Scooters on the mind of the Blanding City Council

by David Boyle
News Director
Members of the Blanding city council raised concerns over public safety issues, approved resolutions related to UAMPS representation, and discussed upgrades at the visitor center at their April 14 meeting.
Blanding City Police Chief JJ Bradford reports they have received a spike in law enforcement activity in the city, noting traffic volume has “exponentially increased” compared to the past winter months.
Among the concerns are the growing use of electric scooters and motorcycles, particularly by children.
New state updates gives the department more authority to impound vehicles that are operating unsafely.
More serious infractions could result in officers taking scooters and requiring parents to retrieve them.
Members of the Blanding city council approved a resolution appointing City Manager Pratt Redd as the city representative on the Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems (UAMPS) board at their April 14 meeting.
Redd replaces former mayor Logan Monson on the board. Both elected representatives and city administrators can serve on the board.
Members of the city council also approved a resolution renewing a 30-year right-of-way with the Bureau of Land Management for the city natural gas pipeline.
The 32-mile pipeline runs from northeast of Monticello to Blanding, crossing about three miles of BLM land. While most of the line is on private property the federal renewal is a requirement to maintain city infrastructure for the next three decades.
Members of the city council also got an update on needed upgrades at the Blanding Visitor Center. City Manager Pratt Redd said that the HVAC upgrades are needed after relying on swamp coolers for decades.
The council reviewed two bids from Redd Mechanical and leaned toward the $60,000 system using heat pumps and ductless mini-splits over the more expensive $92,000 system described as a “Ferrari”. 
Council was urged to move forward sooner rather than later to avoid rising costs in HVAC materials. Council agreed to move forward with the $60,000 option.
City council members raised concern about the newly installed fence at the new Blanding Elementary School site. Council members expressed frustration that the installation does not meet city code and has created a traffic hazard.
Reports were shared that the slatted, rather than mesh, fence blocks the line of sight for drivers at the intersection, with council members saying the city may need to install a four-way stop to mitigate danger. 
Members of the Blanding City Council also heard from Southeastern Entrepreneurial Network representative Bayley Hedglin. 
Hedglin explained the newly offered Entrepreneurship Loan Fund (ELF). The program is funded by a state grant and designed to fill in small business development gaps.
The ELF offers flexible funding for both startups and established businesses looking to expand or purchase equipment. An interest rate is set at four-percent under prime and terms up to 10 years.
The fund is intended to drive economic mobility within the county.