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Government Type

Municipality

Entity

Blanding

Public Body

City Council

Notice Information

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Notice Title

City Council Minutes 3.10.2026

Notice Type(s)

Meeting

Event Start Date & Time

March 10, 2026 06:00 PM

Description/Agenda

CITY COUNCIL MEETING 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 March 10, 2026 6:00 PM - Work Session March 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 Upcoming Priorities for Planning Commission - Discussion Mr. Muhlestein stated that the planning commission is seeking direction from the council regarding future priorities for their work, as they have worked through updates for all residential districts in the zoning code. The council discussed some potential options, including subdivision codes, mixed use zoning, short term rentals, considering changes to curb requirements, and defining a downtown zone. A key area for review is the subdivision code, specifically the current requirement that any property over an acre and a half is considered a major subdivision. It was suggested that the council look at the subdivision code first to potentially make it easier for contractors to develop subdivisions by creating standards that avoid features like curb and gutter that drive up the costs of development. Implementing such changes would achieve a more rural look. The possibility of allowing some level of mixed-use in commercial zones was discussed, with the commission being in favor of this concept. The main goal of mixed-use zoning is to standardize practices that are already occurring, such as having apartments above shops, while ensuring that the commercial zone is not essentially given away entirely to housing. Economic development is critical, as commercial zones generate more tax revenue relative to the cost of services provided compared to residential zones. Abandoned Property / Flat Fee Rates - Discussion Mr. Redd initiated discussion on utility billing cleanup, focusing on properties with one water meter supplying multiple tenants, common in commercial buildings or high-density housing. A key issue is that multiple tenants may each have separate accounts for power, gas, and trash, but share a single water and sewer connection, often resulting in the property owner being billed for water overages. Mr. Redd introduced two options for addressing this problem. Option 1 for Utility Billing: Option 1 proposes transferring all utility accounts to the landlord, reducing the number of accounts from multiple to one. To compensate the landlord for the increased burden and risk of collecting utilities from tenants, they would only pay one flat rate for sewer and water instead of multiple, potentially saving them about $1,000 annually. This approach aims to eliminate the hassle of managing multiple accounts, reduces late fees, and encourages landlords to fill vacant rental spaces. Option 2 for Utility Billing: Option 2 involves the city continuing to handle and individually bill all tenant accounts. This option is often requested by properties receiving federal assistance, such as apartment complexes, where utilities cannot be factored into the rent. The council discussed potentially limiting Option 2 to properties that meet specific qualifications, like those under federal regulation, while requiring all others to use Option 1. Abandoned Property Utilities and Incentives: A related issue involves abandoned properties, where utilities might be hooked up but unused, leading to concerns about lost revenue and collections. The council noted that a previous agreement allowed for a $4 charge for utilities unused for over two years, which may inadvertently incentivize owners to continue neglecting the property. It was suggested that incentives might be necessary to encourage the pulling out, remodeling, or bulldozing of abandoned structures in the city. Water-Wise Review The council reviewed a proposed modification to the existing landscaping ordinance, intending to make it 'water wise'. The current code requires 70% grass coverage of the front yard, and the proposed change would reduce this to 50% for new construction. The proposed changes focus on simplifying the enforcement process by allowing staff to review a site plan and discuss potential water-wise improvements with homeowners, rather than requiring a full, separate landscaping plan. The revised ordinance avoids punitive measures by giving new homeowners 24 months to complete their landscaping after receiving the Certificate of Occupancy (CO), addressing concerns about punishing those facing short-term financial or drought issues. Staff confirmed they are comfortable with the current draft, as it clarifies punishment and simplifies the approval process, and the item is ready to be passed if the council is comfortable moving forward. POLICY MEETING Call to Order Roll Call A Prayer was offered by Pratt Redd The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance. Consent Agenda & City Council Minutes Approval - 02.24.2026 Meeting Councilmember Nielson made a motion to approve the consent agenda and minutes from February 24, 2026. 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 Moses Those voting nay: None Constituting all members thereof, Mayor Olsen declared the motion carried. Declaration of Conflicts of Interest - None Public Input Martin Numbers was present and he went over the plan of salvation, complete with charts and explanations. He stated he plans to be at the library outside from 4 PM to 7 PM on both Tuesday and Thursday to share pertinent information. Reports Mayor Mayor Olsen stated that he and Mr. Redd have the opportunity to go to Washington D.C. and meet with some representatives.including Senators Curtis and Lee, Malloy, and Kennedy. Key priorities for discussion during these meetings include opportunity zones, water, monument protection, and economic development. City Council Councilmember Taylor wanted to recognize city staff. He said that they have done a great job at the city park with the new section of sidewalk. He stated the concession stand building is looking great with some upgrades. It has come a long way and everyone should go take a look at it. Councilmember Grover stated that the high school hosted sterling scholar and because of that, all the other students had to be out of the school so they coordinated with the city to do some clean up. He said that the students were ambitious and got a lot of trash picked up at Walter C. Lyman park, third reservoir, and centennial park. Pratt Redd City Manager Report Mr. Redd announced an invitation for the Utah Legacies and Towns event on April 13th at the golf course, which will include training and a Q&A. Mr. Redd stated that the facility sharing and School Resource Officer (SRO) contract for Cole Palmer are expiring, and they plan to meet with the school district to discuss renewals. The SRO contract renewal will include looking at an increase to account for previous cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) and moving through the contract's end. He also plans to meet with the superintendent and Jacob Swanson within the next two weeks to update the four-year-old facility sharing agreement, which will incorporate use of the new elementary school. Mr. Redd said that state officials will be meeting on March 16th to address the Sinclair gas tank pit to get it remedied and filled in, with the property owner anxious for its completion. He also reported that a meeting is scheduled for the 20th with the state dam superintendent to discuss the feasibility of raising the spillway to capture more water on good water years which would be a significant amount of water that can be used. Finance Director Report - James Francom Mr. Francom provided the operational budget report and the check register. He noted that the fiscal year is quickly approaching its end. The plan is to start reviewing budgets in work sessions in April, with the goal of finalizing and presenting the budget for June approval. Community Development Report - Ben Muhlestein Blanding Businesses - The renewal period for businesses is over, we currently have 126 active licenses. We will be tracking down and approaching businesses that do not have a current license. - The County Business Basecamp is this weekend! It's a great opportunity for businesses to get out there and gain new skills. Saturday the 14th they'll have a day open to the public with food trucks and showcases of local businesses. We look forward to it! Events: -July 4th: Plans are shaping up for this year. We will meet later this month to decide on a theme for the year. Registration for vendors will open up around the first week of April. We have been coordinating with other groups to try and make sure events go smoothly and don't conflict. More to come! -Fall Festival: The Fall Festival committee has met several times so far this year and we are looking at keeping some elements while shaking up other parts of the event. We are tentatively planning on September 19th for the event this year. Community Development: - Mobile Home rezoning Public Hearing will happen later this week. We have been fielding questions frequently over the last few weeks and look forward to hearing from the public at our meeting. Trails - On Saturday the 7th we held a volunteer day at 4th reservoir. There were over 15 people there that put in a lot of good hours of manual labor, which resulted in a lot of vegetation getting cleared out. There were several that were dedicated hunters. Some people brought tractors, chain saws and other equipment. Some of the volunteers will continue to work on it as they now know the location of the trail. The trail will be 5 feet wide. It will be made of some really nice material called G3. It will be ADA accessible. The construction of the trail will start soon. Police Report - Chief JJ Bradford Chief Bradford stated that we finally have our two new officers finished with the academy and they are doing well in field training. February was a busy month for us. As the stat sheet shows, we normally average around 65 cases and this year we did 112 cases even while short staffed. Spring is here so we are seeing a lot more dog issues and kids on scooters not paying attention and riding the scooters unsafely. We would ask parents to stress the importance of safety on scooters with their children. We had a little flood in the office when a toilet leaked due to a float failure. We were lucky to catch it within an hour of it starting and were able to vacuum up the water and get fans blowing on it quickly. Discussion Items Personnel Policy Updates The city is updating its employee policy document to remove outdated language and distribute job posting, hiring, and recruitment process management responsibilities to the city manager or applicable department heads, instead of placing all duties on the mayor. Mr. Redd went over the changes which include adding references to posting jobs on websites and social media and clarifying that electronic applications will be routed to the city manager and department manager. A key change in the placement section allows the city manager to approve a new hire's salary within the advertised range. The new policy also clarifies that new employees are under a one-year probationary period, with evaluations conducted every three months. Policy updates on pages five through eight related to drug and alcohol-free workplace policies were consolidated into a clarified page and a half. This update includes procedures for reasonable suspicion, random testing, and the option for a last-chance rehabilitation agreement at the city council's discretion for policy violations. Business Items Resolution 03-10-2026-1 Approving of a Letter to the Utah National Guard Regarding Proposed Closure WHEREAS, the Utah National Guard is evaluating the potential closure of the Utah National Guard Armory located in Blanding, Utah, currently housing Detachment 1, 118th Transportation Company; and WHEREAS, the Blanding City Council recognizes the important role the Utah National Guard plays in supporting national defense, disaster response, and community resilience throughout the State of Utah; and WHEREAS, the presence of a National Guard unit in Blanding provides meaningful service opportunities for residents of southeastern Utah, including individuals from nearby Navajo, Ute, and Paiute communities; and WHEREAS, relocation of the unit would require service members in the region to travel significant distances for training and monthly drills, which may create barriers to participation; and WHEREAS, the Blanding City Council believes it is in the best interest of the community to respectfully request that alternatives to closure be considered, including potential mission changes or other options that would allow the facility to remain active; and WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed a proposed letter expressing these concerns and requesting consideration of alternatives to closure. Councilmember Taylor wanted some things added to the letter, specifically the unique geographic location as well as the community's need for services should an emergency arise. He also wanted the letter to state the importance of the armory for emergency service to the Navajo Nation. Councilmember Taylor made a motion to approve Resolution 03-10-2026-1 approval of a letter to the Utah National Guard regarding the proposed closure with the inclusion of amendments emphasizing the armory's geographical importance and the community's need for the facility in emergencies. Councilmember Nielson 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. Resolution 03-10-2026-2 Approval of the Updated Blanding Legacy Trust Bylaws WHEREAS, The Blanding Community Legacy Trust (the 'Trust') was originally formed as a nonprofit organization to benefit the community and citizens of Blanding; and WHEREAS, prior versions of the Trust's bylaws contemplated certain involvement of Blanding City in appointments and approval of amendments; and WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the Blanding Community Legacy Trust has adopted updated bylaws in February 2026 reflecting its intent to operate as an independent nonprofit corporation under Utah law and Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; and WHEREAS, the updated bylaws remove provisions requiring approval of amendments by the Blanding City Council and provide that trustee appointments and vacancies shall be filled by the Board itself; and WHEREAS, no City funds, assets, or property are being transferred pursuant to this action; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that it is appropriate to formally acknowledge the Trust's updated governance structure and clarify that the Trust shall operate independently from Blanding City. Concerns were raised regarding the financial separation, particularly since a city employee spent time developing the $160,000 fund for the trust and the city has been collecting donations for the trust through city billing. The trust was created with the goal that it would help support and fund projects that would benefit the city of Blanding and its residents, there was concern if that would still be the case if the city severed ties with the trust. The mayor noted the optics were poor, as the money built under city support is now transferred out of city control. Despite lingering concerns about the financial separation and the transition of funds accumulated with city staff's time, the council voted to approve the resolution. Councilmember Ewald made a motion to approve Resolution 03-10-2026-2 approving the updated Blanding Legacy Trust bylaws. 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. Resolution 03-10-2026-3 Approval of Updated Public Works Rental Agreement Form WHEREAS, Blanding City owns and operates certain public works equipment that may be made available for limited rental use when not required for municipal purposes; and WHEREAS, the City desires to establish a standardized Equipment Rental Request & Agreement form to ensure proper documentation, scheduling, liability protection, and operational control; and WHEREAS, the proposed Equipment Rental Request & Agreement provides that all equipment shall be operated exclusively by qualified Blanding City personnel and prohibits self-operation by renters; and WHEREAS, the proposed agreement includes provisions relating to scheduling priority, indemnification, liability, billing, and safety requirements; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds it appropriate to establish uniform rental rates to recover equipment, labor, and administrative costs associated with such rentals Councilmember Ewald made a motion to approve Resolution 03-10-2026-3 approving the updated public works rental agreement. 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. Ordinance 2026-3 Approval of Water-Wise & Landscaping Code Amendments WHEREAS, Blanding City recognizes the importance of responsible water management and conservation to ensure long-term sustainability of the City's water resources; and WHEREAS, outdoor irrigation represents a significant portion of municipal water use and water-wise landscaping practices can substantially reduce water demand; and WHEREAS, the State of Utah encourages municipalities to adopt water-wise landscaping standards to promote efficient water use and improve long-term community resilience; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that establishing clear landscaping standards for new development will support responsible growth while maintaining attractive and functional community design; and WHEREAS, City staff have prepared updated landscaping standards to provide reasonable limits on turf areas, encourage drought-tolerant landscaping practices, and maintain flexibility for property owners; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that adoption of updated landscaping and water-wise standards is in the best interest of the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of Blanding City. Councilmember Ewald made a motion to approve Ordinance 2026-3 approving the Water Wise and landscaping code amendments. 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. 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 8:09pm

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

April 15, 2026 11:46 AM

Notice Last Edited On

April 15, 2026 11:46 AM

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