Blanding City Council approves road improvement contracts, authorizes energy entitlement increase

The Blanding City Council approved two contracts for road improvements at their July 9 meeting last week. There was quite a bit of discussion on the difference between the high-density mineral bond and the chip seal coat used to preserve asphalt streets.
The council awarded a $133,200 contract to Holbrook Asphalt Company for a high-density mineral bond coat and a $295,180 contract to Kilgore Companies DBA LeGrand Johnson for a chip seal coat. The two projects are set for completion by the end of August and mid-September. 
The council approved a resolution authorizing an increase in the participants entitlement share under the Carbon Free Power Project (CFPP) sales contract for the lay-off power sales agreement associated with joint use module plant (JUMP) operations at the CFPP. 
In plain English, Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems (UAMPS) is developing Nu Scale Small Modular Reactors. There is potential to get free, clean energy with infrastructure built by the Department of Energy (DOE) that would be used for research and development purposes for 15 years before being turned over to the city. The resolution opens the door to get as much of this energy as possible.  
City Engineer Terry Ekker gave the water report. At this time last year, water levels were at 38 percent of normal. This year, the city is at 170 percent of normal. All reservoirs are full and Recapture Dam stopped spilling over this week.
Police Chief J.J. Bradford reported on recent activities involving the police department. Officers participated in trainings on search and rescue, suicide awareness, report writing, and advanced alcohol and drug interdiction (which is how to find more drugs and alcohol in cars and on drivers). 
Mayor Joe B. Lyman and Councilwoman Cheryl Bowers both commented about the number of compliments the department regularly receives for their effective handling of difficult situations. 
Blanding City recreation numbers continue to grow. The wellness center recorded more than 5,500 visits during June. Recreation Director David Palmer reported on the wrapped baseball season, where a Blanding team played in every championship game in a league that includes Monticello and Moab.
The council also heard details behind the pool closure July 1 and 2. The circulation pump went out and while there was a spare pump, the seal was unable to be used again which held up repairs.
Palmer gave recognition to Energy Fuels, who dropped what they were doing to rebuild the motors in just a few hours. A team spent most of the night putting it back together to be able to open as soon as they could. 
The council heard Councilman Robert Turk’s report of the Independence Day celebration. 
“It was a major success,” he said. “We live in a good town. People step up and volunteer.”
The council commented on the generous sponsorship from Dr. Joe Wilson, who makes the impressive fireworks display possible. 
The council passed a resolution to allow electric motors on the Fourth Reservoir and to disallow any watercraft with gas engines.
Councilwoman Bowers expressed the desire to do more with the visitors center in Blanding. She suggested looking for ways to improve the experience and the possibility for it to generate revenue for the city.
Councilwoman KD Perkins spoke about the difficulty of maintaining a gift shop and the unfair advantage it would have over other local businesses selling similar items. There is also concern with the lack of curator for the museum to properly preserve items. 
Mayor Lyman reported the city council elections will be canceled this year after Trent Herring withdrew his name from contention for a council seat. With three seats up for grabs and three vying for those seats, those people will be deemed elected, and a formal process will be followed.

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