Monticello City gets update on landfill, storm water master plan

by David Boyle
News Director
Members of the Monticello City Council got an update on the city landfill, reviewed a proposal to share services with Bluff, and updated bylaws for city advisory boards at their latest meeting.
An update from staff on the city landfill at the September 8 meeting reported that two full-time employees at the landfill have improved cost recovery and waste compliance, ensuring proper billing for items such as mattresses, box springs and construction debris.
In other landfill discussions, the city discussed addressing the common practice of scavenging, as residents will sometimes pick through discarded piles for reusable parts or materials.
The city doesn’t take an issue with the traditional “gentleman’s exchange”, but administrators did express concern over potential liability and insurance risks if visitors are injured at the landfill.
Council directed staff to add liability waiver language to standard landfill forms and post warning signs advising patrons that entering non-designated areas is done at their own risk. The decision is to protect the city and preserve public access.
City Manager Kaeden Kulow said the city continues to search for a replacement bulldozer.
In other equipment information, a recently-acquired tractor equipped with a brush hog is in use, with a street sweeper from the county. going through some minor repairs before deployment.
The city council also reviewed a proposed inter-local agreement with Bluff to share professional building inspection services in order to relieve pressure on the county building department.
The proposal would have Monticello pay Bluff $5,000 every six months to cover up to 24 physical site visits and 66 hours of plan reviews and inspections.
Additional service costs could be structured at $30 per round trip for travel and $62 per hour for staff time and administrative overhead.
Monticello will contribute up to $2,000 to cover a one-third share of required inspector training and certification expenses.
A final resolution for the agreement will be formally voted on later this month.
Members of the council reviewed city volunteer board and committee bylaws. Following reviews, updates were made to parks and beautification, recreation and airport committees to allow up to two of the five seats to be filled by non-resident San Juan County community members who have a vested interest in Monticello.
Advisory committee terms were standardized to three years across all boards. Members of the board will also have administrative representatives submit quarterly agendas and audio recordings to the city to maintain public records.
Officials decided to maintain the planning commission at three set members rather than expanding to five, citing past difficulties in securing quorums.
Due to the Planning Commission’s legislative and land-use authority, all members must reside within city limits.
City staff shared an update on the Loyds Lake trail project. Paving along the main path across the dam is scheduled for completion.
Ongoing work includes expanding parking lots, installing riprap stabilization, and upgrading the pavilion.
City staff also announced that an upcoming storm water master plan study is set to cover the entire city.
The study will enable the city to apply for state and federal grant funding for future drainage projects.
The council also held discussions to update the city’s vision and mission statement as part of ongoing General Plan updates.
Staff asked for council input to replace the existing four-sentence vision statement with a concise directive emphasizing family-oriented community values, economic growth and infrastructure support.