HomeMy Public PortalAboutMIN-CC-2018-07-25
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July 25, 2018
MOAB CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JULY 25, 2018
Call to Order and Attendance: The Moab City Council held its Regular 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. In
attendance were Mayor Emily Niehaus, Councilmembers Kalen Jones, Rani Derasary, Mike
Duncan, Tawny Knuteson-Boyd and Karen Guzman-Newton. Also in attendance were City
Manager David Everitt, Deputy City Recorder Danielle Guerrero, Communications Director Lisa
Church, Deputy Treasurer Chantal Lindsay, Public Works Director Pat Dean, Police Chief Jim
Winder, City Engineer Chuck Williams, Moab Arts and Recreation Center Director Meg Stewart
and Records Specialist Eve Tallman.
Workshop: Mayor Niehaus called the workshop to order at 6:30 PM. The workshop began
with a presentation by Utah State University—Moab (USU) Extension professor Dr. Roslynn
Brain McCann regarding a possible City ban on single use plastic shopping bags. Dr. Brain
began with an overview of the economic impacts of plastic retail bags and cited a similar ban in
Park City. She continued with several examples of environmental impacts caused by the
production, use and disposal of plastic bags. She stated more than 200 bans have been enacted
by local governments in the United States and the Utah legislature has prohibited a fee on
plastic bag disbursement by retailers. She cited an effort by Utah lawmakers to prohibit local bag
bans, and noted that effort failed. Dr. Brain referred to the letters received by City Council
members in support of the ban.
Brendon Cameron, manager of City Market, offered support for whatever decision the City
makes. He noted the store recycles plastic bags, which are turned into composite decking. He
said City Market would assist with public education. Mayor Niehaus said the topic would be on
an upcoming agenda. Councilmembers Jones and Derasary raised questions to be considered.
The workshop continued with a brief presentation regarding the Moab Area Travel Council
(MATC). MATC Director Elaine Gizler spoke about the Council’s mission statement. She
commented on the MATC mandate to expand the tourist season to a full twelve months. She
spoke about trends and increases in visitation. She noted local Transient Room Tax (TRT)
collections were more than $5 million last year. She explained the breakdown of how the
County’s portion of the taxes were allocated. She mentioned the numbers of County overnight
accommodations including hotel rooms, commercial campsites and the like and described
economic benefits of tourism in Utah. She briefly described local efforts to educate the public
about off-road vehicles and listed the members of MATC.
Regular Meeting:
Mayor Niehaus called the Regular City Council Meeting to order at 7:00 PM and led the Pledge
of Allegiance. Twenty-six members of the public and media were present.
Approval of Minutes:
Councilmember Derasary moved to approve the minutes of the June 26 and July 10, 2018
meetings with corrections. Councilmember Guzman-Newton seconded the motion. The motion
passed 5-0 aye with Councilmembers Jones, Derasary, Knuteson-Boyd, Guzman-Newton and
Duncan voting aye.
Mayor and Council Reports: Mayor Niehaus opened her comments with a request to
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July 25, 2018
reschedule the first regular Council meeting in September from September 11 to September 10
due to a conflicting meeting with the Utah League of Cities and Towns. There was consensus to
reschedule to September 10.
Niehaus next announced the hiring of Tracy Dutson as the City’s new Senior Project Manager.
She noted Dutson will be working on affordable housing. The Mayor continued her report with
a mention of the USU advisory council meeting. She outlined progress made and noted $5
million is yet to be raised locally in order to construct the campus. She added the School and
Institutional Trust Lands Administration (SITLA) released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a
developer of the SITLA land adjacent to the USU campus. It was noted the infrastructure project
that the City is participating in will break ground this Fall. The Mayor concluded her report with
a mention of the Museum’s ice cream social and Museum membership benefits.
Councilmember Derasary reported she attended two meetings of the Uranium Mill Tailings
Remedial Action (UMTRA) Site Futures group. She added that Russ von Koch has been named
community liaison for the UMTRA project.
Councilmember Duncan reported the National Park Service economic impact study regarding a
proposed reservation system for Arches National Park will not be completed in the near future.
He also noted his attendance at a meeting of the Grand Water and Sewer Services Agency
(GWSSA) and the question of how much water exists was discussed along with the need for a
sustainable water supply model. He said the issue of resilient wells was also a topic. Duncan
brought up a question about Moab Folk Festival events and concerns about stage removal
timing. He concluded with a comment about the acoustics at Rotary Park.
Councilmember Knuteson-Boyd noted a meeting of the Housing Authority she attended. She
also commented on a conversation she had with County Councilmember Jaylyn Hawks
regarding the need for a unified stance on TRT allocations.
Councilmember Guzman-Newton reported she attended a Chamber of Commerce meeting and
noted the Chamber is looking for new space. She reported on workforce development services
provided by the local Custom Fit office and brought up the need for childcare facilities in Moab.
Councilmember Jones reported he attended a Solid Waste district meeting and he noted he had
been collecting information in Grand Junction regarding recycling options. He mentioned he
attended Dark Sky code advisory meetings.
Administrative Report: City Manager Everitt reported that the Utah Department of
Transportation (UDOT) met with staff and consultants about the North 191 widening project
and discussed lighting, street crossings and drainage. Everitt stated the Downtown Plan is
progressing, the City-wide parking plan is proceeding and he remarked on the Hot Spot project,
stating UDOT will manage the project for the parking structure and dispersed parking. He noted
the Water Reclamation Facility is close to completion, as well as the culinary water master plan
in advance of a fee study.
Citizens to be Heard: Dave Erley spoke in support for Dr. Brain’s suggested plastic bag ban.
Public Hearings:
Wastewater Service Rates:
After a brief presentation by City Engineer Williams and Deputy Treasurer Chantal Lindsay,
Mayor Niehaus opened a hearing at 7:30 PM for Public Input on Proposed Resolution #33-
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July 25, 2018
2018 – A Resolution Establishing Wastewater Service Rates. There were no citizens to be heard.
Councilmember Jones moved to close the public hearing. Councilmember Duncan seconded the
motion. The motion passed 5-0 aye with Councilmembers Jones, Derasary, Knuteson-Boyd,
Guzman-Newton and Duncan voting aye. Mayor Niehaus closed the hearing at 7:31 PM.
Sales Tax Bonds:
City Engineer Williams made a brief presentation regarding the USU Highway 191 Mill Creek
Drive Infrastructure project for which the revenue bonds would be used. He outlined
contributions made by the project partners including USU, Grand County, City of Moab and
SITLA. Mayor Niehaus and Councilmember Duncan asked about the timeframe for
construction. Williams described the timeline. Mayor Niehaus opened a Public Hearing at 7:38
PM to Allow Public Input Regarding on Proposed Resolution #37-2018 – A Resolution to (1)
the Issuance and Sale of not more than $800,000 Aggregate Principal Amount of Sales Tax
Revenue Bonds, Series 2018; (2) Any Potential Economic Impact that the Project Described
Herein to be Financed with the Proceeds of the Series 2018 Bonds Issued Under the Act May
Have on the Private Sector and (3) Related Matters. There were no citizens to be heard.
Councilmember Derasary moved to close the public hearing. Guzman-Newton seconded the
motion. The motion passed 5-0 aye with Councilmembers Jones, Derasary, Knuteson-Boyd,
Guzman-Newton and Duncan voting aye. Mayor Niehaus closed the hearing at 7:39 PM.
Old Business: (1:10 on recording)
Community Contributions—Discussion
City Manager Everitt opened a discussion of Proposed Resolution #35-2018 – A
Resolution to Adopt Guidelines and Procedures for Community Contributions. He described the
process staff designed based on Council comments. Councilmember Duncan stated his interest
in the idea of sponsorships rather than fee waivers for special events. City Manager Everitt
explained some of the benefits of the City being a sponsor while eliminating the concerns
surrounding fee waivers. Discussion regarding suggested changes to the proposed guidelines
ensued, including the timing of funding cycles, requirements for services inside the City limits,
compliance with the Doug Short ruling, and approval of funding requests by Council. It was
agreed that revised guidelines could be considered at the next regular council meeting.
New Business: (2:04 on recording)
Communication Plan—Approved
Communications Manager Lisa Church made a presentation regarding the proposed
communication plan and responded to comments about the City’s website and logo.
Motion and Vote: Councilmember Duncan moved to approve Proposed Resolution #39-
2018 – A Resolution Endorsing the City of Moab’s Communication Plan and Policies.
Councilmember Knuteson-Boyd seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0 aye with
Councilmembers Jones, Derasary, Knuteson-Boyd, Guzman-Newton and Duncan voting aye.
Chapter 5 of the Moab Municipal Code—Discussion
Deputy Treasurer Lindsay and consultant Tara Collins gave an Initial Briefing on Proposed
Ordinance #2018-15 – An Ordinance Revising Chapter 5 of the Moab Municipal Code
Pertaining to Business Licensing. Councilmember Jones moved to send the proposed Ordinance
to a public hearing on August 14 at approximately 7:15 PM. Councilmember Knuteson-Boyd
seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0 aye with Councilmembers Jones, Derasary,
Knuteson-Boyd, Guzman-Newton and Duncan voting aye.
Wastewater Revenue Bonds—Approved
Alex Buxton of Zions Bank and City Engineer Williams made a brief presentation about the
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July 25, 2018
proposed wastewater projects.
Motion and Vote: Councilmember Jones moved to adopt Proposed Resolution #38-2018
– A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Moab, Utah, Authorizing the Issuance and Sale
of Not More than $16,700,000 Aggregate Principal Amount of Wastewater Revenue and
Refunding Bonds Series 2018, Series 2018 and Related Matters and scheduled a public hearing
on August 28 at approximately 7:15 PM. Councilmember Knuteson-Boyd seconded the motion.
The motion passed 5-0 aye with Councilmembers Jones, Derasary, Knuteson-Boyd, Guzman-
Newton and Duncan voting aye.
Approval of Bills:
Councilmember Guzman-Newton moved to approve payment of bills against the City of Moab in
the amount of $1,749,827.85. Councilmember Knuteson-Boyd seconded the motion. The motion
passed 5-0 aye with Councilmembers Jones, Derasary, Knuteson-Boyd, Guzman-Newton and
Duncan voting aye.
Executive Closed Session:
Motion and Vote: Councilmember Jones moved to enter An Executive Strategy Session to
Discuss Pending or Reasonably Imminent Litigation and to enter an Executive Session to
Discuss the Character, Professional Competence, or Physical or Mental Health of an Individual.
Councilmember Guzman-Newton seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0 aye with
Councilmembers Jones, Derasary, Knuteson-Boyd, Guzman-Newton and Duncan voting aye.
The Executive Session was entered at 9:45 PM.
Councilmember Jones moved to end the Executive Closed Session. Councilmember Guzman-
Newton seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0 aye with Councilmembers Jones,
Derasary, Knuteson-Boyd, Guzman-Newton and Duncan voting aye. The Executive Closed
Session ended at 10:25 PM.
Adjournment: Councilmember Knuteson-Boyd moved to adjourn the meeting.
Councilmember Jones seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0 aye with Councilmembers
Jones, Derasary, Knuteson-Boyd, Guzman-Newton and Duncan voting aye. Mayor Niehaus
adjourned the meeting at 10:26 PM.
APPROVED: __________________ ATTEST: ___________________
Emily S. Niehaus, Mayor Rachel E. Stenta, City Recorder