Confluence Park Executive Board and

Technical Advisory Committee Agenda

Wednesday, February 17, 2010 4:00 p.m.

City Office Building, 435 N. Main, LaVerkin, Utah

1. Meeting Called to Order

2. Approve Minutes: November 18, 2009 Meeting

3. Youth Conference Request: Deward Stout, Mark Hicken

4. July 4^th Activity: Samantha Hinton

5. Old Equipment Acquisition: Andy Ballard

6. Draft of Irrigation Line

7. Grant Opportunities: Kathleen Nielson

8. Board & Committee Reports

9. Adjourn

In compliance with the American with Disabilities Act, individuals needing special accommodations

(Including auxiliary communicative aids and services) during this meeting should notify June Jeffery

(435) 635-0427 ext. 109.

Certificate of Posting

The City Recorder does hereby certify that the above notice was posted on the LaVerkin City website www.laverkin.org and the Utah Public Meeting Notice website http://pmn.utah.gov and

at the city office buildings on February 11, 2010.

June Jeffery, CMC

City Recorder

Confluence Park Executive Board and

Technical Advisory Committee Minutes

Wednesday, March 17, 2010 4:00 p.m.

City Office Building, 435 N. Main, LaVerkin, Utah

Present:

Board Members:

Annette Kleinman                                                    Toquerville City

Karl Wilson                                                               LaVerkin City

Clark Fawcett                                                          Hurricane City

Bob Sandberg                                                          Washington County-HCP

Advisory:

Steve Meismer                                                       Virgin River Program

Dennis Kay                                                             Virgin River Land Preservation

Ron Wilson                                                               Div. Forestry, Fire & State Lands

Others:

Kathleen Nielson                                                      Grant Writer

Ray Justice                                                              LaVerkin City Council

June Jeffery                                                            LaVerkin City Recorder

Leon Gubler                                                            Applicant

Meeting Called to Order: Karl Wilson called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.

Approve Minutes: Correction by Bob Sandberg 2^nd page, 1^st paragraph, 2^nd to last line change HCP "area" to HCP "tortoise temporary care facility".  Annette Kleinman would like to have more detail about grants discussion and coordination. Motion by Bob Sandberg to approve February 17, 2010 Meeting minutes with corrections, second by Clark Fawcett. Motion passed unanimously.

Youth Conference Request: Deward Stout, and Mark Hicken were not in attendance. Sandberg had talked to Hicken on the phone. The activity organizers looked at their proposed location and decided it didn't meet their intentions, but didn't get into the Park to find a new place. They would like to be on the agenda again in April. They expect to attend the Mayor's hike this weekend for a look in the Park. Motion by Annette Kleinman to continue the agenda item to the April meeting, second by Clark Fawcett. Motion carried unanimously.

Old Equipment Acquisition: Leon Gubler represented Andy Ballard. He showed pictures of the equipment and materials that Ballard is interested in. There is an old walker, a lot of tin roofing, an old trailer with flat tires, gates, a wooden shed, a brick barn, a chute and cement corrals. The beams have been cut on the structure that the tin came from. The tin is kinked. Karl Wilson believed that most of the materials were junk, but stakeholders would need to decide. Dennis Kay will need to run the pictures by the Virgin River Land Preservation to determine if they are interested. There was discussion that if the item didn't add to the historical aspect of the Park it should be cleaned up. The gates and the barn probably have the most value and should be preserved. The wooden shed could be a possible fire hazard. The cement corrals have no value and should be bulldozed.

There was discussion that there are picnic tables in the barn and it could be used as a place for picnics and gatherings. There was discussion about vandalism and graffiti as issues.

The cement corrals are not old. They were feeding corrals when Terry West held the property.

Kathleen Nielson arrived at the meeting.

Dennis Kay will take a copy of the pictures to the VRLP for review. No other stakeholder had concerns.

There was discussion that the power plant is not part of this request. The old generator and control panels are still there. It would be good to keep people out, but put up a plaque with a historical description.

In order to move the process along for the applicant and to allow clean up this spring, it was suggested that the motion be made subject to the approval of VRLP, coordinated through Bob Sandberg. Dennis Kay will get back with information as soon as possible. The applicant is not interested in the concrete corrals at this time, as they have no way to move them. Motion by Annette Kleinman to approve removal of the walker, old trailer, and tin - subject to approval of VRLP with coordination through Bob Sandberg, second by Clark Fawcett. Motion carried unanimously. Discussion that the barns, gate, and chute would not be included at this time.

Sandberg will coordinate with Kay in the next few days.

Irrigation Line Discussion: There was discussion about the ownership/easement of the pen stock property. Dennis Kay said that VRLP invested roughly $150,000 in the property with Gordon Wood to take care of a real estate value difference. They would like to have that money back to invest in other projects. Nielson stated that there is no ownership by the Land Trust, but an easement of the pen stock. Darwin Hall could give the information.

There was brief discussion about $150,000 (paid to purchase personal equipment which was not included in the real estate appraisal) given to Gordon Wood to bring the value of the land up. There should be a list of equipment including the pen stock pipe.

Nielson wondered about the absence of a representative from DWR at the last meetings. Trail Kreitzer is supposed to be the representative. Discussion that he has expressed interest in attending the Mayor's hike. DWR is the managing entity for the Conservation Easement. They police the Easement so that nothing is done that shouldn't be. DWR needs to tell this body up front if the irrigation line can lie with the sewer line.

Karl Wilson called Ash Creek on the phone. Darrel Humphries in that office said that according to the title report, Ash Creek owned the pen stock property. He would look further at the VRLP attachment to the property.

Nielson said that if it is not in violation to the easement, a request can be made for funding through NRCS. They will not fund property held by any government agency. If the Land Trust still owned the property it would be okay. Leasing, as discussed in the last meeting, is not good enough. She has discussed the issue with Jason. Eastern government land policies dominate western lands, since the government owns a lot of land in the west. There is a need for the DWR to sign off, so this entity can look at possibilities.

Nielson continued that Lorraine McCallister granting entity already has vested interest in the park area and would probably help with the water line project. They are interested in preservation and conservation. Expected 30% of the $100,000 total cost could be acquired from this agency. Would have to look for other entities to make up the rest.

There was discussion that the Virgin River Program has an interest in what happens to the water. Watering fields where fertilizers are used raises some questions. Nielson has a personal feeling that the preliminary direction should be to plant native grasses to utilize the irrigation to get started. There was discussion that general fertilizers promote Algo growth. Prevention is important. Native grasses would also be a preventative measure. Discussion that if cows are allowed on the property, that might affect the type of grass. Also that if alfalfa is grown for production rather than grazing, the chemical concern would be higher.

Nielson said that conservation is part of the funding and could include purchase of native grasses or vegetation. There was some discussion regarding types of grasses and comparison in prices. Ron Wilson said that introduced grasses can do even better than native grasses. Grazing cows fits the historical nature of the area better. Nielson suggested that there is more money available for native grass, but the board needs to have a definite plan to take to funding agencies. If leasing or grazing, there needs to be a plan as to who will manage that; to hire someone to oversee security and protect against vandalism.

Grant Opportunities Update report: Kathleen Nielson connected with the State Trails Coordinator. The Feds have $400,000 to be distributed. Due date is May 1^st. She sees that the parking lot could be specifically applied for. Land could be cleared and all-weather surface could be installed with this money. Asphalt would not be a surfacing choice. State Trails is a 50/50 and would accept in-kind including surveys, equipment, and man power. Youth groups and volunteer efforts would not fit the bill. Professional services would be in-kind as they would be receiving payment for their services.

Bob Sandberg and Karl Wilson will meet with the County Public Works Director next week. They hope that the county will support the in-kind service without much trouble.

Looking for a dirt road to the parking lot with road base/gravel surface and possible split-rail fencing. The catch is that the parking lot has to be attached to a trail. The old roads are expected to serve as trails, but will need to be at least bladed. If the public is invited, directional and parking signage may be allowed with a possible donation. Signage could become more permanent later.

The State Trails Coordinator is coming to the area in a few weeks. Nielson would like to take him to an area above the power plant. There is a beautiful spot next to the antique store parking lot on South State Street that could also be used as parking for trails. Discussion that Gordon Wood still owns that property. It is believed that there is an easement through his land. Karl Wilson said that Gordon would like to sell the property. Wilson is aware of a developer who wanted to have a restaurant with trail head at that location. Discussion that trail interconnection plans are good for trails grants. This would be a good location for entrance rather than River Wood. Nielson would like to initiate talks with the trails people.

Nielson opened a large map showing the Park. Discussion about the location of a parking lot. Currently the northern entrance near River Wood is stopped at the edge of the Ash Creek 40 acres. Would like to adjust the easement to bypass that corner of their property to allow driving into the parking lot area at the Lower Field. There was a question about Gordon Wood allowing the parking lot above the power plant. It is expected that he would not. There was discussion about county land in the Park and that there is an easement to get to the upper area. The county is making corrections to easements/ownership county-wide.

There was discussion that with less development, the sewer district is under no pressure to put the road in to their plant. They would wait until the Park Committee is ready to install the irrigation line. If the road is done, it would give support to the grant process. Karl Wilson will pull a meeting together with Darwin Hall, and Kathleen Nielson next week. Clark will approach Gordon Wood for the use of his property as parking and trail head, or possible easement. Mike Taggert owns the building where the antique store is located.

Dennis Kay mentioned that Kenneth Anderson had approached the VRLP about 166 acres on the SW side. ½ of the property is in LaVerkin. He wanted to bring a corner of the land into the park because of flood plain issues. Wants agreements and purchase. Sandberg said that the RFP proposals on that appraisal are due Monday.

Nielson summarized the need to: 1) get with Trail Kreitzer of DWR for the Conservation Easement; 2) investigate the Gordon Wood property; 3) meet with Darwin Hall.

Karl Wilson informed that LaVerkin City was approved by the DWR for the irrigation filter project. The funding meeting will be held in one month. The city is installing 3 Amiad self-cleaning filters. It will make a better quality water line.

Nielson wondered what the Park would do for bathrooms. With the sewer line, installation flush toilets should be installed. Concerns about vandalism to a pressurized line. There are ways to install that reduce the effects of vandalism. Mention that the sewer plant is on hold and in review every 6 months. If growth picks back up, the District is ready to move ahead.

UDWR Woundfin Stocking: Steve Meismer said that 1760 Woundfin Minnows were released into Confluence Park last week. They came from the Wahweap fish hatchery in Page. The fish each had a green spot implant with information about the year and location of release. They also stocked 2500 Virgin River Chub in other areas - not in Confluence Park. The fish will spread out over time.

Board & Committee Reports: Karl Wilson reported that he and the police chief had a call about homeless living in the park. It turned out to be a party. They have found three look-out points above the Park where officers can survey activity for enforcement concerns. The party didn't leave a lot of trash behind. Sandberg will be meeting with DWR law enforcement on Monday for the Reserve. He will inform them. Karl will be meeting with BLM law enforcement and is will look at their possible help with equipment in the Park. As more hikers use the park, it is expected to reduce the number of enforcement incidents.

Adjourn: Motion by Bob Sandberg to adjourn, second by Annette Kleinman. Motion carried unanimously. 5:11 p.m.

Minutes taken by June Jeffery.

Date Approved, March 17, 2010

Karl Wilson, Chair