New city manager in appointed in Blanding

by David Boyle
News Director
Blanding had a new city manager appointed at their latest meeting. The council also tabled a decision on a mobile home rezone request and approved agreements with the county and school district at their latest meeting.
Members of the Blanding City Council appointed Pratt Redd to serve as Blanding’s next city manager at the August 12 meeting.
Mayor Trevor Olsen said they received numerous applications and held two rounds of interviews, one with city staff and a second round with the council.
Olsen noted the city used quality experience, education experience, and Blanding City experience as screening tools.
Olsen adds they spoke with numerous great candidates and thanked them for applying before nominating Redd to be the next manager.
Olsen said, “Pratt comes with a master’s degree from Southern Utah University in business administration. He formerly served as the economic development and marketing director for the City of Blanding, as well as advertising project manager experience and most recently operations manager for Redd Mechanical.
“So it’s my pleasure to recommend Pratt Redd to be the next city manager.”
Members of the city council unanimously approved the appointment.
Mayor Olsen also praised outgoing manager Trent Herring for his service, “I don’t think it would be as coveted (a position) without previous city managers and Trent being one of those that has led the city in a good direction and has made it a good place to be. So we want to thank him.”
Herring will take over as Human Resource Director for Utah Navajo Health System.
Members of the city council also tabled a rezone request for a Mobile Home zoning after hearing opposition during a public hearing. 
The JL Hunt rezone would request the applicant’s properties around 500 South and 300 East be rezoned from R2 residential to a Mobile Home zoning.
Representing the applicant was Trina Hosler, who addressed what she described as personal attacks about mobile homes.
“There’s going to be opposition, but if you talk to the dozens and dozens of people looking for rentals, they would have come here tonight to speak in favor of this change.”
Hosler added that the property is a good candidate for a mobile home.
“There are already two mobile homes north of it. There are storage units to the east of it. Blanding owns the property behind it. So, really, you are looking to the west of it where there already is a mobile home right there. So, I don’t know where you’re going to find a better spot to address the need.”
Hosler added that while mobile homes are allowed in the R2 zone, the requirement to have a permanent foundation under the home raises costs. She notes the property owner recently put one in town at a cost of $40,000 for one mobile home.
“So if you’re talking about putting five mobile homes in, you’re $250,000 just in foundation. It makes it completely unfeasible for a developer.”
Hosler adds the project would help address affordable housing and affordable rentals in Blanding as they are harder to come by.
“Mobile homes are controversial. They have a bad rap and I’m not surprised there are people here that oppose it. In a town of 4,500, it’s not bad to have 15 people come up and oppose it.”
Over a dozen residents spoke out against the potential rezone, both through public comment and submitted letters.
Concerns include potential negative impacts on property values, neighborhood safety and quality of life.
Several residents also shared concern about the property owner’s alleged history of poorly maintained mobile home parks, citing issues like overgrown weeds, and deteriorating structures.
One commenter talked to former residents of mobile home parks in the city where she says that maintenance requests have been met with ‘abusive retaliation’ from maintenance staff.
Residents additionally questioned the current city regulations for mobile home parks, suggesting the city apply more strict standards for mobile homes in the city including privacy fencing and landscaped yards. 
City manager Trent Herring provided some additional context for the meeting, sharing that zoning requests come from property owners and are not initiated by the city itself. 
Blanding City considers applications, and as part of that application, sends letters to neighboring properties to make them aware of the request.
Herring noted that the area has potential for future development located near the city boundaries. That area could see properties annexed into the city and follow city procedure or go through county process should landowners keep the property outside the city.
City staff clarified that the city planning and zoning committee reviews request to make sure they are compliant, but does not send a recommendation to the city council whether or not to approve an application.
Council member Charlie Taylor said the conversation is a continuation of an issue he brought up more than a year ago related to standards around mobile home parks.
“I think that we do need to look at our ordinances and our requirements for trailer parks. I will tell you all the city needs affordable housing. There is no question,” said Taylor.
Council member Cheryl Bowers outlined perceived conflicts of interest, noting that the applicant is her ex-brother-in law and the presenter for the item is her sister though she has no ownership in the property.
Bowers recognized the great need for affordable housing in the city, but also thanked the public for their input on the matter.
“That’s what’s so important so that we can hear both sides of this issue. I would like to personally go look at the area. I’ve driven past it, but I’ve never really looked at somebody’s home compared to where this is going to be.
“So, I would like to go look at the people who have commented tonight about their homes compared to where this mobile home park is going to be.”
The item was tabled by the city council to be discussed at another time.
Members of the Blanding city council also approved a low bid for work on the city visitor center roof.
The city received three bids on the project, with Blake Building coming in with the low bid of $41,450.
While the city originally budgeted $30,000 for the project, the remaining costs will be covered through savings in other general fund projects. Members of the council approved the bid.
Members of the Blanding city council also approved an agreement with San Juan County to allow the county to use the city-owned ‘Johnson Creek Well’ to help with road work on county road 285.
The city and county agreed to allow the county to have temporary use of the well to aid in the county efforts to pave the road, with the water used specifically from the cattle guard entrance to the Forest Service territory up to Dry Wash Reservoir.
Members of the council approved the resolution to allow the county to access the well as part of their project to pave that road.
Members of the council also approved a contract with the San Juan School District to have the city fill the district inspection needs.
Staff outlined compensation to the city of Blanding would be $125 an hour, with a minimum charge of one hour and state mileage rate reimbursements for work in Montezuma Creek, Monument Valley and even Navajo Mountain.
At the meeting members of the city council recognized Ann Hawkins who operates San Juan Theater. Council recognized her for years of service to the community, including providing monthly movie times for those with special needs that struggle with regular movie times.