Erosion control, water storage on tap for Monticello City project

by David Boyle
News Director
The Monticello City Council spoke about funding for projects related to water at their special meeting held on September 30.
Members of the city council approved an application to the Utah Permanent Community Impact Fund Board (CIB) for a grant for flood mitigation.
The city decided to apply for a $90,000 grant with a $5,000 match for projects on city-owned property.
City Manager Kaeden Kulow noted the funds would be used to address erosion issues at the Mill Site park, the city golf course and if extra funding was available up around Loyds Lake.
The project could include widening some culverts and clearing out growth and resetting rocks in streambeds. 
Members of the council approved the application.
While the city is hopeful for the grant funding, the CIB also provides grant/loan mixes with favorable interest rates to cities and towns. 
Members of the council did not vote on whether to accept a loan if offered but seemed informally favorable to exploring the option if they did not receive the grant.
Members of the council also approved another water-related application to the CIB, the second application is for a water storage study.
Kulow explained the CIB will do 1 to 1 matches for engineering studies for up to $50,000. 
City council member Kevin Dunn shared he had spoken to a previous city manager about a now out of date study done which had two possible locations for a water storage facility as well as the option to consider a purchase of Gordon Reservoir.
The engineering study would allow the city to move closer to having greater storage capacity for recently purchased water rights, but if the cost for the study was on the higher end the city would have to use some of its savings to cover those costs.
Members of the council approved the application to the CIB for the application for funds to aid with a water storage study.