January 8, 2025 - Hanksville Town Council

The Hanksville Town Council convened its regular meeting on the 8th day of January 2026 in the Hanksville Community Center; meeting commenced at 6:00pm.

Present: Mayor Jeffren T. Pei, C. Robert Gilner, C. Mona Wells  and C. Peter Devonshire.

Absent: C. Eric Wells

Employees: Clerk Lisa Wells and Treasurer Jessica Alvey 

Public in Attendance:  Slate Banner, Sue Fivecoat, and Ashton Brian

Pledge: Mayor Jeffren T. Pei

Prayer: Mayor Jeffren T. Pei

Roll Call: Mayor Jeffren T. Pei

Swearing in of new councilmember -  Oath of Office was read and C. Peter Devonshire affirmed the oath.. 

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

Motion to change the order of the agenda: Mayor Jeffren T. Pei; Second C. Robert Gilner Aye: All in attendance

Public Comment: None

New Business: None

Tabled Business: 

Subdivision Ordinance revision - Update Ordinance #2023-01 to reflect language as per SB 174.  The planning commission has already held a public hearing on this revision and they have informed the council through the whole process of the changes that were made.  

Motion to approve the revised Ordinance #2023-01 as presented: Mayor Jeffren T. Pei; Second C. Mona Wells Aye: all in attendance. 

Planning Commission:

Advised council that a master water plan for conservation should be included in the general plan. The commission is seeking direction from the council for the next item to be addressed.  The council agreed that an annexation plan is at the top of their list to complete.  C. Robert Gilner is concerned about drainage and wants to remind the planning commission to address that.  Mayor Pei said that is a road issue and the council should address that. 

 Mayor Jeffren T. Pei:

  The mayor made new assignments for the council.  C. Peter Devonshire was assigned water and sewer and he asked C. Devonshire to get with the maintenance department to learn the needs of the utility systems and also the upcoming project for the new water tank.  C. Mona Wells was assigned to outdoor facilities which includes the cemetery, park and gun range.  C. Gilner will still be responsible for the town roads and the mayor asked him to meet with Brown Brothers Construction to clean out culverts in the Bull Creek drainage by Connie Brown and Molly Keaton.  DThe mayor has also asked Jordan Weihing for a bid on this same project.  

Report on Safe Route To Schools - mayor met with UDOT and this project should be ready to go out for bid by the end of May.  He also said UDOT would put curb and gutter along SR 24 if it is requested, not sidewalk, just curb and gutter.  The mayor would like C. Robert Gilner to look into funding for flashing light signs for speed on SR 24 and also prepare another application for Safe Route to Schools for the next funding cycle to continue the sidewalk along SR 24 going west.

Report on housing units - The repairs to unit #2 have begun, paint has been purchased and he will continue to repair sheetrock and other damage to that unit.  Possibly just clean the carpet when the repairs are finished.  The mayor outlined rent increase for the housing as follows:

• 3 bedroom apartment increase by $250 to $775/month

• 2 bedroom apartments increase by $200 to $675/month

• Single bedroom apartments increase by $150 to $575/month

• Studio apartment increase by $150 to $400/month

This increase includes $150 towards sewer and water.  Currently the town has provided sewer and water at no cost to the renter.

Firehouse discussion - The mayor is inquiring if the council wants to sell the EMS building to Wayne County Fire District.  Stu Oliver will be the new Hanksville Fire Department rep and Duane Dasse is the Wayne County Fire Chief.  

Report on Community Safety - There is one Wayne County Deputy Sheriff that lives in town, 10 fire fighters, 11 EMT’s, and Teresa Brian is the Emergency Preparedness contact. 

Report on plans to build a new community center - the mayor met with R6 and Ensign Engineering with an idea to purchase a 2 acre plot of land and build a 5000sf building to house 4 town offices, a visitor center, office space for clinic, restorooms for visitor center and museum of sorts with 3D map models, dinosaur replications from Burpee Museum and information about the founding of Hanksville.  He would also like a replica of the log cabin by the old church.  It would have kiosks with trinkets and gift shop items to sell and 3000 sf of the area would be like a convention center with a high ceiling.

Pay raise for maintenance and office. Eric Wells will be allotted 10 paid days off annually and he will get his town utilities waived.  The regular 5% increase for Eric will be to $23.26 hourly with a cap of $30/hour.  The clerk’s wage will increase by 5% to $21.00 with a cap of $25/hour.

The mayor proposes that all council members receive a stipend for their services which will include: 

• $150 for the mayor and $100 for each council member.  

• Waive the town utilities for the mayor and each council member

• Laptop be purchased for each council member to use for town business 

The mayor is adding in a monthly work meeting on the 3rd Thursday.  He expects the majority of council members to attend in person but proposed a resolution that council members can attend virtually. 

Motion to make a resolution to allow council members to attend work meetings virtually:  Mayor Jeffren T. Pei; Second C. Robert Gilner.  Aye:  All in attendance.

The mayor would like all council members to make contact with the various engineers to help with projects.  R6 is a good resource for funding ideas.  The mayor would like to add the highway tax, resort tax and a utility tax.  

Treasurer Jessica Alvey:

Reminded everyone on the council to think ahead on all budget items.  She will do more budget training at the work meeting.

Clerk Lisa Wells:

• Bills presented to council for approval (spreadsheet attached)

• Motion to approve bills: Mayor Jeffren T. Pei; Second C. Mona Wells. Aye: All in attendance

• The park is getting increased interest to rent the facility for camping; the clerk suggests that the park isn’t for overnight camping.  The mayor would like to keep the park for town use and not to allow rental of the grassy areas for public camping.

Public Comment:

Ashton Brian - Says LaMiya Morrill is quitting the Hanksville Canal Company as secretary and they are looking for a replacement.  She also cautioned the council on the new town hall idea to not make it too big that the town can’t take care of it in the future.  

Tabled item for next council meeting: Make assignments for town holiday events.

Motion to adjourn: C. Mona Wells; Second C. Robert Gilner. Aye: All in attendance. The meeting adjourned at 7:56pm.