The new police chief, Alexander Bell, was sworn in before the regular city council meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 26. Bell said he was proud of and excited for the opportunity.
The council also discussed Moab Area Transit, which began its pilot service with two vans in March 2023 (there will be funding for the project for five years). Through the end of August, 31,027 passengers had used the free service; the majority of those used the microtransit van, which operates similarly to a taxi or Uber. The highest usage times occurred at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. The program is about to begin its non-peak season hours on October 16. Only microtransit vehicles will run, Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
During a workshop, councilmembers, City Engineer Chuck Williams, and Transit Coordinator Richard Lory discussed the possibility of the service starting earlier and adding more stops to the fixed route. Ultimately, the council decided to wait until there was more data before making any significant changes.
Workshop
Moab Area Transit Update
- Discussion began at 7:50
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Department update
Closeout of FY22-23 budget and Finance Department report
- The city made only 93% of its projected revenue in fiscal year 2022-2023, according to David Everitt, the city’s interim finance director, but the city also didn’t spend as much as was budgeted for.
- Discussion began at 57:32
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Presentations
Grant opportunities update
- Michael Black, the community development director, said the city has applied for and is planning to apply for numerous grants, including the Rural Communities Opportunity Grant, which funds economic development needs of rural Utah communities; if awarded, the city would use the funding for its downtown dispersed parking project
- The city has 10 projects in progress that are at least partially-funded by grant awards
- Discussion began at 1:13:15
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Consent Agenda
Ratification of a letter of support for the North Maverik EV chargers
Approval of minutes from the Sept. 12 meeting
Approval of bills against the City of Moab in the amount of $2,156,656.53
- Discussion began at 1:36:00
- Passed 5-0
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General business
Consideration of adopting the City of Moab fiscal year 2023-2024 strategic plan
- The strategic plan builds on the Moab-Tomorrow Together visioning project. It defines six pillars of priorities: tourism trajectory and economic diversification, affordability and equity, leadership and decision-making, environmental stewardship, workforce housing, and community fabric and well-being.
- The plan will be tracked online. In January 2024, the plan will be revisited with the newly elected council members.
- Discussion began at 1:37:42
- Passed 5-0
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Consideration of the contract award to David Evans and Associates for on-call community engagement services
- The firm will “assist the city’s communications office in planning and conducting public outreach, education efforts, and dissemination of information for large-scale city projects,” according to the agenda; Lisa Church, the city’s communications director, said the firm will assist especially with the downtown dispersed parking project.
- Discussion began at 1:59:02
- Passed 5-0
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Consideration of the contract award to Jackson Excavation for the Spring #2 collection box improvements project
- Spring #2 conveys water to the city’s culinary water distribution system; Jackson Excavation will repair it. The new collection box should last 50-60 years.
- The contract for these services is in the amount of $179,045
- Discussion began at 2:02:53
- Passed 5-0
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Consideration of approval to grant an easement to Rocky Mountain Power to supply power to Well No. 12
- Well No. 12 is a new well
- Discussion began at 2:05:11
- Passed 5-0
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Consideration of adoption of an ordinance amending the Moab Municipal Code, permitted uses and regulations in the I-1 Industrial Zoning District, to relax the zoning requirements for self-storage warehouse developments and add the permitted use for kennels (indoor/outdoor)
- 16 parcels in Moab City are zoned I-1. Those parcels are near existing residential zones along Kane Creek Boulevard and W. 400 N.
- A local property owner, Sharlene Abbott, requested these changes to the I-1 zone, which would apply to their property. Staff recommended approving the amendments to the self-storage warehouse permitted use but not adding the permitted use of kennels.
- Amendments to the self-storage warehouses included changing the maximum height from 20 to 30 feet and removing the minimum and maximum lot sizes.
- Councilmember Tawny Knuteson-Boyd said she will not support this amendment: “A lot of these properties are in my neighborhood, and my neighbors do not support it,” she said. “I don’t think the rationale is reasonable or logical.”
- Discussion began at 2:05:47
- Passed 4-1 with Councilmember Knuteson-Boyd in dissent
