Nathan S. Bracken

The strategic planning retreat covered several critical areas. Discussions focused on Capital Improvement Priorities and Bonding, noting the mandate to use municipal property tax funds for capital projects, with estimated needs between $30 to $40 million for stormwater mitigation, roads, and infrastructure. Personnel Strategies included evaluating equity adjustments, proposing a freeze on increases for high earners (those at double the area median income), and reviewing benefits like housing stipends. Policy discussions involved an overview of existing City policies and proposing new or updated policies concerning Community Contributions, annexation, general plan, storm water, downtown plan, water master plan, and wildfire protection. The Council also reviewed City-wide Property/Asset allocations and Community Outreach Strategies, debating proactive engagement methods versus social media presence. The Annexation Policy Plan included presenting potential new boundaries for future annexation, with a timeline set for Council adoption of a new boundary map by June. The Budget Process and Overview timeline was presented, and Attorney Bracken conducted training on Open and Public Meetings statutes. An Executive Session was held to discuss the purchase of real property and pending litigation.

The agenda for this City Council meeting included several key items: consideration and potential appointment of citizens to the Planning Commission, ratification of a Letter of Support for the Utah Raptor State Park's Dark Sky Application, and ratification of City Council Board and Committee Assignments. Business included a public hearing and consideration for the Spanish Valley Culinary Storage Water Tank application for the Community Impact Fund Board (CIB). The council addressed a public hearing and consideration for Ordinance 2026-01 regarding the annexation of the Bisco Properties, LLC property and zoning assignments. Further items involved a public hearing and consideration of Resolution 01-2026 to amend the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget, and consideration of Resolution 02-2026 to adopt the Community Wildfire Preparedness Plan. Contract awards were considered for the redesign of the Center Street Ballpark Project and the design/installation of a Water and Sewer Facility SCADA System Project. Finally, the council considered a Development Agreement for 57 West Kane Creek Boulevard.

The Moab City Council held a strategic planning retreat. Key discussion points centered on the three-year short-term strategic plan, which outlines five priorities: improvement of downtown infrastructure (including streetlamp replacement and crosswalk improvements), resolving the Walnut Lane project (involving loan payoff and asbestos abatement delays), active transportation (covering the Trails Master Plan and Moab Area Transit continuation), execution of plans, and mitigation of natural disasters (such as the 300 South bridge replacement). Individual council members detailed their specific priorities, which included housing, budget process, OHV issues, skate park upgrades, traffic matters, and sustainability. Department reports covered police activity, public works maintenance (including MRAC repairs and stormwater master plan updates), Parks, Recreation and Trails initiatives (like MRAC visits and RAP tax renewal), Community Development updates (including staffing vacancies and housing pipeline status), Utility Services issues (like PFA assessment and sewer modeling), Human Resources staffing metrics, Recorder duties, Treasurer functions, Communications outreach goals, and Administration insights on staffing and budgetary challenges due to an uncertain economy and reduced sales tax revenues.

The meeting covered two primary action items. First, the Commission conditionally approved Planning Resolution Number 1-2026, which grants conditional approval for a Level Two site plan for the Shamway mixed-use development located at 1082 South Highway 191. This approval included the condition that the final retaining wall design must be approved by the City Engineering Department, and all outstanding comments must be addressed prior to building permit application approval. Second, the Commission considered Moab Ordinance Number 202601 regarding the annexation of property at 486 Riverands Road. This annexation, which proposes a split zone of C2 Commercial and R3 Residential, was largely pre-determined by a 2024 pre-annexation agreement, which mandates that any residential development on the site must consist of active employment household restricted units. The commission forwarded its recommendation on the annexation.

The meeting agenda for the Recreation, Arts, and Parks Tax Advisory Committee included the introduction of new TAC members and a session for citizens to be heard. Key discussions focused on reviewing the RAP Technical Advisory Committee Bylaws. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to reviewing and approving documents and the timeline for the 2026 RAP Tax Grant Applications. The committee also discussed and considered the adoption of a draft RAP Tax Project Final Report Form. A separate section detailed the funding recommendations made during a prior meeting on March 6, 2025, covering various grant applicants such as Cultural Fire Events, KZMU, Moab Museum, and others, ultimately requiring cuts to meet the budget. Furthermore, the committee discussed updating application guidelines to include 'City Owned Property' as an acceptable project location and reviewed the 2025 applicant reporting process, suggesting a standardized form and changes to the application structure, including a question on accepting partial funding.