Blanding will receive the funding for the roads. It was agreed that the City of Blanding will forward the funds to the County and that the County will continue to maintain the roads. A letter is being drafted for Commission signature detailing the arrangement. Commissioner Stevens made a motion to authorize Bruce Adams, Commissioner Chair, to sign the letter of agreement. Commissioner Maryboy seconded the motion. Commissioner Bruce Adams declared the motion carried by unanimous vote. Rick Bailey - SJC Administrator Rick presented the two building permits from last week for ratification: Steven Redd - 51 North Buckeye road, LaSal - Modular Home with Basement Jennifer Prill - Lot #18 Flat Iron Mesa/Hwy 191 - Residence Commissioner Lynn Stevens made a motion to ratify the two building permits from the August 23rd meeting. Commissioner Kenneth Maryboy seconded the motion. Commissioner Bruce Adams declared the motion carried by unanimous vote. Rick requested approval of the Plat for Phase II of the Wilson Arch Resort Community Subdivision. Details of the kinds of sewer systems for various lots on the Plat were discussed. Mr. Glaze also advised the Commission that the Plat shows that one property owner purchased two more lots to add to his existing property to allow for unobstructed views and privacy. Commissioner Stevens made a motion to approve the Plat for Phase II of Wilson Arch Resort Subdivision, provided all appropriate approvals are obtained and all signatures are placed. Commissioner Kenneth Maryboy seconded the motion. Commissioner Bruce Adams declared the motion carried by unanimous vote. Commissioner Stevens advised Mr. Glaze that he met with the UDOT Regional Supervisor and they will pick up the trash every day at the Wilson Arch parking lots. He also said that the Southeastern Region Health Department will address problems at Wilson Arch. Mr. Glaze expressed his frustration with the five gallon containers of oil left in the parking lot and Rick said he will look into this issue. Mr. Glaze expressed his appreciation to the Commission for the letter sent to UDOT regarding the problems at Wilson Arch. Commissioner Adams requested ratification of the approval of the procurement of a 65-gallon Skid Mount Weed Sprayer for the Polaris ranger for the Weed Department from Professional Tree & Turf, the low bidder, in the amount of $3,365.00. Commissioner Kenneth Maryboy made a motion to ratify the approval of the procurement of the Skid Mount Weed Sprayer in the amount of $3,365.00. Commissioner Lynn Stevens seconded the motion. Commissioner Bruce Adams declared the motion carried by unanimous vote. After the meeting last week with members of the Grand county Sew and Water and members of the Grand County Council, the San Juan Commission voted to provide a letter of support to find funding avenues for the proposed sewer project in Spanish Valley, Rick said that the Grand County Council tabled their decision on this issue until they meet with Moab City representatives. Commissioner Lynn Stevens made a motion to approve the letter in support of seeking funding for the proposed Spanish Valley Sewer Project. Commissioner Maryboy seconded the motion. Commissioner Bruce Adams declared the motion carried by unanimous vote. Rick reported that he and Lynn Laws met with representatives of the Navajo Department of Transportation last week in Window Rock. They are going to prepare an application that will be submitted for fuel excise tax from the Navajo Nation in the amount of one million dollars to match the funds that were previously approved from the Utah Navajo Trust Fund in the amount of $900,000. A Grant Application will be brought before Revitalization today for the other $100,000. The roads have been identified, as well as the scope of the project, and the priorities and will be provided to the representatives who are coming up from Window Rock this afternoon to attend the Board Meeting. They seemed fairly encouraging that they would be able to get at least fifty cents on the dollar, if not the entire amount. Rick also attended the Navajo E-911 Meeting in Window Rock on Tuesday and Wednesday and they are taking the addressing that we have done in San Juan County for use in a pilot project to see if they can't get the entire area addressed. Another pilot project is being done in Arizona. Rick said that we are moving forward in building a system and making pretty good progress. The answer point, where all calls will be received, will be at the Shiprock Police Department. Their project entails coming up with a Navajo Nationwide addressing system that goes across State lines. Rick advised the Commission that Nels Warner has resigned from the Water Conservancy District Board as he is moving out of the area. Rick will advertise to fill this position. Claron Bjork, Dave Ariotti and Jim Adamson - Southeast District Health Department Mr. Bjork, Environmental Health Director, distributed a book with information relating to State requirements and recommendations for subdivision approval and sewer systems. He talked about perc tests and their results as it relates to the size of a building lot. If certain regulations are not followed, it could cause problems for the homeowner as well as for the County. The location of the perc test, the soil, storage and capacity issues were discussed in detail. Claron stressed that the size of the building lot must satisfy the State requirement for drainage. He said that more than one acre of land is required if the perc test does not prove to be rapid enough. A building permit should not be issued if the building site does not meet State requirements. Dave Ariotti, DEQ Regional engineer, said that he would like to arrange to meet with the Commission at another time when there would be more time to discuss the issues related to subdivision approval and to share what he has learned from working on developments in other areas. He briefly discussed Mr. Glazes' project at Wilson Arch. The County formed a Water and Sewer Service District to address water and sewer issues and the SJC Commissioners are presently acting as board members until there are enough residents at Wilson Arch to form a board. In this capacity, the Commission has the authority to sign off on Plats for the subdivision which includes sewer, water for fire protection, drinking water, etc. He highly recommended the book, distributed today, as an excellent guide to follow for approving subdivisions. Commissioners advised Mr. Ariotti that there will be a meeting tentatively scheduled for September 10th, at 2:00 p.m. to address all aspects of Planning and Zoning for Subdivisions. Developers, Planning and Zoning Commission Members, the Building Inspector, Surveyor and Recorder, in addition to others who are part of the process, will be invited to attend. Commissioner Stevens noted that the Commission has acted as the Planning and Zoning Commission up until very recently. The County now has a Planning and Zoning Commission that will begin to take over the process of making decisions and recommendations. Some members of the Bluff community, including Skip Meier of the Bluff Special Service District, as well as members from the San Juan School District were present at the meeting today. A lengthy discussion ensued regarding the existing septic system at the Bluff elementary School. The subject was precipitated by discussion of plans for a proposed Library and Gym at the school site. The benefits and risks were discussed regarding the exiting system and whether the system can accommodate the other proposed facilities. Doug Wright, School Superintendent, said that they are not willing to make a commitment as yet, although there are no indications of the system failing at this time. It was noted that, if the septic system at the school failed, it would mean closing the school and busing the children to Montezuma Creek. No one is happy with that scenario. Marilyn Boynton, a former Bluff resident, said that she was told that encapsulation is occurring in Bluff. This is when a buildup of minerals in the septic system causes blockage. She is concerned that the State would consider another leach field near the school. Jim Hardin, from Bluff Water Works, said that the system will last longer with more frequent pumping. He said that businesses in the area have their systems pumped once a month and, in the off season, once every two months. He said if the first two tanks are pumped often enough, it will prevent getting heavy solids into the third and forth tanks which causes the problems. The other big issue is excessive irrigation over the leach field on the property. Jim provided statistics of how much irrigation water has been used at the site. He recommended that watering should be cut down significantly to give the ground a chance to dry up. Dave Ariotti said that adding a filter to the septic tank would provide another level of protection. He also said that they did find that the soil did not perc well on the school grounds, but they imported sand so that they could get the affluent into a layer that perked really well. They did everything possible to make the system work. Skip Meier advised the Commission that the Bluff Special Service District will make a decision by the middle of September regarding the type of public sewer system from the three options recommended by the engineers. Skip provided details of the three options being considered. They have applied for CIB grant and Mr. Ariotti recommended submitting an application to Rural Development as soon as possible so that they can get into the funding cycle. After the decision is made in September, the project can go forward, possibly by next year. The Commission asked that Dave Ariotti work with the members of the Bluff Special Service District to help get the system in as soon as possible. Dave said that all Statutes will need to be met and backed by the State and the Southeastern Health District. The Commissioners thanked all in attendance for their interest and concerns regarding the issues discussed today. Open Time and Other Business Maxine Deeter, from the Monticello BLM office, discussed the issues related to the Shooting Range and the City of Blanding's annexing the property. The BLM has no objection to the annexation plan but Maxine expressed the need to legalize it as a "shooting range" and improve and clean up the property. She said that Blanding City should establish a right-of-way through the property so that the BLM is not responsible for managing the property. There are some issues regarding lead contamination and other liabilities involved for the City. It was decided that a meeting should be arranged with the BLM, County Commissioners and Blanding City officials, in addition to members of the Sheriff's Department, to discuss this issue. Commissioner's Reports Commissioner Adams, Commissioner Stevens, Rick Bailey and Norman Johnson are planning to attend the CIB Board Meeting on September 5th in Salt Lake City, to address the Mexican Hat Proposal. Hotel and travel arrangements have been made and Rick will provide the file to Commissioner Stevens for his presentation at the Board Meeting. Commissioner Stevens attended the Canyon County Partnership Meeting in Price. He said that the Emery County Mine disaster was discussed at the meeting and the information in the media was more or less valid. He said Representative Brad King noted that there have been several deaths due to the road conditions on Route #6 and the critical need for the State to find the funding to improve this road. Commissioner Stevens, along with members of the Grand County Council and the Park Service, took a river raft trip together and some issues of note were discussed. He will be in the County all week. Commissioner Maryboy will be in the County all week. He attended a Navajo Nation Special Session in Chinle, AZ and the Northern Agency Meeting in Shiprock, NM, regarding water issues, The Central Navajo Fair took place in Farmington, NM. The Navajo Nation is continuing to pursue a Class two gaming license for Montezuma Creek and Aneth and will be meeting with the Governor soon regarding this issue. Commissioner Adams will be in the County until Wednesday, but will be out of the area from Thursday through Sunday. Commissioner Lynn Stevens made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 12:10 p.m. Commissioner Kenneth Maryboy seconded the motion. Commissioner Bruce Adams declared the motion carried by unanimous vote. Check # Payee Amount 40369 Alvarado, Monica 435.72 40370 Amerigas-Blanding 8.48 40371 Aneth Senior Citizens Center 522.00 40372 Barnes Distribution 598.59 40373 Benson, Scott 12.76 40374 Blanding Justice Court 1,202.00 40375 Blue Mountain Foods 153.80 40376 Blue Mountain Meats Inc. 99.88 40376 Blue Mountain Meats Inc. (13.80) 40377 Blue Mountain Panorama 1,131.43 40378 Bob Barker Company, Inc. 52.80 40379 Bound Tree Medical, LCC 126.60 40380 Bronson, David 84.50 40381 Bunker, Bruce 471.95 40382 Bureau of EMS 100.00 40383 Carbon County Justice Court 207.00 40384 Cate Equipment 204.14 40385 Century Equipment Co. 273.43 40386 Courtesy Loans 91.50 40387 CPRA 249.00 40388 Creative Floors Inc. 294.76 40389 Crystal Inn 80.00 40390 D & M Wire Rope, Inc. 26.95 40391 Dial Oil Company 119.36 40392 DK AG & Auto 32.25 40393 Dove Creek Press 233.75 40394 Edison John 65.30 40395 Eldredge, Cyndi 123.00 40396 Emergency Medical Products Inc 1,147.48 40397 EVCO House of Hose 682.10 40398 Factory Parts Express 139.54 40399 Flooring America 1,275.00 40400 Four Corners Welding & Gas 94.66 40401 Four States Tire & Service 1,958.32 40402 Frito-Lay, Inc. 87.38 40403 Void - Information Only Check 0.00 40404 Frontier 4,486.12 40405 Gallegos, Tamara 192.96 40406 Gascard 58,050.76 40407 Georgiana K. Simpson 45.59 40408 GetGo Office Products 154.20 40409 Grand County Justice Court 494.00 40410 Grand Valley Foods 170.09 40411 Hinckley Dodge, Inc. 25.62 40411 Hinckley Dodge, Inc. (8.89) 40412 Industrial Tool Box Inc. 96.43 40413 Ingram Library Services 660.47 40414 J.C. Hunt Co. Inc. 1,814.22 40415 JCI Billing Services 1,240.00 40416 Jodi LLC 128.32 40417 Jones & Demille Engineering 2,300.00 40418 Keith, Harriett 10.00 40419 KISZ-FM 322.00 40420 Korene Blackwater 1,220.00 40421 KRTZ - FM 312.00 40422 L.N. Curtis & Sons 482.61 40423 Laws, Lynn 128.00 40424 Lawson Products, Inc. (163.56) 40424 Lawson Products, Inc. 649.71 40425 Lee, Alvin 560.00 40426 Legislative Printing 252.75 40427 Lowry, Evan 496.37 40428 Lucas Industrial Repair, Inc. 492.42 40429 MadJava Productions 500.00 40430 Meadow Gold Dairies, Inc. 437.00 40431 Med-Tech Resource, Inc. 510.91 40432 Meyer, Shurrell 74.50 40433 MFE West, LLC. 159.31 40434 MHL Systems 421.31 40435 Susan Smith 39.00 40436 Virginia Skelly 100.00 40437 Motor Parts 116.77 40438 Mountain West Truck Center 389.39 40438 Mountain West Truck Center (356.89) 40439 Nicholas & Company 589.62 40439 Nicholas & Company (21.00) 40440 Office Depot 166.98 40441 Packard Wholesale Co. 230.00 40442 Page Brake Warehouse 755.57 40443 Phone Directories Co.,L.P. 289.00 40444 Pick-A-Stitch 10.00 40445 Popular Subscription Service 1,152.85 40446 Quality Inn - Flagstaff AZ 88.26 40447 Quill Corporation 582.79 40448 Qwest 7.97 40449 Randolph, Paula 435.72 40450 Red Mesa Chapter 431.11 40451 Redd's True Value 130.26 40452 Regence BlueCross BlueShield 32,948.73 40453 Regence Life & Health Ins. 1,611.29 40454 Richardson, Ricky 123.00 40455 Rocky Mountain Power 131.03 40456 Ross Products, Inc. 95.04 40457 San Juan Building Supply, Inc. 871.18 40458 San Juan Counseling 8,406.39 40459 San Juan Record 18.00 40460 Schultz, William L. 200.00 40461 Scott Machinery Company 661.32 40462 Semi Service Inc. 334.08 40463 SemMaterials L.P. 15,917.34 40464 Sonderegger Inc. 31,508.46 40465 Standard Batteries of SLC Inc. 1,143.53 40465 Standard Batteries of SLC Inc. (614.61) 40466 Steve Regan Co. 1,787.65 40467 Stumps / ShindigZ 269.87 40468 Surv-Kap Inc. 153.15 40469 Sysco Intermountain Food Svc. 1,914.56 40470 Taylor, Susan 23.71 40471 Tesco Williamsen 56.03 40472 Times Independent Publishing 195.00 40473 Tom Growney Equip.,Inc. 572.91 40474 Toshiba 1,447.55 40475 TR Electric & Supply Company 942.82 40476 Turri, Bob 150.00 40477 UniFirst Corporation 289.24 40478 UPS 87.70 40479 USU Extension 216.93 40480 Utah Div. of Homeland Security 150.00 40481 Void - Information Only Check 0.00 40482 Verizon Wireless 1,223.65 40483 Western Horseman 54.00 40484 Void - Information Only Check 0.00 40485 Wheeler Machinery Company 4,398.31 40486 Williams, Esther 560.00 40487 Aneth Senior Citizens Center 232.00 40488 Blue Mountain Meats Inc. (6.64) 40488 Blue Mountain Meats Inc. 888.71 40489 GetGo Office Products 244.00 40490 Nicholas & Company (16.91) 40490 Nicholas & Company 1,313.32 40491 Quill Corporation 284.36 40492 San Juan Building Supply, Inc. 149.93 ________________________________ _____________________________ Bruce Adams, SJC Commission Chair Dianne F. Neuss, SJC Deputy Clerk