General Information

Government Type

Municipality

Entity

Blanding

Public Body

City Council

Notice Information

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Notice Title

2.10.2026 City Council Minutes

Notice Type(s)

Meeting

Event Start Date & Time

February 10, 2026 06:00 PM

Description/Agenda

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Mayor Trevor Olsen Mayor Pro-Tempore Charlie Taylor Council Member Chris Ewald Council Member Kellen Nielson Council Member Chad Moses Council Member Jesse Grover February 10, 2026 6:00 PM - Work Session February 10, 2026 7:00 PM City Council Meeting 50 West 100 South Street, Blanding Utah 84511 Meetings live streamed when available at: https://meet.google.com/xxg-uefm-yut Work Session 1. Manufactured Home Community Code Review Council members and city staff discussed the manufactured home zoning updates. The proposal aims to eliminate the existing mobile home zone district and replace it with a manufactured home community, defined as a conditional development style within an R2 zone. Mr. Redd stated that the rationale for the ordinance includes addressing outdated terminology and regulations, as 'mobile home' commonly refers to pre-1976 housing not permitted in the city and improving public health, safety, and design by requiring proper utilities and long-term livability standards. There was a question on the current mobile home zones having to update to these new standards, it was clarified that is not the case, but they cannot expand or replace units with non conforming mobile homes. The goal is not to run anyone out of business but to control what eventually comes in and ensure standards like proper roads, structure standards and metering. An internal staff concern was raised regarding abandoned rental properties in mobile home zones, when the land is owned by one individual and the home is owned by another individual, it was suggested that responsibility for utilities should fall on the landowner. The council agreed the manufactured home ordinance would go through a public hearing at the next meeting and could be passed in the first meeting of March. They also discussed the issue of the annexation policy, referencing a proposal by Dan Hurst for a development near R1. Mr. Muhlestein clarified that when a property is annexed into the city, it annexes according to the future land use map in the general plan, which would designate the area in question as R1. Mr. Muhlestein stated that changing this to something other than R1 would require changing the general plan. Mr. Redd suggested that an annexation solution for the Dan Hurst property might be possible if adjacent property owners are also brought in, connecting it to an existing R2 zone. 2. Waterwise Ordinance Review The council reviewed and discussed the water-wise ordinance, which Mr. Muhlestein explained sets minimum standards that would allow community members to apply for a Waterwise grant program offering $2 per square foot for converting lawn to water-efficient landscaping. He noted that this ordinance only applies to new construction and does not force existing property owners to make changes. It was stated that it is mandatory for new builds. There was some concern from the council that it is mandatory. It was clarified that the water-wise standards for new construction limit the percentage of green space, primarily applying to the front and side yards. The council discussed their concerns with enforcement. It was noted that while the state handles the grant-related rebates, the ordinance itself would have to be enforced by the city, as it is our ordinance. Concern was expressed that without enforcement, new properties might turn into 'open weed lots' and also noted the difficulty of telling people what they can and cannot do with their land. It was concluded that the ordinance is a necessary step to allow citizens to access state grant funds. 3. Developer Agreement Review (B3) Mr. Redd provided an update on the developer agreement with B3, which is tied to their application for a state tax credit. The city is seeking $151,000 of value, which is not cash but supports B3's application for the community development project. The Inland Port Authority projects that the project area will yield about $600,000 in return over 20 years. Mr. Redd clarified that the city is setting a precedent where anyone can utilize this new tool by submitting a project area proposal to the Inland Port Authority to determine the return on investment. The Mayor inquired about existing groups and the process for establishing opportunity zones, which Mr. Muhlestein stated there is pending clarity from the state's Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity (GOEO). Mr. Muhlestein anticipated that once designations are made, almost all of San Juan County would be included. The discussion clarified that the B3 developer agreement routes the $151,000 through the city because B3's application does not accept direct Inland Port dollars, essentially making the city a pass-through for the application points. The city is projected to receive approximately a fourfold return on investment from the capture area, which can be used for various development projects supporting the port areas. 4. Travel Budget Mayor Olsen presented potential opportunities for the council to travel, with the budget currently set at $2,000. He supports attendance at events like 'Day on the Hill' and the spring and fall 'Cities and Towns' conferences. He also noted the need to potentially adjust the budget to account for a possible trip to Washington D.C. to advocate for Bears Ears. The Mayor recommended that a long-term staff member, Pratt, take over for Logan Monson and begin attending UAMPS meetings to learn the system, and that the budget should be flexible to allow council members to attend UAMPS general meetings. POLICY MEETING 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. A Prayer was offered by Councilmember Taylor 4. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance. 5. Consent Agenda & City Council Minutes Approval - 01.27.2026 Meeting Councilmember Ewald made a motion to approve the consent agenda and minutes from January 27, 2026. Councilmember Taylor seconded the motion. Mayor Olsen 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 Councilmember Moses Those voting nay: None Constituting all members thereof, Mayor Olsen declared the motion carried. 6. Declaration of Conflicts of Interest - None Public Input Martin Numbers was present at the meeting, he wanted to express his concern about his daughter's electric bill. He compared Blanding's electricity and water rates to other areas, noting that Blanding's electricity rates decrease with increased usage after an initial portion, while water rates increase with usage, suggesting a focus on conservation. He also raised a concern about Blanding's $14 grid access fee compared to Salt Lake City's $12 fee, despite Salt Lake City having more extensive infrastructure. He stated that he would be requesting reports on active and inactive city customers and a budget report detailing used versus budgeted amounts, planning to submit a form for this information the following morning. Kendall Laws was present at the meeting and wanted to clarify the absence of a comma in the phrase 'one nation under God,' in the pledge of allegiance. Reports 1. Mayor Mayor Olsen wanted to nominate and appoint Braden Reese to the planning and zoning commission and Kimberly Hiatt to the Legacy Trust Board. 2. City Council Councilmember Nielson wanted to commend the fire department for their fast and efficient response to the house fire this morning. Councilmember Grover said they had a youth city council meeting today. They have some service and fund raising opportunities coming up and they have been doing some great things. The youth city council will come to the next council meeting to report on those great things. 3. Pratt Redd a. City Manager Report Mr. Redd reported that the grant for Community Development Block Grant funding for fire breathing apparatuses has been submitted, with the grant requesting about $100,000 for apparatuses that cost roughly $20,000 each. The funding and permit for the recapture boat ramp are in place and those funds will be available July 2026 and then construction will begin. He noted that water rates, which are usually approved at the first meeting in April, have been a frequent community question. Mr. Redd stated that there was another incident of graffiti at the ballpark, suggesting the inclusion of cameras for the clubhouse in the upcoming budget session. Mr. Redd reported that he attends weekly legislative meetings and receives daily emails to stay informed; he informed the council to anticipate requests for letters of support or opposition regarding bills in the next two to three weeks. The Youth City Council is organizing a service project to deliver letters and donuts to community service members, requesting suggestions for individuals or groups by 10 a.m. the following day. b. Court Report The court cases have been low as the police force has been low. Thankfully the two officers at post will finish up this month and will soon be able to be working on their own. There were only 37 cases last month, compared to the typical average of 80 to 100 cases per month when fully staffed. 50 W 100 SOUTH BLANDING, UTAH 84511 435-678-2791 cityoffice@blanding-ut.gov 4. Monthly Finance Report - James Francom Mr. Francom provided the check register and the operational budget. Councilmember Ewald asked about the child support payment. Mr. Francom stated that that has to do with payroll and is confidential. He also asked about the amount for the police badges. Councilmember Taylor stated that law enforcement usually has about 3 badges each, 2 for uniforms and 1 for the wallet. Business Items 1. Resolution 02-10-2026-1 Approval of Interlocal Cooperation Agreement WHEREAS, the San Juan School District has constructed a stormwater retention facility located on the southeast corner of the Blanding Elementary School property to manage stormwater runoff associated with extreme precipitation events; and WHEREAS, under rare and limited circumstances, controlled release of stormwater from the retention facility into the City of Blanding's municipal stormwater system may be necessary to protect public safety and prevent localized flooding; and WHEREAS, Blanding City and the San Juan School District desire to establish clear operational procedures, coordination requirements, and allocation of responsibility related to any such controlled releases; and WHEREAS, City Staff and the San Juan School District have negotiated an Interlocal Cooperation Agreement for Stormwater Retention Management - Blanding Elementary School, pursuant to the Utah Interlocal Cooperation Act, Utah Code §11-13-101 et seq.; And WHEREAS, the Blanding City Council has reviewed the proposed Agreement and finds it to be in the best interest of the City to formally approve and enter into the Agreement. Mr. Redd went over some of the details of the agreement and the council discussed some of their concerns and some of the potential issues that could arise. The discussion included; the $2000 fee if a situation isn't taken care of with in 4 hours, the fence, the height of the fence, the possibility of the fence or the banks of the retention pond blocking line of sight at the intersection, the release of water, the valve that releases the water, liability, how much water can be retained, the boulders and sand that will go in the bottom of the pond, etc. The agreement is to be reviewed annually through 2030. Councilmember Ewald made a motion to approve Resolution 02-10-2026-1 approval of the interlocal cooperation agreement. Councilmember Moses seconded the motion. Mayor Olsen 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 Councilmember Moses Those voting nay: None Constituting all members thereof, Mayor Olsen declared the motion carried. 2. Resolution 02-10-2026-2 Approval of the Blanding Downtown Plan WHEREAS, Blanding City recognizes the importance of a healthy, vibrant, and economically resilient downtown as the civic, cultural, and commercial heart of the community; and WHEREAS, the City desires to proactively guide future downtown improvements, reinvestment, transportation planning, land use decisions, and public-private partnerships in a manner that reflects community values, local character, and long-term sustainability; and WHEREAS, the City, in collaboration with community members, stakeholders, and planning professionals, has prepared the Blanding Downtown Plan (2026) to evaluate existing conditions, identify opportunities, and recommend strategies related to transportation, land use and building design, street amenities and wayfinding, branding and marketing, and phased implementation; and WHEREAS, the planning process included public outreach, stakeholder engagement, on-site assessments, and community workshops to ensure the Plan reflects local priorities and aspirations; and WHEREAS, the Blanding Downtown Plan is intended to serve as a guiding policy framework to inform future City decisions, investments, grant applications, partnerships, and planning efforts, rather than to impose regulatory requirements or authorize specific capital projects; and WHEREAS, adoption of the Plan provides City staff, elected officials, boards, commissions, and partners with a shared vision and reference document to support coordinated and intentional downtown revitalization over time. Councilmember Nielson made a motion to approve Resolution 02-10-2026-2 approval of the Blanding Downtown Plan. Councilmember Ewald seconded the motion. Mayor Olsen 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 Councilmember Moses Those voting nay: None Constituting all members thereof, Mayor Olsen declared the motion carried. 3. Edge of the Cedars Letter of Support Mr. Redd initiated a discussion regarding the transfer of 150 acres surrounding the Westwater ruins. At one point the land was under the jurisdiction of the BLM, they didn't want to manage it, so it is currently managed by the San Juan Foundation, they want to give it back to the state of Utah. It would be managed by Edge of the Cedars State Park under the direction of Chris Hansen. The council expressed support for the transfer, contingent on the land remaining open to the public and managed accordingly, and approved a letter of support via a vote. Councilmember Taylor made a motion, Councilmember Grover seconded it. Advice and Consent Items 1. Negotiate Natural Gas Purchases The council discussed negotiating natural gas purchases, as all current contracts expire in October 2026. Scott with Summit suggested locking in prices, which are historically low (e.g., $4.21 for three years). Mr. Redd suggested locking in a large percentage of the gas needed for three years due to the low prices, which are a full dollar lower than our current rates and significantly lower than past highs of $8. The maximum lock-in period is 36 months. They discussed the different things that affect the price changes, such as weather, storms, political climate, etc. The council agreed to bring back more pricing options in two weeks. 2. Approval of Developer Agreement The council discussed the B3 developer agreement related to the Inland Port venture, which would allow the city to provide in-kind donations of up to $151,000 and be fully reimbursed by the Inland Port, potentially earning four times the investment for the city to use on other projects. Kendall Laws clarified that their involvement helps their project scoring for tax credits and provides the city with an opportunity to understand and pursue similar Inland Port projects in the future. The council moved forward with advice and consent to approve the developer agreement and proceed as outlined, emphasizing that a clear and open process makes the decision easier and ensures fairness. The goal of the process is to help the housing situation by monetizing programs and reducing the council's pressure to pick favorites. The agreement will be finalized with a resolution at a second meeting 3. Budget Adjustments Budget adjustments were proposed, including allocating an additional $10,000 for street repairs and maintenance to meet the historical average of $35,000 annually, as well as $5,000 to $10,000 for security upgrades, particularly cameras for the ballpark clubhouse, and $5,000 to $6,000 for travel, totaling $25,000 in additional allocations. Discussion Items 1. Pooling Agreement - UAMPS Mr. Redd explained that changes to the power purchasing agreement are necessary because of the extended day-ahead market (EDAM), effective May 2026, which requires UAMPS to participate in extended day-ahead purchasing. The previous pooling agreement, which managed power distribution, is being updated after roughly 40 years to reflect changes in technology and the needs of UAMPS members. For the city, which currently buys all power from projects and the power exchange, there will not be too many changes initially. The major change outlined by Mr. Redd is the creation of a centralized bilateral market, which allows different entities within UAMPS to buy power directly from each other, which is really beneficial. This new model contrasts with the current system where UAMPS buys directly from external sources like Kaiso or the power exchange when there is a power shortage, with settlements taking days or months. The new system, for example, would allow a direct purchase from an entity and potentially be settled much faster. The new pooling agreement will introduce greater transparency and visual ability to see how the market is working, as UAMPS will build out a data display for logging in and checking on things, moving beyond just a monthly invoice. Mr. Redd noted that the agreement is based on a daily estimate of power needs, which is anticipated based on previous years' use, allowing the city to buy at a monthly rate for every day of the year. Furthermore, the city will now be able to perform an internal audit of UAMPS annually, a feature not previously part of the pooling agreement, and an advisory committee has been established to aid with the agreement's changes. Local Power Generation and Investment Opportunities successfully meeting the daily power market helps keep prices as low as possible, and any entities that assist in developing and generating more power for the grid are beneficial for keeping rates lower. Mr. Redd highlighted the city's ability to take action to support the grid locally and mentioned involving the public in generating power within their area. Potential local investment opportunities include adding to existing energy fuels projects in port areas and exploring innovative solutions for water and power, possibly involving data centers. He concluded by mentioning that a resolution is forthcoming to present and pass the amended policies, which is necessary to be prepared for the May 2026 clean purchasing change. They assured the attendees they would receive the red-lined documents detailing the few changes before the resolution. Adjournment Councilmember Nielson made a motion to adjourn. Councilmember Ewald seconded the motion. Mayor Olsen 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 Councilmember Moses Those voting nay: None Constituting all members thereof, Mayor Olsen declared the motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:14pm. 50 W 100 SOUTH BLANDING, UTAH 84511 435-678-2791 cityoffice@blanding-ut.gov

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

March 12, 2026 10:32 AM

Notice Last Edited On

March 12, 2026 10:32 AM

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