HomeMy Public PortalAboutMIN-CC-2019-02-09MOAB CITY
CITY COUNCIL RETREAT MEETING
FEBRUARY 9, 2019
Call to Order and Attendance:
The Moab City Council held a Special City Council Retreat Meeting on the above date in the
Moab Arts and Recreation Center located at iii East wo North Street. An audio recording is
archived at http://www.utah.gov/pmn/index.html. Mayor Emily Niehaus called the meeting to
order at 9:07 AM. In attendance were Councilmembers Rani Derasary, Tawny Knuteson-Boyd,
Karen Guzman -Newton, Kalen Jones and Mike Duncan. Also in attendance were City Manager
David Everitt, City Finance Director Rachel Stenta, Assistant City Manager Joel Linares,
Development Services Manager Sommar Johnson, Communications and Engagement Director
Lisa Church, Public Works Director Pat Dean, Deputy Recorder Dani Guerrero, Sustainability
Director Rosemarie Russo, Executive Administrative Assistant Carmella Galley and
Recorder/Project Specialist Eve Tallman. One member of the press attended.
Workshop to Discuss Setting Goals and Priorities For Calendar Year 2019:
City Manager Everitt introduced the general agenda for the day. Mayor Niehaus guided a review
of the prior year's work plan. Discussion on various topics followed, including moving Quality of
Life and Cross -Jurisdictional Initiatives issues to the top of the priority list. Among subjects
discussed were special events, constituent communications, the upcoming visioning process
regarding a future land use plan, the proposed io-year sustainability plan, a joint legislative
strategy with Grand County, Dark Skies, All -Terrain Vehicle (ATV) noise issues, support for the
development of the new Utah State University (USU) campus and future shared services with
Grand County.
The review of the work plan then moved to a discussion about Housing. Councilmember
Knuteson-Boyd suggested changing the verbiage of the work plan to shift toward community
education efforts. Also discussed were impact fees on accessory dwelling units, planned
affordable developments, housing stock and affordability. Discussion ensued regarding
promotion of increasing the stock of primary residential units.
Water Resource Protection was briefly reviewed. The upcoming water budget report was
discussed as well as cross jurisdictional decision points regarding water supply. The City's
planned review of water rates and a water conservation educational campaign were added to the
list of priorities.
Land Use and Planning topics were next examined. Completion of the in -progress Downtown
Master Plan was brought up. Also mentioned were ongoing work on updates to the General
Plan, the parking plan, timelines for various initiatives, sidewalk inventory plan and regional
transportation planning. Other topics were discussed including hiring of planning staff, code
revisions, residential building envelopes, signage, parking and standards for pocket
neighborhoods. Code reorganization, infrastructure planning and secondary water planning
were discussed including a report on whether they were already in -progress. Traffic calming,
pedestrian safety and signage were discussed.
Infrastructure was considered, including sidewalks, fleet management, and parks —including
pickle ball, shade structures, trees and other recreational assets. A survey was debated.
Under the topic of central administration, succession planning was brought up, including
human resource training initiatives. Revisions to the personnel policies and procedures were
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mentioned as an upcoming council review item. Revisions to the on -going performance
evaluation process were mentioned, along with the employee wellness incentive program.
Council involvement in staff hiring was discussed.
Open and better government issues were brought up. The new agenda management system was
touched on and differentiating between legislative and administrative decisions. The online
archives, record retention and social media presence were remarked upon. New work regarding
rental property owner licensing was mentioned. Councilmember Derasary requested a quarterly
revenue update. Mayor Niehaus requested periodic reporting regarding fiscal management.
Other topics were discussed, including public works, enterprise funds and City Center office
space.
Under the topic of Arts and Recreation, the proposed recreation and trails master plan was
mentioned and oversight of trails planning was included in the consideration of reinstating the
Parks, Recreation and Trails Director position or other options including a Wellness Director or
a grant -writer. It was agreed to revisit the topic in the summer. Other considerations included
signage, the golf course lease and support of arts programs. Public safety accomplishments were
briefly discussed. Animal control topics were brought up as well as an idling vehicle ordinance.
Councilmembers expressed interest in understanding the impacts of development on water
supply with an eye toward projecting buildout and implications for water conservation
measures. Councilmember Knuteson-Boyd requested shorter council meetings and options were
debated for altering the meeting format and agenda order. Final changes to the administrative
plan were proposed, including more work on planning and zoning topics that are considered old
business, the process for consideration of planning documents, how to better engage in the state
legislative process, including pending legislation regarding USU, ATV noise and tax rates. A
municipal property tax was brought up as well as municipal staff customer service training.
Discussion followed about the City's organizational structure and the role of development
services. Mayor Niehaus suggested an examination of possible City -County coordination of
development services. Moving code enforcement services to the police department was
mentioned. Implications of the pending change of the County's form of government was brought
up.
Executive Session:
Councilmember Jones moved to convene an executive closed 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-o aye with Councilmembers Jones,
Derasary, Knuteson-Boyd, Guzman -Newton and Duncan voting aye. Mayor Niehaus convened
the executive closed session at 4:14 PM. Councilmember Knuteson-Boyd moved to adjourn the
closed session. Councilmember Jones seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-o aye with
Councilmembers Jones, Derasary, Knuteson-Boyd, Guzman -Newton and Duncan voting aye.
Mayor Niehaus ended the executive closed session at 5:ii PM.
Adjournment: Councilmember Knuteson-Boyd moved to adjourn the meeting.
Councilmember Jones seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Mayor Niehaus
adjourned the meeting at 5:ii PM.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
Emily S. Niehaus, Mayor Rachel E. Stenta, City Recorder
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