MD’s Moab City Council Meeting Preview 2021-06-08

[Editor’s note: Both Mike Duncan and Rani Derasary have graciously agreed to let MADAR reuse their regular email updates to constituents. Despite the overlap, we are running both versions of the MCC previews. Readers can choose to read both, either or neither of the previews.]

You can write City Council (anytime, on any subject): citycouncil@moabcity.org

Regular session starts at 7 PM. This meeting is live in City Council chambers. Masks and Social Distancing will be required. I have not included all the agenda items herein, just the interesting ones. Please see the Agenda Packet at https://moabcity.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06082021-1044 for more details.

Citizens to Be Heard. To have your written comments considered (on any subject) for the Citizens to Be Heard portion of the electronic meeting, please fill out the form found here: https://bit.ly/citizenstobeheard You must submit your comments by 7:00 PM on the date of the meeting. Please limit your comments to 400 words.

Lionsback, Master Planned Development (MPD) and Phase 1 Plat, Public Hearing

• Read Planner Nora Shepard’s summary using this link for more info. A lot of stuff. https://moabcity.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/3740?fileID=4831
• Lionsback, a large (257 units) project being built in five phases on a SITLA parcel off lower Sand Flats Road, has a long and convoluted if not sordid history. It has already received preliminary MPD approval. The purpose of this meeting is to hold a public hearing and take action to the City Council on the Final MPD and final plat for Phase One. There were no comments at the Planning Commission public hearing. Two comments have since been received. The Planning Commission forwarded a positive recommendation to the City Council by unanimous vote. The public hearing will be followed later in the evening with a possible vote to approve.

Staff reports

(Expect at least 15 minutes…): Acting City Manager Updates; Sustainability Update.

Mayor and Council reports 

(These (6) reports typically take at least 20 minutes…).

Moab Police Department Appreciation and Recognition

• This proclamation honors Moab Police Department Sgt. Gerri Neumeier, officers Amanda Edwards and Travis Clark, as well as former officers Larry Velasquez and Steve Risenhoover. My salutations as well – handling difficult situations well is a critical skill.

Staff Review of Municipal Speed Limits

• Chuck Williams, Chief Engineer, will discuss a potential plan to replace the default 30 MPH speed limit in the city to 25 MPH; and further, to reduce speed limits in certain residential areas to 20 MPH. These new limits would be implemented over the next few years to keep installation costs manageable in annual budgets. Much of this seems reasonable in my opinion, although I note that in the end a sign is still just a sign, enforcement is sparse and compliance, as always, in the end is voluntary.

Transit Shuttle Pilot Program

• As part of regional Hotspot Funding, over five years, UDOT is committing $1.5M and jointly the City and County another $1M to this pilot project. Check out the plans, page 16, Option 4, with this link: https://moabcity.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/3755?fileID=4852
• Council will be voting as whether or not to adopt the resolution. I personally think it’s a good deal and a step forward. We’re trying to reduce traffic congestion downtown. It’s a pilot project and mass transit is tricky, so look for improvements worth making as we go along.

Class 1 (pedal-assist) E-Bikes on City Path Systems, Laurie Simonson, city attorney.

• The County recently voted to permit e-bikes on the paved paths north of the city, notably 1) the paths along 191 up past the Arches NP entrance and 2) along the river. Similarly, this proposed ordinance would permit Class 1 (pedal-assist rather than throttle) e-bikes on the paved pathways within the city, with the additional restriction of a 15 MPH speed limit on the paved parts of the Mill Creek Parkway.

Hope this helps.

Mike Duncan, Moab City Councilmember