Monticello plans to annex hospital property

by David Boyle
News Director
Members of the Monticello City Council received a report on the new hospital, including plans for annexation and water agreements, and received flood mitigation funds for city properties at their latest meeting.
At the October 8 meeting, the city council heard from Clayton Holt, representing San Juan Health, regarding the planned construction of a new hospital facility west of the elementary school. 
Holt explained that the project, estimated at $40 million, aims to replace the existing hospital built in 1958.
A key point of discussion revolved around the annexation of the proposed hospital site, which is currently located outside Monticello city limits. 
While the property is currently outside of city limits, San Juan Health had planned to annex into the city before beginning construction. 
However with the city annexation plan not ready, and state requirements to make it ready taking some time it was proposed that the hospital be constructed in the county, with an understanding it would be annexed into the city once completed.
With the hospital being built outside city limits the project is applying for utilities including water and sewer be extended to their property, currently outside of city limits.
The hospital is therefore asking for some variances from the standard application. 
For example, those outside city limits are subject to water curtailment if shortages occur. Holt asked they not be subject to curtailment during the planned brief time they are not in city limits.
The contract would also require the health district to petition for annexation upon occupancy of the new building, both parties are in favor of getting the annexation completed.
Members of the council were amenable to the San Juan Health requests with plans made to approve the contract as soon as the next city council meeting.
Holt highlighted the benefits of the project including providing jobs, increasing the standard of living for residents, and a study that noted that in Utah rural hospitals have an economic multiplier of three or four for communities. 
The council concluded its discussion with Holt by expressing gratitude for his efforts and acknowledging the significance of the hospital project for the community. Holt invited the council and city staff to attend the groundbreaking ceremony on October 11.
City Manager Kaeden Kulow also shared the city was awarded $90,000 for emergency flood mitigation from the Utah Permanent Community Impact Fund Board (CIB). 
The city application requires a $5,000 match and was approved by the CIB.
The council approved application to the CIB at a special meeting at the end of September. 
At that meeting 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. 
Kulow shared they would speak with an engineering team at Jones & DeMille before putting the project to bid with hopes of having the projects complete before the start of winter.
Kulow also reported that the city application to CIB for an engineering water storage study was pushed to February.
Council approved an application at their late September meeting for a project to look at increasing storage capacity for recently purchased water rights.
It was recommended to the city by CIB employees to file their application in February. 
If approved the city could receive a 1 to 1 match for an engineering study for up to $50,000.