Gunnison council discusses hospital expansion, water services and road safety

GUNNISON—The Gunnison City Council approved the vacation of a portion of 100 North during its Aug. 19 meeting, clearing the way for an expansion of Gunnison Valley Hospital while preserving access for vehicles and pedestrians.

The council held a public hearing on the proposal to vacate a portion of 100 North between Main Street and 100 East. No members of the public attended to comment on the measure.

The vacation will not affect existing utility easements, city officials said. The council approved the proposal following the hearing.

Later in the meeting, Sam Maestas approached the council seeking information about obtaining city water service for property he owns outside Gunnison’s municipal boundaries, near Lyle Young’s farm.

Maestas said he was considering selling the property and wanted to better understand the rights associated with its water service.

Because the property lies outside the city limits, council members said they did not have enough information to determine what options might be available. Sanpete County may also need to be involved in the matter.

The council asked Maestas to gather additional information and return if he has further questions as he moves forward with the sale of the property and its associated water rights.

The council also discussed easements associated with the Tarr Canyon pipeline during a closed session.

Public Works officials reported that the Tarr Canyon well has been completed and is expected to begin pumping within about two weeks.

Zach Jensen of the Gunnison Valley Fire Department also addressed the council, reporting on the department’s response to several wildfires across Utah. The department assisted with the Whitemouth, Cottonwood, Iron County and Cherry fires, with firefighters spending as many as 16 days on some assignments and 14 days on others.

Council members thanked the firefighters for their service and praised the department for its reliability.

Jensen also announced that he is stepping down as chairman of the fire district. Nick Lyons of Manti will succeed him.

Councilman Hill said the city’s annual fall cleanup is scheduled for the third week of October, with dumpsters to be placed on both sides of town. The city is also considering replacing its flags next year.

Public Works officials updated the council on recent safety improvements along Main Street. The Utah Department of Transportation has installed a flashing caution light and new crosswalks as part of an effort to improve pedestrian safety.

UDOT also repainted roadway markings along Main Street, adding turning lanes from the new caution light toward Gunnison Valley High School and installing another crosswalk near the school.

The project has been about a year in the making, city officials said, with the changes based on traffic and safety studies conducted by UDOT in Gunnison over the past year.