HomeMy Public PortalAboutMIN-CC-2018-04-17MOAB CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
SPECIAL WORKSHOP MEETING
APRIL 17, 2018
Special Meeting & Attendance: The Moab City Council held a Special Workshop Meeting on the above
date in the Council Chambers at the Moab City Center, located at 217 East Center Street, Moab, Utah. A
recording of the meeting is archived at http://www.utah.gov/pmn/index.html.
Mayor Emily Niehaus called the Workshop to order at 12:05 PM. In attendance were Councilmembers
Rani Derasary, Mike Duncan, Tawny Knuteson-Boyd and Karen Guzman -Newton. Councilmember Jones
was absent. Also in attendance were City Manager David Everitt, City Engineer Chuck Williams,
Records/Project Specialist Eve Tallman, Water Superintendent Levi Jones, Facilities Superintendent
Chace Gholson, Administrative Assistant Leigh Anne Reinhart, Water Reclamation Facility
Superintendent Greg Fosse, Streets Superintendent Jeff Galley, Sewer Superintendent Obe Tejada, Fleet
staff Kelly Day and Parks Superintendent Mike Huts. Two members of the public were in the audience.
The meeting consisted of a Workshop for the Proposed Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Annual Budget.
City Manager David Everitt opened the workshop with a presentation of the public works budget,
including streets, facilities, public works administration, fleet, sewer, water and parks. He explained the
general fund and special fund portions of the budget, including the Class C Road Fund and the Culinary
Water and Sewer Enterprise Funds. He also mentioned the cross -departmental Safety budget. Everitt
described some rearranged line items such as vehicle maintenance. Councilmember Duncan asked
about salaries and Everitt explained the history of the salary survey and associated upgrades of
employee wages. Mayor Niehaus asked for clarification about the proposed three percent Cost of Living
Adjustment (COLA). Everitt explained that the proposed budget reflects a COLA as well as a place -holder
for employee merit increases. Councilmember Derasary clarified the City's tiered approach to upgrading
employee wages to recommended market rates.
Facilities Supervisor Chace Gholson explained the scope of facilities operations. Councilmember Duncan
asked if the new air handler at the Moab Arts and Recreation Center would be conditioned air or
evaporative cooling. Gholson explained that it depended on the outcome of the bid process. Everitt
explained that he had applied for a Community Development Block Grant for some public works
expenses. Everitt next described the safety budget, which he said was also referred to as risk
management. Discussion turned to fleet, and Kelly Day explained that Public Works maintains all
vehicles and heavy equipment except police vehicles.
Everitt stated that the sanitation portion of the budget is a pass -through because the service is provided
by a contractor. Jeff Galley asked about whether the City needs to budget for purchasing garbage cans.
Everitt explained the new contract which is set to begin in 2019 should account for the purchase of
Moab City -branded cans. Mayor Niehaus asked if there is value in considering bringing sanitation in-
house. Everitt stated that in this situation, which would require exceptional capital expense, it may not
pencil out, although he said he welcomed the question. Levi Jones offered that the City Council
considered the concept several years ago, and the idea was rejected. Gholson explained there is no
physical space on City property for such an operation with regard to the required fleet and equipment,
and likely several more staff would be needed. Everitt added that the commercial solid waste collection
operation would also increase costs and infrastructure.
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Discussion turned to the Parks budget. Councilmember Guzman -Newton asked about Lions Park and
questions surrounding its sewer lift station. Tejada explained that the Lions Park and Transit Hub lift
stations compete with two hotels which also have lift stations on the same small sewer line. Tejada
explained the proposed north trunk line should alleviate issues although he advised that lift stations are
maintenance -intensive and problematic. City Engineer Williams concurred that the volume and
competition with hotels was an issue and the north trunk line could alleviate the problems.
Councilmember Guzman -Newton asked if special events should not be shifted to Lions Park in view of
sewer problems. Portable toilets were considered as a possible requirement for events at Lions Park.
Everitt briefly explained the prospect of financing infrastructure projects to expedite solutions for the
north Moab sewer issues as well as other trunk lines around the City. He described aspects of the Sewer
Enterprise Fund and the new sewer rates. Williams explained the state process governing impact fees
and Everitt concurred that the process is onerous. The problem of grease in drains was discussed and
staff announced a public information campaign is planned.
The Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) outfall line to the river needs to be replaced, according to Everitt,
and he explained costs and options. Duncan asked about financing and Everitt explained loan
opportunities. Mayor Niehaus asked about the quality of the outfall water. Fosse described it and
Tallman, Williams and Duncan all offered background to help understand re -use and hydrating the
wetlands and the pitfalls associated. The new treatment plant will not use chlorine to treat, according to
Fosse, and therefore the effluent issues are different. The Mayor asked about water -efficient fixtures,
dilution and the impact on the new plant, and Fosse explained the consulting engineer's estimations.
The Mayor also asked about graywater incentives and Williams said the consulting engineer can look
into it. Williams said he would explore whether water conservation measures will impact the WRF.
More discussion ensued regarding financing and debt service over twenty years. The sewer discussion
concluded with a proposal to bring hauling of solid waste to the Klondike Landfill into the City's budget.
Everitt explained it would require purchase of a truck. Guzman -Newton asked about septage and pricing
and revenues were discussed. The Mayor asked if there were other significant asks from public works
that were not reflected in the current draft budget. Everitt stated there was a snowplow request, and
another vehicle, which he did not include in the budget. Utility fees were discussed for the new WRF.
Everitt briefly touched on the culinary water enterprise fund. He described a proposal for one new
employee. He explained a proposal for an internal loan to upgrade the water system in specific
neighborhoods for approximately $400,000. He concluded by describing a historically controversial
location of a new water tank to be located in Spanish Valley, and clarified that expenditure would likely
not be in this fiscal year budget. He noted a proposal to purchase a mini excavator. Councilmember
Duncan asked about equipment depreciation and Everitt said the City tracks that. Councilmember
Guzman -Newton asked about specific water line upgrades and Jones detailed the projects.
Adjournment: Councilmember Duncan moved to adjourn the meeting. Councilmember Guzman -Newton
seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-0 with Councilmembers Knuteson-Boyd, Duncan, Guzman -
Newton and Derasary voting aye. Mayor Niehaus adjourned the meeting at 1:40 PM.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
Emily Niehaus, Mayor Rachel E. Stenta, City Recorder
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