HomeMy Public PortalAboutMIN-CC-2017-05-30MOAB CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
JOINT GRAND COUNTY COUNCIL - MOAB CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
MAY 30, 2017
The Moab City Council held a Special Joint Meeting with the Grand County Council on the above date in
the Grand County Council Chambers, located at 125 East Center Street, Moab, Utah. A recording of the
meeting is archived at http://www.utah.gov/pmn/index.html.
Grand County Council Chairperson Jaylyn Hawks called the meeting to order at 11:30 AM. In attendance
were Moab City Councilmembers Rani Derasary, Heila Ershadi, Tawny Knuteson-Boyd, and Kyle Bailey.
Councilmember Kalen Jones arrived at 11:40 AM. Also in attendance were Mayor Dave Sakrison, City
Manager David Everitt, City Recorder/Assistant City Manager Rachel Stenta, and Interim City Engineer
Eric Johanson. Grand County Councilmembers Jaylyn Hawks, Curtis Wells, Mary McGann, Chris Baird,
Greg Halliday, and Evan Clapper also attended, as well as Grand County's Council Administrator Ruth
Dillon, Community Development Director Zacharia Levine, and Clerk Diana Carroll. Jim Webster from the
Grand County School District Board, and Brian Torgerson from the Utah School and Institutional Trust
Lands Administration (SITLA) also attended.
Councilmember Knuteson-Boyd made a motion for the Moab City Council to approve an Amplified
Music Event at Old City Park on June 3, 2017 for Kevin Harmison, and also to approve an Amplified
Music Event at Old City Park on June 10, 2017 for the Moab Valley Humane Society. Councilmember
Derasary seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-0 with Councilmembers Bailey, Knuteson-Boyd,
Ershadi, and Derasary voting aye.
The Joint Meeting began with a presentation on formation of a Community Redevelopment Agency
(CRA). County Community Development Director Levine introduced Adam Long of Smith Hartvigsen, and
Susie Becker and Alex Buxton of Zions Bank, all three of whom participated electronically, and Long
described the CRA mechanism for establishing Community Reinvestment Areas. The specific
reinvestment area being jointly considered was described as property traversing incorporated City and
unincorporated County land for the future Utah State University (USU) campus. It was pointed out that
the County established a CRA some time ago. Discussion ensued regarding the model whereby property
taxes from the County and sales taxes from the City would finance a joint project. Also discussed was the
need for the School Board to become knowledgeable about the CRA process and the School District role
in financing of the project.
Levine and County Councilmember Baird discussed how the diverse taxing entities would function to
repay the loan from the Permanent Community Impact Fund Board (CIB). Baird asked about ratifying an
Interlocal Agreement for operations or creating a project area. School Board member Webster asked
whether CRA funds were generated only in within the project area, and it was explained that funds
could be generated on a broader basis, and it was stated that the City could offer assistance from its
General Fund. City Councilmember Jones mentioned the prospect of an Interlocal Agreement between
the City and the CRA regarding capturing revenues from a possible future City property tax. Jones also
brought up minimum affordable housing allocations related to a CRA, not specifically located within the
reinvestment area. Levine also remarked on the prospect of future annexations of unincorporated land
into the City. Webster mentioned that the School Board would need to be apprised of the impacts
regarding reassignment of tax revenues from the school district to the CRA.
City Councilmember Jones asked about the market study that Zions Bank was conducting.
Councilmember Bailey asked if it was projecting for a twenty-year plan, and the answer from Becker was
affirmative. The study will consider sales tax revenues and property tax. County Councilmember Baird
stated the project was moving forward. The draft SITLA development plan was discussed, as well as the
forthcoming housing complex on Mill Creek Drive.
Mayor Sakrison noted that the City has an established CRA but it is inactive. He suggested a
Memorandum of Understanding between the two governments. Councilmember Bailey suggested
getting an opinion from the City Attorney. Discussion ensued about repaying debt from the City's
General Fund. County Councilmember Baird stated the main question is about the involvement of the
school district. Councilmember Bailey asked whether a letter of support could be obtained from the USU
President. SITLA's Torgerson suggested the school district could be held harmless. A fifty-fifty split in
expenses between the City and the County was proposed.
The discussion turned to a Highway 191 bypass for Moab. Councilmember Bailey noted the bypass is not
currently reflected in the City's draft General Plan. County Councilmember Wells outlined new funding
available from the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) for mitigation of traffic congestion
caused by tourism, and other uses. Wells encouraged application for monies. City Manager Everitt noted
an idea that has been suggested to reorient the main downtown street to 100 West.
Discussion ensued about seeking funding for the Highway 191 drainage project related to widening
Highway 191 on the north end of downtown. It was noted that many businesses consider the highway as
a detriment to commerce on Main Street.
Discussion about traffic attributed to semi -trucks followed. It was estimated that more than ten percent
of traffic is currently from trucks. County Councilmember Clapper asked if trucks represent only ten
percent of total traffic, is that enough to justify a bypass. County Councilmember Baird suggested that a
bypass could result in two noisy corridors through town rather than one. Councilmember Jones noted
that the City is working on both a Downtown Plan and a Transportation Plan.
County Councilmember Wells urged the formation of a joint committee to seek funding from UDOT for a
feasibility study regarding a bypass or other solution to congestion. The Committee will consist of
County Councilmembers Wells and Halliday, County Community Development Director Levine, County
Roads Superintendent Bill Jackson, City Councilmembers Jones and Knuteson-Boyd, and City Planner Jeff
Reinhart.
Mayor Sakrison adjourned the meeting at 1:28 PM.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
David L. Sakrison Rachel E. Stenta
Mayor City Recorder