Council approves UNOmax pipeline easement, agrees to earmark compensation for local gun-range project

Representatives for UNOmax presented a proposed pipeline route to the Roosevelt City Council and asked the city to consider a permanent easement and temporary workspace during construction. The council approved the principle of the easement subject to legal review and directed staff to work with the company to ensure any compensation or in-kind work is earmarked to support a nearby gun-range project.

Joe Garcia of UNOmax told the council the company had overlaid its route with existing utilities and nearby shooting-range property: "We wanted to point that out and present that to the council, for evaluation and, and kind of feedback." Council members asked about a permanent easement structure, construction timing and whether temporary workspace would be required. UNOmax representatives said the temporary workspace would be limited and that reclamation and reseeding would be performed afterward; they estimated construction timing in the second to third quarter of the year.

Councilmembers raised the possibility of the company providing compensation in cash or equipment as a way to help accelerate a thousand-yard-range project. One councilmember moved that the city approve the easement and that any money or in-kind work be earmarked for the gun range; the motion included a condition that the easement and related documents be subject to legal review. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote.

Council asked city engineering staff to produce a map of existing pipelines, easements and utilities to avoid overlapping rights-of-way and directed the city attorney to complete legal review of the proposed documents before final execution. The council also asked UNOmax to return with details on temporary workspace plans and a firm construction schedule.

Next steps: staff will complete legal review and present a final easement document and proposed earmark mechanism to the council for formal execution.