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Bluff council hears roads update, grant-match plan and considers formalizing speed limit
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Summary
Roads Manager Michael Haviken told the council on Feb. 17 that multiple repair and resurfacing projects are lined up, some with adjusted cost estimates and potential San Juan Transportation Board matches; council discussed funding to secure matches and the town’s unenforced 15 mph posting issue.
Roads Manager Michael Haviken told the Bluff Town Council on Feb. 17 that a series of repair and resurfacing projects are ready to move forward and that the town is planning to optimize matching funds from the San Juan Transportation Board. “Project complete,” Haviken said of repairs at Calf Canyon containment pond.
Haviken said an anticipated repave estimate for several streets was adjusted from $20,000 to $11,275 after reviewing prior work; with the county transportation board match, Bluff’s share would be about $5,750. He also reported an expanded scope on 2nd Street East at Black Locust to include a manhole, increasing the estimate by $3,900 to roughly $40,000.
Haviken described additional near-term work: grading and clearing culverts on Class C roads (particularly on the west side), installing a culvert to fix a washed-out water-tank road, spring maintenance including crack-sealing, and purchasing 22 traffic signs. He also said the town will revisit improvements on Old Highway (Black Locust) with an eye toward a possible $1.2 million CIB request.
Council members and staff discussed how to fund local matches. Mayor Josh Ewing and town staff agreed Capital Project Funds could be used to extend the reach of Bluff’s approximately $106,000 Class C allocation so the town can meet match requirements. Town staff Erin Nelson noted that the town will likely need to spend about $40,000 to satisfy an outstanding $20,000 match and said Haviken is applying for another $60,000 matching grant next year.
Council also discussed local speed limits and enforcement. The transcript states the former council "voted on a town speed limit of ‘15mph unless otherwise posted’ but did not create or pass an ordinance," which staff said complicates enforcement. Nelson noted Utah state law sets 25 mph in residential zones unless otherwise posted; Ewing and Nelson said they will contact the Utah Department of Transportation about finalizing a drop of Highway 191 to 35 mph within Bluff’s boundaries.
The council did not take a separate formal vote on roads projects at the meeting but approved the amended Rules of Order and prior minutes that enable routine agenda and packet processes that staff said will support timely project procurement and execution.