Blanding signs housing development agreement

by David Boyle
News Director
Blanding City Council affirmed a development agreement, talked airport hangers and authorized placing the ZAP tax question on the ballot at their latest meeting.
Members of the Blanding City Council approved a resolution formalizing a development agreement with Sagebrush Flats LLC for a new housing project as part of the June 9 meeting.
The affordable housing project, to be located on Main Street, will include 25 units. The city approved the agreement, noting the need for affordable housing in Blanding. The agreement outlines terms where the city may provide in-kind contributions including utility-related assistance, fee considerations and infrastructure support.
The agreement requires that any city assistance be provided on a post-performance or in-kind basis and doesn’t obligate the city to any advanced funding.
The project is also conditional upon the award of low-income housing tax credits. Members of the council voted to approve the project where it was noted the project has been projected to bring in $1.6 million in additional revenue over a 25-year period through tax increments and economic activity.
The agreement also has the developers committed to provide preferential treatment to local contractors and suppliers for the project’s construction.
Members of the Blanding City Council also approved a resolution to place the reauthorizations of the ZAP (Zoo, Arts and Parks) tax on the upcoming ballot. The tax, a one-tenth of one-percent sales tax that has been in place for nearly 20 years, generates between $5,000 and $9,000 monthly for city parks, trails and the pool.
Council members emphasized the ZAP is not a new tax but a continuation of current funding. The ZAP requires periodical renewal by voters.
Members of the Blanding City Council also held conversations about city use of an Outdoor Recreation Grant. While a pump track for bicycles has been proposed, some council members expressed a preference for expanding the city trail systems.
City Community Development Director Ben Muhlestein confirmed that the grant is flexible and could possibly support land purchases for recreation or trail infrastructure rather than the proposed pump track.
City staff also reported on the city’s extensive efforts in preparation for Independence Day celebration on the 4th of July. Council discussed an increase in the budget for parade candy and authorized a $500 donation via the council discretionary fund to the Blanding City Pageant for flowers and sashes for participants.
Council also held discussions regarding firework restrictions. Council asked Fire Chief Corey Spillman to work with staff on public messaging but council seemed informally all right with keeping with previous years status quo regarding firework rules, with an emphasis on reminding the public of the concerns and liabilities related to lighting fireworks during a dry time of year.
Members of the Blanding City Council made efforts to review their agreement with the airport’s Fixed Base Operator (FBO). Council asked City Manager Pratt Redd to seek a legal opinion with an attorney familiar with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant assurances to determine if the city is violating federal regulations regarding non-discriminatory pricing at the airport. The question was raised regarding the city’s FBO, Freedom Fuels, and whether the operator charges fair prices for use of different hangers at the city airport.
Freedom Fuels said they try to remain fair and equitable in their interpretation of existing contracts and added they’re willing to work with the city to rectify any inequalities.
Some hangar tenants expressed frustration with the rates being charged.
While the city is looking into the issue, the council reached a consensus to suspend scheduled rate increases for airport hangers while the city examines the issue.