New Monticello City Councilman to replace Randall

by Eric Niven
KC Olson has been appointed to the Monticello City Council, filling the seat left open by the death of Sanford Randall. Olson was appointed at the February 13 meeting of the City Council.
The vacant seat on the City Council was the focus of the meeting as three city residents presented credentials and reasons to occupy the seat vacated by the untimely death of Randall. Tom Wigginton, Roy Cokenour, and Olson signaled their interest to fill the seat.
Eventually, Olson was nominated by Councilman Nathan Chamberlain and seconded by Councilwoman Bayley Hedglin. Olson was then confirmed by the unanimous vote of the council. Olson was immediately immersed in the activities of the Council after he was sworn in by City Recorder Cindi Holyoak. Olson’s appointment will be for two years.
During the review of the bills, Councilman Blaine Nebeker expressed concern about a $1,300 bill for the city telephone system. Nebeker asked when the monthly telephone expense will revert to a maintenance fee.
City Manager Doug Wright said the company is wrapping up the telephone system with assurances that the monthly expenses will be reduced shortly.
In public comment, Tyler Hall requested the Council alter City ordinances relating to business signage. He asked that the sign height stipulation be increased beyond the level of the facility and also allow the use of A-Frame advertising on sidewalks. Mayor Tim Young said the Council would consider Hall’s request.
Councilman George Rice provided an annual report of the waste water program for 2017. It will be submitted to the state. He said that despite the fact that the much of the system was built in 1947, the city sewer system is doing well. The pools are below capacity, allowing for future growth.
Rice said that there have been no backups in the last three years until Super Bowl Sunday, when a minor backup occurred. Rice tracked the reason for the backup to several dozen golf balls which someone had put into the sewer system. Aside from the golf ball backup, Rice said that with the current monitoring and systematic maintenance efforts, the sewer system will keep operating as designed. The report was unanimously accepted.
City Manager Wright reported on leasing the old Golf Pro Shop to the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT). He reports that UDOT, who is moving some operations from Moab, considered purchasing the building outright, but decided instead to lease it for $7,800 a year for seven years.
In the audit review, City Manager Wright brought up a concern of an action which occured in 2016.
The state decided to not pursue the audit issue.
Basically the Counicl voted to reduce a section of the budget and then over spent in that section.
As a result, a line item was overspent in the budget. Because overall expenditures are under budget, it is a case where generally only the auditors get excited.
Wright assured the Council that it would not happen again.
The airport needs to have the cracks sealed and markings repainted with reflective paint. The cost for this project will be supplemented by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and UDOT, with Monticello’s portion being $15,000.
This cost caused Councilman Rice to ask if the airport and other subsidized projects, including the golf course and swimming pool, are worth the money, as each benefits a small percentage of city residents. This discussion led to the reassignment of committees to the Council members.
Councilwoman Bayley Hedglin expressed concern that the City is “bleeding out”, implying the city needs to be more fiscally responsible. Hedglin commended the volunteerism of the City but encouraged more strenuous oversight by Council members.
The Council then considered whether to pursue new branding and marketing of Monticello, including a new logo. There are questions if the existing logo and slogan are consistent with the goals and objectives of the City. A universal and coordinated focus may be needed throughout all the City’s interaction with the public.
It was proposed to develop the Monticello brand and then perpetuate that brand throughout the City, including signs, letterhead, webpage, etc. The Council unanimously agreed and requested additional logo designs be submitted for consideration.
Another lot in the industrial park was earmarked for sale. By request of the Council, this parcel was previously listed in the newspaper to entertain bids. Only one individual submited a bid and that bid was put to a vote of the Council.
Councilman Rice questioned whether the City is selling the lots at market value and asked if they would sell for more if the lots were actively advertised instead of just listed.
The vote to sell the latest parcel to Brian Boyd was approved in a 3-2 vote, with Rice and Hedglin dissenting.
Brian Sturdevant, superintendent at the Hideout Golf Club, has received the prestigious Class A certification. The Council extended their congratulations.
The next Council meeting is March 6 at 7 p.m.