City of Blanding cutting ties with Legacy Trust, approves water wise code

by David Boyle
News Director
Members of the Blanding City Council voiced opposition to the closure of the armory, passed water-wise landscaping codes, and moved closer to severing formal ties with the Blanding Legacy Trust at their March 10 meeting.
The Council voted to update the bylaws of the Blanding Legacy Trust to move closer to formally severing ties between the city and the nonprofit. 
Blanding Mayor Trevor Olsen expressed concern with the transition, noting the trust holds approximately $160,000 in funds that were partially developed through the labor of a city employee, who still serves on the board today.
“The challenge is with years of the city saying we are doing this, we’re involved, we’re committed to this.” said Olsen.
Despite those concerns, city staff, and other council members emphasized the Utah State Auditor recommended a separation to protect the city from potential liabilities and litigation. 
Council members offered a view of the previous investment of city staff time as a “donation” to get the fund established for the community’s benefit. 
Members of the city council passed the resolution to effectively end city oversight of the trust. Speaking at the meeting, members of the trust board said they plan to continue to serve the residents of Blanding.
Members of the Blanding City Council also passed a resolution approving water-wise landscaping code amendments.
The ordinance will allow Blanding residents to qualify for rebates from the State of Utah when converting turf to more drought-tolerant ground covers.
In order to qualify for the rebates from the state, the city needs to adopt code to promote water-wise landscaping for new builds.
The new code includes a $350 non-compliance fine, meaning new builds that prefer not to adopt the water-wise landscaping can simply pay the fine.
City staff clarified the goal is not to be punitive but to provide guardrails for future developments. The code allows for flexibility, giving homeowners 24 months to complete landscaping projects as well.
City Manager Pratt Redd also provided a report on an upcoming meeting with the state dam superintendent to discuss raising the spillway at Recapture Reservoir by 2.5 feet. Raising the spillway could potentially increase the reservoir’s capacity by nearly 10 percent. 
Members of the city council also approved a letter to the Utah National Guard opposing a proposed closure of the Blanding Armory.
Council member Charlie Taylor urged the council to strengthen the letter’s language to emphasize Blanding’s unique geographic location with the armory being the only facility in the southeast corner of the state, making it essential for emergency response particularly for the Navajo Nation.
Council members also expressed concerns of a potential additional abandoned building in the city with an additional emphasis on the strategic necessities of the building.
Blanding Police Chief JJ Bradford provided a report on a busy month in February with 112 calls responded to. One particular safety warning issued by Bradford related to electric scooters. He said several nasty crashes have occurred recently with concerns over children zipping through parks and roads without safety gear or paying attention to signage and an appeal to parents to talk to their children.
Community Development director Ben Muhlestein provided a report on a few projects including progress being made on the Fourth Reservoir trail.
A recent service day saw 15 volunteers help clear vegetation for the new five-foot wide ADA-accessible walking path with contractor work expected to begin in late March or early April.
Other volunteer efforts highlighted include a trash cleanup with help from high school students, with a focus on Walter C Lyman park and the reservoirs.
City staff were also recognized for updates to the ballparks including replacing sidewalks, installing new countertops at the concession stands and updating wiring.
It was also reported that the open gas tank pit at the old Sinclair station is scheduled to be addressed starting mid-March.