The Emery County Commissioners met in their second meeting of May. It was scheduled to open the bids for the Cottonwood Creek Irrigation project, Adobe Wash site but the bids would remain sealed because Merrial Johansen from Johansen and Tuttle Engineering explained there is to be a new design on the spillway. The state wants to move the spillway to a different location. “If it’s a big change, it may have to be rebid,” said Johansen.
Bret Mills made a presentation regarding possible needs and changes to TV and Communication. He said the channels have been sold and the county could receive a letter saying it must vacate those channels in 180 days. Local television providers have kind of been left on their own. The county partnered with other eastern Utah counties and received money from the community impact board to digitize the television service in the county. There is no way to get television from Salt Lake, the county picks up the signal around Saratoga Springs and brings it down and splits it out to the counties involved. This organization bought all the equipment and then was reimbursed by MTIA a federal organization. All the equipment if fairly new. Now if the county has to move stations to other channels the cost will be approximately $3,000 per channel.
They will have to rearrange things to make sure the stations can work properly on a new channel. This will involve a lot of engineering and coordination between the counties involved.
The county shoots signal to Green River also. Signal may not be received in Ferron Canyon and Huntington Canyon, they may have to go back to VHF. The county cannot use channels six and below; they can use channels seven-13. Mills asked for the support of the commissioners and funding if needed as they go through this change to continue to provide free television services to the county residents.
“It’s important people in the county with fixed incomes have free television and with the economy being down here, people can’t afford cable or satellite,” commented Mills.
The commission ratified the signing of the Construction Plan for the Adobe Wash Sediment Basin, Part III of the Emergency Watershed Protection Project.
The commission approved a request for a fee waiver at the Aquatic Center for Special Needs Day on June 24. This will be a luau party. Todd Hinkins has donated a pig for the event. It will be from 1-4 p.m.
The Emery County Sheriff’s Office applying for the FY 2017 Emergency Management Performance Grant Program was approved.
The contract with Ryan Shupe for the 2017 Emery County Fair in the amount of $3.500 was approved.
The Annual Statement for Continued Property Tax Exemption for 2017 was approved. This list mainly contains churches and non-profit entities.
The board Ratified the county’s comments on Joe’s Valley Bouldering Area Environmental Assessment. These comments were submitted to the BLM. The assessment concerns, pit toilets, camping sites and hardening of the trails to and around the boulders.
It was approved to begin advertising for RFP for EMS Billing. The county currently has a billing company but would like to explore other options.
The repair of the soft spot on SR-10, part of the South Moore Cut-Off Project, Phase 10 was approved. UDOT will come up with the matching money for the project. Johansen explained the change order will get things started. The entire portion of the acceleration lane be rotomilled and resurfaced.
The board approved the Storytime Bag Policy for Emery County Libraries. These bags include activities for the children to take and do at home. The books must be returned but the projects are theirs to keep.
The board approved the Emery County Library Volunteer Policy.
The board approved the MOU with Emery County School District for purchase of WIbit. This will be used as a fundraiser for the swimming team. It is an inflatable obstacle course.
The board approved the renewal of the Cedar Mountain Communications Site Right-of-Way.
The board approved advertising for construction of the Des Bee Dove Trail to begin. Tina Carter from the Travel Bureau explained there is a section of the trail that must be chiseled out and a construction company is needed for this portion of the trail. The majority of the trail work will be done by a trail cat.
The board approved the adjustment to the Restroom Cleaning and Maintenance Agreement for the Buckhorn Information Center. It is going from $210 to $250 a month. Attorney Mike Olsen said the contract has been in place for awhile and this is a minor change to the contract. The man also pulls weeds and takes care of the Buckhorn Information Center, even though that work isn’t part of the contract only the restrooms. Carter said he takes a lot of pride in how the information center looks.
Market Match Funding for the Joe’s Valley Bouldering Festival was approved for $3,500. Carter explained these monies help advertise and promote the festival which has grown each year. This will be the third one and it is in October.
Market Match Funding for Emery County Search and Rescue San Rafael Classic Triathlon was approved for $3,000. This event is a fundraiser for the Emery County Search and Rescue.
Market Match Funding for John Wesley Powell River History Museum for the River Runners Hall of Fame Rendezvous was approved for $3,500. This event inducts a river runner into the Hall of Fame each year.
Market Match Funding for the Green River Melon Cruise Car Show was approved for $1,500. This event is held at the Green River airport and is growing.
The board approved a letter to GOED regarding monies that were given to SUCDC. Economic Development Director Jordan Leonard explained the legislature said businesses can’t deduct the full amount for donations to non-profits. This letter asks the legislature to reconsider that action. Leonard explained the non-profits are sustained by donations and the businesses need to be able to deduct these donations from their taxes.
The commission will send a letter of support to the Governor’s Office of Economic Development regarding BEAR Program. The BEAR program sends an outreach specialist into the communities to talk to businesses to see what their needs are. The county will send a letter of support so the county can benefit from this grant money.
The Sponsorship Agreement with Chadwick Booth & Co. for The County Seat was approved in the amount of $3,300. The total cost is being split between the county and the travel bureau. The County Seat is a weekly program that highlights rural issues. The commission can suggest topics of discussion for the show.
Commissioner Lynn Sitterud said Mack Huntington and Judy Scott have retired from the planning and zoning commission. He thanked them for their service. The county will need to advertise to fill their positions. They have served for approximately 20 years on the board.
Commissioner Keith Brady reported the county will be hosting a blood drive on May 31. There are two slots left open. There will be a women in business conference in Green River on Wednesday and in Castle Dale on Thursday.
The museum of the San Rafael will open its The Way we Worked Exhibit on May 20 from noon-3 p.m.
A business license was approved for Hansen’s Equipment Services. A 3 percent wage increase for Kelli Nelson who has successfully completed her six month orientation period was approved. She is the county aging director.
Dax Hall, Allen Durrant, Bailey Huggard and Stuart Moss were given a 3 percent wage increase for successful completion of their six month orientation period. Zachery Fauver was selected as a part time lifeguard working 19 3/4 hours per week.
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