Clerk/Auditor
Minutes
Duchesne County
Commission Meeting

Duchesne County
Commission Meeting

The following document has been re-formatted from the original for Internet accessibility.  County Commission Minutes, in their original format, are available through the Office of the County Clerk/Auditor.

MINUTES FOR REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON JUNE 26, 2000 BEGINNING AT 1:00 P.M. IN THE COMMISSION BOARD ROOM
IN DUCHESNE, UTAH

Commissioners Present:  Acting Chairman Commissioner Larry S Ross, and Commissioner F Ted Kappen.

Commissioners Absent: Commission Chairman Guy R Thayne

Others Present:  Diane Freston County Clerk/Auditor, Shelley Brennan Executive Secretary, Clerk/Auditor's Office Taking Minutes. BJ Marlsham, Charlie & Barbara Quintana, Heidi Kennelly, Diane Cramer, E. Van Zalinge, Ken Quintana, Joseph Quintana, Alma Richens, Laura Lowe, Vicki Scharman, Blaine & Elaine Berger, Duane Berger, and Ashley Needles.

Prayer: Commissioner Kappen
Pledge of Allegiance

Minutes: Minutes for June 19, 2000 were read.  Motion: Commissioner Kappen motioned to approve the minutes with corrections, Commissioner Ross second, the motion carried. Roll Call Vote: All Commissioner Aye.

Discussion of Roads - Heidi Kennelly 
Heidi Kennelly presented the Commission with the following letters:

June 26, 2000

To Whom This May Concern,

I Heidi Kennelly would like to bring to your attention the problem we have at Pinion Ridge and Pinion Retreat establishing passable roads. I am speaking for many people who are living here full time and need to go to work during the week, to earn their living. We, as a group, feel that those people should be taken care of first and not the people who only reside on weekends.

Sincerely,

{S} Heidi Kennelly

 

June 26, 2000

Commissioners:         

My name is Heidi Kennelly, I am a resident of Pinion Retreat, I have lived there since 1970 and bought some of the lost in Pinion Retreat subdivision. I also bought lots in Pinion Ridge lots 1& 2 and some acreage in the surrounding areas. At that time there were no subdivided lots, only shown on the plot plan. All lots in Pinion Retreat that I purchased I had surveyed by Gorge Epotion of Salt Lake City, he being a licensed surveyor. There were only county roads going through Big Acreage and Pinion Retreat. Almost all the roads I paid for so people could get to their individual properties.
Pinion Ridge plot #1 shows all the roads are county roads (accepted by the county) and I own several lots in the subdivision joining these, map shown, county roads. Even though the plot plan shows county roads they, in reality, do not exist. I have been paying taxes on these lots for years. I have bought 20 acres of Cedar Mountain adjoining Pinion Ridge #1. This was purchased only so I could get access to Pinion lots. I will be willing to give road right away so County can build the necessary roads. This would save money by going this route.

Sincerely,

{S} Heidi Kennelly

Heidi Kennelly, Kent Quintana, E. Van Zalinge, Charlie & Barbara Quintana, Joseph Quintana Laura Lowe, BJ Marlsham, and Diane Cramer were all present to discuss the Pinon Ridge, Pinon Retreat area. Those present believe that they are not properly represented on the committee that formed a few weeks ago in Commission meeting. They would like to have the roads fixed for the people who live there year around first, and then move on to the other roads. It was stated that these people pay their taxes the same as everyone else and their roads should be taken care of like the other roads in the County. They feel that they have been ignored for sometime now, and would like to have their roads maintained and improved.

Supervisor Nielsen stated that if they think they are the only ones that have to travel on dirt roads they are wrong. The County has 1150 miles of roads, of which 800 miles are unpaved roads.

Commissioner Kappen stated, that the County has done more road improvements in the last two years on the west the end of the County then has been done in the last ten years. The County is doing what they can when they can to make the road improvements that need to be done. If they are not being represented properly then they need to get organized and put people on the committee that they want. They need to solve their problems so that they can work with Supervisor Nielsen and prioritize the roads, so that the County can improve the roads.

Commissioner Ross suggested that we have committees for the different areas not a committee.

Commissioner Ross and Supervisor Nielsen will meet with the different groups and get their input on Saturday July 1, 2000, 8:00 am at mile marker 75 West Highway 40 frontage road. After this meeting the County will put together a prioritized list of what need to be done.

Supervisor Nielsen pointed out that the B road money the County uses for road improvements comes mostly from gas tax and highway use tax. Only about 5% of the money comes from property taxes.

Road Issues - Supervisor Nielsen
Vicki Scharman, Blaine & Elaine Berger, and Duane Berger where present to discuss the County designating a portion of the Red Creek Road as an ATV trail.

Commissioner Ross read the following statement from the Sheriffs Office with their opinion in the matter:

9-19-00

DUCHESNE COUNTY COMMISSION
DUCHESNE, UTAH

Dear Commissioners;

We have received information that a request has been made to open the upper Red Creek road to ATV traffic. Sheriff Stansfield and I have discussed this and are in agreement that this would be a potential serious problem. In our experience and observation, having ATV and regular vehicular traffic on a road is dangerous and we feel that it could be a liability to the County if sanctioned. We have ATV vs vehicular traffic accidents on other roads, namely the lower Red Creek road, and they have always resulted in injuries to the ATV riders. These have almost always included children. It is apparent that no matter what laws the State puts in place to make ATVs safe or to insure that they are operated safely, a great many of the riders ignore them. During the warmer months we get a lot of complaints about ATVs being ridden on the roads and being nuisances in the West end of the County. We feel that if this road is opened to ATV traffic, this would only open the door for more roads to be opened and more problems. It is our understanding that a new Subdivision is being planned on the mountain above the reservoir, if so this would only increase traffic and if you add ATVs, increase accidents and problems. The speeds at which ATVs travel and total disregard for lane travel that we have seen and have had reported to us is a major concern if you let them travel on roads with other vehicles. In our opinion, ATVs are Off Road Vehicles and need to remain, off road. They are licensed by the State to operate off the public roads and are not equipped for on road travel, nor will the State license them for that. We strongly feel that ATVs should be restricted to roads that are restricted to regular vehicular traffic and not allowed on nay of the County roads. If you have any questions regarding our concerns please feel free to contact us. Thank you.

Sincerely;

LT TRAVIS MITCHELL
PATROL/INVESTIGATIONS COMMANDER

Supervisor Nielsen stated that he has talked to County's that have designated roads as ATV trails, they all told him that their roads that are designated ATV trails are low traffic roads 20 to 30 cars a day. Supervisor Nielsen placed a vehicle counter on the upper Red Creek road for 7 days. The average daily traffic was 95 vehicles.

The Commission would like to set up a date when the Commission and Supervisor Nielsen can meet with these people and go and look at the area and better define the circumstances. They will meet Friday July 14, 2000, 9:00 am at the first gate to Bandana Ranches.

Discussion of Utah Mini Ranches - Joe Steed
Joe Steed, Clinton Peatross and Clayton Chidester were present to discuss some issues pertaining to the number of lots permissible in a sub-division and other rules as they apply to Utah Mini Ranches. Some changes that Mr. Steed would like made were discussed. The Commission would like to have Mr. Steed put in writing his proposal and submit it for approval. Mr. Steed said that would not be a problem, he will have it ready for Commission meeting on July 10, 2000.

Discussion of Justice Center Maintenance Budget - Neal Potter  Commissioner Ross stated Duchesne County is beginning discussions of O&M procedures on the jails relative to maintenance through the Building & Grounds Department. We need to get all those under one umbrella. A plan will be provided for Commission review.

Appointment to the Uintah Basin Medical Center Board:  Commissioner Kappen stated that after the Commission having reviewed all the applicants, they would like to appoint John Aland to fill the unexpired term of Val Labrum.

Motion: Commissioner Kappen motioned to appoint John Aland to the Uintah Basin Medical Center Board of Trustees to fill the unexpired term of Val Labrum, Commissioner Ross second, the motion carried. Roll Call Vote: All Commissioners Voting Aye.

The two agenda items below will be discussed in Commission Meeting on July 10, 2000.
Lease Agreement with Northeastern Counseling
Disposition of Mental Health Trailer

Auditor's Office - Vouchers - Department Head Time Sheets - Tax Adjustments - Personnel Issues  

Judy Mutton Personnel Director present applicants for the part time cook at the jail. An applicant was hired to fill the position.

Tax Adjustments - Assessors Office

Serial/Account	Year	Debit/Credit	Comments
D-3770005771	1998	-$73.44	Sq Footage in error Assessment incorrect
	1999	-$83.74	Sq Footage in error Assessment incorrect

Motion: Commissioner Kappen motioned to approve the tax adjustment from the Assessors Office, Commissioner Ross second, the motion carried. Roll Call Vote: All Commissioners Voting Aye.

Diane Freston Clerk/Auditor presented vouchers #68994 to #69133 totaling $144,516.39 for approval.

Motion: Commissioner Kappen motioned to approve the Vouchers, Commissioner Ross second, the motion carried. Roll Call Vote: All Commissioners Voting Aye.

Adjournment: 3:35 PM

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