Monticello city talks annexations, ADA park and fee changes

A public hearing about annexations, an update on the ADA park upgrade and an update to fees were all part of the latest Monticello City Council meeting.
Members of the Monticello City Council held a public hearing for the proposed annexation policy plan at the September 9 meeting.
The annexation plan includes an expansion area for properties that could be considered for annexation with those properties typically added through a formal request from property owners. Staff did note that the city can initiate the annexation process for properties already connected to city utility services but those instances are rare.
Some property owners requested to be removed from the expansion area, some of those requests were granted but others denied in order to prevent islands or peninsulas in the city.
The city reports an initial public meeting saw 19 attendees, with the first public hearing having eight and a planning commission meeting with three, with those at the meeting noting that trend shows successful public messaging about the update to the proposed expansion area.
Members of the city council also got an update on the request for proposal for Veterans Park preparation for the new ADA playground equipment. That approval was delayed with two bids received but not tabulated with staff anticipating that it will be back for approval at the next city council meeting.
In related news members of the council also held a discussion about the future of the Veterans Park playground equipment that will be removed from the park.
San Juan County Commissioner Silvia Stubbs joined the meeting to advocate for the equipment to be donated to the Westwater community, noting their willingness to remove and install the equipment themselves while releasing the city from liability.
City Manager Kaeden Kulow presented options for the city based on advice from discussions with other cities. One would be fore the city to destroy and dispose of the equipment due to potential damage during removal and safety concerns.
Another option would offer the equipment up for bid, requiring the buyer to sign a liability release and remove it themselves.
Another would be to move it to another city park which staff says would be costly including removal, site mitigation and new safety ground cover.
Members of the city council expressed support for the option to donate the equipment with a release from liability with the group receiving the equipment handling removal and installation.
City council gave staff direction to do additional research into the option to donate the equipment with a liability release as well as a cost estimate for moving the equipment to another park to consider that option as well, with a decision to come at a future meeting.
Members of the city council also held a public hearing for the consolidated fee schedule.
Among the changes proposed includes a fee adjusting culinary water rates to encourage conservation, an average increase of $3.61 per month for a 5,000-gallon household usage.
Other adjustments include a $5 increase for yard waste and construction prices at the landfill. The city will also impose the state-mandated fee for uncovered/unsecured loads, the city will double the load cost to follow the county landfill plan or a $10 minimum fine, whichever is great.
The city also will increase fees at the Hideout golf course, and include fees for visitors who buy water at the Welcome Center.
Members of the city council also approved an interlocal agreement with San Juan County for building inspection services.
The agreement outlines a payment of $3,000 every six months or $6,000 annually for inspector services. The agreement has provisions for negotiation if inspection volumes differ by a large amount. The agreement formalizes a long-standing deal to provide some clarity on the project. Monticello city would handle permits and certificates of occupancy with the county providing design sign-offs and inspections.
Members of the city council also reviewed questions for a planned community survey as the city looks to update the general plan.
The survey includes 18 questions and is designed to gather opinions from residents along with demographic data.
Council added requests for clarifying instructions with the survey, and options for additional comments from residents.
City staff anticipates the survey to go live on October 1st and remain open until February 1. The survey responses will be given to the staff, planning commission and city council to inform the new general plan.
Members of the city council also approved a request for proposal (RFP) to upgrade and replace audio.visual equipment at the Hideout Community Center. At an estimated cost of $50,000 the city is considering replacing the projector, sound system and video controllers. While the city reports the county has signaled its support to assist in the costs in the shared building the city has acknowledged it may need to cover the full cost of the upgrade for the equipment that’s about 10 years old.
The council also approved an RFP for a water storage engineering study.
Members of the city council also highlighted a “Meet the Candidates” night at the Hideout on September 16th. With plans to broadcast the event on Facebook.
The city is also gearing up for its annual clothing drive in late September. Drop-off days will occur September 24th and 25th with the drive opening the afternoon of September 26 and continuing through the 27th.