Confluence Park Executive Board and

Technical Advisory Committee Minutes

Wednesday, October 20, 2010 4:00 p.m.

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

Present:

Board Members:

Karl Wilson                                                         LaVerkin City

Bob Sandberg                                                     Washington County-HCP

Annette Kleinman                                                Toquerville City

Advisory:                                                                    

Trail Kreitzer                                                       Division of Wildlife Resources

Dennis Kay                                                         VRLPA

Others:

Cameron Rognan                                                 HCP

Kathleen Nielson                                                 Grant Writer

Ray Justice                                                         LaVerkin City Council

June Jeffery                                                         LaVerkin City Recorder

Clark Fawcett - Hurricane City, was absent. Steve Meismer -Virgin River Program was excused. Lindsay Humphries - Hurricane City Volunteers arrived late

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

Wilson reported that June Jeffery had resigned and this was her last meeting.

Approve Minutes: Motion by Annette Kleinman to approve minutes of the September 15, 2010 Meeting, second by Karl Wilson. Motion carried unanimously.

Trails GPS Volunteers: There was no representative for the Hurricane City volunteer group. Annette Kleinman discussed that this group wanted to GPS possible trails and sites within the Park, including the trail heads, parking lot, and bridge. Wilson hikes the Park three times a week and would be happy to meet with Samantha Hinton and point out locations. Wilson will make the connections with her.

Trail Head Parking Lot Report: Sandberg reported that the grant had been awarded, the County Commission had passed the resolution accepting the grants, and that three copies had been sent in the mail to the granting agency. They will co-sign and return a copy to the County. The County will account for the expenditures and receive the reimbursement on both the trail head and restoration grants. Some of the expenditures will be in-kind. Nielson suggested that money will be spent for the signage and fencing. The reimbursement requests will demonstrate the type of in-kind hours – professional etc. and be rated according to the grant. 

Bob began to discuss a list of things to do before any work can be done:

1.    Cultural resources inventory

2.    Paleological survey – Kleinman wondered if the studies had to be for the whole area, or just this portion. Wilson mentioned that there were old studies and surveys done for the area. He wondered if they could be used. Sandburg hoped that they could be.

Sandberg has received back three bids of four for the cultural resource inventory. He and Kathleen have been working with Arthur Lebaron from Hurricane City, and Todd Edwards from the County Public Works. Edwards is the one who did the initial design for the grant. County road will do a lot of the work, including equipment and manpower.

Sandberg and Nielson showed and described pictures that were taken of the Anasazi Valley trail head, signage, restrooms, and fences as ideas for direction and bids. Sign panels could be linear or walk-around. Linear would allow the signs to be read from one vantage point. Fencing could be split-rail or round-rail. There was no research on pricing done at this point.

Wilson and Kleinman voiced preference for the walk-around signage; it was less blocky, and several people could look at it at the same time. There was concern that the linear signage would be too much of a backdrop and block the natural scenery. There was discussion that Red Cliffs had a 4-sided sign, and that the trail head just off the Interstate near Harrisburg had installed round rail fencing. This board will make recommendation to the County Commission for approval when the design is complete.

Nielson wondered about a press release. Discussion that notice could go out now, with the receipt of grants, and again when work is complete. Ribbon cutting will come at completion.  Wilson will update the LaVerkin City Council at their meeting tonight.

Restoration Grant Report: Sandberg has connected with Patrick Moore from the fire control office of State Lands and Forestry. Moore stated that there is $10,000 that they could give for the pipeline. Sandberg told Moore that this board would be looking at Ash Creek Sewer District direction in January for the pipeline to go in. Moore indicated that he would hold the money to see if the project was going to move forward. It can be obligated for 1 ½ years, then it goes back. Sandberg was not aware of any strings attached to the money, but there was some indication that other money was available. Moore said he would like to partner with the board in developing and restoring Confluence Park. He also had a crew that does restoration. Moore would be “tied up” for a week, but would get back to Sandberg. Moore has visited with Trail Kreitzer and Steve Meismer.

Kreitzer added that the $10,000 would add to the restoration grant and when the board knew about the pipeline, Moore indicated that he could have other money to put toward that. Sandberg wondered if Moore was looking for winter work for his crews.

Discussion about where to begin the restoration. Working through Kreitzer, and using Meismer’s studies would be a good place. Wilson would like to design a plan as to using the grant funds, and “cross off” as it is completed. Nielson suggested that the public area of the Park should be first. Starting with LaVerkin Creek toward the confluence. Cleaning, especially at the trail head would be valuable. If the Park looked clean, it would be easier to get grants in the future. Will need to be aware of biological effects of equipment. Nielson would like to clean most of the dead-fall in the creek, though some needs to stay for the protected species according to Meismer.

Lindsay Humphries arrived at the meeting. She was representing Samantha Hinton. Wilson stated that he would work with her to do the GPS locating.

Trails GPS Volunteers - revisit:

Humphries stated that the volunteers were interested in a service project to be held on November 13^th. The volunteers come from the Youth Council and the Youth Court. They would like to make coordinates throughout the Park. There was discussion to use the trails that were used with the 4^th of July run this past summer. Marks could be made for the camp areas, and primitive camps as well. Coordination for the actual trail location will need to be with DWR and the County in the future. The pipeline right-of-way will also need to be considered. Humphries said that the group would like to also do a geocache for fun. The group will be small, with about six from the Hurricane side. They are looking for some youth from the LaVerkin side. They would like to begin at 10:00 a.m. on the 13^th. Suggestions to get volunteers from the youth conference and the participants in the 4^th of July run.  

Discussion on Use Application: Bob Sandberg handed out an updated application from the discussion at the last meeting. Included dates, notes that no sanitary facilities would be provided, that camping was by permit only, and that it might be necessary to walk to the campsite. Discussion that vehicles would be allowed for large groups and moving equipment. It is hoped that the county website will set up a page for the Park, or create a website of its own. The site could have contact information, commonly asked questions, and application procedures.  The park is getting a lot more use especially from the 480 S. trail head.

Discussion about creating a map for the website showing designated camping and points of interest. Nielson mentioned that backpackers like to camp where no one else has been. There was more interest expressed in the GPS process. It may be beneficial to create more fire pits and give names for designation on a map.

The board would like to have someone from Hurricane at the meetings. There was a suggestion that Lindsay Humphries might be that contact.

Board & Committee Reports: Sandberg reported that the 480 gate had been broken. There is a different lock there. The Center Street gate was lifted off the hinges for four-wheelers. Question about enforcement between the county and LaVerkin City. There aren’t ordinances, but it would be trespassing, or destruction of property. Motorized vehicles are not allowed.

Sandberg reported that Eric Chamberlain had been doing a lot of clean up, coordinating with Kreitzer. Jack Miller had contacted Sandberg about doing clean up. Sandberg didn’t want to step on Chamberlain’s toes. Kreitzer supported that Chamberlain is doing a good job and has coordinated well with him - sending pictures as well.

Adjourn: Motion by Annette Kleinman at 4:50 p.m., second by Bob Sandberg. Motion carried unanimously.

Minutes taken by June Jeffery.