HomeMy Public PortalAboutMIN-CC-2018-08-31MOAB CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING
AUGUST 31, 2018
Call to Order and 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 meeting to order at 9:00 AM. In attendance were Councilmembers Kalen Jones, Rani Derasary
and Mike Duncan. Also in attendance were City Recorder/Assistant City Manager Rachel Stenta and
Records Specialist Eve Tallman. Nine guests, members of the public and media were present.
Presentation by Utah State University (USU) Moab Regarding the Future of USU Moab: The workshop
consisted of a presentation by Dr. Lianna Etchberger, Executive Director of USU Moab and David
Woolstenhulme, Vice Provost for Regional Campuses. Also representing USU were Dr. Rich Etchberger
and John Chase, USU Regional Campus Manager. Dr. Lianna Etchberger reviewed enrollment and
financial data for the campus, as well as degree programs offered and other data. She brought up that
Mayor Niehaus sits on the local USU Advisory Committee and is a point of contact for City personnel.
Mr. Woolstenhulme emphasized that the role of USU is to meet the needs of the Moab community and
requested feedback to that end. There was a discussion regarding the value of having a distinct campus
building. Mr. Woolstenhulme described various funding mechanisms which other communities have
used to move forward with campus building construction, and emphasized the desire to keep tuition
affordable and to provide scholarships. Dialogue included a comparison with other Regional Campuses
including Vernal and Blanding and future unification across the state.
Mayor Niehaus brought up the issue of water for the campus. Mr. Chase discussed the goal of highly
efficient buildings and noted the satisfaction of other campus communities around the state including
Tooele. Mr. Woolstenhulme reviewed the phased approach that may address future infrastructure
conditions. Councilmember Duncan mentioned the concern that, more than the campus buildings, it will
be the impact of proposed housing developments on adjacent property owned by the School and
Institutional Trust Lands Administration (SITLA) that will impact the area's water supply. Duncan also
brought up architecture that is affordable.
Councilmember Jones turned the conversation to fundraising. Dr. Etchberger began with a description
of the plan to build the initial campus building. Mr. Woolstenhulme described the monies available
from USU for the approximately $10 million building, mentioning the five million dollars previously
dedicated by USU and an additional $1.5 million being secured by the Extension agency. It was noted an
additional $2 million will be locally raised in collaboration with the USU personnel. Mayor Niehaus
recognized that the $2 million figure represents a relief from the previously understood $5 million local
fundraising goal.
Online learning was discussed and the future of virtual learning. Niehaus discussed the environmental
advantages of telepresence. The attractiveness of Moab as a place to live for faculty was noted as a
recruitment tool. Mr. Woolstenhulme cautioned that, once the money is made available, there will be
an urgency to begin work on the construction. He also mentioned the ongoing costs for operations and
maintenance (0&M) for the campus. He stated that, once the money is raised, construction could
realistically begin in the Spring of 2020. Councilmember Duncan brought up the specter of a possible
upcoming recession.
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Councilmember Jones brought up the sale of the existing campus building and how that sale figures into
the fundraising effort. Duncan asked about potential donors from beyond Moab.
Before her departure to another commitment, Councilmember Derasary expressed her support for the
project and noted concerns about housing. Councilmember Duncan stated he was supportive, and
mentioned his desire for lab facilities for local entrepreneurs who could work with students. He stated
he is concerned about the adjacent SITLA growth plan. Councilmember Jones stated his support for the
educational offerings and noted concern regarding coordination of economic development plans and
requested clarification regarding the concept of a destination campus versus a regional campus. It was
confirmed that the plan is for a regional campus, and that the USU role in economic development is the
long-term goal of training the local workforce and providing research opportunities. Councilmember
Jones mentioned his interest in the concept of USU fostering economic diversity with a business
incubator function. Rich Etchberger mentioned the upcoming appointment of a new business faculty
member. Discussion ensued about the prospects of establishing a public lands or natural resources
policy institute at USU Moab.
Mayor Niehaus expressed her support of the USU expansion and concluded with a confirmation that the
City's role moving forward is to effectively communicate to the community that the local fundraising
goal is $2 million, and that the City will communicate with SITLA about the City's concern about growth
in the area surrounding the campus. The local collaborative effort to build the roadway infrastructure
was mentioned.
Adjournment: The meeting ended at 10:18 AM.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
Emily S. Niehaus, Mayor Rachel E. Stenta, City Recorder
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