Castle Dale Residents consult commission about flooding issues

By PATSY STODDARD Editor

In the commission meeting the commissioners heard from Mark H. Williams and James Huggard as they discussed flooding at their Castle Dale properties. The Cottonwood Creek overflows its banks and floods the farmers fields. Flooding this year also made it into Williams home. The commissioners looked over maps and pictures and referred the individuals to Capt. Kyle Ekker the emergency planner for Emery County to assess the situation to see what can be done. Huggard said since purchasing the property three years ago it has flooded each year and cost about $5,000 in damages each year. It was pointed out the dip isn’t working properly and needs to be cleaned more regularly.
The commission opened the bid for the scrap metal removal from the landfill. Western Metals from Price was awarded the bid for $131.50 per ton.
The commission instructed the clerk/auditor’s office to conduct a physical audit of all county fixed assets. All departments are to send a list of assets to aid in this process.
The engineering contract for the Cleveland Library Parking Lot project 2014 for approved. Johansen and Tuttle Engineering will be the engineer for the project.
The commission discussed the request by a legal firm to advertise for proposals for public defender. Commissioner James Nelson said he thought they had plenty of proposals without advertising. Commissioner Jeff Horrocks said he is content with what they have and it has worked well and they have worked well with the courts. County Attorney David Blackwell will draw up the contract. Commissioner Horrocks said if you do advertise for proposals the county has the right to reject any or all proposals. Commissioner Ethan Migliori said the county wants to look at qualifications to make sure they have the most qualified people for the position. Commissioner Horrocks said that issue came up last time the contract was up. Attorney Blackwell said, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
Commissioner Horrocks said, “We will look at the proposal we do have and if we’re not content with them we will advertise.” Commissioner Nelson said it’s not a bid process; it’s a proposal for professional services.
Capt. Kyle Ekker presented the emergency operations plan to the commission for their approval. This plan must be in place should any disaster occur that might require assistance from FEMA. Capt. Ekker said each of the cities can adopt this plan for their town. The plan is an excellent plan and it is a working document that can be changed and adapted as needed.
Commissioner Horrocks said, “We appreciate the work you’ve done.” The commission voted to adopt the plan.
Brenda Tuttle, clerk/auditor presented the tentative budget for 2015. The commission accepted the budget and set the public hearing on the budget for Dec. 16 at 6 p.m. with commission meeting beginning at 5 p.m. that day.
The Castle Valley Special Service District tentative budget was also approved. District Manager Jacob Sharp said they received approval from the CIB for half grant/half loan for the new Ferron water treatment plant. The budget is similar to last year.
The commission discussed the procedure for amending the Emery County Zoning Ordinance Sections 6 and 11. They set a public hearing for comments on the proposed amendments for Nov. 25 at 10 a.m. These items deal with cell phone towers and possible solar power systems in the county.
Lori Larsen and Dennis Ardohain discussed with the commission the Emery County miners memorial. They said a miners memorial in Carbon County is being worked upon and will cost $300,000. Their fundraising so far has raised half of what they need. They have held many fundraising activities including golf tournaments, banquet and poker tournaments. They will start the memorial in July and hope to have it ready for an unveiling on Labor Day 2015. Labor Day used to be a big celebration in the area and they are looking to bring that back. He said only six mines remain operating in Carbon and Emery counties. They approached the commission to see where they would like a monument placed in Emery County and how they want it to look. Ardohain said monuments mean a lot to those who have experienced the humbling experience of having a loved one die in a coal mine. Gary and Dan Prazen are designing the monument for Carbon County and they would be involved in the Emery County monument as well. They are seeking corporate sponsors for donations. The statue in Price will go in a corner of the Peace Gardens. Small plaques will list names of donors. Larsen has made a quilt to be auctioned off with scallops and rosebuds that represent every miner that’s lost their life in a mine in our area.
Commissioner Horrocks said, “The county will be more than willing to help.” Leslie Bolinder will help the group find a location for the monument.
The commission approved the Statewide Memorandum of Agreement for the Special Needs Registry. This registry was developed to assist local emergency managers in their efforts to plan for and respond to the needs of the individuals and facilities requiring special assistance in the event of a disaster. Individuals or facilities who feel they would need some kind of special assistance in a disaster or emergency are encouraged to register. They can register at special needsutah.org or by calling 211 and telling the call taker that they would like to be listed on the special needs registry.
In the commission reports, Commissioner Nelson reported the forest service is reworking their forest plan and a group has been formed with the grazers so they can stay involved in the process. His main concern is that the forest service will try to reduce or eliminate grazing from the forest as they rework the forest plan. “It’s a real concern” said Commissioner Nelson.
Commissioner Nelson said the Salt Lake Climbers Alliance held a clean-up at Joe’s Valley. The boulderers camp on BLM land and boulder on forest service and SITLA land. They have also worked to put up rock walls to direct the water off the boulders they climb. They also pay for a porta-potty to be in place where they climb. The Emery Water Conservancy District and the Bureau of Reclamation are nearing resolution on the signing of a contract concerning the water used in the power plants.
Commissioner Migliori reported the Desertview Pro Rodeo received an award for being the best small rodeo in Utah. He reported there have been some major changes at the Emery County Care and Rehab. The coal rally was held with some good information on the use of fossil fuels. “Our economic development council has done a number of small loans and we are seeing our small businesses grow. Mike McCandless has left the county (employment), he has been a good asset for our economic development,” said Commissioner Migliori.
The Transient Room Taxes are growing. Jan Petersen is retiring from the museum board and they are having a luncheon for her. The trail project from the ball complex to Huntington Lake is moving along. That will help tourism because walking and biking trails are popular among tourists.
Commissioner Horrocks said a bus tour came from Salt Lake and included Washington staffers and chamber of commerce along with local representatives and senators. They went on a guided tour of the Hunter power plant and they commented on the air quality here and wished the air in Salt Lake was as clear as it is here in Emery County with five coal fired generation plants in operation. Commissioner Horrocks said one of the low income housing units was destroyed by fire. They are working with the insurance to determine if the other unit damaged should be rebuilt or removed. He reported the coal rally was very successful with good speakers and good entertainment with 5,000 plus people attending. Coal is an important part of life in the two county area. He also said they will be holding coal rallies in other areas.
Approval for out of state travel for two Sheriff Office employees traveling to Pella, Iowa to pick up equipment was approved.
A budget work session was held following commission meeting.