Moab council approves Rocky Mountain Power franchise, wastewater drum screen purchase; tables Center Street rezoning

Moab City Council approved several routine and substantive items during its Feb. 11 meeting, including a 10‑year electric utility franchise with Rocky Mountain Power, a sole‑source procurement for a replacement drum screen at the wastewater reclamation facility, and a statement supporting continued joint evaluation with the National Park Service on Arches National Park water and wastewater options. The council also voted to table a requested zoning map amendment for a parcel on East Center Street at the applicant’s request.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda (approval of Jan. 28 minutes and bills): Approved. Bills against the City of Moab total $420,550.29. Motion by Tani; seconded by Colin Lynn. Result: 5–0.

- Procurement: Approved sole‑source purchase from Hubbard Technology for a drum screen basket and associated repairs at the wastewater reclamation facility in the amount of $96,916.89. Motion by Colin; seconded by Luke. Result: 5–0. Staff said the drum screen was found damaged during scheduled maintenance, repair attempts failed, and the purchase will be covered in the department’s current budget.

- Ordinance 2025‑03: Adopted an electric utility franchise and general utility easement agreement with Rocky Mountain Power. The ordinance establishes a 10‑year nonexclusive franchise, requires the utility to follow city permitting and provide two‑day notices for work affecting traffic, allows the city limited safety access to poles and trench sharing for underground facilities, and permits pole removal or deeding to third parties when facilities are unused for 12 months. Motion by Jason; seconded by Colin. Result: 5–0.

- Ordinance 2025‑02 (rezoning for 198 E. Center St., Parcel No. 01-0B13-0016): Motion to table the zoning map amendment at the applicant’s request. The planning commission offered guidance suggesting code amendments might more appropriately address systemic zoning issues than parcel‑by‑parcel rezones. Motion to table by Luke; seconded by Caitlin. Result: 5–0.

- Statement regarding continued joint evaluation of Arches National Park water/wastewater project: Approved. The letter expresses city interest in continuing joint evaluation with the National Park Service while the city conducts its own analysis and benefit study; the park seeks letters to support grant applications in 2026. Motion by Jason; seconded by Caitlin. Result: 5–0.

- Executive session motions: The council unanimously approved a motion to enter executive session to discuss pending or reasonably imminent litigation and the purchase, exchange or lease of real property; motion by Caitlin; seconded by Jason. Result: aye (unanimous).

What council members said and next steps

Councilmembers asked staff follow‑up questions tied to specific items. On the drum screen procurement, staff said the damaged arm could not be repaired and that the purchase is expected to be covered in the current budget. During the Rocky Mountain Power franchise discussion, councilmembers asked whether the city could request relocation of poles or replace existing fixtures with dark‑sky‑friendly lights from the dispersed parking project; staff said the council could pursue those changes but that any amendment would require negotiation with the utility. On the rezoning item councilmembers and planning staff reiterated that broader code updates addressing nonconforming uses and downtown redevelopment may be a better path than individual parcel rezonings.

All motions that carried were recorded as unanimous (5–0). No votes failed or were amended at this meeting.