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 MAY 13, 2002
BEGINNING AT 1:00 P.M. IN THE COMMISSION BOARD ROOM
IN DUCHESNE, UTAH

Commissioners Present:  Commission Chairman Lorna Stradinger, Commissioner Larry S. Ross, and Commissioner Guy R. Thayne

Others Present:  Road Supervisor Douglas Nielsen, and John Swasey

Prayer: Commissioner Ross

Pledge of Allegiance

Road Issues:  Doug informed the commission that the road department will be finished priming and ready to pave by the first week of June.

Commissioner Stradinger asked Doug to check with the county surveyor Jerry Allred on the right-of0way issue on Jim Lindsay's property.

Commissioner Ross asked if the Leonard Wilson gate issues have been resolved.  Doug stated that he visited with Mr. Harvey regarding the gate and Mr. Harvey assured him that he will make every effor to comply with Mr. Wilsons request.

Doug reported that he had cheked into the report from Mr. Mackly regarding the ditch company cleaning the canal and leaving debris on his property.  The ditch company was in fact leaving the debris on the county right-of-way.  Doug met with Mr. Mackly and explained that to him.

Commissioner Stradinger informed the commisison that she had met with Mr. Chapoose and Mr. Allison to address citizen complaints regarding right-of-way issues on tribal lands.

The commission discussed an incident on the Duchesne River when a tribal fish & game officer reportedly laid claim to the water in the river as tribal owned water.  Mr. John Swasey made a comment that lal waters in the state are owned by the state and are administered by the State Engineers Office.  The Indian water right is the highest right on the river.

...............Attorney Roland Uresk, Planning & Zoning Director Clayton Chidester, Treasurer Colene Nelson, Clerk/Auditor Diane Freston, Becky Walton, Deloris Walton, Johna Hardman, and Randall Thacker of DWR joined the meeting...............

Randall Thacker, Division of Wildlife Resources - Seasonal Road Restriction for Tabby Mountain
Mr. Thacker addressed the commission.  He stated that the division is seeking to either renew or remove the sunset clause in the agreement with the county for road restrictions December 1st through May 1st.  The agreement was enacted to lessen the impact to habitat and roads on DWR lands south of Tabby Mountain.  The division conducted a two-year experiment to limit the stress on wildlife during the winter months, and to give them an area where they would not be disturbed.  Mr. Thacker stated that the program had beneficial in that the wildlife was protected during the high stress time, and the roads did not have four-wheelers and traffic tearing them up in the spring while they were wet.  There was also minimal public opposition to the road closure.

Commissioner Thayne stated that he would prefer to keep the usnset clasue in the agreement if they were to renew it.

Commissioner Stradinger also stated that she does not like the idea of restricting the area for public use.

Clayton Chidester advised the commission that he would like Mr. Thacker to present the request to the Public Lands Use Committee.

Attorney Uresk advised the commission that if they wish to renew the agreement they must first advertise the intent and have a public hearing.

The commission informed Mr. Thacker they will take the request under advisement until the PLUC gives recommendation.

Bridgeland Cemetery Board - Request for Surveyor to Set Markers on Lots
John Swasey, a member of the cemetery board requested that the county surveyor identify where the lots are with a marker.

Motion:   Commissioner Ross made a motion to have the county surveyor place the markers on the lots in the Bridgeland Cemetery.  Commissioner Thayne second.  Motion carried.  Roll Call Vote:  All Commissioners Voting Aye.

Tax Deferral - Becky Walton & Johna Hardman
Treasurer Colene Nelson and Becky Walton approached the commission.   Mrs. Nelson stated that a payment schedule had been arranged for Mrs. Walton to pay $66.07 for twelve months.

Motion:   Commissioner Thayne made a motion that because Mrs. Walton resides on the property to accept the payment schedule for Becky Walton as suggested by the Treasurer.   Commissioner Ross second.  Motion carried.  Roll Call Vote:  All Commissioners Voting Aye.

Mrs. Nelson recommended a payment schedule for Johna Hardman of $290.41 for twelve months.   Mrs. Hardman also resides on the property.

Motion:   Commissioner Ross made a motion to accept the payment schedule for Johna Hardman as suggested by the Treasurer.  Commissoner Thayne second.  Roll Call Vote:  All Commissioners Voting Aye.

Consideration of a Drought Declaration for Duchesne County - Georg Adams  Georg Adams Emergency Management presented a drought declaration for review.

STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARATION

WHEREAS, Duchesne County, Utah is suffering an emergency brought on by severe drought conditions particularly in two distinct areas of the county.  1) The water shed area of Moon Lake and Lake Fork will be terminating irrigation water by the end of May causing crop failure and consequently feed shortage for livestock.  2) The southern forested areas and Indian canyon are so dry that the U.S. Forestry is meeting to cancel grazing permits for the 2002 period impacting the local ranchers.  Extreme fire danger exists in the forest areas impacting timber sales; and
WHEREAS, Duchesne County is a public entity within the State of Utah;and
WHEREAS, damage is economic due to the agricultural economy of the county; and
WHEREAS, the potential exists for additional economic damage caused by feed and water shortage, with the potential for extended drought conditions through the year, and
WHEREAS, part of the economy of Duchesne county is tourism industry and drought conditions require fire restrictions, leaving an economic low for business; and
WHEREAS, the availability for firefighting resources are expected to be limited due to drought conditions throughout the region that potentially result in increased fire damage resulting in economic impact
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, as a result of drougt continuing into the fourth year Duchesne Basin wide moisture is less than 43% of average and water storage is depleted.  Fuel moisture is at a record low with a high fire potential which will severely impact the county.  Therefore on behalf of the citizens of Duchesne County, we declare this to be a local "State of Emergency".

Motion:   Commissioner Thayne made a motion to accept the State of Emergency Declaration for Duchesne County.  Commissioner Ross second.  Motion carried.  Roll Call Vote:  All Commissioners Voting Aye.

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

Personnel Issues - Judy Mutton
Judy reported that on several occasions the county cars have received minor damage and the drivers have not reported it.  The commission suggested that the county implement a policy to address this problem.

Vouchers:   Deputy Clerk/Auditor Andrea Higbee presented vouchers #79204 to #79291 totaling $109,973.39 for approval.

Motion:   Commissioner Ross mad a motion to approve the vouchers.  Commisisoner Thayne second.  Motion carried.  Roll Call Vote:  All Commissioners Voting Aye.

Approval of May 6, 2002 Commission Minutes - The minutes were reviewed and corrections made.

Motion:   Commissioner Thayne made a motion to accept the minutes with corrections.   Commissioner Ross second.  Motion carried.  Roll Call Vote:  All Commissioners Voting Aye.

Time Sheets -  Deputy Clerk/Auditor Leann Stewart presented the department head time sheets for commission review.

Adjournment: 3:00 P.M.

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