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                                             MINUTES

                        BOX ELDER COUNTY COMMISSION

                             SEPTEMBER 14, 2004

                                                                             

 

 

The Board of County Commissioners of Box Elder County, Utah met in a work session at the County Courthouse, 01 South Main Street in Brigham City, Utah at 8:00 a.m. on SEPTEMBER 14, 2004.  The following members were present:

 

Suzanne R. Rees                           Chairman

Clark N. Davis                             Commissioner

Scott Hansen                                Commissioner

LuAnn Adams                             Recorder/Clerk

 

The following items were discussed:

 

1.      Fire Department Update – Greg Martz

2.      Pioneer Care Center – Garth Day

3.      Assignment Review – Commissioners

4.      Staff Reports

5.      Correspondence

6.      Family Day Proclamation – Lorna Ravenberg

 

The work session adjourned at 8:59 a.m.

 

The regular session was called to order by Chairman Rees at 9:00 a.m. with the following members present, constituting a quorum:

 

                                       Suzanne R. Rees                           Chairman

Clark N. Davis                             Commissioner

Scott Hansen                                Commissioner                

LuAnn Adams                             Recorder/Clerk

 

Chairman Rees offered the prayer

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 14, 2004 WERE APPROVED ON A MOTION AS WRITTEN BY COMMISSIONER DAVIS, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER HANSENAND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED.

 

 

 

AGENDA: ATTACHMENT NO. 1

 

ACADEMY PROJECT – PAUL LARSEN

 

Mayor Christensen told the Commissioners she wanted to come and give a first-hand vision of what Brigham City would like to see for the courthouse block.  She said they envision it to be a gathering place for people to come and have activities.

 

Paul Larsen, Planner & Economic Development Coordinator explained the process the City went through.  He said a few years ago Brigham City acquired the old academy building.  Right after acquiring the building they did some brainstorming on what they could do with the building.  Some Interns from Utah State University helped come up with the basic design and provided architectural drawings.  A couple of years ago, the City decided they needed a more seasoned architect, so they hired architects from Salt Lake City to do the architectural drawings.  A Steering Committee was formed and through a 3-4 month period they met a number of times and were asked what their thoughts were on what should happen downtown and a concept plan was formed with the academy building as the main feature.  They see the academy building as a gathering place; a place where people can schedule wedding receptions, dances and meetings.

 

Mr. Larsen explained that right now the academy building is an eye sore.  The City tore the 1956 annex down which opened the property up.  A sign was put up in front for the Heritage Arts Festival and panels were painted and mounted on the building.  The building is now receiving a fair amount of visibility.  Mr. Larsen explained the history of the building, which was built in 1904. The City has done a lot of studies on the building to determine if it is beyond a point of no return.  The structural engineers indicate that it is a sound building.  It is a wood-framed building and an easy building to upgrade and do a seismic on.  Mr. Larsen reviewed the plans, and indicated in their plans was the use of the old jail property as a two-level parking structure.

 

Mayor Christensen said there has been a lot of public input, and the architect really listened to what the people were telling him.  She said the City has a good plan and are working with lobbyists to find funds for parking.  They feel they will be receiving some federal and state money, which could be used as seed money for fundraising.  Mayor Christensen said she feels the two-story parking structure would also help the new court building.

 

Paul Larsen said the entire project would cost approximately 3 million.  They will receive funding from the RDA Project Area.  They are trying to acquire EDA money.  They are a 501C3, and are trying to acquire private investment partners.  A revenue stream is part of the funding package, and they are looking at a number of other avenues to bring the funding together.

 

The Commissioners complimented the City on their beautiful plan.

 

 

 

 

County Planner Garth Day then explained the plans for the new county courthouse building.  He said the building would be 14,000 sq. ft.  The County has just retained an architect and will be going out to bid for a general contractor. 

 

Mayor Christensen said she appreciates the County’s willingness to work with the City in order to have a really nice gathering place. 

 

OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL – ANN HENDERSON

 

Ann Henderson, Home Economist, asked the Commissioners to help with expenses and allow her to travel to Nashville, Tennessee October 2-7, 2004 to attend the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Science Annual Conference.  She will be speaking on the family nutrition program in the jail.  USU will pay $645, the FCS Program Leader will pay the registration fee, and she asked the County to pay $400 which will cover the hotel.

 

MOTION:  A motion was made by Commissioner Hansen to approve travel for Ann Henderson to Nashville, Tennessee October 2-7.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Davis and unanimously carried.

 

BOX ELDER COUNTY JAIL STAFFING ANALYSIS – PEGGY MADSEN/CAROL DUNCAN

 

Carol Duncan, Human Resources, presented the jail staffing analysis to the Commissioners for their approval.  She said they do not recommend there be five sergeants, but recommend they utilize the current staff.  She said they are reviewing the possibility of hiring one more sergeant by the end of the year.

 

MOTION:  A motion was made by Commissioner Davis that we approve the Box Elder County Jail Staffing Analysis conceptual framework, and that we direct Carol Duncan to come back to the Commission with specific recommendations for implementation with the understanding that these be revenue neutral.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hansen and unanimously carried.

 

COPY MACHINE – MONTE MUNNS

 

County Assessor/Treasurer Monte Munns told the Commissioners that he is leasing a new copy machine and would like to get rid of the old copy machine before it does not have any value.  He would like the Commissioner to declare it surplus property and allow him to put it on a website where there is a lot of school surplus property.

 

MOTION:  A motion was made by Commissioner Davis to approve the request by Monte Munns and declare the Assessor/Treasurer’s old copy machine surplus property and to use the website in an attempt to dispose of his property.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hansen and unanimously carried.

CDBG FIRST PUBLIC HEARING – COMMISSIONERS

 

(Attachment No. 2 – Attendance List)

 

Chairman Rees declared the CDBG First Public Hearing open at 10:00 a.m.

 

County Planner Garth Day explained that this is the first public hearing for the 2005 funding process. This public hearing is for the purpose of receiving public input and to introduce the purpose.  Mr. Day noted there is approximately $700,000 for the CDBG Projects.  All funds must meet the HUD National Objectives and benefit low to moderate-income persons or remedy blight.  Mr. Day said that types of projects that are available are ADA Compliance Projects, Senior Citizens Housing, Storm Water Projects, etc.

 

Chairman Rees opened the public hearing up to those in attendance.

 

Gena Nelson said the Literacy Program would like to expand the literacy program into the northern part of Box Elder County.   They would like to fund a part-time coordinator in Tremonton and rent office space to store books and supplies.  Ms. Nelson said she is not sure exactly how much funding will be required to cover the expansion.

 

Mr. Day said if there are any other organizations that are interested in CDBG grant money, they need to contact the County by next Thursday.  He said you couldn’t apply for the funds without being listed on the consolidated capital projects list.

 

MOTION:  A motion was made by Commissioner Davis to close the public hearing.  Commissioner Hansen seconded the motion and the public hearing closed at 10:12 a.m.

 

EMERGENCY VEHICLE OPERATION POLICY & ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE – AMY HUGIE

 

County Attorney Amy Hugie explained the State of Utah’s organizational structure regarding the Department of Public Safety.  Personnel Director Peggy Madsen explained the organizational structure for Davis, Summit, Weber, Cache and Tooele.

 

County Attorney Hugie said after reviewing the state and other county’s structures, she recommends that fire, hazmat, emergency services and homeland security be put under the Sheriff.

 

Commissioner Hansen asked for some organizational charts.  Commissioner Hansen said he would like to get it done right and done correct.  After receiving the organizational charts, he would like to sit down as a group and see which way to structure the County that best meets the state and federal codes.

 

Commissioner Davis said there was a recommendation from the Safety Committee to reorganize.  He feels that by restructuring there will be more coordination and not as much internal miscommunication.  Commissioner Davis feels that is the direction the County should head.

 

MOTION:  A motion was made by Commissioner Davis to table the discussion item and bring it back on the agenda in two weeks.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hansen and unanimously carried.

 

ENRON SETTLEMENT – AMY HUGIE

 

County Attorney Amy Hugie said Enron sent a letter stating they have taken out a Chapter 11.  They owe Box Elder County $19,368.24 in back taxes.  Enron would like to settle with the County for $17,400.24, and that would be an allowed secured claim.

 

Chairman Rees wants to make sure that we are consistent with everyone.  Monte Munns said each person that comes before the Commissioners is different.

 

MOTION:  A motion was made by Commissioner Davis to accept the offer to compromise at $17,400.24 contingent on receiving such proceeds within 60 days of the date of our approval.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hansen and unanimously carried.

 

TOUCH AMERICA SETTLEMENT – AMY HUGIE

 

County Attorney Amy Hugie said Touch America has filed for Chapter 11 and is offering to pay 75% of their taxes and to waive the penalties and interest.   They owe taxes in the amount of $6,043.14.  They are offering to pay $4,693.00.

 

MOTION:  A motion was made by Commissioner Davis to accept the proposal from Ryan and Company Touch America’s tax settlement contingent on receiving such proceeds within 60 days of the date of our approval.  Chairman Rees seconded the motion and the motion carried 2-1 with Commissioner Hansen voting nay.

 

 

PUBLIC DEFENDER CONTRACT – AMY HUGIE

 

County Attorney Amy Hugie reviewed the public defender contract and the options with the Commissioners.

 

MOTION:  A motion was made by Commissioner Davis to allow Amy Hugie to negotiate with the current providers of the public defender contract regarding the parameters discussed and that she be allowed the latitude in securing and negotiating a contract and to make a recommendation back to the Commission.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hansen and unanimously carried.

WARRANT REGISTER – COMMISSIONERS

 

The warrant register was signed, and the following claims were approved for payment:  Claims number 33193 thru 33324 in the amount of $171,337.17. Claims number 33325 thru 33348 in the amount of $287,736.83.  Claims number 33349 thru 33434 in the amount of $96,863.63. Claims number 33250 was voided.

 

PERSONNEL ACTIONS – COMMISSIONERS

 

BLDG INSPECTION: Rick B. Williams, new hire, effective 09/13/2004

AUDITOR:                              Patricia Checketts, compensation change, effective 09/16/2004            

CORRECTIONS:                    Trent Buckley, compensation change, effective 09/03/2004

                                                Cindy Crapse, compensation change, effective 09/03/2004

                                                Estelle Price, compensation change, effective 09/04/2004

ASSESSOR:                            Mary Ann Packer, compensation change, effective 09/13/2004

                                                Sherry Wardle, compensation change, effective 09/15/2004

FAIRGROUNDS:                    Roy E. Lee, separation, effective 8/30/2004

                                                Emily Lee, separation, effective 8/30/2004

                                                Jaron Silvester, separation, effective 09/10/2004

                                                Dixon Flint, separation, effective 9/10/2004

 

ASSIGNMENT REVIEW – COMMISSIONERS

 

The Commissioners reviewed assignments.

 

TAX DEFERRAL – BRENT STEWART

 

Brent Stewart, Willard, said he is looking at five-year delinquent taxes on his house.  He asked the Commissioners for permission to have his penalties and interest deferred.

 

MOTION: Commissioner Davis made a motion that Mr. Stewart work with County Assessor/Treasurer Monte Munns.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hansen and unanimously carried.

 

MANULIFE UPDATE – PEGGY MADSEN

 

Personnel Director Peggy Madsen gave the Commissioners an update.  She said there were 21 people that were not with the state retirement, and that money needs to be put into a cash account, and then she will be ready to do a reallocation.

 

 

 

 

 

FAMILY DAY PROCLAMATION – LORNA RAVENBURG

 

The Commissioners read a proclamation declaring September 27 as family day.

(See Attachment No. 3 – Proclamation.)

 

MOTION: A motion was made by Commissioners Davis to approve the proclamation and to authorize all Commissioners to sign.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hansen and unanimously carried.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

A motion was made by Commissioner Hansen to adjourn.  Commissioner Davis seconded the motion, and the meeting adjourned at 11:36 a.m.

 

ADOPTED AND APPROVED in regular session this 21st day of September 2004.

 

 

 

 

_______________________________

Suzanne R. Rees, Chairman

 

 

 

 

_______________________________

Clark N. Davis, Commissioner

 

 

 

 

_______________________________

Scott Hansen, Commissioner

 

 

ATTEST:

 

 

 

__________________________

LuAnn Adams, Recorder/Clerk

 

 

 

The following items were discussed in Work Session after Commission Meeting had adjourned:

 

1.      Personnel Issues

 

The Work Session adjourned at 1:05 p.m.