The Emery County commissioners ratified a Contract Agreement with Wall Contractors to begin emergency work at the Crandall Canyon Miners Monument to prevent destruction of the monument due to flooding from the recent forest fire. Commissioner Sitterud said emergency measures are being taken around the monument. A large wall is being placed around the monument to protect it from flooding. The project has started with footers being poured and once the concrete cures the wall will proceed.
Commissioner Wilson said they met with the forest service and they are providing funds for the project along with Murray Energy and Emery County. The project cost is estimated to be $100,000.
The board approved modifications to a grant agreement between Emery County and the Forest Service for the protections being put in place for the Crandall Canyon Memorial.
The county accepted the Utah Department of Public Safety Division of Emergency Management FY 2018 Emergency Management Performance Grant allocation. The grant is for $38,900 and will assist with expenses in operating the Emery County Emergency Management team.
The Emery County Commission ratified a letter requesting watershed status in accordance with PL 83-566. Commissioner Lynn Sitterud said the letter was sent for the flood management plan to protect Joe’s Valley Reservoir from any flooding caused by the fires. The plan will protect Orangeville from debris flows. This letter needed to be sent to apply for funds to the NRCS so protections can be started for potential flood areas.
Change Order #10 on the Millsite Dam Rehabilitation Project was approved this is for clean-up and extra work which will be added to the bill.
The board approved a contribution to the Rural EMS Directors Association. The cost is $400. All the garage leads go to the rural county association meetings. The costs are prorated among all the counties involved.
The board approved eight Aquatic Center passes as a prize for the Habitat for Humanity Golf Tournament.
The county will provide flu vaccines this year in conjunction with the Wellness Clinic on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 and in Green River on Nov. 1. The county will pay $27 for employees full or part time along with EMT volunteers who choose to receive the vaccine. The cost of the vaccines have gone up and the funds come out of the insurance budget.
The Emery Medical Center will again this year provide the annual Wellness Clinic. The cost will be $250 per full time employee that participates. This cost will include the vision test, hearing test (for Road and Weed & Mosquito) BMI, blood pressure check, lab test and follow up visit. Personnel director Mary Huntington said, “We have been doing this for 12 years now and it’s very beneficial. It’s helped catch diseases in their early stages and it’s been a good thing.”
Full time employees who participate in the whole Wellness Clinic will receive four hours of vacation.
The commissioners adopted the revised Emery County Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual. A presentation was given a month ago by County Attorney Mike Olsen. They collected input from department heads. One change was made in the training reimbursement policy. If an employee is sent to training at the county’s expense and the employee doesn’t stay with the county for at least three years after the training they will be responsible for reimbursing the county for the cost of the training.
The board approved paying the annual fees due to SEUALG in the amount of $5,000. SEUALG operates in 20 different areas of responsibilities and the county has been involved in several meetings with them for discussion.
The board approved paying the annual membership fees due to RUA for 2018. RUA helps with rural issues and Attorney Olsen has met with them at their meetings. They’ve been active on wild horse issues, open meeting laws litigation and other issues involving rural Utah. The dues are $5,000. Olsen said, “It’s been positive. Everyone is welcome to attend those meetings.”
Commissioner Wilson expressed his opinion that the county needs to be involved in these organizations to team up with other counties to fight issues. “We can’t expect others to help us if we don’t support others,” said Wilson.
The board approved Marketing Match Funds for the Tamarisk in Green River. The funds for $3,500 will be used for a billboard and marquee signs. The Tamarisk will match the grant with their own funds. The billboard is outside of Wellington and will be redone. It appears Green River is having a good year with TRT funds increasing 8-9 percent.
Tina Carter discussed the Utah Office of Tourism Cafeteria Plan Policies and Guidelines for fiscal year 2019. For the work with Utah.com the county will use TRT funds in the amount of $13,000 and the state will provide $13,000. From the Utah.com site the county has received $2,349 requests for more information this past year. Carter said there are some businesses in Green River that are putting their own logos on the site as well.
The new billboard is up between Huntington and Price after being blank for a few years.
The board approved the Cooperative Agreement between Emery County and the Utah Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife Resources for completion of the Trail Mountain Fire, proposed through the Utah Watershed Restoration Initiative.
The board approved the signing of a resolution authorizing the filing of cross-appeal for 2018 centrally assessed properties in regards to AT&T Inc., Century Link, Inc, and Union Pacific Railroad Company.
Out-of-state travel for Emery County Drug Task Force members Captain Kyle Ekker, Detective John Barnett to attend the CNOA Annual Conference in San Diego, California was approved and to attend the UNOA Annual Conference in Mesquite, Nevada was approved.
Lakota Clark was hired Aug. 6, as the full time Mechanic at the Road Shop. Jonathan Seeley and Sydney Terwilleger were promoted to Head Lifeguards. Les Wilberg, Les Thompson, Gary Kofford, Tom Brereton, Brandon Wilberg and Mark H Williams were approved as volunteers for the 2018 Arapeen ATV Jamboree. Les Wilberg and Les Thompson were approved as volunteers for grooming the Trails in Emery County. Joel Mike Howes was promoted to Dispatcher II with previous experience as a Dispatcher. Approval was given to start the recruitment effort for a full time Victims Advocate which will be a provisional employee position.
Justin Queen was appointed to the Emery County Recreation Board representing Green River City. Mary Ann Wright will fill the vacancy of a remaining term on the Emery County Library Board.
Commission approves project to protect monument
Monument in Crandall Canyon.