General Information

Government Type

Municipality

Entity

Blanding

Public Body

City Council

Notice Information

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Notice Title

City Council Minutes 7.28.2026

Notice Type(s)

Meeting

Event Start Date & Time

July 28, 2026 07:00 PM

Description/Agenda

CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA Mayor Trevor Olsen (absent) Mayor Pro-Tempore Charlie Taylor Council Member Chris Ewald Council Member Kellen Nielson Council Member Chad Moses Council Member Jesse Grover July 28, 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/ksn-wsxi-zea POLICY MEETING Call to Order Roll Call A Prayer was offered by Councilmember Grover The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance. Consent Agenda & City Council Minutes Approval - 07.14.2026 Meeting Councilmember Ewald made a motion to approve the consent agenda and minutes from July 14, 2026. Councilmember Nielson seconded the motion. Mayor Pro Temp 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 Councilmember Moses Those voting nay: None Constituting all members thereof, Mayor Pro Temp Taylor declared the motion carried. Declaration of Conflicts of Interest - None Public Input - None Reports Mayor City Council Councilmember Taylor said that it was good to see city employees at the pool party/BBQ, it was a good turn out and it was good to see the employees having a good time. He thanked the staff for putting that on. Pratt Redd City Manager Report - Court Report - May total cases: 93 Criminal: 1 Traffic: 92 June total cases: 145 Criminal: 10 Traffic: 135 Mr. Redd noted a significant increase in cases during the same period the previous year. This growth was attributed to a full police force and the continued progress of the team working with Judge Laws. Water & Public Works Report - Trevor Palmer Trevor presented the June 2026 water report, noting the third reservoir was 58% full and the fourth was 89% full. While the United States Drought Monitor classifies the region as having severe to extreme drought, Trevor explained that the current water year data-at 79% of the 30-year average-is often deceptive due to variations in historical averages. Trevor also reported that the fires have been extinguished and water in the tunnel area is running clear. Trevor provided an update on the well projects, noting that a final walkthrough for the new well is scheduled for Wednesday, followed by a pre-construction meeting for the treatment building for wells B and C. The project is currently approximately three months behind schedule due to multiple change orders and a faulty electronic controller, which is three to four weeks from delivery. The city intends to enforce a stricter timeline for upcoming work to ensure grant funding is utilized by Thanksgiving, noting that while the computer systems handle automatic parameters, manual operation of the wells remains possible in the event of a system failure. Monthly Airport & Building Report - Taylor Francom New permits issued Permits 1 Single Family Dwelling Inspections Completed 37 Inspections completed 29 Residential 6 Commercial 2 Monticello City Notes: Active issued permits- 23 Taylor passed the commercial B1 test. The council congratulated him on that. Taylor updated the council on the airport committee, noting that hangar documents have been sent to an airport attorney in Denver for review. The committee aims to receive updates by August 11th, with the goal of having documents ready for approval on August 25th. Quarterly Fire Report - Chief Corey Spillman Blanding Fire Department had 30 total Callouts 9- Fire alarm activation / False call 2- Wildland Brush Fire Smoke Report 2- Electrical / powerline down 7- Vehicle Accident 5- Medical Assist's ( lift assist / CPR Assist) 1- Structure Fire 1- Electrical Fire 21- Trainings, totaling 45 hours. We've had a busy spring. Lots of callouts and with training, getting folks ready to either get their red card or renewal of their red cards for the season. Doing prescribed burns to help mitigate future potential fires. Lots of fire work prep and recertification to launch the cities show on the 4th of July. Lots of work was involved in acquiring that new truck and getting the grant to completely outfit it with tools and gear. Thanks to the hard work of Pratt for getting that done for us and giving us that new-to-us truck to be able to better serve this community and surrounding county. USU is finishing up their new alarm system which should eliminate some false alarms. Quarterly Parks & Rec Report - David Palmer 2026 Second Quarter Report The second quarter of 2026 represented the busiest and one of the most productive periods in the Parks & Recreation Department's history. During this quarter, the department successfully managed record participation in youth recreation programs while simultaneously maintaining city parks, completing major capital improvements, securing grant funding, improving municipal facilities, and expanding wellness services. The accomplishments outlined below demonstrate the department's continued commitment to providing exceptional recreational opportunities, maintaining high-quality public spaces, and maximizing taxpayer investment through efficient operations and strategic planning. Youth Sports Programming The second quarter is traditionally the department's busiest season, and 2026 established a new benchmark for participation. Spring sports programs-including T-Ball, Machine Pitch, Baseball, and Softball-served 359 youth participants, setting a new all-time departmental record. This represents an increase of 11 participants over the previous record established in 2025, reflecting continued community confidence in Blanding City Recreation programs and the department's ability to successfully accommodate growing demand. Parks Operations Seasonal preparation and maintenance of all city parks were completed on schedule, ensuring parks and athletic facilities were ready for heavy spring and summer use. A significant operational milestone was also achieved this quarter as all park mowing and lawn maintenance transitioned to in-house operations. By performing these services with City staff rather than outside contractors, the department has increased operational flexibility, improved response times, strengthened quality control, and positioned the City for long-term cost savings while providing a higher level of service to the community. Veterans Memorial Project The Veterans Memorial improvements at the Visitor Center were successfully completed through an outstanding partnership between local contractors and multiple City departments. While community donations played a vital role in making the project possible, Blanding City also made a substantial financial and in-kind investment to ensure the project's success. The City's total contribution is estimated at approximately $20,175 through a combination of direct funding, equipment, materials, and staff labor. These contributions included: Site preparation and excavation Purchase and placement of decorative rock Additional concrete improvements Removal and rerouting of irrigation and sprinkler systems Removal of three mature trees and stump grinding Improvements to the existing Veterans Memorial Approximately 130 hours of City staff labor The technical expertise and coordinated efforts of City employees significantly enhanced both the quality and scope of the completed project while demonstrating the City's commitment to honoring our veterans. Staffing The addition of a full-time Parks & Recreation employee has significantly strengthened the department's operational capacity. As the department has assumed responsibility for all mowing and landscape maintenance, the additional staffing has proven invaluable in maintaining service levels while continuing to support recreation programming, facility maintenance, special projects, and day-to-day operations throughout the city. Infrastructure & Capital Improvements Several important infrastructure projects advanced during the second quarter: Construction of the Central Park Restroom Facility is scheduled to begin immediately. This long-awaited improvement will significantly enhance visitor convenience and improve the overall experience for residents and tournament participants using Central Park. Construction will also begin immediately on a new ADA-accessible ramp providing improved access to the Central Park Pavilion from the east side, increasing accessibility for all residents and visitors. These projects represent meaningful investments in the City's recreational infrastructure and will provide lasting benefits for years to come. Grant Success The department successfully secured grant funding to fully support both the Central Park Restroom Project and the new ADA-accessible pavilion access ramp. Receiving funding for both projects demonstrates the department's continued commitment to aggressively pursuing outside funding opportunities that allow the City to improve public facilities while minimizing the impact on local taxpayers. Wellness Center Growth The Wellness Center continues to experience exceptional growth and community utilization. Membership Comparison (End of June) Membership Type June2025 June2026 Increase Annual Memberships 1,697 1,866 +169 Monthly Memberships 435 743 +308 Total Memberships 2,132 2,609 +477 An increase of 477 memberships over the previous year demonstrates continued community support for the Wellness Center and reflects the department's ongoing efforts to provide quality health and wellness opportunities for residents of all ages. Professional Development & Safety The Blanding City Aquatic Facility successfully completed its mandatory annual inspection conducted by the Utah Governments Trust, earning a 100% compliance rating. This achievement reflects the department's commitment to maintaining the highest standards of safety, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence for all aquatic programs and facilities. Asset Management Initiative The department has begun a comprehensive assessment of all City-owned buildings, parks, and recreational infrastructure. This proactive initiative is identifying maintenance needs before they become costly repairs and is creating a prioritized inventory of future maintenance projects. This systematic approach will improve long-term planning, extend the life of City assets, support future budgeting decisions, and ensure public facilities continue to be maintained at a high standard. Quarter Summary The second quarter of 2026 was marked by record-breaking recreation participation, expanded park operations, successful grant acquisition, major capital improvements, significant Wellness Center growth, and continued investment in the City's parks and public facilities. These accomplishments were made possible through the dedication of Parks & Recreation staff, strong interdepartmental cooperation, community partnerships, and the continued support of the Mayor and City Council. As the department enters the second half of the year, it remains committed to providing exceptional recreational opportunities, maintaining safe and attractive public spaces, responsibly stewarding City resources, and enhancing the quality of life for the residents of Blanding. Discussion Items Fence Ordinance Improvements The council looked over the changes that the planning commission has made on the fence ordinance. Ben did a good job explaining some of the changes in the document. The council agreed that it looked good and it will be posted for public hearing. Advice & Consent Items RAP Tax In Favor Argument Letter Blanding City respectfully encourages voters to support the reauthorization of the Recreation, Arts, and Parks Tax, commonly known as the RAP Tax. The RAP Tax is just one-tenth of one percent, or one penny for every $10 spent on qualifying purchases. While the individual cost is very small, the combined benefit to our community has been meaningful. Since the tax was first approved in 2007, Blanding City has received RAP Tax revenue each month and has used those funds to help support subsidized youth sports programs in our Community. For many families, registration fees, equipment, uniforms, and other expenses can make participation difficult. RAP Tax funding helps the City keep programs affordable while continuing to provide opportunities for children to stay active, learn teamwork, build confidence, and connect with others in the community. Reauthorizing the RAP Tax would allow Blanding City to continue supporting these programs without placing the full financial burden on participating community members. It would also help preserve a funding source that has served the community for nearly two decades. This is not a new tax. It is a continuation of an existing community investment that has directly benefited Blanding's youth and families since 2007. The Blanding City Council asks residents to vote in favor of reauthorizing the RAP Tax so these important recreational opportunities can continue for years to come. The council gave advice and consent to send the letter to the county. Business Items Resolution 07-28-2026-1 Awarding the Central Park Restrooms Contract to Davis Construction Solutions LLC. WHEREAS, Blanding City issued a Request for Proposals for the design and construction of a new restroom and storage facility at Central Park; and WHEREAS, the purpose of the project is to improve Central Park by constructing a permanent, durable, low-maintenance facility that includes public restrooms, a drinking fountain, and storage space to better serve residents, park users, youth sports, pickleball users, and community events; and WHEREAS, the Request for Proposals established a project budget not to exceed One Hundred Twelve Thousand Dollars ($112,000), and required the facility to include two unisex ADA-accessible restrooms, a utility/storage area, appropriate plumbing, electrical, lighting, heating, ventilation, and related improvements; and WHEREAS, Blanding City received and reviewed proposals submitted in response to the Request for Proposals; and WHEREAS, Davis Construction Solutions, LLC submitted a proposal for the Central Park Bathroom and Storage Facility Project in the amount of One Hundred Twelve Thousand Dollars ($112,000.00); and WHEREAS, Davis Construction Solutions, LLC was determined to be the responsible and qualified proposer selected for award of the project; and WHEREAS, the proposal also identifies an alternate ADA ramp item in the amount of Four Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($4,500.00), which may be approved by the City; And WHEREAS, the City Council finds that awarding the contract to Davis Construction Solutions, LLC is in the best interest of Blanding City and will support the continued improvement and accessibility of Central Park. Councilmember Ewald made a motion to adopt resolution 07-28-2026-1 awarding the Central Park restroom contract to Davis Construction Solutions LLC. Councilmember Grover seconded the motion. Mayor Pro Temp 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 Councilmember Moses Those voting nay: None Constituting all members thereof, Mayor Pro Temp Taylor declared the motion carried. Adjournment Councilmember Ewald made a motion to adjourn. 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 Grover Councilmember Nielson Councilmember Ewald Councilmember Moses Those voting nay: None Constituting all members thereof, Mayor Pro Temp Taylor declared the motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:36pm.

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

September 03, 2026 03:03 PM

Notice Last Edited On

September 03, 2026 03:03 PM

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