Confluence Park Executive Board and

Technical Advisory Committee Minutes

Wednesday, February 15, 2012 4:00 p.m.

435 N. Main, LaVerkin, Utah

Present:

Board Members:

Karl Wilson                 La Verkin City

Bob Sandberg             Washington County - HCP

Annette Kleinman       Toquerville City

Advisory:

Trail Kreitzer               Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

Steve Meismer            Virgin River Program

Others:

Kathleen Neilson        HCP - Grant Writer

Ray Justice                  La Verkin City Council

Cameron Rognan        HCP

Christy Ballard            La Verkin City

1. Meeting Called to Order: Karl Wilson unofficially called the meeting to order at 4:17 pm.  (Bob Sandberg and Clark Fawcett were not in attendance)

2. Business:

A. Restoration Projects

1.      Trail reported that work started last Tuesday on the restoration project.  The crew consists of eight men working Monday thru Friday.  The project started at the Power Plant and will continue down the River and then move over to the Hurricane side working back up the River.

Annette asked if the project covered either Creeks.  Mayor Wilson answered; the inmates are working on the La Verkin Creek and should make it into Confluence Park today.

Trail asked the Committee about allowing the workers to have 2 or 3 chipping piles on each side of the River that can be pulled from to line the trails.

Bob Sandberg arrived at 4:20pm

Mayor Wilson stated that there is now a quorum.

Mayor Wilson asked if the project will go down the La Verkin Creek Confluence or the Ash Creek Confluence.  Trail explained the project is primarily on the Virgin River bend, they should make it to the La Verkin Creek.

The bid came in at about $1,183 per acre.

Mayor Wilson asked about the remaining money if the bid comes in less than expected.  Trail answered that the contract amount is paid and the remaining money will go back and be used for habitat projects next year.

There was a discussion on how much of Ash Creek is in Confluence Park.  Mayor Wilson commented that with this same grant.  Ash Creek could possibly get done next year.

Bob reported on the project with Forestry Fire and State Lands.  HCP is funding the inmates and Forestry Fire and State Lands are funding Cory Martin.  Everything is getting cut and put into piles that will be burned.  There is wood available for the public from both projects if anyone is interested.  It will need to be picked up on the weekends.  The name, number of people and time spent getting the wood will need to be kept track of for the Restoration grant.

2.      The LaRae McAllister fund and the Community Forestry grant money can be used for planting.  Cameron has found High Mountain Nursery that specializes in plants used for conservation projects.

There are a group of students from the University of South Dakota that will be here on March 5^th and would like to do a project.  If things could get lined up in time those students could do the planting.  The Committee just needs to decide what and where they would like to plant.  Cameron figured 400 plants could be purchased for $700.  Trail commented that if it was done by March he could use the rest of the money from his project to purchase plants.  Bob asked if that money goes away if not used.  Trail said that it did have to be spent by the end of June.  Bob commented that the Community Forestry grant had the same deadline and the LaRae McAllister fund needed to be spent by the end of October.

Mayor Wilson reported that Ron Wilson called and the money that was reserved for the water line will need to be used this year.  Kyle will call and let Ron know the water line will not be done this year and ask him if the money can be used for tree projects.

3. Approve Minutes:  Motion was made by Annette Kleinman to approve the minutes of January 18, 2012, second by Bob Sandberg.  Motion carried unanimously.

B. Trail names /location

Cameron handed out maps for approval.  The pictures are not the ones being used on the official map, they are just place holders.

The trails have been figured out.  There have been a few alignment changes.  The map will focus on what is in the Park now.

Mayor Wilson asked if moving the Virgin River Trail crossing was more in alignment with where the horses cross.  Cameron answered that it was moved to where the horses cross.

Bob has identified several camping locations and the picnic locations are from the original plan.  Cameron commented that there are not as many picnic tables as there are sites.   That may want to be changed on the map.  Annette would like to have the picnic areas shown so that the map will be ready when the time comes to develop them.

Annette asked Cameron if he would like the GPS readings on the sites.  Cameron responded that if the sites are wrong or could be more specific then yes, get that to him.

Steve commented that some of the campsites listed on the map may not be good camping spots.

Annette agreed that a couple of the camping spots on the new map are too close to the River.

Mayor Wilson mentioned that the campsite located by the parking lot is okay but agrees with Steve on the other sites.  Trail agreed.

Trail stated that if people see a picnic table on the map most of them will assume there are picnic tables located there.

There was a discussion on where picnic tables should go and where camp sites should be located.

Mayor Wilson mentioned getting rid of the two campsites that are by the La Verkin Creek and possibly adding some sites on the Hurricane side.  Bob agreed and described an area on the east side of La Verkin Creek that could be good for a picnic area or possibly camping.

Kathleen commented that she thought the area around the parking lot was potentially a camping area, stating that would be great for larger groups like the Scouts, small site camping in other areas would be okay.

Annette pointed out another area beyond the power plant which is a large area and could be used for scouting groups.

Steve asked if camping was going to be advertised or on a per request basis.  Bob responded that it has been per request up to now, and that is something that will need to be decided.

Steve pointed out that if camping is advertised then camping is what will happen and that could easily overwhelm the system.

Mayor Wilson commented that it sounded like the committee would like the camping sites removed and put something like camping by permit only on the kiosk with a phone number to call.

Trail read from the deeds, camping was in the 2007 plan but agrees with Mayor Wilson that camping should be by permit, that way there will be some oversight as to what is going on.

Ray agreed stating that camping by permit would allow us to not let one area get inundated by camping.

Mayor Wilson commented that if camping is free some people would be there all the time.

It was decided to remove the camping symbol from off the kiosk and add camping by permit only, without showing specific locations.

Annette suggested removing the picnic table symbols from off the map and just placing them randomly so when the people are hiking they will find them and use them.

Ray asked if symbols could be added once the map was finished.

Kathleen answered that they would have to be stickers or pay to make a new map.

It was decided to remove the picnic table symbols from off the map and just place them randomly through the park.

Kathleen mentioned people seeing the space that was meant for horse trailers and instead taking self-contained vehicles there to stay overnight.                         Mayor Wilson does not think that should be allowed whether the law enforcement drives by there once a night or signs are posted.

There was a discussion on the trail names.

Steve mentioned the possible acquisition of the Ken Anderson parcel in regard to the kiosks.  Mayor Wilson stated that there are enough issues with the property it could take years.

Mayor Wilson went over the process that purchasing the property would entail.

There was a discussion on moving the easements.

Cameron suggested making a temporary sign and saving the funds for the final sign for a few years down the road.

Steve asked about the deadline.  Kathleen stated that the grant deadline is later in the fall and explained the things that still need to be done before that deadline.

Steve asked when the contract with Interpretive Graphics is up. Bob replied they are waiting for the Committee to decide on what they want.  There is not a time constraint.

Kathleen explained the process that changing a panel would take.  Right now Interpretive Graphics would like a final decision on the sketch for the fish panel so that the color could get put on.

Steve asked at what point it will be too late to make changes to the panels.

Annette would like Kathleen to let the Committee know when the deadline is to make changes.

Steve would like the Committee's opinion on the panels before it is too late to make any changes.

Cameron would like the Committee to take a closer look at the map and let him know if there are any changes that need to be made before it is submitted.

Cameron showed the Committee the actual size of the map and explained some of the changes that have already been made to it.

There was a iscussion on some of the colors being similar and/or making lines different.

Parking areas were also discussed.

Steve asked about the access road.  Mayor Wilson commented that La Verkin City and Ash Creek are still negotiating the lease of that property and explained some of the issues involved with that.

Annette commented that La Verkin Creek is not labeled as well as Ash Creek is.

C. Kiosk Panels - Kathleen Neilson

Kathleen needs Steve's approval on coloring the panel as soon as  possible.  There are mistakes with some of the plants, but Kathleen has                                       already cleared that up.

Kathleen asked if the committee would like the names of the plants and fish to be in the sketch.

Annette commented on the perspective between the doe and the  Kingfisher.  Kathleen agreed that the Kingfisher is too big.

Kathleen asked if the fish need to be labeled.  Steve answered that he wants to ensure that the fish in the sketch look as close to the fish listed under                      sketch, so that people will be able to distinguish each one.

Cameron feels that labels take away from the art work and Steve agreed.

Most of the things are labeled, the Coyote Willow and Mesquite Tree are the only two Kathleen noticed that are not.

Cameron mentioned that the fish looked boxed in with the squares behind them.  Steve agreed and would like to get rid of the boxes.

Steve commented that the main fonts are hard to read, the simpler the font, the better.  Steve will look for a font that he likes better.

Kathleen asked about the Title Font.  Steve thought it was okay, that it tied every together.  Kathleen agreed but does think the other font needs to be changed.

Steve stated that if the panels are hard to read, people won't take the time to read them.

Kathleen stated the boxes around the fish are to be removed, simplifying the font, and no labeling in the sketch.

Annette commented that the Kingfisher needs to be smaller.

Steve would like the fish in the sketch to look a little bit closer to what the actual fish look like.  It could be the color, but some of it is the spotting.

Cameron asked if Steve would like the Desert Sucker and Flannel Mouth Sucker   separate or side by side both in the sketch and in the description.  Steve replied he   would like them separated on the sketch.

There was a discussion on placement of the fish in the description.

Mayor Wilson stated that due to limited time, the Technical Committee could work through that.  Steve will make the final decision.

Kathleen asked for the general impression of the panel from the Committee.

Kathleen asked about the time frame on getting the panels done.  Annette stated   that if the Committee gives their final decision to Steve for the fish panel that       should take care of it.

D. Grazing use/Water and Fences

Bob wondered if anyone had any ideas or suggestions for the Wadsworth's.  They are willing to graze the fields but there is a water problem.  Mayor Wilson            suggested that if the Sewer District will let us use the easement that they have to  the pump and would give permission, a temporary water tank could be put there.  It would require a shallow trench with a small line, and a cross over connection so either irrigation or culinary could be used.

Kathleen suggested talking to Ron Wilson about using the water line money to do the project.

Bob stated that he will keep pursuing that to see if something will happen.

Trail read that livestock watering structures are within the reserve rights.  So that  could be a possibility.

E. Restroom Money - Bob Sandberg

Bob wondered if anyone had found any other money to help with the restroom.    The County Commission has signed an agreement with State Parks, so the      approval to start the project should be coming soon. The restroom and the fence around the parking lot need to be done.  Rocky Mountain Power has given Bob a   signed paper giving Confluence Park the poles.

Steve wondered if more poles will be needed.  Bob thinks that there are enough.

Mayor Wilson has not talked to the Council yet, but he will and he will also talk to Mayor LeFevre.

Kathleen asked about Hurricane.   Bob sent the map to Lucy, Clark and Toni Foran.  Lucy was the only one that responded stating that she would not be      attending the meetings for a few months.  She is taking care of a sick familymember.

Mayor Wilson had talked to Clark and he is considering and pushing to have Lucy as the official from Hurricane.

F. Volunteer Projects - Bob Sandberg

There is still a need to repair the picnic tables and to build additional tables.

The Restoration Project has uncovered a lot of things that need to be cleaned up    like old fences and metal.

Annette questioned what kind of picnic tables Bob would like and mentioned getting that information to the Scout Committee's.

4. Public Concerns for Board Consideration: none

5. Board members concerns:

Bob brought up the issue with the beavers.  They are causing problems by the Power plant and the Gordon Wood property.

Fur bearer season is over April 9^th Washington County is not listed as an area closed to beaver trapping.

On one of the easements it says no hunting, trapping or fishing.  Trail read the DNR Easement it does say no hunting, trapping, or fishing shall be permitted on the property except as may be authorized by property managers to protect native animal population and native vegetation and to reasonably control potential nuisance animals.  The other two DWR easements do not address hunting or trapping at all.

Trail felt like this situation fell under the nuisance animals, so does Annette.

Trail stated that he also talked with Bruce Bonebrake, the section chief and he agreed that the Cottonwood galleries need to be protected.                                    Bob mentioned two different people that he has talked to that could trap.

Trail commented that as long as they work through Bob and trap under State regulations it should be okay.

Annette asked how the number of beavers allowed to be trapped is determined.  The Committee was unsure, Steve suggested letting them trap until the season was over and Trail was okay with that.

Mayor Wilson reported that a law enforcement officer sited some kids, under the HCP rules, for starting fires and shooting pellet guns in Confluence Park.  They are coordinating with the Sheriff's office to use State ordinances, La Verkin City ordinances or Hurricane City ordinances because neither city has adopted any HCP ordinances.  However, Chief Watkins said we can still control that with current ordinances.

Bob explained where the fires were started.

Steve asked Trail if the CO's could go down there occasionally.   Mayor Wilson suggested having them coordinate with the County & La Verkin police officers.

Trial said that he will have them do that.

Mayor Wilson does not want to discourage people from legally hunting as long the conservation easements allow it.  Trail commented that he was surprised there is nothing written in the deeds concerning hunting and feels that given the piece of property He would suggest no hunting.

Mayor Wilson mentioned that La Verkin police officers could not issue a citation because there is not a code written, however, DWR can enforce it under the conservation easement.

Steve stated that back when the first parcel of property was purchased the program looked at some potential habitat enhancement activities on La Verkin Creek and wondered if the Committee was still interested in doing those.  Steve handed out a copy of the plan, commenting that it is a good plan and has potential.

Kathleen passed out a paper of the early inhabitants and visitors to Confluence Park that will be a large panel.  Two smaller panels that will go on either side of the map are Pioneer Heritage of the Confluence and how Confluence Park came to be.  If anyone has any information on these subjects please e-mail Kathleen.

6. Motion was made by Annette Kleinman to adjourn, second by Bob Sandberg.  Motion was carried unanimously at 5:45pm.