HomeMy Public PortalAboutMIN-CC-2021-09-14
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September 14, 2021
MOAB CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
September 14, 2021
The Moab City Council held its Regular Meeting on the above date. An audio recording of the
meeting is archived at http://www.utah.gov/pmn/index.html and a video recording is archived
at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paDDBZF6kAE.
Regular City Council Meeting:
Mayor Emily Niehaus called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. Councilmembers Karen Guzman-
Newton, Tawny Knuteson-Boyd, Mike Duncan, Rani Derasary and Kalen Jones attended. City
staff participating included Acting City Manager Carly Castle, Sustainability Director Mila
Dunbar-Irwin, Senior Project Manager Kaitlin Myers, Engineer Chuck Williams, Public Works
Director Levi Jones, Finance Director Ben Billingsley, Parks, Recreation and Trails Director
Annie McVay, Planner Nora Shepard, Communication Director Lisa Church and Recorder
Sommar Johnson. Six persons were in the audience. Mayor Niehaus led the Pledge of
Allegiance. There were no Citizens to be Heard.
Administrative Reports:
Acting City Manager Castle reported on the state of the organization since the departure of City
Manager Joel Linares and City Attorney Laurie Simonson. She stated there would be no impact
on the City’s essential services and ongoing projects. She commended Council for developing a
good team of department managers. Castle updated Council on three projects proposed for
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. She announced the outdoor pool would close
September 19. She mentioned the need for more publicity of the new noise ordinances with the
recent influx of off-highway vehicle traffic. She mentioned the upcoming transfer of Hotspot
funding from the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) for local transit and dispersed
parking. Councilmember Derasary asked about committees and meetings covered by Linares.
Sustainability Director Dunbar-Irwin updated Council on sustainability initiatives, including an
upcoming Water Conservation Plan Update public hearing, Streetlamp conversions, the draft
Sustainability Action Plan, Utah Climate Week, City solar arrays, building code amendments, a
proposed Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) position, a landscape ordinance and an
electric vehicle letter of support.
Mayor and Council Reports:
Mayor Niehaus spoke about the City Manager’s departure. She thanked him for his service and
praised Castle for stepping up. She said the City’s department heads constitute an awesome
team. She noted the Matheson Wetlands ARPA project. She reported on meetings of the Utah
Water Quality Board, the proposed timed-entry system at Arches National Park, and a meeting
with Senator Mike Lee. She said she would be presenting at the upcoming Utah League of Cities
and Towns (ULCT) conference. She also attended a meeting of the Utah Cultural Alliance at the
Moab Museum, the September 11 commemoration at Swanny Park, the Rural Coordination
Council Tribal Working Group, and noted an upcoming meeting regarding redistricting.
Councilmember Duncan reported on a ride-along with a law enforcement officer.
Councilmember Derasary reported she attended the August 25 ULCT meeting and also
participated in a ride-along with law enforcement and noted she highly recommends it. She
reported on her participation on a panel reviewing visioning consultants and mentioned the
September 11 commemoration event. She thanked the Interfaith Coalition for hosting the event
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September 14, 2021
and noted the Coalition’s recognition of the Public Works department for their front-line
service. She said she attended the Red Sands Pow Wow and reminded residents to call law
enforcement if they hear discharge of firearms in their neighborhoods. She brought up citizen
allegations of bullying, retaliation and lack of accountability, among other claims. She called for
a meeting to discuss the issues openly with the community, and asked residents to be specific in
conveying complaints, and to send them to the full Council - not just one or two members. She
stated none of this was to deride the performance of staff, that the City has both great things
going on as well as things it can improve on, and that the sooner the City owns and embraces all
this, and works with the community to improve it, the better leadership you're offering. She
indicated the City’s standards might not be high enough. She also brought up that she was not
informed of the City Manager’s departure until hours before he left and noted that, by law, the
Mayor conducts day-to-day oversight of the City. She also noted there had been discussions
about the need for improved communications between the City Manager, Council and Mayor,
that requests have been made for facilitation, and that has not happened. Finally, she requested
discussion about plans for hiring the next City Attorney and City Manager and what role newly-
elected officials will play in that.
Councilmember Knuteson-Boyd spoke about a National Parks Conservation Association local
assessment regarding tourism, workforce housing and issues with law enforcement. She said she
was interviewed for National Parks magazine. She said Canyonlands Care Center had still not
experienced a single positive case of COVID-19 among the residents. She said the Care Center’s
Special Service District meeting focused on budget and financials. She thanked former City
Manager Linares for his service and praised Acting Manager Castle and the staff.
Councilmember Guzman-Newton reported on the Chamber of Commerce board meeting and
noted the tepid local reception for the Rocky Mountaineer luxury train. She said she attended a
meeting regarding timed entry at Arches National Park and announced the Chamber’s annual
dinner. She said she was participating in a series of webinars on federal highway safety
initiatives. She reported on the Airport Board meeting at which lease agreements were discussed
and noted the number of enplanements is ahead of 2019. Guzman-Newton stated she was not
informed about the former City Manager’s resignation. She asked if it was acceptable that the
Human Resources (HR) Director did not inform the City’s leadership. Acting Manager Castle
stated it was protected HR communication. Guzman-Newton concluded by stating there was
apparent dysfunction on the Council.
Councilmember Jones reported on the Travel Council and announced Howard Trenholme had
resigned and Jason Taylor was the incoming chair. Jones said budgetary concerns were
discussed and a funding request for visitation data analysis was tabled. He reported that Arches
National Park had closed every other day due to overcrowding. He said that hotel occupancy had
fallen in July and the Labor Day visitation to Moab was lower than expected. Jones reported on
a meeting of the renewable energy group, noted Moab City is on the communications
committee, and implored Communications Director Church to participate. Jones reported he
attended meetings of the housing task force and the Colorado Association of Ski Towns, at which
workforce housing was discussed. He mentioned that several bills were passed in Colorado to
curb greenhouse gases. He concluded with a mention of a recent County meeting to discuss
rebuilding Kane Creek Boulevard between 500 West and the BLM border.
Approval of Minutes:
Motion and Vote: Councilmember Jones moved to approve the minutes for the August 24,
2021 Regular Meeting. Councilmember Knuteson-Boyd seconded the motion. The motion
passed 5-0 with Councilmembers Derasary, Jones, Guzman-Newton, Knuteson-Boyd, and
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September 14, 2021
Duncan voting aye.
Presentation—School District:
Grand County School District Community Coordinator Amanda Knill spoke about the school’s
30-day mask mandate to combat COVID-19. She mentioned the new middle school principal
and a community-wide initiative to encourage students to stay in school. She brought up
upcoming family and community engagement nights and school-sponsored YouTube channels.
Mayor Niehaus requested that the high school internship program at City Hall be reinstated.
Old Business:
Walnut Lane Phase I Bid Preparation—Approved
Presentation and Discussion:
Public Works Director Jones detailed maintenance operations at the exiting Walnut Lane site.
Council was invited to tour the site. Senior Project Manager Myers briefed Council on the
timeline for new units since Indie Dwell failed to cure issues with the contract. Finance Director
Billingsley provided budgetary updates and discussed bond issue costs and options including
reissuance of the bonds. Councilmember Derasary brought up the assistance provided by ULCT
staff to assist with ARPA funds for Walnut Lane. Myers and City Engineer Williams discussed
and fielded questions regarding options including Design-Build or Design-Bid-Build procedures
to move forward. Councilmembers Jones and Guzman-Newton asked about potential changes to
the scope of the project and Councilmember Duncan asked for a pro-forma for modular units.
Motion and Vote: Councilmember Duncan moved to pursue a Design-Bid-Build package for
completion of Phase I of the Walnut Lane project. Councilmember Knuteson-Boyd seconded the
motion. The motion passed 5-0 aye with Councilmembers Jones, Derasary, Knuteson-Boyd,
Duncan and Guzman-Newton voting aye.
2021 Class C Roads Map—Approved
Presentation and Discussion:
Engineer Williams briefly presented the Class C Roads update, which concerns funding from the
State of Utah for maintenance of city roadways, curbs, gutters, and sidewalks. This update adds
1.38 miles of road that have been either transferred from the County, or newly constructed, since
the last mileage update in 2009. Councilmember Derasary pointed out that the mileage increase
will result in the City receiving $12,000 more a year, and she thanked Councilmember Guzman-
Newton for her efforts to get the mileage updated.
Motion and Vote: Councilmember Derasary moved to adopt the 2021 Class C Road Map
dated September 8, 2021. Councilmember Guzman-Newton seconded the motion. The motion
passed 5-0 aye with Councilmembers Jones, Derasary, Knuteson-Boyd, Duncan and Guzman-
Newton voting aye.
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 $197,599.91. Councilmember Jones seconded the motion. The motion
passed 5-0 with Councilmembers Jones, Duncan, Guzman-Newton, Derasary, and Knuteson-
Boyd voting aye.
Executive (Closed) Session:
Motions and Votes: Councilmember Jones moved to enter an Executive (Closed) Session to
Discuss Reasonably Imminent and/or Pending Litigation and to Discuss 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 aye with
Councilmembers Jones, Derasary, Knuteson-Boyd, Duncan and Guzman-Newton voting aye.
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September 14, 2021
Mayor Niehaus convened the Executive Session at 9:30 p.m. Councilmember Duncan moved to
end the Executive Session. Councilmember Knuteson-Boyd seconded the motion. The motion
passed 5-0 aye with Councilmembers Jones, Derasary, Knuteson-Boyd, Duncan and Guzman-
Newton voting aye. Mayor Niehaus ended the Executive Session at 10:38 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 10:39 p.m.
APPROVED: __________________ ATTEST: ___________________
Emily S. Niehaus, Mayor Sommar Johnson, City Recorder