The Emery County Commissioners opened bids for the recorders office for locating and establishing section corners. Five bids were received and are being considered for the project. The recorders office will consider all bids and report back at the next commission meeting. The bids ranged from $17,985 to $62,200. The recorders office has a grant from the state to help establish section corners.
The next bids were for the architect for the Emery County Food Bank project. The bids are for predesign through construction. Three bids were received for the architect. The bids will be evaluated and brought back at the next meeting. Bids included James O. Chamberlain, architect for $22,850; Ron Jones, architect, for $24,000 and Eaton architect for $28,000. The food bank building will be constructed on the site where the current food bank building is located. It is hoped construction will begin before fall on the project.
The commission voted to reject a resolution to participate in multi-county appraisal computer assisted mass appraisal system. Commissioner Gary Kofford said the legislators wanted a uniform appraising system for the class 1 and 2 counties. Then they came back and said all counties should be on it, but it is another unfunded mandate from the legislature which would cost $183,000 upfront in 2012 and an ongoing cost of $18,000 yearly. Kofford said they talked to the Emery County IT department and they can supply the needed information to the state already without this system. Commissioner Jeff Horrocks said, “This is a lot of money and we’re not sure we need it.” The county will stay with their own program and County Assessor Kris Bell said she agreed with the move.
The commission approved Eugene Swalberg to the Emery County Travel Bureau.
The commission presented a plaque which will hang in the Aquatics Center for an award in excellence in architecture for the new pool. The award was won by Wentworth, Naylor and Lund architecture for design and function.
The commission signed a cooperative agreement between the Emery County Weed and Mosquito Department and the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands for $7,500 for weed abatement along the Green River corridor. The weed and mosquito department bought a boat and tank and have been spraying along the river.
Another contract was approved with the Bureau of Land Management for removal of salt cedar and Russian olive along Fullers Bottom in the amount of $10,000 for this work along the San Rafael River.
A property tax exemption was made for a property in Green River owned by the Friends of Green River.
A contract was approved between the state of Utah and Emery County to provide a bailiff and security for the district court. The state pays the county $12,500 each year for this service.
The purchase of a pump and transducer was approved for the softball complex in Huntington. The county will pay for it and Joel Dorsch from the recreation district board will install it. As money becomes available they would like to replace the watering system on one field each year. The county is helping out the recreation district for the costs of the pump and transducer for $2,500. Horrocks said, “The district has their own funding, but we don’t want to see the ball complex deteriorate, we will give this money for the pump and transducer, but don’t make a habit of it.”
County Clerk, Brenda Tuttle said she has a problem with spending county monies for the rec. district as they have their own funding.
The commission approved a contract with Sunrise Engineering for building inspection work in the county. “We met with the cities and towns and they want to talk to their councils. In the meantime we needed a contract. Sunrise started inspections for us on May 11. We need something in place. All old permits will be inspected at $25 each plus mileage. New permits will be a 75 percent 25 percent split. Sunrise will do plan checks and will complete inspections within 24 hours after the call is made,” said Kofford.
In the commission reports, Horrocks reported a Disney movie will be filming in the area and using local people as stand-ins. The movie crews have been staying in Green River, bringing money into the area.
Horrocks attended meetings with the Utah Association of Counties and there is a group that wants to repeal the transient room tax. This tax comes directly into the county where the motel rooms are rented and a small portion goes to the state. There are ongoing discussions and UAC has plans to protect that tax.
The CRIK information center is open in the CEU museum in Price and provides tourist information to tourists who want to visit Emery County and surrounding areas. A part-time position was advertised for and 25 people applied for the job at the Pioneer Museum. Interviews for that position will take place next week.
Kofford reported the county road department has been working on the Little Wild Horse Canyon road. They met out there on the road with Karl Ivory of the BLM and other representatives. There is concern the road repairs might be encroaching on cactus habitat. It was determined the county is working within the disturbed portion of the road. The road is scheduled for a double chip seat in August to stabilize the road and for dust control. Before that can be done a NEPA must be done on the road. Kofford hopes that doesn’t delay the project. The Moore Road phase 7 is complete now with asphalt. Phase 8 will be a chip and seal in July on the entire length of the Moore Road from the junction on SR-10 to the junction at I-70. The Lila Canyon road is underway and Nielson Construction has six blades on the job getting that road constructed. Nielson Construction also received the contract for the UDOT project at the Horse Canyon intersection as well.
A project is being worked on near Emery for the diversion dam and settling pond on the Muddy. Part of the structure has been poured and work will continue through the fall.
A hearing was held with the BLM on the coal leases at Bear Canyon Mine. The BLM decided the leases may be left in place and the new owner may move forward.
Sheriff LaMar Guymon reported on the joint Emery/Carbon counties Emergency Preparedness Fair on June 18 from 4-8 p.m. at the Spartan Center. Vendors will be there from both counties. Ron Mosher a state representative for Homeland Security is the guest speaker, the earthquake lady, will present earthquake preparedness. There will be a special video presentation on the Crandall Canyon mine disaster. Nielson Construction will sponsor free hotdogs and hamburgers. Sheriff Guymon encourages everyone to attend this event.
Kofford thanked the sheriff and the volunteers for putting together the preparedness fair.
There is a site showing at the metal building at the sheriff’s office for contractors wishing to bid on the project there to install a weight room, training room and office work space for the ambulance supervisor and workspace for the radio communications specialist Bret Mills. The bids for the project will be opened on June 22.
There is a project at the Huntington airport being advertised now to move the office building and parking lot. A site showing will be on June 3 there at the airport and the bids will be opened June 14.
The next commission meeting will be on June 15 at 9 a.m.
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