June 4th, 2026 - Hanksville Town Council

The Hanksville Town Council convened a public hearing in conjunction with its regular meeting on the 4th day of June 2026 in the Hanksville Community Center; meeting commenced at 6:00pm.

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

Absent: Treasurer Jessica Alvey and Maintenance Eric Wells

Employees: Clerk Lisa Wells 

Public in Attendance:  Ashton Brian, Marina Pei, and Brennan Rees. Virtually - Zaylei Mattingly - student WHS and Hadley Ellett - Future Business Leaders of America advisor

Pledge: Mayor Jeffren T. Pei

Prayer: Mayor Jeffren T. Pei

Roll Call: Mayor Jeffren T. Pei 

Swearing in new council member Shyann Alvey by Mayor Jeffren T. Pe

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

Motion to move an agenda item - Kadley Ellet - FBLA to the top of the agenda: Mayor Jeffren T. Pei; Second C. Robert Gilner Aye: All in attendance

Zaylei Mattingly - from Wayne High School recent award winner from Utah in Future Business Leaders of America organization. The top 3 students from Utah advanced to the National level and Zaylei was in the top 3..  The FBLA has taught her how to write a resume, cover letter, job interview and many useful job skills.  At the National convention she will participate in workshops, leadership opportunities and service projects.  She also looks forward to practicing skills she has learned in the following areas:. Communication, leadership and time management.

She is asking for a donation to fund the cost of food, flight, hotel and fees.  The total cost is about $1900.  The council agreed to consider her request.

The council agreed to donate $300 to Wayne FBLS for Zaylei Mattingly national convention trip expenses.

PUBLIC HEARING:

No comments from the public on the FY2027 budget or the FY2026 amended budget.

Motion to approve the 2026 FY amended budget: C. Robert Gilner; Second C. Mona Wells Aye: All in attendance.

Motion to approve the 2027 FY budget: C. Robert Gilner; Second C. Mona Wells Aye: All in attendance

New Business:  

Business license request from William R. Wells & Jennifer Wells - American Boat and Prop - this will be at 255 S 100 E and they will be selling salvaged boat parts over the internet.

Motion to approve a business license application from William R. Wells & Jennifer Wells for American Boat and Prop: Mayor Jeffren T. Pei; Second C. Robert Gilner Aye: All in attendance.

Building permit request from Red Desert, Inc to build a single family residence at 195 S. 100 W.  Council was informed of the plans and Ashton Brian reviewed the request at council meeting and signed off on the building permit.

Andy Alexander - Annual Conditional Use review for his property.  

Motion to approve the permitted use of Andy Alexander’s property that contains his towing business: C. Robert Gilner; Second C. Mona Wells Aye: All in attendance.

Ashton Brian advised the council that Andy Alexander should apply for a zone change of his property instead of a conditional use permit renewed annually.

Tabled Business:

Scott Livingston - zone change request from Residential Mixed Use to Resort Commercial - revisit the decision of 5/7/2026 due to tie vote on this issue with Mayor Pei vetoing and passing the approval of this.  A tie vote of 2 to 2 means the vote does not pass.The clerk was informed the Mr. Livingston is operating his newly remodeled building as a short stay rental without a business license.  The clerk will reach out to him and correct that.

Motion to approve a zone change for 55 E Main property from Residential Mixed Use to Resort Commercial: Mayor Jeffren T. Pei; Second C. Shyann Alvey. Roll Call Vote: 

Aye: Mayor Jeffren T. Pei and C. Robert Gilner

Nay: C. Peter Devonshire, C. Mona Wells and C. Shyann Alvey Motion does not pass

Request from Wayne Community Health Center for steps to west door entrance to Hanksville Community Center - They rent this portion of the community center and have requested steps or a ramp several times, at the side door so they can more easily move their supplies in and out. Mayor Pei said he will get that done soon.

Public Comment: 

Ashton Brian - wants the public to understand that it is the property owner who initiates annexation.

Planning Commission:

Ashton Brian - The planning commission will not be meeting in June or July.  Ashton Brian will continue to work on a handbook outlining duties of the planning commission as a training tool for new planning commission members and smoother transition when people leave the commission.  

Hanksville Tourism Advisory Board: ABSENT

Mayor Jeffren T. Pei:

The mayor will be moving Anthony Jones to the road crew.  He would like to hire a second person to mow the lawn at the park.  The road's position will be along the streets and around the park.  The job will be advertised as full time - Monday - Friday from 7am - 3:30pm.  $15-$18 doe.  The park job will be for 10 hours weekly.  Anthony will need to re-apply if he wants the full time job.  The mayor will be purchasing a used vehicle for the roads department.  He will move the mosquito abatement to the road job.  

The town apartments - unit 2 should be ready to rent by July 1st.  The mayor is trying to find someone to replace the tube and tile; if he can’t, he will do the job for $25/hr as an employee of the town.

The mayor would like to post 15mph speed limit signs through the residential area of 100 E, center and 100 W. The mayor received complaints about the Mars Rover people speeding and also walking through private property.  The clerk will send an email to Kevin Sloan, the director.

The gun range project needs - concrete, last pavilion, and a portable toilet facility needs finished.The schedule for Independence Day Celebration was discussed. 

Council member Mona Wells:

She has been researching companies to scan the cemetery for bones. A lidar camera can be very expensive and might not do the job anyway.  Brennan Rees said there are grants for GIS mapping of the cemetery that could be helpful.  He will send information to C. Mona Wells.

Council member Robert Gilner:

The Bull Creek clean out is complete and Brown Brothers were able to clean out from Highway 24 south to about 100 south. They cleaned out both culverts and the cost will be $10,000. 

The SRTS project report - the final plans have been submitted and UDOT will accept the bids.  The next application time for SRTS is approaching for FY2027.

Council member Peter Devonshire:

C. Devonshire doesn’t think it was a good idea to purchase a new excavator.  The old one was like new with only 600 hours.  Eric Wells needs a trench box for safety when digging.  C. Devonshire would like to meet with Eric and the mayor to discuss the water project and other needs. 

Brennan Rees updated the council on the water tank project.  The application is still in process with USDA funding to catch the Rep. Celeste Maloy’s grant of funding.  The engineers are working on an environmental report; the mayor signed a professional services agreement for Ensign to complete that report.  The town should apply for CIB funding to help with the cost of the water tank.  

Council member Shyann Alvey:

Project vision for the park - revitalize the park into a safe, shaded and family-friendly recreation space that better serves local children, families, and visitors.  Currently the challenges are - aging and deteriorated playground equipment, unsafe surfaces, exposed concrete hazards, no shade and reduced usability for the town.  She has proposed phases of projects and also she has researched funding options and will continue to pursue grants for the park.

Maintenance Utility Director Eric Wells:

Absent

Treasurer Jessica Alvey: 

Absent

Clerk Lisa Wells:

• Bills presented to council for approval (spreadsheet attached)

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

• Council set June 18, 2026 for a work meeting.

• Top Local Development Roofing company will be doing the roof replacement the week of June 15th.

Motion to adjourn: C. Mona Wells; Second C. Robert Gilner Aye: All in attendance. The meeting adjourned at 8:18pm.