Monticello City updates RV code, approves sidewalk safety project

by David Boyle
News Director
Monticello City swore-in new members, updated the RV code and approved a bid for sidewalk safety projects at their latest meeting.
Members of the Monticello city council began their first meeting of the year with the swearing in of Mayor Kevin Dunn alongside new council members Todd Westcott and Shane Brewer.
Dunn replaces Mayor Bayley Hedglin while Westcott and Brewer replace Dunn and George Rice on the council. As part of the meeting, members of the council and staff took time to recognize Hedglin and Rice for their years of service.
At the January 13 meeting, members of the city council approved a $27,400 bid to address sidewalk safety. The project, awarded to precision concrete cutting, will target 179 identified trip hazards on city sidewalks primarily in high trafficked areas near the post office and school zones where tree roots have buckled concrete.
Members of the council discussed purchasing the specialized equipment and doing the labor in-house but ultimately voted to move forward with the professional bid to minimize liability and address the hazards sooner than later.
The city council passed a resolution to update city codes regarding recreational vehicles. New rules extend allowable stay for individuals in RV parks from 180 days to three years. The change will accommodate workers coming from out of town for large-scale projects who struggle to find traditional rentals.
The ordinance also allows city residents to live in an RV on their private property for up to one year while rebuilding a home following a disaster provided they have an active building permit.
Additional adjustments extended the time for RVs to be parked on city streets for 48 hours and allows them to be parked in front setbacks for up to 30 days per year.
Members of the city council also approved a memorandum of understanding with Airbuild, a wastewater treatment startup based in Green River that processes waste into biochar to earn carbon offsets for companies.
While the city has held several meetings with organization representatives, Kulow explained the agreement is non-committal and costs the city nothing. The agreement is meant to serve to help the company secure grant funding for a potential facility near the city’s sewer lagoons.
Tthe city council also received an update on the negotiations regarding the San Juan County Justice Court.
In latest conversations, the agreement would look at a 70/30 revenue split, with the city holding on to 30 percent of net revenue from tickets and fines.
Kulow said 30 percent is a hard limit for the deal to remain beneficial for Monticello, as the city notes a significant volume of traffic citations occur in the city.
Members of the city council also received a report on a nuisance violation at a property on Oakcrest Drive.
While the owner has made some progress on the building, council discussed potential fines or liens but delayed action until February to give the owner another opportunity to demonstrate financing and further progress.
Members of the city council and staff also highlighted a recent $1.12 million Utah Outdoor Recreation grant for the city.
The city noted a remarkably low city match of $25,000. The project will facilitate an overhaul at Loyds Lake.
Among the items on the project include resurfacing trails, replacing the three bridges, adding placement of riprap to mitigate erosion and potentially installing a concrete launch ramp or dock.