Monticello approves UDOT lease, talks landfill

by David Boyle
News Director
Members of the Monticello City Council heard a report on the landfill, and approved a seven year lease agreement and an equipment purchase for the parks department at their latest meeting.
During the July 23 meeting, members of the council heard a landfill report from Chris Baird of the Public Works department.
Baird shared recommendations to extend the useful life of the city landfill. Among the recommendations were a slight charge for yard waste and metal to bring the facility closer to profitability than it currently operates.
Baird also recommended the city tighten up what is put in the yard waste area as pallets and other wooden building materials are sometimes placed in there leaving nails that can cause flat tires for city equipment.
Among the top concerns and possible solutions relates to the fact that the landfill is running low on cover dirt.
Baird said in a conversation with Paul Sonderegger they discussed the creation of a berm on the south side of the property with dirt pushed west against the property line to clear space for use and then use that dirt and likely cover dirt from elsewhere, such as neighboring properties, to provide cover.
Baird was optimistic the city could get the landfill to where it needs to be eventually.
“I think we can, get some of these things implemented, get piles moved. I think we could extend the life of the landfill. It’s one bite at a time”
Council agreed to have staff to continue working on recommendations for the council to consider in the next month or two.
Members of the Monticello City Council also approved a seven-year agreement to allow the Utah Department of Transportation to continue to lease the old golf pro shop.
Kulow explained the agreement would increase the monthly rate by $75 a month to total $8,400 annually for the building. UDOT will continue to be responsible for maintenance of the building while the city will insure the building.
The updated agreement is good for seven years, and one change to the agreement means that neither party can end the agreement before 2031.
Kulow explained part of the reasoning was due to UDOT putting significant money into the building including HVAC system and remodeling, as the office wants to hold on to the building to serve its needs.
Members of the council unanimously approved the agreement.
Monticello city council members also approved the budgeted purchase of two pieces of equipment for the city parks department. 
City council approved the purchase of a $17,000 zero-turn mower and a $15,000 John Deere Gator vehicle for the parks department.
Assistant City Manager Megan Gallegos shared that when she took over the parks department they were running on a lot of old equipment including a golf utility vehicle that among other things was used to drive on the Loyds lake trail to grab garbage bags. 
Gallegos shared on just her second trip to the lake the old vehicle’s engine blew up, since that time she’s been using a personal vehicle to get trash. In addition to a John Deere Gator, the department also asked for a zero-turn lawn mower for city parks.
City staff also brought two bids for the Gator but noted a preference for purchasing from Stotz equipment in Cortez as the bids are competitive for pieces of equipment that are in stock.
City staff also noted that the Cortez business will come to Monticello to service the equipment if needed for the first year, with the city also being able to take the equipment to Cortez rather than the Wasatch Front if repairs are needed at a later date.
The council also thanked Gallegos for her work in the parks with council member Kirk Crowley praising the state of the parks.
“They have looked awesome all summer, I don’t know if they’ve looked better in years. If you can do your work more efficiently I think that’s something that’s needed. Because I know you’re spending a lot of time now.”
Members of the council approved the purchase of the mower and gator from Stotz.
Members of the Council also held a conversation around a need to update the city General Plan.
City staff and Planning and Zoning Chair Lee Bennett spoke to the council about the need to update the general plan to vision out the future for the next five years for the city.
Among the priorities for a new plan would be working to engage younger Monticello residents to provide input on the plan. Also among key issues to address would be creating a plan that could help address the issue of a shortage of housing in Monticello. Staff hopes to have the general plan updated in late summer or early fall of next year.
Members of the Monticello city council also approved a utility easement for Empire Electric Association to bring power to the newly installed RV stalls at the San Juan County fairgrounds.