Board Members:

Karl Wilson              La Verkin City

Bob Sandberg           Washington County - HCP

Annette Kleinman     Toquerville City

Others:

Kathleen Nielson      Grant Writer

Lucy Ormond           Hurricane Trails Committee

Katie Wilson             La Verkin City

A.     Report on Projects - Bob Sandberg

1.      Completed all the mowing that was possible to do.  Hurricane City provided the equipment and fuel but the men worked for the Dedicated Hunter's Project.  The pushed the firebreaks and mowed in the fields.  Looks nice.  The hours can be used in the restoration grant.  Bob will get Kathleen the hours.  It was coordinated by Corey Wright.

2.      Bob will be following up with Karl and Deward Wadsworth for their cattle to come in late winter/early spring.  They will have to work out fencing needs and maybe not accept payment for the year if they take care of the fencing.  There was a discussion of the type of fencing to be used.

3.      The work done on the trees is now re-sprouting.  The Russian Olive treatment did not work.  The tamarisk is not re-sprouting.  Some of the Russian Olive is sprouting straight from the roots and stumps.  It is hard to find something that will not damage the Cottonwoods around them.  Bob met with a chemical representative and the rep. will be researching treatments.  They may not be able to do anything about it until October.  They could spray basal 1 ½ feet in November and that may be the only option.  Another rep may be willing to provide an herbicide called "Milestone" that they've had good results from.   Tamarisk beetles may be taking care of the tamarisk and that may be why they are not re-growing.

B.     Trails -

Lucy Ormond and Cameron Rognan walked the Hurricane trails.  Red Cliffs Reserves would like to designate a trail as part of the Virgin River Trail.

Cameron marked the trail in the reserve.  He put two carsonite signs into the Hurricane trails with directions.  Lucy recommended a sign showing which trails are for walking and which are for equestrian riders.  Lucy explained where the horse trails go.

Bob handed out a map with a red line showing the Virgin River Trail and a blue line showing Hurricane's trail.  There was a discussion of the Three Rivers Trail to where the bridge is.

Bob handed out a temporary sticker until a design can be made.  Need to decide how to mark the trails once the trailhead is finished.

Mayor Wilson likes the idea but wants Trail Kreitzer to be involved and look at all the information.

There was a discussion of where the trails are and will be and how to connect them with the Virgin River Trail.

There was a further discussion of Ken Anderson and his property.

When the trailhead is complete the signage will need to already be in place.  A plan needs to be in place soon.  Lucy will follow up with Hurricane for a survey.

Washington County has not forgotten about the trailhead and is looking at October to getting started on it.  It has to be done by November 2012 and Kathleen thinks it can be fully completed by spring.

C.     &  D.  Grant applications and awards - Kathleen Nielson

Kathleen Nielson was asked to do the Forestry Grant applications. She passed out the grant and information (Community Forestry Partnership Grant).  Kathleen read the first paragraph to the board.  She explained the problem with the Tree Planting Projects.  Small grants tend to get caught up in the minutia.  This is only a grant for $5000 (each application).

The board needs to decide today what they will apply for.  Kathleen suggested matching city with the tasks they are best associated.  Hurricane may need to be tied with work with fire protection oversight.  La Verkin can work on project for cutting firewood, chipping, etc. near the trailhead.

Kathleen passed out pictures of the plants/trees that need to be eradicated. That will be very labor intensive.

Mayor Wilson mentioned LaGrande Imlay who works with the youth groups in getting them service hours.  Kathleen stated that those hours can be used toward the match.  She believes the match will be easy to make.  Those hours need to be accounted for.

Mayor Wilson agreed with Kathleen's suggestions.  Katie Wilson will be the contact person for this grant.  Lucy suggested Samantha Hinton and Bob suggested Darren Barney (Hurricane Parks) for Hurricane's contact person. Lucy reminded them that Darren is hard to get ahold of as he is a field person.  Toni Foran knows what is going on with the grants.

Kathleen stated that Hazard Tree Removal is the number one item to apply for; second would be Invasive Species Control; third is Urban Tree Wood Products and Biomass recycling; then fourth would be Demonstration Planting.

Mayor Wilson and Annette agreed with Kathleen.

Kathleen showed the board the grant that Trail Kreitzer has been awarded already.  She explained what it is and how it will be done.

Bob stated they still have not heard from Quality Growth Commission or the people for the restroom grant.  The contact person knows who has been awarded but cannot tell them who it is yet.  By the first of September they should know about the restroom grant.

Minutes taken by Katie Wilson.