HomeMy Public PortalAboutMIN-CC-2018-06-19MOAB CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
SPECIAL JOINT CITY AND COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING
JUNE 19, 2018
Special Meeting & Attendance: The Moab City Council held a Special Joint City and County Council
Meeting on the above date in the County Council Chambers at the Grand County Council Chambers,
located at 125 East Center Street, Moab, Utah. A recording of the meeting is archived at
www.utah.gov/pmn/index.htmI.
County Council Chair Mary McGann called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM. In attendance were Mayor
Emily Niehaus, City Councilmembers Rani Derasary, Mike Duncan, Tawny Knuteson-Boyd, Karen
Guzman -Newton and Kalen Jones. Also in attendance were City Manager David Everitt, City Planner Jeff
Reinhart and Records/Project Specialist Eve Tallman. County Councilmembers Mary McGann (Chair),
Jaylyn Hawks, Rory Paxman, Curtis Wells, Patrick Trim and Greg Halliday were present, as well as Council
Administrator Ruth Dillon, Grand County Economic and Community Development Director Zacharia
Levine, County Clerk Diana Carroll, Moab Valley Fire Chief Phil Mosher, County Attorney Andrew
Fitzgerald, Sheriff Deputy Darrell Mecham, Emergency Management Director Rick Bailey, and other first
responder personnel.
Fire Update:
The meeting opened with introductions of personnel and an update on clean-up and recovery for the
recent Cinema Court fire. McGann noted the work of Jeff Whitney, Building Official, who was not in
attendance. She mentioned concerns about asbestos at the site and reported that Monument Waste is
assisting with the cleanup on a volunteer basis, inasmuch as possible. Dillon remarked on the Facebook
page named Cinema Court Flre Coordination. It was noted that more than $25,000 has been donated to
date.
Assured Housing Study and Nexus Analysis:
Zacharia Levine, Community and Economic Development Director introduced a presentation on Phase
Two of the Assured Housing Study and Nexus Analysis. Matt Kowta of BAE Urban Economics
summarized the assured housing findings to date. Kowta explained the process used to analyze housing
demand for service workers and ability to pay for housing as well as maximum feasible impact fees for
new lodging developments in order to defray expenses associated with providing affordable housing for
the workforce. Market rate housing was also contrasted with affordability for various income groups.
Kowta explained the proposed fees for nightly -rental developments and the resulting funds for
affordable units, and included possible profit factors. He explained variables in policy development.
Kowta answered questions from the council members and explained the governing bodies would have
the ability to determine the size and types for residential fees and he described an approach to charge a
fee based on a cost per square foot. He went on to clarify the premise used to develop average income
levels for typical workers and also offered to provide guidance for developing legislation. Regarding a
question from Councilmember Derasary he described a similar situation in Truckee, California and
efforts to protect against developers crossing into neighboring jurisdictions. Jones asked about the
model of single family units on one -acre lots. Levine noted most new development is on the larger lot
sizes. Wells asked how many assured housing policies his firm had developed and how many of those
have been litigated. Kowta stated there were no such cases that he had been involved in. Guzman -
Newton asked about personnel who would deal with a developer's estimate of affordability for the
housing fee and how long developers have been aware of the formulation of the new policy. Levine
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explained the history of the studies and legal review. Guzman -Newton asked about the comfort level of
the other members present. Mayor Niehaus stated she is encouraged that the county and city are
working together to move forward in a unified fashion and expressed her hope that San Juan county
would become involved. Wells, Guzman -Newton, Paxman, Halliday, Trim, Jones, Hawks, Knuteson-
Boyd, Derasary, Duncan and McGann concurred and provided comments. McGann thanked Chris Baird
for his early vision to prioritize affordable housing needs. Fitzgerald noted a reliable study of housing
prices and market fluctuations.
Watershed Coordinator:
Levine presented the need for multi -agency funding of the part-time watershed coordinator position for
the community. Mike Allred of the Utah Division of Water Quality requested some cost matching to help
fund the coordinator position. Arne Hultquist, watershed coordinator, talked about the main
components of the position, including coordination of the Moab Area Watershed Partnership,
administering grants, and monitoring water levels around the area. Hultquist noted the position pays
$35,000 per year, and noted local participation by the Bureau of Land Management and the Town of
Castle Valley. Hultquist explained the State welcomes participation by the City and County. Levine
suggested both the City and County may consider funding at the $2500 level. Halliday mentioned that
San Juan County should also be involved, and Hultquist mentioned he would request that Allred should
pursue that request.
Future Meeting Dates: Mayor Niehaus led a discussion regarding future joint meeting dates. She noted
her enthusiasm for the collaboration and dates were discussed. Future topics were mentioned and
frequency of meetings. The date of August 14 was proposed.
A brief discussion ensued regarding fire restrictions. Wells thanked the City for their leadership and
quick response to the Cinema Court fire.
Adjournment: Wells moved to adjourn. Halliday seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at
7:01 PM.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
Emily S. Niehaus, Mayor Rachel E. Stenta, City Recorder
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