Blanding city reviews primary election

by David Boyle
News Director
Members of the Blanding City Council accepted primary election results, heard more comments on a proposed zone change, and reviewed downtown survey results as part of their August 26 meeting.
Members of the council approved the election canvas from the primary election, which saw a field of five candidates for Blanding City Council narrowed to four. City voters will select two city council members in November from the list of four.
The election canvas report however highlighted some challenges related to the election.
The report shared there were 97 “undervotes”, with 65 ballots received after the postmark deadline and 22 ballots with signatures that didn’t match.
In March, the Utah State Legislature passed HB 300, which requires that ballots be received by county clerks offices at 8 pm on election day.
Previously, Utah ballots that were in the mail the day before an election would be counted, even if the ballots were received by the clerks office a day, two or even weeks after the actual election day.
The new law means that ballots must be physically delivered to the county clerk’s office or a designated drop box by the time polls close at 8 pm on election day.
To avoid having a late-arriving ballot be uncounted, voters that need to mail in their ballot will want to do so well in advance of election day. Mailed ballots will still be received at secure drop box locations up until 8 pm on election day.
The other 22 ballots discussed were rejected for non-curable reasons, with some signatures on the ballots not matching voter registered signatures. County clerk officials attempted to verify signatures, with communications via letters. City officials estimate about 60 signatures didn’t match at first, but were able to have some sort of resolution. The remaining 22 ballots were not counted.
City staff and council discussed working to advertise voting protocols in the future leading up to the municipal election in November.
A total of 581 ballots were cast for a voter turnout of 38.89-percent.
Candidates Chad Moses, Erik Merlin Grover, Jesse Glen Grover and Bret Allen Hosler all advance to the November election.
Members of the council also heard more public opposition to a proposed zone change for a property near 500 South and 300 East to be rezoned from R2 residential to Mobile Home zoning.
A public hearing for the rezone was held on August 12 with about a dozen residents speaking out opposed to the change, and the city council voting to table the item for further discussion.
The so-called JL Hunt rezone was not on the August 26 agenda, but will return to the council agenda in September. Despite that, the council did again hear public comments regarding the rezone.
One comment was a letter from Carrie Spielman, manager of Hunts Rentals. Spielman said that the group has strengthened screening and application processes to ensure they place high quality tenants.
The letter also states that the company has a 98-percent same day response rate on maintenance requests. Adding they are limited to what tenants report as well as what they observe, but reports they work on observed items through a “prioritized and thoughtful manner”.
The letter also notes the management team has a weed control program with tenants given a 10-day notice to address weeds taller than six inches with the maintenance crew addressing the issue after 10 days and billing tenants for neighbors.
The management also reported they haul off large garbage items to the landfill when requested by tenants.
“Our goal is simple, to be a positive presence in the neighborhood where we operate and to work alongside the city to keep our community a great place to live,” said Spielman.
Still other comments raised concerns about the proposed development of the mobile home park.
Questions were raised if the development would serve the city affordable housing needs, with another comment stating that mobile homes are allowed in the zone on permanent foundations. They also shared experiences with former tenants who complained of substandard living conditions.
Former city manager Trent Herring also spoke, acknowledging the value of debate and discussion and confirming the council commitment to find the right way for affordable housing.
Herring also urged against “pointing fingers”, while recognizing the challenges of defining affordable options.
The rezone request is expected to appear before the council at their first meeting in September.
City Engineer Patrick Parsons said that cumulative reservoir volumes remain at 66 percent despite recent rains. Parsons also expressed concern over continued residential and business watering during the dry year and suggested possibly moving from a yellow to orange water restriction.
Parsons also said the sewer master plan update has been finalized, with an RFP posted for the crack seal project.
The council also heard reports on infrastructure projects. One possible project could see the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) fund 100 percent of improvements along Highway 191 in town.
The city also reports it is working to secure between $225,000 and $250,000 from the San Juan Transportation District for street projects.
Members of the Blanding City Council also reviewed a Downtown Improvement Plan presented by Bike Utah.
The project draws on community workshops and a survey of 74 residents.
Among the findings is a desire of residents, 77 percent surveyed, for more places to shop and eat, as well as improved street amenities and better walkability and bikeability.
Concerns that wide lanes on Highway 191 may encourage speeding and excessive noise, and a note that nine car crashes were reported between 2019 and 2023, a “road diet” was proposed.
With an average daily traffic of 3,100 cars, the highway could potentially be converted from four lanes to three with a center turn lane which could reduce crashes by 47 percent, according to Bike Utah presenters as well as free up space for additional amenities.
The report also noted significant missing sidewalks on local roads and a lack of pedestrian crossings.
The plan also noted a potential economic vision, including working to encourage more shopping and dining businesses and noting several city-owned or unused parcels in the downtown area for future development.
The presentation also highlighted a need for pedestrian-focused signage and street light banners to enhance downtown identity.
A draft plan based on the report is expected to appear before the council for review in late fall.
Members of the Blanding City Council approved the city water conservation plan. The state required plan includes updates every five years. The plan has been approved by the state, who gave kudos to the city on the plan and their effort.
Members of the city council also approved the contract for newly appointed city manager Pratt Redd.