HomeMy Public PortalAboutMIN-CC-2020-12-16
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December 16, 2020
MOAB CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
December 16, 2020
The Moab City Council held a Special 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 COVID-19 pandemic and considering public health orders limiting in-person gatherings, the
Moab City Council held this meeting 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 Special City
Council Meeting.
Mayor Emily Niehaus called the Workshop to order at 12:05 p.m. Participating remotely were
Councilmembers Rani Derasary, Mike Duncan and Kalen Jones. Councilmember Karen
Guzman-Newton joined the meeting remotely at 12:38 p.m. City staff participating remotely
were Manager Joel Linares, Assistant Manager Carly Castle, Attorney Laurie Simonson, Public
Works Director Levi Jones, City Engineer Chuck Williams, Assistant City Engineer Mark
Jolissaint and Recorder Sommar Johnson.
Mayoral Appointments to the Moab City Planning Commission—Approved
Motion and Vote: Councilmember Duncan moved to confirm the mayoral appointment of
John Knight to the City Planning Commission with a term ending December 31, 2024.
Councilmember Derasary seconded the motion. The motion passed 3-0 aye with
Councilmembers Jones, Derasary and Duncan voting aye.
Motion and Vote: Councilmember Derasary moved to confirm the mayoral re-appointment
of Marianne Becnel to the City Planning Commission with a term ending December 31, 2024.
Councilmember Jones seconded the motion. The motion passed 3-0 aye with Councilmembers
Jones, Derasary and Duncan voting aye.
Motion and Vote: Councilmember Duncan moved to confirm the mayoral re-appointment of
Becky Wells to the City Planning Commission with a term ending December 31, 2024.
Councilmember Jones seconded the motion. The motion passed 3-0 aye with Councilmembers
Jones, Derasary and Duncan voting aye.
Motion and Vote: Councilmember Jones moved to remove Brian Ballard from the Moab City
Planning Commission as required by the Moab City Code §2.52.030. Councilmember Derasary
seconded the motion. The motion passed 3-0 aye with Councilmembers Jones, Derasary and
Duncan voting aye.
Motion and Vote: Councilmember Derasary moved to confirm the mayoral re-appointment of
Jessica O’Leary to the City Planning Commission for a fill-in term ending December 31, 2021.
She will replace the appointment formerly held by Brian Ballard. Councilmember Duncan
seconded the motion. The motion passed 3-0 aye with Councilmembers Jones, Derasary and
Duncan voting aye.
Confirmation of Mayoral Reappointment of Chace Gholson to the Moab Mosquito
Abatement District Board—Approved
Motion and Vote: Councilmember Jones moved to confirm the mayoral re-appointment of
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December 16, 2020
Chace Gholson to the Moab Abatement District Board. His term will end on December 31, 2024.
Councilmember Derasary seconded the motion. The motion passed 3-0 aye with
Councilmembers Jones, Derasary and Duncan voting aye.
Water Resources—Discussion
City Engineer Williams presented an overview of the City’s water system including culinary
water supply sources, source protection areas, total use and number of connections to the City’s
water system, known issues regarding the system, and the water department budget. Williams
briefly defined hydrology terminology and provided a synopsis of the area watershed map,
various research reports on the water supply which inform staff, and described disparities
between reports prepared by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the City’s
hydrogeology consultant Kenneth Kolm, and the 2020 Gardner Report. Williams stated the
area’s groundwater use is close to being maximized. He went on to explain the disparities
between the findings in the reports regarding the estimated amount of available water. Williams
mentioned progress on replacing Well 9.
Assistant Manager Castle spoke about prospects for adoption of conservation measures in the
coming year. She indicated there were opportunities for the City to adopt ordinances that would
contribute toward the City’s water conservation goals.
Moving to a water-restricted future—Presentation
Councilmember Duncan explained his findings regarding the City’s water supply and prospects
for future conditions. He noted that his participation on the City’s Water Conservation and
Drought Management Advisory Board over the past years had informed his opinions. He
reviewed the USGS, Kolm and Gardner reports and stated his desire to adopt ordinances in the
coming year to address metering and quota systems for City water customers.
Councilmember Jones commented on conspicuous ways to conserve water, the necessity of
cooperating with other agencies, and noted the motive for conservation should not be to
increase area development but rather to maintain quality of life for current City residents.
Councilmember Derasary stated she also supports collaboration.
Mayor Niehaus asked if approved developments, which are not yet on-line, were considered in
the calculations. Williams explained that the City’s Water Reclamation Facility consultant
estimates a 1.5 percent growth annually for 15 years and one percent growth thereafter.
Councilmember Guzman-Newton also asked about future use projections.
Councilmember Derasary requested variable conservation goals for residents and noted that
many residents are already conserving and need water to support vegetable gardens.
Adjournment: Councilmember Jones moved to adjourn the meeting. Councilmember
Derasary seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously and Mayor Niehaus adjourned
the meeting at 2:04 p.m.
APPROVED: __________________ ATTEST: ___________________
Emily S. Niehaus, Mayor Sommar Johnson, City Recorder