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Notice of Open Meeting Thursday, June 4, 2026

Notice of Open Meeting

Snake River Canyons Park Board

300 North Lincoln Ave.

Jerome, ID. 83338-2317

The Snake River Canyons Park Committee will meet on Thursday, June 4, 2026, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am at Blue Lakes Country Club, Jerome, Idaho.

Bill Bridges, Chairman

         Agenda

Blue Lakes Country Club, Jerome, ID.

(Agenda subject to change up to the time of the meeting or for an emergency)

Date:  Thursday June 4, 2026

9:00am            Call meeting to order

Additions to Agenda – action item with Motion and Order to Amend Agenda

  1. *Approval of Minutes from May 7, 2026, Board Meeting – action item

Project Reports

                                Member & Guest introductions – Bill Bridges

  • *Treasurers Report –  
  • *Bricks – Brenda
  • *Larry Hall– Shoshone Falls Overlook – America 250, fence
  • *Tractor and Container Progress
  • *Webpage for SRCP –Bill 
  • *Shooting Range –  Archery, Hunting in the Park
  • Walking trail from Perrine Bridge to Shoshone Falls
  •  Volunteers
  •  Parking lot next to Don Zuck arbor
  •  Equestrian trailhead on 700E
  • *New board member
  • *Board meeting time and place
  •  New Business – additional items if added by agenda amendment.

Guest Sharing – guests are invited to share ideas and information during this time.

Upcoming Calendar Dates –

  • *Monthly Meeting, Thursday June 18, 2026, 9am – 11am, Blue Lakes Country Club

                        Adjournment upon completion of business. 

                           *May require a vote.

Executive Sessions may be held pursuant to Idaho Code 74-206(1) as needed during time such sessions are called.

Note: Any person needing special accommodations to participate in the meeting should contact the committee chairman, 208-293-2426; 48 hours prior to the meeting.                                                                             

CategoriesMeeting Minutes by

Open Meeting Minutes – Thursday, May 7, 2026

Thursday, May 7, 2026

Snake River Canyons Park Board

Open Meeting Minutes

Thursday, May 7, 2026

Blue Lakes Country Club, Jerome, Idaho

Attending Board Members: Chairman Bill Bridges, Jim Williams, Steve Paulson Lisa Callen, Greg Moore, Brenda Weekes, Mark Reyes, and Jeff Pierson. Not present: none

Guests: Commissioner Art Watkins, Larry Hall Advisor for the Overlook Project, Mike Tylka Advisor, Jody Revai with Premier Security, Ray Sheen, and Bruce Balthrope with SIORA, Sarah Mayer and Julianna with Twin Falls Signs, Stephanie Martin, Dan Qualls, and Rebecca Wildman taking minutes.

Bill called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. with a quorum present. Self-introductions were made.

Minutes: Minutes from the March 12, 2026, meeting were reviewed, Jim motioned to approve the minutes, Mark Reyes seconded, motion carried.

Treasurers Report: The Idaho Power account balance is $184,600; the 501c3 account is $59k; other account balances are unchanged.

Bricks R Us: Brenda reported the Brick account has $17k with $12,300 in the 501c3 account and $2,700 in the county account. Sales include forty-eight to fifty of the 4”x8”, thirty-six in the 8”x8” size, several including the logo, and six with an 8”x8” array. Brenda has more brochures to distribute.

Overlook Report: Larry reported on the civil engineer’s drawings and shared Nix Excavating’s estimate of $144k, noting it was difficult to get bids based on the project and recent cost increases as a result from the war with Iran. Larry shared the budget noting there is enough to cover this expense. He reported that the engineering account balance is $4,300 and the construction account balance is $179k. Income includes cash, the Idaho Power and Chobani grants, plus cash grants from Dr. Irwin and Republic Services; remaining funds are $245k. Larry believes the account with First Fed has $56k and $184k in the county’s fund account; therefore $179,962 has not been spent with $60k excess funding at this point. Republic Services is also contributing some in-kind on the project.

Black chain link fencing is planned for the right and left sides of the overlook pad, plus on the east side of the parking lot. Fencing estimate is $43k and alternate bids will be sought. Timeline may dictate bid amounts, etc. This and other estimates are higher than anticipated due to disruptions in Iran.

The BLM’s July 8, 2026, celebration will happen regardless of project completion and will be promoted as a “Construction Milestone Celebration.”

Larry shared a draft stakeholder notice recapping his report and timeline and asked for feedback from the board before Bill sends it out.

With no further discussion, Jim motioned to approve the Hayes Construction estimate of $144k, Steve seconded, and all board members approved in favor.

Overlook Gate: Sarah shared the foundation was dug with some drilling needed, concrete will be poured on Friday and installation will be set for next week.

Ribbon Cutting: Bill said the May dates are off but will know more next month on timing.

BLM’s July 8 Celebration: The BLM is organizing their eighty-year anniversary celebration will proceed on July 8, as planned. The BLM has asked Lieutenant Governor Scott Bedke to read the preamble at this event because the Governor is unavailable.

Buildings: Bill expressed frustration with the Jerome County Building Department. Once approved the buildings and cameras are ready to be installed. Discussion about holdups due to the Building Department’s representations and resulting frustrations.

Signs: Jim introduced the handout on signs noting one sign is smaller and its additional space to be filled with other information. Chobani has requested adding verbiage on signage which may be included on the Wildlife sign. Sarah said they are waiting for Chobani to approve their signage adding their decision to not go forward with the rock sign. Discussion about alternative usage for that rock including a SRCP place making sign. Bill asked to delay this decision for now.

Monument Sign: As previously approved by the board, Sarah confirmed this sign is being built now.

ADA Hearing Impaired Sign Feature: Brenda presented the ADA NaviLens coverage of four signs with initial setup of $1,046, and $851 per year thereafter. Brenda explained its features for sight-impaired people, utilizing a cell phone and translating in most languages. Discussed incorporating into the sign as already designed or adding a sticker after the fact as sign design is already complete. Discussed costs, alternatives, or QR codes. Jody and Brenda will research more with Jim making a connection to the Idaho School for the Deaf and Blind.

Weed Abatement: Steve was excited to report a reinstatement of Spray Days from the county with collaboration from Tri-County and Living Earth including twelve spray units and two county drones with spray technology.  This will be most comprehensive weed abatement to date for the park. Spraying tentatively scheduled during the last week of June. Living Earth is overseeing and it will impact places that haven’t been sprayed before.

Idaho Power: Idaho Power will not be installing the power pole at the Overlook until 2029. Steve added that he has changed Idaho Power’s plant pallet.

Signs – Other: Julianna asked for suggestions on the mining sign with others agreeing to give feedback in the that group email. Brenda reported she, Bill, Charlie and Larry recently spoke at the Idaho Recreation & Parks Ass. Annual Meeting and suggested using some of that language. Suggestions for additional signs including ADA parking, RV Parking, Video Surveillance, No Littering, No Camping, etc.

Rules: Bill solicited feedback for additional signs: Day Use Only, Park Hours: Dust to Dawn, Towing, No Shooting, No Fireworks, Leashed Pets, Federal, State and County Rules Apply, Leave No Trace, entrance fees, and no reckless driving in the parking lot. Jody shared that SIRCOMM will be able to view cameras and notified when motion is detected. Bill will compile and send to Board for additional suggestions.

Striping: Repainting after gate installation.

Benches: Are painted and will be delivered in next few weeks. Discussed pouring concrete pads before placing them. If needed, they can be stored in the container until ready to be placed.

Tractor and Container: Tractor is inside container with the backside of the container being painted by a high school student – so far paint cost is $250. The Mower Deck is at the airport with discussion on logistics in getting it moved to the container. Mark will contact Marty  at the airport to make arrangements.

Website and Social: No comments on either.

Open Board Position: Bill informed that John Weston has resigned from the Board and asked three attendees to introduce themselves as possible board members:

  • Bruce Balthrope: Semi-retired general contractor and member of SIORA who has been attending meetings for several months now.
  • Stephanie Martin: National Park Service resource with experience in geology, botany, and public projects and is willing to serve in an advisory capacity.
  • Dan Qualls: Retired contractor with building experience with interest in the Shooting Range projects and is also happy to serve as an advisor.

Bill thanked them for their interest and requested they send a resume to the Jerome County Commissioners. He admitted his weakness is the shooting range project, to which Greg advised to expect frustrations as the BLM keeps changing directions. Bill informed them that although the proposed range is outside park boundaries, it was a promise from the park to be built. Bill will complete the next step in the shooting range paperwork and get it to the Commissioners.

Walking Trail from Bridge to Overlook: Bill informed that multiple people have offered to pay the $1k per year rental cost and that he has asked Randal with IDL to send him that paperwork. Discussed this process and getting grants.

Volunteers: SIORA will host a cleanup event on May 16 starting at 8:00 a.m. Rebecca added that the climbers are conducting a clinic and cleanup that morning at a specific area. Bruce informed that SIORA has volunteered for an Adopt-A-Highway along Highway 93 from the Bridge up to the Historical sign on both sides of the road noting a twice per year minimum commitment. Volunteers are welcome to help but must sign a release of liability.

Parking Lot next to Don Zuck: Nothing new.

Equestrian Trailhead on 700 East: Lisa informed they are waiting until grants are announced. Bill asked how many posts and buckets are needed and Lisa will research and respond to him. Lisa confirmed grant funding is for the gravel and vault toilet. Lisa reported that we have applied with the Internal Readiness Training (IRT) and have submitted all paperwork.

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:37 a.m.

Executive Sessions may be held pursuant to Idaho Code 74-206(1) as needed during time such sessions are called.

Note: Any person needing special accommodations to participate in the meeting should contact the committee chairman, 208-293-2426; 48 hours prior to the meeting.