HomeMy Public PortalAboutMIN-CC-2021-03-10
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March 10, 2021
MOAB CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
March 10, 2021
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
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGl7GYBFMds.
Moab City Council Strategic Planning 2021-2022
Mayor Emily Niehaus called the City Council Strategic Planning Workshop to order at 6:05 p.m.
Participating remotely were Councilmembers Rani Derasary, Karen Guzman-Newton, Tawny
Knuteson-Boyd, Mike Duncan and Kalen Jones. City staff participating remotely were Manager
Joel Linares, Assistant Manager Carly Castle, Attorney Laurie Simonson, Police Chief Bret Edge,
Planner Nora Shepard and Recorder Sommar Johnson.
City Manager Linares referred to the strategic planning process materials provided by City
departments and reviewed the year. He highlighted fluctuations in revenues and impacts of the
COVID-19 pandemic, and mentioned imminent additions to the staff.
Council and staff engaged in a question and answer session regarding budgetary concerns,
recreation facilities and planning code updates.
Linares next proposed a visioning process that would encompass and dovetail multiple planning
documents currently in process. Engagement of a consultant was discussed. Councilmembers
Knuteson-Boyd and Jones volunteered to join the Mayor and key staff in developing the vision
process.
Assistant Manager Castle provided an overview of continuing and current City Council
commitments for 2021-2022. Castle requested input from the Council regarding the extant list
of current commitments.
Planner Shepard presented a Planning Department overview. She noted that the next two or
three years will shape the future of Moab in the long term. She provided a brief overview of
major projects underway, both within the City and in the surrounding area. Councilmember
Duncan brought up water concerns and Mayor Niehaus mentioned the development of “Moab
South” in San Juan County. Planner Shepard asked, “How can we maintain Moab as a
community and great place to live, work and recreate with all this new development?” She
outlined key concerns for residents regarding housing stock, community character, density,
water and sewer supply and traffic. The Planning Department workflow was outlined and
discussed. Increasing the staff was brought up and Mayor Niehaus brought up a proposed
municipal property tax. Staff-intensive projects such as Walnut Lane were discussed.
Water supply concerns were touched on with regard to overnight accommodations and
community carrying capacity. Mayor Niehaus suggested the topic could be included in the
visioning process.
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March 10, 2021
Mayor Niehaus transitioned the discussion to noise issues, encompassing off-highway vehicles
(OHVs). The prior day’s vehicular noise workshop was referenced with regard to moving
forward with the proposed noise ordinance and timeline. City Attorney Simonson reviewed
ordinance development and Police Chief Edge reviewed steps, equipment needs, recruitment
issues and staff shortages. Councilmember Derasary brought up the offer of financial assistance
from the off-road industry and Mayor Niehaus suggested sponsorship from off-road groups;
Councilmember Guzman-Newton suggested local residents might also contribute and
Councilmember Jones expressed concern about soliciting assistance from off-road advocacy
groups. Mayor Niehaus spoke of an idea to create a seasonal law enforcement opportunity.
Discussion ensued regarding police department staffing levels.
Adjournment: Mayor Niehaus adjourned the meeting at 9:00 p.m.
APPROVED: __________________ ATTEST: ___________________
Emily S. Niehaus, Mayor Sommar Johnson, City Recorder