Blanding approves deployed utility discount, talks trailer homes

by David Boyle
News Director
Blanding city council members approved discounts for deployed utility customers, discussed long-term trailer use and approved letters of support at their latest meeting.
Members of the Blanding City Council approved a resolution offering a discount on utilities for city customers who are deployed at their January 28 meeting. The new ordinance offers a 50-percent discount to deployed Blanding city customers, with deployed residents filling out an application online. City staff reported they already have had a deployed citizen fill out the application and upload his orders with the process described as simple and quick. Members of the city council unanimously approved the utility discount for deployed residents.
Members of the council also held a discussion about the city’s ordinance on long-term trailer use. Under current code trailers can not be hooked up long term outside of a mobile home zone. Despite that the council has seen an increase in trailers due in part both to the lack of affordable housing and displacement caused by the closing of a local trailer park. Currently conditional use permits do allow for exceptions in specific situations, such as someone taking care of a disabled family member. 
Weighing the need for housing against concerns about property values, sewer capacity and safety concerns; council decided to send the issue to planning and zoning to explore possible solutions. 
Among considerations would be expanding of conditional use permits to possibly allow for more instances where mobile homes can be used.
At the meeting members the council also approved letters of support for a variety of projects. One was brought forth to the council by Josh Nielson of Sunrise Outfitting who asked for the city support on formally listing a ATV trail in the western part of Blanding’s annexation plan.
Neilson explained “ It’s actually a physical trail. You can see it all the way across that canyon there. So, physically it’s there, former signage is there, It’s just not on a map. We’re just trying to get it listed and legal so that if people want to ride it, they’re not risking getting in trouble for it.”
Members of the council approved the letter as requested by Nielson to send to the Bureau of Land Management.
Members of the Blanding city council also approved a letter of support for a grant application that would fund a drainage resiliency planning study for San Juan and Piute counties.
Members of the city council also gave advice and consent for staff to prepare a letter for the council to consider and approve opposing the Antiquities Act. A similar resolution used in Duchesne County was presented. That letter calls on congress to repeal the 1906 Antiquities Act, or at least remove the “unilateral Presidential discretion for designation” of monuments. Members of the council gave consent for the item to be revisited.
Members of the Blanding city council also received a report from Deborah McKee of the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity. In addition to an introduction to the council McKee also highlighted some resources available through the office including the Rural Communities Opportunity Grant, which the city used for it’s upcoming pipeline feasibility study to look at possible connection to the White Mesa Mill. McKee also highlighted the Ready Grant which provides $6,000 per new full-time position to businesses if certain criteria is met.
In a followup to a discussion at their previous meeting city staff reported that in conversations with the Utah League of Cities and Towns the city should be able to transfer an existing old truck to the airport to aid in fueling efforts. The cities legal team concurred that if the city can show value in moving the truck over they should be able to hand ownership over or approve a non-monetary lease of the truck.
In conversation council seemed agreeable to seeing the item come back for approval. In discussion council and staff supported the city retaining ownership of the truck with the Fixed Base Operator (FBO) responsible for maintenance, repairs and certifications related to using the truck.
City staff also shared how San Juan County will be hosting community workshops for public feedback on the 2025 Land Use, Development and Management Ordinance. Five additional workshops will be held including at the Blanding USU Arts and Events Center on February 15 at 10 am.