Minutes for 2008-12-02, Direct pdf link.
MINUTES
OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF WEBER COUNTY
Tuesday, December 2, 2008 - 10:00 a.m.
Commission Chambers, Weber Center, Ogden, Utah
In accordance with the requirements of Utah Code Annotated Section 52-4-7(1)(d), the County Clerk records in the minutes the names of all citizens who appear and speak at a County Commission meeting and the substance “in brief” of their comments. Such statements may include opinion or purported facts. The County does not verify the accuracy or truth of any statement but includes it as part of the record pursuant to state law.
Commissioners Present: Jan M. Zogmaister, Chair, and Kenneth A. Bischoff. Craig L. Dearden was excused.
Others Present: Alan D. McEwan, Clerk/Auditor; Monette Hurtado, Deputy County Attorney; Fátima Fernelius, Clerk/Auditor’s Office, took minutes.
A. Welcome - Chair Zogmaister
B. Pledge of Allegiance - Scott Mendoza
C. Thought of the Day - Commissioner Bischoff
D. Consent Items:
1. Purchase Orders in the amount of $61,222.67
2. Warrants #244786-244970 in the amount of $1,380,821.78
3. Minutes for the meeting held on November 25, 2008
Commissioner Bischoff moved to approve the consent items; Chair Zogmaister seconded, both voting aye.
E. Action Items:
1. Request to Amend the Parks Department Fee Ordinance for changes in the fee structure
Jennifer Graham, Recreation Facilities Director, requested adding the entrance fee into Fort Buenaventura ($2/person), clarifying that free picnicking was not allowed after 9 p.m. at the North Fork and Weber Memorial Parks, and adding Nordic activities fees. Commissioner Bischoff asked if payment of the Nordic activities was on the honor system and Ms. Graham responded that it was. This issue had been addressed with Ogden Nordic, and although the verbiage can be changed to a fee versus a donation, it was not desirable for them to police it and the county does not have the manpower to handle it. Payment will be posted and advertised as a fee.
Commissioner Bischoff moved to approve the first reading of the amendment to the Parks Department Fee Ordinance (Title 6, Chapter 22) changing the fee structure; Chair Zogmaister seconded, both voting aye.
2. Contract with Ogden Nordic for grooming of North Fork Park - Contract C2008-220
Jennifer Graham, Recreation Facilities Director, stated that this was a no-cost contract to the county and was similar to the one they had for the past three years. Ogden Nordic provides all of the volunteer labor, fuel, and maintenance on the piece of equipment they lease from the county (covered through a RAMP grant) to groom the Park for cross-country and snowshoeing. Ogden Nordic is allowed to collect the fees, which go toward their expenses but cover less than 1/3. Ogden Nordic provides a financial report at year’s end. Commissioner Bischoff asked who collected this money and how it was safeguarded. Ms. Graham said that there was lockbox and a lot of the regulars mailed in their payment and wore a button to show their payment. Commissioner Bischoff wanted to ensure there were safeguards and that the money was used for the maintenance. Ms. Graham will pass that information along.
Commissioner Bischoff moved to approve Contract C2008-220 with Ogden Nordic for grooming of the North Fork Park; Chair Zogmaister seconded, both voting aye.
3. Contract with Weber Economic Development Corporation for an Economic Promotion Management Agreement - Contract C2008-221
Ron Kusina, Executive Director of the Redevelopment Agency of Weber County, stated that this was a 1-year agreement for services to be rendered by WEDC. Mr. Kusina had given a copy of the amended WEDC’s Business Plan to county legal staff, which plan had a 20-year projected outlook. He reviewed the summary action plan for 2009 including recruiting and business expansion/retention. The WEDC will continue to annually submit its proposed budget, as well as a copy of the audit and monthly reports to the board.
The RDA has no more property to sell in the Weber Industrial Park and Mr. Kusina stated the need for a new business park and believed it would require significant public financing. A major effort will be made in 2009 to make the community aware of this issue, and it may be placed on the 2009 November ballot regarding whether to use property tax revenues to acquire and build a park.
Mr. Kusina expressed appreciation for the board’s authorization to work closely in the development of the Falcon Hill National Aerospace Research Park. Breaking ground is anticipated on the new gate at the Clearfield exit within this month or next. By late Spring of 2009 construction of a building will begin inside the fence to house a specific mission of Hill Air Base. Chair Zogmaister asked when Falcon Hill was scheduled to have any development within Weber County. Mr. Kusina did not have a date certain but stated that the developers had committed with Roy City on a new water tank and felt that development would occur within 2-3 years.
Commissioner Bischoff moved to approve Contract C2008-221 with Weber Economic Development Corporation for an Economic Promotion Management Agreement; Chair Zogmaister seconded, both voting aye.
4. Interlocal Agreement by/among Weber County, Ogden City and Roy City to provide for the expansion of the Weber Animal Shelter to provide space for housing and sheltering animals from Ogden City and Roy City - Contract C2008-222
Reed Richards, Deputy County Attorney, noted there were two animal shelters within the county (run by Ogden City and the county),which was not economical and the smaller cities had to decide which shelter to work with. The current city shelter property is proposed for other development. Roy and Ogden cities plan to have this item on their agendas at their next meeting. An architect will be engaged to do a construction estimate and each of the three entities agree to finance 1/3. Subsequently, there will be an opt-out option allowing the entities to decide if they wish to move ahead. If the facility is built, it will be operated and staffed by the county. The share of the cost will be based upon the number of animals housed. All the cities are invited to join–they can sign the agreement and become participants just as the entities that initially signed it and pay based on the number of animals. If they choose not to join, the shelter will house the animals and the cities pay an additional 20% charge. Those joining commit to stay until the bonds are paid off.
Commissioner Bischoff asked if the county would issue the bonds. Mr. Richards responded that there had to be a responsible party. Commissioner Bischoff asked if bonding was the best financing vehicle because the county had used a line of credit for its current shelter. Discussion ensued and the entities will wait for the architect’s analysis and then look at all the options. Many other cities are already using the county’s shelter in total and this would separate the sheltering from the animal services component–the county would continue to provide animal services but each city would have to decide whether to enter the agreement and then be charged based upon its number of animals. This agreement also establishes an advisory committee, comprised of representatives from each city and the county to make recommendations on shelter size, etc. Commissioner Bischoff said that consolidating should save money but asked about the number of staff. Mr. Richards responded that the concept was that having one facility should decrease staff but obviously the number of animals will be dramatically larger. He added that there was an opportunity to use incarcerated persons to do a lot of the work.
Commissioner Bischoff moved to approve Contract C2008-222, Interlocal Agreement by/among Weber County, Ogden City and Roy City to provide for additional improvements to and operation of the Weber Animal Shelter to provide space for housing and sheltering animals from Ogden City and Roy City; Chair Zogmaister seconded, both voting aye.
F. Assign Pledge of Allegiance &Thought of the Day for Tuesday, December 9, 2008, 10 a.m.
G. Public Comments: None
H. Adjourn
Commissioner Bischoff moved to adjourn at 10:41 a.m.; Commissioner seconded, all voting aye.
Jan M. Zogmaister, Chair
Weber County Commission
Alan D. McEwan, CPA
Weber County Clerk/Auditor