Bear River Association of Governments



GOVERNING BOARD MEETING

Wednesday, June 27, 2018 – 12 Noon

Garden City Office Complex

305 West Logan Road (U.S. 89) in Garden City, Utah

M I N U T E S

PRESENT

County Executive Craig Buttars Council Member Greg Merrill

Commissioner Bill Cox Commissioner Jeff Scott

Mayor Shaun Dustin Commissioner Stan Summers

Mayor Roger Fridal Council Member Karl Ward

Commissioner Jeff Hadfield Mayor Sim Weston

Mayor Mike Leonhardt

EXCUSED

Mayor Holly Daines Commissioner Norm Weston

Mayor Tyler Vincent Commissioner Tom Weston

BRAG STAFF PRESENT

Roger Jones Carolyn Reed

Brian Carver Karen Merkley

Debbie Lee

OTHERS PRESENT

Mike Mower Governor Herbert’s Office

Ryan Wilcox Senator Mike Lee’s Office

Jason Watterson Utah Local Governments Trust

WELCOME, INTRODUCTIONS AND MINUTES

Cache County Executive Craig Buttars, Chairman, opened the meeting and welcomed everyone. As part of the introductions, time was given to Mayor Mike Leonhart of Garden City and Commissioner Bill Cox to share happenings in Rich County. Listed are some of the current projects in Rich County:

• Heritage Park being developed on six acres and will be the site of Raspberry Days 35 Year Celebration.

• Vacation Rentals are booming. This year 45 permits for second homes for people have been issued.

• More storage unit facilities are being built.

• Three road construction projects are in progress as well as the bike path to Idaho.

Buttars then invited Mike Mower from Governor Herbert’s office to address the Board. Mower began by expressing how pleased the Governor and Spencer Cox were with outcomes of the elections the night before and extended congratulations to the members of the BRAG Governing Board who won their primary election. Mower stated that he couldn’t think of a better time for Utah; things are going well he said. Utah used to have economic development concerns but now the concerns have shifted to growth and maintaining quality of life. Mower mentioned that the governor has had successful meetings with Rich and Cache Counties concerning their economic development plans. Mike Mower listened to questions and concerns from the board about the SR-30 construction plan and the H.B. 462 Tax for Homeless and said he would share the information with the Governor and see how they could help our three counties.

County Executive Craig Buttars asked if there were any changes or additions to the minutes of March 28, 2018. The minutes were APPROVED unanimously with a MOTION by Council Member Karl Ward and SECOND by Mayor Roger Fridal.

PRESENTATION OF SAFETY AWARD TO BRAG

Jason Watterson presented the Safety Award from Utah Local Governments Trust and congratulated the staff and board for having a safety committee, managing their risks before they become problems, and earning the TAP Award. The award comes with a $1490 premium rebate.

FINAL OPPORTUNITY ZONE DESIGNATIONS

All four of the Opportunity Zones submitted by the BRAG Governing Board in February 2018 were accepted by the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development and became Qualified Opportunity Zone Designations endorsed by the Treasury Department on June 15, 2018.

• Tract 49003960300, Tremonton (30)

• Tract 49003960601, Brigham City (31)

• Tract 49005001002, Logan (32)

• Tract 49005000900, Logan (44)

Jones shared information from Ginger Chin stating that the Governor’s Office of Economic Development would have assistance available for communities in regards to the opportunity zones. Brian Carver set up a training meeting with Davis and Bott in Box Elder County to educate on how to get the tax benefits from these investment funds. Carver noted that even individuals are eligible to invest in this tax fund. Additional meetings have been set up with potential investors regarding development possibilities for each of the zones.

APPROVE REGIONAL COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN

Brian Carver, BRAG Director of Community and Economic Development, explained that BRAG functions as the federally designated Economic Development District for our three counties. As part of the partnership with the EDA and the Department of Commerce, a Five-Year Regional Economic Development Strategy is required from each district. The Development Strategy for BRAG is due to the Denver Office on July 10, 2018. Carver distributed the twenty page Executive Summary of the 2018-2023 Goals and Objectives (included with the minutes). The supporting documents and appendixes are posted on the BRAG website. Carver asked if there were any additions or corrections suggested. Mike Mower suggested sending a copy to Ginger Chin at the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. Commissioner Stan Summers mentioned concerns with the regional housing problem and transportation, specifically bringing Front Runner to Box Elder County and being able to utilize the $11 million of Box Elder County sales tax that UTA holds to purchase the corridor to make that a hopeful possibility in the future. Commissioner Summers reported that the county is now involved in a transportation plan that may involve Cache Valley Transit providing connection or other service in Box Elder County.

County Executive Craig Buttars, Chair asked for a MOTION to ACCEPT the Bear River Regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for 2018-2023 with the additions of the recommendations listed above. Commissioner Stan Summers MOVED to ACCEPT and Council Member Karl Ward SECONDED and the motion PASSED unanimously.

LIST OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR BRAG ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DURING FY-2018

Brian Carver distributed a handout highlighting a List of Accomplishments for the BRAG Economic Development Services during FY-2018.

Programs Administered and funding sources: Regional Economic Planning Partnership (EDA), Business Expansion And Retention (GOED), Procurement Technical Assistance (PTAC), Cache Business Resource Center (GOED).

Total Funding FY-2018 was $225,000

• Produce the Bear River Regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)

• Contacted 205 businesses in Cache County and supported Business Expansion And Retention in Box Elder County

• Cache Business Resource Center provided services to 723 individual businesses and entrepreneurs

• Procurement assisted 184 companies obtain government contracts (State and Federal)

• Promote heritage tourism and products in a seven-county area of northern Utah and southeastern Idaho through the Bear River Heritage Area

• Published six tour itineraries highlighting historical and cultural sites and activities Regional Accomplishments

• Brigham City/Box Elder County Cluster Analysis

• Rich County Cisco Road & Legacy Pathway improvements

• Cache County Economic Development Alliance

• Helped establish and fund Box Elder Business Resource Center and Business Expansion And Retention

• Provide technical assistance to Rich County Business Expansion And Retention

• Support Annual Box Elder and Cache Business Summits

• Assist with economic and demographic data development and analysis for local communities

• Work with cities on Census 2020 preparations

Aging Services Report

Carolyn Reed, Acting BRAG Aging Services Director, provided a nice booklet outlining the programs and resources available to older adults and their families living in Box Elder, Cache, and Rich counties to each board member. After highlighting the details of these programs, Carolyn shared specifics about the BRAG Aging Staff who are each very qualified in their areas of expertise.

• Valoy Reese, BRAG’s Registered Nurse provides services in the New Choices Waiver and Aging Waiver programs doing the Level of Consciousness (LOC) Assessments, Re-Assessments, and Health & Safety Screenings. This year Valoy and Carolyn Reed were trained and certified as educators for a new amazing education class – The Care Giver Academy. This course walks Care Givers through a step by step process of learning, problem solving, and healthy interventions for their Care Receiver. Valoy has trained and certified all Aging staff members in this course as well as taught it at the Logan Senior Center.

• Debra Smith, is BRAG’s Senior Companion Manager. Debra oversees 16 volunteers who are serving 96 clients per week in the tri-county area. The program continues to provide assistance and friendship to older adults who have difficulty with daily living tasks and are helping them to retain their dignity and independence.

• Michele Molen is BRAG’s Case Manager and Coordinator for the Aging Waiver Program. Reed noted the statewide admission freeze for the Aging Waiver program has created challenges. In FY 2017 BRAG Aging Staff served 52 unduplicated clients. To date in FY 2018 they have served 26. However, of those 26 only 15 are currently active – a 71% loss of clients, revenue, and staffing. While the State is currently adding program participants, indications are that we may only be given permission to add 1-2 clients this year. With natural attrition, this will continue to be a programming challenge.

• Melissa Lewis is a licensed social worker helping with the Alternatives Program. Melissa spends part of her time serving clients who meet the financial and Level of Care eligibility requirements for assistance in Box Elder County at St. Marks Terrace senior apartment complex, and the senior centers. Melissa is also the case manager for 28 New Choice Waiver clients.

• Shanna Anderson is BRAG’s New Choice Waiver Supervisor. Currently the New Choice Waiver serves 70 clients and continues to grow with new referrals weekly.

As case managers, both Shanna and Melissa assess and identify which of the 33 New Choice Waiver services are needed. They then develop a comprehensive care plan and meet face to face with each of the 70 clients each month, complete a monthly conference visit with a staff member at the assisted living facilities and make contact with family members and service providers to ensure the utmost quality of care and services are provided for all clients.  

• Keirstin Meyer has her Master's Degree in Gerontology, which makes her the perfect Case Manager for her roles in the Aging Dept. Keirstin is BRAG’s main Ombudsman. Keirstin is called in to represent the interests of residents in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities. She advocates for the residents rights when there is concern about the quality of care they are receiving. Keirstin also supervises the Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP), the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) grants, and the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) programs.

• Alyson Fredrick has been in charge of starting up and getting the Veteran Self Directed Home & Community Based Service program functioning. BRAG is now serving 18 clients and has made a significant difference in their lives.

• Deborah Crowther is BRAG’s reigning Veteran Service Officer. Deborah has made a name for herself with the Veteran's Program nationwide. From July 1, 2017 – April 30, 2018, BRAG served 338 unduplicated Veterans. Since BRAG started the program 985 Veterans have been reached. BRAG assisted many of these Veterans in enrolling in VA health care system; obtaining Veterans In-Home Services and gained service connected compensation. From July 2016 – April 2018, service connected monetary compensation is over $1,003,528.

UPDATE TO FOUR-YEAR REGIONAL AGING SERVICES PLAN

Prior to asking the BRAG Governing Board for approval of the fourth year update to the Area Agency on Aging Four-Year Plan. Roger Jones, BRAG Executive Director shared a summary of the approval process, the priority of services, and the service providers from whom the agency will purchase goods or services with Title III funds to fulfill area plan objectives. Jones shared the Bear River Region Older Adult Population Estimates for 2018 and 2025. He noted the various aging services reaches about 10% of the 28,251 older adults in our counties. He asked for suggestions to fill the four vacancies on the current Aging Advisory Council.

Mayor Shaun Dustin made the MOTION to approve the Update to the Area Agency on Aging Four-Year Plan; Commissioner Bill Cox SECONDED and APPROVAL was unanimous.

PROPOSED BRAG BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019

Jones presented and reviewed the Proposed FY 2019 Budget of $7,940,388. He reviewed the BRAG Budget Packet including a summary of each of the five departments and their budgets, sources of BRAG funds, CDBG Allocations, BRAG’s Ancillary Activities and Program Eligibility Guidelines. (Budget Packet included with minutes).

• Public Hearing on the Proposed FY 2019 Budget – County Executive Craig Buttars, Chair, DECLARED the public hearing OPEN; the public hearing was advertised in The Herald Journal.

County Executive Buttars asked if there were any comments from the public related to the BRAG budget. No members of the public were in attendance to provide comments. Buttars CLOSED the public hearing with a MOTION by Commissioner Bill Cox and SECOND by Commissioner Stan Summers; APPROVAL was UNANIMOUS. The public hearing was CLOSED.

• Recommendations from Compensation/Audit Committee

Results of the Compensation/Audit Committee Meeting held prior to today’s meeting were summarized. Six committee members were in attendance. Those attending included: County Executive Craig Buttars, Mayor Roger Fridal, Commissioner Jeff Hadfield, Mayor Mike Leonhardt, Commissioner Norm Weston, and Mayor Sim Weston.

Committee members reviewed the FY 2019 Budget in detail along with several information sheets prepared by Roger Jones. The following recommendations were agreed upon and made to the BRAG Governing Board:

1) Allow an amount up to 3% of total current year salaries to be used by the executive director for performance pay increases and market adjustments as needed effective July 1, 2018.

2) Allow up to an additional $10,000 in salaries resulting from reclassification of two positions in BRAG’s Housing and Human Services Department.

3) Increase BRAG salary structure chart by 2%. No pay increases result from this change only new hires.

4) As per BRAG Policy 3.13, approve a 2% performance pay increase to Executive Director effective July 1, 2018.

In the Compensation Meeting, Jones asked members of the committee their opinions about whether a BRAG staff member who is involved in Humanitarian Aid such as going to Africa and offering nursing skills or building houses for the homeless in Mexico should be required to take annual leave or could they be eligible for 5 days of paid-time for Humanitarian Service. Jones posed the same question to the entire Governing Board. After some discussion, it was determined that a policy for paid Humanitarian Leave wouldn’t be implemented now. Instead careful consideration in the wording of what would count as qualifying Humanitarian Service as well as a cap per year on number of employees eligible to take that paid leave was suggested to be drafted and presented again later.

Commissioner Jeff Scott made the MOTION to approve the FY 2019 budget and the Compensation/Audit Committee recommendations as listed. Mayor Roger Fridal SECONDED and the motion PASSED unanimously.

▪ Approve Fiscal Year 2018 Quarterly Financial Statements

As required by the Utah State Auditor, the BRAG financial summary for the quarter ending on 3-31-2018 was included in the meeting packet.

Commissioner Bill Cox made a MOTION to indicate that the governing board had opportunity to review the quarterly financial statements. It was SECONDED by Mayor Shaun Dustin and APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.

UTAH COUNTY OFFICIALS GO TO WASHINGTON REPORT

Utah’s County Commissioners/Officials were invited to a special briefing/working meeting on Friday, June 22 at the White House to discuss and give input on federal/state relations. Several from the BRAG Governing Board were able to attend.

Commissioner Stan Summers shared the value of Associations of Governments in helping the counties they serve. There are 560 regional councils across the nation. Summers was elected again to be on the NADO board for another 2 years. Summers acknowledged that Randy Parker, whom the Trump Administration recently appointed as the new State Director for USDA Rural Development in Utah is very supportive in helping Utah’s rural communities. Both Commissioner Jeff Scott and Commissioner Bill Cox felt the meeting fell a little bit short of expectations. They felt the congressional leaders took most of the time and they would’ve appreciated the local county officials having more time to ask questions. However, both agreed the federal government is very willing to work with state and local governments and that the Trump Administration is good at moving fast and getting policies implemented. The Commissioners received a Contact List that they felt made the trip worthwhile. All Governing Board Members would like to receive a copy of that Contact List so they can get their ideas to the right people. Commissioner Scott mentioned that Utah had 105 government leaders show up for the special meeting, versus the 10 to 12 government officials representing some of the other states and it was noticed by the federal officials.

OTHER BUSINESS

Options for a different building to replace the current BRAG Perry Office were discussed. Recommendations for the new site would be to find a building in Brigham City, either downtown or on Medical Drive, that is near a bus stop and has good handicap access. Commissioner Summers will help look for office space options.

Roger offered to personally treat all those in attendance to a raspberry shake at the Chevron Station in Garden City in honor of his 45 year anniversary with BRAG. Exactly 45 years ago today, on June 27, Roger began a six month temporary job at BRAG.

ADJOURN

The meeting ADJOURNED at 1:40 p.m.

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