The Emery County Commission approved the sale and authorization of $1.5 million in taxable general obligation public purpose bonds for the Castle Valley Special Service District. Alex Buxton was on hand to go over the sale of the bonds with the commissioners. The money will be used for street work, curb and gutter, sewer and secondary drainage projects.
CVSSD director Darrel Leamaster said they have an aggressive agenda for this summer’s work throughout the county. He explained the CVSSD is organized under the county commission and cannot issue bonds so they come before the commission any time this action is needed. In November of 2001 the last bond election was held and Emery County voters approved a $12 million bond. After the current bonds are issued there will be $2 million remaining of the bond voted on in 2001. Leamaster said they will look into getting prepared for another bond election in the future.
Zion’s Bank is the public finance institute working on the bond and a 30 day protest period is open now after which the bond will be issued.
Commissioner Drew Sitterud said he sits on the CIB board which issues grants and low interest loans to the CVSSD. He said the board is always favorable in dealing with the CVSSD. Leamaster’s presentations to the CIB have been complimented for their accuracy and thoroughness. He has been used as an example and model for other CIB applications.
The commission reviewed some change orders for the Emery County Pool Complex. These included: changes to the sound proofing due to scoreboard placement; landscaping items will be provided by the county to save on landscaping costs; change from chainlink fence to wrought iron; and wait on cement work until warm weather which will save money on concrete heat. The funds from the cement heat will be moved to the block heat so the block work can continue.
Public lands director Ray Petersen spoke with the commission about the easement on the poker ride trail. Petersen asked the commission not to sign the agreement until some items were worked out with the contract. There is 50 miles of trail in that area being considered. SITLA states in the contract the easement for the county would last 10 years. The contract stated if it were terminated at any point in time, the county would be responsible for reclaiming those trails. Petersen said that is not acceptable to the county. Those trails have been there a long time and will not need to be reclaimed even if the county no longer holds the easement on them.
The commissioners agree with Petersen and the contract will be sent back to SITLA for those revisions.
Commissioner Gary Kofford said there are two sections of zoning that will require a public hearing before they can be changed. This public hearing will take place at the March 18 commission meeting at 10 a.m. The commissioners will hear the public comments and then vote on the proposed changes after the public hearing. Kofford encouraged anyone interested in the ordinance changes to get a copy and read them. They are more involved than just changing the acreage required to build in the county from 10 acres to two acres. Kofford said by June they hope to be up to date on all their planning and zoning issues.
The commission approved the interagency agreement between Emery County and the Department of Workforce Services for DWS customer telephone surveys. This is a direct pass through of monies.
Kofford explained the contract between Emery County, ECSSD#1 and UtahAmerican Energy for the Lila Canyon road #126 for reconstruction and realignment. The road will be completed in three phases. The coal company will be responsible for the sanding and snow removal on the road. They will pay the cost of the road upfront and a check will be deposited in escrow for the road work. The commission approved the agreement.
In personnel items the commission approved to start recruitment for a janitor for the Castle Dale library. They also approved a six month increase for employee Tamra Humphrey in the county clerk’s office.
The commission approved building permit fee waivers for Green River City. They are beginning repairs to the city hall and also the highway patrol building. Kofford said he met with the architect on the Green River Senior Center and it’s progressing well, it is expected to be complete by Aug. 1.
Commissioner Jeff Horrocks said James Nielsen from the weed and mosquito department held their weed and mosquito conference in Castle Dale and discussed upcoming programs for noxious weeds for this season.
Horrocks met with the Green River water users on the diversion dam on the Green. The money has been approved for the study on the dam and what needs to be done with it.
The Order of the Arrow is bringing 500 scouts to the area in June for the tamarisk reduction project. The weed and mosquito department will be heavily involved in that project. Horrocks met with the fire district and finalized what trucks need to be upgraded to larger trucks to replace the smaller ones which no longer meet requirements.
Sitterud reported the county finally has the contract on the boat ramp at Joe’s Valley and it will be installed when the snow melts. The next commission meeting will be held on March 4 at 9 a.m.
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