Blanding City Council considers recycling request

by Kara Laws
The Blanding City Council had more than enough on their plate at their August 28 council meeting. After more than a month of no meeting due to holidays and family vacations, the council had some catch-up work to do.
Many new ideas were presented for future meetings so council members could learn and think about the possibilities.
One of the exciting topics was the presentation from Full Circle Recycling.
Full Circle Recycling, an entity created by San Juan Counseling, has two goals. One is to provide local and affordable recycling for area residents. The second is to provide employment for families and individuals who need jobs.
Some residents have signed up for the program.
Ryan Heck, clinical director for San Juan Counseling, asked if the council would partner with Full Circle Recycling with billing efforts.
Heck suggested that the monthly recycling bill could be coupled with the city utility bill, similar to the Wellness Center membership.
The recycling program is $18 a month for Blanding residents. The recycling requires no sorting.
Some council members expressed concern. Mayor Joe B Lyman expressed concern with the “dangers” of allowing a bill from another organization to be added to city utilities.
Lyman said he is worried that other organizations, such as internet, telephone, and cable providers, could request the same partnetship. He also worried about the logistics of making sure the money is collected and distributed correctly.
City Manager Jeremy Redd said he didn’t want Heck to think the city does not support the project.
However, he said that projects that are not run by Blanding City may need to remain separate.
Redd expressed concern that customers with problems would call the city and involve city workers.
Councilwoman Cheryl Bowers seemed to favor partnering with Full Circle Recycling. Bowers said that she has lived in areas that recycle and it is logical that recycling be an opt-in for residents to add to the city utility bill.
Councilwoman KD Perkins, who has already signed up for program, said she would participate either way. Perkins said that while billing with the city would be convenient, separate billing would not deter her from participating. Councilman Robert Turk expressed similar sentiments.
Bowers made a motion to table the discussion to give everyone a chance to learn more. The motion was approved. The issue will resume at a later date.
Other undecided topics of discussion included Edge of the Seaters Theatre Company asking the council if they could build and manage an outdoor arena theater at Walter C. Lyman Park, where, they say, “the land is going to waste”.
Other issues include an idea to start planning road placement for growth now, and flood planning.
In other news, City Engineer Terry Ekker presented the idea of closing the raw water pipe early this year. Raw water is un-treated water directly from reservoirs used to water city parks, the cemetery, church lawns, and the schools.
Ekker proposed shutting the water off on October 1 this year as opposed to later in the season. He expressed serious concerns about drought, and said that Blanding City has cut water use by 50 percent, the raw water being used is still too much.
Ekker said that next year’s water is being used. Council approved for the raw water system to be turned off on October 1.
To explain, Ekker said the only people whose water will be affected are those who landscape large areas for churches, the city, or schools.
In other news, Councilman Turk presented awards for the best Fourth of July floats. First place is San Juan Health Services, second is Utah Navajo Health Systems, and third is USU–Blanding.
A joint land use agreement with the school districted with approved with very little discussion. A new Eagle Scout Project at the Swallow’s Nest was also approved.