Monticello city moves forward on water treatment repair and tables cloud seeding support

Members of the Monticello city council showed support for nursing programs, set guidelines for a construction project and were tabled support of a cloud seeding project at their latest meeting.
Members of the Monticello city council approved a detailed monthly progress timeline for the project on Oakcrest Drive at the October 14 meeting.
The property was given a 12-month building permit extension granted at a meeting last month.
The timeline was implemented with city staff, council member Nathan Chamberlain and the property owner to ensure realistic goals are in place with an accountability mechanism to make sure the project is completed in the 12-month period.
Members of the council also tabled a decision on a request to contribute funds towards a regional cloud seeding effort in the La Sal and Abajo Mountains. The project is being managed by the Grand County Water and Sewer service agency with a request of $5,000 from Monticello as part of a $50,000 local match required to access a $350,000 state grant.
Council members offered skepticism about the viability of the project with it being noted that the La Sal Mountain range would be primary on the project with the Abajos being secondary. Noting a poor return on investment compared to other water projects members of the council voted to table the item to allow staff to gather more information before the project would be reconsidered.
Members of the council also approved a contract to rebuild three water system valves at the water treatment plant. The valves have been pushed past their recommended 10-15 year service limit with rebuild cost exceeding $5,000 per valve requiring approval from the council.
Council also approved letters of support including one for the Utah State University Blanding nursing program, noting the shortage of RNs in rural areas. The council also approved a letter of support for continued funding for the Utah Cyber Center which provides free cybersecurity training and virus protection to the city.
Members of the council also approved Mayor Bayley Hedgline and city manager Kaeden Kulow to serve on the selection committee to narrow applicants for the new Justice Court Judge. With the retirement of Judge Lyon Hazelton at the end of the year.
Council also approved a contract with the city of Blanding to provide backup building inspection services, made necessary in part as the city’s current inspector cannot inspect his own home.