Gunnison council approves fire chief appointment, renews wildfire agreement
GUNNISON — The Gunnison City Council appointed Fire Chief Jed Hansen to another term, renewed its cooperative wildfire agreement with the state and supported a proposal for summer park Wi-Fi and a movie event during its Feb. 4 meeting at City Hall.
Council members present were Kim Pickett, Rohn Peterson and Brian Nielson. Mayor Mike Wanner was absent so Pickett officiated at the meeting.
Fire chief appointed, leadership confirmed
The council formally appointed Hansen as fire chief following the department’s internal election. Hansen was selected unanimously for his seventh term, marking 14 years in the position.
The council also confirmed Zach Jensen as assistant fire chief, and Ron Peterson, Kelby Nae and Steven Salteri as captains.
“We have a fantastic fire department in Gunnison Valley,” Nielson said. “We really appreciate your help and your service.”
Wildfire agreement renewed
The council approved renewal of its cooperative agreement with the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands for participation in the Wildland Fire Prevention Program.
Hansen told the council the agreement is central to the department’s operations. “That agreement between us and state lands is everything to our department,” Hansen said. “It brings in money and gives us the right to go out and have jurisdiction on the local lands around here.”
He explained that under the agreement, the department typically serves as first responders on qualifying wildland fires. “Whenever there is some type of fire on state land or BLM land around here, we’re first (to respond) before they even get sent out,” Hansen said. “They will 100% call us.”
He said the Bureau of Land Management honors the state contract authority. “The BLM does respect the state land contract with us,” he said. “The Forest Service recognizes us, but it’s still at their discretion.”
“The state of Utah is ahead of the rest of the nation in trying to figure out ways to control wildland fires while they’re still small,” Hansen said.
Summer Wi-Fi and Movie in the Park proposed
Wendy Jo Jensen of Centracom presented a proposal to provide free public Wi-Fi at city parks and recreational areas from Memorial Day through the end of August. The company also requested permission to host one “Movie in the Park” event during the summer, with local business sponsorships providing free popcorn and drinks.
“We’re excited to be a part of your community,” Jensen told the council.
She said similar events in neighboring communities have drawn strong attendance.
“In Manti, we’ve had about 200 spectators. In Fairview, approximately 150,” she said.
When residents log on to the Wi-Fi, they are routed through a sponsor page highlighting local businesses.
“When people connect, they go to our platform. It highlights the local businesses that sponsor the Wi-Fi, and then it lets them on,” Jensen said.
Police Chief Jason Adamson said the department would support the movie event. “I would 100% support it,” Adamson said. “We would just have our on-duty officer work his shift and walk around it.”
Sanitation update
White Sanitation representatives provided their annual service review.
Council members asked about damaged garbage cans. The company said residents can contact either White Sanitation or the city office.
“We’ll put it on the list and get someone out to repair or replace it,” a company representative said. “If there’s a problem, we try to fix it right away.”
The company also reminded the council that service shifts by one day during seven major holidays and requested advance notice of spring cleanup dates for scheduling.
Police report busiest January
Chief Adamson of the Gunnison Valley Police Department reported that January was the busiest January on record for calls for service.
Within city limits, officers handled three assaults, one burglary, two thefts and one sexual offense described as a delayed report from 2018. Officers issued the usual volume of citations and warnings, and made seven jail transports during the month.
Adamson also reported an incident at the hospital involving a mental health crisis in which he was assaulted while assisting. The situation was resolved without serious injury.
Public works and development updates
J.D. Bunnell, public works director, reported the city would continue biannual gopher abatement at a cost of about $3,000 per treatment.
City Administrator Dennis Marker updated the council on construction of the Richardson Insurance building on Main Street and ongoing discussions about potential cost-sharing with the insurance company for curb, gutter and sidewalk improvements on 300 South.
He also outlined floodplain challenges affecting a river-adjacent property and the proposed Dollar General site on Main Street. Both projects require engineering review, grading plans and floodplain compliance.