Street vacation still awaiting approval

POMEROY–Landowners, vehicle accessibility, purchase prices and taxes owed will determine how and when the Garfield County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) will proceed on the petition to vacate a street in Pataha.

The BOCC heard discussion over a petition received to vacate a street in Pataha during the meeting October 13. Grant Morgan, Garfield County Public Works Director, stated that according to regulations, whenever vacating streets, the first responsibility is to ensure no landowners will be landlocked by the action. In the case of the current petition, that has been assured and adjoining neighbors are favorable to the action. Morgan recommended the BOCC proceed with the vacation process.

Commissioner Justin Dixon said a sign placed on the proposed vacated street seems to create a dead end with limited maneuverability to turn around. Morgan stated the sign was placed there to decrease the traffic flow and assist the new landowner with property cleanup efforts. He said the sign can be repositioned to warn traffic of the dead end.

Dixon said there is also some confusion over other property assumed to be vacated but not finalized. He directed Morgan to finish the processing on those pieces. Morgan stated the property owners may not agree with such action, Dixon asked to know what costs may be associated with the vacation, such as purchase prices and taxes owed on the property before moving forward.

The McKinstry Co., return to investigating the failure of the HVAC system installed in the County Courthouse by another contractor in 2012, after being stalled by COVID restrictions.

The BOCC met with Jack Knudsen and Warren Tastad, with McKinstry Co., installers of the most recent HVAC system at the Garfield County Courthouse, replacing a 2012 system installed by another contractor. After the installation, the BOCC asked McKinstry Co. to investigate and provide a report into why the system failed in such a short period of time. The report result may be used in an effort to seek compensation from the other contractor.

Morgan reported he has a quote of $16,357 for two turn-key mobile units which include two single flat screen monitors, a camera, mobile carts and set-up. The multi-media units will be used in the board room of the courthouse and at the Public Works offices. He utilized a state contractors list, and this purchase will not go out to bid. The supplier is reportedly rated high on the state's list, and according to the company's website, they have high credentials. If the units are ordered immediately, the supplier has the ability to deliver before the end of the year. The county intends to use COVID-19 funding, which must be used by then. He is not sure if a laptop computer is included in the package, and advised that they may need to purchase one at an additional cost.

Negotiations continue into the County Employees' Group requested for increased wages of 3%, and payment of increased insurance premiums by the County for 2021. In further discussion about the request, the commissioners determined that it translates into a 7% to 9% increase per employee, depending on the amount of insurance coverage they currently have. Without the 3% increase in wages, the request amounts to an average of $3,000 per employee per year increase in benefits.

The next meeting of the BOCC will be Monday, Oct. 19, 2020, at 9 a.m. The public is welcome to attend by teleconference.