OCR Text |
Show Garfield Commissioners Meet To Discuss County Business PANGUITCH Minutes of the Feb. 9 county commission meeting were approved and released on march 9. Commissioners present pres-ent were Louise Liston, Clare Ramsay, and Maloy Dodss. Topping the day's agenda was the acquisition of new GIS computer com-puter equipment. County Engineer Brian Bremner informed the commission com-mission that he had received the written agreement for Federal grant monies to purchase GIS computer equipment to be housed in the courthouse. The new equipment would allow access to geographic information on the Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument to both the county and the public. The grant is in the amount of $9,200 and the county will purchase pur-chase a plotter as their portion of the matching funds for this equipment. equip-ment. Commissioner Ramsay had been contacted by Garkane Power Association, Inc. with a request for assistance from the county road C crew in repairs to a power pole in the Paria River Bed. The line is owned by Garkane so Bremner will work with them using county men and equipment and bill the association associa-tion accordingly. Commissioners closed doors mid-morning to break into executive execu-tive session to discuss pending liti- (See COMMISSION On Page 4-A) Commission From Front Page gation. Following the session a motion was made to give Ron Thompson authority to represent Garfield County at a meeting with Ted Stewart from the state and Olin Offin from the Department of the Interior. Authorization was also given to Attorney Barbara Hjelle to contact a constitutional law specialist special-ist and look into the possibility of hiring a part-time law clerk for the summer. In Sheriffs Department business, busi-ness, Commissioner Maloy Dodds presented a motion to accept Sheriff Than Cooper's recommendation and hire Ray Gardner for the position of deputy in the Boulder area. There was no second to the motion. Hugh Wilson, Hatch appeared before the commission to discuss relevant concerns related to the Garkane Move issue. Wilson also requested the commissioners assistance assis-tance in organizing a meeting of community, business and county leaders to determine how to proceed. Bryce Canyon Airport Manager Greg Pollock informed the commission com-mission that grant funding for 1998 had been increased from $227,000 to $745,000. The county would need to match that amount with approximately $37,110 which would come from the Municipal Building Authority. The funding would be used to complete projects including placing an 8-foot chain link or solar panel electric wildlife fence around the airport property, with a gate at the north end for use by emergency vehicles. Funds would be used also for a porous finish for the airport runway additional addi-tional required signing, runway lighting improvements, a new airport air-port layout plan and possibly a lighted wind sock with funds permit. per-mit. Aladdin Air had applied for a Tourist Destination Development Grant from the Utah Travel Council. The Utah Travel Council had asked commissioners for their input regarding the request. Aladdin Air owners and adjacent business owners were contacted and invited to commission meeting. Present for the discussion were operators of Canyon Scenic Tours Max, Brett and Jeff Taylor; representative repre-sentative of Ruby's Inn Rod and Bob Syrett; Al Foster from Foster's Motel and Steakhouse; Ken Miller from Bryce Canyon Pines, Frank Pierce and Greg Pollock. Those attending voiced opposition opposi-tion to the grant funding stating safety concerns and unfair competition competi-tion when tax monies are used for private business. There was also concern expressed that the proposed business does not meet the criteria of a tourist destination. A motion was made to deny support on the basis of lack of support, questions regarding qualifications of the business busi-ness for a grant and liability or safety concerns. Frank Pierce was present at commission meeting and informed commissioners that the studies for water and sewer systems on his project have been completed and approved by the state. The stifle is requiring Mr. Pierce to form a Special Spe-cial Service District for maintenance mainte-nance and control of those systems Following discussion Pierce said he would begin the process and work closely with County Attorney Wallace Wal-lace Lee during the formation of the district. A motion was made to give Pierce approval to begin his project. Commissioners approved the payment of membership fees of $250 to join the Western Counties Resource Policy Institute (WPRPI). After review of a business license li-cense application commissioners approved a license for National Wholesale Foods for mobile beef, chicken and seafood sales in the county. |