WASHINGTON COUNTY COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
JUNE 2, 2015

The Regular Meeting of the Board of the Washington County Commission was called to order by Chairman Alan D. Gardner at 4:00 p.m. on June 2, 2015, in the Commission Chambers, Washington County Administration Building, St. George, Utah. Those in attendance were Chairman Alan D. Gardner, Commissioner Victor Iverson, Commissioner Zachary Renstrom, County Administrator Dean Cox, Deputy County Attorney Eric Clarke, and Deputy County Clerk Nicholle M. Felshaw.  

INVOCATION BY:  Reverend Alex Wilkie, Retired Baptist Minister

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE LED BY:  Bryan Butas, Marine Corp Veteran  

CONSENT AGENDA:

The Consent Agenda is a means of expediting routine matters which come before the Commission for approval. The Consent Portion of the agenda is approved by one (1) non-debatable motion. If any Commissioner wishes to remove an item from the Consent Portion of the agenda, then that item becomes the first order of business on the Regular Agenda.

-	Consideration of Auditor-Approved Claims for Payment for May 6, 2015, through June 2, 2015	
-	Consideration of Administrative Adjustments:  Real Property (attached)
-	Consideration of Administrative Adjustments:  Personal Property (attached)
-	Consideration of Applications for Property Tax Abatement:  Darlene Aguiar, S/N W-WSR-1-8; Shirley Grier, A/N 0357866; Sherry Olsen, A/N 0123730; Donna Wright, A/N 560121; Vaughn & Maria Eastman, A/N 0447451; David & Pamela Kramer, A/N 0725450; Roy & Glennice Brewer, S/N L-LE-29; Thu & Ronald Derouin, A/N 481559; Karen M Garcia, A/N 0451891; Deborah Armstrong, A/N 0430648
-	Consideration of Applications for Settlement or Deferral of Property Taxes:  Bill Morwood, A/N 26479; Evangeline M & Timothy J Sullivan, A/N 226582; Angel & Rosemarie Vargas, A/N 228539; Angel & Rosemarie Vargas, A/N 228547; JB Holdings, A/N 268774; Tri-Equity Holdings LLC, A/N 826980; Jessica Ashurst/Jim Fisher, A/N 91564; Matthew J Shugart, A/N 114481; Robert H & Kay Bruggeman, A/N 107683; Dustin Edward Schaff, A/N 380652; Roger Dean & Esthela E Martin TRS, A/N 204894 
-	Consideration of Revised Policies Between The Lincoln Financial Group and Washington County, Amending the Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Policies to 30 Hours Minimum for Eligibility
-	Consideration of Renewal of Agreement Between Pine Valley Local District and Washington County to Provide Additional Law Enforcement Services
-	Consideration of Amendment of Agreement Between Washington County and the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) for the Provision of Surplus Computer Equipment and Internet Access, to Provide for a New Contract Term Ending 6/30/2020
-	Consideration of Renewal of Agreement for Law Enforcement Services Between Washington County and The City of Enterprise for Resource Officer in Enterprise High School
-	Ratification of Execution of Amendment #9 to 68-8D43-12-04 (Washington County Emergency Watershed Protection Project) adds $90,000 in Financial Assistance to Install Additional Materials Required to Complete the Shem Dam Rehabilitation Project as Designed	
-	Ratification of Execution of Amendment #2 to 68-8D43-14-08 (Frog Hollow Debris Basin Rehabilitation Project) extends the expiration date from December 1, 2016 to December 1, 2017

MOTION:	Motion by Commissioner Iverson to Approve the Consent Agenda with the Exception of Applications for Property Tax Abatement Serial Numbers L-LE-29 and W-WSR-1-8, Which Shall Be Considered on the Regular Agenda. Motion seconded by Commissioner Renstrom and carried by unanimous vote, with Commissioners Gardner, Iverson and Renstrom voting aye.		

REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION:

CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATIONS FOR PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENT SERIAL NUMBERS L-LE-29 AND W-WSR-1-8

MOTION:	Motion by Commissioner Renstrom to Table Applications for Property Tax Abatement Serial Numbers L-LE-29 and W-WSR-1-8, Pending Additional Information Obtained by the Clerk Auditor's Office.  Motion seconded by Commissioner Iverson and carried by unanimous vote, with Commissioners Gardner, Iverson and Renstrom voting aye.

PURCHASE REQUESTS:  MARK BLANCH

Convention and Tourism Office, 8 pg. insert in Alberta Golfer  ($10,000.00)
Convention and Tourism Office, golf advertising/Score Golf TV  ($20,750.00)
Convention and Tourism Office, Outdoor UT Adventure Guide ads  ($15,000.00)
Convention and Tourism Office, America Unlimited GMBH ads ($15,000.00)
Fairpark, repair of asphalt and sealcoat of parking lot ($17,430.30)
Library, RFID self-check system ($196,095.00)

County Administrator Dean Cox stated that the Fairpark purchase request is not a budgeted item, however, the asphalt repair is a necessity and if delayed will require additional funds to repair.  Mr. Cox urged the Commissioners to approve the current purchase request and later in the year the budget will be opened to include this expense.

Library Director Joel Tucker explained that out of all the libraries in the State of Utah, serving a population of 50,000 or more, Washington County is the only library currently without the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) self-checkout system.  Four main sources will be used for funding:  a Library Services Technology Act (LSTA) Grant from the State, a Community Library Enhancement Fund (CLEF) Grant from the State, an annuity from a private donor that has accumulated over time, and budgeted funds.

The RFID technology will be on each book for all the branches.  The self-check technology will be installed at the larger branches; the St. George branch will receive two (2) while the other large branches will be receive one (1), with the ability to add additional systems to the branches in the future.

All purchases are budgeted, bonded, or paid for through grant funds.

MOTION:	Motion by Commissioner Renstrom to Approve the Purchase Requests.  Motion seconded by Commissioner Iverson and carried by unanimous vote, with Commissioners Gardner, Iverson and Renstrom voting aye.

CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION NO. R-2015-1907, A RESOLUTION RE-APPOINTING BOARD MEMBERS TO THE NORTH CENTRAL FIRE SPECIAL SERVICE DISTRICT

Mr. Cox explained that Enterprise City has been providing fire protection for the residents of the unincorporated County in that area.  The District has latitude on how they meet the fire needs of its residents and have chosen to contract with Enterprise City for the coverage which works out well.

MOTION:	Motion by Commissioner Iverson to Adopt Resolution No. R-2015-1907, a Resolution Re-Appointing Kurt Gardner and Gayle Rhode to the North Central Fire Special Service District with Terms to Expire July 30, 2017; and Re-Appointing Duncan Reed, Marlo Reber, and Brady Weaver to the North Central Fire Special Service District with Terms to Expire July 30, 2019. Motion seconded by Commissioner Renstrom and carried by unanimous vote, with Commissioners Gardner, Iverson and Renstrom voting aye.

CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION NO. R-2015-1908, A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE FIRST AMENDED INTERLOCAL COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN WASHINGTON COUNTY AND MUNICIPALITIES WITHIN THE COUNTY REGARDING THE DISTRIBUTION OF RAP TAX REVENUE

Washington County Deputy Attorney Eric Clarke stated that in the spring of 2014, the County Commission approved an interlocal agreement that was sent to all of the cities regarding the Recreation, Arts and Parks (RAP) tax and how the distribution would occur.  The election has taken place, the tax has been imposed and the cities are putting together their budgets and have asked for clarification.  This agreement clarifies that; the cities are welcome to utilize the Washington County Advisory Board services but are not obligated to as long as they otherwise follow the requirements of the Act; RAP tax funds can be used by the cities to fund on-going operating expenses for recreational and cultural facilities that the cities maintain; and the County, having interlocal agreements with the cities, will leave the responsibility to the cities in following the law and not give legal advice to the municipalities in this regard.

MOTION:	Motion by Commissioner Renstrom to Adopt Resolution No. R-2015-1908, a Resolution Approving the First Amended Interlocal Cooperation Agreement Between Washington County and Municipalities within the County Regarding the Distribution of RAP Tax Revenue. Motion seconded by Commissioner Iverson and carried by unanimous vote, with Commissioners Gardner, Iverson and Renstrom voting aye.

COMMISSIONERS' REPORT

Commissioner Iverson mentioned that he attended the Southwest Fire Meeting recently where discussions included; the open-burn season and how it has now ended for the time being; how Washington County has done well in preparing this year for wild-land fires by working with federal partners and the State; and how to continue to engage and educate private property owners about fire defensible space to prevent fires spreading to their land.

PUBLIC WORKS OR ROAD BUSINESS

Public Works Director Ron Whitehead explained that the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Flood Repair Projects are now finished.  Just under $74 million dollars was spent in flood repairs, with NRCS paying seventy five percent (75%) of those repairs.  The projects utilized two (2) million tons of rock.

The road crew is currently blading roads within the County as well as Forest Service Roads.
COUNTY DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING BUSINESS

Washington County Community Development Director Scott Messel mentioned that the 
Planning Staff with be working with the Planning Commission on possible updates to the Land Use Ordinance, creating and updating terms for bed and breakfast facilities and boarding houses.  The Planning Commission will also be looking at proposed amendments to better clarify the Accessory Dwelling Ordinance.  

HCP BUSINESS

Habitat Conservation Plan Administrator Robert Sandberg mentioned that a mural is being created on the South wall of the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve building that will allow the public to better recognize the building.  Ron Peterson, who is an art instructor at Diamond Ranch Academy and Justine Peterson, who is an on-line high school instructor have been working with their students, donating time to create the mural, with the only charge being the cost of the material.	

A few tortoises have been recovered during the spring open window period.  Out of those, three (3) tortoises have been translocated since testing negative for disease and five (5), having tested positive for disease, have been placed with the adoption program through the Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR).  In order to adopt one of those tortoises residency must be outside of Washington, Iron, and Kane Counties.

Mr. Sandberg also mentioned that goats have been placed along Cottonwood Road for tumbleweeds and have also been working with the Agricultural Research Service out of Logan and the DWR on long term studies to determine what vegetation can be planted to compete with the cheatgrass and tumbleweeds.


There being nothing further to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 4:40 p.m.


     
______________________________		______________________________
NICHOLLE M. FELSHAW			ALAN D. GARDNER
DEPUTY CLERK		CHAIRMAN