Cedar City staff recommend hiring trained traffic-control vendors for state-road events; council requests formal proposal and budget

Cedar City police and events staff on Feb. 14 told the City Council that growth and safety concerns mean volunteers can no longer safely handle many street closures on state roads and major thoroughfares.

Chief Darren Adams said volunteers (VIPs) have handled closures for roughly 20 years but recent crowding and a near-miss in which a volunteer was nearly struck show the need for trained traffic-control technicians and formal traffic-control plans for closures on UDOT routes. "It's gotten to the point where growth and safety issues... necessitates a change," Adams said, urging trained personnel and proper signage.

Brandon Burke, Cedar City Events director, described the city’s recent practice of hiring Utah Barricade to handle closures for larger events and gave cost estimates. "We're looking at about $1,200 to $1,500 a day depending on the event," Burke said, adding that third-party vendors also prepare traffic-control plans that improve departmental oversight.

Staff and council discussed technical requirements from UDOT and the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), the scarcity of local TCT-certified staff, and training options such as AGC-sponsored classes. Engineering and police staff said some public-works employees hold TCT certifications but relying on overtime or new hires would likely cost as much as contracting out.

Council members split on implementation details but expressed support for moving to a formal policy rather than continuing ad hoc volunteer closures. The council asked events staff to prepare proposals and include budget figures for the operational budget and potential subsidy options. Several council members suggested using transient room tax (TRT) or a dedicated city fund to help long-standing nonprofit events with costs; staff was asked to include qualifying criteria and to notify affected organizations before a formal action meeting.

Mayor and staff framed next steps as: staff will return with a formal agenda item outlining (1) whether third-party TCT vendors will be required for specified categories of events, (2) a proposed fund or subsidy mechanism and qualifying criteria, and (3) draft budget numbers for inclusion in the department’s budget presentation. The council did not take a final policy vote at the meeting.

What happens next: Brandon Burke will prepare cost estimates and a program proposal for the council’s action meeting and operational budget; staff will notify nonprofits so they can participate in the forthcoming policy discussion.