HomeMy Public PortalAboutMIN-CC-2021-07-27
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July 27, 2021
MOAB CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
July 27, 2021
The Moab City Council held its Regular Meeting on the above date. Audio recordings of the
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 to order at 5:31 p.m. Councilmembers
Karen Guzman-Newton, Tawny Knuteson-Boyd, Mike Duncan and Kalen Jones were in
attendance. Councilmember Rani Derasary attended via electronic means. City staff
participating included Manager Joel Linares, Assistant Manager Carly Castle, Planner Nora
Shepard, Senior Project Manager Kaitlin Myers, Attorney Laurie Simonson, Finance Director
Ben Billingsley and Recorder Sommar Johnson. One member of the public was in the audience.
A video recording is archived at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htK0Up4JmRA.
Mayor Niehaus opened the workshop to discuss workforce housing opportunities. Planner
Shepard described the issue of business owners being unable to hire employees to serve
residents and visitors due to the lack of employee housing supply and high costs for land and
new development. She reported that businesses are reducing hours of operations and are
providing lower quality service due to being short-staffed. She cited examples of the police
department, the hospital and the planning department as institutional examples of a reduced
workforce due to housing issues. Shepard gave a brief overview of steps the City has taken in
recent years to address the shortage of workforce housing including a now-outdated economic
study, the Planned Area Development (PAD) ordinance, the Workforce Assured Housing
Ordinance (WAHO), the Walnut Lane land purchase and a simplified accessory dwelling unit
(ADU) process. Shepard described the proliferation of expensive townhome developments in the
R-3 zone that do not serve the community with regard to solving the workforce housing crisis
while increasing density downtown. She described the target beneficiaries of potential City
action as those members of the workforce who need temporary housing including seasonal
employees, local homeless persons and year-round residents whose earnings disqualify them for
most affordable housing avenues yet who cannot afford home ownership in the local market.
Possible projects, policies and strategies were described by Shepard including possible
emergency recreational vehicle (RV) camp parking, expansion of Walnut Lane, and creating a
working group with Realtors and developers. Changes to code that were proposed include
adding ADU provisions for tiny homes, revising the Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) code,
allowing four-story buildings and bunkhouses, including PAD provisions in the R-2 zone, easing
on-site parking requirements, initiating affordability requirements with regard to R-3 density,
allowing RVs as temporary housing units, enforcement of illegal nightly accommodations,
creating a workforce housing replacement program tied to new development, and employer-
owned homes providing accommodation for employees.
Councilmembers provided feedback on the proposed projects. Several expressed opposition to
the consideration of four-story buildings. Tiny homes or seasonal modular units and temporary
RV camping were viewed favorably, with one Councilmember suggesting that temporary RV
parks should be restricted to commercial properties and not residential sites. Reworking the
PAD and PUD ordinances, relaxing parking requirements, incentivizing workforce units in
mixed-use developments, and mixing nightly rentals with long-term workforce housing were all
considered. The Real Estate Transfer Assessment (RETA) was brought up as well as setback
requirements for ADUs. Planner Shepard affirmed that she would work with Senior Project
Manager Myers to create a summary of the suggestions along with proposed timelines and
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July 27, 2021
decision points.
Regular Meeting Call to Order and Attendance: Mayor Niehaus called the Regular City
Council Meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. In attendance were Councilmembers Guzman-Newton,
Knuteson-Boyd, Duncan and Jones. Derasary attended via electronic means. City staff in
attendance included Manager Linares, Assistant Manager Castle, Attorney Simonson, Recorder
Johnson, Senior Project Manager Myers, Finance Director Billingsley, Engineer Chuck Williams,
Planner Shepard, Public Works Director Levi Jones and Assistant Planner Cory Shurtleff. A
video recording is archived at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmJvzU3Zu4c. Mayor
Niehaus led the Pledge of Allegiance. There were five members of the public and press in the
audience.
Citizens to be Heard:
Helene Rohr spoke in favor of allowing van dwellers to occupy space as an affordable housing
solution. She stated she didn’t see the need for water and sewer hookups in a temporary solution
situation, and pointed out most vans have greywater systems only. She said employers and
landowners are not interested in messy solutions and that many people choose to live in small
spaces. She stated that the expectation of needing a lot of space is a luxury.
Sara Melnicoff advocated for a widespread installation of recycle bins throughout Moab.
Brooke Massick stated she lives in her van and noted that tiny home and van dwellers want to
comply with code. She cited other communities that have embraced small dwellings as a housing
solution. She stated that space for parking is a luxury.
Administrative Reports:
City Manager Linares reported on activities related to the proposed property tax increase and
announced the public hearing to be held August 4. Linares also mentioned a review of other
recreation and aquatic centers to find ways to reduce costs at the Moab Recreation and Aquatic
Center (MRAC). He brought up imminent work to be done regarding redistricting and said the
City would advocate for keeping all of Moab and all of Grand County in one legislative district.
With regard to COVID-19, Linares stated new federal mask guidelines do not yet affect Moab.
Public Works Director Jones reported on the recent flood event and noted damage near a
pedestrian bridge and footpath. He mentioned there was no water gauge on Pack Creek and
suggested one would help. Councilmember Guzman-Newton asked about the gauge and
Councilmember Jones asked about the fiscal impacts of the storm damage.
Finance Director Billingsley discussed future American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding and
allowable local expenditures.
Senior Project Manager Myers gave a Walnut Lane update. She stated Indie Dwell had until
Monday, August 2 to cure the contract issues. Myers and Attorney Simonson outlined some
options the Council could consider in the coming weeks.
Mayor and Council Reports:
Mayor Niehaus thanked staff for hosting the open house regarding the proposed property tax.
She mentioned an upcoming event on September 11 to celebrate emergency medical services and
first responders. She thanked Public Works Director Jones for the flood response. She also
mentioned an upcoming Town Hall with Congressman John Curtis on August 11 and concluded
with an announcement regarding a free pool day and barbecue also on August 11, hosted by the
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July 27, 2021
police department. It was noted Moab Brewery was donating food.
Councilmember Derasary reported the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) department had
experienced its busiest three months on record. She said call volumes increased and stress levels
for local residents have increased due to town being busier, thereby triggering more EMS
response. She also noted local EMS staff had served on wildfire crews as line medics. She noted
a tour of the new EMS building. Derasary also mentioned the System of Care advisory board
which assists agencies to keep children within the community for families in crisis. She brought
up a statistic regarding COVID-19 and stated she had learned from the health department
director that while it appears more cases involve women than men, it was also the case that
more women were tested for the disease. She stated we'd had about 0.3% breakthrough COVID
cases in our area (positive cases among people already fully vaccinated), and that she had asked
the health department director at what percent he'd be concerned about our level of
breakthrough cases; he said about 5.0% She reported that the Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial
Action (UMTRA) Moab project had moved 70 percent of the material. She expressed optimism
regarding additional federal funds to continue the cleanup. She concluded with a mention of the
upcoming luxury passenger train, which would use the same track as the tailings train. She said
that freight trains take precedence over passenger trains.
Councilmember Duncan reported on a large expenditure by the Grand Water and Sewer
Services Agency (GWSSA) to purchase water rights involving a well that collapsed. When a
nearby replacement well was drilled a mistake was made that may have also plugged up the
aquifer locally damaging the potential capacity of both wells. He stated he had visited the site of
the new City well.
Councilmember Knuteson-Boyd thanked Public Works Director Jones and his staff. She also
noted a solution to a problematic parking issue on 400 North between 500 and 600 West.
Councilmember Guzman-Newton reported she attended the property tax open house and that
she had been meeting with constituents. She said the airport board meeting had been cancelled.
She reported she participated in Land Use 101 training and concluded with a mention of a
meeting she had with City Manager Linares regarding camping and the C-2 zone.
Councilmember Jones reported on a meeting of the Dark Skies committee and noted a “barn
light” swap project with Rocky Mountain Power. The topic of swapping City street lights for LED
lights was briefly discussed. Jones stated he had met with Salt Lake City solid waste personnel to
discuss sustainability as well as the City’s plastic bag ban. He said he was interested in follow-up
on Moab’s bag ban. Jones concluded with a mention of a U.S. Senate subcommittee on
congestion in the national parks and suggested forwarding the City’s recent letter in favor of
timed entry to the Senate.
Approval of Minutes:
Motion and Vote: Councilmember Guzman-Newton moved to approve the minutes for the
July 13, 2021, Regular Meeting. Councilmember Jones seconded the motion. Councilmember
Derasary stated she had sent corrections to the Recorder. The motion passed 5-0 with
Councilmembers Derasary, Jones, Guzman-Newton, Knuteson-Boyd, and Duncan voting aye.
Old Business:
Highway Widening Project—Presentation
City Engineer Williams updated Council on progress regarding reopening all lanes of Highway
191 north of downtown. He also mentioned work was due to be completed in October. Williams
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July 27, 2021
also noted the Highway would be under construction in 2022 from the Colorado River bridge to
the Postash Road and then as far north as Highway 313. He also mentioned the addition of a
passing lane in the six miles south of Interstate 70. He listed other projects related to the
Hotspot funding, including dispersed parking, work on Emma Boulevard, and a roundabout at
the corner of 400 North and 100 West.
New Business:
Unified Transportation Master Plan—Presentation
Engineer Williams briefed Council on the public engagement process regarding the local area
transportation plan. Brent Crowther spoke to Council about the outreach efforts of consultants
Kimley Horn to obtain public input. He spoke about determining the roles and responsibilities
of stakeholders and a technical advisory group.
West Care Campus Drive Plat Amendment and ROW Realignment—Approved
Presentation: Assistant Planner Shurtleff presented Moab Regional Hospital’s requested plat
amendment and right-of-way realignment. Discussion ensued about the unusually narrow street
and proposed new health care amenities. Councilmember Guzman-Newton asked about the
future methadone clinic and a hospital update was requested at a future meeting.
Motion: Councilmember Jones moved to approve proposed Resolution #26-2021 – A
Resolution Approving the Plat Amendment of property located at 382 West Care Campus Drive,
and 356 West Care Campus Drive, Moab UT 84532, and Right-of-Way Realignment.
Councilmember Guzman-Newton seconded the motion.
Vote: The motion passed 5-0 aye with Councilmembers Jones, Derasary, Knuteson-Boyd,
Duncan and Guzman-Newton voting aye.
Grantwell Partnership Proposal—Approved
Presentation: Finance Director Billingsley reported that $320,000 in initial annual proceeds
are expected as a result of the voter-approved Recreation, Arts and Parks (RAP) sales tax. He
announced the Grantwell Partnership proposal, which would utilize the skills of public
administration graduate students to propose a citizen advisory committee framework as well as
an application process for the disbursement of the RAP tax funds. If approved, the Grantwell
product would be delivered in December. Councilmember Jones asked if there were references
for other projects undertaken by the student group. Councilmember Derasary asked for an
update on the citizen committee element.
Motion and Vote: Councilmember Guzman-Newton moved to approve the partnership
between the City of Moab and Grantwell, and authorize the execution of the letter of intent.
Councilmember Duncan seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0 aye with Councilmembers
Jones, Duncan, Derasary, Guzman-Newton and Knutson-Boyd 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 $315,941.76. 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 Jones moved to adjourn the meeting. Councilmember
Knuteson-Boyd seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously and Mayor Niehaus
adjourned the meeting at 9:01 p.m.
APPROVED: __________________ ATTEST: ___________________
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July 27, 2021
Emily S. Niehaus, Mayor Sommar Johnson, City Recorder