Green River opens CDBG hearing; residents urge hydrant repairs, river enhancement, lighting and utility hookups

The City of Green River held its first public hearing on Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding at 6 p.m. Jan. 14 in the city council chamber to provide information about eligible projects for the 2025 funding cycle and collect public comment.

Mayor (unnamed) opened the hearing by explaining that CDBG funds must primarily benefit low- and moderate-income persons and that the regional application procedures are available for review. City staff described eligible activities mentioned in the hearing, including public works and facilities, water and sewer lines, and public services such as food banks and shelters.

City staff listed recent grants the city has received as context for possible CDBG applications, including a Transportation Alternatives Program grant of $106,119 for sidewalk work on Tidwell Street, a Rural Communities Opportunity grant of $600,000 from the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity for engineering and design on Broadway and Cherry Streets, a $50,000 destination-development grant from the Utah Office of Tourism and the U.S. Economic Development Administration to evaluate feasibility for an events or recreation center, a RAISE grant of $3,600,000 from the U.S. Department of Transportation to design roads and utilities in the West Industrial Park, a Brownfield assessment grant of $500,000 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, an Assistance to Firefighters Grant of $14,140 for turnout gear, and a Rural Business Development grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (amount read as $24,000 in the hearing).

Public commenters raised several specific project ideas for consideration in a CDBG application. Tammy, identified in the hearing as a resident and municipal fire inspector, urged the city to "look into water system improvements, specifically fire hydrants," saying many hydrants "are not up to code" and recounting an instance when a hydrant was broken during a recent fire. When asked by the chair whether replacing hydrants would require upsizing water mains for flow, Tammy said she would need to consult city staff but believed "most of it is just hydrants" though older neighborhoods "might need" line upgrades.

Diane Chandler, who identified herself as a resident, urged the city to revive a long-discussed river enhancement project to improve public access to the river and boost tourism. Brian (identified in the hearing as representing Better Cities and working with River Restoration) said such a project would be a "huge enhancement for Green River" and would provide central river access for residents and visitors. Another commenter suggested upgrading nonfunctioning street lights and replacing older fixtures with LEDs, noting that many neighborhoods are "very dark."

The chair read into the record an emailed comment from a property owner who said they own three lots in the Ross subdivision and requested that the city consider grant money to install utility connections — electrical, water and sewer — to enable more housing on those lots. The email writer said they were out of the country and could not attend the hearing in person.

The hearing closed after the chair invited any final comments and confirmed this was the first of multiple CDBG public hearings; the chair said additional hearings will be scheduled. The chair adjourned the public hearing at 6:10 p.m.; the city council meeting was scheduled to reconvene in the same session 50 minutes later.

No formal motions or votes occurred during this public hearing. The record shows staff described program eligibility and past grants and collected public comments for possible 2025 CDBG applications.