By Jennelle Zajac, For Iron County Today
Correction:
In the June 26 report, I stated that the Olivier Messiaen monument will be moved FROM the Lion’s Park kiosk when it should have said that the monument will be moved TO the Lion’s Park kiosk.
Action Agenda: Water Board Appointment
The council approved the appointment of Brandon Allen to the Water Board. Mayor Halterman recommended Allen, highlighting his long-standing ties to Parowan, understanding of water issues, and commitment to the community. Brandon Allen introduced himself, noting he is a third-generation Parowan resident with family history in city leadership and a background in education and farming.
Action Agenda: Corridor Preservation Fund Acquisition
The council approved the entry into a real estate purchase contract for Parcel A-0033-0001-0000 using corridor preservation funds. City Manager Dan Jensen explained that the parcel conflicts with a planned future roadway corridor identified in the city’s transportation master plan. To resolve this, the city must either acquire the property or allow development to proceed. The Utah Corridor Preservation Program was identified as a funding source, and the city’s request for funding was approved. The next step involves negotiating a voluntary purchase agreement based on an independent appraisal. If an agreement is reached, the city will survey the property, dedicate the portion needed for the roadway, and then sell the remaining land to recover costs, with proceeds returning to the corridor preservation fund.
Councilmember Burton clarified that there would be no out-of-pocket expense to Parowan City from these funds, which City Manager Jensen confirmed, noting only a small survey cost that would be recouped upon sale of the remaining property. The council was assured that all outstanding matters and conflicts would be resolved before finalization.
Action Agenda: Six Mile Spring Redevelopment Project RFQ Award
City Manager Jensen explained the need for development work to restore spring flow, which has decreased over time. A two-phase GMGC (Guaranteed Maximum Price Construction) approach was proposed, allowing for exploratory work followed by final design and construction bids. This method is used when the final product is not fully defined, allowing for selection based on expertise and obtaining contractor rates.
Three contractors submitted bids: John Orton Excavating, Schmidt Construction, and Tytan X Excavating. Based on a scoring criteria weighted for spring development experience, John Orton Excavating received the highest score (95), followed by Schmidt Construction (80) and Tytan X Excavating (78). Staff recommended John Orton Excavating due to their extensive and relevant spring development experience. The project requires federal permitting, and prompt action is needed to proceed within the design and permitting timeline. The council approved the contract award for the Six Mile Spring Redevelopment Project to John Orton Excavating.
Work Agenda: Municipal Code Amendment – Tree Maintenance
The council discussed amending Parowan City Municipal Code section 2.14.040 F 2, concerning tree maintenance and removal. City Manager Jensen provided background on the current ordinance, which places responsibility for maintaining public right-of-way trees adjacent to private property on the homeowner, with the city only removing dead or hazardous trees. The city does not assume routine maintenance due to significant costs, estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars annually if taken on by the city.
The core issue raised is the fairness of placing maintenance responsibility on homeowners without granting them control over the trees. While homeowners can appeal to the Shade Tree Commission for removal, healthy trees are rarely approved for removal, leaving homeowners responsible for maintenance they cannot control. This creates a disproportionate burden, particularly on elderly residents or those with limited financial means. Other Utah municipalities generally retain responsibility for public right-of-way tree maintenance. The discussion also touched on the significant cost of professional tree maintenance and the city’s limited budget.
Parowan resident Jordan Hirschi gave an in-depth presentation on the current ordinance and its lack of fairness to residents as well as her concerns with liability issues.
Several policy options were discussed with the council agreeing to forward the issue to the Shade Tree Commission for further discussion and review by the city attorney before a potential vote on amending the ordinance.
Work Agenda: Sidewalk Management Policy
The council discussed a proposed sidewalk management, maintenance, and inspection policy, driven by the city’s insurance company due to high liability exposure from sidewalk-related lawsuits. The policy aims to improve public safety, accessibility, reduce liability, and prioritize maintenance. City Manager Jensen explained that while the city has limited resources, having a documented policy and inspection program is crucial for defending against lawsuits. The policy outlines a defect rating system (Priority 4 to 1) based on the severity of sidewalk issues, such as vertical displacement, cracking, and accessibility barriers. Repairs and temporary mitigation efforts would be prioritized based on available funding and hazard severity. The policy also includes provisions for public reporting of issues and emphasizes thorough record-keeping.
The council acknowledged the significant cost and limited resources for sidewalk maintenance but recognized the necessity of the policy for managing liability. They agreed to bring the draft policy back for adoption at the next meeting.
Reports, Updates, and Old Business Follow-Up
Councilmember Burton: Reported that the Water Board met and projects are moving forward, including the Six Mile Springs and recharge projects.
Councilmember Dean: Reported that the Planning Commission approved the road dedication for the landfill access road, with ownership transfer expected soon. The new sign code discussion was tabled pending further information.
Councilmember Barton asked for a 200S sidewalk update and expressed concern about the water diversion project’s vulnerability to projected monsoons.
Councilmember Topham: Provided an update on the Five-County hazard mitigation plan, noting the need for more survey data and encouraging participation. All members shared positive feedback on Parowan’s Fourth of July events.
City Manager Jessen: Provided an update on the requested airport grant, stating it was not approved for a 90/10 split but may be an 80/20 grant with a maximum U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) contribution of $5 million. The city must provide an updated financial commitment letter. He highlighted potential in-kind contributions from the city’s public works department and power company for materials and labor, totaling approximately $2.5-2.6 million, to help meet the match requirements. The council expressed comfort with proceeding given the potential for in-kind contributions and favorable bidding conditions. He also noted that the Main Street Bridge Project’s paving is likely delayed until spring due to winter asphalt plant shutdowns. He also mentioned the recent completion of repairs to the Old Rock Church bricks. Jessen also informed the council about red flag conditions and preparations for potential flooding, including sandbag availability.
Public Works Director Biasi: Reported that the 200 South project is progressing, with sidewalk installation underway, and anticipates paving within two weeks, with traffic control adjustments to follow. The forebay well is functioning properly, and the pressurized irrigation system is holding; pressurized irrigation watering will be held at 2 days per week for now. He also mentioned the city’s growing role in infrastructure maintenance. He provided an update on the cemetery expansion project with the BLM, highlighting a productive meeting and the potential to acquire more land for future use, though current funding is limited.
Mayor Halterman: Shared that the America 250 committee, on which she serves, was recognized for its efforts in raising awareness for the nation’s anniversary. She also announced a new grant cycle for small businesses opening in September.
Residents are encouraged to attend City Council Meetings on the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the Parowan City Council Chambers. Alternatively, the meetings can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/@parowancity2030