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HomeMy Public PortalAboutMIN-CC-2020-10-20 Page 1 of 5 October 20, 2020 MOAB CITY COUNCIL MINUTES JOINT GRAND COUNTY COMMISSION/MOAB CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING OCTOBER 20, 2020 The Grand County Commission and Moab City Council held a Special City Council Meeting on the above date. Consistent with provisions of the Utah Open and Public Meetings Act, Utah Code Ann. § 54-2-207(4), the Moab City Council Chair has issued written determinations supporting the decision to convene electronic meetings of the Council without a physical anchor location. Due to the health and safety risks related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and considering public health orders limiting in-person gatherings, the Moab City Council will continue to hold meetings by electronic means. An audio recording of the meeting is archived at https://www.utah.gov/pmn/index.html. A video recording is archived at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHp9ZWnaUaM&t=6311s. Special Meeting—Call to Order and Attendance: Grand County Commission Chair Mary McGann and Mayor Emily Niehaus called the Special Joint Grand County Commission/Moab City Council Meeting to order at 2:01 p.m. Grand County Commission members participating remotely were Evan Clapper, Gabriel Woytek, Rory Paxman, Greg Halliday, and Curtis Wells (joined at 2:19 p.m.). Moab City Council members participating remotely were Kalen Jones, Mike Duncan, Rani Derasary, Tawny Knuteson-Boyd, and Karen Guzman-Newton (joined at 2:03 p.m.). Grand County staff participating remotely were County Attorney Christina Sloan, Council Administrator Chris Baird, and Assistant Commission Administrator Mallory Nassau. City staff participating remotely were City Manager Joel Linares, Assistant City Manager Carly Castle, City Attorney Laurie Simonson, and City Recorder Sommar Johnson. Citizens to be Heard (Until 2:10 p.m.) Grand County Commission Chair McGann noted the number and type of email comments received and related a brief history of the issue at hand. She suggested only people having not communicated via email speak during the “Citizens to be Heard” portion of the meeting and suggested only locals’ comment and keep comments to a 2-minute time limit. Written comments received before the meeting: Comments received before the meeting are attached as “Exhibit 1”. Comments received during the meeting: Sara Melnicoff suggested a parallel with drug abuse and tourism dollars. The never-ending quest for more is destroying the community and no good will come of overuse. Bret Stewart – helped with legislation for street legal utility vehicles (UTV’s), willing to answer questions Michael Skarda commented he’s had some interest in setting up a dealership for UTV’s and suggested there may be an electric off-highway vehicle (OHV) that offers a middle-ground. City Attorney Laurie Simonson noted all emails have been included – whether they use the form on the website or not. Chair McGann noted emails opposing a “ban” on UTV’s are perhaps misguided as neither the city nor the county was ever considering a ban on UTV’s. Page 2 of 5 October 20, 2020 General Business – Action Items – Discussion and Consideration of: ● Approving joint resolution to formally initiate proceedings to amend the Grand County Land Use Code and the Moab Municipal Code to amend those relevant portions permitting vehicle sales, rentals, or leasing, commercial outdoor recreation uses, and outfitter, guide services and facilities and to impose a moratorium on issuing new business licenses for the sale, rental, or leasing of all-terrain vehicles (ATV), commercial outdoor recreational uses involving an ATV, and ATV outfitting, guiding, and touring and to impose a moratorium on issuing new special events permits for ATV vendors, associations, and groups (Laurie Simonson, City of Moab Attorney and Christina Sloan, Grand County Attorney): City Attorney Laurie Simonson described this as an option to address the noise issue in the city/county. She discussed the temporary nature of the moratorium; the city or the county can end the moratorium at will. She suggested that ATV users are not a protected group therefore this does not constitute discrimination. Grand County Commission member Jaylyn Hawks noted public comments that suggested current business owners not be allowed to increase current fleet size. Grand County Commission Chair Mary McGann noted there is no part of the current licensing procedure limiting the number of vehicles allowed. Grand County Attorney Christina Sloan described how business licenses are not able to be transferred right now, but that perhaps in the future that could change. Business owners would be allowed to relocate, and this action would not limit any existing ATV related businesses. Hotels are not generally offering rentals but using a local third party. Moab City Councilmember Karen Guzman-Newton supports having an early discussion with San Juan County – so we don’t encourage businesses to move across the county line while still operating in Moab. Grand County Commission member Greg Halliday suggested that better mufflers could make a difference and noted that perhaps businesses could modify existing machines so they’re quieter. Grand County Commission member Evan Clapper noted the evolution of electric vehicles and expressed appreciation to current businesses and outfitters encouraging visitors to keep the noise down. Noted the importance of guides involved in tours to educate ATV users. ● Grand County Commission Motion: Commission member Evan Clapper moved to approve a joint resolution to formally initiate proceedings to amend the Grand County Land Use Code and the Moab Municipal Code to amend those relevant portions permitting vehicle sales, rentals, or leasing, commercial outdoor recreational uses, and outfitter, guide services and facilities and to impose a moratorium on issuing new business licenses for the sale, rental, or leasing of all-terrain vehicles (ATV), commercial outdoor recreational uses involving an ATV, and ATV outfitting, guiding, and touring and to impose a moratorium on issuing new special events permits for ATV vendors, associations, and groups. Commission member Jaylyn Hawks seconded the motion. Page 3 of 5 October 20, 2020 Commission member Curtis Wells asked about the timeframe for the moratorium and expressed concern the moratorium may morph into something different and suggested intentions be made clearer. He noted discomfort with the current resolution and would like to see a firm end to the moratorium. Commission member Rory Paxman disclosed that he is an employee of Red Rock UTV’s and will recuse himself. ● Moab City Council Motion: Councilmember Kalen Jones moved to approve a joint resolution to formally initiate proceedings to amend the Grand County Land Use Code and the Moab Municipal Code to amend those relevant portions permitting vehicle sales, rentals, or leasing, commercial outdoor recreational uses, and outfitter, guide services and facilities and to impose a moratorium on issuing new business licenses for the sale, rental, or leasing of all-terrain vehicles (ATV), commercial outdoor recreational uses involving an ATV, and ATV outfitting, guiding, and touring and to impose a moratorium on issuing new special events permits for ATV vendors, associations, and groups. Councilmember Rani Derasary seconded the motion. ● Discussion: Councilmember Kalen Jones asked about terminating the moratorium. Grand County Attorney Christina Sloan noted either body would be able to terminate at will. Councilmember Tawny Knuteson-Boyd noted she’s uncomfortable with the motion and suggested it may have the potential to harm local business. She noted industry support for decreased noise levels. Commission member Jaylyn Hawks understands the argument for both sides and noted that perhaps we’re not demonizing the users but addressing a real issue that exists in the community and asked about a 180-day sunset for the resolution. City Attorney Laurie Simonson noted business licenses are not subject to land-use code. Grand County Attorney Christina Sloan noted this is temporary. Commission member Jaylyn Hawks asked about the termination of the resolution with regard to city vs county. City Attorney Laurie Simonson noted that neither body has the ability to regulate the other. Councilmember Rani Derasary asked about the moratorium with regard to special events. Grand County Attorney Christina Sloan noted that any permit not already approved will be subject to the moratorium. Councilmember Karen Guzman-Newton noted the input of motorized trails users and their willingness to work with the community. She suggested local government’s responsibility is to residents - not event organizers. Councilmember Mike Duncan suggested he’s not demonizing users but offering local businesses the opportunity to take the lead on fixing the issue and would support a 180- day moratorium end. Councilmember Rani Derasary noted support for the resolution and agreed that this could potentially help local businesses and noted 180 days is likely not long enough to have any positive effect. Page 4 of 5 October 20, 2020 Commission Chair Mary McGann noted she’s comfortable with an open-end timeline. ● Grand County Commission Vote: The motion passed 5-1 with Commission members Mary McGann, Evan Clapper, Gabriel Woytek, Jaylyn Hawks, and Greg Halliday voting aye and Commission member Curtis Wells Voting nay in a roll call vote. Commission member Rory Paxman recused. ● Moab City Council Vote: The motion passed 4-1 with Councilmembers Rani Derasary, Kalen Jones, Karen Guzman-Newton, and Mike Duncan voting aye and Councilmember Knuteson-Boyd voting nay in a roll call vote. ● Approving ordinance to establish speed limits for off-highway vehicles (OHV) in the City of Moab (Laurie Simonson, City of Moab Attorney) Grand County Attorney Christina Sloan noted the difference between the city and county speed limits and said OHV speed limits on county roads would be 10 mph lower than the posted limit and motorcycles will be exempt. She noted this is reasonable regulation allowed by the state, it doesn’t affect state highways, and it’s not enforceable until posted. City Attorney Laurie Simonson noted OHV’s generally create more noise than passenger vehicles. She noted that excluding motorcycles was intentional to avoid capturing a larger group of users than necessary and that on-highway motorcycles are not separated by law. City Attorney Laurie Simonson noted speed limits do not take effect until posted. Councilmember Rani Derasary asked about funding for the signage. Mayor Niehaus responded that funding isn’t an issue at this point and that cost could be determined and authorized later. She said the fiscal analysis would come after approving the ordinance. City Manager Joel Linares noted the cost of signing is minimal. City Attorney Laurie Simonson asked Chief Edge for a ballpark cost of increased speed enforcement. Chief Edge suggested some cost figures. ● Motion: Councilmember Mike Duncan moved to approve an ordinance to establish speed limits for off-highway vehicles (OHV), not including motorcycles, in the City of Moab. Councilmember Kalen Jones seconded the motion. ● Discussion: Councilmember Rani Derasary doesn’t want to pass something that won’t be effective due to prohibitive implementation costs. Mayor Niehaus asked about a straw poll – would the council be in favor of funding signage, etc.? Councilmember Karen Guzman-Newton asked about the number of officers needed to effectively enforce an ordinance and asked when the community could realistically expect increased enforcement. Chief Edge discussed staffing challenges. Chief Edge noted they would likely need 10 more officers in order to truly be effective. He noted the lag time between hiring and public engagement. Grand County Attorney Christina Sloan noted the Sheriff's department doesn’t have the manpower to enforce speed limits either. Councilmember Kalen Jones noted support for the county and suggested the Transient Room Tax (TRT) allocations could be tweaked to better support law enforcement. Councilmember Rani Derasary asked about varying speed limits in town. ● Vote: The motion passed 4-1 with Councilmembers Kalen Jones, Rani Derasary, Karen Guzman-Newton, and Mike Duncan voting aye and Councilmember Tawny Knuteson- Boyd voting nay in a roll call vote. ● Approving ordinance to establish speed limits for off-highway vehicles (OHV) in Grand County (Christina Sloan, Grand County Attorney) ● Motion: Commission member Evan Clapper moved to approve an ordinance to Page 5 of 5 October 20, 2020 establish speed limits for off-highway vehicles (OHV), not including motorcycles, in Grand County. Commission member Gabriel Woytek seconded the motion. ● Discussion: Commission member Jaylyn Hawks suggested this may not be fair to any users and suggested this be discussed as part of the moratorium process. She noted TRT is already allocated to maximum allowable levels and would like to know the fiscal impact of the proposed ordinance. Grand County Commission Administrator Chris Baird noted we send the maximum TRT to the general fund. Grand County Attorney Christina Sloan noted we have time – it’s not effective until posted. Commission member Evan Clapper said it’s likely easier to enforce than sound limitations. Commission member Jaylyn Hawks noted motorcycles are often louder and said she’s not entirely supportive of the speed limit. ● Vote: The motion passed 4-2 with Commission members Evan Clapper, Gabriel Woytek, Jaylyn Hawks, Mary McGann, and Greg Halliday voting aye and Commission members Curtis Wells and Jaylyn Hawks voting nay in a roll call vote. Commission member Paxman recused. Discussion Items ● Discussion on enforcement challenges regarding OHV’s (Laurie Simonson, City of Moab) City Attorney Laurie Simonson discussed the difficulty of enforcing the noise issue. She noted the difference between pass-by sound test and stationary test and noted tests attempt to minimize errors created by ambient noise. She suggested any ordinance would need strict testing standards. Councilmember Mike Duncan shared some noise level data gathered on Sand Flats Road. City Manager Joel Linares noted the difficulty of reaching a prosecutable standard in court with noise tests. ● Discussion on possible legislative action regarding OHV use (Mayor Niehaus, City of Moab) Mayor Niehaus discussed designated routes and possible curfews for OHV’s. She noted these would likely not put locals first and suggested we consider a permitting process for driving on city streets. Commission Chair Mary McGann suggested this would require state approval – Utah doesn’t allow municipalities and counties to regulate roads. Mayor Niehaus noted costs could be minimal. Councilmember Kalen Jones suggested support for the idea. Commission Chair Mary McGann suggested support for the idea but noted we’d have to involve the state. Councilmember Tawny Knuteson-Boyd noted support and expressed the need for more education. Councilmember Mike Duncan suggested support for the idea and noted regulations could evolve over time. Mayor Niehaus noted there is some time to draft this, and suggested it should be inclusive, not exclusive. She said the permit would be available to Grand County residents as well. Commission Chair Mary McGann suggested a committee going forward; Mayor Niehaus agreed. Grand County Attorney Christina Sloan noted support and suggested the county work closely with the city on the issue. Adjournment: Grand County Commission Chair McGann and Mayor Niehaus adjourned the meeting at 3:59 p.m. APPROVED: __________________ ATTEST: ___________________ Emily S. Niehaus, Mayor Sommar Johnson, City Recorder Timestamp Your Name Your Comment 10/15/2020 16:41:29 William Schooler Please look up the word PUBLIC, this is a lawful term and you folks are a service Corporation and you are here to service the public. Please stop acting like you are protecting anything at all and begin to look at what the public is requesting which is ALL sides with none left out. Then find something that works for the public you are servicing which is from all types of recreation and residents. MOAB is a recreation destination, it is what has allowed it to grow to present levels and everyone moving there should not be confused about Moab. It is surrounded by Public lands and must be accesssable to ALL who recreate. Picking and choosing makes it private not public, please clear this up now or you can be liable for treaspass. 10/16/2020 16:37:20 Casey cook I will keep this short but I needed to voice my opinion. I am part of multiple UTV groups of people located In Utah with over 30k members so I can say I speak for tens of thousands of local UTV enthusiasts with my same opinion. Moab Utah is one of my favorite places to drive my UTV. I understand there is currently a massive debate currently between groups with massively different views about street legal UTVs driving on your city streets and wanted to share my experiences about the topic. If I could give you guys one main reason to keep allowing street legal UTVs to be driven on Moab city roads would be because it allows me to keep my truck and trailer at my hotel and drive My SXS directly to the trail heads and helps to eliminate parking issues and congestion within your beautiful recreational areas. Thank you Casey Cook 801-750-2335 10/16/2020 17:24:10 Robert Hollahan I support increasing regulation and enforcement of noise violations in Moab city. I support any reasonable alternative to accomplish this goal, but I would be particularly interested in requiring the UTV rental companies to trailer their vehicles out to trailheads rather than having their many custormers operate the vehicles on city streets. Thank you. 10/16/2020 18:08:38 Jerry Busenbark To whom it may concern, I‘m writing today to give my input as a Utah resident who has been coming to Moab for 20 plus years. My family has spent thousands of dollars to boost your economy by using local RV parks, hotels, buying groceries, restaurants, gas stations, auto parts stores etc. I have rode my motorcycle there, jeeped, hiked and most recently used my street legal side by side to run the many trails Moab has to offer. I have obeyed all the local laws when driving from the RV Park to the trail. I understand the concerns of the locals and ask that you work with UTV Utah and other groups to come up with solutions that work for everyone. I live in Perry, Utah which allows ohv’s to travel on the city streets without being street legal. Perry is not a tourist town like Moab and I see ohv’s pass my house all day every day which sits between two grade schools. I have never complained about it and the city has operated this way for at least 20 years that I‘ve lived here. I would like to continue to come to Moab and spend my dollars in your community but we the UTV community feel we are being pushed out. V/r, Jerry Busenbark 10/16/2020 18:16:29 Breanne Bringhurst My family and I have enjoyed coming to Moab for many years to enjoy the outdoor activities, especially with our UTV. We enjoy staying at the Air BNBs so we can fit our whole family or a group of friends. Yes, we travel through town in our street legal side by side. We don’t make excessive noise while doing so. We go the speed limit. Banning UTVs would really hurt the community. We love to spend our money in the local businesses and would love to continue this tradition. 10/16/2020 18:21:09 Jake Eliason My comment is in regard to issues facing street legal UTV's in Moab. Moab is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. We all love Moab. Moab is a place to escape, a place that we all need. Not everyone recreates the same, and that is part of why Moab is so fantastic. In Moab we have camped, stayed in a hotel, and stayed in a campground. Great times every way we have done it. In Moab we hiked, mountain biked, rode motorcycles and UTV's. We enjoy lining our trips up down to Moab with the car shows that come to town as well. We enjoy supporting the local business in Moab. The current issues with UTV's in Moab are real. We don't disagree that UTV's haven't brought concerns to Moab as well. Most UTV owners share a certain disaffection for the noise UTV's can make, and the speeds at which UTV's are designed to operate. Most UTV owners also love coming to Moab, and do so with their families and friends to share memories that last a lifetime in such a beautiful place. I believe it would limit the noise (and related complaints) to have a lower speed limit for UTV's within city limits and/or have designated roadways for street legal UTV's (I understand there are, but these may be improved with signage or more enforcement). Street Legal UTV owners are responsible and willing to help those in one of the most unique cities in America. Please don't make rash commitments or regulations that would negatively affect the vast majority of responsible recreationists based on complaints of a few. Moab is a place we all loved to see filled with motorcycles, mountain bikes, street legal UTV's and sprinter vans. Thank you for keeping a place for everyone. Jake Eliason 10/16/2020 18:21:16 Chad Bringhurst Please reconsider banning UTVs in your community. We have enjoyed spending time with our family and friends down there. We love supporting the community and want to continue doing so. 10/16/2020 18:26:15 Kim Coughlan We love coming to Moab and explorer the trails in our UTV. We respect and love the town. It has created a lot of amazing memories for me and my family. Please allow utv to been driven in town. 10/16/2020 18:28:50 Brittney Ercanbrack SXS are vital to our community. They bring people in for all seasons. We NEED them!! 10/16/2020 18:50:55 Kurtis Dear committee. My name is kurtis. I am a a responsible UTV owner and appreciate the fact that I have the opportunity to voice my opinion. We as an off road community understand and share your frustrations with those who choose to ignore city noise and other ordinances in Moab. We pay our vehicle taxes and reserve our right to drive our ATV/UTV on the streets in the state of Utah. Discrimination and targeting a certain type of vehicle is not fair and is unlawful. That being said, certain ordinances have been placed to already address the issues you are discussing. Noisy streets are because of the lack of enforcement. Step up your enforcement, put the fear of getting citations in the eyes of those who do not follow the rules. I do not ride late at night, I do not have aftermarket exhaust, I do not play my music loudly. Why am I being punished for something I do not do. I enjoy the time I spend with my family and friends in Moab. Lots of memories and friendships have been created there. Let us help. There are plenty of large social media groups ready to help your community with this. Thank you 10/16/2020 19:15:28 Miriam Graham I am a 23 year resident of Moab. I moved to Mulberry Grove from Spanish Valley just 2 years ago, and immediately noticed the traffic noise on Mill Creek Drive as well as 191, which has only increased since then, except of course, when town shut down this past spring. I can only compare the noise of UTVs heading up to Sand Flats at all hours (I've even been awakened at 1am) to a speedway I once lived a few miles from in rural NC. We knew that every Saturday night from 7 to 10, the noise would be deafening but we put up with it because we knew that after 10 it would be quiet again. Not so in Moab. We absolutely need to pass ordinances limiting UTV activity and/or the noise levels they're allowed to make, by requiring mufflers, having a noise curfew, and keeping them off residential streets, at least during certain hours. We need to preserve a decent quality of life for our residents. EXHIBIT 1 Timestamp Your Name Your Comment 10/16/2020 19:19:57 Kayla wilkins Dear Moab City council, My husband and have frequented Moab City often for the majority of our lives. We have visited Moab for many reasons but mostly because of unique terrain Moab offers for us as avid members of the off road community. While I do understand the challenges that Moab residents face with increasing popularity of UTVs On the streets of Moab. I do However I feel that an all out ban on events such as Rally On the Rocks and banning street legal UTVs is not the answer. In doing so there will a detrimental impact on Moab’s local economy. Cities such as Marysvale have embraced the UTV/off-road community by implementing speed limits for UTVs/ATVs in their city. They also have used education to their advantage in curbing unwanted behavior regarding UTVs/ATVs. I feel that there can be fair compromises from both sides that can result in a peaceful coexistence between UTVs and the residents of Moab. Those of us in the UTV community will be more than happy to work for a resolve so that we can all keep the Moab we love. Thank you. 10/16/2020 19:25:24 Heidi Robertson I have been going to Moab for over 30 years. The locals use to complain about the Jeep Safari being to loud. It looks like now it is UTVs. I understand the noise concern and do not think it is unreasonable for a ban for loud mufflers or quiet hours. I do not think trailer to rides is reasonable since the parking lots fill up already with hikers. It is very frustrating to visit Moab and plan on hiking and not be able park anywhere due to all the cars and trailers will make it worse. UTVs should not be banned just because they are the latest fad. 10/16/2020 19:46:12 Leann We practiced percentage today for a homeschool project. 400 east had 47% atv vehicles today. It was a miserable walk on the sidewalk, Miserable. A miserable time playing with my kids in the yard, a miserable time at rotary park, and a miserable time now as I’m watching family movie tonight and having to shut my windows on this nice fall night because of the noise. There’s constant buzzing, when the buzzing is faint you just wait, anxiously for it to get louder. You’re in edge waiting until you need to pause a conversation, or cringe as you watch tourists having a nice time while you are not. We are about to build a home here in Moab but considering not. We can’t handle this noice anymore and the inconsiderate tourists that it tends to include. Not all, but most it seems. When we first moved Here 8 years ago it was a busy little happy town with some noise but a lot of climbers and mtn bikers. That’s not the case anymore. We as mtn bikers aren’t feeling connection to the rocks and trails anymore. We feel out of place. Change this or we are leaving as well as so many others. Moab is going downhill, and fast.”if these walls could talk”- yeah, we wouldn’t be able to hear them. 10/16/2020 20:32:07 Kody Bloomquist The hostility toward the UTV community by some in Moab is very sad and a testament to the inability of people to compromise and accept other people's beliefs these days. If it wasn't for a facebook group which I am a member of, I would never have known that some in our community are causing so many issues down there. I am a responsible UTVer and respect the communities I visit, but it would be nice if you could spend your efforts educating people rather than turning this into a politicaly motivated agenda. If you would include us in discussing these issues, we can help you bring the awareness to our community. I guess if some get their way, I will take my patronage elsewhere but will sure miss doing what I love in this beautiful part of Utah. 10/16/2020 22:20:22 steve Campbell I'm gonna be blunt. Your actions are out of line, and are discriminating. You haven't even attempted to enforce the laws currently in place to lessen the noise issue. A handful of noise complaints does not out weigh the economic disaster to follow. 10/17/2020 7:04:47 William Schooler You are a service Corporation, Moabs economy was built on uranium and recreation through surounding public lands and national parks which are also public. Please break down public into all parts and explain to us all who fits into public please. This is your responsibility to understand and you have an obligation to the public you service as a corporate entity. Please define which public you shall service. I expect a full rely to this request and that it be made public. Thank you. 10/17/2020 15:55:49 David Wilson I have been living and working remotely in Moab since August of this year. It's confounding to be awoken at 6 am by roaring SxS's in small caravans heading out to Sand Flats to drive around the slickrock. It's more disappointing to frequently see them sprinting through the neighborhoods at speeds much higher than the posted limit. I understand that motorsports are a massive economic driver for the Moab area, but these noisy machines are absurd. Why they are street legal is beyond me. There are plenty of SxS enthusiasts who trailer their machines to the trailheads and use them purely to access remote areas of the desert. It's a tossup as to whether they appreciate and respect the environment and other user groups. Seeing them rip through town with their differentials locked and tires squealing through turns, frequently with obnoxious blinking LED's flashing in rhythm with blaring music is unnecessary. Restrictions on these machines and other loud motorized vehicles is not too much to ask. Local entities need the ability to enforce noice ordinances. Grand County would not be negatively impacted by removing the SxS's from the streets and pushing the industry for quiet electric/hybrid versions that would be friendlier to the ears and the air. I want to tell my friends in my hometown that Moab is a cool place, but as it is now, it's noisy AF. 10/17/2020 16:26:59 Tricia Scott I would prefer for UTVs to have some aftermarket mufflers when in town if possible. I think banning them would have serious financial consequences for Moab . 10/17/2020 17:26:55 Blair Crismond UtV problem ???? We ride respectfully in town Just like the big jeeps and trucks . Stop Discriminating against what brings in money to such a smalltown . We love Moab however the way this is going not sure if We will be back after all of this . 10/17/2020 19:09:48 Ashley Leave people alone about the side x sides. They are street legal, and legally allowed on the street! How about you people put your time and money into convincing the companies who make them, and the people who own them, to modify them and make them more quiet! Are we going to ban car show next? Because it's pretty loud too! This is a huge money maker for this town and the locals who live here. You don't get to pick and choose what kind of tourists you serve AFTER you turn moab into the tourist circus it has become now. We've all adapted and now our rights are being taken away in regards to airbnbs, nightly rentals, and side x sides. 10/18/2020 4:28:32 Katie Hammond Hello, we love coming to Moab every year. It’s a great get away vacation for us. We are from West Virginia, and some Kentucky, so it’s a long trip for us. We drove 26 hours just to see your town. We respect all the laws and limit signs. Everyone shouldn’t be punished because some don’t follow the laws and regulations. That being said having guides and being able to rent is very nice in case a buggy would break down or if we wanted to see new trails we haven’t before. Personally I think it would take a big hit on the economy there to ban UTvs. Setting different speed limits probably won’t help but it’s a good effort. It will probably upset residents getting stuck behind groups of utvs going 15 mph or 10 under. Maybe setting ordinance also after so late they can’t be going through town if they’re too loud. Please don’t punish everyone because some aren’t respectful of your town. 10/18/2020 8:01:07 Faith Dickey I could easily list all the reasons I dislike ATV's and their impact upon Moab, my current waking/sleeping life here as well as the likelihood that I stay here for the long haul, however I believe you all, as the council, have your attention brought to these issues regularly. The noise, the disobeying of traffic laws, the litter found on trails are all important and relevant, despite being contentious amongst residents. However, the larger picture, for me, is the incredible denial of climate change that much of our society is harboring. All aspects of our existence must change to slow the rate at which we warm our planet, and tourism is no exception. What I see is a tourism industry built upon consumerism. Roads were once great means of access for all types of people, yet now they are cluttered with idling and polluting cars. The trails or off-road areas around Moab were once quiet, places of adventure that few sought out, but the ATV industry has exploited them and a short walk on any popular off road route will show you black streaks, plastic debris from the vehicles, and empty beverage bottles. We are delusional to think that tourism can remain as it was in light of climate change. Though I would prefer wide sweeping changes (electric trains!) I am not kidding myself. I do, however, believe we must start changing the way we "Tour." Currently, tourism in Moab feels like a consumption in and of itself. Tourists are here to consume the area, and feel entitled to do so because we lay the tools at their feet. Environmental stewardship is not popular, and Moab is becoming like a Disneyland of rocks. ATV's are our roller coasters, and users do not even realize what they are contributing to with the consumption of oil, the pollution/destruction of our land, and the pollution of our ears. As long as this damaging activity is provided, encouraged and unlimited, it will be sought out as such. I believe, one day, it will be a relic of the oil industry, and our grandchildren will scoff at our inability to instigate the necessary changes to protect our planet, because of "profits." No one is a saint, we are a society dependent on fossil fuels and it is extraordinarily difficult to be interdependent from them. However, as rule-changers, you all have the opportunity to chip away at a destructive industry that contributes to climate change more so than any other recreation in this area. 10/18/2020 10:06:17 Dustin McElhaney The city is broke so why do you want to get rid of this income? Moab was raised from off-roaders leave it alone.how many businesses will be destroyed by this and families hurt? Timestamp Your Name Your Comment 10/18/2020 12:23:00 Cody To whom it may concern I support responsible recreation and support efforts to protect and increase access to recreation resources. Outdoor recreation is an explosive industry where new markets for experiences and products emerge suddenly. This provides challenges for policymakers and the public to accommodate these new users. This growth also creates significant economic opportunities that have benefitted Moab residents and Moab businesses greatly. We are aware that the recent surge in UTV use in Moab is leading to noise nuisance complaints. Utah state law allows street legal UTVs and ATVs to use public roads, and we support these protections. Street legal access increases access for these users and eliminates problems such as trail-head congestion and many other issues. We recognize the challenges that come with abating noise nuisances, and we are wanting to work with the City of Moab to educate users in ways they can minimize noise impacts while riding on public roads. We wouldn't support the codification of any policy that would unfairly discriminate against street-legal OHV users. We believe the city should find ways to enforce violations of ordinances in a way that targets wrongdoers instead of trying to find ways to categorically deny use of roads to street-legal OHV users. We look forward to finding common-ground solutions to these challenges at the same time we recognize that a categorical denial of use of a public benefit by a specific group is discriminatory by nature and can't be the starting point for authentic compromise. The most recent conversations and proposals have led to discussions and targeting of OHV related businesses directly. Any policies that are directed at prohibiting or limiting the specific businesses that participate in OHV guides, accessories, rentals, trail access or others is something that is severely flawed and not supported. We would encourage you to help us address and fix the actual issues rather than target businesses and users. Categorical creating a denial of a public benefit by a specific user group is discriminatory by nature and not supported. 10/18/2020 12:23:58 Shayne Burdine To whom it may concern, Please take into consideration that 99% of the members of UTV Utah are advocates for the outdoors. We clean up after others and try to preserve the pristine outdoors for enjoyment by all. However, I do understand your frustration with noise and common courtesy. Please don’t shut us all down due to the lack of respect of the few. Change the noise law to reflect what is tolerable. Prosecute those that do not abide by the laws. Help us with guidelines that will enable us to self police and apply pressure to those that don’t abide. You can not do it on your own and neither can we. It must be a team effort. We love your town and county. It would be shame for both the businesses and those that follow the rules. Thank you for your time and consideration. Shayne Burdine. 10/18/2020 12:26:38 Steven buccambuso I am an active member of the UTV Utah and I do frequent the amazing recreational activities Moab has to offer. My group of 4-6 families try to make it to Moab twice a year. We spend roughly 2-3 thousand dollars per family each time While in Moab and our money is spent strictly on local owned businesses from gas stations and restaurants to housing (airBnB to hotels) and even your parts stores for our machines. I am aware that residents main concern is the amount of noise being generated by UTV’s and I am also aware of the proposals our President of UTV Utah has come to you with and I am truly hoping there is a common ground that can be reached! 10/18/2020 12:33:45 Randy George When I travel to a destination to operate my sxs I spend on aversge $2000 in that comunity when in moab for 2 weeks we almost doubled that amount we eat at resturants buy fuel, buy momentoes and clothing out of state permits for sxs and so forth I am from oregon and we welcome out of staters to come ride the dunes and deaserts and the business comunity also welcome the monies coming in from them it boosts our small townes sales in turn more taxes coming in so the residents dont have to pick up the added taxes of the state and local governments to run there inferstructures 10/18/2020 12:39:00 Robin Stewart I would like to see an ban of the ATV's on the streets. Or at the least an ordinance that will address the noise or, a cerfew for how late they can be on the streets. The noise they cause is ruining our town. I especially do not like being woke up all hours of the night by the noise pollution they create as they find there way back to there nightly rentals in the Spanish Valley area. 10/18/2020 12:50:23 Jeff Sappington Please keep the public grounds open for riding. My family loves to visit your area. We prefer 50" trails and single track but ride all trails. Thank you, Jeff Sappington 10/18/2020 13:12:27 Brad I understand living in Moab creates unique challenges. A tourist community and economy creates frustrations for everyone because a perfect solution for contentment does not exist. Current laws cover most of the issues but need to be enforced more strictly. Like most issues, a small minority makes a lot of noise that can affect others negatively, and usually both sides of an issue. I own a side by side and visit Moab 3 times a year. I am very respectful of the residents of Moab and do my best to educate others on respectable behavior. Please don’t limit us because of others actions. Sincerely, Brad Ferrell 10/18/2020 13:21:14 Corey Foy My family owned farms and had lifetime grazing permits on arches monument back in the day. But things change the uranium boom! Changed farming and ranching in moab. Many families that chose to keep their families here had to work out of town just to survive in moab and thats a fact. Almost everyone I knew growing up had a parent working out of town to survive. Moab has killed off pretty much any industry around moab. Well now we have motorized Recreation that supports alot of local incomes and creates a ton of jobs. Not to mention the money motorized recreation bring into moab. As in tax revenue, jobs just to name a few! My family has been in around moab for almost 100 years. We are a motorized recreation family!!! We want motorized recreation in moab.... I can name many places that rock climbers and mountain bike have ruined places my family grew hunting a d recreating on for many years and now it is flooded with hikers and bikers. But you know what they are here just enjoying what we all love about moab and I have no right to tell them how or when or what they can do. So if you dont like what has been created in moab its time to leave..... MOAB IS MOTORIZED RECREATION AND WE ARE HERE TO STAY!!!! 10/18/2020 13:24:09 Chayne Please allow UTV in Moab we live coming down each year I hope we can come to a agreement 10/18/2020 13:45:49 Bob Ebert It has come to my attention that the city of Moab is taking action to limit or possibly ban the use of UTVs on city streets. While I understand the concern regarding excessive noise from certain machines and driving styles, I do not believe this should affect all people - the vast majority of us are not the problem. I totally understand limiting the time of use and issuing citations for excessive noise, please don’t punish everyone for the actions of a few. 10/18/2020 14:14:42 Brad Ferrell UTVs Every group can complain about another groups activities. Changing laws to limit recreation participation by select groups gives preference to people who may possibly be a very angry about everything. I get that some people are socially irresponsible and are extremely irritating. Fine those people that are offensive. Limiting everyone is not a fair response to the problem. I have been reading comments from some residents that have no idea what they are complaining about. Like one resident asking the rental shops install mufflers on machines, Keep Moab access to public lands open for all to enjoy. Timestamp Your Name Your Comment 10/18/2020 16:25:16 David Williams As an avid UTV owner and enthusiast I am opposed to the creation of any new laws and attempts to shut out the utv community from Moab. I also oppose the idea of not permitting events such as Ralley on the Rocks and others. It seems as though there should be more emphasis oh enforcing laws already on the books for noise and speed. There's no need to create more conflict. The UTV community wants to work with you, but it seems you have a different agenda and would like to just discriminate against one group of people. 10/18/2020 16:36:11 Barbara Greaves Hello Council, We support responsible recreation & efforts to protect our accesses to our recreation resources. Technology changes constantly & it provides challenges for policymakers and the public to accommodate these new users. Growth also creates significant economic opportunities that have benefitted both residents & businesses of Moab greatly. We are aware that the up tick of UTV use in Moab is leading to noise complaints. State law allows street legal UTVs and ATVs to use public roads, and we support these protections. Street legal access increases access for these users and eliminates problems like trailers packing trail heads and many other issues. We recognize the challenges that come with abating noise nuisances, and we are wanting to work with the City of Moab to educate users in ways they can minimize noise impacts while riding on public roads. We wouldn't support the any policy that would unfairly discriminate against street-legal OHV users. We believe Moab should find ways to enforce violations of ordinances that targets wrongdoers instead of trying to find ways to deny use of roads to street-legal OHV users. We look forward to finding common solutions to these challenges. We also recognize that a denial of use of public benefit by a specific group is discriminatory and can't be the starting point for authentic compromise. Conversations and proposals have led to discussions and targeting of OHV related businesses directly. Any policies that are directed at prohibiting or limiting the specific businesses that participate in OHV guides, accessories, rentals, trail access or others is something that is severely flawed. We would encourage you to help us address and fix the actual issues rather than target businesses and users. Creating a denial of a public benefit by a specific user group is discriminatory and not supported. Thank you for your time, Barbara Greaves 10/18/2020 17:15:44 Jerrod Henderson Hello, I am a UTV owner and resident of Utah. My family and I love Moab! It's our favorite place in the world!! We are Always responsible and respectful. Please do not make the laws and rules more strict for those of us who love and cherish Moab. I understand there are bad apples in every community not just UTV's. Please don't judge the many by the few. Thank you. 10/18/2020 17:46:08 Lenore Sorensen We love to come down to Moab once or twice a year. I am very consistent on the town when I am there. And I have a side by side. I’m not very happy about the changes you are trying to do If you think this will not hurt you town it will I send around 3000.00 every time I come to Moab. Between logging and meals. And others thing like gas and we alway go to the shops down town and buying things. For you to think this will not have an enact on you town you are Wong. I and my family will think twice before planing any more trips to Moab if you stop allowing side by sides! Lenore Sorensen 10/18/2020 18:03:29 Lindsay kosier I as a tax payer and someone who follows the rules and pays all fees asked of me to enjoy our side by side. Would be so furious to lose the ability to go see such a beautiful place that i as a tax paying Utah resident pay to keep these trails open for ALL to come to... let’s all be happy and willing to work together to give each other a little bit of peace ( when we visit moab) in this crazy world we are all living in... 10/18/2020 18:27:27 Kevin Fyans Moab is a very special and fun place that my family has enjoyed for some time. We are very respectful and enjoy the freedom of driving our atv within the city. I believe stricter laws on noise control are needed. Please don’t penalize the many because of the few. 10/18/2020 18:55:57 Garrett Pierson Moab has always been a special place for me and my family. It has provided adventured for me as my interests have changed over the years. From Mountain Bikes to Jeeps to Dirt Bikes, and now has come full circle to being back on Mountain Bikes. However when we bring the family to town we not only bring mountain bikes, but dirt bikes and now a UTV. It has been fantastic to be able to enjoy all that Moab has to offer no matter my choice of wheels. However with the new threats to the UTV community I feel that is it a very slippery slope to banning any and all motorized travel. Should you ban UTV's from Moab, we will vote with our out of town $$$$ by taking them else where. 10/18/2020 19:04:32 Dee McNenny I own a street legal ATV (a GoatBuilt tube buggy), and three jeeps. All of my vehicles have mufflers, which are wrapped to quiet them even further. I also hate the noise made by some street legal ATVs and OHVs and agree that the noise needs to be cut significantly. However, there are other types of vehicles that creating noise problems in Moab, and they need to be addressed, too. I support the city and Grand County enforcing stationary sound testing at 20” from the exhaust of the vehicle being tested, and training police officers to do the testing. This test is proven to be very effective, far more so than moving tests. Checkpoints would not be required and testing would be done on vehicles a trained officer determines to be louder than permitted by the existing noise ordinance. Vehicles failing the test could be fined, with repeat offenders being impounded. In that way those of us who aren’t causing noise pollution are not punished and those who are behind the problem are identified. Neighborhoods and businesses will all benefit from removing excessively loud motorized vehicles from our streets. That includes the hot rodders that are cruising through neighborhoods and on Main and have been for months. There are plenty of pickup trucks and passenger cars that are as noisy or worse than many street legal ATVs. Regarding the effects of the proposed speed limit change, should it be enacted, has the city considered what problems will result when a significant amount of traffic, much of it smaller than the average SUV, is suddenly required to drive 10 miles per hour or more under the speed limit on Main Street, up the hill to Sand Flats, and through neighborhoods? How will regular traffic pass them? This scenario raises the specter of heightened road rage and accidents with larger vehicles swerving around street legal ATVs and potentially colliding with bicyclists and other vehicles. Finally, the city should consider that although this town has many rental ATVs, far more than that number come here and are privately owned. Restrictions on the rental companies are likely to result in an increase in privately owned machines and a net increase in noise. Enforcing the sound ordinance using stationary testing is the single most effective and speedy solution to Moab’s noise problem, and it has been proven effective in communities all across the country. I urge the city to act on enforcing it. Timestamp Your Name Your Comment 10/18/2020 19:13:05 George Lukey My first trip to Moab was in 1997 attending the Easter Jeep Safari. I now have a UTV and all the support i have done over the years including educating others continues with the UTV folks. Respectfully, please don't group all UTV people into a single category that limits freedom. We don't need the blunt hatchet here. 10/18/2020 19:24:27 crystal Muzik Moab now constantly sounds like a motor raceway. The increase in numbers of off highway vehicles over the past years, have dramatically impacted many Moab residents. The noise impacts are astounding and affect several neighborhoods, if not all neighborhoods, and the quality of life of many town residents (and visitors). I fully support the Moab City Council taking action on this issue. I support enforcing a speed limit on OHVs, limiting the permitting of OHV sales, rentals, or leasing, commercial outdoor recreational uses, and outfitter, guide services and facilities and to impose a moratorium on issuing new business licenses for the sale, rental, or leasing of OHVs. Also, it is crucial to limit the number of new OHV events in the area. I suggest additional money to be spent on education, law enforcement, a night time curfew, and an increase in ticketing and fines, if possible. The wildlife, the soundscape, and the community of Moab deserve a peaceful living environment. 10/18/2020 19:27:33 Bryce Moab has become our family's top vacation spot due to its diversity in all outdoor activities and its amazing home town feel. I know when I'm in your town everyone will treat us and equals and with the most respect. That's why we come down 3-4 times a year. Limiting recreational activities will force people like my family to find other places to visit and call our home away from home. Please find a way to keep your town personal to you as well as welcoming to us. 10/18/2020 19:44:11 Scott Allred City and County email addresses: council@grandcountyutah.net City-council@moabcity.org http://bit.ly/publiccommentform Email: Dear Council, I support responsible recreation and support efforts to protect and increase access to recreation resources. Outdoor recreation is an explosive industry where new markets for experiences and products emerge suddenly. This provides challenges for policymakers and the public to accommodate these new users. This growth also creates significant economic opportunities that have benefitted Moab residents and Moab businesses greatly. We are aware that the recent surge in UTV use in Moab is leading to noise nuisance complaints. Utah state law allows street legal UTVs and ATVs to use public roads, and we support these protections. Street legal access increases access for these users and eliminates problems such as trail-head congestion and many other issues. We recognize the challenges that come with abating noise nuisances, and we are wanting to work with the City of Moab to educate users in ways they can minimize noise impacts while riding on public roads. We wouldn't support the codification of any policy that would unfairly discriminate against street-legal OHV users. We believe the city should find ways to enforce violations of ordinances in a way that targets wrongdoers instead of trying to find ways to categorically deny use of roads to street-legal OHV users. We look forward to finding common-ground solutions to these challenges at the same time we recognize that a categorical denial of use of a public benefit by a specific group is discriminatory by nature and can't be the starting point for authentic compromise. The most recent conversations and proposals have led to discussions and targeting of OHV related businesses directly. Any policies that are directed at prohibiting or limiting the specific businesses that participate in OHV guides, accessories, rentals, trail access or others is something that is severely flawed and not supported. We would encourage you to help us address and fix the actual issues rather than target businesses and users. Categorical creating a denial of a public benefit by a specific user group is discriminatory by nature and not supported. Thank you for your time. 10/18/2020 19:58:06 Chris Johnson Please dont punish law abiding utv enthusiasts for things small percentage is doing. 10/18/2020 20:14:06 Justin Hartle As an avid outdoorsman and UTV enthusiasts it is infuriating that you as government officials feel that you have the power to overreach and abuse your standing within city and county government to voitate all citizens rights to public lands. The offroad community put moab on the map and we spend millions of dollars annually supporting your town. I strongly oppose your ban on UTV's and OHV's in restricting our access to trails and operating street legal machines in town. 10/18/2020 20:43:49 Dee McNenny Edited comment to City: I own a street legal ATV (a GoatBuilt tube buggy), and also own three jeeps. All of my vehicles have mufflers, which are wrapped to quiet them even further. I hate the noise of some street legal ATVs and agree that it needs to be addressed. I support the city and Grand County in enforcing stationary sound testing at 20” from the exhaust of the vehicle being tested, and in training officers to do the testing. This test is proven to be very effective, more so than moving tests. Checkpoints would not be required and testing would be done on vehicles a trained officer determines to be louder than permitted by the existing noise ordinance. In that way those of us who aren’t causing noise pollution are not punished and those who are behind the problem are identified and pay the consequences. That includes the hot rodders that are cruising through neighborhoods and on Main. There are plenty of pickup trucks and passenger cars that are as noisy or worse than many street legal ATVs. Regarding the effects of the proposed speed limit change, what problems will result when a lot of traffic, much of it smaller than the average SUV, is suddenly required to drive 10 miles per hour under the speed limit up the hill to Sand Flats, in Spanish Valley, and through neighborhoods? How will regular traffic pass them? This scenario raises the specter of road rage and accidents with larger vehicles swerving around street legal ATVs and potentially colliding with bicyclists and other vehicles. Some street legal ATVs are a little quieter at 15mph than at 25, but now they will take longer to drive through the neighborhood, so the perceived benefit of that speed reduction may actually be zero. Finally, the city should consider that although this town has many rental ATVs, many more than that come here that are privately owned. Restrictions on the rental companies will likely result in an increase in privately owned machines, and a net increase in noise. Enforcing the sound ordinance using stationary testing is the single most effective and speedy solution to Moab’s noise problem. Timestamp Your Name Your Comment 10/18/2020 21:00:47 Jessica Hover I was born and raised in Moab, most of my family is still there. My parents gone is on 5th West and as you know is a main thoroughfare for traffic. There has never been a time where SXS traffic noise was a bother to daily life. It’s the same as Jeep safari, the countless marathons and diverted traffic doesn’t impact their, or mine as I lived there for the first 19 years of my life, daily life. Is it something you have to deal with? Of course, much like allergies, mosquitos as all those other small annoyances in life, they will always be there. I live in Salt Lake now and have SXS driving though my neighborhood daily, I certainly will not be trying to ban them. Before you think about banning such a huge part of the Moab economy think of all of your citizens who struggle to live with your ridiculously high cost of living. 10/18/2020 21:21:26 Dave Hancey Greetings, My wife and I recently joined the UTV community. It's something we enjoy doing very much. Utah has such an incredible and diverse landscape. We have enjoyed recently, a trip on the Piute Trail system, where we stayed at a locally owned RV park, in the town of Marysville, where we learned about the riding rules and opportunities for the trail system. The towns around the trail system have all learned what a great benefit it is, having the tourism dollars in their communities. They have developed this resource in some great ways, that benefit both the residents and the visitors. I have yet to visit the town of Moab, but it is one I intend to get to very soon. I support efforts by the Moab city council to protect the access rights to these beautiful natural resources for all persons and access methods. I feel generally, that it's consistently the poor choices and actions of the few, that have the most negative impact to the vast majority of people, especially those who love being in Utah's wild country. It is my suggestion to the council, to study the policies of the towns surrounding the Piute Trail system. They have found ways to coexist and even mutually benefit from the beautiful natural resources that are so abundant in Utah. I support efforts to teach people the proper way to behave and respect the natural resources of the state, and their surrounding communities. It never serves the majority of respectful citizens, buy punishing the minority, for the actions of the few. Well published and enforced statues, will bring the biggest benefit to the most people, without punitively punishing those that do, and will, respect the environment and it's surrounding communities. Please don't take away my right to enjoy the beauty that is Moab! Respectfully, Dave Hancey Perry, UT 10/18/2020 22:00:23 John johnson I am not in favor of any detrimental actions being against ATV users, tour guides, or any of the associated industries unless it is proven that they are legally irresponsible. Has any consideration been given to setting up an “unbiased” monitoring system in areas that seem to be the most problematic? Video and sound monitoring together might help identify any and all offenders as well as real problems. It’s easy to complain but that is not proof that there is a legitimate or legal problem. Relying on the human element alone should not determine the fate of everyone involved with this issue. 10/19/2020 5:19:55 Rich Hamiel I am a resident of Kane county, I see these UTVs getting completely out of hand. I live on a 25 MPH road and at many times I see UTVs doing at least 70 MPH. Absolutely no respect for residents or the woods where I live. I agree something has to be done, maybe stiff impound fines minimum of two days for breaking the law. And yes I am a responsible off roader. 10/19/2020 5:23:29 Peter Adams I value Moab and Grand County as one of my favorite recreation areas and I visit the area approximately 6 times a year. Anything that the Local law makers do that is seen as restricting the way I responsibly and respectively recreate, will have a negative influence on how I view Moab and the surrounding area. 10/19/2020 6:11:59 Michaelle Foy I have been in Moab for 24 years and have witnessed What the Utv industry has done for Moab. Millions of dollars and hundreds of jobs have been created by Utv enthusiasts. Yes its a booming Industry and there will be some mowing pains. I recall almost 20 or so years ago jeeps safari was out off control. Dui check points jeeps causing way more problems then the UTVs ever have but they got that under control. I own Utv's and ride from our house almost daily to go to trails or even take our Labrador for a ride which he loves. I am for motorized recreation and street legal UTVs! I am a Local! Way more noise issues then utvs. Like Semi's and these little 4 cylinder souped up cars with high pitched mufflers.Street legal Utv's are here to stay and I will do my part to make sure they do! Remember who you work for beside the same 40 people that hate utvs that you continue to listen to. Moab Needs Motorized Recreation..... 10/19/2020 6:54:42 Charles Perry To whim it may concern, Please look at the whole picture when it comes to UTVs. Dont let the bad apples ruin the entire bunch. I have been to Moab numerous times and have never felt the need to disrespect the local neighborhoods by rallying and being noisy. The UTV community is a big one. Bigger than the Off road jeep crowd. Please dont let a few idiots ruin our enjoyment and the money it brings into your local economy. Laws are on the books to take care of disobedience from all drivers. Lets just enforce them. Thank you for your time Charlie 10/19/2020 7:42:01 Jim Kone To whom it may concern, The following was drafted by the group UTV Utah in response to the recent proposals. We all share the same common goal to work towards a solution that allows for responsible recreation while addressing the concerns of the citizens of Moab. I support responsible recreation and support efforts to protect and increase access to recreation resources. Outdoor recreation is an explosive industry where new markets for experiences and products emerge suddenly. This provides challenges for policymakers and the public to accommodate these new users. This growth also creates significant economic opportunities that have benefitted Moab residents and Moab businesses greatly. We are aware that the recent surge in UTV use in Moab is leading to noise nuisance complaints. Utah state law allows street legal UTVs and ATVs to use public roads, and we support these protections. Street legal access increases access for these users and eliminates problems such as trail-head congestion and many other issues. We recognize the challenges that come with abating noise nuisances, and we are wanting to work with the City of Moab to educate users in ways they can minimize noise impacts while riding on public roads. We wouldn't support the codification of any policy that would unfairly discriminate against street-legal OHV users. We believe the city should find ways to enforce violations of ordinances in a way that targets wrongdoers instead of trying to find ways to categorically deny use of roads to street-legal OHV users. We look forward to finding common-ground solutions to these challenges at the same time we recognize that a categorical denial of use of a public benefit by a specific group is discriminatory by nature and can't be the starting point for authentic compromise. The most recent conversations and proposals have led to discussions and targeting of OHV related businesses directly. Any policies that are directed at prohibiting or limiting the specific businesses that participate in OHV guides, accessories, rentals, trail access or others is something that is severely flawed and not supported. We would encourage you to help us address and fix the actual issues rather than target businesses and users. Categorical creating a denial of a public benefit by a specific user group is discriminatory by nature and not supported. Thank you for your time. Timestamp Your Name Your Comment 10/19/2020 8:00:00 Stephen Patterson As an OHV owner it disturbes me that the city of Moab wants to remove my ability to drive my vehicle on city streets. We vacation in Moab 6 to 8 weeks a year and use the campgrounds in town as a place to stay. We use a motor home and therfore do not have a vehicle to pull a trailer to the trailheads. By eliminating my ability to get around Moab we unfortunately would no longer consider Moab a vacation destination any more. I am sure there are other actions that can be taken to reduce the noise besides a total ban on side by sides. Designated routes and noise ordinances could be put in place to alleviate most of the noise. We love Moab and would love to continue spending our money in your community but will have to go elsewhere if you ban street legal side by sides. 10/19/2020 8:27:26 Mary Dixon The amendments should not be allowed. The ATV/UTV community are not the only loud vehicles on the road (i.e. motorcycles, trucks and cars with modified exhausts) and should not be singled out. To punish the ATV/UTV community is simply stupid and the economic loss to Moab would be huge! 10/19/2020 8:44:46 randy tidwell Hello We spent a week there in September and had a trip of a lifetime to your city. We rode our street legal utv's to the unbelievable trails and scenery. We have since heard about the debate to remove the vehicles from your streets. We stayed in a campground and ate at your restaurants, bought gas, paid trail fees, and purchased souvenirs. A lot of the people that travel to your city are in RV's and campers and cannot trailer to the trails. Please allow the street legal transportation to continue and I understand that a bad apple can spoil the whole bunch but when you have a person breaking the law in any vehicle make it tough on that person and not the whole group. Our group is already planning a trip next year with more friends! Thanks for reading this. 10/19/2020 9:11:09 Tracy Bentley Hello all- I am writing to you regarding the unbearable noise in Moab. Since moving to Moab in the spring of 1999, I never would have imagined the noise and disruption we have seen with the legalization of UTVs on our city streets. I can hear them into the late night and before dawn. Just this morning I heard them at 6:15am, it was still dark outside. It truly has to stop. We need more enforcement - which requires more police officers and deputy sheriffs. We need STRONG enforcement of noise ordinances and speed limits, proper registration. We need curfews. Our streets should be much, much quieter than they are from 11pm to 7am. We need to enforce that local UTV rental companies have mufflers installed on their rental equipment that make them quieter. We need to stop advertising Moab. We have enough people coming here. No more permits for UTV rental shops. No more special event permits for UTV events. UTV owners transport these vehicles to Moab, they can transport them to the trailheads. Are they really allowed on the highway in 55mph to 65mph zones? Ideally, UTVs need to be banned from our streets. This one vehicle has transformed our town into something that is not sustainable for mental health and wellness. The constant roar has to stop. I have owned a home here since 2004. I recently had the wonderful opportunity to buy a larger piece of land where my boyfriend and I can build a new home that better suits our needs as well as a personal workshop. But I find myself questioning whether I want to build a new home in Moab and also questioning how much longer I truly want to live here and continue to own my business, which has been here since 1995. I never would have thought I would be willing to sell it all and leave but I am definitely contemplating it. All because of the noise. Please make some changes. ( No more hotels and nightly lodging, we have far surpassed our capacity..but that is a whole other issue) -- Tracy Bentley Shop Owner Chile Pepper Bike Shop 702 S. Main Street Moab, UT 84532 www.chilebikes.com 435-259-4688 10/19/2020 9:12:05 Matthew Smith Dear Council, I support responsible recreation and support efforts to protect and increase access to recreation resources. The most recent conversations and proposals have led to discussions and targeting of OHV related businesses directly. Any policies that are directed at prohibiting or limiting the specific businesses that participate in OHV guides, accessories, rentals, trail access or others is something that is severely flawed and not supported. We would encourage you to help us address and fix the actual issues rather than target businesses and users. Categorical creating a denial of a public benefit by a specific user group is discriminatory by nature and not supported. Thank you for your time. 10/19/2020 9:24:36 Traci Hightower I spent a week in Moab riding SxSs and had an awesome time last month! We made sure our SxS was street legal and followed all speed limits and made it a point not to be noisy through the residential areas. As long as "your" restrictions are followed by riders, why would you take the revenue from your town? Not to mention the workers; waiters, waitresses, grocery stores, outdoor stores, etc..). You must admit ATVs, OHVs, UTVs, and dirt bike riders bring a lot of revenue to your town. We've already made plans to return next year. We drive over 1800 miles in our motor home pulling our trailer with SxS. It is impossible to trailer to trail heads without an additional vehicle. Please reconsider banning ATVs, OHVs, UTVs and dirt bikes from your beautiful town. Make the ones that don't follow the rules pay the price, not the ones that do. Thank you for your time and consideration! 10/19/2020 9:42:36 WENDY NORTHRUP We are a family of UTV an love the outdoors, 10/19/2020 11:00:23 Nakell Zobell I am an avid outdoors woman. I have a UTV and love riding in Moab. One of my favorite things about Moab is the atmosphere of the town, and being able to support the town by dining, shopping, and recreating in one trip. I am a responsible UTV operator and I know there are thousands of others like me. So please do not let a few bad eggs ruin it for all. Don’t ban UTV’s, ATV’s, motorcycles and Jeeps from driving through town. I know that if that happens the economy in Moab will suffer, and I have family in Moab that rely on that revenue. I understand they can be noisy but it’s not any different then semi trucks, diesel trucks, and loud cars with exhaust. We have all of those in our towns, and it’s just a way of life. So please as I said before don’t take it out on the UTV community. Moab has always been known for recreation, don’t stop that from happening. Timestamp Your Name Your Comment 10/19/2020 11:05:01 Katie Creighton I have lived here for my entire adult life (18 years) and like many other longtime Moab residents I have witnessed and participated in many changes to our community and landscape. I understand that change is inevitable, that some change is good, and that we must adapt to thrive. But the OHV noise and traffic congestion is not a change I think we have to accept, nor should we. I cannot sleep or relax in my own home without earplugs. It is difficult for me to work from home or enjoy puttering in my own yard. I certainly don't need, want, or expect every trail or canyon to be quiet or non-motorized, but I struggle to find any place near Moab where I can hear the creek gurgle and the birdies chirp without hearing the roar of OHVs. I feel the need to escape my home in search of quiet but I fear I will not be able to readily leave town or return because of traffic congestion. For the first time in nearly two decades I am seriously considering whether I still belong in a community that prioritizes the rights of one user group over the wellbeing of local residents and other visiting user groups. I worry that residents and other visitors will feel forced to give up on Moab unless this is addressed seriously and urgently. We are exhausted, angry, anxious, and sad. Please help us. 10/19/2020 11:20:29 Shane Let's please work together as a UTV community and as a MOAB off-road community to find ways to have alternate route that don't cause noise with residents or signs put up that say slow down turn your stereo off as a UTV Utah member I want to help work with the Moab City so that we can still have our UTV rights we cant target utvs when there jeeps buggys harley motorcycles etc i understand utv have gotten very popular and are crowding moab but lets work together 10/19/2020 11:34:55 Paul Young To all please keep in mind that by targeting all due to the actions of a few is discrimination by all definitions. There are thousands of law abiding utv riders and numerous businesses that abide by all laws and regulations. Please address the actual problems and work with the UTV community to help educate and not dictate proper use of the public lands. Also be aware of the revenue produced by the groups of enthusiasts who use these lands and local shops/facilities. 10/19/2020 11:47:57 Bryson Murray I just finished a wonderful weekend in Moab yesterday. While in town i leaned of your intent to prevent me and many others from ever returning. It was a common sight to see in Moab signs that read "Keep public lands in public hands"; this new batch of regulations the county and city have proposed seem like a complete betrayal of that sentiment. Should the signs be amended to "locals only"? Due to the large amount of attention this issue has stirred it was easy to see that the new regulations are short sighted and ultimately purpose driven to make responsible ATV recreation in Grand County unappealing; rather than actually having any kind of real and reasonable solution to the problems faced by the residents of Grand County. I also find the County and City's attempts to enact these new laws while simultaneously not enforcing existing laws that would curtail the noise issues faced by the residents of Moab and the surrounding area extremely alarming. To what end will adding more laws that further restrict reasonable access to public lands in Utah to law abiding citizens benefit Moab? The direct and endless targeting the off-road community by some of Moab's squeaky wheel residents needs to stop. My Family has made many wonderful memories over the years in Grand county and hopefully will continue to spend time and money in your community making more lasting memories. 10/19/2020 11:56:54 Anthony Mancuso UTV Recreation is a small fraction of use per capita in SE Utah. However, UTV recreation is responsible for a disparate volume of negative outcomes. The benefits of UTV commerce in Moab are overshadowed by unnecessary noise, traffic hazards, and environmental destruction. If the negative outcomes of this use were characterized as pollution, UTV use would be considered a "non-point-source" when viewed at a regional scale. The way that non-point-sources are mitigated has historically been through broad-scoped regulation. Regulations of that type are difficult to enforce. (Look at the effectiveness of USACE for example). Paper tiger rules that are unenforceable will only show the community and our visitors that we don't take this issue seriously. It is impractical and inappropriate to suggest that UTV's be banned outright from public lands. That suggestion is contradictory to public trust values and agency multiple-use/sustained-yield directives. HOWEVER, some restrictions must be put in place in the interest of those same values. I suggest: - Mandatory decibel restrictions within city limits. Don't tell me that it's not enforceable: figure out how to enforce it. - Rental companies should rent seats-per-group, rather than a UTV for each party member (you have a 8 person group? you rent 2, 4-person UTV's). There is operational precedent for this in MANY livery and tour operations: antelope canyon, whitewater Rafting, charter fishing, etc. - Banning UTV traffic along streets through or adjacent to "R" zoned areas, expect for permanent residents of those areas. - UTV rental companies require renters to watch an "orientation" video. I suggest that the mandatory orientation video be made standardized for all liveries, and the content of such be produced and published by an independent commission of Local Government and Agency stakeholders/managers. The video shall address prohibited acts and EMPHASIZE PENALTIES for non-compliance. We need to pass specific local ordinances that require compliance. Most importantly, Sherriff White and Chief Edge MUST be held accountable for enforcement of these ordinances. Timestamp Your Name Your Comment 10/19/2020 12:27:56 Stacy Tonozzi I am a business owner in Moab, who relies on a stable number of tourism to make a living or to “put food on the table” as the saying goes. If a person is from Moab, and have an established business in town, then he/she is aware of the “profitable” months and the nonprofitable months. He/she is also aware that the profitable months will carry the business and pay the bills for the nonprofitable months. Welcome to being a business owner in a tourist town. My business relies on profitable months held by special events taking place in Moab, for example, Moab Jeep Safari, Car Show, Rally on the Rocks, Fat Tire Festival, etc.... Without these events, my business would fail. The small town of Moab, with a population of 5300, does not provide enough business for me to stay alive. (The City of Moab must realize that our profits come from tourism and tourism alone. They must not forget that Moab is a small, small town. 5300 people cannot feed everyone trying to survive in Moab) Without tourism, I would be force to shut down and lay off people. The ATVs, UTVs, OHVs industry consists more than 60% of my business. Why would the City of Moab “NOT” consider issuing permits for special interest groups, rallies, guides, businesses for the ATV industry? Moab’s local businesses is more than tee-shirt shops and trinkets. Cutting this industry out would only mean that all of Moab would loose a large portion of its income. The city and the county of Moab would be greatly effected by the lack of revenue. The real issue in the overwhelming increase in traffic. The ATV industry cannot be blamed alone for causing the increase in traffic and noise pollution. Due to COVID-19 shut downs the outdoor recreation industry is booming. The camping industry alone has experienced record sales by 5X. Retail stores are experiencing massive shortages in outdoor equipment due to the increase in customer buying. Almost every outdoor recreation sport has double this year including outdoor activities such as: hiking, fishing, camping, biking, rock climbing, rafting, kayaking, etc. All of these special interest group visit and play in Moab. All of these special interest groups are to blame for the increase of Moab traffic. I support lowering speed limits to help with noise pollution. I support other positive options to take that will NOT effect our local businesses and tax revenue. The ATV industry is open to helping. 10/19/2020 12:28:54 Edward Dennis I support the use of UTV's in and around the City Moab and Grand County. I also support reasonable and responsible solutions to this perceived problem by the City of Moab and Grand County. I encourage the City of Moab and Grand County to meet with representatives from the UTV community, to find and effect a solution that is fair and amicable to all those involved in this sport and industry. 10/19/2020 12:45:27 Alisa Morgan I am a former residence who still has close family in Moab. There are so many more issues that are a concern other than the small level of noise. There is not room at any of the trail heads to trailer UTVs. UTVs have to pay to license to be on the roads, which is more than bicycles do. They follow more of the traffic laws as well. Please use your voice and your energy to fix the other large number of important issues that our community has. 10/19/2020 12:52:31 Krystal As an avid visitor of Moab, using our UTV, it would be horrible if we could not have access to the trails via the city streets we would no longer be able to ride the trails we enjoy, as we could not pull our 35ft toy hauler to each trail head. I do however agree that there needs to be further enforcement of the current noise ordinance and cooperation on both sides of the issues at hand. Please do not punish everyone for the wrongdoing of a few. The utv community as a whole wishes to keep these lands open for future generations of use, and also allow the residents to feel safe, and comfortable in their town. Please consider coming to a agreement we can all agree upon, rather than punishing us all for what a few do that is not acceptable. 10/19/2020 13:04:38 Leo Williams Dear Council, I support responsible recreation and support efforts to protect and increase access to recreation resources. The most recent conversations and proposals have led to discussions and targeting of OHV related businesses directly. Any policies that are directed at prohibiting or limiting the specific businesses that participate in OHV guides, accessories, rentals, trail access or others is something that is severely flawed and not supported. We would encourage you to help us address and fix the actual issues rather than target businesses and users. Categorical creating a denial of a public benefit by a specific user group is discriminatory by nature and not supported. We love Moab, supporting the local economy and businesses. Thank you for your time. 10/19/2020 13:05:09 Sheila Williams Dear Council, I support responsible recreation and support efforts to protect and increase access to recreation resources. The most recent conversations and proposals have led to discussions and targeting of OHV related businesses directly. Any policies that are directed at prohibiting or limiting the specific businesses that participate in OHV guides, accessories, rentals, trail access or others is something that is severely flawed and not supported. We would encourage you to help us address and fix the actual issues rather than target businesses and users. Categorical creating a denial of a public benefit by a specific user group is discriminatory by nature and not supported. Thank you for your time. 10/19/2020 13:12:57 Samantha Derbyshire MAKE THE NOISE STOP!! The noise from the UTVs has become unbearable we need a solution 10/19/2020 13:17:48 Les Roads I’m a concerned resident of Moab my wife and I love being able to ride our utv around town in order to get to the trails we ride on. We do see the noise issue being a problem. We also see the same noise issues with normal vehicles in town from motorcycles, import cars, diesel pickups with no mufflers, 18 wheelers pretty much anything on the street. We need to educate the visitors to Moab about the noise in town to respect the locals!!!! We have laws that just need to be enforced speed and reckless driving.... utv Utah has offered to pay sir signage and cost to install I feel that would be a step in this matter we need to work together not just single out one group.. 10/19/2020 15:40:35 Annie Payne I hate FUV’s. I hate them with every fiber of my being. I hate them because they have ruined my community and ruined the wild country that I love. They are noisy, they keep myself and my kids up at night, they stir up so much dust that my asthmatic son cannot breathe, they pollute, they are dangerous and they are obnoxious. The people that drive them may as well wear signs around their neck that say “ I can’t drive a dirt bike”. They tear up the 4 wheel drive trails in the area with their tiny tires. They rut up areas so badly that Jeep’s can no longer use the trails. I live here. I vote here. I pay property taxes here. I want the City to limit them in every possible way. Require that they are trailered in town. Ticket them for noise infractions, require rental outfits in town to have mufflers on them and require they go with a guide. The FUVs with the trump flags that say “trump 2020 no more bullshit” should be ticketed for lewdness. The trump FUV’s drive by my house multiple times a day with their flags waving with my kids outside! My kids don’t need to see that and neither do yours. Our community needs your quick and swift action to limit these ridiculous nuisances. Salt Lake City has outlawed them on city street. They did it by standing up to the legislator. You too can stand up to the legislature. Timestamp Your Name Your Comment 10/19/2020 15:52:35 Scott Barraza Dear Council, My name is Scott Barraza and I have recreated in Moab many times in the past and plan to continue to do so in the future. I have driven both Jeeps and UTVs there. I have recently read about the councils plan to try and reduce the noise associated with UTV’s driven on the area streets. I’d like to ask that the council carefully weigh the unintended consequences that the proposals will have on the town of Moab. I believe that Moab is about to trade noise pollution for traffic congestion. It is my opinion that the reduction in speed in town and the county will force many to trailer to the trailheads. This will have the side effect of more traffic in town as now there will be groups of people all traveling the trailheads with their trucks and trailers. The number of vehicles that each segment of road between signals can hold will be reduced. One truck and trailer will take up the same road space of at least two cars/utvs. It will also force those trailing to have to find adequate parking in the downtown area while shopping/eating to and from the trails. No longer will they be able to stop at a restaurant or store in their UTV for a quick lunch/supper. For those that choose not to trailer and deal with the speed reductions, they will be contributing to traffic congestion while putting themselves in possibly unsafe situations due to the speed differential between them and regular traffic. How much traffic can a group of several utvs slow down by driving the reduced speed limits in town on 191? Will this cause any road rage amongst the other motorists? What about unsafe passing to get around the slower utv’s? In the county their effect on traffic will not be as noticeable but it will still be there. Should the utv restrictions be put in place I will be trailering to the trailheads. I sincerely hope that the trailhead parking is adequate and I can still find room to park my rig. I will also be limiting myself to where I can shop and eat. I will have to plan on only patronizing business with trailer parking. The downtown area will see less of my business from as a result. I will not drop my trailer to leave it loaded with a utv and the possibility of it being stolen easily while I go to town. Again please consider all unintended consequences before passing any utv restrictions. 10/19/2020 16:04:58 Brenda Smith Dear Council, I have strong family ties to Moab. Both sets of grandparents lived here while growing up as well as various aunts and uncles. We frequented Moab almost every weekend all spring/summer/fall, spent every major holiday throughout my whole childhood and into adulthood here in Moab. I've participated in jeep safari, ROTR, the car show, easter egg hunts, fishing/camping in the La Sals, hiking to swim at left hand, fishing the Colorado river, watching 4x4 stuff at Lions Back and the dump bump,and many other various activities over the past few decades. I've seen the growth and changes in Moab. My parents met and married in Moab and even just bought my grandparent's place near the Apache motel on 200 S. They will be renovating and moving here to retire. They also own 4 units in Rim Village. I'm in town more often than most (about 12+ weeks of the year). I recreate in many ways, but at this time, it's mostly using my UTV. I also run the Moab UTV Facebook group. We promote responsible and respectful recreating, always. I can attest that the noise has grown louder over the years. The motorcycles and straight piped trucks/jeeps are MUCH louder than the UTV's. Granted, some UTV people do have loud exhausts (yes, they are annoying), but those should be held to a noise ordinance, just like any other vehicle that is breaking that ordinance. There will always be a few that break the rules and try to ruin things for everyone. I feel like the more we crack down on those laws already in place, and hit the pocket book of those that are breaking the laws, the better things will get for all. I have friends who recreate and patronize many businesses all year long with me in Moab that bring RV's and such. They do not have the ability to trailer to every trail. Also, the trail heads do not have adequate parking for all trailers to park at them. The congestion would be unreal. The infrastructure is not in place to sustain that amount of traffic. Also, we all pay our fees to use the roads in Utah. It would not be fair, or legal to take that right/privilege away. Please crack down on those breaking the rules and see the effects of that first and we as a UTV community will continue to educate our members to recreate responsibly. 10/19/2020 16:15:50 Robert M Snow Dear Council, I support responsible recreation and support efforts to protect and increase access to recreation resources. The most recent conversations and proposals have led to discussions and targeting of OHV related businesses directly. Any policies that are directed at prohibiting or limiting the specific businesses that participate in OHV guides, accessories, rentals, trail access or others is something that is severely flawed and not supported. We would encourage you to help us address and fix the actual issues rather than target businesses and users. Categorical creating a denial of a public benefit by a specific user group is discriminatory by nature and not supported. Thank you for your time. 10/19/2020 16:19:46 Debbie Beauregard Raised in Moab, returned to Moab to retire. Purchased rentals in Rim Village for our retirement income. My family has been coming back for hiking, fishing, 4-wheeling, ATV riding, UTVs, etc. for the past 40 years. We spend a lot of time and money here. Moab city will be cutting into our income because many ATV/UTV people rent our homes. I understand that there are a few that ruin things for the rest of us, but most of the UTV community is respectful of the community. I think if they enforce the current laws for speed and sound ordinances, and the UTV groups keep talking to their members, that things will improve. I appreciate your consideration of the request of the UTV community to help with signage and distributing information about the preferred routes and laws. The people renting their homes and UTV rental companies could also provide maps for preferred routes and what not to help educate as many people as possible. 10/19/2020 18:12:52 Jason Christensen My family and friends support responsible off road and mt bike activities in and around grand county several times a year. It would be a shame to punish a large group due to a select few individuals who choose to disrespect locals and local laws. I would like to see more enforcement and other options rather than a complete ban on select machines, possibly an advised route through town at certain hours and lower speed limits for off road vehicles if thats what needs to happen. My wife, myself and My children love your community and hope to be able to continue to recreate there in the future. 10/19/2020 18:43:23 Bill Barnett Rather than eliminate UTV events, if noise is your concern, pass noise standards that only stock exhausts can pass, and then enforce it. Also, ticket unlicensed or UTVs that don’t meet Utah requirements. Don’t penalize those of us that are responsible users because of irresponsible users. 10/19/2020 19:20:06 Kirk s. Hansen I live in la Sal but I work and recreate in Moab I was born in Moab and have been in this area for over 40 years. I love being a street legal utv user and the millions of dollars the utv industry brings into Moab. 10/19/2020 19:26:42 Tiffany Windsor I have live in Moab for 23 years and my whole family has street legal utvs. We love to drive them from trail head to trail. There are worse problems in Moab that need to be taken care of instead of a few complaints about utv noise when semi noise is much louder. 10/19/2020 19:33:49 Tyler Foy I am for street legal utvs, my family has been here for over 100 years, and everyone in my family has street legal utvs, the noise coming from utvs isn't an issue, cars with modified exhaust systems are much louder than utvs, and without all the utvs coming into moab, Moab will lose thousands if not millions a year. Moab is known for offloading and always has. If you ban utvs, Moab will lose millions and store won't make enough to hire more people moving in and Moab will eventually lose a lot of profit from people who own utvs and that come down to Moab to go offroading. Timestamp Your Name Your Comment 10/19/2020 19:34:52 Shelley Hupp I support street legal UTV's in Moab Utah. I am a life long moab resident. My parents as well as their parents were life long residents as well! The UTV community brings millions of dollars to Moab each year! 10/19/2020 19:44:51 Michaelle Foy I support street legal UTVs and all the different activities they have. I moved here 23 years ago and have NOT wanted to change things here. I moved here to for the out door activities regardless of what it is. The UTVs bring in hundreds of thousands of dollars the this community! I personally own 2 street legal utvs and enjoy being able to ride them through town to get to different trail heads and even to take my dogs for a ride! Which they love as much as we do. 10/19/2020 20:02:52 Jeremiah Windsor I am a local Moab city resident, born and raised, I am also a local street legal utv owner. I done believe we have a noise problem in our community. I live on a busy utv street and have them buzz by my house all day and even in the night, never one time has it bothered me or been so loud I couldn’t sleep. Our community receives a lot of money from our motorized tourists and believe it would only hinder Moabs industry to restrict these further. Any restrictions I vote against. 10/19/2020 20:42:52 Ginger C Allen We need to completely reevaluate the way that UTVs are handled in this town. I join the multitude of other locals who are completely overwhelmed by the noise. The few months earlier this year of quiet reminded me that it can be possible. I moved to Moab for the solitude. No other recreationist who comes here is as frustrating and seems to collectively disregard the rules. These vehicles should not be considered street legal. I am so relieved that the National Parks did not follow our suit. 10/19/2020 20:44:10 Samantha Bonsack My concerns are less about the proposed conclusions and more about the process. Regarding lobbying the State for an exemption to the street legal use of UTVs; 1. When was the lobbyist Casey Hill of Red Hill Strategic retained? 2. How much does this cost and from what budget? 3. What priorities were given to be lobbied on our behalf? 4. How have citizens been able to influence the direction given to the lobbyist? 5. What UTV specific direction has been provided/what lobbying efforts have been performed? The extreme situation driving the consideration to request an exemption from State law has me wanting to ensure we have also addressed all measures to immediately alleviate the sound impact. 6. Red Rock 4-Wheelers & Jeep Safari shows the benefits of having a group casting influence upon their users. The UTV community has offered to pay for a 'peer pressure' campaign to influence how UTVs behave in Moab by creating, financing, and distributing UTV-specific signage (respect neighborhoods, be street legal, reduce sound, lower speeds, preferred routes, etc). As they want to be in sync with the City/County, have any of these efforts to immediately reduce UTV impacts secured your support enough for them to move forward on? 7. Considering the importance of this issue, why is there no mention of it on your social media accounts, especially for requesting for public input as we’ve seen with the Arches Hot Spot project? 8. Are all comments to the Mayor, City & County Council being included, or just the ones from the link posted on the current Agenda? Where and when will the public be able to see all of these comments? The concerns regarding the denial of the Rally on the Rocks permit can have them simply crossing over to San Juan County. This still allows UTVs on Moab streets, but without economic benefit while considerably increasing sound impacts as they ALL would be traveling up and down Murphy Lane, Spanish Valley Drive, and Highway 191 twice a day. A denial of the permit seems only be effective if land permit holders (BLM, etc) also denied permits. Is this the direction currently being considered or pursued, and if so, on what grounds? Again, thank you for your efforts and consideration for increased transparency. I humbly ask that you ensure a fair process by considering it being applied to an activity you hold dear as new precedences can have tremendous ramifications upon future, unrelated issues, activities, and/or events. 10/19/2020 20:55:38 Elizabeth I’m writing in hopes to be heard by the powers that have been elected by my community. It’s clear there is a problem with the amount of noice and traffic there is in Moab, but community members I talk to feel there is nothing being done but the building more hotels and advertising to the world that we want them here. Now Moab citizens have no community to be a part of. Getting just a few miles down the road can take hours. We go to bed and wake up hearing Motors every minute of the day while feeling like a prisoner in our own homes unable to leave in fear of getting stuck in traffic lines as far as the eye can see or getting hit by careless drivers. I beg that we can take action ASAP to save what we can before it runs off what makes this town so amazing (it’s citizens) 10/19/2020 20:58:24 Steve Evers I am a grand county resident. I urge city council to work with the county to resolve the noise issue of UTVs. I have spoken with UTV users, and they have offered some solutions (and to pay for some of them) to help with the issue. I think we can work together to lessen the noise. The noise is unbearable. (I live less than 1 mile from city limits). Timestamp Your Name Your Comment 10/19/2020 21:08:39 Anna Sprout UTVs have become an increasing concern. UTVs should be regulated and removed from city streets. Our community and government leaders need to make a stand against state legislation that attempts to prevent the removal of UTVs from city streets. It means going against the state for our community's needs and wellness. Stand up and make the change that benefits our city. If our community can do it, you can and should. To do otherwise, negates the needs of your neighbors, your community and your constituents. You shouldn't be where you are if you can't stand up to make change. Additional thoughts: Coordinate with Sand Flats and the BLM: Increase the entrance fee amount for single UTVs, such that it is twice/thrice the amount than trailered UTVs brought into Sand Flats. Use additional funds/any funds to create more trailer parking within Sand Flats. UTV specific route: 191 to 4th, past the high school, up to Sand Flats. Decrease speed limit to 15mph for that section of the street. Reason: school zone all day, could increase ticket prices, catch them on speed not noise. Easy ticketing set up, if you came from 191 (south) - no ticket. If you came from the north - ticket. 9PM curfew for UTVs ONLY. Increase the price of noise violation tickets. Can't get a decimal reader, put speed traps/automatic ticketing machines on mill creek, 4th and sand flats, Kane creek. Need money for police force? Another tax, but on non-local businesses, hotels, etc. make those who don't live in our community, invest in our community. Definitely allow for no more UTV rental businesses. I can hear UTVs as I write this... on a Monday night. 10/19/2020 21:12:54 Liz Moran We need some sort of regulations for UTVs. I am not asking for them to disappear, that is not realistic. I just want the noise to be regulated. I live off of 400 E and Mill Creek and the sound is CONSTANT. It has really changed my quality of life. I hear them at all hours of the day and night. I feel like I need ear plugs when I go for a simple walk around the block w my family. It is ridiculous. Please help out the community by helping to regulate the horrible, constant buzz. Thank you. 10/19/2020 21:13:05 Mike Coronella This spring reminded us how it can be quiet in Moab. This fall has reminded us how the quiet is broken almost exclusively by a group that's allowed on OUR streets by the state: the UTV users. I don't have to go into detail for the Council to be aware of the issues: NOISE. Noise in neighborhoods and backcountry. Illegally parked huge rigs/trailers. ripped up trails and roads--and off- road areas. My paying clients note the noise--and they're here for quiet recreation--like the vast majority of visitors. My neighbors are equally disturbed. I support any action the Council can take to alleviate Moab from being overrun by OHV/UTV minority. 10/19/2020 21:16:14 Sue Sternberg I live north of town, in Moab, grand county. I live near a major BLM camping area along a number of popular Jeep trails and the noise and lights AT ALL HOURS OF THE DAY AND NIGHT have ruined Moab’s peace and quiet. These UTV/side-by-sides have changed its character from a portal to wild landscapes and staggering outdoor beauty into something stressful, destructive, hateful. Please require mufflers, trailering, curfews, cameras in the vehicles to monitor destruction, JUST DO SOMETHING. We don’t need the money from this type of tourism, as its money from the devil itself and Moab is selling its soul. 10/19/2020 21:18:49 Justin Rosenthal With NOW OVER 1700 SIGNATURES ON THE PETITION to address the issue of noise here, how can you ignore it any more? The people have spoken, and they DO NOT WANT NOISE FROM OHVs, LOUD TRUCKS, AND MOTORCYCLES period. I don't care about the tourist dollars... these people are chasing away uncounted millions in tourist dollars from quiet, respectful, low-impact tourists like mountain bikers, climbers, and hikers. They have quit coming in the tens of thousands due to this problem. So the tourist dollar argument holds ZERO water. We're probably LOSING money because of it. Given this, it is clearly time to prioritize the needs of -Locals -All the low-impact, quiet tourists who aren't coming to Moab any more above the needs of one narrow, noisy, disrespectful group of visitors. 10/19/2020 21:26:57 Mary Howell Dear Council, I support responsible recreation and support efforts to protect and increase access to recreation resources. The most recent conversations and proposals have led to discussions and targeting of OHV related businesses directly. Any policies that are directed at prohibiting or limiting the specific businesses that participate in OHV guides, accessories, rentals, trail access or others is something that is severely flawed and not supported. We would encourage you to help us address and fix the actual issues rather than target businesses and users. Categorical creating a denial of a public benefit by a specific user group is discriminatory by nature and not supported. Thank you for your time Timestamp Your Name Your Comment 10/19/2020 21:27:13 Chloe Hedden I sent a comment last week that encapsulated my feelings about the UTV noise in Moab. I just want to say that it has been amazing to see the massive number of people in Moab over the weekend who have signed the 'Make Moab Quiet Again' petition. Its clear that I'm not alone in being utterly and completely fed up with the place that Moab has become. Please hear us and find some meaningful solutions to the noise problem soon. Thank you! 10/19/2020 21:27:42 Brian Week Dear Council, I support responsible recreation and support efforts to protect and increase access to recreation resources. The most recent conversations and proposals have led to discussions and targeting of OHV related businesses directly. Any policies that are directed at prohibiting or limiting the specific businesses that participate in OHV guides, accessories, rentals, trail access or others is something that is severely flawed and not supported. We would encourage you to help us address and fix the actual issues rather than target businesses and users. Categorical creating a denial of a public benefit by a specific user group is discriminatory by nature and not supported. Thank you for your time 10/19/2020 21:35:53 Anna Sprout As a way to assist with UTV noise reduction, could Sand Flats increase the entrance price of single UTVs to twice or thrice the amount as trailered UTVs? It would mean considering UTVs different from vehicles and possibly restructuring prices, but it might be a great way to connect and make change with the community. For a single day use with trailered UTVs: $10 (could include multiple UTVs) For a single day use with a non-trailer UTV: $30 (single UTV) 10/19/2020 21:39:28 Lisa E. Boose The noise pollution from the increasing number of tourists renting and bringing ATV/UTV machines has reached an intolerable level for the citizens of this community. It is unhealthy, disturbs the peace, and the irritation from the constant buzz greatly diminishes our ability to enjoy where we live. Hundreds are driven through our neighborhoods daily, for up to 10 months of the year. They should be trailered to the trail heads, neighborhood access blocked off, time limits, have a north and south ATV MALL where the outfitters can rent from, impose fines. I urge you to listen to the people, protect our rights to enjoy our homes and neighborhoods, protect our health and well being, for the majority of us are working incredibly hard to make this town function. It is clearly not sustainable for us to continue to function under this constant obnoxious irritation and assault to our nervous systems. Protect our community by protecting our people by protecting our peace! 10/19/2020 21:39:45 Steve Russell Dear Sirs, please don’t act to limit our access to areas in our beautiful state. I enjoy getting out on the trails sight seeing. I’m active in the state association and have personally been involved in clean ups in recreation areas. We are the most responsible citizens you could ever come across. We support the small towns we visit. We also have time, money, and the desire to vote. Thank you Steve Russell 10/19/2020 21:44:12 Candace Butterworth I am writing in response to the excessive noise and traffic issues created by ATVs in Moab. Excessive noise is a major stressor which is creating sleep disturbances and anxiety. I've worked in the spa industry for 13 years in Moab and as a massage therapist, I've seen stress levels, anger and anxiety increase because of these elevated noise levels that are caused by these machines. I know people who have moved away from a town that they loved because they felt that their voices were not being heard by the officials of the town and nothing would change. I would personally like to see these vehicles off the streets and transported to trailheads on trailers. I believe there should be more concern for the compromised health of the community because of the irritating and unacceptable noise levels. I also think that there is an urgency in resolving these issues because they have been going on for years. We are are a breaking point. 10/19/2020 21:46:34 Caryn McGinty Because this is a complicated issue, I feel that it requires a multi-pronged approach as follows: 1) OHVs must be equipped with mufflers, silencers, or other sound-dampening mechanisms AT ALL TIMES while being operated within county limits. (This includes on the trails, as sound travels far in our thin desert air and ricochets around our valley walls.) 2) The county must put a moratorium on new OHV outfitters and reject all requests for permits for OHV gatherings such as Rally on the Rocks until they can show that all entrants have complied with the above request. 3) The state of Utah must allow Moab to divert a reasonable percentage of our tourist tax money from advertising to enforcing existing noise ordinances and sound-dampening requirements as mentioned above. This includes funding for decibel meters and extra staffing. 4) Travel Council advertising must shift its focus from recruiting new OHV tourists to seeking those who have quieter past times until the other three requests are adequately addressed. 5) The council must explain to the OHV communities that it is in their best interest to get their members onboard with noise control, lest those who are now simply requesting quieter engines begin demanding an outright ban on the vehicles. If we work together to please both those who want peaceful homes and those who want to drive off-road vehicles on county roads, I feel we can come to a satisfactory arrangement. Thank you so much for your time and consideration on this matter. 10/19/2020 21:49:37 Peggy Nissen We have lived here for 40 years and we love our community. Moab has grown and changed over those 40 years and we have accepted that communities grow and change. However, with the growth has come a vast reduction in the quality of life here. The noise from UTV's has destroyed any peace that was left. Please work to reduce the noise so that those of us who have spent our lives contributing to this community can live here in peace. Thanks, Peggy Nissen 10/19/2020 21:59:29 Tyson Girardo I have been coming to Moab for a very long time. Started with jeep safari roughly 16 yrs ago... I absolutely love Moab and would like to continue to bring my kids there for unsurpassed memories. I own a street legal rzr with stock exhaust. Most of the jeeps that pass down there are louder then my machine... while down on the trails I have taught my children to pick up ant trash or waste we come across to help keep the environment clean. I have seen more oil leaks and fluid leaks from jeeps than from any side by side in my times down there. I feel this us discriminating towards utv owners.. please take this into consideration, dont punish a group,punish the individuals who aren't law abiding. 10/19/2020 22:00:31 Sylvia A Bentley Hello there, I'm writing in support of joint measures between the city and the county (where I live) to tackle the growing noise caused by motor vehicles. I'll keep this short because you have so many comments. OHVs are my main concern at this time, but I think other vehicles causing noise, such as trucks and motorcycles could also be addressed. I've noticed the increase this fall and I support action to help solve this growing public health concern which is negatively impacting the neighborhoods of many long-term residents. Thank you. Timestamp Your Name Your Comment 10/19/2020 22:06:21 Stacy Kennedy I live on 400 E and I am astonished by the noise, at all hours of the day and night. I don’t even bother to sleep with my windows open since I almost always end up needing to close them. The noise ordinances need to be enforced, and sxs vehicles need mufflers! 10/19/2020 22:07:23 Bruni Mason The constant loud noise in Town created by Vehicles designed to be use in the backcountry is unbearable. Trailer those vehicles to the trailheads. Do not allow them on our city streets and in residential neighborhoods. Please lets go back to trailoring the UTV ATV Side-byisides to the trailheads. Also do not allow them on HWY 191 , it is just not safe. 10/19/2020 22:28:33 John Aldridge Moab City's continued tolerance of FUVs is problematic because a thorough understanding of the needs and values of local individuals was not conducted and thoroughly considered. In previous comment periods, we were never told it would be this LOUD, DANGEROUS, and DAMAGING. With the number of deaths we have had in recreation over the years, I am astonished that the City Council would even consider allowing further dangerous activities to run this rampant - and all for what, tourism? The mighty dollar? What about the value of the quality of life for all involved? Shame on the City Council for allowing the continuation of these "recreational" devices, while not doing their best to insure the proper mitigation of the externalities, while instead placing the burdens on the backs of loyal and loving, tired and stressed residents. When will the City 10/19/2020 22:30:03 Bonnie anderson I have written many a letter to local constituents over the last several years on this subject of NOISE. I am one of many residents of Moab who are at (or past) our breaking point. I am a long time resident, since 1989 and have lived in the same house since 1999. My home happens to be located on Spanish Valley Drive, a favorite route taken by the LOUD OHV’s, many of whom have a secondary property in the valley. I hear them all day long. And then I have to hear them roar all night long. It’s insane not to be able to have peace in your own home. Especially when you’ve chosen an isolated, small rural town environment to live in with minimal amenities, because you want the quiet, and nature, and the stars, more than restaurants, shopping, entertainment, and masses of humanity. Get them off the streets NOW. Please, no useless and wasteful bandaids, like measuring dB levels, designated routes (someone will suffer), or lowering their speed limits. That will just prolong their passing by, and cause even more congestion as other vehicles will be forced to slow down and line up behind them. We already have enough of that happening. I believe the win/win answer is to make them QUIET. Period. Better for our community, better for wild life in the back country, while still allowing them free access (as much as I’d like them to disappear entirely, this seems like a realistic compromise). Require a muffler to bring down the decibel level to the AT LEAST the same as an average passenger vehicle. If that can’t be done, take them off our pavement! Require trailering to the trailhead. There is ABSOLUTELY NO REASON these exponentially louder engines should be running around our streets 24/7 in the hundreds. (Not to mention safety, another important and relevant concern). They are MADE FOR OFF-ROAD for crying out loud. Not pavement! PLEASE TAKE SERIOUS ACTION. As I write this, the roar of countless OHV’s have zoomed past. I cannot open my window or god forbid go in my backyard because of the non stop racket. I’m begging. Our sense of well being and mental health is at stake. I really don’t want to be forced to move from my beloved Moab home of thirty years, but that may be what it takes if things don’t change. 10/19/2020 22:34:35 Reggie Rappleye Dear Council, I support responsible recreation and support efforts to protect and increase access to recreation resources. The most recent conversations and proposals have led to discussions and targeting of OHV owners and OHV related businesses directly. Any policies that are directed at prohibiting or limiting the specific businesses that participate in OHV guides, accessories, rentals, trail access or others is something that is severely flawed and not supported. We would encourage you to help us address and fix the actual issues rather than target businesses and users. Categorical creating a denial of a public benefit by a specific user group is discriminatory by nature and not supported. Thank you for your time. 10/19/2020 23:20:29 Elana Davidson I have been sent personally attacking messages just for suggesting that we do something about the noise in this town. Why should one form of recreation have the right to ruin the enjoyment of this beautiful place for everyone else? It seems like the loudest and most obnoxious form of recreation is declaring that their rights are being threatened because anyone should suggest they have anything but free reign. I'm not opposed to offroad recreation or UTV's even, but I'm opposed to them dominating our community, waking me up at all hours of the night and making moab a far less pleasant place to live for everybody else. The way it goes right now, UTV's get to take over moab and get what they want at the expense of everybody else. They should not get to dominate and take over our community but be part of the diverse recreational activity that this town has to offer. Currently they are negatively affecting a lot of those other activities, including just being able to sleep and enjoying living in this town. Something has GOT to be done to restore some order and balance. This year is by far much worse than last year when the noise was one or two weeks and then manageable besides that. We can't just keep making excuses that the state is tying our hands. We MUST take action and figure out what we can do, and if it has to happen at the state level, then we must put real and consistent pressure at the state level to create a necessary change. Don't let one form of recreation run people who have lived here for decades out of town and ruin moab for everybody else!! 10/19/2020 23:20:57 Pete Gross Two friends of mine from out of state who have been regular visitors for the past two decades spent last week with me. Neither had been here for the past 5 years and were eager to return after a multi-year absence. They were appalled by what they saw .... and HEARD ... and could NOT hear. They wondered how Moab could have morphed from a peaceful, inviting gateway to some of the most amazing landscape on the planet into a nightmare scene of Mad Max-like vehicles swarming the town and shattering the soundscape of the city and surrounding public lands. I wonder how much more of this I can live with. As the noise once again jarred me awake as I was dozing off to sleep, it struck me. Randomly bombarding people with noise and depriving them of sleep are time honored torture techniques for breaking people down. Timestamp Your Name Your Comment 10/20/2020 0:27:07 KATRINA HERMAN We must address the UTV and after market muffler noise issue. It is simply unbearable for the citizens/homeowners in the affected neighborhoods. I've lived in the same house for over 15 years and have never experienced this level of constant noise. The noise from the UTV's is maddening. It literally never ends. I rarely have a quiet moment in my own home now. Decibel level limits, patrols, time curfews and moratoriums on new UTV rentals need to be discussed and implemented. The quality of life in Moab and the quality of the travelers experience has sadly deteriorated. This UTV situation is driving other types of tourists away. I realized today that I haven't seen a biker peddling up to Sand Flats in ages. How did one specific industry get such a grip on our town so quickly to cause such a dramatic change to our town? Address it!! 10/20/2020 6:11:28 Kerry Jo Soliz My once happy home is under siege. From morning till past dark, the noise from UTV’s blasts my neighborhood. There are times when it is hard to hear conversations in my home. This must be resolved. Why are these vehicles on our streets? These vehicles need to be trailered out to the trail head. This would self regulate how many would be on the trails at any given time. Many actually enter our neighborhoods. I am often awakened by UTV’s lost in my neighborhood driving up and down in front of my house trying to figure out where to go. My suggestions: Law enforcement need to be a presence on 4 th East and 5 th west. Traffic needs to diverted around neighborhoods. Signs need to be posted on all neighborhood entrances along 4 th East “not the sand flats road” UTV’s banned from our city streets. Please help us. 10/20/2020 6:50:24 John Mealey Please do something to get the UTVs off of our public roads! They are overly noisy. They, largly, do not follow the rules of the road. They are not equipped with DOT approved tires, which regular motor vehicles are. Many are not registered. Many of the drivers are not licensed (you can tell by their ages). They need to be trailered when on public streets. Please get this done! 10/20/2020 7:12:47 Shannon Meredith Please require that UTVs be muffled if they are rented or driven in Moab. Please get them to the decibel level that doesn’t disturb people and wildlife. If they sounded like a golf cart or like a typical car, I wouldn’t care how many were driving around. As a climber, hiker, and river runner I am personally more bothered by the sound of them on Kane Creek Road, River Rd(128), and Potash Rd. The noise echoes off the canyon walls making peace and communication impossible as they pass (usually in large groups—why???) I think of the critters too. I love driving UTVs and OHVs. There are good places for them and they are fun! But car roads in town and canyons aren’t the place for them. They are made for roads where cars don’t go and that is where they should be. The faster they go, the louder they are. PS Some drivers definitely enjoy revving through neighborhoods as they pull the ‘throttle down’. 10/20/2020 8:07:01 John Briggs Thank you for helping protect and provide access to one of the most beautiful areas on this planet! I have been coming to Moab and the surrounding areas literally my entire life! I am now an OHV owner and bring my kids to your area. We were just there last weekend! We, like most OHV users, are responsible and respectful of the trails, parks, and your city. There has been discussion of modifying access for OHV users based on the actions of a very small minority of users. I urge you to reconsider and maintain access for all of those that seek recreation in and around your city! Unfortunately there are, like in any group, a few "bad apples". We do our best to set a good example and discourage inappropriate behavior when we see it. That does not stop the few that choose to disrespect the laws and rules of the area. Please do not punish the majority of us that love spending our time and money in your city due to the action of a few people. Warm Regards, John Briggs 10/20/2020 8:24:15 BRUCE CONDIE It's way beyond time to take action on the UTV problem. START ISSUING CITATIONS FOR NOISE, LACK OF REGISTRATION OR INSURANCE, SPEEDING, AND ANY OTHER OF THE MANY TRAFFIC LAWS BEING VIOLATED BY THESE MACHINES. 10/20/2020 8:26:54 Sarah Topp I live just outside the city limits on Murphy Lane. The noise of UTV's as they speed up and down my street, Spanish Valley Drive, Highway 191, and the dull roar of them as they run around on city streets makes it impossible for me to relax inside or outside my home anymore. Peace and quiet are essential to my well-being. Please require these machines to mufflered when they are driving in residential areas. They are not meant to be driven on city streets - even the manufacturers say this. Enforce the noise ordinance, speed limits, and vehicle regulations. I see many UTV's lacking plates and signals. These people are running roughshod over our town. If they were quiet and obeying traffic laws nobody would care how many of them are driving around. If they feel they are being singled out, it's because there are so many of them! If large groups of Harleys were cruising our streets, I bet our law enforcement would run them out of town. Oh, wait - that already happened. Please respect the people who live here and work hard to accommodate our tourist industry. We cannot all move away! Thank you for considering my comments. Timestamp Your Name Your Comment 10/20/2020 9:23:35 Jeff Stevens My wife and I have lived and worked in Moab since 1998. We both own modified full-sized rock crawlers, licensed and plated as full-sized street legal ATV’s. The street-legal ATV law has allowed us to drive from our home in Spanish Valley to the trailheads. Because of a lack of adequate trailer parking at many trailheads, plus the fact that many trails enter and exit at different points, trailering our vehicles is not always practical. The street-legal OHV law, allows us to enjoy many of the trails that would otherwise be difficult or impossible for us to access. I agree that “something needs to be done”, but I strongly disagree with some of the “solutions” under consideration: A)A moratorium on new ATV related businesses and event permits. This will not only hurt many Moab business owners, but it does nothing to address the UTV owners who recreate here with their own vehicles. A better solution would be to strictly enforce the existing noise and traffic laws, for both renters and private owners, and hold rental/guide companies responsible for their customers who break those laws. Robust education and enforcement must be implemented first before punishing business owners. B)OHV speed limits within the city. This is something I can agree with. C)OHV speed limits in Grand County. I also agree with this, but only on residential streets. OHV’s are already limited to lower speed limits on highways. Further reducing the speed limit on Highway 191 will create unsafe conditions for all traffic. D)Discussion on enforcement challenges regarding off-highway vehicles. I understand that proper noise enforcement would require some additional funds and manpower from the local law enforcement agencies. But enforcement could help lower noise levels not only from UTV’s, but from all vehicles that contribute to our excessive noise levels. Enforcement of existing noise laws must take place before banning specific vehicles or businesses. E)Discussion on possible legislative action regarding off-highway vehicles. I adamantly oppose any attempt to ban street-legal OHV’s from public streets. This would likely force many UTV rental and guide companies out of business. It would clog many trailheads with tow vehicles/trailers, and trailer parking will likely become a bigger problem along roadways and private property. And it would unfairly punish owners of street-legal OHV’s, such as myself, who drive safe and quiet vehicles between our homes and trails. 10/20/2020 9:32:29 Jared Wiggins As a resident of grand county 43 years born and raised. I’ve raised my family here as well. Moab is a great place to live we encourage all recreational activities from biking to side x sides. All are welcome it brings revenue for our economy. All are welcome please keep it that way. Thanks 10/20/2020 9:41:32 CASSIE PAUP I am not a city resident, but I work and pay taxes in the City. Please come together with the County, community and the State legislature to remedy the ORV plague in Moab. Let's find solutions to control this overbearing problem. 10/20/2020 10:07:37 Evan Tyrrell Dear Moab City Council Representatives: I applaud the recent efforts and research conducted by the County and the City regarding the ever-growing noise pollution issue from all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) in our community. I work in an office next to the Community Recycle Center (CRC), which is located at the base of a hill on Sand Flats Road. Compared to last year, the unnecessary and excessive noise generated from ATVs has increased exponentially. Hundreds of ATVs drive by our office on a daily basis, and it has become a very distracting and unpleasant burden to myself, my office staff, and users of the CRC. I fully support all efforts to reduce the unnecessary noise generated from ATVs in our community. However, I am concerned about the proposed resolutions that would establish lower speed limits for ATVs. The reference citations related to the associated reduction in noise as a result of lower speeds in the proposed resolutions appears to be solely related to automotive vehicles—vehicles that already have appropriate noise muffling devices. I do not believe that speed reductions for ATVs are the solution. First, creating lower speed limits for ATVs is almost certain to upset more people on the roads, creating dangerous conditions due to cars attempting to pass ATVs and possible road rage, exacerbating poor traffic conditions, creating overall unsafe driving conditions, and generating more reasons for everyone to dislike ATVs in our community. Second, most ATVs are not equipped with appropriate noise muffling devices, and I feel that a reduction in speed will only draw out and extend the unnecessary noise associated with ATV operations. Finally, every ATV stop and accelerate situation and uphill driving will result in the same amount of noise pollution we are already experiencing. The solution in my mind is to appeal to the ATV rental businesses in town and ask them to do the right thing: affix appropriate noise muffling devices to these machines. Instead of the City and County spending money on ATV speed limit signs throughout our community, use that money to incentivize local ATV businesses by financially supporting a portion of the cost associated with adding mufflers to the ATVs that have taken over our roadways, exponentially decreased our quality of life, and engendered anxiety among locals. Thank you for your consideration. Respectfully, Evan Tyrrell 10/20/2020 10:30:14 Sallie Hodges OHV’s, UTV’s, Razors, Side by sides what ever you want to call them now saturate Moab. It is impossible to live or visit Moab without encountering these motorized ‘Cockroaches’. The noise of their obnoxious engines permeates every outdoor activity in and around Moab, whether that’s camping, hiking, biking, climbing or even jeeping. They are destructive in that they continually drive off trail, and this is compounded by the lack of skill needed to drive them. Which brings me to safety issues. Every week EMS is called out to a UTV accident usually involving a rollover. Luckily I moved from Locust Lane before things got out of hand, but I can imagine how awful it is for people living in neighborhoods where these things invade on their way to trails. Thank you for listening! Timestamp Your Name Your Comment 10/20/2020 10:30:16 Carrie Bailey Dear City Council and County Commission, Thank you so much for addressing the problems our community is having with UTV noise. I live very near one of the routes to the Sand Flats, so it is something we experience most every day and the numbers are only increasing and getting louder. The noise is outrageous. I understand that UTV stake-holders are objecting to the voices of the community, and are saying that we are a minority, but I'm pretty sure that is far from the truth. The sound of this motorized chaos has had a negative effect on our lives, and our well-being. I don't need to describe to you the noise and the effects on people in their homes. I'm sure that will be repeated over and over to you. But being told to "move out and go somewhere else", and "you should have known that Moab was the off-road capitol of the world before you decided to live here" has been unsettling. I wonder if Moab really needs those kind of visitors or businesses. I've lived in the same spot in town for over 50 years and would never agree with that vision for our future. It's just not how many of us who have made our homes in Grand County feel about our community. I participated in the beginning of the "Throttle Down In Town" effort to compromise with UTV proponents, the Travel Council, and law enforcement. It really turned out to be nothing but handing out signs with a side of pacifying. Things have only gotten unbearably worse. I expect that if this UTV traffic and noise increases, or something isn't changed, property values and even the tourist economy in the county will be affected in a negative way. I know there are many informed folks in town who have concrete ideas to share with you to deal with this. Please listen to them. Please seek out information from other towns and counties. And please listen to everyone who is concerned, stressed, and unhappy with the situation we find ourselves in. Thanks again Carrie Bailey 46 South 200 East Moab Utah 10/20/2020 10:30:35 K Green I have become aware of Moab city officials to try to restrict OHV usage in the Moab area and also targeting OHV businesses. Although I am not a resident of Moab, I have used many facilities there - not only related to OHV but also hiking, mountain biking and nearby National Parks. I urge you to find a way to incorporate all those who come to your amazing area and not discriminate against a select group. I have seen great things from all groups and also terrible things from all groups. When one group is singled out and the problems still persist, what then? I know that most people are more than willing to help come up with a plan to satisfy the majority of the residents (can't please everyone - - ) over their concerns. Please continue to include everyone - it's what makes the place great. 10/20/2020 10:32:32 TaLeah Anderson Dear Council, I support responsible recreation and support efforts to protect and increase access to recreation resources. The most recent conversations and proposals have led to discussions and targeting of OHV owners and OHV related businesses directly. Any policies that are directed at prohibiting or limiting the specific businesses that participate in OHV guides, accessories, rentals, trail access or others is something that is severely flawed and not supported. We would encourage you to help us address and fix the actual issues rather than target businesses and users. Categorical creating a denial of a public benefit by a specific user group is discriminatory by nature and not supported. Thank you for your time. 10/20/2020 10:38:36 Michael Pace Dear Council, I support responsible recreation and support efforts to protect and increase access to recreation resources. The most recent conversations and proposals have led to discussions and targeting of OHV owners and OHV related businesses directly. Any policies that are directed at prohibiting or limiting the specific businesses that participate in OHV guides, accessories, rentals, trail access or others is something that is severely flawed and not supported. We would encourage you to help us address and fix the actual issues rather than target businesses and users. Categorical creating a denial of a public benefit by a specific user group is discriminatory by nature and not supported. I visit Moab at least 3 times a year. I spend about $800 each time I come down. I come down in a group of at least 4 of us. So about $3200 we spend each time. May not seem much. If you choose to do the ban, I will take my money else where were I am welcome. Thank you for your time. 10/20/2020 10:41:41 George Becker It seems the proposals before the council targeting the UTV/ATV are a bit short sided, you are throwing out the baby with the bath water, deal with the problem offenders with current laws and statutes, rather than punishing the whole utv community 10/20/2020 10:42:03 Michael D Espinoza Myself and my family have been visiting Moab since I bought my first Jeep in 1997, and am growing increasingly concerned with the "resolutions" being proposed by some of the Moab community to address OHV/UTV access. Both of my sons have grown up in the Jeeping community and have also built their own Jeeps that they take to Moab to enjoy the beautiful area and activities. We have always stayed at local hotels, bought supplies at local stores, and eat at all of our local favorite restaurants. We feel now that we are being looked down on as "outsiders" by some of the local representatives that only see the Jeeps/RZRs on the street as a disruption to the community. The Moab community has thrived on the support of the rest of the state and even those that travel great distances to experience Moab. Please don't alienate those that help the community prosper. My family looks forward to our Moab trips, and hope to keep enjoying those for many years to come. -- Timestamp Your Name Your Comment 10/20/2020 10:43:07 Karen Fallon I have been a full time resident for 5 years and was a seasonal worker for another 11 years before that. Moab has become much busier, especially in the last 5 years and ATVs are becoming a huge problem. Many don’t stop at the stop signs at sand flats and Kane creek. I live near sand flats, during the day the noise is non-stop and even hear the noise til midnight! Banning them is not the total solution, and there is not enough room at the trailhead for all those large rigs to park. If anything I would like to see regulations on hours they can operate in town. If they want a night drive they can take their rig to the trailhead as things clear out by then. Companies in town can have a set route where their customers can drive to the trailhead. Residents can get a permit to drive in town, but all others will be restricted to designated routes and have regulations for mufflers and non-stock modifications. If they are not renting from a local company do a charge per vehicle per day for driving in town. If they want to avoid the charge they can trailer to the trailhead. Although I don’t want to see these being diverted more into neighborhoods, I think they should not be allowed on 191/Main Street, except designated routes for tours. They are a recreational vehicle and should not be used to run around town for dinner, shopping or just for fun. Banning them totally is not the solution, but regulating what, where and when they can be used in town will go a long way to reducing noise, we need to stop making it a free for all in Moab. 10/20/2020 10:46:03 Jeremy Swindlehurst Noise pollution is degrading the quality of life in Moab. The rapid rise in popularity of street legal OHVs has created a negative impact in our neighborhoods as well as resonating deeper into our recreational areas. These are places that people have come to not only for their scenic beauty but also for the opportunity to enjoy peace and quiet. As a citizen of Moab, I feel that the issue of noise pollution needs to be addressed and a compromise reached so that our mixed use area can come back into balance. 10/20/2020 10:46:44 Peregrine Houck RZRs are out-of-control, something must be done. The noise, exhaust, and erosion of trails adds up to a damning case. I have no intention of leaving. I love it here. I am a hiker, and avid amateur photographer. The noise is disturbing not just at home, but on the trail. I for one do not have a "Disneyland mentality" when it comes to Public Land Use. We are meant to be stewards to the land, not just see it as a resource to be exploited. Locals and the workforce should not have to put up with it just make due with these gridlock traffic days. Thank you for your time, thank you for your service. Now do your jobs, and actually do something. Stop advertising. Shut Discover Moab down, right meow. "Do it like a Local" is also a bad joke of a failed campaign. -Perry Houck 10/20/2020 10:51:43 Kenny Familar I live in Utah and I visit your beautiful town and county. Me and my friends come down and stay in your hotels or arb&b’s and spend our hard earned money in the shops and restaurants all over. When I’m driving throughout the towns in my sxs, I do respect the residents of the town by not having my stereo load or driving to fast. I think you shouldn’t point fingers at us for the noise levels that our machines put out. Instead I think there should be a study put out there of different vehicles and the decibel levels those vehicles put out. Either it be motorcycles, bulletbikes, wrx cars or muscle cars, jeeps, buggies, but don’t just single sxs out. Thank you for your time and I hope we can get this situation Resolved and all have a good and peaceful time around your towns. 10/20/2020 10:54:57 Craig Romrell OHVs are a big part of Moab and being able to see the beauty that is Moab. I understand the concern of noise and licensed vehicles. I believe there are many solutions that can be put in place to keep the economy thriving with OHVs and keep sound levels down in the city. My children 5 and 7 would love to see Moab more in the future and the best way for them to do that is in an OHV. OHVs allow access to many different types of people, disabled, elderly, immobile, children etc. We need to keep OHVs allowed in town and on the trails. To single out a single group of people is not the right way to go about this. 10/20/2020 11:02:22 Curtis fluckiger Hello, I have spent many of years spending time in Moab love it there. I'm born and raise in Utah. I love all the beauty Moab offers, I love off-roading there, just would like to have a say that these upcoming street legal issues need to be addressed equally. I feel like there can be a way for all of us to work together to quite the noise issues in town. Please consider all Opinions on this issue. Thank you 10/20/2020 11:03:04 Jenifer Evers I wrote another comment but not sure it went through. This town is being destroyed by overuse. The most prominent user these days is ohvs. They are loud and they tend to tear up the environment far more than any other user. The impacts of their use on trails is painfully evident. At bare minimum, noise needs to be addressed. There need to be laws and sanctions regarding behaviors of all users. if laws are not enforced, they are meaningless and irrelevant. I know that we need more law enforcement in this area to manage all of the problems we have. However, I also know that funding is an issue. That is a whole different issue. At any rate, I think that we need to start charging for use of trails here. I am an avid cyclist and would gladly pay to use a wide variety of areas. Tourists need to pay as well. Their use of our resources diminishes its value and that should cost something. Businesses resent it when you put a moratorium on the type of business they run. While I would love to see fewer OHV businesses, perhaps a more effective solution would be to implement a permit system for all trail areas. A good place to start is requiring noise dampening equipment on all ohvs. As a local who has lived in Moab for nearly two decades, I am so weary of tourists. There seems to be a growing anti-tourist sentiment in this town and unless things change it will continue. I get extremely fed up with knowing that I pay taxes and contribute to this community in other ways while tourists really pay very little for the enjoyment of this area. In general, they need to be paying more. Their use reduces the value of this place and that needs to come at a cost. 10/20/2020 11:05:37 Nina Christensen I understand there is an issue with OHV noise, and do agree it should be addressed. I hope all options can be weighed before a rash decision is made. Eliminating street legal OHV/UTV’s from Moab streets and forcing them to trailer to the trail heads will cause a disaster. Many of the trails/areas are mixed use so creating parking and congestion issues at those trail heads will also affect other users such as hikers and bikers. I urge you to find a solution that would benefit all sides. Thank you! 10/20/2020 11:13:11 kfife3@hotmail.com As a nurse who either gets up at 5am to get ready for a 12 hour shift in the ER or tries to sleep all day so I can stay awake all night, having some quiet is essential. I’m sure it is to many who work odd hours or just plain want to sleep. I’m a block off Mill Creek and can hear the UTV traffic loud and clear through closed windows at all hours. I expect some noise during the day being in town and make accommodations to help with that. But the UTVs are just crazy loud-even with earplugs! But 10:30pm? It’s just as loud! Other vehicles are not that loud-what about an ordinance that requires UTVs to have a muffler or some noise dampening system if driven in town? Otherwise, trailer it to the Trailhead, many bring them here that way anyway. Add to that a time at night when they can’t be driven in town to preserve some quiet for sleeping. Lack of sleep is a health issue and can worsen or cause health problems the longer a person experiences it, research has shown this. People who provide essential, lifesaving services to locals and tourists alike need sleep. Research has also definitively shown an increase in medical errors with increased tiredness and sleep deprivation. Common sense tells you the same. But if you want me to try to save your life and not screw up on just 3 hours of sleep (an actual amount of sleep I got before work this summer) then please, keep ignoring this issue. 10/20/2020 11:14:59 Donna Meadors As a Business owner in Moab - I understand the concerns related to the increase in noise pollution and speed limits and other related concerns you have expressed concerning ATV and UTV usage. I am here to tell you it is not unique to this group. You are targeting an individual group and holding them solely responsible for a problem that is traffic based spread among many types of vehicles and groups. You are being prejudiced toward this particular group and that is wrong and we should not tolerate that from our elected officials. If you single out one group and stop them from recreating in Moab - then you must stop all recreating and include all groups. Is that a wise choice for Moab - for Moab Businesses- for Moab employment - for Moab government? I am opposed to any and all restrictions and related restrictions you have proposed concerning ATV usage and the Businesses related to that industry. Donna Meadors Timestamp Your Name Your Comment 10/20/2020 11:16:56 Verna Butcher I am 67 years old, born and raised here, as was my Mom. And yes I wished we could have our old town back. But we know that isn’t going to happen. I feel like the City is out of line when you say you want to shut down the time of day that we can ride our side X sides in town. I agree that sometimes they are noise but so are motor bikes, jeeps, and tracker trailers going through town. Are you planning on shutting them all down too. I paid $142.00 in Taxes to be able to ride my side X side in town now you want to take that right away from me. We live on Locust Lane and we see many mountain bikes pass this way in their big diesel pickups with their bikes on back as we do side X sides. So what about how noise those diesel pickups are. I guess I need to ask way are you always picking on the Side X Sides. These people spend a lot of money in this town. Why can’t we all just get along. You wanted a big tourist town and now you have it. So now we all have to live with. 10/20/2020 11:28:18 Bryan I am a Utah resident Moab is my favorite place to ride my machine has a stock exhaust and I obey all traffic laws when I am there. Please do not punish an entire industry for the actions of a few. 10/20/2020 11:37:23 Mark Moore This is what they do, There so fare going from what keeps this community going. It’s just not one type of business that effects how the the community Prospers. They have no idea how to manage a town or county. The amount of tax revenue that gets paid here. There should be no short comings. I know because I pay huge amount to them every month. 4-Wheeling of all sorts is part of Moab’s DNA. 10/20/2020 11:39:16 Rebecca McAllister Please help our community coexist with the UTV/ATV industry. A noise ordinance would support a healthy relationship between our residents as a community and the recreational aspect of our town. 10/20/2020 11:40:00 Brett Sutteer I’m writing today to encourage you to create some sort of noise ordinance or a way to somehow limit or mitigate the volume (sound & quantity) of UTVs that have infested our community. This sort of “wreckreation” is having a deeply negative impact on our local citizens’ and the surrounding natural landscape. We need action NOW!! 10/20/2020 11:42:10 Kyle Hill My name is Kyle Hill, my wife and I started Rally on the Rocks years ago as an event to bring like minded people together to build life long friendships. The Offroad community is a great group of caring people who love the outdoors. Like all groups there are some bad apples, but I have witnessed that in the hiking groups, mountain bike groups, or any other group. We have picked up trash on trails all over from all kinds of people. Moab is a tourist town, it has flourished with the money and the Offroad industry has created a lot of jobs that can keep folks working local. With that comes some noise and bad apples but it’s not fair to take the privileges away from the law abiding good Offroad people that have a love for Moab. I hope that you can continue to embrace the economy and welcome the growth. Kyle Hill 10/20/2020 11:44:13 Trent Holliday I am a resident of San Juan County. I frequent Moab with my UTV. It is street legal and I carry more insurance on my rig than most cars on the streets of Moab. I write this to say that i do not support the ban on street legal UTV's in Moab. I would suggest enforcing the current laws regarding speed and noise before you start making more laws. I personally know people who have offered to pay and put up signage but have been ignored on their offer. I hope we can work on this together and figure out a solution before you Ban UTV's 10/20/2020 11:46:37 Christine I think all street legal side x sides should have the same opportunities as any other street legal vehicles. We as the UTV community SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES! I don’t think all you high and mighty tree huggers should be allowed to decide for everyone in Utah what’s best for all these smaller communities. We all have a voice and we deserve to be heard. Thank you 10/20/2020 11:55:19 Duran Atkins Spanish Valley. Moab is getting too noisy and too busy for the quality of our kids lives in town. 10/20/2020 11:56:31 Kyle gotschall As a owner of a utv we love to travel to Moab twice a year. We stay at hotels or vrbo a condo. We eat out all our meals and buy our fuel there. Restrictions on our machines would completely turn us away from your community and helping your economy. Please think hard about your up coming decisions. 10/20/2020 12:01:08 jacob warren The community of Moab had become an apparent breadbasket for the state of Utah at the expense of the quality of its citizens lives. Certainly the details of the complaints will have been illustrated in other comments, but to sum it up, we literally exist within an all-waking-hours motor rally. People are stressed out and contemplating moving from Moab. Myself and many more will never consider this as an option however and will fight for our home by holding this issue in the face of the state until it is resolved. 10/20/2020 12:01:15 Celeste Bruening Moab is known for being an off-road Mecca. By prohibiting OHV access you are destroying the very essence of what makes Moab, Moab. There are ways the city of Moab can work with OHV users to come up with an alternative that will allow OHV access and make residents happy. Please consider other options before discriminating against a particular group of recreation enthusiasts by banning them from your great city! 10/20/2020 12:07:37 Joshua The utv industry is a giant part of Moab’s economy... that can not be debated. Eliminating events will ultimately hurt Moab immensely in the pocketbook. You are going to find bad apples in every group. I’m sure if you looked enough, you’d find bad hikers going off trail to relieve themselves or pick flowers, also mountain bikers who do same thing to make new lines. There needs to be a stronger law enforcement presence in Moab to enforce moving violations by offenders. I have been to Moab 3 yrs running now and hardly ever see law enforment of any kind. Signs would be a big step in helping to reduce speeding and loud music by the bad apples of utv industry. 10/20/2020 12:08:19 Tim McAllister I absolutely agree with noise ordinances and mufflers should be an easy fix but can't agree with making them illegal on all paved roads. I think it would be be bad for many local businesses, ranchers, farmers etc and wouldn't allow anyone without expensive equipment (truck and trailer) to use vehicles rented locally and would require all vehicles to be trailered to each trail head which would cause major parking issues. 10/20/2020 12:09:58 Eric Burris Hi, I have been visiting and recreating in Moab from my home in Durango since 1986. I have visited three times this month actually, just got home last night. The scene in and around town is just killing me. People are everywhere and there is so much user conflict! I don’t see how you could put the Genie back in the bottle unfortunately. Some of the impact/behavior of people driving side-by-sides would be a great place to start however. I really feel for the residents of Moab over the noise and traffic in town, I hope that you can find some way to give them some relief. I camped up on Sand Flats a few weeks ago and it was awful! Noise and lights and rampant disrespect of others! 10/20/2020 12:09:58 Marsha Marshall County Council, I have lived here for 67 years and have never experienced anything like the chaos of the last few years. The spring of this year was over the top for me. Our beautiful Moab Valley was filled with noise and destruction. All investors and visitors need to listen to the neighborhood responses to the situation. Please open your ears to all ideas that might help resolve the situation. Sincerely, Marsha Marshall Former Member of Throttle Down 10/20/2020 12:10:20 Gary MacNeil we come to your town twice a year to enjoy the outdoors and spend alot of money in the process. Please consider what this will do to the economy of Moab and the small businesses it will most certainly effect. 10/20/2020 12:13:58 Darcey Brown The proposals you are considering to mitigate noise are too little too late. Please think more boldly and aggressively. Motor madness is driving all of us over the edge. Timestamp Your Name Your Comment 10/20/2020 12:14:09 Pippa Thomas The noise from OHV and/or FUV is increasingly stressful, adding a persistent growl to our daily living environment. It is possible to reduce the stress of this impact while also welcoming the people who recreate this way by requiring all FUVs to be electric. E-vehicles are silent. Aside from that, I am definitely for compliance check points and even a legal fight with the state to ban FUVs on roads that abutt residential areas (excepting farm or ranch-related OHV use). Even friends from other areas have complained about the degradation of their experiences here, motivating them to choose other destinations. We are becoming even less diversified by driving out other forms of tourism recreation! If our goal is be diversified, and tourism (and higher education through the USU campus??) are our primary economic means, then we need to ensure that we can continue to attract a diverse population and diverse interests to the area. 10/20/2020 12:14:24 Sasha Reed I cannot tell you how awful the noise has been - at all hours of the day and night - and the way it disrupts the peace even when I am in my own home. I have truly been unable to find anywhere in town where I do not hear ATV/side-by-side noise. Sitting in a backyard with friends, going to a park, being inside my house - these are all places I use to be able to enjoy without having the loud, whining noise of a small engine forced upon me. This is not ok. This does not seem like it should be legal. This is not what I thought would be allowable when I moved to Moab and made my life here. In my opinion, we should not be forced to live with this noise pollution in our neighborhoods and homes. I hope the City Council can protect us from what seems like an unfair and unreasonable effect on our community. 10/20/2020 12:17:33 JoHanna Olschewski I truly feel that Moab needs more regulations, we need to have noise enforcement not exceeding a certain decibel. We also need higher levels of management in all areas UTV's go, more education about staying on trails, and respecting the land, because these all terrain vehicles can go anywhere that is exactly what they are doing. I think it could be worthwhile to limit the amount of vehicles on any given trail daily. Thanks for your time. I also truly hope that we are able to figure this because it is disheartening to think we may loose members of our community strictly based on the fact that quiet cannot be found. 10/20/2020 12:17:49 Scott Swarthout The constant noise of the all-terrain vehicles that would not be street legal in most places are a blight on our community. The scope of the problem is astounding and it does not seem legal or fair that this type of noise pollution could be forced upon a community. The lawmakers in Salt Lake City don't have to worry about this noise near their homes so why are we expected to endure the stress-inducing issue in our county where millions of people visit each year. I hope our Councils can help protect our community from this. 10/20/2020 12:18:25 Kimberly Schappert As a nightly rental and second home owner I am appalled at the increased level of noise on the streets of Moab. It is one thing to have a pristine day in the desert shattered by the engine noise of one or a hundred off road vehicles passing somewhere out there in the distance. It is entirely another to not be able to have windows open at night for that cool air sleeping, or during the day now when the air is so delightful, because of razors and ATV's storming the streets. I complained about the noise levels when razors first came to town 7 years ago when I still owned Up the Creek over on 3rd South. They created just one more obnoxious level of disturbance to our small town atmosphere. Everyone knows the disturbance now is completely out of control and to let is continue unmitigated is unforgivable. Moab is going through growing pains at an excelerated rate right now and we should be creating policy for the future that reflects how important that small town, peaceful and welcoming atmosphere, is to the people who live here and our visitors. 10/20/2020 12:20:22 Melissa Beaury Let’s bring back the quiet to our desert. I look forward to our city planners choosing to limit the freedom off road vehicles have in town and on the trails to control noise and destruction. I appreciate activities that can be enjoyed locally and do not affect other users experience. 10/20/2020 12:22:16 Ben Pearson We frequent moab and rely on our street legal, UTV, to shuttle us around. Banning them would affect our decision to patronize your city. We would be forced elsewhere. On an average trip, my fmaily of 4 spends about 750 to 1000 dollars on a 4 day trip. 10/20/2020 12:23:01 Matt Hebberd UTV noise is out of control in Moab. They should be outlawed from all streets. Heck they should be outlawed everywhere. No special events should be permitted for any kind of UTV activity. New laws regarding the noise should be implemented. I have friends that moved to Moab to retire, ride bikes, boat, hike and jeep that have moved out of Moab because of the nonstop noise. PLEASE HELP! I can no longer go to bed at night with my window open due to the constant roar of UTV's coming down Sand Flats. PLEASE HELP 10/20/2020 12:26:04 Robert Bos Sounds to me like some people move in to a recreational area and then decide only their recreation matters. It's like moving next to an airport and complaining about airplanes. There should be a compromise that allows everyone to coexist especially since the off road tourist business is probably a huge part of the areas economic base. 10/20/2020 12:26:21 Patrick Hoyt Dear Council, I am a Utah resident and business owner who is deeply concerned that the beliefs of a few are being heard over the majority. UTV owners as a whole respect the laws and environment and deserve to continue to enjoy Moab. Please take the time to consider a more balanced approach to UTV use in Moab. We are willing to come to an agreement over the noise concern, but we believe you are being too aggressive towards the UTV community. Thank you for your time. Patrick Hoyt 10/20/2020 12:30:09 Jessica O’Leary I live between 400 East and Mill creek drive so the OHV noise starts at 6 am and does not end until after dark. Some night it continues until 11 pm. When people miss the turn to Mill Creek they use my cul d sac as a turn around. This traffic and noise has many impacts on my daily life. Working from home is increasingly difficult with numerous distractions and inability to hear people in meeting over the traffic. In my back yard I can no longer hear the birds. And I find the constant engine noise negatively impacts my mood. Many kids used to play in the cul d sac but they are unable to with increased traffic. I think the city and county should enforce current noise restrictions by requiring all vehicles in the county to have a noise check sticker. Much like a safety inspection used to operate. This sticker would also be required to park at trailheads. In addition local law enforcement should enforce all moving violations (running stop signs, driving without a license, no windshield or eye protection). Let’s control the things we can until we can lobby the state legislature to allow for local control. 10/20/2020 12:30:10 Beth Malloy Please make Moab Quiet again 10/20/2020 12:31:01 Jeffreey Clapp`Please read the email I sent regarding noise and Make Moab Quiet Again 10/20/2020 12:39:53 Logan It’s time the city shuts the mouths of the cry baby’s in the back. Moab thrives on the UTV community and business it brings. Trying to restrict everything is pure nonsense. This stuff needs to be dealt with properly and this isn’t the proper solution. Freedom for all! It’s time the police step up and take care of the law breakers that supposedly cause the need for this bullshit. Better policing, better Moab. Timestamp Your Name Your Comment 10/20/2020 12:47:52 Craig Tiscareno I would like to give my thanks and support Moab in addressing the impact of UTV/ATV use in town. I am a UTV owner and visit your town regularly. I respect all laws and have a stock exhaust on my UTV. Unfortunately some have modified exhaust to be louder, and some don’t respect the folks living in Moab and drive too fast. I would hope you could come up with a plan to accommodate those of us who respect your town and it’s residents. My thoughts are lowering the speed limit, have designated roads to trails, sound monitoring with a hefty fine for those with loud exhausts. I know some of these rules may be in conflict with state law, but I’m hoping the majority of users would voluntarily comply. Thanks again for your hospitality. Craig Tiscareno 10/20/2020 12:49:25 Andy Nettell While a resident in Spanish Valley I am a business owner in Moab. Of all the issues Moab faces, nothing has affected my quality of life more negatively than the proliferation of loud motorized vehicles. We must work with the state to enact stronger noise pollution laws, re-write the law which allowed unmuffled vehicles on city streets plus provide law enforcement with the tools needed to enforce current regulations. No more street use of ATV/UTV vehicles! 10/20/2020 12:49:27 Lisa Paterson If you didn't receive my previous comments, please know that I am feeling overwhelmed with all the noise. The roar from the highway and the streets near my house is constant on the weekends and frequently loud now even during the middle of the week. Moab is no longer a quiet spot in which to reside . All of Moab and Spanish Valley are like living next to the freeway in a busy city. I know this doesn't need to be this way and ask that you do all that you can now and all that you can in the future to stop the proliferation of UTVs of all types on our road, especially residential streets. 10/20/2020 12:49:39 Kaki Hunter The quality of life in Moab has been deeply comprised by too many and too loud of these UTV toys for tourists. I ask for a permanent moratorium on any more rental outfits and UTV events until we can create a healthy environment that supports the quality of life for the people that live here and the diversity of people that come to visit. I know this will be a contentious issue that will require time and cooperation to solve. So it is imperative that we put a moratorium on any more UTV rentals or events in place now. 10/20/2020 12:50:46 Nancy Orr Thank you for meeting today to address concerns about OHV noise. Apparently, my previous emails may not be considered because I did not use this form. Thus I repeat my comments here, with an addendum. Regarding your action items: YES, on the moratorium on new OHV rental/tour business licenses, and also on OHV event permits. However, I urge you to make it permanent, rather than temporary. We will get no sympathy or statute exemptions from state legislators if we continue to allow OHV events or if our Travel Council continues promoting motorized recreation here. State legislators claim that we have made our pact with the motorized recreation community and deserve the consequences – their logic on that is hard to contradict. YES, please drop speed limits for OHVs in our city and county as a start, but that approach may just prolong the noise bubbles of passing OHV groups, and only slightly reduces the engine noise. OHVs are designed to make noise, whether in motion or idling. I see many of the occupants wearing hearing protection, and then cranking up their stereos to be able to hear over the engine noise and through the hearing protection. Slowing down and thus prolonging the noise parade is not really addressing the problem. **** **Another issue with reducing speed limits on OHVs lies in the large numbers of them which group together. They may well form a slow-rolling roadblock on roads such as Kane Springs (where last year I counted a group of 62) or Spanish Valley Drive. This will provide further irritation for residents just trying to live a normal life in a town which has become overrun with noisy machines piloted by people in perpetual party mode.** **** Better yet, get them off of our residential roads altogether. They were trailered to get to Moab, so they can be trailered to the trailhead. Also, this opens a business opportunity for OHV trailer shuttle services to/from the trailheads, reducing the problems of noise and congestion and providing tax revenue from new businesses. Finally, please start enforcing the noise and vehicle ordinances that we already have. Regards, ~ Nancy Orr 10/20/2020 12:54:06 Rebecca Every PLEASE, for the love of any and EVERYTHING good there is to save in this town/county/surrounding wilderness area....Please DO SOMETHING about the horrendous excessive noise/exhaust fumes coming from the ORV/Razor type vehicles destroying our town/community/desert. It's maddening, not to mention extremely BAD FOR OUR HEALTH/MENTAL HEALTH We tax paying residents DO NOT deserve this kind of inunndation, where there is no peace of mind to be found in this entire county. The growth in Grand County has been exponential over the last 5 to 10 years. We have already been dealing with tremendous traffic congestion, that has evolved into 2 to 3 hr wait to come into town closer to the weekends or a 3 to all-day wait sitting in traffic leaving town at the end of the weekend. This is absurd, it is dangerous, it is abusing our neighborhoods with all lines of traffic trying to use the side streets for a quicker way to exit. Add in to this mix, the maddening NOISE from the ORV and it is sending many local residents over the edge. Please please please PLEASE HELP!!!! Thank you, Rebecca Every 10/20/2020 13:01:25 Donna McNeely I’m all for noise reduction. UTVS need to stay out of residential areas in the city and county . They also need to abide by the rules like the rest of us have to be licensed, stop at stop signs, use the turn signals and slow down. Timestamp Your Name Your Comment 10/20/2020 13:02:19 Inder/Rebecca Broughton I want to voice my support for restrictions on UTV use and noise in Moab City and County. The noise is oppressive, and constant and dominants all other sounds is this beautiful natural area we live in. 10/20/2020 13:03:11 Shari Zollinger I am writing in response to the noise levels created by UTVs. I am for regulation and or legislation that brings less noise into our community. 10/20/2020 13:07:11 Rachel UTV Tour and rental companies are the responsible ones. They are not the issue. They limit to certain trails, have strict regulations and rules and promote responsible behavior. They are not a problem!! 10/20/2020 13:08:02 Alicia ATVs are fun for some and bring in money. But everything else is a negative impact. Plain and simple. 10/20/2020 13:22:19 Bega Metzner Enough is enough. I have lived here on and off for over 30 years and the OHV situation is completely out of hand. The noise from dawn till way past dusk. The terrible driving on highways and in residential neighborhoods is completely unsafe for adults and children alike. And the complete disregard for the established trail system is destroying our landscape. I hope that the council and commission will consider making extreme changes to the rules that are constantly being broken and to find a way to enforce them. I love this city. I love this place. I care about people and their businesses but something needs to be done to stop the noise and destruction of public land. I appreciate your time and I hope you can make the improvements necessary for all of our well being. 10/20/2020 13:23:45 Diana Edwards I am writing in support of actions that will mitigate the impact of the noisy off - road vehicles on our city streets. 10/20/2020 13:23:55 Guy Webster As a law enforcement officer in the close area I am concerned about any changes going against current state statutes. All law enforcement needs is you to give the public another reason to dislike them. You as a council aren't going to be the ones enforcing your ordinances. You receive money from the state that is particularly made from taxing the very vehicles you are looking to ban. Are you going to deny taking state dollars? The problem is not anything more than some closed minded people who chose to hate a certain group unfairly. 10/20/2020 13:24:24 Eric Meyer Please address the core of the issues (noise). While it is not likely easy to address the noise issue locally I believe there are some options: (1) Start with the rental companies. Annually test them in compared to the city noise ordnance in a controlled environment (ideally a mobile setup). Give them 2-3 years to reduce there existing noise levels (someone will come up with a noise reducing solution if given an incentive). Test their fleets annually starting in 2021. (2) Private UTV's should be tested starting in 2022 ideally in order to get registration renewed if there is a way to work with the state. Otherwise, it should be allowed for the city to do spot checks similar to DUI, Boat invasive species or emissions inspections. Given a little time and maybe % based reductions in noise over the next 5 years or so, it could really reduce the excess noise they are currently creating in town. Thanks for listening. 10/20/2020 13:25:48 Don Casler I'm a Grand County home owner. The spillover costs associated with the manufacture and rental of OHV, side by sides, Razors are currently borne by residents. Spill over costs include, racket and noise at all hours, we can't sleep with the door open anymore, air pollution from motors that pollute more than other vehicles, and safety, since tourists cluelessly race down town streets with little regard for anything! The companies profit by offering a product with costs they don't pay for, they don't pay for these costs and shift those costs to Grand County citizens that their product produces. This is NOT an essential product or service, and its economic benefits are limited and not enjoyed by most local residents, only the rental companies. As for the visitorship, maybe the values of your residents should mean more than another endless stream of visitors, after all, TRT is constantly promoting Moab, other segments of tourists can be exploited to compensate for the loss of visitor dollars. Send this particular business packing off to San Juan County, Oh wait...while talking to a resident of Bluff recently he said "don't "Moab" our town... 10/20/2020 13:31:10 Don Hill Having recreated in Moab for years with SxS vehicles, I'm concerned that a few bad apples are ruining it for the majority of folks who abide by your laws and spend their money in support of your town. One should look at the bigger picture and not let short sightedness overrule for the common good. Especially in these times of pandemic closures and business's suffering, one might think that every thing that can be done to keep an economy viable should be utilized by the local government and not let those bad apples cause a closure that may bring fiscal regret. Please carefully consider your choice. Thank You. 10/20/2020 13:31:55 Jared Trader Hello, my name is Jared Trader and I want to write in to voice my concerns over UTV noise in town. I live near Rotary Park on Tusher St, where the UTV noise from Mill Creek Drive and Sand Flats Road has become a very unwelcome intrusion on our lives. Whether we are outside or inside, daytime or nighttime, the sound from these machines is overwhelming. While I appreciate the efforts to quiet these machines down by encouraging lower speeds, stock mufflers, etc., I do not believe this adequately addresses the issue. Even when traveling at modest speeds with stock mufflers, these machines are simply too loud. I would ask that we lobby the state to allow us to regulate the use of these machines within our community. The only way I see to effectively solve this problem is to require that UTVs be trailered through town. 10/20/2020 13:33:39 J Turner I understand how much UTV rentals and use contributes to our tax base, but I’m concerned that their pervasiveness is turning off visitors that have other interests. I think you have to consider the cost of the visitors we lose from unrestrained UTV use when making these crucial decisions. 10/20/2020 13:38:54 Annette Kearl I am in support of limiting atv use within the city and Grand County for reasons that include the noise pollution that they cause. 10/20/2020 13:39:01 Josie Kovash I have already submitted a letter and email to both the city and county council, but I just want to strongly reiterate for today’s meeting, that we need strong action to curb the very detrimental effect of street legal UTVs on the residents of Moab. They are simply incompatible with a decent quality of life for those of us who live in Moab, and quite frankly, I believe they are incompatible with all other forms of backcountry recreation. Please make sure my letter is on record for this meeting. Thank you for listening to your constituents, and for creating a forum to make progress so that we may continue to live in this community without descending into a residual state of ire and misery. This is a crucial turning point at which we can either double down on what makes the Moab area so incredibly special and sacred, or we can lose it completely. I believe that a strong stance by local officials is what is called for in this very important moment. Thank you. 10/20/2020 13:39:02 Martin If current local politicians continues to support anti ohv legislation I will do everything in my power to make sure you are not re-elected. I support partisan solutions the current method you are taking is not partisan. Please let us work together on finding solutions that will lead to a better outcome for your political career. 10/20/2020 13:44:50 Susan Roche I would like to ask you to act to protect Grand County and City of Moab residents from the unhealthy noise of off-road vehicles that are driven on our streets and roads. I live in Castle Valley and find the very loud noise of these vehicles prohibits me from patronizing local Moab businesses. I have also read of, and previously experienced while living in a large metropolitan area, the harm to hearing, breathing, and emotional stability caused by the incredible vehicle noise. I know the regs and laws are complex. I send you good energy for finding solutions to return us all to better health. Thank you for all you do, Susan Roche 10/20/2020 13:50:02 Andy Coppola Enough with the noise violations from the jeeps and razors, this unnecessary and could easily be modified or exchanged for quiet battery vehicles. They are deliberately offensive. 10/20/2020 13:51:50 Martin If current local politicians continues to support anti ohv legislation I will do everything in my power to make sure you are not re-elected. I support non-partisan solutions the current method you are taking is partisan. Please let us work together on finding solutions that will lead to a better outcome for your political career. 10/20/2020 13:55:56 Diane Walker I am writing to ask that the Moab City Council pass a moratorium on new UTV rental applications or UTV events until the sound disturbance issues are addressed. Thank you, Diane walker Timestamp Your Name Your Comment 10/20/2020 13:56:04 Ben Burr I am the policy director for BlueRibbon Coalition/ShareTrails. We champion responsible recreation and support efforts to protect and increase access to recreation resources. We have worked with elected officials in Moab on a continuing basis to ensure that the millions of recreationists who visit Moab and the surrounding area create great experiences for themselves and for the community where they are a guest. Outdoor recreation is an explosive industry where new markets for experiences and products emerge suddenly. This provides challenges for policymakers to accommodate new users. This growth also creates significant economic opportunities that have benefitted Moab greatly. We are aware that the recent surge in UTV use in Moab is leading to noise nuisance complaints. Utah state law allows street legal UTVs and ATVs to use public roads, and we support these protections. Street legal access increases access for these users and eliminates problems such as trail-head congestion. We recognize the challenges that come with abating noise nuisances, and we are willing to work with the City of Moab to educate our users in ways they can minimize noise impacts while riding on public roads. We wouldn't support the codification of any policy that would unfairly discriminate against street-legal OHV users or businesses. We believe the city should find ways to enforce violations of ordinances in a way that targets wrongdoers instead of trying to find ways to categorically deny use of roads to street- legal OHV users. We look forward to finding common-ground solutions to these challenges at the same time we recognize that a categorical denial of use of a public benefit by a specific group is discriminatory by nature and can't be the starting point for authentic compromise. 10/20/2020 13:59:46 Jeff Adams I am a resident of Grand County writing to request that Moab City Council and Grand County Commission work together on enforcable noise ordinances and other strategies to mitigate the excessive and harmful noise created specifically by UTV's in order to protect our neighborhoods and the quality of life for residents and the quality of experience for visitors. Thank you for all of your work on this issue, and I am hopefully that meaningful solutions can be crafted to address the extreme noise in our valley. Thank you, Jeff Adams