CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Mayor Trevor Olsen (Absent)
Mayor Pro Tempore Cheryl Bowers
Council Member Chris Ewald
Council Member Charlie Taylor
Council Member Erik Grover
Council Member Kellen Nielson
May 27, 2025 - 6-7pm - Work Session
May 27, 2025 - 7pm - City Council Meeting
50 West 100 South Street,
Blanding Utah 84511
Meetings live streamed when available at: https://meet.google.com/ymf-jwqo-rjs
Work Session
Budget Work Session
Mr. Herring stated that they made Christmas Decor a line item and will continue until there is enough to get new decorations. They had a discussion about the banners that are hung up on the street lights, as well as the Christmas lights that have been up all year. They talked about some city office repairs, the airport fence, hangar repairs, they talked about some of the specific things that need to be repaired in the hangars, the fuel system repair, airport lights. They talked about the pump track and skills park, and the possibility of grant money and in-kind work for that project. Mr. Muhlestein talked about the specifics of the grant. They talked about lights at the ball fields. They talked about the 4th reservoir path, the visitor center roof, concession stand update, mower with bag attachment, they discussed the range of mowers and the prices. They talked about contracting the mowing or moving it in-house. They talked about buying the equipment and maintenance of the equipment. They also talked about watering, pest control, football helmets, they talked about the pros and cons of young kids playing tackle football. They talked about a storm water master plan, they do have one, but it is old. They talked about the sidewalk participation program, street maintenance project, AI software that tells what roads are in most need of repair. They talked about street cuts and repairing them up to our standards.
POLICY MEETING
Call to Order
Roll Call
A thought was offered by Nicole Holliday
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance.
Approval: Consent Agenda and Minutes from May 13, 2025 Regular Session
Councilmember Ewald made a motion to approve the consent agenda and minutes from May 13, 2025. Councilmember Nielson seconded the motion. Mayor Pro Temp Bowers repeated the motion and asked for discussion or questions. Hearing none, she called for a vote.
Those voting aye: Councilmember Taylor
Councilmember Nielson
Councilmember Grover
Councilmember Ewald
Councilmember Bowers
Those voting nay: None
Constituting all members thereof, Mayor Pro Temp Bowers declared the motion carried.
Declaration of Conflicts of Interest - None
Public Input
None
Reports
Mayor
Absent
City Council
None
Finance Report/Operational Budget - James Francom
Mr. Francom provided the operational budget. He stated that he will have a revised budget soon. He welcomed any questions. He stated that we are in pretty good shape with our revenue. He said that they need to adjust some things that they weren't expecting. They talked about sales tax and it will continue to go up before the fiscal year ends. They talked about pay out for hours when an employee leaves or retires.
City Engineer Report - Patrick Parsons
Mr. Parsons had the monthly water report for April. He stated that we are hovering in the below average area. We have about 11.2 inches of precipitation for the year, which puts us at about 59% of the median for water. Last year we were at about 87%. He had a spreadsheet that compared the last two years. We are quite a bit lower this year. We are designated a 'yellow year' right now and could possibly go to orange. He had a drought monitor map for Utah.
Mr. Parsons stated the deep well has a constant rate test scheduled for this Thursday. They will run the well at 300 gallons per minute for 24 hours and test the limits and quality of the well. Someone will have to be on site for the full 24 hours and take readings every 15 minutes. The readings will rate the performance, limits, flow, recovery etc. If all goes well with it then things will move forward with the well house. All went well with the repairs on well B.
The gas line to the mill is still in the feasibility phase. The funding and demand of the mill will dictate the size of the line that is put in.
Jones and Demille is working on the sewer master plan.
Last year we had our state dam inspection and got a thumbs up on it.
Mr. Herring stated that David Lyman has put in some applications for grants to put in treatment plants at every well that would address the arsenic issue.
Business Items
Resolution - 05-27-2025-1 UORG Grant for the 4th Reservoir Walking Trail
The City of Blanding is committed to enhancing the quality of life for its residents and visitors through the development and improvement of outdoor recreation opportunities. The City of Blanding has applied for and has been awarded funding through the Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant (UORG) administered by the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation for the development of the 4th Reservoir Walking Path Project. The total cost of the project is estimated at $548,920, with $438,840 to be provided through the UORG award, the City of Blanding has committed to providing a local cash match of $80,080, and $30,000 will be provided as an in-kind contribution from Blanding City staff and volunteers, including support from the Utah Dedicated Hunter Program, $80,080 will be provided as a cash match from the City of Blanding, while the City actively seeks additional opportunities to increase the in-kind portion of the project contribution in alignment with grant matching goals.
Mr. Muhlestein stated that the project will start as soon as possible. The city has to have a signed contract with the state before work can start.
Councilmember Nielson made a motion to approve Resolution 05-27-2025-1, accepting the UORG grant, the city's match and in-kind contributions for the 4th reservoir walking trail. Councilmember Ewald seconded the motion. Mayor Pro Temp Bowers repeated the motion and asked for discussion or questions. Hearing none, she called for a vote.
Those voting aye: Councilmember Taylor
Councilmember Nielson
Councilmember Grover
Councilmember Bowers
Councilmember Ewald
Those voting nay: No
Constituting all members thereof, Mayor Pro Temp Bowers declared the motion carried.
Discussion/Informational Items
R-2 Zoning Update - Ben Muhlestein
Mr. Muhlestein stated the planning commission has worked hard on revising the R2 code and trying to make it easier for people to build. He provided the updated code with the changes that the planning commission has been discussing for the last several months. Mr. Muhlestein went over some of the changes that have been made. Mr. Herring stated that some cities have a buy out plan for open space or play ground requirements for larger developments with multiple units and then that money can go towards existing parks. They talked about taking hospitals out as an option in the R2, but keeping nursing homes and assisted living in. They talked about professional offices in the R2 and what the definition and requirements should be. They talked about the pros and cons of professional offices in a residential zone. They talked about ADUs and the size and use of them. They talked about airbnbs, mother-in-law suites, parking and property owner rights. The commission wanted the whole temporary conditional use section removed. They had a substantial discussion about this section, in particular about professional businesses and offices, they discussed different scenarios and what they think should happen and what they think should remain in the code and what should be taken out or what should be changed. They talked about the changes in the area, width, setback and height requirements. The commission wanted to make some changes to make it easier for development. They talked about the private and shared drive section, this is a new section, but some changes have been made in the process of making it. They briefly talked about fences, walls and retaining walls.
Budget Discussion Continued if needed
Council will have a work session on June 10th from 5:30-7:00 to continue discussing the budget.
Local Products sold at the Blanding Visitor's Center - Trent Herring
Mr. Herring stated that they started talking with Bears Ears Farms about selling their products and there is a lot of red tape and restrictions involved with selling CBD/THC products. The city feels that there are too many requirements and liabilities in selling the products. They still want to promote their business with brochures and pamphlets, etc.
Business License Interlocal Agreement Approved by San Juan County - Trent Herring
Mr. Herring stated that he went to the county meeting last week and they approved this interlocal agreement and all the other communities in San Juan County should be approving this agreement as well. Blanding City will now accept any business licenses from the other communities.
Energy Fuels Ribbon Cutting Event June 23rd - Ice Cream Social - Trent Herring
This event is going to be moved to June 25th. Energy fuels wants to have a ribbon cutting community event for the shade structure at the park. It will be at 6pm and there will be ice cream sandwiches for the public as well as pickleball games and corn hole. The grant for the shade structure was the biggest grant that energy fuels has given.
Little Miss Blanding June 26th - Trent Herring
Little Miss Blanding will be on June 19 or 26th.
Youth City Council Success - Trent Herring
Mr. Herring highlighted the success of the youth city council's first year. He mentioned the scholarships awarded, the artwork on the dugouts, and their involvement in the futures football game. Applications for the next year's youth city council are already being received, indicating the program's positive impact. The council expressed their support for the program and its benefits for youth engagement.
Closed Session
Councilmember Grover made a motion to go into closed session to discuss pending litigation. Councilmember Ewald seconded the motion. Mayor Pro Temp Bowers repeated the motion. She asked for discussion or questions. Hearing none, she called for a vote.
Those voting aye: Councilmember Taylor
Councilmember Grover
Councilmember Nielson
Councilmember Ewald
Councilmember Bowers
Those voting nay: None
Constituting all members thereof, Mayor Pro Temp Bowers declared the motion carried.
Adjournment
Councilmember Grover made a motion to adjourn. Councilmember Nielson seconded the motion. Mayor Pro Temp Bowers repeated the motion. She asked for discussion or questions. Hearing none, she called for a vote.
Those voting aye: Councilmember Taylor
Councilmember Grover
Councilmember Nielson
Councilmember Ewald
Councilmember Bowers
Those voting nay: None
Constituting all members thereof, Mayor Pro Temp Bowers declared the motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 8:41pm.
Notice of Special Accommodations (ADA)
In compliance with the ADA, individuals needing special accommodations during this meeting may call the City Offices at (435) 678-2791 at least twenty-four hours in advance. Every effort will be made to provide the appropriate services.
Notice of Electronic or Telephone Participation
One or more Council Members may partcipate electronically.