County commission to hire personnel lawyer

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At the Emery County Commissioner’s July 5 meeting the commissioners approved an Engagement Contract with D. Scott Crook Law to represent Emery County in general human resource and personnel matters. This item was approved on the consent agenda and not brought forward for any discussion. A dollar amount for the contract was not disclosed. Crook is the lawyer who advised the county change their policy concerning at will and career service employees in the position of administration assistant to the commissioners. This position formerly held by Leslie Bolinder has been changed to three part-time secretaries for each of the commissioners.
Karen Dolen presented the Four Corners Community Behavioral Health, Inc. FY 2016 Area Plan. The commissioners approved the plan.
Mark H. Williams and Tina Carter from the Travel Bureau discussed the idea with the commissioners to have the county travel bureau take over the Arapeen Trail Jamboree. Williams said they started the jamboree 13-14 years ago. They worked with the BLM to get the permitting needed to conduct rides on the desert and the forest service for rides on the forest. The first few years they had 70 participants. They were advertising in Dirt Wheels ATV magazine and also knew someone who wrote for the magazine that did an article on the Arapeen Jamboree. Williams said they haven’t promoted the jamboree like they should have and he thinks it could grow under the travel bureau.
Drawbacks are the lack of infrastructure in Emery County. There aren’t places open for breakfast. It is good for the county and the jamboree has locals cater the food for the jamboree. “We had a lot of great volunteers to keep the jamboree going and guide the rides. Emery County is very ATV friendly and we have great trails. So far 14 people have signed up for this year’s jamboree. We can take this many riders out in one group,” said Williams.
The jamboree has had their insurance with the recreation district. The jamboree this year will be headquartered in Castle Dale. They are working with local businesses to provide sack lunches and catering.
Commissioner Ethan Migliori wondered if the recreation district may be a better fit for the jamboree and the new events coordinator could work on it, too. “I think we should look into it a little more,” said Commissioner Migliori.
The agreement to form an EMS Interlocal Agency was not ready and the matter was tabled.
The board will advertise the open Board of Director’s seat for the Emery County Travel Bureau. This Director will represent the western half of Emery County and must be a lodging or restaurant property owner or manager to qualify. The vacated seat belonged to Jim Fauver who had to resign due to lack of time to devote to the bureau.
The commission ratified a comment letter to BLM regarding the Master Leasing Plan scoping in the San Rafael Desert for oil and gas. This letter was sent to the BLM outlining the county’s outlook on the master leasing plan the BLM is currently working on. This plan will identify areas which would be good for oil and gas development and also areas which would not be good.
The commissioners will begin to advertise for the position of the Director of the Senior Citizen Centers in Emery County. This person will be in charge of all the senior citizen centers in the county and will coordinate with all the local senior directors and make sure maintenance and operations of the centers is ongoing and productive.
The board approved the Ratification of five Joint Permit Applications with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for Sections 404 and 10 Utah State Engineer’s Office, for natural stream channels, for the Cottonwood Creek Project under the NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection Program. Project sites include Water Treatment Plant, XTO Facility, Barker Residence, Orangeville City and Castle Dale City. These permits are for alterations to the stream channels.
The process to hire a creative firm for marketing and tourism has been worked on since March. At the recent travel bureau meeting, the two companies in consideration presented to the travel bureau board. The board has recommended Hub be hired for this purpose. Grant funds from the Utah Office of Tourism will help with expenses.
Carter said Hub will research and determine who the target market audience is for Emery County. The travel bureau wants to attract visitors that will spend money in the county. Some of the visitors to the county don’t spend any money.
The Castle Country Robotics has asked to use the former Weed and Mosquito Building in Castle Dale for their robotics class. Mike Olsen the county attorney wondered if the building is cleaned up to meet specifications so kids can use it. Also are there any liability issues for the county in letting the robotics club use the building. Follow-up is needed to see if the building is clean and what the liability issues are.
The commission approved Castle Dale Library to apply for a grant. This is the young adult grant.
The time and date of the Board of Equalization was set for Aug. 23 from 1-3 p.m. in Green River.
Emery County Sheriff Greg Funk said the triathlon will be held July 16 at Huntington Lake State Park. A fundraiser spaghetti dinner will be held the night before at 7 p.m. and everyone is invited.
Commissioner Migliori said there are a number of economic prospects for the county. You often hear the county is stagnant but some businesses are still growing and there are good things happening. He said there will be a representative in our area to help businesses with learning to obtain government contracts. He’s excited for that to happen.
There are some vacancies in the low income housing units if anyone needs that extra help with a place to live.
Commissioner Brady said he went on a tour with the forest service and elected officials from Carbon County and they went up Nuck Woodward Canyon in Huntington Canyon to look at the road. The road has been closed since the Seeley Fire. In order to re-open it, a culvert needs to be placed and some blading of the road.
Otherwise the road is in good shape. Forest Service officials said they will work with the two counties on the road and their engineer will see what work needs to be done to get it reopened in the next few weeks.
The forest service is going to take input at a later time to determine the future use of Nuck Woodward road.
Commissioner Paul Cowley said he is opposed to re-opening Nuck Woodward road and wants to see it left closed for equestrian use only without motorized access. The forest service will have a meeting and take comments on the proposal to close Nuck Woodward road in the fall.
Suzanne Anderson was selected as the part time Archive Specialist working 19 3/4 hours per week. Kip Allred was hired as a full time Equipment Operator/Driver with full benefits. Gloria Wilson has been hired as the part time janitor in the Huntington Library working 7.5 hours per week. Spencer Fauver has been hired as a part time lifeguard working 19 3/4 hours per week.