Commission honors Loyette Holdaway

By PHIL FAUVER Staff writer

In the Emery County Commission Meeting of May 5 the county employee of the month was awarded to Loyette Holdaway. She started working for the library system in 1985 as assistant librarian in Huntington. In 1994, she became the head librarian in Elmo, when the library was built. In 2004 Loyette moved to the Cleveland library to take over as head librarian upon the retirement of Mickie Carter. She has worked in the library system for 29 years. She has been an asset to the system. Loyette is a hard worker. She is creative and makes the library an inviting place to be. She works well with the patrons and the kids from Cleveland Elementary love her. She likes to get them excited about reading. She is involved in the Community Theatre. She can act and has an incredible singing voice. She also does a fun story time at the library. The county and Cleveland Library want to thank her for years of service. Commissioner Migliori presented Loyette with a certificate and a plaque.
One bid came in from State Pest-Control for lawn fertilization and aeration at the courthouse, road department and museum for $295. This bid will be reviewed to see if it meets all the requirements before approval is given.
Approval was given to authorize the County Commission Chairman to enter into a contract with Christiansen Construction for an electrical evaluation of the courthouse. The electrical requirements in the building have increased over the years and there may be a need for additional electrical capacity.
The decision to approve emergency procurement and repairs to the Marshall Bridge, from the last meeting, was ratified. The engineering contract with Johansen and Tuttle Engineering for repairs to the Marshall Bridge was approved. Three bids were received to repair and improve the Marshall Bridge with #W1806 I beams. The low bidder was Nelco Contractors for $35,174.40.
The senior class president Kayden Parkins from Emery High School Student Council requested the County Commission waive the rental fee for the use of the Aquatic Center for a graduation Smash-a-Nation-Party. Kayden mentioned that in the original contract between the school and county there was an agreement that the school could use the Aquatic Center twice in a year for free. The commission said they would look into the contract and the school may still be required to pay $40 an hour for the lifeguards at that event. The school donated the land and paid for the parking lot at the Aquatic Center.
Jessica Lindley, representing the Miss Emery Pageant, requested the county commission waive the rental fee for use of the Aquatic Center for the contestants of this year’s Miss Emery Pageants for a pool day on June 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. The pageant will be June 6. The contestants that sign up will be from ages 4 to 24. There will be a pizza dinner activity. There will be a lifeguard fee of $40 per hour. Last year we had 47 contestants from the county, and it was a big success. The County Commission agreed to waive the rental fee.
The pageant is under the recreation department and with approval, they will pay the $40 an hour for the lifeguards.
The commission approved a right-of-way grant with the Bureau of Land Management for the existing road known as Gilly’s Ranch to Horse Bench and Gilly’s Ranch (Frenchman’s). This road is near the Hatt Ranch. The County is already maintaining the road for cattlemen to get cattle in and out of that section of land. By making this a right-of-way, the county could receive money for maintaining the road from the state.
The Commission approved assurances relating to real property acquisition-NRCS ADS -78. This is related to the Huntington Creek restoration project, and Seeley Fire drainages. We, as the county have to show that we actually spent money on this project to get the matching grants. We have the easements and the completed construction projects, signed by each of the property owners.
The commission approved a contract with the state of Utah for providing bailiff and security services for district and juvenile courts. This an annual contract and the amount is $16,458. This amount is not enough to pay the salary of a full-time deputy.
Approval was given to adopt HealthCare Blue Book as an additional benefit for full-time employees. This will be effective July 1, with a 60 day notice. The cost per employee per month will be at $1.90 times 119 employees, which equals $2713.20 annually. Plus participants who utilize the green services for predetermined procedures would receive a cash card based upon the procedure performed. Using the blue book allows employees to shop around for medical procedures and the associated costs.
Approval of the change order one Emery County Jail mechanical upgrade project of 2014. Last year there was a project to upgrade the air-conditioning equipment at the Sheriff’s building. The total bid for that project was $102,950. The project is complete. This change order is for $22,245. To close out this project we need this change order approved.
Approval of resolution covenanting to not impair the mineral lease revenues of the Emery County Fire Protection Special Service District, so as to negatively impact, said district’s ability to repay its $200,000 mineral lease revenue bond, 2015: and related matters. This is a five-year loan and the district is able to pay back $40,000 per year. The bond is to purchase fire trucks. The Fire District is getting a 450,000 grant along with this. We are getting almost a million dollars worth of fire trucks if we approve this. We have already spent $556,000. if we do not approve it, the county will end up paying the balance.
The commission approved of applying to receive OHV funds to pay for SITLA administrative fees on right of way, easements. These roads cross SITLA land. These are class B roads. The OHV funds are available if those routes are open for OHV use. These roads are already being used for that function.
The commission approved pending changes to an Interlocal Agreement between Emery County and Huntington City to construct a County trail to be connected to the Huntington City trail from Huntington Reservoir to the ball complex.
Some of the funds are coming from the trails committee or the Travel Council. There is a discrepancy in the total contract for $185,000. The state would provide $58,000 and the county would provide $58,000 which leaves a balance of $69,000. We are in discussions with the state parks office. The County did budget for the $185,000. Some of the design work for the trail has been paid to Johansen and Tuttle. The contract is being amended, pending approval from the state office on the contract adjustment and Huntington City. This will be an amendment to the contract with the state of Utah.