April 3, 2025 - Hanksville Town Council

The Hanksville Town Council meeting convened its regular session in conjunction with a public hearing for the ordinances on the 3rd day of April 2025 in the Hanksville Community Center; meeting commenced at 6:00pm.

Present: Mayor Jeffren T. Pei, C. Mona Wells, C. Morgan Stephens and C. Eric Wells

Absent: C. Robert Gilner and Treasurer Jessica Alvey

Employees: Clerk Lisa Wells

Public in Attendance: Ashton Brian, Caib Brian and Slate Banner

Meeting to Order: Mayor Jeffren T. Pei

Pledge: Mayor Jeffren T. Pei

Prayer: Mayor Jeffren T. Pei

Roll Call: Mayor Jeffren T. Pei

Motion to approve minutes from the March council meeting: C. Eric Wells; Second C. Morgan Stephens Aye: All in attendance.

Report of Officers:

Council member Mona Wells:

There is an anonymous donor that would like to contribute to the completion of the pavilion at the cemetery. The budget for the cemetery has been spent this fiscal year but with a donation the project could be completed. C. Mona Wells will work on that project.

Council member Morgan Stephens:

She would like to contract out the repairs that are needed at the affordable housing. The mayor brought up the idea of selling the affordable housing property on the open market due to the upkeep required on the buildings. The money received from rent is invested back into the property, not a money maker for the town. They will continue to discuss the pros and cons of selling this property. Tabled this issue.

Council member Eric Wells:

When the water treatment plant was installed, part of the project was to install radio read meters - the company that provided the radio software went bankrupt and the town does not have the ability to read the meters except manually. Peterson Plumbing has some ideas they would like to present to maintenance. The town has the meters for auto read but not the software support. Peterson Plumbing could provide cellular data for $6/meter/year. Eric will continue to research and meet with Peterson Plumbing and report back to the council.

The sewer lagoon project is on schedule to be substantially completed by the end of May. They next meet in Hanksville on Tuesday, April 8th at 1pm at the town building.

The town has received a significant amount of revenue from the sale of bulk water. Eric would like to use that money to upgrade the excavator. The current excavator is a safety issue as it does not have the ability to dig deep enough at times for the plumbing of utilities and he has to dig down and then drive down in the hole to dig sufficiently deep enough. He will reach out to several dealers with the potential of trading in the current excavator and get pricing.

Council member Robert Gilner:

Absent - C. Eric Wells will meet with C. Gilner about the crack seal project that Gilner has been working on to set a date to make that happen.

Mayor Jeffren T. Pei:

The R6 monthly mayors and commissioners meeting will be held in Hanksville on April 22nd. They will meet at the gun range to look at the new features and improvements made through the grant. They will also shoot some clay pigeons and have dinner. The council agreed to provide the dinner and assignments were made.

The mayor attended a leadership meeting and shared with the council his insights of having courage to share ideas openly with the council and the public. Don’t be afraid to speak up and speak out about goals and dreams for the town. They discussed annual Hanksville events, C. Eric Wells will not be able to be in charge of the 4th of July this year. Ashton Brian volunteered to head that up. There will be fireworks and the fire department will be responsible for that.

The mayor requested that the open burn permit application be available for everyone on the town website.

Treasurer Jessica Alvey:

Absent

Clerk Lisa Wells:

Bills presented to council for approval (spreadsheet attached)
Motion to approve bills: C. Eric Wells; Second C. Mona Wells. Aye: All in attendance.
Hanksville Flyers for all businesses - the council would like to order those again.
Notice of declaration of candidacy has been posted - it will open June 2nd - June 6th during regular office hours. The mayor seat is open and the 2 year term seats - Morgan Stephens and Robert Gilner - are open.

Planning Commission:

Ashton Brian - In an effort to improve communication between the planning commission and town council and to reach a more efficient process for amending ordinances and advising the town council on whatever other matters they see fit. The planning commission will plan a prepared discussion point for each regularly scheduled town council meeting to go over during their allotted time on the agenda. They will send out a memo beforehand through email to the council on what will be discussed. The planning commission would like a commitment from each council member that they will read the material sent from the planning commission prior to the meeting and come prepared to discuss the agenda item in the meeting. The council agreed to this process.

The next planning commission meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 8, 2025.

Tabled Business:

None

New Business:

Business license application was received from Caib and Ashton Brian to conduct mule-drawn wagon tours in town. Their plan is to provide the traveling public an opportunity to experience Hanksville and learn about the history of the town and enjoy the panoramic views of our area from a wagon ride.

Motion to approve the application from Caib and Ashton Brian for Hat Rack Ranch: C. Morgan Stephens; Second C. Mona Wells. Aye: All in attendance.

Andy Alexander - conditional use permit renewal. (Andy was unable to attend due to a last minute tow call)The council discussed his property, agreed that he has been following the stipulations the council put on him last April. There have been no complaints from any citizens regarding noise or a nuisance to neighbors. Council agreed to revisit his conditional use of property annually.

Motion to approve the conditional use of property for Andy Alexander’s Towing yard: C. Eric Wells; Second C. Mona Wells. Aye: All in attendance.

Public Comment:

NONE

Motion to adjourn: C. Mona Wells; Second C. Eric Wells. Aye: All in attendance. Meeting adjourned at 7:35 pm