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

(Including auxiliary communicative aids and services) during this meeting should notify Kyle Gubler, City Recorder (435) 635-2581

at least 48 hours in advance.

 

The City Recorder does hereby certify that the agenda was sent to each member of the board, sent to the Spectrum newspaper,  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 at 111 S. Main and 435 N. Main on January 14, 2011. 

Kyle Gubler

City Recorder

 

Board Members:

Karl Wilson                             LaVerkin City

Bob Sandberg                          Washington County - HCP

Annette Kleinman                    Toquerville City

Clark Fawcett                           Hurricane City

 

Advisory:

Trail Keitzer                             Division of Wildlife Resources

Dennis Kay                              VRLPA

Steve Meismer                         Virgin River Program

 

Others:

Kathleen Nielson                     Grant Writer

Lucy Ormond                          Hurricane City Trails Committee

Ron Wilson                              FFSL

Ray Justice                              LaVerkin City

Arthur LeBaron                                   Hurricane City

Steve Cox                                Hurricane City

Mike Vercimak                                    Hurricane City

Katie Wilson                            LaVerkin City

 

•A.    Meeting Called to Order:  Karl Wilson called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm

 

Passed pictures to the board and others in attendance. Introduced Mike Vercimak as the Hurricane Public Works Director and Steve Cox from the Water Dept.  Referencing the pictures he pointed out that the east side of Virgin River was eroded away in the recent floods and they are concerned about a major water line going into Hurricane.  Right now it is not exposed, but they are worried about the amount of snowfall in the mountains that will melt into the Virgin River in the springtime. The water line carries about 80% of Hurricane's water supply.  Two phase plan: 1^stphase is to get the river back into its original channel.  They have gotten permission from the Army Corp of Engineers to work. The 2^nd phase is more costly - Bank stabilization project so it does not erode any more.  They are coming to the committee for their cooperation.  Stabilization will involve using large rocks designed to stay in place.  The work done post 2005 flood did very well.  Steve Meismer explained the little damage done to that work. Steve M. asked if there is a way to use the new bank the river created and protect it as it sits now.  Arthur explained that they do need to move it back to the original channel and get the water away from the water line.  Steve M. explained that there are protected fish in that area and explained the process to protect those species.  Steve Cox responded how they will try to straighten the river.  Karl Wilson points out a lava outcropping that may have been the cause of the shift in the river.  He also pointed out 2 acres of cottonwoods and brush that are now gone.  Annette Kleinman asked if the project would include re-vegetation.  Arthur responded that it could.  He also explained that in order to work they would have to work outside of their 40 foot wide easement.  They are hopeful that FEMA will help with the money to do the project and be done within the next 24 months, hopefully start within 12 months.

 

Karl believes Arthur needs to talk with Steve Meismer and Trail Keitzer.  Steve M. commented that they would like to work with them in any way that will help in the long term.  Annette stated there needs to be an ongoing discussion.  Bob explained the county's point of view.

 

Arthur explained that they will haul along an existing road, drive along the bank and go out the easement tying back into the road.  He pointed out on the map where they would disturb the land.  Karl pointed out that the fire break was washed out and they could make a new fire break and drive on that along the bank.

 

Short term work will start next week after Arthur coordinates with Chuck Williamson.  Lance from NRCS needs to examine prior then get the river cut back. 

 

Arthur drew on the dry erase board what exactly they would like to do to the river and how they would dredge, place material and then allow the water to flow in its old channel, about 600 feet.  That would be phase one. 

 

Steve Meismer discussed how the fish would have to swept and discussed fish movement in that area.

 

Mike Vercimak reassured the committee that they are aware of the fragile nature and they will not do anything without direction and explicit instruction.

 

Motion to move forward with their design plans and coordinating with Steve Meismer and Trail Keitzer by Annette Kleinman and second by Bob Sandberg.  Motion was unanimous.

 

Arthur LeBaron, Steve Cox and Mike Vercimak leave the meeting.

This is their first effort to develop a trail.  She pinned up the map made shown last November to the committee.  Lucy points out the light blue line and Main Street, which is paved all the way to the boundary of the park, and a Parley P. Pratt Monument.  The trailhead is now at 200 W.  The proposal is to put a trailhead, and primary access to the park, at the end of Main Street instead of 200 W.  She acknowledged that there is already a social trail there and someone has cut the fence and there is now unauthorized access.  Lucy suggested a putting a No Trespassing sign there.  At 200 W there is a gate with a lock on it and a step over gate that has a sign Entering Confluence Park.

 

Lucy wrote a proposal and read it to the committee.  It reads that the main trailhead  to be at Main Street so there would be no need to purchase land near 200 W access.  The new trailhead be done up to accommodate foot and bicycle access only and the 200 W access be for horse access only.  Bob stated that the 200 W access needs to stay open as an easement.

 

The feeling was if there does not need to be more than one access into the park from the Hurricane side.

 

There was discussion of Lane Blackmore and a possibility previously of trading land with him and a discussion of the "finger" which is about 200 ft wide, being traded.  Bob commented on the potential benefits of a trade but they need to make sure of where it is and what the ownership is at the gate.

 

Kathleen Nielson commented that since the trailhead would be on Park property they may not be able to get a grant to put a trailhead on Park property but the committee could consider submitting for a grant on Hurricane's behalf.

 

The question would be if Confluence Park would consider putting a Hurricane side trailhead on park property.  Discussion continued over who's proprety the PPP Monument is on and if it could be moved.  Clark stated that it would be nice to make the monument more visible for the public.

 

Bob suggested prioritizing accessibility of the two trailheads.  Right now there is no ability to fund 2 full trailheads.  Lucy would like start doing the trail building along the social path within the next month or so.

 

Trail had concerns about cutting a new trail.  He would like efforts to go into work on the existing trail. Karl concurred that until there is a plan in place to focus on the existing trail and leave the other the way it is.  Discussion continued and the preference is to plan and approve the trail before going ahead and doing it.

 

Kathleen reminded those in attendance that all volunteer hours have to be turned in to her so that grants can be applied for and maintained.

 

Trail will take the discussion back to the DWR to get there input.  He interprets the deed to allow trails to be lined with rock.  Lucy stated that she plans to use cairns along the trail instead of lining the trail with rocks.

 

Motion to take the proposal to DWR to make a trailhead off Main Street to possibly extend the trail as a main access from Hurricane made by Clark Fawcett and second by Bob Sandberg.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

With the recent floods the land crew assigned to work on the trailhead has been moved to other projects relative to flood damage.  Bob will make contact with them in February to see where the trailhead is on the priority list.

 

Kathleen stated the kiosk is being designed by Bill McMurin the president of the land trust.  Once the plans are in she will bring it in for approval from the committee.  They are going forward on the four panels and find out the cost and get a bid on them.

 

Arthur LeBaron will be staking the outline for the groundwork.  Todd has that designed.

Appreciate the donate and efforts of the Utah Division of Forestry and State Lands.  They have been burning some of the piles.  County approved the contract to continue on where the state left off on Monday.  The contract will be to chip what piles are left.  The state has commented that they will burn what the chipper cannot do.

 

They will be working between the road and LaVerkin Creek on the east bank.  Steve M. discussed re-vegetation.  He requested an auger to plant trees.  Karl and Clark commented that their cities have back hoes but not an auger.  Bob will check in the county. Steve M. can get ahold of the auger bit but not the auger driver.

 

Kathleen discussed the possibility of the public coming and cutting down what cannot be chipped.  Bob and Karl already have that taken care of.  Some of the local churches are cutting the wood and distributing them to the widows.  Kathleen needs all the volunteer hours calculated, the dates and the names of the volunteers.  Others have expressed interest in doing the same thing.  Bob will leave all the big pieces so they can be cut and distributed.

 

Ron Wilson discussed Gubler's old pond that has cottonwood and ash that can be used. 

 

Karl mentioned about 10 acres on the Toquerville side that the floods ate through the bank.  He would like a trail made along the river.  The hikers would rather hike along the river than along the road.

 

Bob is still looking for ranchers to bring their animals down.

Trail worked with Bob and Kathleen about phase 2 and 3.  He has prepared a proposal for around $57,000.  He will present that proposal to both committee and his supervisor believes it will be passed.  The money will come in June or July and will need to be spent by the same time of the following year.  It looks promising

 

Bob mentioned that there is still money coming back.  Kathleen said there is $10,000 in matched grants.  We still need $20,000 to come up with.  This is where the volunteer hours will come in.  The firemen hours, cost of the engines, etc., will all count towards that match.

 

Lucy Ormond leaves at 5:20 pm

•G.    Board & Committee Reports: none

Minutes taken by Katie Wilson on behalf of the LaVerkin City Recorder.