HomeMy Public PortalAboutMIN-CC-2019-03-20MOAB CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
SPECIAL JOINT CITY COUNCIL AND GRAND COUNTY COUNCIL
WORKSHOP MEETING AND TOWN HALL
MARCH 20, 2019
Call to Order and Attendance: The Moab City Council attended a Special Joint City Council
and Grand County Council Workshop Meeting on the above date in the City Council Chambers
at 217 East Center Street, Moab, Utah. An audio recording of the meeting is archived at
hap://www.utah.gov/pmn/index.html and a video recording is archived at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmbDWdeuG30. In attendance were City Councilmembers
Kalen Jones, Rani Derasary, Karen Guzman -Newton, Tawny Knuteson-Boyd and Mike Duncan.
Also in attendance were Assistant City Manager Joel Linares, Finance Director Rachel Stenta,
Recorder Sommar Johnson and Records Specialist Eve Tallman. Representing Grand County
were Councilmembers Mary McGann, Terry Morse, Jaylyn Hawks, Evan Clapper and Greg
Halliday, as well as County Council Administrator Ruth Dillon, County Community and
Economic Development Director Zacharia Levine and County Clerk Chris Baird. Fourteen
members of the media and public were present.
Welcome to Congressman Curtis: Mayor Niehaus called the meeting to order at 5:53 PM
and introduced Congressman John Curtis. Councilmembers McGann and Derasary and Joette
Langianese presented two gifts and thanked Mr. Curtis for his attendance at the Town Hall, his
representation of Grand County and support of the Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action
(UMTRA) project.
Remarks from Congressman Curtis: Congressman Curtis made opening remarks on the
Emery County Public Land Management Act and the Endangered Fish Recovery Programs
Extension Act. He mentioned his efforts to expand rural access to broadband internet.
Jen Sadoff, Chief Executive Officer of the Moab Regional Hospital, spoke about challenges faced
by Moab's rural hospital. Mr. Curtis noted there were 67 bipartisan bills regarding opioids
passed in the House as well as long-term funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program
(CHIP). Discussion about health care for veterans followed.
County Council Chair Clapper brought up the collection of Transient Room Tax (TRT) on
federally -owned campsites and explained the need for revenue to support the area's tourist
economy infrastructure. County Clerk Baird further explained a recent ruling by the Utah Tax
Commission regarding the collection of sales tax generated on federal lands.
Councilmember Derasary brought up the Land and Water Conservation Fund as well as
Immigration legislation. Mr. Curtis stated the Utah Compact guided his decisions regarding
immigration and he added he supports Dreamers and border security. McGann brought up the
need for regulation of asbestos. Clapper requested efforts to protect clean air and water.
Recess: Councilmember Knuteson-Boyd moved to recess the meeting. Councilmember
Guzman -Newton seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Mayor Niehaus
recessed the meeting at 6:52 PM.
Town Hall: At 7:03 PM Mayor Niehaus convened a Town Hall without a quorum of City
Council members. Seventy-five participants were in attendance. It concluded at 8:15 PM.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
Emily S. Niehaus, Mayor Sommar Johnson, City Recorder
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March 20, 2019