Amanda Leonard, Emery County Event Coordinator, speak with commissioners.
By Julie Johansen
Awarding of safety Visa cards began the Emery County Commission meeting on Tuesday afternoon. The full-time employee awarded was Richard Mills while the part-time employee was Melinda Bell. Two cards were awarded to safety-sensitive employees Jeff Weber and Michael Van Wagoner. These cards are gifted each month to provide an incentive for county employees to practice safe habits each day.
Next, Amanda McIntosh, Suicide Prevention Specialist for the Southeast Utah Health Department, gave a presentation regarding suicide prevention and awareness activities planned for Suicide Prevention Month in September. She requested permission to use the front lawn of the Emery County administration building to install an angel garden to symbolize the 95 people in Carbon and Emery counties who have lost their lives to suicide. She will also place signs in commemoration of suicide prevention in each city. Permission and approval of her efforts were received from the commission.
Robbie Jensen, Department of Aging with the Southeastern Utah Association of Local Governments, requested a contract for the use of space in the senior citizen centers for physical therapy and chiropractic care. Emery County Attorney Mike Olsen will draw up these contracts for the renters to sign.
Request for a letter of support to use Green River and Orangeville libraries for a co-working space was also discussed by the commission. This would be for anyone 24 hours per day with separate entrances and Wi-Fi availability. These two libraries will be trial basis before other libraries are potentially opened.
78 assurances relating to the acquisition of project sites for the Trial Mountain Emergency Watershed Protection Project in Rilda Canyon, Meetinghouse Canyon and Mill Fork Canyons were approved. Agreements for consulting services between Emery County and Uinta Group LLC and National Environment Strategies were also approved. These groups will help with finding funding and implantation of the Emery County Public Lands Bill.
Amanda Leonard, Emery County Event Coordinator, also requested a service agreement between Emery County and Isaac Caldier for a personal appearance at the Joe’s Valley Fest in September. He is an American Ninja Warrior and has authored a Joe’s Valley bouldering book. He will also present at Emery High during homecoming week.
Jacob Sharp, Castle Valley Special Service District (CVSSD), asked for approval to have a general obligation bond not to exceed $14,000,000 added to the November election. He explained that the CVSSD has used bonds for many years and the last one was in 2009 in the amount of $12.5 million with a grant of $8.5 million. Bond attorney Eric Johnson explained that by state law, the CVSSD cannot tax, so the commissioners must act as agents. A public hearing will need to be held before this resolution can be adopted.
In closing remarks by elected officials, Emery County Sheriff Greg Funk pleaded with everyone to attend the program at Emery High on Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. During the free presentation, Collin Kratchner will discuss the peer pressure and bullying online that students are now facing.
Next, Commissioner Kent Wilson expressed his concern about the lack of EMS services in Green River. He said they are working very hard to find a solution and provide services to Green River. Legally, surrounding areas such as Emery, Price and Grand county must provide services, but this is certainly not ideal in terms of response time.
