Snake River Canyons Park Board

Open Meeting Minutes

Thursday, June 8, 2023

19^th Hole Restaurant, Jerome Country Club

Attending board members were Chairman Bill Bridges, John Weston, Jeff Pierson, Sue Williams, Brenda Weeks. Guests were

Bill called the meeting was called to order at 11:00 a.m. followed by self-introductions.

Minutes: The May 11, 2023 meeting minutes were reviewed, Sue motioned, Brenda second, minutes were approved.

Treasurer’s Report: Tanya Stitt will be our new Treasurer.  We have $1602 dollars in our bank account.  We need to understand where we stand on the RV grant.

RV Park: The RV park is close to being ready.  The pit toilet is in, just needs to have concrete apron put in.  Sue is looking for a second concractor to pour the concrete.  The First concractor is to slow. 

 In July they will start fencing with a 3-strand barbed wire plus cattle guards. Sue said they got an extension on funding of one year for the first grant. Second grant notification scheduled for June including more rock and second vault toilet.

Website: The Board is unhappy with current provider Canyon Creative. Desert Creative Group has been contacted and considering service. Sue asked for someone else to oversee this and Alan volunteered sharing he has some experience. Alan will set up a call with himself, Bill and Desert Creative Group to pursue.

Broken Bridge: Brenda reported the bridge project is progressing.  Bids are in the low bid was $157,500.  Gerald Martens will work with them to ge the work started.  We have one more permit to obtain.  A Flood Plain permit from the same group that gave us our first permit.

5-Year Action Plan: Goal to set priority projects from all user groups for next 5-years. Brenda ask that everybody get their request in by July 1.  Brenda ans Sue want to meet with the BLM to discuss projects in late July.

Shooting Range: John says the BLM has posted their comment. John started his own comment site and has 100’s of comments already.  BLM might decide to construct the range which would have loss of county involvement. John has been asked to help design some smaller ranges to the south. Fish & Game Grant Status is that Commissioners will meet to approve. If BLM takes it on, it may take out the waiting period, but they are talking about building 6 ranges total in the valley. Ours would be the big one and a multi-use facility. Fear the Oregon Trail markings will be lost at the 700 due to shooting there. Sue suggested the Horse Riders could help identify this and Mark said it is already marked. Discussion of timing of shooting ban (March 2020) and history leading up to it.

Overlook: The BLM is waiting for the anthropology report so that John T. can finish his approval.

Speakers’ bureau: We need better publicity.  Meeting at Bill’s house on June 14.  It was suggested we do one large meeting in August.  Bring in a band and maybe some zoo animals.  Reptiles from the area and maybe some Birds of Prey.  Get the OHV group to organize.

Security: Bill will purchase two trail cameras and put our in the park.

Maintenance: Specifically gravel for pothole at Yingst grade, Disc Golf Course feathering out by tees, overlook needs smoothing out, and Hansen Bridge hole there.

Newspaper Articles: Open for ideas.

Reminder: Arbors and Picnic Table placement.

Open Meeting Rules: Jeff suggested the organization undertake training on open meeting laws, noting potential unknown violations and perceptions. He will inquire with the Idaho Association of Counties about scheduling.

Campground Rules and Open Date: Bill asked for responses to rules he sent about the RV Park. Bill would like the RV Park open as soon as possible (this weekend) and others said this is not  realistic. Sue suggested the soonest it could open is the end of July. Suggested Max of 5 days and question of how is this enforced. Bill said BLM has a 14 day and we can do it less than this and came up with the 5 day limit.  Bill will be doing daily checks and clean up in the RV park when it opens.

New Business: Sue explained her write up to implement a policy to identify outstanding behavior to the group or county based on written criteria and consider for the next meeting.  Sue added that we need a name for the RV – she used “The Rickets RV Camp” for the application. Mike and Mark added that Virginia Rickets was a local historian and had even mapped the Oregon Trail. Maybe also consider Immigrant Trail Camp. To be voted on next meeting.  New business was to be voted on at the June meeting, but it did not happen.

Upcoming Calendar Dates:

Monthly Board Meeting, Thursday July 13, 2023, 11am – 1pm, 19^th Hole

Meeting was adjourned at 12:55 p.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 secretary, 208-293-2426; 48 hours prior to the meeting.                                                                             

Snake River Canyons Park Board

Open Meeting Minutes

Thursday, May 11, 2023

19^th Hole Restaurant, Jerome Country Club

Attending board members were Chairman Bill Bridges, John Weston, Jeff Pierson, Sue Williams, Brenda Weeks, and Alan Clauson. Guests were Mike Tylka and Mark Reyes and minutes were taken by Rebecca Wildman.

Bill called the meeting was called to order at 11:08 a.m. followed by self-introductions.

Minutes: The April 13, 2023 meeting minutes were reviewed, Sue motioned, Brenda second, minutes were approved.

Treasurer’s Report: Sue said the first two invoices for the RV Park have been paid and funds will come out of the grant. Mike suggested Bill contact Wayke regarding getting gravel to the park. Sue paid $250 for the Health permit for the vault toilet and will submit a receipt for reimbursement.

RV Park: Nicks excavation is laying the rock and aerial photos were taken. The excavator is digging for the vault toilet today and needs a minimum of 4 feet in depth. Larry Maschak is laying rock and they’ve agreed if they cannot get deep enough then they will build it up on the sides.

Sue shared that ATV’s are drag racing on the access road and she proposes trying to close this section until construction is finished. Sue said excavator has caution tape and cones to mark the hole, but she is still concerned. Bill noted the Saturday night speaker series would need to have access. Suggestions included asking for additional sheriff or BLM patrol, signage, barriers, etc. agreement that signage is only thing we can do for liability and suggested signs from the highway department indicating construction zone. Bill will ask the highway department.  

Boulders will be used to identify campsites and will have metallic numbers that correspond from the kiosk. The highway department authorized taking boulders from the quarry the north side of 700 road. Sue asked for help to locate two front-loaders and a trailer to transport boulders to RV camp; the current contractor is too busy to do this.

Photos from Mark’s drone shared. Nicks had offered to do fencing and agreed to clear the perimeter. In July they will start fencing with a 3-strand barbed wire plus cattle guards. Sue said they got an extension on funding of one year for the first grant. Second grant notification scheduled for June including more rock and second vault toilet.

Website: The Board is unhappy with current provider Canyon Creative. Desert Creative Group has been contacted and considering service. Sue asked for someone else to oversee this and Alan volunteered sharing he has some experience. Alan will set up a call with himself, Bill and Desert Creative Group to pursue.

Broken Bridge: Brenda reported the bridge project is progressing with Gerald Martens working to obtain bids by May 15. She met with the Water Resources last week with Aaron Golar and IDWR, and they are pleased with the project and its good use. Jerome county asked for a flood plain development permit. Under this the county works with FEMA for flood insurance, making sure in a mapped flood zone that we are doing things as needed. The P&Zs 1985 maps indicates Flood Zone A. Brenda now just needs Charlie’s sign-off as county property owner. Bill will facilitate signature, P&Z drop off, etc. The concern is more if a development is in a flood plane, not so relevant to our bridge. Construction may begin late summer/fall when water flow goes down. Sue added that Falls2Falls promoters are very interested in this project and some asked if they could help. Discussion on painting bridge for community PR and buy-in from user groups.

5-Year Action Plan: Goal to set priority projects from all user groups for next 5-years. Recent meeting on April 25^th with discussion including naming/adopting trails. Alan suggested a program like adopt-a-highway and would try to get an application example but noted we can make up our own. Brenda said each group (horseback, off-road, rock-crawlers, climbing, mountain bikers), to give us a proposal of their top things, namely trails and supporting things to further their uses. Meeting again on May 23 at 6pm then sit with Mark and protection zones overlay and start working it into a project schedule. Also asked user groups for their ideas on funding sources, grants, and partnerships to get things funded. Asked how the board can help and Sue thought after the next meeting users will have a better idea noting that many are helping with the May 13^th park cleanup. Also ask user groups to think about where to install the 2 arbors and 4 picnic tables that county has for the park and Sue suggested placement of at least one table and arbor at the RV park.

MV Fly Fishers: Brenda shared that May 20 this group is hosting an event at Murtaugh Lake and will be teaching fly fishing. Idaho F&G will have their trailer there, so no fishing licenses are necessary. It starts at 9 am and is a family-friendly event with food provided.

Shooting Range: John is waiting for the BLM to post their comment period (was to be done last January). BLM might decide to construct the range which would have loss of county involvement. John has been asked to help design some smaller ranges to the south. Fish & Game Grant Status is that Commissioners will meet to approve. If BLM takes it on, it may take out the waiting period, but they are talking about building 6 ranges total in the valley. Ours would be the big one and a multi-use facility. Fear the Oregon Trail markings will be lost at the 700 due to shooting there. Sue suggested the Horse Riders could help identify this and Mark said it is already marked. Discussion of timing of shooting ban (March 2020) and history leading up to it.

Overlook: Larry Hall’s contractors were to walk property there but Bill hasn’t heard if it happened.

Park Clean up: May 13, 2023, beginning at 8:00am. Bill wants a second trailer to take trash out of disc golf park. Asked about Western Waste toilet being moved and Bill asked it to be moved back away from the picnic table.

Speakers’ bureau: Saturday night 2 speakers about Archeology and Chinese Camps (on website calendar page). Other speakers confirmed include Steve Paulson on June 10 talking about native plants. Other possible speaker dates to be determined.

Security: Already discussed. Lately lots of vandalism. Suggested bringing paint to Saturdays cleanup and doing some touch up.

Maintenance: Specifically gravel for pothole at Yingst grade, Disc Golf Course feathering out by tees, overlook needs smoothing out, and Hansen Bridge hole there.

Newspaper Articles: Open for ideas.

Reminder: Arbors and Picnic Table placement.

P&Z Recreation Zoning: Next P&Z meeting is Monday. Bill noted the proposed change would benefit Devil’s Corral for what they want to do, but it would have a negative impact on Herb Allen’s estate with allowing for fewer homes.

Open Meeting Rules: Jeff suggested the organization undertake training on open meeting laws, noting potential unknown violations and perceptions. He will inquire with the Idaho Association of Counties about scheduling.

Campground Rules and Open Date: Bill asked for responses to rules he sent about the RV Park. Bill would like the RV Park open as soon as possible (this weekend) and others said this is not  realistic. Sue suggested the soonest it could open is the end of July. Suggested Max of 5 days and question of how is this enforced. Bill said BLM has a 14 day and we can do it less than this and came up with the 5 day limit.

New Business: Sue explained her write up to implement a policy to identify outstanding behavior to the group or county based on written criteria and consider for the next meeting.  Sue added that we need a name for the RV – she used “The Rickets RV Camp” for the application. Mike and Mark added that Virginia Rickets was a local historian and had even mapped the Oregon Trail. Maybe also consider Immigrant Trail Camp. To be voted on next meeting.

Upcoming Calendar Dates:

Monthly Board Meeting, Thursday June 8, 2023, 11am – 1pm, 19^th Hole

5-Year Plan Meeting, Tuesday, May 23, 2023 6pm – 8pm, 19^th Hole

Meeting was adjourned at 12:47 p.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 secretary, 208-293-2426; 48 hours prior to the meeting.                                                                             

Snake River Canyons Park Boards

300 N. Lincoln Ave.

Jerome, ID.  83338-2317

Open Meeting Minutes

Thursday Feb. 9, 2023

Meeting at Caddy Shack, Jerome Country Club

The meeting was called to order at 11:00 am by chairman Bill Bridges, Also, in attendance were board members Sue Williams, John Weston, Jeff Pierson, Greg Moore and Brenda Weekes.

Guests included: Lisa Cresswell, David Freiberg, Mike Tylka, Randel Brunmeier, Rebecca Wildman, Mike Jurak, Terry Mode, Bill Maikranz (President OHV club), Jeff Trammell (Past President OHV club), Jerry Duffy, Ray Sheen, Jack Hartman, Ben Crouch.

All board members and guest introduced themselves.

The minutes from the January 12, 2023 meeting were approved.

Bill Bridges gave the treasurers report.

The county budget for 2023 is $25,000  -$1500 for signs and $2400 for the WEB page and Facebook.

$1602 in our account. 

A brief discussion was had on moving the meeting to a different time or place.  The question was raised regarding moving the meeting time from a time during the day to an evening meeting so new board members could participate who may not be able to take time off from work during the day.  Most board member indicated they would like the meetings to stay the same time and place.  No vote was taken.

We need more volunteers to help upkeep the park.

Sue Williams gave an update on the RV Park.  Sue has submitted another grant to Idaho Parks and Recreation Dept. For an additional $43,000 to cover the increased costs of the second vault toilet and additional gravel.  The grant was submitted Jan. 27.  All of the grading is completed and we are waiting for the rock to be installed.  The first vault toilet will be delivered in the April time frame.   Sue has acquired some wood for three horse corrals.  The Cache Peak chapter of Back Country Horseman have volunteered to help build the corrals.

Bill Bridges gave a short review of the Web page in Lexi’s absents.  We are slowly getting improvements.  Lexi and Bill have tried to make several meetings with Canyon Crest Creations, to no avail.  We need more feedback.  A member of the OHV club pointed out that the picture of the ORV is a $500,000 race car.  We need to get that changed.

Brenda Fittante Weekes talked about the Broken Bridge.  We are waiting on the Water Resources Board.  It has been sent to the Army Corp of Engineers and Idaho Fish & Game.  Brenda also has paper work in with the Idaho Dept of Lands.  The Dept. of Lands is waiting on the Water Resources Board.  We need a legal survey of the bridge area to get the Dept. of Lands and BLM approvals.

 John Weston spoke about the gun range.  John has provided drawings and information.  Sue Wiiliams wrote a grant to get a professional feasibility plan for the shooting range.  This is the first step in getting the land approved for a shooting range north of I84.  David Freiberg spoke a little about his effect to get all the BLM’s paper work ready.  He needs contact information for all gun users and groups in the Magic Valley.  Money for the grant will be available in early 2024, if approved.   

Several members of the OHV club spoke about their long-standing use of the park.  They questioned the policy of “stay on the trails” and wanted reinstatement of the “go anywhere” policy.  David Freiberg, BLM, stated the signage referencing “Stay on Trails” has all been removed.  The club would like to have input to updating the priorities for the park.  The club has cleaned the park for 24 years and kept it from being closed because of the trash.   Brenda invited two members to be on the subcommittee writing the new priorities.

Bill Bridges spoke on the Shoshone Falls Overlook briefly.  The cell tower in the area has been cancelled.  Any road we build into the area will be over a 20 foot cliff.

Next on the list was working on a Master Plan.  Brenda showed copies of the maps from the old Master Plan to the OHV representatives.  Bill pointed out that the old plan called for an update in 2024 and then get the 25 year extension.  The county got the 25 year extension first, because we needed it to get grants.

Bill Bridges ask board members for ideas on newspaper articles.

A security discussion about Yingst Grade was next.  Charlie Howell is working on getting a light for the parking lot.

Meeting Adjourned at 12:51 PM.

The next Park Board meeting will be held at the 9^th Hole restaurant on Thursday March 9, 2023 (second Thursday of the month) from 11am-1pm.

Minutes Approved:

_____________________________________________                                     ________________

Signature of Snake River Canyons Park Board Member                                       Date

_____________________________________________                                     ___________________

Signature of Snake River Canyons Park Board Member                                       Date

Note: Highway district meeting was on Thursday night, 12.8.22.  Bill went to the meeting.  The parking lot is a legal turnaround on Yingst Grade Road.  So no gate to close it off.  Speed bumps are not allowed on public streets in Jerome County.  One reason is they damage snow plows.

Snake River Canyons Park Boards

300 N. Lincoln Ave.

Jerome, ID.  83338-2317

Open Meeting Minutes

Thursday Feb. 9, 2023

Meeting at Caddy Shack, Jerome Country Club

The meeting was called to order at 11:00 am by chairman Bill Bridges, Also, in attendance were board members Sue Williams, John Weston, Jeff Pierson, Greg Moore and Brenda Weekes.

Guests included: Lisa Cresswell, David Freiberg, Mike Tylka, Randel Brunmeier, Rebecca Wildman, Mike Jurak, Terry Mode, Bill Maikranz (President OHV club), Jeff Trammell (Past President OHV club), Jerry Duffy, Ray Sheen, Jack Hartman, Ben Crouch.

All board members and guest introduced themselves.

The minutes from the January 12, 2023 meeting were approved.

Bill Bridges gave the treasurers report.

The county budget for 2023 is $25,000  -$1500 for signs and $2400 for the WEB page and Facebook.

$1602 in our account. 

A brief discussion was had on moving the meeting to a different time or place.  The question was raised regarding moving the meeting time from a time during the day to an evening meeting so new board members could participate who may not be able to take time off from work during the day.  Most board member indicated they would like the meetings to stay the same time and place.  No vote was taken.

We need more volunteers to help upkeep the park.

Sue Williams gave an update on the RV Park.  Sue has submitted another grant to Idaho Parks and Recreation Dept. For an additional $43,000 to cover the increased costs of the second vault toilet and additional gravel.  The grant was submitted Jan. 27.  All of the grading is completed and we are waiting for the rock to be installed.  The first vault toilet will be delivered in the April time frame.   Sue has acquired some wood for three horse corrals.  The Cache Peak chapter of Back Country Horseman have volunteered to help build the corrals.

Bill Bridges gave a short review of the Web page in Lexi’s absents.  We are slowly getting improvements.  Lexi and Bill have tried to make several meetings with Canyon Crest Creations, to no avail.  We need more feedback.  A member of the OHV club pointed out that the picture of the ORV is a $500,000 race car.  We need to get that changed.

Brenda Fittante Weekes talked about the Broken Bridge.  We are waiting on the Water Resources Board.  It has been sent to the Army Corp of Engineers and Idaho Fish & Game.  Brenda also has paper work in with the Idaho Dept of Lands.  The Dept. of Lands is waiting on the Water Resources Board.  We need a legal survey of the bridge area to get the Dept. of Lands and BLM approvals.

 John Weston spoke about the gun range.  John has provided drawings and information.  Sue Wiiliams wrote a grant to get a professional feasibility plan for the shooting range.  This is the first step in getting the land approved for a shooting range north of I84.  David Freiberg spoke a little about his effect to get all the BLM’s paper work ready.  He needs contact information for all gun users and groups in the Magic Valley.  Money for the grant will be available in early 2024, if approved.   

Several members of the OHV club spoke about their long-standing use of the park.  They questioned the policy of “stay on the trails” and wanted reinstatement of the “go anywhere” policy.  David Freiberg, BLM, stated the signage referencing “Stay on Trails” has all been removed.  The club would like to have input to updating the priorities for the park.  The club has cleaned the park for 24 years and kept it from being closed because of the trash.   Brenda invited two members to be on the subcommittee writing the new priorities.

Bill Bridges spoke on the Shoshone Falls Overlook briefly.  The cell tower in the area has been cancelled.  Any road we build into the area will be over a 20 foot cliff.

Next on the list was working on a Master Plan.  Brenda showed copies of the maps from the old Master Plan to the OHV representatives.  Bill pointed out that the old plan called for an update in 2024 and then get the 25 year extension.  The county got the 25 year extension first, because we needed it to get grants.

Bill Bridges ask board members for ideas on newspaper articles.

A security discussion about Yingst Grade was next.  Charlie Howell is working on getting a light for the parking lot.

Meeting Adjourned at 12:51 PM.

The next Park Board meeting will be held at the 9^th Hole restaurant on Thursday March 9, 2023 (second Thursday of the month) from 11am-1pm.

Minutes Approved:

_____________________________________________                                     ________________

Signature of Snake River Canyons Park Board Member                                       Date

_____________________________________________                                     ___________________

Signature of Snake River Canyons Park Board Member                                       Date

Note: Highway district meeting was on Thursday night, 12.8.22.  Bill went to the meeting.  The parking lot is a legal turnaround on Yingst Grade Road.  So no gate to close it off.  Speed bumps are not allowed on public streets in Jerome County.  One reason is they damage snow plows.