July 21, 2020 06:19
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Preview for 2020-07-21 County Council meeting

By  Main, Meeting previews  0 Comments

County Council Meetings begin at 2pm on Tuesday, July 21, 2020. Technically, there are four portions/meetings that will take place as follows:

  • 2 pm: Joint Workshop with the Planning Commission to discuss the small area plan for the area surrounding Highway 191 and SR 313 that is in the discussion/formulation phase. As part of this effort on developing a small area plan, public comment/input will be essential. Link to survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SAP313
  • 3 pm: Canvasing of the Primary Election (approximately 3pm). This will be a brief meeting to certify the results of the election for Grand County.
  • Brief Recess…
  • 4 pm: Thompson Springs Fire Special Service District Board (the County Council is currently serving as the TSFSSD board). Brief meeting to approve the minutes and the bills as well as hear a report from the Fire Chief on activities since our last board meeting.
  • 4:10 pm: County Council Regular Meeting. Links for agendas for this meeting and the TSFSSD meeting:

Here are the instructions to join both Zoom meetings:

Or watch the livestream on YOUTUBE – search for “Grand County Utah government”

Here are County Council meeting items in which you may be interested:

Citizens to be Heard: As always, the first item on the agenda (and again at approximately 6pm) is Citizens to be Heard. We are receiving public comments by phone and online through Zoom (see above). Please note that when joining the meeting, you will be placed in a waiting room and will be added to the meeting by the moderator. Your comments will be recorded and on YouTube.

Item B, p.11: Approving the establishment of a workgroup or committee to investigate solar power options for the community (Andy Solsvig, Airport Director). If approved, this group will investigate the possibility of a solar farm on airport property. Initial members of the group are proposed to be Howard Trenholme, Elaine Gizler, and John Knight.

Item E, p.27: Adopting proposed resolution approving the Phase 1 Final Plat of the Viewgate Terrace Subdivision, a high-density housing overlay, for parcel number 02-0007-0090 located at 1248 and 1260 S Highway 191 (Mila Dunbar-Irwin, Planning and Zoning Administrator). This is a commercial (hotel) and HDHO (High Density Housing Overlay) project which has been broken into two phases to accommodate financing needs. This phase 1 lays out three lots – two which surround the existing hotel and parking area, and one which will be the approved HDHO development. The HDHO development will be platted in Phase 2.

Item G, p.53: Adopting a proposed resolution approving the Phase 1 Final Plat for the Peak View Subdivision, a high-density housing overlay, located at 3640 South Spanish Valley Drive (Mila Dunbar-Irwin, Planning and Zoning Administrator). If this looks familiar, that’s probably because this item was discussed, considered, and voted on at the last county council meeting. From the documents provided, it doesn’t look like anything has changed so I’m not sure why it has reappeared but it should prove interesting. At full build out, the development includes 127 units, approximately 100 of which will be deed restricted for local workforce housing. The purpose of this item was to approve the final plat for Phase 1 which would include 16 units, 13 of which would be deed restricted for local workforce housing. The developers, Council, County Attorney, and planning staff could not come to an agreement on the drainage plan and who would be assuming future liability. Motion failed last meeting by a vote of 3-3.

Updates and Looking Ahead

  • COVID-19 Case Counts: According to the Southeast Utah Health District, Grand County has 10 active cases (2 hospitalized) and 22 recovered  for a total of 32 COVID-19 cases. Statewide (Utah Coronavirus Update), we had the second highest day since the pandemic began with 788 new cases reported yesterday. There are 34,526 cases (up 9,574 since last update of 10 days ago); 2,066 hospitalizations (up 484); and 247 deaths (up 63) as of today, July 20, 2020.
  • THIS article reviews the statewide situation and reports a rolling 7–day average for positive tests of 617 per day as well as a rolling average for % positive tests of 10.2%.
  • Yellow Phase: Ten counties across Utah are still GREEN (new normal phase; Salt Lake City is ORANGE; the rest of the State, including Grand County remains YELLOW. See a county by county map by clicking HERE). Phased guidelines for the different color coding can be found by clicking on these different colors: GREEN (new normal); YELLOW (low risk); ORANGE (moderate risk). Individuals that are considered high risk should take additional precautions.
  • Events Cancelled: Elaine Gizler, Director of the Moab Area Travel Council reported that two fall events have been cancelled by the organizers: Outer Bike; and Rally on the Rocks.
  • Where to find masks: Businesses can obtain masks by stopping by the Canyonlands Copy Center and inquiring about them. Individuals can go to this website which has instructions and an order form: https://coronavirus.utah.gov/mask/
  • Rent/Utility Assistance: It is likely that you know of someone who is having trouble making rent or utility payments. Please refer them to Renee (435 613-0067). Her job is to distribute funding to folks whose rent may be in arrears (even as far back as March) or who are experiencing or may be at risk of homelessness. There are different pots of funding and it is likely she will be able to assist.
  • Small Business Loans/Grants: The Southeast Utah Association of Local Governments has different pots of funding for small businesses experiencing loss or issues due to the pandemic. Contact Camille Otto at cotto@seualg.utah.gov for more information.

That’s all I have for now. Stay safe and stay cool in this hot weather! Thanks so much for your comments and input!

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JH