HomeMy Public PortalAboutMIN-CC-2020-11-10
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November 10, 2020
MOAB CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
November 10, 2020
The Moab City Council held its Regular 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 http://www.utah.gov/pmn/index.html. A video
recording is archived at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeH4ecXZthg&t=377s.
PRE-COUNCIL WORKSHOP
Mayor Emily Niehaus called the Workshop to order at 6:01 p.m. Participating remotely were
Councilmembers Rani Derasary, Mike Duncan, Karen Guzman-Newton, Tawny Knuteson-Boyd
and Kalen Jones. City staff participating remotely were Manager Joel Linares, Assistant
Manager Carly Castle, Attorney Laurie Simonson, Engineer Chuck Williams and Recorder
Sommar Johnson. Grand County Planning Director Mila Dunbar-Irwin and Grand County Road
Department Supervisor Bill Jackson also joined the workshop.
Moab & Spanish Valley Regional Transportation Plan: The Utah Department of
Transportation (UDOT) consultant Project Manager Jon Nepstad of Fehr & Peers presented
progress on the Moab & Spanish Valley Regional Transportation Plan which covers the vicinity
of Highway 191 from San Juan County to Interstate 70. He reviewed the list of stakeholders,
which include UDOT staff, Grand County, San Juan County, Moab City and Utah School and
Institutional Trust Land Administration (SITLA). Nepstad noted the schedule was revised due
to COVID-19. He reviewed project goals and stated the working group considered existing
conditions, project criteria and the public engagement plan. Nepstad discussed peer
communities such as Aspen and Jackson and the challenge for the workforce to commute to jobs
from surrounding communities. Results of the community survey were briefly presented.
Upcoming steps were reviewed. Councilmember Duncan asked about the community survey
responses regarding hypothetical budget priorities. Nepstad indicated that dynamic signage,
small projects and transit feasibility were priorities according to the survey results. Duncan
brought up the bypass option. Nepstad mentioned an environmental assessment would need to
be completed and more conceptual work on behalf of the community would need to be done to
get to that stage. Councilmember Derasary asked about some of the prioritized items and the
timeframe for the survey. Nepstad explained that it is the role of the stakeholders to interpret
the will of their constituents. Mayor Niehaus reiterated the list of stakeholders and Neptstad
also listed other participants, including the airport manager, State Patrol, State Park staff, Moab
Chamber of Commerce Director, and some private citizens. Councilmember Jones brought up
the City’s downtown plan, which currently advocates for a bypass. Councilmember Derasary
brought up citizens who feel disenfranchised from the process. Bill Jackson requested an
extension to the survey deadline.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Regular Meeting—Call to Order and Attendance: Mayor Niehaus called the Regular City
Council Meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. Participating remotely were Councilmembers Karen
Guzman-Newton, Tawny Knuteson-Boyd, Rani Derasary, Mike Duncan and Kalen Jones. City
staff participating remotely were Manager Joel Linares, Assistant Manager Carly Castle,
Attorney Laurie Simonson, Recorder Sommar Johnson, Senior Projects Manager Kaitlin Myer,
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November 10, 2020
Engineer Chuck Williams, Planner Nora Shepard and Public Works Director Levi Jones.
Citizens to be Heard:
Jason Ramsdell stated he lives in the Mountain View subdivision and suggested the highway
bypass be removed from the list of options. He stated the traffic congestion is not about trucks
but rather is about incessant advertising to tourists.
Administrative Reports:
Mayor Niehaus gave an update on COVID-19. She said the Chamber is reimagining the holiday
festivities this year. Assistance City Manager Castle gave an update describing closure of some
City facilities due to the Governor’s executive order relating to COVID-19.
City Manager Linares reported City Hall is still closed to the public. He described the change to
the Health Department reporting requirements. He said there were 20 new cases in the last
seven days. He spoke about mask enforcement.
Public Works Director Levi Jones provided an update on water department activities. He
mentioned a water leak that morning at 100 North Main. Also that morning one of the City’s
well pumps failed. He covered various maintenance activities. Linares asked about the failure of
the well pump and Jones clarified there was water in the well but he stated redundancy is
needed to ensure a safe water supply. He said the pump can be repaired within two weeks.
Councilmember Derasary asked about existing redundancy in the City’s well system.
City Engineer Chuck Williams provided an overview of engineering projects. He stated a
submittal for Well #12 has been prepared for presentation to the Regional Engineer for the Utah
Division of Water Resources. Williams stated the bike skills park would open the next day and
reported on the Highway 191 widening project. He stated the emphasis is on paving before the
weather turns too cold for asphalt and said there would be one lane of travel in each direction
through the winter with a center turn lane. Councilmember Guzman-Newton asked about the
bonding required for the well. Williams said it was $6 million for the well and related
expenditures. She also asked about the projected completion date for the highway project and
Williams said the contracted goal is next Spring but the motivation is to complete earlier than
the Spring. He said the asphalt plant opened in early April in 2020. Linares clarified more about
the timeline for completion. Williams stated work has begun on Utah State University with a
completion date of December 2021. He mentioned utilities work at Lionsback is ongoing. He
touched on other projects such as work involving the closure of the bike path near the junior
high school and the north trunk line for the sewer. He concluded with a mention of an upcoming
water supply update.
City Planner Nora Shepard brought up a workforce housing adjustment request from a hotel
developer. Mayor Niehaus took questions from Councilmembers Knuteson-Boyd and Guzman-
Newton regarding the nature of the variation request. Councilmember Jones mentioned this was
brought up a year ago, and Shepard clarified the changes since then. Councilmember Duncan
asked about the advantages and disadvantages. Shepard indicated the workforce housing could
also be rented to non-employees from the workforce. Councilmember Guzman-Newton stated
one-bedroom units were in high demand. Mayor Niehaus asked for a show of support from
Council and all members were in favor of sending it to the Planning Commission.
Mayor and Council Reports:
Mayor Niehaus reported she had attended meetings on water quality, sidewalk planning,
housing affordability and awarding the Students of the Month. She noted that at the Southeast
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November 10, 2020
Utah Association of Governments economic development update, quality of life was considered
and noise was added to quality of life indicators. She reported that tourist advertising was
discussed. Mayor Niehaus also mentioned revised Veterans Day plans due to the COVID-19
concerns.
Councilmember Derasary reported on an online “conservation conversation” regarding outdoor
recreation. Crowds, resource damage and other considerations were covered. She thanked the
Moab Arts and Recreation Center (MARC) staff and Communications Director Lisa Church for
their work educating the public about the Proposition 8 ballot measure.
Councilmember Duncan reported he attended the sidewalks workshop and was thanked for his
volunteer work measuring street widths. He stated he attended a water presentation by Marc
Stilson, the Regional Engineer for the Utah Department of Water Resources, who has concluded
there is no additional water available to the community that is easy to obtain. Duncan stated
future metering may be an option and that the water supply is currently tapped out. Mayor
Niehaus referred to a conversation with City Manager Linares regarding safe yield. Linares
stated that legislation could require new water rights for any future development.
Councilmember Knuteson-Boyd reported the Museum board meeting was cancelled so had
nothing to report and noted she had several upcoming meetings.
Councilmember Guzman-Newton reported on the Chamber of Commerce revised plans for the
Christmas holidays. She reported on her work with the Arches Hotspot committee, and noted
personal income in the County has contracted, particularly in the hospitality and extraction
industries. She touched briefly on vaccine updates and reported on the meeting of the airport
board.
Councilmember Jones reported on the meeting of the housing task force and noted the Namaste
Rock developer is interested in a manufactured housing project near the intersection of
Highways 191 and 313. Jones mentioned the Spanish Valley Trail and the Grandstaff Trail are
now part of the national trail system. He reported on the Travel Council meeting and mentioned
the Grand County Commission resolution regarding advertising expectations. He indicated the
preferred message is to promote stewardship not all-terrain vehicles. Jones also brought up the
ongoing revamp of the County’s special events application and suggested the City take this
opportunity to revise the City application at the same time. Jones asked about the City’s new
speed limit signage and Linares indicated sign delivery is a month out.
Presentation on CARES Act Funding:
City Manager Joel Linares provided a briefing on The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic
Security (CARES) Act funding to the City. He said that altogether, the City will receive $1.1
million for public safety expenses related to COVID mitigation. He said the City must spend the
funds by December 30 and is permitted to use the funds for law enforcement personnel
expenses and would have approximately $100,000 remaining that could be used for community
outreach grants. His recommendation is to provide funds to people who have not received
COVID relief funding to date. He mentioned food vendors, restaurants, the hospital, food
producers and rent relief as possible categories for aid. Councilmember Knuteson-Boyd asked
for clarification regarding the public safety cost savings offset by CARES funding would be
moved into the general fund. Linares confirmed.
Approval of Minutes — Approved
Motion: Councilmember Derasary moved to approve the minutes for the October 13, 2020,
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November 10, 2020
Regular Meeting; October 20, 2020, Special Joint Moab City Council/Grand County
Commission Meeting; October 27, 2020, Regular Meeting; October 30, 2020, Special Joint
Moab City Council/Grand County Commission/Arches Hotspot Regional Coordinating
Committee Meeting; and the November 4, 2020 Special Meeting. Councilmember Duncan
seconded the motion.
Discussion: Councilmember Derasary noted she had sent corrections to the Recorder.
Vote: The motion passed with 5-0 Councilmembers Derasary, Jones, Guzman-Newton,
Knuteson-Boyd, and Duncan voting aye in a roll call vote.
Old Business:
Walnut Lane Award for Invitation for Bids (IFB) for Manufactured Units at
Walnut Lane—Approved
Presentation: Senior Projects Manager Kaitlin Myers provided an overview of the bids and
the selection process for the recommended bid for the Walnut Lane project.
Motion: Councilmember Knuteson-Boyd moved to award the contract for the construction,
delivery, and installation of modular units to indieDwell, as recommended by the IFB Selection
Committee, and authorize the Mayor to sign the contract with indieDwell for an amount not to
exceed $1,075,095. Councilmember Guzman-Newton seconded the motion.
Discussion: Councilmember Jones expressed his skepticism about the City getting into the
affordable housing business. It was noted that the Housing Authority of Southeast Utah (HASU)
did not bid to be a developer of the Walnut Lane project as it did with the Moab Area Projects
for Seniors (MAPS) apartments. Guzman-Newton stated she has also been skeptical but sees the
need for affordable housing for local law enforcement employees, teachers and more, as well as
the community’s neediest members. She stated she felt the four-to-five year loan terms are
attractive and finds it viable and urged the City to move forward. Knuteson-Boyd agreed and
stated there is always a risk and always a need. Duncan said the project would serve the poorest
part of town which has the most need for affordable housing. He said he appreciated
Councilmember Jones’ idea with regard to flexibility of types of units offered. Duncan noted that
it could put a squeeze on the budget but a property tax needs to be defended. Mayor Niehaus
asserted that if there was a cost overrun, the terms of the loan could be adjusted. She said that a
property tax would not be used to cover this expense and the property tax option is not on the
table. The Mayor asked Myers to recap the requirement for the Planned Area Development
(PAD) for mixed income developments and Myers confirmed 80 units are in the plan. Mayor
Niehaus noted that rental stock is lacking for all income levels.
Vote: The motion passed 4-1 with Councilmembers Derasary, Knuteson-Boyd, Guzman-
Newton and Duncan voting aye and Councilmember Jones voting nay in a roll call vote.
Proposed Resolution 44-2020: A Resolution Regarding the City of Moab's
Commitment to Funding Years Four and Five of a "Recreational Hotspot" Transit
Shuttle Pilot Program—Approved
Presentation: Assistant Manager Castle presented the background and intent of the project.
She explained the Grand County Commission and Moab City Council approved a Transit Shuttle
Pilot Project to be included in the Arches Region Hotspot Concept Package. She explained the
annual cost for the pilot is estimated to be $500,000 and UDOT has indicated its willingness to
fund the first three years of the transit pilot using Hotspot funding, and requires that the City of
Moab and Grand County fund years four and five of the program. She explained the City and
County commitments are needed in order to proceed with the project.
Motion: Councilmember Guzman-Newton moved to approve Resolution No. 44-2020, A
Resolution Regarding the City of Moab’s Commitment to Funding Years Four and Five of a
“Recreational Hotspot” Transit Shuttle Pilot Program. Councilmember Duncan seconded the
motion.
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November 10, 2020
Discussion: Mayor Niehaus thanked Councilmember Guzman-Newton for her hard work on
the project.
Vote: The motion passed 5-0 with Councilmembers Derasary, Guzman-Newton, Knuteson-
Boyd, Duncan and Jones voting aye in a roll call vote.
Approval of Bills Against the City of Moab:
Motion and vote: Councilmember Knuteson-Boyd moved to approve the bills against the City
of Moab in the amount of $257,784.69. Councilmember Derasary seconded the motion. The
motion passed 5-0 with Councilmembers Jones, Duncan, Guzman-Newton, Derasary, and
Knuteson-Boyd voting aye in a roll call vote.
Executive (Closed) Session
Motion and Vote: At 8:50 P.M., Councilmember Derasary moved to enter an executive closed
Strategy Session to Discuss Reasonably Imminent and/or Pending Litigation and/or a
Discussion of the Character, Professional Competence, or Physical or Mental Health of an
Individual or Individuals. Councilmember Guzman-Newton seconded the motion. The motion
passed 5-0 with Councilmembers Jones, Duncan, Guzman-Newton, Derasary, and Knuteson-
Boyd voting aye in a roll call vote. Councilmember Jones moved to end the executive closed
session. Councilmember Knuteson-Boyd seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously
and Mayor Niehaus closed the session at 10:22 P.M.
Adjournment: Councilmember Knuteson-Boyd moved to adjourn the meeting.
Councilmember Jones seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously and Mayor
Niehaus adjourned the meeting at 10:22 p.m.
APPROVED: __________________ ATTEST: ___________________
Emily S. Niehaus, Mayor Sommar Johnson, City Recorder