Rich County Commission

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times 

RANDOLPH, Utah.  February 6.2019.  At the Rich County Commission, Sweetwater Hill owner, Warren Jones was on the telephone asking permission from the County Commission to build a home on Sweetwater Hill on Lots 78 and 79.  These two parcels are by the golf course on Country Club Way.  The home that is to be built will be using both lots.  Both lots have recently been purchased by Jones from two other individuals.  According to the County Ordinances, a Building Covenant to use both lots was needed from the Commissioners.  Mitch Poulson, the Chairman of the County Planning Commission, noted that the current deeds to these two lots are in the Jones’ name.  

The Commissioners made a motion to approve the Building Covenant for the proposed home. Jones was told to sign and give the Building Covenant Document to Debra Ames to get this document recorded. However, any structure on these two lots must be taken down if selling any or both parcels is required.  Motion carried.

Justin Dolling from the Utah Division of Wildlife gave a check to the Commissioners for $1,156.21 for being allowed to work and study on 2,300 acres south of Woodruff and Swan Creek north of Garden City. 

Bill Cox, Commissioner, noted that there are some solar panels being placed on some property near Woodruff and there are more solar panels being placed northeast of Randolph.  He reported that in driving near both those areas, there are sage hens on the road and in areas away from where the panels are being placed.  He asked Dolling to check out both areas to see if they are forcing the sage hens from their regular habitat.  Dolling said he would get on this issue immediately.

Dave and Claudia Cottle, Bear Lake Watch, appeared before the Rich County Commissioners with a resolution concerning Bear Lake.  This document is needed to preserve Bear Lake.  The Cottles were on their way to Boise, Idaho, to make the presentation there Thursday morning.  They stopped in Randolph to deliver this document to the Commissioners.  They will also get it to the Utah Legislature, to Bear Lake County Commissioners as well as the Idaho Legislature.  This resolution will also be presented to the Board of Canals, the Water Users Association, the Bear Lake Regional Commission, Rocky Mountain Power, Pacific Corporation, etc.  Hopefully, all these people, organizations, and politicians will support the Cottles’ efforts. They noted, however, that sometimes Idaho and Utah have different points of view.

The resolution is being written to stop another resolution currently be written to maintain a ertain water height in the Great Salt Lake.  If that resolution is approved; then, when the Great Salt Lake gets to a certain lower level, the water masters will be allowed to take as much water from Bear Lake as needed to get the Great Salt Lake up to the decided standard level.  They could take all the water from Bear Lake if needed.  The Cottles and anyone else who loves Bear Lake certainly wouldn’t want that to happen.  They hope they will be able to get the resolution accepted by the various organizations and companies involved. 

The County Commissioners made a motion to accept the Resolution to save Bear Lake.  The motion was passed in concept because of future changes that might have to be added or changed in the current Resolution.  Rich County is supporting these efforts to get a Resolution to save Bear Lake. 

Dale Wilson, Supervisor over the Roads in the County, presented a list of four different trucks that are available to replace the current snow removal vehicle.  The current truck is worn out and can’t be used much longer.

The bids for a new truck were from Peterbilt, Freight Liner, International, and Mack. Wilson noted that he would prefer the Peterbilt.  It is the most expensive but seems to have a longer life than the other three and has a better trade-in value if traded off in the future.  If the Peterbilt would not be possible, his next choice was the Mack.  There is a snow package that will have to be purchased separately, which includes the snow blade, the sander, and so forth.  This package will fit on any of the trucks.

The motion was made to purchase the Peterbilt truck and the snow package.  It will be a 2019 truck that will cost $243,946.00 plus the snow package.  The motion passed.

Wilson also noted that he has received three bids for the purchase of slurry and fog seal.  Morgan Pavement Company had the lowest bid of 145,000 square feet of fog seal and 136,000 square feet of slurry seal.  Manhead Road will get slurry seal and Woodruff will get fog seal.  The cost of the materials will be $149,879.70.  A motion was made and passed to accept the Morgan Pavement Company bid.

Some changes have been made on the Bear Lake Regional Commission.  Norm Weston will be released.  Sim Weston will become the Vice Chairman representing the Rich County Commission.  The new mayor of Laketown is Burdette Weston.  He will be part of the Bear Lake Regional Commission as well.  These names were given to Mitch Poulsen to update his records.  A motion was made and passed.