Present –

Commissioner Irene Hansen, Commissioner Greg Miles, Commissioner Tracy Killian, Deputy Attorney Grant Charles, Public Works Director Mike Casper, Public Works Deputy Director Clint Curtis, Emergency Management Director Josh Phillips, County Fire Warden Brandon Peck, Economic Development Director Deborah Herron, Deputy Treasurer Connie Sweat, Human Resource Director Judy Stevenson, Human Resource Payroll & Benefits Administrator Jamie Park, Clerk-Auditor Chelise Jessen, Surveyor Jerry Allred, Duchesne County Resident Jeff Chugg, and Commission Executive Assistant Melissa Hughes is taking the meeting minutes.

Opening Comments

(9:00 a.m.)

Chairperson Hansen welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Pledge of Allegiance

(9:01 a.m.)

Update on the Yellow Lake Fire

(9:02 a.m.)

Emergency Management Director Josh Phillips and County Fire Warden Brandon Peck updated the parties on the Yellow Lake Fire on Wolf Creek. It has burned 33,041 acres and is 34% to 37% contained. Divisions H (Soapstone), J (North Fork), and C (Heart Lake) are still active. The California Complex Management Team 2 will transition to a Type 3 team (downsized management due to complexity). The restrictions have been lifted for the residents, and State Road 35 has been reopened as of this morning. The Incident Commander Type 3 requests an excavator and operator for a week. They are working with Public Works on the request.

630,000 gallons of retardant and 2.2 million gallons of water have been used to help suppress the fire.

The Commissioners expressed their gratitude to all parties involved with the fire. The Centennial Event Center staff has made the ICP a major success by providing and anticipating its needs. The Sheriff’s Department and Search and Rescue helped with the evacuation, which went smoothly. The Emergency Management Director, Josh Phillips, and County Fire Warden, Brandon Peck, have been involved since the beginning. Most of the residents were very cooperative when asked to evacuate.

Public Works Update

(9:12 a.m.)

Public Works Director Mike Casper gave an update on existing projects and upcoming work. They will send excavator 330 and an operator to help with the fire. They will be done with the parking lot at the South Building today, and it will be ready for the paving company. Warm Springs Drive in Hanna was paved last week. They graveled some roads and the bus turnaround in Altamont last week. North Crescent (CR 177) is ready to be paved. They will do a 1” overlay with widening and then another 1” overlay. This will cost less than the original proposal. The bridge in Altona is almost complete. It should be ready to be paved by the end of the week. Fruitland and Tabiona received 3-4 inches of snow last week. They graveled Sawmill Road (CR 5) in Fruitland. The equipment has been drained and winterized. A steel bridge on Antelope Road (CR 27) needs to be replaced. They will install a box culvert. They have been working with Jones & DeMille Engineering, which is estimated to cost approximately $250,000. It will take about six months for delivery once ordered. The parties discussed temporary repairs to ensure structure integrity. The road striping should be completed this week.

Discussion & Consideration of the Uintah Basin Revitalization Fund Application

(9:25 a.m.)

Commissioner Miles explained that the county had purchased the property for the new Road Department Facility. The application is to relocate and construct a new road shed building. The costs will include construction, engineering, and site preparation for a new location for the road department. The application amount is $5,886,568.00. The new building will be 23,000 square feet and host five bays with three drive-throughs. The building will include a storage area and office space to accommodate staff needs. The