The Hanksville Town Council meeting convened its regular session in conjunction with a public hearing for the ordinances on the 16th day of January 2025 in the Hanksville Community Center; meeting commenced at 6:00pm.
Present: Mayor Jeffren T. Pei, C. Robert Gilner, C. Eric Wells and C. Mona Wells
Absent: C. Morgan Stephens
Employees: Clerk Lisa Wells and Treasurer Jessica Alvey
Public in Attendance: Planning Commission members: Ashton Brian, Duke Alvey, Sara Bradbury, and Celeste Sellers
Meeting to Order: Mayor Jeffren T. Pei
Pledge: Mayor Jeffren T. Pei
Prayer: C. Mona Wells
Roll Call: Mayor Jeffren T. Pei
Motion to approve minutes from the December council meeting: C. Eric Wells; Second C. Robert Gilner Aye: All in attendance.
Report of Officers:
Council member Mona Wells:
The block has been purchased to finish the pillars and walls for the pavilion at the cemetery.The mayor would like this project finished as soon as possible. Mayor Pei would like to see things happening in Hanksville that he sees in other towns in Wayne County, such as veterans memorial, Bicknell Heritage park, sidewalks with street lights. He advised the council to go after grant money that is available, more effort is needed by the council to obtain funding for these types of projects. Wayne County Special Service District is just one source of funding that is available, as per the Mayor.
Council member Morgan Stephens:
ABESNT The rent increase to all tenants was effective on January 1, 2025. The tenants in Apt #2 are 2 months behind again, the mayor directed the clerk to send an eviction notice without the possibility of catching up on the rent but just an eviction notice. C. Eric Wells suggested selling the town housing units, the mayor sees that as a possibility.
Council member Eric Wells:
The sewer project is coming along as planned.
Council member Robert Gilner:
In addressing the need to crack seal town streets to prolong life, C. Robert Gilner has 4 citizens willing to volunteer their time. He is obtaining an estimate for the amount of material that would be needed to complete the crack see. The town would pay for rental of the equipment that would be needed which he estimates would be around $600.
Mayor Jeffren T. Pei:
Discussed the Outdoor Recreation grant that is now open and would like the council to look at any projects that they have that would fit into this grant to act now to apply for this funding.
Treasurer Jessica Alvey:
Provided training to the council regarding conflict of interest. If someone on the council has a conflict of interest, there is a need for the rest of the council to step up and ask questions about the project and make sure there is transparency for the public on any conflict. Nothing should be done quietly in town business. If you have a conflict, please state the conflict at the beginning of a discussion. Recuse yourself from voting if it directly benefits you personally or a company that you are an owner of. Conflict of Interest statements were signed for 2025 from council and employees that were present. These are now required to be posted on the town website. The clerk will gather new statements from the planning commission at their next meeting.
Clerk Lisa Wells:
Bills presented to council for approval (spreadsheet attached)
Motion to approve bills: C. Eric Wells; Second C. Mona Wells. Aye: All in attendance.
Town event assignments - Council agreed to table those assignments.
Brown Brothers Construction - They are gearing up for the Hanksville Diversion Project and have contacted Kevin Hatch to state a couple batch plants on for the duration of the project. Do they need to apply for a temporary zoning change for the property areas as shown on the map presented to the council. Elis Brown spoke with the clerk and he would also like to extend the water line to the property and put in a hydrant so he can get water from the hydrant at the site. The council agreed to have the planning commission look at this request.
Planning Commission:
Ashton Brian - Brought up the cul-de-sac on Slate Banner property that he asked to be made smaller; she would like to discuss a through street here instead of the cul-de-sac, if all the connecting property owners had an interest in making that change. She will talk to the property owners and discuss this at the next planning commission meeting on Feb 11th.
Tabled Business:
Zoning and Land Use Ordinance Document - Mayor Pei stated that now is the time for the council to look at this document. He would like to proceed by having several work meetings to discuss each section of the document. All the council members that were present agreed to slow the process down, look at each section and vote on each section. Ashton Brian brought up that 3 members of the planning commission may resign if it is not passed. The council agreed to schedule a work meeting for next Thursday, January 23, 2025 and they will continue to hold work meetings for as long as it takes.
New Business:
New business license - Caleb & Sara Bradbury - CSMR Rentals, LLC - submitted an application and paid the fee of $75.
Motion to approve the application for a business license to CSMR Rentals, LLC for short-term rentals of their property at 85 W. Rookie Lane. C. Eric Wells; Second C. Mona Wells. Aye: All in attendance.
Bid opening for pavilions at the gun range - None received.
Cost of living pay increase for maintenance and clerk’s office -
Motion to approve wage increase of Eric Wells by 5% and increase Lisa Wells to $20/hour and Treasurer Jessica Alvey to $15/hour. C. Mona Wells; Second C. Robert Gilner. Aye: Mayor Jeffren T. Pei, C. Mona Wells, and C. Robert Gilner. Abstain from voting - C. Eric Wells.
Public Comment:
Celeste Sellers - Informed the council that her research shows that he works with the Utah League of Cities and Town - and she has concerns about the potential influence of these external organizations, advising caution and questioning decisions. She stated that if the town would have listened to her as a voice of warning, the town wouldn’t be in the position that it is now in. She is getting older and may be less willing to engage in a warning voice in the future unless it directly inpacts her or her family.
Motion to adjourn: C. Eric Wells; Second C. Mona Wells. Aye: All in attendance. Meeting adjourned at 7:17 pm
attendance. Meeting adjourned at 7:02pm
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