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August 19, 2020
MOAB CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
AUGUST 19, 2020
The Moab City Council held a Special City Council Meeting on the above date. Per Executive
Order 2020-5 issued by Governor Gary R. Herbert on March 18, 2020, this meeting was
conducted electronically. An anchor location was not provided. An audio recording of the
meeting is archived at http://www.utah.gov/pmn/index.html. A video recording is archived at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hK7q6_KWF84.
Special Meeting—Call to Order and Attendance: Mayor Niehaus called the Special City
Council Meeting to order at 12:04 p.m. Participating remotely were Councilmembers Tawny
Knuteson-Boyd, Karen Guzman-Newton, Mike Duncan, and Rani Derasary. Councilmember
Jones was absent. City staff participating remotely were City Manager Joel Linares, Assistant
City Manager Carly Castle, City Attorney Laurie Simonson, City Recorder Sommar Johnson, City
Engineer Chuck Williams, and Public Works Director Levi Jones.
Discussion on the City’s role in communication and enforcement of Grand
County’s mask mandate
Discussion: Councilmembers expressed concern about increasing public pressure for the City
to help with education and enforcement of Grand County’s face mask mandate. They asked
about the possibility of placing electronic signs on the north and south ends of town alerting
visitors of the mask mandate. They also expressed concern about businesses and residents that
are not complying or are outwardly advocating for people not to wear masks. City Engineer
Williams said he spoke with UDOT and they were willing to allow the use of their right-of-way to
place one electronic sign near SR 313. He indicated that UDOT will not allow signs close to town
on the north end because of the necessary signage advising people of the Highway 191 widening
construction. He said UDOT agreed to allow a sign near SR 313 that said, “Grand County/Moab
face mask required” but they have not identified an area on the south end for an electronic sign.
Mayor Niehaus reminded the Council that this is a County mandate and we should be a good
partner with them. Councilmember Guzman-Newton questioned why the City is using our
resources to enforce the County’s mask mandate and felt this discussion should be happening at
the County.
Councilmember Duncan suggested directing staff to work with UDOT to place signs on the north
side of town around 313 and an appropriate place on the south end of town. Councilmembers
supported the direction to staff. He expressed concern that additional signage and threats of
fines or legal action will not change the minds of businesses and/or residents that refuse to
comply with the mandate.
Mayor Niehaus expressed her appreciation of the work done by the Council, Grand County, and
the Southeast Utah Health Department to keep our community safe.
Councilmember Derasary asked to have a Health Department representative attend the next
meeting to discuss the concerns about aerosols. She also asked about the possibility of placing
signs on City streets and light poles.
Mayor Niehaus felt the suggestions of placing signs north and south of town and placing signs
on light poles along Main Street were good solutions to work in partnership with the County,
recognizing it is the County’s order and we want to be good partners.
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August 19, 2020
Councilmember Guzman-Newton thanked the staff and the Mayor and expressed her
appreciation for the things that have been done right.
Councilmember Derasary said she believes the Council should do their part to set a good
example by following the ordinance as much as possible to help protect frontline workers.
Adjournment: Councilmember Guzman-Newton moved to adjourn the meeting.
Councilmember Knuteson-Boyd seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Mayor
Niehaus adjourned the meeting at 12:46 p.m.
APPROVED: __________________ ATTEST: ___________________
Emily S. Niehaus, Mayor Sommar Johnson, City Recorder