August 6th, 2026 - Hanksville Town Council

The Hanksville Town Council convened its regular meeting on the 6th day of Aug 2026 in the Hanksville Community Center; meeting commenced at 6:00pm.

Present: Mayor Jeffren T. Pei, C. Mona Wells (virtually), C. Robert Gilner (virtually) and C. Shyann Alvey

Absent: C. Peter Devonshire, 

Employees: Clerk Lisa Wells, Treasurer Jessica Alvey and Maintenance Eric Wells

Public in Attendance:  Katherine Roberts, Duke Alvey and Brock Jackson.

Pledge: Mayor Jeffren T. Pei

Prayer: Lisa Wells

Roll Call: Mayor Jeffren T. Pei 

Motion to approve minutes from the July council meeting: C. Mona Wells; Second C Robert Gilner Aye: All in attendance.

New Business:  

None

Tabled Business:

Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands cooperative agreement and the International Wildland_urban Interface Code Ordinance were discussed.  Brock Jackson with R6 explained that for the cooperative agreement the Wayne Special Service District is responsible for all the paperwork and compliance.  The town just needs to sign the agreement. For the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) an ordinance is required to be adopted.  The town doesn’t have to identify any wildland risk within Hanksville.  The WUI doesn’t have to be enforced by code but if there were a fire within the boundary of Hanksville and there is not this ordinance in place, Hanksville would be responsible for the whole cost of the fire.  

Motion to adopt the cooperative agreement with Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands and also adopt Ordinance No. 2026-03 The International Wildland-Urban Interface Code: C. Mona Wells; Second C. Shyann Alvey Roll Call Vote: Aye - Mayor Jeffren T. Pei, C. Shyann Alvey, and C. Mona Wells. Nay - C. Robert Gilner Motion Passed

Brock Jackson discussed a planning grant the R6 is applying through the Outdoor Recreation Initiative for Wayne County Master Recreation Plan.  This is a great opportunity to help the county plan and design a variety of recreation projects and types, including trails, parks, pools, and other recreational amenities and activities.  The scope intends to include each individual town, the county at-large, our federal partners, and other stakeholders. In applying as a county instead of a municipality there is more opportunity for approval of the grant.  If Hanksville is in support of this approach then he is requesting a letter of support. There will be no cost to the town to be included in the scope of this grant.  This grant window closes September 15, 2026. If Hanksville has actionable items that they would like to add to the scope of the Outdoor Recreation Plan then send that to Brock. 

Brock informed the council of training opportunities coming with the Utah League of Cities & Towns on Oct 27 & 28th and R6 Regional Growth Summit on Oct 22; if anyone on the council would like to attend.  

Hanksville Gun Range bids were opened for the 12’x12’ concrete pads.  Red Desert Inc was the only bid received for $14,690.  

Motion to accept the bid from Red Desert Inc for $14,690 for the Gun Range concrete pads: C. Shyann Alvey; Second C. Robert Gilner Aye: All in attendance.

Two applications were received for the  part-time park maintenance position.  Kathryn Hoggatt and Kathrine Roberts.  The council will discuss the applications in the optional closed session.

Public Comment: 

Katherine Roberts was motivated to apply for the park maintenance position after the 4th of July rodeo.  She would like to care for the park.  She said she doesn’t have the skills to fix sprinklers but is willing to learn.  She noticed the goat heads are bad along the roads and park.  Erice Wells has been spraying them with weed killer and sterilizer.  Stetson Labrum with Wayne County Roads Department has been helpful to Eric with equipment to spray the weeds.

Planning Commission: ABSENT

Hanksville Tourism Advisory Board: ABSENT

Discussion of activities that could attract more visitors like Hanksville hosting a canyoneering event.  The Rodeo board is preparing for more events.  UDOT is hosting a meeting regarding the airport use on Wednesday, Aug 19, 2026. 

Mayor Jeffren T. Pei:

 Discussion regarding the Rasmussen connection.  The 8” line to their property would be extending the mainline, this would require the project to be engineered by the developer and the price has changed.  There needs to be conversion with the Rasmussen’s to make sure they are aware of their responsibilities.  Ensign Engineering is the town engineer and could give input at what is required.There would need to be an easement established.  

Discussion of hospital tax that the county implemented.  How much will come to Hanksville and how are they spending the tax money are questions that the mayor has.  The mayor will be negotiating with Wayne County Commissioners regarding the firehouse.  He would like them to purchase the EMS building.  

The housing is almost ready; carpet cleaner needed after next wednesday for Apt #2.  The firehouse carpet needs cleaning as well.  The mayor would like to do a lot split on the housing property before he considers putting the housing on the market to sell. 

The gun range project will close out this month.  Wood for the tables and materials for the pavilion are still needed.  Cement for portable toilets is needed; the mayor will add this to the Red Desert bid.

Equipment needs: Pickup - $15,000, tractor - $36,000, trailer $10,000.  The town could sell the mower and the old tractor.  The equipment is for road maintenance.  The budget will have to be amended to purchase this equipment.  There will be a public hearing regarding amending the budget in conjunction with the council meeting on September 3rd.  The council discussed the mosquito fogger - to replace it would be between $8,000 and $10,000.  To repair the current fogger would cost approximately $1,000.  Eric has worked with Stetson Labrum who has permission from Wayne County Roads to use their fogger for Hanksville.  The mayor said to hold off on purchasing a new fogger but just repair the old fogger.

The mayor would like to offer all the municipalities within Wayne County, as well as Capital Reef Park, a pickup service for water sampling delivery.  

Council member Mona Wells:

Nothing to report. 

Council member Robert Gilner:

Information regarding the sidewalk along hwy 95 and 24; 6700 linear ft, with 33 street lamps needed.  A connection needs to be made with UDOT regarding curb and gutter installation along this stretch of road from the Red Desert corporate office to Mowgli’s.  This is for public safety and tourism purposes.

Council member Peter Devonshire:

ABSENT - Discussion with Triple R regarding an easement necessary through their property on the red hills to the county road near Ernie Robinson.  The navajo well is currently not being used.  Maintenance Eric Wells said this is most cost efficient to run the 2 wells in town.  The mayor would like to install a camera on the water storage tank.

Council member Shyann Alvey:

C. Mona Wells has been thinking about the trees at the park.  They need more water and mulching to amend the soil. The drip system may be too small and the trees need to be trimmed. C. Shyann Alvey has been working on the Outdoor Recreation Mitigation Grant for the sidewalk and street light project the council has been discussing.  She needs letters of support.  Brock Jackson with R6 said the grant has to be submitted by the county not municipalities.  C. Shyann Alvey will work with Brock Jackson regarding this project to see if Hanksville can collaborate with the county and receive funding.  

Maintenance Utility Director Eric Wells:

Nothing to report. 

Treasurer Jessica Alvey: 

Absent

Clerk Lisa Wells:

• Bills presented to council for approval (spreadsheet attached)

• Motion to approve bills: C. Shyann Alvey; Second C. Mona Wells Aye: All in attendance. 

Motion to go into a closed meeting for the purpose of discussing the character of the applicants that applied for the part-time park job: C. Shyann Alvey; Second C. Robert Gilner. Aye: All in attendance.

Motion to hire Kathryn Hoggatt for the part-time park position at 20 hours/week pay at $15/hour: C. Mona Wells; Second C. Shyann Alvey. Aye: All in attendance.

Motion to adjourn: C. Mona Wells; Second C. Robert Gilner Aye: All in attendance. The meeting adjourned at 7:52pm.