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Home My Public Portal AboutMIN-CC-2021-07-13 Page 1 of 4 July 13, 2021 MOAB CITY COUNCIL MINUTES REGULAR MEETING July 13, 2021 The Moab City Council held its Regular Meeting on the above date. Audio recordings of the entire workshop and regular meeting are archived at http://www.utah.gov/pmn/index.html. Pre-Council Workshop: Mayor Emily Niehaus called the Pre-Council Workshop regarding water resources management and conservation to order at 5:02 p.m. Councilmembers Karen Guzman-Newton, Tawny Knuteson-Boyd, Mike Duncan and Kalen Jones were in attendance and Rani Derasary attended the meeting via telephone. City staff participating included Manager Joel Linares, Assistant Manager Carly Castle, Sustainability Director Mila Dunbar-Irwin, Attorney Laurie Simonson, Recorder Sommar Johnson, Assistant Engineer Mark Jolissaint and Engineer Chuck Williams. A video recording is archived at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxChDIwoHoE. Assistant Manager Castle introduced an approach to water resource management which will take new development into consideration. She said emerging information regarding the City’s water supply, combined with explosive growth in the region, climate change, drought, threats from wildfire and development, as well as aging infrastructure, have necessitated a radical new approach to managing the City’s water resources. She spoke about varying estimates of the existing water supply and safe yield. She presented the City’s water resource management workplan and introduced several policy development areas. She stated the City will collaborate with other regional water suppliers to develop a plan for the entire watershed. Sustainability Director Dunbar-Irwin briefly introduced the draft Water Conservation and Drought Management Plan, which is required by the State Department of Water Resources every five years. She covered the proposed goal of per capita consumption of drinking water and discussion ensued about the local population along with tourist visitation numbers. Dunbar- Irwin outlined proposed conservation measures as well as a grant to conduct a needs assessment and assistance with developing policy. Councilmember Jones asked about comparisons between Moab and other regional municipalities and Mayor Niehaus brought up the troubling perception of the Colorado River as a backup water source. She urged swift action on water conservation policy. Regular Meeting Call to Order and Attendance: Mayor Niehaus called the Regular City Council Meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. Councilmembers Karen Guzman-Newton, Tawny Knuteson-Boyd, Mike Duncan and Kalen Jones were in attendance and Rani Derasary attended the meeting via telephone. City staff in attendance included Manager Linares, Assistant Manager Castle, Attorney Simonson, Recorder Johnson, Senior Project Manager Kaitlin Myers, Finance Director Ben Billingsley, Engineer Williams and Sustainability Director Dunbar-Irwin. A video recording is archived at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMK2ouBGMFI; due to technical difficulties, the video recording commences approximately sixteen minutes after the start the meeting. Mayor Niehaus led the Pledge of Allegiance. There were two members of the public and press in the audience. Citizens to be Heard: Recorder Johnson reported there was one written comment archived at https://moabcity.org/151/City-Council. Charlotte Mates stated she was a 25-year resident of Moab and Grand County. She described the Purple Bench ride-sharing concept, which she said was introduced to the area many years ago by Page 2 of 4 July 13, 2021 former County Council Member Audrey Graham. She said the informal program was maintained for about three years but did not go over well in the community. Since that time, Mates stated she had researched the Purple Bench transportation idea and described it as a non- governmental solution to the lack of public transportation. She said homeowners and businesses are encouraged to place purple benches on their private property to encourage local citizens interested in sharing a ride. She said she has promoted the idea and understands the high school woodshop class might be able to assist. She said she is exploring non-profit status for the effort. Administrative Reports: City Manager Linares thanked the Chamber of Commerce, the County, the Fire Department, the Police Department and all the City employees and volunteers for the Fourth of July festivities. He noted the successful bounce house, bingo and dunk tank. Finance Director Billingsley noted issues regarding a software transition in the Treasurer’s Office. He also mentioned public outreach efforts regarding the Truth in Taxation process. He reported on the Workforce Assured Housing Ordinance (WAHO) fund and expenses for the Walnut Lane project. Senior Project Manager Myers reported on activities related to curing the Indie Dwell contract for the Walnut Lane project. Attorney Simonson also provided details about the process. Engineer Williams briefed Council on the potential impacts on the City’s watershed caused by the recent Pack Creek fire. Mayor and Council Reports: Mayor Niehaus expressed gratitude for the July Fourth activities. She mentioned members of the Fire Department were invited and noted the community showed gratitude by not igniting personal fireworks as in years past. She thanked City staff who assisted with the events. Mayor Niehaus also reported on a meeting of the Association of Governments and spoke about available grants for downtown improvements. She said she met with the Utah Director of Outdoor Recreation and she mentioned the upcoming property tax open house. Councilmember Derasary reported she attended a meeting regarding water supply with Regional Engineer Marc Stilson. She noted the new Emergency Medical Services (EMS) building, scheduled for completion in four months. She said EMS call volumes continue to increase and are up 38 percent over 2020. She said two new full-time EMS employees would start work in August and the Snow College EMS Program received substantial funding from the State’s rural EMS grant program. She said the local EMS department would receive $140,000. She thanked everyone who dealt with burnout concerns at the MRAC (Moab Recreation & Aquatic Center) and asked staff if there were any updates on that. She concluded with a question about local event fee waivers for non-profits and Manager Linares stated he would follow up. Councilmember Knuteson-Boyd announced the Museum’s upcoming ice cream social and said she had meetings planned in the coming week. Councilmember Guzman-Newton reported on the Chamber of Commerce board meeting as well as the Chamber Chat on the topic of the proposed property tax. She mentioned a meeting of the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) commission and noted the local Hotspot funding request received unanimous support. She mentioned work she had been engaged in regarding the microtransit program and said she attended a Utah League of Cities and Towns (ULCT) meeting regarding the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. She said she met with Page 3 of 4 July 13, 2021 Finance Director Billingsley about the budget and she concluded with a mention of the significant economic impact of Canyonlands Field, which provides 488 jobs and $2.1 million in State and local tax revenue. Councilmember Jones reported on two meetings of the Renewable Energy Agency. He shared that Rocky Mountain Power would move toward more renewable energy sources in the future. He updated Council on progress with the Solid Waste district and its struggle regarding recruiting and maintaining its workforce. He said the transition to the new management model was going well. He spoke briefly about a fire mitigation grant program and reported that the Housing Task Force was working toward a Grand County land use amendment to support workforce housing. Manager Linares briefly mentioned a new City webpage to assist the public in understanding the proposed property tax. Councilmember Guzman-Newton thanked Assistant Manager Castle for her work on the Hotspot committee. Linares also gave a summary of the County’s COVID status. Approval of Minutes: Motion and Vote: Councilmember Jones moved to approve the minutes for the June 22, 2021, Regular Meeting and the June 30 and July 7, 2021, Special Meetings. Councilmember Guzman-Newton seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0 with Councilmembers Derasary, Jones, Guzman-Newton, Knuteson-Boyd, and Duncan voting aye. Old Business: Prima Facie Speed Limits—Approved Presentation: City Engineer Williams reviewed the proposal to change the default speed limits within the City to 20 miles per hour. He stated a proposed ordinance had been prepared to reflect the change and he provided a map of key locations to post signage. Discussion ensued regarding where to post additional signs. Motion and Vote: Councilmember Jones moved to adopt Ordinance 2021-14, which amends City of Moab Municipal Code section 10.04.090 pertaining to prima facie speed limits, and furthermore, to change the speed limit on Williams Way to 25 miles per hour. Councilmember Knutson-Boyd seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0 aye with Councilmembers Jones, Duncan, Derasary, Guzman-Newton and Knutson-Boyd voting aye. New Business: Planning Commission Appointment—Approved Motion and Vote: Councilmember Guzman-Newton moved to confirm the mayoral appointment of Brityn Ballard to the City Planning and Zoning Commission. Her term will expire December 31, 2024. Councilmember Jones seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0 aye with Councilmembers Jones, Duncan, Derasary, Guzman-Newton and Knutson-Boyd voting aye. Mill Creek Drive Water Improvements Construction Contract—Approved Presentation: Engineer Williams briefly described bids for the Mill Creek Drive project, and answered questions from Councilmembers regarding specific line items within bids. Councilmember Guzman-Newton asked for clarification regarding the scope of the project and Williams said the project encompasses Mill Creek Drive from 400 East to Murphy Lane with a nine-month timeframe with potential delays. Motion and Vote: Councilmember Jones moved to award the Mill Creek Drive Water Improvements Project construction contract to Harrison Field Services in the amount of $2,416,528.03. Councilmember Knutson-Boyd seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0 Page 4 of 4 July 13, 2021 with Councilmembers Jones, Duncan, Derasary, Guzman-Newton and Knutson-Boyd voting aye. Mill Creek Drive Water Improvements Task Order—Approved Motion and Vote: Councilmember Duncan moved to approve a Civil Science, Inc. task order for a consulting services agreement to conduct construction administration services for the Mill Creek Drive Water Improvements Project in the amount of $72,800. Councilmember Jones seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0 aye with Councilmembers Jones, Duncan, Derasary, Guzman-Newton and Knutson-Boyd voting aye. American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)—Discussion Finance Director Billingsley and Senior Project Manager Myers described potential uses for incoming ARPA funds, including local fiscal relief and capital projects. The Walnut Lane affordable housing project and City infrastructure improvements were discussed as allowable uses for the funds along with commitment timelines and Engineer Williams also contributed to the discussion. 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 $332,808.94. Councilmember Jones 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. Adjournment: Councilmember Derasary moved to adjourn the meeting. Councilmember Guzman-Newton seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously and Mayor Niehaus adjourned the meeting at 8:45 p.m. APPROVED: __________________ ATTEST: ___________________ Emily S. Niehaus, Mayor Sommar Johnson, City Recorder