The commission approved a public hearing to take place on Dec. 17 to hear comments on the proposed tippage fee at the Emery County landfill. There has been a policy in place, but it hasn’t been adhered to in all cases. Mostly the tippage fee applies to contractors, or anyone with large amounts to dump. Some Carbon County contractors bring their garbage to Emery County because it has been cheaper. Some roll-off dumpsters pay the fees and some don’t. It’s not consistent and a fair fee needs to be established. Anything over a pick-up load will be subject to the fee and it will be a flat rate by the ton.
Commissioner James Nelson said the landfill was recently inspected and met all standards.
Mary Huntington was approved as the representative to Utah Counties Indemnity Pool Membership meeting and Leslie Bolinder was approved as the alternate.
Assessor Kris Bell went over some properties that need tax abatements including Cleveland City and Debbie Rich.
The license agreement between Emery County and Andalex Mine for the south debris basin in Huntington Canyon was approved. This license agreement will allow surveying to be conducted on the property. The next step will be an easement agreement. Two ambulance write-offs were considered and denied. Commissioner Nelson said it is a struggle to keep the ambulance service solvent and every effort must be made by those using the service to pay for it.
The federal aid agreement for the final phase of the South Moore road project was approved. This money has been in reserve since the project started 10 years ago and must be used now before it reverts back to the federal government.
The commission approved the Bureau of Land Management right of way applications for Phase II and III of the Huntington Creek Restoration Project. The project isn’t on BLM land, but the project needs access off BLM land. BLM requires an Environmental Analysis be completed.
Public Lands director Ray Petersen is working on the San Rafael putting up kiosks south of I-70 for the Historical Preservation Committee.
The county will need to advertise for the sale of county owned parcel 04-0051-0001. An individual would like to buy this small parcel to square up land. A letter must be sent to all adjacent property owners to let them know of the sale. Bids will be taken on the parcel. A minimum bid will be established. Bids must be into the county clerk’s office by 5 p.m. on Dec. 13 and will be opened in the Dec. 17 commission meeting. Attorney David Blackwell will check on who owns the mineral rights on the property.
The county will advertise for a board member on the Emery County Care and Rehab board to fill a vacant position. Green River applicants will be considered first.
The airport insurance was renewed for three years at a cost of $2,250 for $1 million in insurance.
Commissioner Nelson said he met with the Four Corners board and expanding Medicaid could have a huge impact there. It was also noted that drug court participants make good employees because they are drug tested regularly. Contract talks are ongoing between PacifiCorp and the Bureau of Reclamation for water from Joe’s Valley for the power plant. Plans are still underway for the raising of the Millsite Reservoir dam in 2015. The project is $23.5 to $25 million in cost and will raise the dam and widen the spillway. The work will make the dam more structurally sound. Dredging will also take place at Millsite. Commissioner Nelson met with the library board and they are on top of things. He attended the wellness clinic at the Emery Medical Center.
Commissioner Ethan Migliori said he attended the coal symposium held at the county building. There were presentations on new technology in the coal field and most presenters were from the University of Utah where they work on new innovations in coal mining including seismic testing.
The care center meetings have been centered around keeping the facility profitable and productive. The trails committee is working on a number of trails and Emery County has countless trails for biking, hiking and horseback use. Currently the trail to connect Huntington Lake and Huntington Town are being worked out. The Museum of the San Rafael will be open Thanksgiving weekend and will hold a sale in their gift shop and residents are encouraged to bring visitors out to the museum. People are also encouraged to visit the pioneer museum as well. The Huntington ball complex renovation is moving forward. In a year, it will be a fantastic facility.
Commissioner Jeff Horrocks said he attended the Association of Government meeting and they are rearranging their finances to make sure all aging programs stay intact. He attended a meeting with the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. He is working to bring natural gas to rural communities. He and the building inspector met with Conductive Composites at the Green River airport. Conductive Composites will be expanding their business to Cleveland and the building inspector wanted to make sure there were no hazards involved for the citizens of Cleveland. The county is still working on the budget. Michael Kelsey donated a computer and scanner to the Emery County Archives. Gary Price was hired as a full-time weed and mosquito operator. A 3 percent wage increase was approved for Camille Thomas for successful completion of her six month orientation period.
In the local building authority meeting a cooperative agreement between the LBA and the Emery County Recreation Service District for the complex renovation project. They also approved the engineering agreement with Johansen and Tuttle.
The LBA board discussed the possibility of using LBA money to help purchase a trash compactor for the landfill. They have been keeping the old one maintained, but it is no longer feasible to do that. It’s upwards of $650,000 for a new one and the landfill has $492,000 and may need some gap financing to make the purchase. If the compactor is ordered now it will be complete by May of 2014. If more mineral lease money comes in than is expected, this money can be used to go towards the compactor. The landfill will need to pay the money back to the LBA if these funds are used for the compactor. It was mentioned that LBA funds shouldn’t be used to purchase equipment, but as long as these funds are repaid it shouldn’t be a problem. The compactor is needed desperately at the land fill.
The weed and mosquito building is moving along well. The projects are complete at the Huntington airport and work has started on the new five year plan.
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