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Show Broad range of issues at Monticello City Council by Anna Thayn At the October 27 meeting of the Monticello City Council, the Council approved donating d $1,000 to the 2005 World Off-Roa- Championship Series Race, which will be held at Bull Hollow Raceway over Labor Day Weekend. The Council received a report from Joe Barton of Bull Hollow Raceway on the recent . event. Barton reported that they received great comments from those who attended about how good the community was and the hospitality they experienced here. Because of that, said Barton, we have a multi year contract for this race for Labor Day weekend. Barton reported that not only were Monticello motels full for the race weekend, but he has been told that a percentage of Blanding motels Ige To like and dislike were full as well. Also, a report from one local business was that sales were up 40 percent for the week of the race compared to the previous year. They also reported a 20 percent jump in sales the week prior to and following the race. Barton stated that the race at Bull Hollow was the largest first time race the WORCS has had, with over 700 racers. They look for that number to increase considerably next year. Barton also reported that WORCS is not going back to Price this year, and Monticello will be the exclusive Utah race. ESPN will air coverage in December from the Labor Day Bull Hollow race. When dates are known, it will be advertised in local newspapers. Barton pointed out that the funds donated by the city went straight to WORCS to advertise the race and city businesses through brochures for the race, and to publish a full color book that was available at the race. Barton stated that none of the money went to Bull Hollow Raceway. He reported that for the 2004 race the Cities of Monticello and Blanding each donated $1,000, Bull Hollow Raceway put in $1,000 and San Juan County donated $2,000 and they will be seeking the same for the 2005 event. In health care news, the city has received word from a HUD contact in Washington D.C. that HUD has received a mar- ket and feasibility analysis for the proposed Blue Mountain Medical in Blanding. It was stated that there is a rumor of plans going out for the same things, that is indeed true friendship. Sallust y Get the Hu Shot, Not the Hu. THE SAN JUAN RECORD Wednesday, November manager of the year, the hospital being recognized as one of the top 100 hospitals in the United States, and the financial performance of the hospital in the past year. Mayor Pehrson also pointed out that ground has been broken for the Red Mesa Hospital, which they will include in the packet of information to HUD. The City questions how someone could have done a market and feasibility analysis without talking to anyone at San Juan Hospital and asking questions around the community. It was questioned whether or not a feasibility study was really done or if it is the old study being represented. Washington. Johnson stated that the regional office would take into account the citys concerns and then talk to the lead- winning rural health care Concern was also raised over the possibility of one or two of the county commissioners telling those doing the analysis that the long term plans for the hospital in Monticello were to change it to a long term care facility. During the meeting, the council also met with Lee Johnson of the Forest Service and Sandy Meyer of the Bureau of Land Management reof the garding the offices. The two local federal agencies had both received letters from the city and the county expressing concern and having over two vacant buildings in town. Meyer said she has expressed the same concerns to her supervisors, and that no decisions have been made at this time. She stated that from tunities for Mayer reports that if the two federal land management they agencies did would share some space including meeting rooms, front desk, break room, fire cache, and restrooms which would add up to approximately 3,400 square feet. Based on an estimate of $15-1a square foot for leasing, it e, 7 would save between per year to pays for flu shots. Best Time: September - November or visit For information, call V CMS, f www.medicare.gov $37,000-$68,00- 0 co-loca- They also calculate other savings on phone services, front desk personnel, and scarce skills personnel. She pointed out that they understand the concern over leaving buildings vacant. Not Too Late: December, January, or February ( 3 cost wont stay between $15-1- 7 dollars. If somebody is using these figures to justify this, they need to get realistic and they need to get some data that is correct, because we are sensitive to this. We dont need that BLM facility out there to be empty. Pehrson asked if the decision would be made locally or in Agency managers are being encouraged to look for oppor- B 2004 - Page bid soon. The city will be submitting a FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request to HUD for the information. Mayor Pehrson said that the City needs to send a packet of information to HUD, including all the things that have happened in the past year, including Hospital CEO John Hart the very highest levels in is Washington, seen as a very good idea. Medicare Part 3, When the leases expire on the buildings they are currently in, they anticipate an increase in cost. Currently both offices are nearing the end of their leases, which is the reason the issue came to the table. Mayor Pehrson expressed his concern that unless they build their own facility their ers in Washington. The Mayor said he could see in the wisdom in cities or areas where travel and distance and facility costs made it reasonable, but questioned it for Monticello, where the offices are two minutes apart. He told Johnson and Meyer, We appreciate your support and the fact that you are passing on our concerns. He also expressed to them the city's intentions, We are going to fight hard to keep this from happening. In other business, the council discussed a location for the placement of the new skate park. They said it is necessary that the location selected be visible and accessible. Councilman Steve Young said that the location by the barn museum would not fit into the plan for that area and suggested using the corner of the City Park where the old playground equipment is located. The council said that the playground equipment there needs to be replaced anyway. Doug Allen the about location, and agreed told the group he had stepped off the area and there would be plenty of room for the facility. Councilman Young asked that they consider a sidewalk and lighting to connect to the city park. A concern from the public was raised, expressing concern over room for expansion. The council felt that there would be plenty of room for future needs as they arise. Also questioned was the lack of restrooms. The council did not believe that there would be money at this time. Young made a motion that the skate park be located on the North East corner of the Monticello City Park and it was approved unanimously. Councilman The Council also approved a request from the Economic Development Committee to use $3,400 from the Economic Development budget to use as matching funds for a grant they are seeking. The USDA grant is called the Rural Business Enterprise Grant. They are seeking the funds for a wind resource study to determine the wind power potential in this area. The grant amount being sought is $68,000 and was not funded during the first cycle. It scored fairly high so it has been left in for the next cycle. Assistant City Manager Greg Martin reports that the application would receive a better score if there were some matching money. |