General Information

Government Type

Municipality

Entity

Blanding

Public Body

City Council

Notice Information

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Notice Title

City Council Minutes 6.10.2025

Notice Type(s)

Meeting

Event Start Date & Time

June 10, 2025 05:30 PM

Description/Agenda

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Mayor Trevor Olsen (virtual) Mayor Pro Tempore Cheryl Bowers (absent) Council Member Chris Ewald Council Member Charlie Taylor Council Member Erik Grover Council Member Kellen Nielson June 10, 2025-5:30-7:00 pm - Work Session June 10, 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 Final Budget Work Session Mr. Herring stated that he had a packet for the council to look at. They talked about the general fund, the streets project, and the bike park. They talked about what they want to use some of the savings for. Mr. Herring stated that we are in need of a big crack sealing project. The crack seal equipment is in need of an upgrade. They talked about the option of hiring it out or having it done in house. They talked about the roads that have been destroyed around the elementary school construction site. They talked about AI pavement assessment. Mr. Parsons talked about how the AI program works. Mr. Parsons is meeting with the school this Thursday and will address the roads that are in need of attention. They went over some of the wish list items from the electric fund. Mr. Herring talked about the in-fill program. Blanding City has been very generous with this program. They talked about some different options on how to handle the money going back and forth. They talked about being consistent and finding a balance. The storm water master plan was on the general fund and it got moved over to the storm water fund. They talked about the natural gas fund and natural gas taps and contracts. They talked about the funds for a truck that is coming out of the natural gas fund. They talked about the option of leasing. They talked about putting in a road to well C. Fee Schedule: Business licenses have been $25 for years, they discussed whether they want to raise that or keep it the same. They talked about what other communities charge. They talked about connection and disconnection fees. They talked about a fee for variance and amendment changes. They talked about updating the commercial sewer fee. Garbage rates are set to increase soon. The increase will be passed on straight across to residents. The power study that was done recently recommended an increase in different electrical costs and fees. They talked about commercial and residential. They talked about implementing the increase over 3-5 years. They talked about the increase that Rocky Mountain Power has made. They talked about cost adjustments according to the cost of power. Mr. Herring stated that our cash reserves are healthy for our power company. They talked about water rates and the double fee. They talked about 'snow bird' residents that are gone for a good portion of the year but still have a fee to pay. They discussed that the city still has to maintain the lines and meters whether or not a home is using water. They discussed the hassle of turning it off and on as far as physically doing it and billing for it as well. POLICY MEETING Call to Order Roll Call A Prayer was offered by Trent Herring The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance. Approval: Consent Agenda and Minutes from May 27, 2025 Regular Session Councilmember Grover made a motion to approve the consent agenda and minutes from May 27, 2025. Councilmember Nielson seconded the motion. Councilmember Taylor repeated the motion and asked for discussion or questions. Hearing none, he called for a vote. Those voting aye: Councilmember Taylor Councilmember Nielson Councilmember Grover Councilmember Ewald Those voting nay: None Constituting all members thereof, Councilmember Taylor declared the motion carried. Declaration of Conflicts of Interest - None Public Input - None Reports Mayor None City Council Councilmember Grover stated that he attended the transportation meeting. A list of projects will be put together. Finance Report - James Francom Mr. Francom stated that he provided the check register. No one had questions. Community & Economic Development - Ben Muhlstein Home based business licenses: Rhea Law's Accounting & Body Bling Studio LLC Regular businesses: Minivan Handyman, Wildpeak Service, San Juan Sports & Embody Health. Events: July 4th: The event is coming fast! We are working on settling details to be sure we are ready. The schedule is out and online, there may be a few changes, but otherwise it is final. We are working on joining the America250 celebration, which will be discussed later. Fall Festival: No major updates. Bears Ears Marathon: No major updates. Community Development: Updates from Planning Commission: - R-2 Changes were completed recently and have been passed onto the City Council. R-1 Updates are next in line. JL Hunt submitted a zone change request which was seen at our last meeting. More coming on that. One/Two Lot subdivision policy: In the interest of expediting smaller subdivisions that don't require the kinds of utility/infrastructure updates that minor and major subdivisions often need, the Planning Commission has reviewed a policy for small lot subdivisions. This proposed change would speed up the process for many potential divisions in the city and free up Planning and Zoning to deal with larger ones in the future. The downtown survey from Bike Utah is live and available to give your input. It will be put on the city website and social media sites. Building Inspector - Taylor Francom Permits since May: 1 (Remodel) Inspections for May: 8 completed Notes: B1 Residential Building Inspector test completed and passed Utah Building Inspector License ICC Studying Following up on issued permits 231 Permits were not completed in City Inspect and that number is down to 36 Police Report - Chief JJ Bradford Officers Palmer and Blake attended the ARIDE class, taught by the department of public safety. Officer Stewart attended the annual Utah Children's Justice symposium. Officer McDonald will be leaving us to begin working with the San Juan County Sheriff's Office this week. We will miss him and wish him the best in his new endeavor. There are 5 applicants for the open position. May Court Report - Trent Herring Total Criminal Cases: 9 Total Traffic Cases: 53 Business Items Ordinance 2025-11 - Leonard Howe Annexation/Disconnect Blanding City is authorized under Utah law to annex and disconnect property within its jurisdiction to promote orderly growth and development. Leonard Howe has requested an annexation and disconnection agreement with Blanding City to adjust property boundaries to align with the existing plat map and ensure proper land use planning. The City Council has reviewed the proposed annexation and disconnection agreement, as shown in the attached plat map, and has determined that the adjustment will enhance the clarity and efficiency of property boundaries within the City. All necessary procedures for annexation and disconnection, including public notice and hearings, have been followed in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. The annexation and disconnection agreement serves the best interests of the City and the property owner by ensuring appropriate municipal services and zoning designations. Councilmember Grover made a motion to approve Ordinance 2025-11accepting the annexation and disconnection agreement between Blanding city and Leonard Howe with the change of Mayor Monson to Mayor Olsen. Councilmember Nielson seconded the motion. Councilmember Taylor repeated the motion and asked for discussion or questions. Hearing none, he called for a vote. Those voting aye: Councilmember Taylor Councilmember Nielson Councilmember Grover Councilmember Ewald Those voting nay: No Constituting all members thereof, Councilmember Taylor declared the motion carried. Resolution 06-04-2025-1 - Blanding City Supporting America250 Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox and the Utah State Legislature created the America250 Utah Commission (also known as America250 Utah). America250 Utah is the state's official initiative to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States' founding in 2026. Established in 2023 by Governor Spencer J. Cox and the Utah Legislature, the America250 Utah Commission is tasked with creating opportunities for Utahns to celebrate this milestone through various programs and events that reflect the state's unique heritage and contributions to the nation. America250 Utah is seeking partnerships with counties and municipalities to further its mission, this partnership will be formed by creating a local committee called the Blanding 4th of July Committee. The Blanding 4th of July Committee will focus on important events, people, and places within San Juan County to commemorate and celebrate San Juan County's role in America's 250th anniversary. Local projects will enhance tourism, community building, and economic development opportunities. It was stated that there could be some funding available from the state for this. It is essentially a year-long celebration, not just on the 4th of July. Councilmember Nielson made a motion to approve Resolution 06-04-2025-1 supporting the America250 Utah Commission. Councilmember Ewald seconded the motion. Councilmember Taylor repeated the motion and asked for discussion or questions. Hearing none, he called for a vote. Those voting aye: Councilmember Taylor Councilmember Nielson Councilmember Grover Councilmember Ewald Those voting nay: No Constituting all members thereof, Councilmember Taylor declared the motion carried. Advice and Consent Items Letter for Water Conservation Mr. Herring stated that as we look at water usage, we have used more this year than we did at this time last year. He put together a letter that highlights some smart watering guidelines and warns people to be cautious when using water. The council agreed to send it out to residents with the next billing cycle. Weather Related Baseball Field Closure Mr. Herring raised concerns about damage to the newly installed dirt on the baseball fields due to people entering them after rain, including riding bikes. They requested the ability to lock the fields for weather-related purposes to protect this asset. The council advised and consented to this, clarifying that 'baseball fields' referred to the entire complex. Trading Transfer Station Backhoe for Landfill Fees for Demolition Mr. Herring met with the county last week and talked about waiving the land fill fees for the demolition jobs that we have coming up. They expressed interest in trading a backhoe in exchange for the demolition fees. Mr. Herring thinks that the cost and value are fairly equal. This does not include the cost of hauling. This demolition would clear the way for a future food truck park on 200 South. The council advised and consented to pursuing this trade, with a contract to be prepared for future approval. Discussion/Informational Items B3 Development Presentation (20 Minutes) - Bill Knowlton & Tyler Howland Bill Knowlton and Tyler Howland from B3 Development presented on affordable low-income housing development, clarifying it is not Section 8 or homeless shelters, but targets workforce individuals and families. Bill Nolton explained the rental qualifications, the high demand for these units, and the good track record of tenants. They detailed the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program used to finance these projects, emphasizing the quality control and that it doesn't cost the municipality. Bill emphasized their collaborative approach, seeking input on zoning and community needs, acknowledging they are not from Blanding. They noted that Blanding likely needs affordable housing. Bill, a former zoning attorney, identified outdated zoning codes as a major obstacle to affordable housing development. They discussed the need for potential zoning modifications in Blanding to allow for appropriate density for affordable housing projects. They acknowledged Blanding's growth and the potential for increased job creation, underscoring the need for housing. He explained that affordable housing rental rates are based on the area median income (AMI) of Blanding, with rent starting low for those at 25% AMI and increasing up to 60% AMI. They addressed concerns about who would live in these units, noting they would primarily serve the workforce from various industries. Bill emphasized that B3 Development is required by federal law to own the properties for a minimum of 15 years, providing a long-term stake in the community. This long-term ownership incentivizes them to build with higher quality materials and contractors to minimize future problems. They clarified that a 20-30 unit project would typically be on one site requiring 2-3 acres with a density of 12-15 units per acre. Bill Nolton offered to send a summary email and his contact information, emphasizing the need for a team effort. The council expressed that they are very interested in this type of project. R-2 Zoning Change Update - Ben Muhlestein Mr. Muhlestein stated that the planning commission made some changes to the code. They defined professional offices and what requirements they have to meet. They talked about temporary conditional uses. The main change in this section was the verbiage from mobile home to RV or travel trailer. He went over the certain uses for this particular section. He talked about permits and charging for the second and subsequent permits. They talked about a $2000 fee to discourage permanent temporary living situations. They talked about changing the year of the mobile home that is allowed in other zones. They talked about park mobile homes and whether or not they need to define specifically what kind of RV is allowed. Mr. Muhlestien clarified that the home building permit is good for one year, and taking care of a disabled or sick family member is good for 2 years. Mr. Muhlestein stated that they added a section in the private drive section, which makes it clear that the land owner is responsible for the road and not the city. One/Two Lot Subdivision Policy Mr. Muhlestein stated that this policy is to help speed up processes. They talked about the difference between major subdivisions and minor subdivisions and the certain sizes that define those. Council feels like land owners should be able to divide their land and sell it or do what they want with it and policy should adequately reflect that. City Council Assignments - Trent Herring & Mayor Olsen Mr. Herring went over the current assignments for the council members. Mayor Olsen stated that he is open to any concerns or changes that need to be made. Councilmember Ewald and Taylor traded their assignments. Ewald will cover the airport and Taylor will cover recreation. Little Miss Blanding is on June 19th (For Sure) Little Miss Blanding is for sure on June 19th. Mayor Olsen will be in attendance. Ribbon Cutting with Energy Fuels June 23rd There will be a ribbon cutting at the new pavilion with energy fuels on June 23rd at 6pm. It will include ice cream and social activities. Energy Fuels funded the project. Mr. Herring noted that Northern Electric will be working on power updates at the park. Brownfields Phase I Proceeding for Old Sewer Lagoons Mr. Herring said that the grant was put on freeze for awhile but they are now moving ahead with the process which includes on-site work, contamination checks and initial research. The goal is to secure further grants for cleanup and future development south of 500 South, where the city owns approximately five acres. This project is seen as a step towards potential subdivisions in that area. Election Information Mr. Herring stated that there are 5 candidates for city council, necessitating a primary election on August 12th. Four candidates will advance to the general election in November, where Mayor Olsen is running unopposed. Elections Interlocal Agreement - Trent Herring Mr. Herring stated that the county wanted to wait until after the filing period to put together an interlocal agreement and finalize what the costs of the election will actually be. Every municipality in the county will have a general election as of right now. We should be under the $42,000 mark that was on the proposed budget. Councilmember Taylor raised the idea of revisiting a potential filing fee for candidates in the future, given the election costs. Adjournment Councilmember Grover made a motion to adjourn. Councilmember Nielson seconded the motion. Councilmember Taylor repeated the motion and asked for discussion or questions. Hearing none, he called for a vote. Those voting aye: Councilmember Taylor Councilmember Grover Councilmember Nielson Councilmember Ewald Those voting nay: None Constituting all members thereof, Councilmember Taylor declared the motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:28pm.

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.

Meeting Information

Meeting Location

50 W 100 S
Blanding, UT 84511
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Contact Name

Pratt Redd

Contact Email

predd@blanding-ut.gov

Notice Posting Details

Notice Posted On

June 26, 2025 01:42 PM

Notice Last Edited On

June 26, 2025 01:42 PM

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