Blanding discusses new community center ideas

The Blanding City Council discussed a proposed new community center at the January 13 council meeting.
Councilman Robert Ogle reported that the San Juan Foundation is serious about their commitment to the building of a center. He added that all entities need to step up within a prescribed time frame, or the center will go away.
Councilman Kelly Laws pointed out that the proposal only guarantees funding for two years. He said it has taken five years to strike the balance at the wellness center.
Laws expressed concern that the city cannot afford a community center since they already have a wellness center.
In further discussion, the hope was expressed by Councilman David Johnson that Utah State University would put their name on the project and the only expense to the city would be a transfer of land.
Councilman Joe B. Lyman said, “It needs a sponsor, and that sponsor cannot be the city”.
Lyman went on further to explain that the city can easily be overextended financially if it sponsors another enterprise.
In other matters at the January 13 council meeting, City Engineer Terry Ekker reported on natural gas and water use. Gas use is up, as is anticipated with the arrival of colder temperatures.
The city is working to get all three deep water wells back online. With the January 13 storm, the water situation is better than in previous months.
Police Chief Watkins is working to pin down law enforcement statistics for his reports on police activity.
Watkins said some statistics have changed, such as the “citizen assist” category, which can mean many things, such as helping change a tire, etc.
Watkins said he hopes to get the statistics pinned down, so they can be more accurate and meaningful going forward.
The Blanding City Fire Department was able to hold a training event in December, which is unusual because they are usually busy fighting fires during that time.
The training was how to evacuate the dialysis unit at Blue Mountain Hospital in case of a fire.
Fire Chief Craig Stanley said the fire department, as well as hospital employees, learned a lot from the training.
Use of the city recreation center remains stable. This is reported as a “really good” indicator that the city has put together programs the community participates in.
The council approved a resolution to allow Jason Watkins to move a mobile home onto the back of his lot for the use of an aged or handicapped family member. The conditional use permit will have to be renewed annually.
The council reviewed the city 10-year plan. Councilman Lyman said, “The thing I like about the 10-year plan is that it keeps the important things on the radar.”
He added, “These are real needs and not fluff.”
The council unanimously approved the 10-year plan.
Terry Ekker presented a resolution to address an Updated Water Conservation Plan. It was noted as part of the presentation that the residents of Blanding appear to have caught the vision on water conservation, as savings appear on the water report.
Discussion also covered alternate watering schedules as not being effective. They may be removed.
Possible additions to the plan may be the ability to raise rates to encourage conservation. The resolution was accepted with proposed changes and approved unanimously.
City Manager Jeremy Redd asked city residents and employees to report any concerns with sidewalks, manholes and potholes to prevent possible injury due to hazards. Redd would like to see the city create a proactive plan to address these issues.
(Staff writer Roma Young contributed to this story.)