General Information

Government Type

Municipality

Entity

Blanding

Public Body

City Council

Notice Information

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Notice Title

City Council Minutes 3.11.25

Notice Tags

Administrative Procedure

Notice Type(s)

Meeting

Event Start Date & Time

March 11, 2025 07:00 PM

Description/Agenda

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 March 11, 2025-6-7:00 pm - Work Session March 11, 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 UFS Power Cost Study Results & Review We have been working with Utility Financial Solutions on this cost study since August, and the results of the financial projection and cost study are now available for our power company. The purpose of the financial projection is to meet the revenue requirements long-term. It accounts for depreciation, capital projects, inflation, etc. The study went over our monthly meter charge, our grid access rates. The study went over how to achieve fairness between high power users and low power users. Mr. Herring went over the results and numbers. There was some back and forth discussion and some explanations of what the numbers mean. They talked about a 3-5 year increase and what that would look like. They talked about the national average of electricity. Utah is the lowest of all the states. City staff will do some of their own research and will bring the results back to council. The farm tap is installed. It should be connected to the house tomorrow. Patrick and some city staff were present at the farm tap installation. There are others that are wanting their contracted farm tap. There was some discussion about the contracts being made in the 90s and the wording that is in them. POLICY MEETING Call to Order Roll Call A Prayer was offered by Kellen Nielson The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance. Approval: Consent Agenda and Minutes from February 25, 2025 Regular Session Councilmember Ewald made a motion to approve the consent agenda and minutes from February 25, 2025. Councilmember Taylor seconded the motion. Councilmember 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, Councilmember Bowers declared the motion carried. Declaration of Conflicts of Interest - None Public Hearing Councilmember Nielson made a motion to go into a public hearing for zoning change for Chad & Tiawna Moses. Councilmember Grover seconded the motion. Councilmember 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: None Constituting all members thereof, Councilmember Bowers declared the motion carried. Zoning Change for Chad & Tiawna Moses The Moses have requested a zone change of their property from R1 to R2. They have met all the requirements. Multiple neighbors were present at the meeting and expressed their concern on what the plans are for the land and their concern of increased traffic in front of and behind their houses. The neighbors included the Kisers, Kim Hiatt, Denise Lyman, Brittney Black. The neighbors wanted to know what the plans were for that land. They are concerned about a possible business going in there, or housing. They discussed what is allowed in an R2 zone. Mr. Herring talked about size requirements for lot sizes and buildings. He said R2 allows for homes, town homes, apartments, home businesses. There was discussion of the school that is being built across the street from these neighbors and the traffic and congestion that that will bring. They talked about the cost of infrastructure and what is required as far as a major subdivision goes. They talked about the possibility of 700 North extending all the way to Blue Mt. Road, which would alleviate some traffic congestion. Councilmember Taylor stated that the council wants to be able to help people be able to afford to build homes. Mr. Kiser expressed concern of having an affordable home behind his home. They later made the differentiation between affordable housing and low income housing. They talked about the area being saturated already with the new school going in. Mrs. Hiatt asked about how many houses could go back there. Mr. Herring stated that he doesn't know for sure, it would have to be mapped out, but a quick calculation, about 5-7 homes. They talked about a road to access the potential homes. Councilmember Grover made a motion to leave the public hearing for the Moses zoning change. Councilmember Nielson seconded the motion. Councilmember 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: None Constituting all members thereof, Councilmember Bowers declared the motion carried. Public Input - None Reports Mayor None City Council None Finance Report - James Francom The check register has been included in the packet. There are a few abnormal things that Mr. Francom wanted to point out; the Jones and DeMille deep well project, they are starting the well house structure, and the play and park structures was the payment for the centennial park shade structure. Economic & Community Development - Ben Muhlstein Blanding Business Licenses - Regular - A.I.R. SERVICES, LLC - Rodeway Inn Blanding - Sturdy Builds LLC - BIG SON POWER SERVICES LLC - DP Electrical LLC - Apex Land Tech LLC Things are happening for future events but not a lot to report at this time. Police Report - Chief JJ Bradford Officers attended the monthly tracking and SERT team training and completing assigned online training. Officers have been using up vacation time before the year gets even busier with transient traffic. We've seen an uptick in assault and domestic violence cases as well as the amount of traffic moving through town. Court Report - Trent Herring February Total Criminal - 9 Total Traffic - 83 Business Items Resolution - 03-11-2025-1 Building Inspector Contract Ben Tomco Blanding City requires Building Inspection and Plan Review services for both residential and commercial properties to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. Benjamin Tomco possesses the necessary qualifications and expertise to perform these services in a professional and competent manner. The City Council of Blanding has reviewed the terms of the contract herein and finds it to be in the best interest of the City to enter into an agreement with Benjamin Tomco for Building Inspection Services. The council discussed how this will work. It will be a part time position as needed. It will essentially be an on call position. So we will be paying them for their availability and expertise when needed. Mr. Herring stated that Mr. Tomco and Mr. Coleman will handle the school inspections together. The council was concerned about paying two people $1500 per month that may be doing work or may not be doing work. Mr. Herring said that between the two contracts we will be paying about 40% of what we were previously paying. Councilmember Bowers questioned if it might be better to pay them per job, but quickly decided that that could get too confusing. They questioned Mr. Tomco's availability as he is currently at POST until the end of June. Mr. Herring said that he will be able to do things remotely during the week and he will be in town on the weekends. Mr. Herring stated that he has had multiple conversations with both of them and he feels confident that they will be able to get things covered. Councilmember Bowers stated that she would feel better with a 60 day contract instead of a 90 contract. Councilmember Nielson made a motion to approve resolution 03-11-2025-1 accepting the building inspector contract with Ben Tomco, with the change of 90 days to 60 days. Councilmember Taylor seconded the motion. Councilmember 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, Councilmember Bowers declared the motion carried. Resolution - 03-11-2025-2 Building Inspector Contract Corey Coleman Blanding City requires Building Inspection and Plan Review services for both residential and commercial properties to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. Corey Coleman possesses the necessary qualifications and expertise to perform these services in a professional and competent manner. The City Council of Blanding has reviewed the terms of the contract herein and finds it to be in the best interest of the City to enter into an agreement with Corey Coleman for Building Inspection Services. Councilmember Grover made a motion to approve resolution 03-11-2025-2 accepting the building inspector contract with Corey Coleman with the change of 90 days to 60 days. Councilmember Ewald seconded the motion. Councilmember 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, Councilmember Bowers declared the motion carried. Ordinance - 2025-8 Rezoning for Chad & Tiawna Moses from R-1 to R-2 The City of Blanding has received a zone change request from Chad & Tiawna Moses for property located between 700 and 800 South and 100 West, currently zoned as R-1 (Single-Family Residential). The applicants have requested a rezone of the property to R-2 (Multi-Family Residential) to allow for additional housing opportunities. The Blanding City Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing on the proposed zone change and, after due consideration, has recommended approval of the request to the City Council. The Blanding City Council finds that the proposed zone change is consistent with the City's General Plan and promotes the orderly growth and development of the community. The City Council has determined that the requested zone change is in the best interest of the City of Blanding and its residents. Upon further discussion, the council decided to table the ordinance until they have more information concerning how the land can be divided and what type of infrastructure has to be provided and how it can be sold. Councilmember Bowers stated that we as a city need to see more people have areas to build homes. It is an issue that they see in council. She is big on property rights and if the change were to happen, then they are allowed to do whatever is allowed in the R2 zone. She appreciates the public coming in and expressing their opinions and concerns. Chad Moses was virtually present at the meeting, he stated that as is in the R1 zone, putting in a road, utilities and infrastructure it would be impossible to make it worth it. He has no immediate plans for it. He stated that he also doesn't want an apartment complex behind him either, and he has no intention of doing that but if someone were to buy a piece of it, he can't say what they will do with it. He has been approached by some people to buy some of it, but he didn't want to sell it until there was the option of potentially putting in some housing in the future. He has no immediate plans, tentative plans, just wants more potential. Councilmember Grover made a motion to table ordinance 2025-8 rezoning for Chad and Tiawna Moses from R1 to R2. Councilmember Taylor seconded the motion. Councilmember 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, Councilmember Bowers declared the motion carried. Advice and Consent Items Centennial Park Upgrade to Upstairs and Concession Stand Mr. Herring stated that they got some numbers for the carpet squares that were previously discussed. To do the main floor area it would be $4000 and to include the closet area it would be $5800. The closets are very big. They discussed what the closets are used for. Advice and consent was given to move forward with improvements. They also discussed the concession area. They talked about charging a fee or letting groups use it for free or bid it out. It was said that sometimes it is hard to get anyone to use it. There was a suggestion that recreation staff could be there selling stuff. Mural for Elementary School Baseball Field Dugouts The youth city council and art club had a proposal for the art work that will go on the dugouts. They had a mountain and sunset rendering. Council gave advice and consent to move forward with this project. Mr. Herring also mentioned that the youth city council wants to do a fund raiser to make some money for a scholarship. Discussion Items Local Products at the Visitor's Center - Ben Mulhestein Staff put together an agreement. The agreement would allow the sale of a limited amount of locally produced products at the Visitor Center. We've determined that we have space for a small section to do this. Products would be owned by the seller, and the visitor center would pay out each month on products sold. The agreement states that the Visitor Center is not liable for any product stolen. If approved, Staff will prepare the area and begin advertising this section to local producers. Mr. Muhlestein stated that the purpose is not necessarily to boost visitor center sales but to point people to the things and opportunities that are available in Blanding and highlight businesses in town. He stated that there isn't a lot of room in the visitor center, but they are working on making what they do have available. Closed Session Councilmember Grover made a motion to go into closed session to discuss land and personnel. Councilmember Nielson seconded the motion. Councilmember Bowers repeated the motion, 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, Councilmember Bowers declared the motion carried. Adjournment Councilmember Grover made a motion to adjourn. Councilmember Taylor seconded the motion. Councilmember Bowers repeated the motion and 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, Councilmember Bowers declared the motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:42 pm.

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 09, 2025 01:40 PM

Notice Last Edited On

April 09, 2025 01:40 PM

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