Monticello sewer project backed up

By David Boyle
News Director
At the August 11 meeting members of the Monticello City Council got updates on EV chargers, the airport and learned of a holdup on the city sewer upgrade.
City Manager Kaeden Kulow provided an update on the city sewer upgrade project at the latest council meeting.
While Monticello City has project funding matches from the state before they can bond, all easements for the sewer lines need to be formally recorded.
While the city says they’ve had handshake deals since the 1970s the city has formalized those agreements in every case but one.
Kulow reported the project is stalled due to a single property owner refusing to sign an easement, with the city reporting that previous demands of the property owner exceed the city’s financial capabilities.
Kulow reported he is working with the state to hold on to those funds including exploring removing the conflicting properties from the current upgrade phase to avoid losing the project’s funding match.
City council and staff noted the upgrades are critical with many of the pipes in the project being deemed as failing lines, with those clay pipes causing issues for several years.
Members of the city council again discussed a potential contract with Tesla to install eight Electric Vehicle charging stations at the Visitor Center parking lot. The city would generate revenue from leasing the sites. The new stations, if approved, will replace current chargers managed by UDOT, which city staff described as outdated.
Members of the city council also discussed the city airport. Council made plans to continue to sell the Jet A fuel at the city airport. Kulow said that recent quality assurance experts deemed the fuel within normal parameters and sellable, despite a test showing “low bacteria growth” in the fuel.
Council opted to continue to sell the existing fuel rather than face a $15,000 loss to drain and refill the tank.
Council member Todd Westcott noted in his research, the military can store fuel for up to a decade.
In other airport news, members of the council expressed interest in seeking bids for a Fixed-Base Operator (FBO) at the airport to manage operations, fuel sales and other economic opportunities, including scenic tours.
As part of the meeting, members of the Monticello city council also received another presentation about the proposed County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) tax.
Known as Proposition 7, the proposed 1-percent countywide sales tax increase would be used to help fund EMS services with the tax exempting non-prepared foods, fuel and prescription medications aimed to protect low-income and fixed-income residents, as well as try and have more of the tax paid by visitors.
San Juan County residents will vote on the proposition in November.
EMS staff said that of the 475 calls this year, 30 to 40 percent involved individuals from outside the area.
County EMS is also looking to offer further community engagement with free CPR and first aid classes being offered on Mondays at the Monticello and Blanding garages.
Members of the city council also had an informal discussion about a group of private citizens looking to help fund pickleball courts in the city.
The city is waiting for preliminary funding availability of the group with a rough estimate of about $45,000 for the concrete work for a pickleball court, with the number of courts, lighting, fencing and other amenities to cost more.
In early discussions, the north end of Veterans Park is a possible location for the courts.
Following an executive session members of the city council approved bonuses for key city employees in recognition of efforts during the Babylon Fire emergency.