Blanding to update waste-water master plan

by David Boyle
News Director
Members of the Blanding City Council accepted a bid for a Wastewater Master Plan update, approved a grant application for a natural gas line feasibility study and considered a support letter for the ‘100 Years of Silence’ project at their latest meeting.
Members of the council gave advice and consent on application for a grant for a natural gas line feasibility study at the October 22 meeting. 
The study would look at preliminary items including potential routes to the White Mesa Mill. Funds through the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity are available up to $600,000.
The city doesn’t believe they’ll come anywhere close to that maximum available funds. The grant also requires a 20 percent monetary match by recipients. Council showed support for the application. 
Debra McKee, of the Center for Rural Development & Community Outreach, shared that in addition to the funds available for the study the city could also apply for up to $600,000 for the first phase of construction on the project.
Members of the council agreed to provide a letter of support for the grant application.
Members of the city council also heard a presentation about the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe “100 Years of Silence” project.
Project director Shaun Ketchum told the council the foundation and project is aimed at healing the community.
“To join together through the artwork that we have over at the Edge of the Cedars Museum. Those art pieces are done by a lot of artists in the community down there the Alan Canyon people, descendents of them, and it’s really all about healing, being able to come together as I keep repeating myself on that.”
Ketchum spoke with the council about the project, which looks back at the “Posey War” which began in March 1923.
The exhibit showcases Ute Mountain Ute Tribal members perspective with the works of seven artists currently on display at the Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum. The display has also been in Salt Lake City at the Leonardo with support from the Andrew Mellon Foundation.
Ketchum also shared his thanks to Mayor Monson for participating in the annual White Mesa Bear Dance, and asked for a letter of support from the city.
“I”m requesting support, a formal letter for the ‘100 Years of Silence’ project tonight. As I continue to engage with communities across the region, we have requested letters of support from each venue  and organization we work with. These letters will not only symbolize the backing of our leaders that will also help us continue to succeed.”
Ketchum shared there’s been healing as there’s been work done to form a path of reconciliation.
“We hope to gather up here one day at the old bank as the community leaders down there White Mesa, Towaoc, Indian Affairs, to be be able to have a peaceful moment there to offer blessings from the events of 1923 to show the importance of moving forward together for the future generations”
Members of the council thanked Ketchum for his presentation, with plans made to draft a letter for consideration.
Blanding City Council also approved a resolution accepting the Wastewater Master Plan update. The city budgeted for $50,000 for the update but the bid from Jones and DeMille came in at about half that amount. Members of the council approved the bid for the plan update.
Council also received a report on the Swallow’s Nest historical structure.
City Manager Trent Herring shared the exterior renovation had been completed with next steps aimed at addressing water damage with a french drain.
Herring also presented on a recent community development open house the city had with developers.
Herring shared concerns raised by attendees including the cost of infrastructure for new development, the need for high-density zoning, and the impact of curb and gutter on flooding. Also suggested was exploring tax incentivizes and other ways to reduce development costs.
City Engineer Patrick Parsons also gave an end of year water report. The city received 92 percent of average precipitation over the last water year, which ended on the final day September. Those end of year stats included a note that city reservoirs are at about 85-percent capacity and did not include recent storms.
Planning and Zoning Director Bret Hosler also gave a report noting that the new commercial development of a Dollar General and O’Reilly Auto Parts are nearly finished.
Hosler also said the city had received another annexation petition for a property north of Center street, the item will appear before the council in a public hearing in the near future, the annex received a positive recommendation from the planning commission.
Hosler also reported the city continues to see additional building permits issued with projects like the Blanding Elementary School moving forward including a large cement pour that happened the week previous.
The city also recently finished a crack seal and fog coat project at the city airport.