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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. Page 1 of 2 August 29, 2018 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 Page2of2 August 29, 2018