Spring Creek drainage project does NOT include reservoir

Note: The printed version of this story stated the Spring Creek project would include a new reservoir, clarification from the city confirms the Spring Creek project does not include the planning, engineering, or construction of a reservoir. Our apologies for any confusion the prior story may have caused.

Monticello is making progress towards its water storage goals. 

The Monticello City Council met on February 9 and discussed the water collections improvement plans with engineers from Jones and Demille, an engineering company studying the feasibility of a project in the Spring Creek drainage.

The plan is to acquire/purchase Spring Creek water rights and build infrastructure to direct this water to the treatment facility.

The study for Jones and DeMille is a prerequisite to acquire USDA funding in order to move forward with this project.

The city has been building cash reserves for the past ten years to fund this type of project. City Manager Evan Bolt said the city has about $500,000 in reserves. A formal study will cost the city $45,000.

The City Council approved the study and will seek funding partners for construction of the proposed drainage project through the US Department of Agriculture, and the Utah Community Impact Board.

A representative from Jones and Demille said that if everything comes together, construction on the drainage could began as early as this fall or next spring.

The city is looking to work with four separate groups that hold water rights.  The unit price needs to be agreed upon between the parties. The Utah Division of Water Rights will help with these details. 

Council members expressed excitement about the project. Mayor Tim Young said, “I’m glad we are making progress on this. It seems like we’ve been working on it for a long time. Water always has been and forever will be a big issue for us, so any progress you can make is good.”

The current water situation was also discussed. The city storage ponds are just about empty and not filling. The city well at the Hideout Golf Club is pumping 85 gallons a minute, but the water is expensive.

The Monticello will not know what stage of water conservation will be needed until the first week of April. 

The city also approved a new landfill lease agreement with the Dalton Family Trust. The lease allows the city to continue to run the landfill, located east of town, for the next ten years. 

In return, the Dalton Family Trust receives $2,000 annually from the city starting this year. The payment will increase by $100 every year until the agreement expires in ten years.

The city also discussed the search for new management at the Hideout Golf Club. The city interviewed three candidates for the head professional job and it was a unanimous decision to send an offer to Jeff Simon. 

Simon went to Utah State University and served as a sports reporter and PGA professional. He will manage both the pro shop and the maintenance side of things, which will help with the golf budget. 

The city will create a job description for a new superintendent or assistant superintendent. There is concern about the budget as equipment maintenance needs are high.

The city is also making progress on a goal to form a recreation committee. The city has had three letters of interest and hopes for at least two more to create a committee of five people. 

The city is also working on an inter-local agreement for use of the San Juan County fairgrounds.