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HomeMy Public PortalAboutMIN-CC-2019-10-15EMERGENCY JOINT MOAB CITY COUNCIL/GRAND COUNTY COUNCIL/CASTLE VALLEY TOWN COUNCIL MEETING EMERGENCY JOINT MINUTES OCTOBER 15, 2019 The Moab City Council held its regular meeting on the above date in the Council Chambers at the Grand County Courthouse, located at 125 East Center Street. Emergency Joint City Council/Grand County Council/Castle Valley Town Council Meeting: At 1:04 PM, County Council Chair Evan Clapper called the workshop meeting to order. In attendance were Mayor Emily Niehaus, City Councilmembers Tawny Knuteson-Boyd, and Rani Derasary and Grand Council Chair Evan Clapper, County Councilmembers Mary McGann, Greg Halliday, Terry Morse and Jaylyn Hawks and Castle Valley Mayor Jasmin Duncan, Castle Valley Town Councilmembers Bob O'Brien, Harry Holland, and Tory Hill. City Councilmember Karen Guzman -Newton arrived at 1:08 PM. Staff in attendance included City Manager Joel Linares, City Recorder Sommar Johnson, County Council Administrator Ruth Dillon, County Clerk/Auditor Chris Baird and County Attorney Christina Sloan. Numerous members of the media and public were also present. Recordings are archived at: https://www.utah.gov/pmn/files/543873.mp3 (audio) and: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v= EvKaY-cORZ48rlist=PL071GdvHsj NWIeY8iHoHuHIY4dfyHwp (video). Joint Resolution Opposing NPS Directive Dated September 24, 2019 Allowing Off Road Vehicles (ATV/UTV/OHV'S) in National Parks in the Southeast Utah Group Discussion and possible action County Council Motion and vote: On behalf of Grand County Council, County Councilmember Hawks moved to approve a Joint Resolution Opposing NPS Directive Dated September 24, 2109 Allowing Off -Road Vehicles (ATV/UTV/OHV's) in National Parks and Monuments in the Southeast Utah Group and authorize the chair to sign associated documents. County Councilmember Morse seconded the motion. There was no discussion. The motion passed 5-o aye with County Councilmembers Hawks, Morse, McGann, Halliday and Chair Clapper voting aye. Mayor Niehaus made sure everyone understood what had happened with the County's motion and vote and opened the motion for discussion. County Councilmember McGann suggested that the Resolution be read out for the audience. City Council Motion and Vote: City Councilmember Knuteson-Boyd moved to entertain a Joint Resolution Opposing National Park Service Directive Dated September 24, 2019 Allow Off -Road Vehicles (ATM/ UTV/OHV's) in National Parks and Monuments in the Southeast Utah Group be approved. City Councilmember Derasary seconded the motion. Mayor Niehaus stated that the motion would remain open for discussion. Castle Valley Town Council Motion and Vote: Town Councilmember Tory Hill moved to approve a Joint Resolution Opposing NPS Directive Dated September 24, 2109 Allowing Off -Road Vehicles (ATV/UTV/OHV's) in National Parks and Monuments in the Southeast Utah Group. Town Councilmember Bob O'Brien seconded the motion. The Council leaders took turns reading out the red -line edits in the Resolution. County Council Chair Clapper read out the first red line edit on page 2 "Whereas motorized recreation is a critical component of the economy of Southeast Utah and is essential that the experiences Page 1 of 5 October 15, 2019 provided on our public lands meet the expectations of our motorized and non -motorized visitors." Mayor Niehaus read out the red -line, "Whereas the Moab Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) encompasses 1.8 million acres of canyon country with nearly 4,000 linear miles of roads and trails open to off -road vehicles including (ATV/UTV/OHV's) which roads and trails provide high quality experiences for motorized recreation of all types." Castle Valley Mayor Duncan read the red line, "whereas various user groups have met over many years and have successfully implemented a use group management plan that works for all recreational uses including ATV/UTV/OHV's which planning efforts support the region's tourism economy and tax base". County Council Chair Clapper read, "therefore it is resolved at the Town of Castle Valley, City of Moab and Grand County, Utah oppose allowing ATV/UTV/OHV's to travel roads in the national parks and monuments located in Southeast Utah Group without environmental study and public comment as required by the ACT, NEPA and NPS management policies." Mayor Niehaus read, "it is further resolved that the Town of Castle Valley, City of Moab and Grand County, Utah existing congestion and visitor experience degradation are addressed and it is further resolved that the Town of Castle Valley, City of Moab and Grand County, Utah, also oppose allowing a UTV/ ATV/OHV to travel roads in the national parks and monuments." Castle Valley Mayor Duncan read, "it is further resolved that the Town of Castle Valley, City of Moab, and Grand County, Utah also oppose allowing a UTV/ ATV/OHV to travel roads in the national parks and monuments located in the Southeast Utah Group because such use is incompatible with resource and wildlife protection." County Council Chair Clapper asked Sloan if there were any other highlights. She said that staff had heard from their recreation communities and the edits that were made were just discussed were in appreciation of the motorized community. This is not a resolution of opposing motorized uses. It is a resolution opposing the use of off -road vehicles in national parks. Citizen Comments Judy Powers said that she would really like the Councils to support this resolution. Kylie Miller said that she supports this resolution and asked the Councils to join forces to try to get off -road vehicles off the streets. Wayne Hoskinson wanted to address an issue that was brought up as a discrimination issue on the part of some motorized people and it's really not discrimination because motor vehicles can be regulated and regulated as perceived needed. Discrimination happens against people, and everyone is welcome in the parks as long as they have a pass or a permit. It's not a discriminatory sort of thing." Crystal Muzik stated that she definitely supported the vote and she was happy that everyone had joined forces and made this meeting happen on short notice. Michael Grindstaff said that he supported the vote and thinks that if ATVs are allowed in the national park, it will "fundamentally alter the experience of, I think, all of the visitors in our parks here. We're so lucky to have the parks here and that the park here. Most parks do not have these kinds of dirt access roads." Leigh Singleton thanked the Councils and told them that they have the support of some people in this community, including herself and that their efforts were greatly appreciated. She said that she absolutely supports this resolution. Dave Montgomery thanked the three government bodies for coming together and moving quickly forward on this issue. Page 2ot5 October 15, 2019 Kent Green stated that he is local business owner. He said, "it's not that I don't support what you're doing, but we need to sit back and take a look about a lot of different things. It is an industry that has come to Moab. Yes, there do need to be some regulations, but for those who want to keep them off the street, that's not going to happen. There's laws in place to keep that. I don't support what you're doing here. I think that we need to sit back and take a look and ask everybody in Moab, not just a few, for this meeting to be done in short notice, I think you've got to give the community an opportunity to also voice their opinion." He said that he appreciates the work that they do but didn't support what they were doing. He said that he didn't think that they were speaking for all residents. He though there were other solutions that they could come up with. He said that our parks are national treasures, and everyone loves them, but that there was a discrimination issue. He said, "so, that's something you're gonna have to fight up hill, all the way." Merritt Gohls said that he has been guiding mountain bike tours in Canyonlands National Park for 12 years. He said that he is also a motor sport enthusiast, but that off -road vehicles would overwhelm the parks and that the Park Service is already underfunded and understaffed in being able to protect this area with the visitors that we already have, and this would overwhelm them. He said that he feels that there are some areas that need to be quieter and more protected and that there are already many things that motorsports can do in the area. Brian Martinez said that he feels that he is a steward of Canyonlands National Park and he spends a lot of time in the backcountry. He said that he feels that there has never been more access available for all people. He believes that their opposition of the Directive is good. He said that this use is against what people come to enjoy. Discussion City Manager Joel Linares said that City Councilmember Jones told him that he has had time to review the joint resolution and that he wanted to make sure that his support of passing the joint resolution as it is drafted was voiced. County Council Chair Clapper noted that the resolution "really does call out a lot about the process that this came down from and the fact that it didn't have a lot of opportunity for citizen comment or reaching out to folks that it would really affect." He said that he thought that was something that the Council has issues with and echoed that he thought any changes should have a bigger review and study process. He said that you are not allowed to fly a kite in the national parks because of the effects it would have on "other user experiences and that to make changes that drastically without things like flying kites or hang gliding or base jumping or things that are discriminated against, that it's kind of a narrow view here and really should be part of a much larger process." Castle Valley Mayor agreed that it didn't go through process. Mayor Niehaus said that she did not attend the meeting with Representative John Curtis, but that she did watch it on YouTube and he was very clear that if they all come together as a community with a joint resolution to address this recent decision, that would be the tool that he needed to be able to advocate for our community. She is grateful that he is willing to come and meet with them and listen to our community. She said that it is clear there are community members both for and against this resolution, but that they were there to vote as a unified group with their best intention to represent what they think most of the community feels. She said that she was in favor of the resolution but recognized that the State law that was the reasoning for why this decision needed to be made needs to be looked at again. County Councilmember McGann said that she was excited to see this movement towards getting Page 3of5 October 15, 2019 the different legislative bodies working together and solving problems together. She said, "I think it is an example of a brand-new day and that is positive." Citizen Sandy Huntsman asked if public opinion in San Juan County was being rallied in any way and if the Commission there is making any sort of effort either way regarding this decision. County Council Chair Clapper said that he hadn't had any direct interaction with the San Juan County Commission. He said that due to the timeline of the Directive, they wanted to focus on our community and have our community voice and Grand County would like to be leaders in this effort. City Councilmember Derasary thanked her colleagues for reaching out to other gateway communities and looking for contacts. She said that if anyone there had contacts in San Juan County, she would encourage them to contact their commission and elected officials. She noted that there is still value to anyone who has feelings about this change to write letters to the State and Federal Representatives, to the National Park Service and the Department of Interior and express those feelings. Grand County Council Vote: Council Chair Clapper reminded everyone that there was a motion on the table made by Councilmember Hawks and seconded by Councilmember Morse and called for a vote. The motion passed 5-o aye with County Councilmembers Hawks, Morse, McGann, Halliday and Chair Clapper voting aye. Moab City Council Vote: Mayor Niehaus reminded everyone that there was a motion on the table made by Councilmember Knuteson-Boyd and seconded by Councilmember Derasary and called for a vote. The motion passed 3-o with Councilmembers Kunteson-Boyd, Derasary and Guzman - Newton voting aye. Castle Valley Town Council Vote: Mayor Duncan reminded everyone that there was a motion on the table made by Councilmember Hi11 and seconded by Councilmember O'Brien and called for a vote. Motion passed 4-0 with Mayor Duncan and Councilmembers O'Brien, Holland, and Hill voting aye. County Council Chair Clapper asked if there were any future considerations while they were all together. It was noted that the National Park Service would be having a public hearing that evening at the Grand Center, 182 N 50o W from 5 PM to 7 PM (overview presentations at 5:30 PM and 6:30 pm. National Park Intermountain Region staff will discuss plans to further study visitor experience, transportation alternatives and traffic patterns. There will also be someone available to answer questions regarding the ATV/UTV/OHV matter. County Council Chair Clapper volunteered to deliver the signed resolution to the public hearing. Moab City Mayor Niehaus said that she believes that, "as a resort community, we need to discuss the Utah law that allows ATV/UTV/OHV's on the roads. I think that in the resolution, it's very clear that we do not want to eliminate that user group from recreating in our community, but there's been a public outcry regarding the noise." She hopes that together, they can come up with some suggested amendments to the law and to be sure that they include tour operators in the conversation about what the amendments could look like for future consideration. Kent Green said that he wanted to be clear that he is not a rental company. He is a tour company only. Castle Valley Mayor Duncan added that, "it might even pay to go a little bit higher than that and see if you can't get these things just made quieter." Page 4of5 October 15, 2019 The Resolution was signed by all Council leaders. Adjournment; ty Council Chair Clapper adjourned the,eeting at i:34M APPROVED: Emily S. Niehaus, Mayor ATTEST: Sommar Johnson, City Recorder Pa,2.,, 5 crf 5 October 15, 2019