Board Members:

Ray Justice                                        LaVerkin City

Tom Webster                                    Washington County

Annette Kleinman                             Toquerville City

Advisory:

Trail Kreitzer                                     Division of Wildlife Resources

Steve Meismer                                   Virgin River Program

Others:

June Jeffery                                        LaVerkin City Recorder

Clark Fawcett - Hurricane City, was absent. Karl Wilson - LaVerkin City, and Bob Sandberg - Washington County were excused. Kathleen Nielson - grant writer, and Dennis Kay -VRLPA arrived at 4:05 p.m.

Meeting Called to Order: Ray Justice called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.

Justice suggested that the grant discussions be continued until Kathleen Nielson arrived at the meeting. Tom Webster gave a brief report on the trailhead and restoration grants.

Trailhead Grant: $52,000 has been secured and Cameron Rognan from the county was in attendance at mandatory meetings today on behalf of Confluence Park, to be trained in the steps necessary to satisfy the grantor.

Restoration Grant: Bob Sandberg and Mayor Wilson were in Salt Lake City last week to meet with the sub-committee for the restoration grant. We received approval for $30,000 for restoration. They will meet again on September 23^rd to consider additional funding for our project. The approval for additional funding looks positive.

There was brief expression that the receipt of the grant money, and subsequent improvements at the Park could pave the way for more donations in the future.

Use Application: Tom Webster said that the application provided by Bob Sandberg was a draft. There is not an application form currently in use. There is an application that the county uses for overnight stays. The draft is similar to it.

Kathleen Nielson and Dennis Kay arrived at the meeting.

The Park use is managed by the county through Brad at HCP. Annette Kleinman said that a sign at the trailhead should have all the county contact information and state the need for the permit. There has been some concern about getting the word out that permits are needed. The kiosk will be part of the trailhead expense paid with grant moneys. Kathleen Nielson said that content on the kiosk would be provided by biologists and others as well as this committee's general park rules.

Webster wondered about the kiosk style. It will be standardized, possibly multi-paneled. Information will probably include information from Virgin River Program, historical content, archeological content, geological information, and general rules.  Kleinman mentioned that there could be several signs throughout the park. The grant will pay for only the trailhead improvements.

Discussion that the use application included information for groups, but didn't have anything for overnight use. Suggestion that the title should expand to include overnight use, and information for that use should be included in the body of the application. There are people who walk into the park for day use and would not be required a permit. But because of impact to the park, overnight camping and large groups would need to contact the county. Sandberg could add the information to the form.

Discussion that a park registry would be at the trailhead for people to sign in. Most registries like this get signatures from all over the world. Hopes are that with improvements, this will become a destination.

There was some discussion whether large groups should be required to come to this board. Some felt that Sandberg could approve some large group use, but it would be an advantage to the board to be able to hear those requests. Those with service projects, or other "large" use should probably coordinate their impact through this body. The application included information that could be given over the phone.

Trail Head Parking Lot, Restoration Grant, and Grant Opportunities report: Kathleen Nielson would like to plan a press release with the grant approval. This is a way to notify others of the donation made, and possibly open the door for more donations. There isn't a website for the Park, but there is some information on the Washington County website. Nielson talked with Sandberg about a ribbon cutting event when the trailhead is completed. Dignitaries would be invited, tours would be available, and food would be provided. The trailhead should not take too long to complete. The fencing and the kiosk will take time. No money will be expended until the contract is signed. Spring would be a good time for the ribbon cutting. The funding is done and the county doesn't have a lot of extra work to do at this time. That should be a reasonable time.

The State Parks director involved with the trailhead grant wondered about placement of bathrooms. He suggested applying for another grant by May of next year. A specific toilet would be required by the grant and would cost about $32,000. The director saw the trailhead as a good project and expressed belief in the future of the Park as a popular place.

The state trails coordinator retires in March. Nielson expects there will be a need pay attention to the new coordinator when that is announced.

The Restoration Grant was given by the Quality Growth Commission. There were organizations that had received grants last year but didn't finish in time and so their money went back to the commission. So there is more funding available than was expected. It may be possible to get more if the grant request shows how the Park could benefit with more money. A letter was prepared and sent today. Copies of the letter were given to those present.

The letter stated a couple of options including what would be done if "X" amount of money was granted. The first option would be for more eradication and planting along the stream, the second option would be for buying water rights to use in support of a willow farm.

There are no grants available for pipe. They will pay for the water rights, but not the implementation of those rights. They might pay for a duplication of the original water use, for ditches and trenches.

There was some discussion about the tamarisk beetle and the "spotty" eradication of the tamarisk in the area. There is still a lot of education going on. There was also discussion about the willow flycatcher's habitat. They seem to do better when the habitat is mixed. Some dead tamarisk is being left among willows to encourage and protect them.

Board & Committee Reports: There were no reports.

Adjourn: Motion by Annette Kleinman at 4:35 p.m., second by Tom Webster. Motion carried 3-0.

Minutes taken by June Jeffery

Date Approved, October 20, 2010

Karl Wilson, Chair