Thursday, April 9, 2026
Snake River Canyons Park Board
Open Meeting Minutes
Thursday, April 9, 2026
Blue Lakes Country Club, Jerome, Idaho
Attending Board Members: Chairman Bill Bridges, Jim Williams, John Weston, Lisa Callen, Greg Moore, and Mark Reyes. Not present: Steve Paulson, Brenda Weekes, and Jeff Pierson
Guests: Larry Hall Advisor for the Overlook Project, Mike Tylka Advisor, Leon Letson, Ben Reidcheck and Hunter Hodges with Idaho Power, Jody Revai with Premier Security, Ray and Karlene Sheen, and Bruce Balthrope with SIORA, Lisa Cresswell with BLM, Sarah Mayer with Twin Falls Signs, and Rebecca Wildman taking minutes.
Bill called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. with a quorum present. Self-introductions were made.
Minutes: Minutes from the March 12, 2026, meeting were reviewed. Rebecca shared Brenda’s email questioning the 501c3 account balance. Bill corrected that the 501c3 account balance should have stated $100k with recent checks totaling $160k instead of checks totaling $60k. Brenda’s email also requested correcting the dog trial area acreage from 800 to 900 acres. With no other corrections, Jim motioned to approve the minutes, Lisa Callen seconded, motion carried.
Minutes from the March 23 Special Meeting were reviewed, Greg motioned to approve, Mark seconded, motion carried.
Idaho Power: Representatives from Idaho Power explained their proposal to place a power pole inside the grass area inside the parking loop area. Leon Letson from Idaho Power shared that since meeting with Bill and Larry they have made some plan adjustments to address safety concerns, and he shared a new layout view of the proposed placement. They estimate installation to occur early in 2029 with transmission lines following. Greg inquired if power could be brought to the overlook concessions stand – noting that would require installing a transformer. Bill conveyed that the Jerome Commissioners requested the SRCP board consider this request from Idaho Power. Jim motioned to accept Idaho Power’s proposal, Lisa Callen seconded, motion carried. Letson will check with Nate Murray, Idaho Power’s local energy advisor, regarding the request to bring power to the overlook area.
Treasurer’s Report: Bill reported the Overlook Fund has $187k remaining and is current on all bills, half payments have been made on the two buildings and solar has been purchased but will still need to be installed. Half payment has also been made on the signage. The Overlook pad itself is what is left to complete. The Yingst Grade Fund has $13,900 remaining. The regular account has $96k with $23k spent so far, mostly for toilets, security and garbage. Bill added that as the park collects money at the Overlook, funds will pay wages and maintenance for the Overlook. Greg asked if the vault toilets have been pumped and Bill confirmed they have, and that should last for two years. Bill added that the RV Park will not start charging a fee until the account is set up.
Bricks R Us Report: The 501c3 account includes the Chobani grant and brick funding, less payments for Nix Excavation, with $54,909 left in that account. Someone will need to be hired to install the bricks. As of April 8, we have sold 45 4”x8” bricks, 32 8”x8” bricks, five 8’x8’ with logos, and a few donations came in with no specific request for brick engraving. Bill asked the Board members to walk the Overlook site and give feedback on work completed thus far.
Overlook Update: Larry provided budget copies explaining the estimate and amounts paid to date, but he hasn’t reconciled it yet with Bill’s account. So far $281k has been paid with $196k still to spend. Larry said he will have the engineers’ drawings later today. Nix will be the general contractor on the rest of the project, and they will hire the steel work, etc. and Larry is anticipating a cost of $87,700 for the pad. Funds received include $250 times two plus another $16k totaling $516k to use. After expenses Larry estimates $81,660 left to finish. Bill added there is another $13k for income from brick sales. Platform design will be given to us today. Nix will try to get it completed by the May 11 ribbon cutting date or alternate date of May 28.
Larry is working on final sign designs, meeting with TF signs, plus meeting with Chobani today to complete their monumental sign design. Larry has filed for permits for buildings including the ticket booth and concession building and they have been submitted for approval from the county. TF Signs will follow through on the permits. Larry explained there was some initial confusion with P&Z including plat maps, but it has been resolved.
Greg asked if the structures meet building codes and Larry responded that Outwest Sheds already has the State of Idaho engineer’s stamp. Nix will lay gravel for setting buildings and toilets, with most already completed. Nix moved the Chobani boulder to its new location.
Jody asked for approval to spend $2k for the 250th celebration which will be combined with the BLM’s 80th celebration. It is proposed to place 250 flags alongside the road leading into the park. Jody has the 250 U.S. flags already but would like to purchase the historical colonial flags, a life-sized Declaration of Independence, plus two 250 banners and a large American flag to place behind the speaking platform. Flags will get usage from other venue dates including the Twin Falls County Courthouse lawn, the Twin Falls County Fair, events in Buhl, and events in Oakley, with the goal to share them throughout. Lowes and Northwest Foam each paid for half of these flags and Jody’s company purchased extras for backups. Jim motioned to approve spending $2k for the additional flags and banners, Greg seconded, motion carried.
RV Park: The RV Park will have a separate account with Bill and Mark Reyes as signers. Jody added if cash is accepted then he will need to hire someone with cash certification. The RV Park will implement QR Code payments through Square Point of Sale with the QR Code posted on the RV Park sign. For future Jody would like QR codes for each campsite to track each site’s use and security. Per Sarah, TF Sign can print QR codes for this purpose. Jody informed that three abandoned trailers have been removed so far this year incurring expense for the towing company. Some campers complain about the five-day limit and Jody has seen some sign damage on federal signs. Lisa Cresswell asked to let the BLM know when the park starts charging as some BLM employees use it. Jody plans to ask Jerome County’s work release program to work on weed and tumbleweed removal in the corral and along fences.
Ribbon Cutting: Angela with Idaho Power is helping Larry with planning the event and it will include both cities. The date of May 11 is set, but not confirmed. Cheryl Viola has posted on Facebook the May 11 date.
Freedom 250 Celebration Combined with the BLM’s 80th Anniversary: Scheduled for July 8 with several dignitaries speaking including local, county and state officials. The event will run from 2-4pm culminating with Idaho Governor Brad Little reading the Declaration of Independence as part of a country-wide simultaneous reading and this location being the only one in the state of Idaho. Lisa Cresswell added that there will be music and traditional Indian dancing.
Idaho Recreation Association: On April 21st Bill, Brenda, Larry, and Charlie Howell will speak at the Idaho Recreation & Parks Association at 2:45 p.m. On April 22 this group will come tour the overlook, estimating 25 people.
Signs: Updates on the four signs including Fish and Game sign in a smaller size and will be augmented with additional information about the park. Professor Shawn Willsey suggested signs include QR Codes that can read the content – Bill suggested this feature could be added eventually. The Tribes and historical/cultural signs may be fine as initially presented. Sarah asked if signs have been approved for printing with Larry noting he has a subsequent meeting with Chobani. Sarah requested the Jerome County Seal in a higher resolution image and Mark will send it to her. TF Signs will send its quote for parking lot striping.
Weeds: Bill is pulling the Russian Thistle at the RV Park and could use help cleaning it out on sites #3 and #4.
Container and Tractor: Tractor is now at the Disc Golf site and Bill will learn how to operate it. The Artist is two-thirds done with painting the back side of the container.
Website and Facebook: Cheryl Viola is still managing posts and will correct dates for the overlook and correct the name for the SIORA organization and its May 16 cleanup.
Disc Course: Bill replaced the flags on the disc golf course. Noted one post is falling over and will need some work.
Archery Range: John shared handouts for consideration of future targets when range is in place and explained several options. Mowing grass will be the biggest challenge, estimating one acre of mowing. John shared a handout and explained the animal targets.
Equestrian Trailhead and IRT Grants: Lisa Callen informed grants have been submitted but doesn’t anticipate hearing on them until October, plus work wouldn’t begin until August through December. The National Guard workforce training volunteer work also won’t be available until later.
Volunteers: SIORA is holding its annual cleanup on Saturday May 16. They are waiting to hear what costs the county will cover, and Ray confirmed they’ve been reimbursed for dumpster expense from last year. Greg advised them to go through Southern Idaho Solid Waste as they service the area counties. Clean-up will begin at 8:00 a.m. and go through Noon or 1:00 p.m. Climbers may also come cleanup in climbing areas. SIORA may do some maintenance on the rock crawling area on Sunday.
Parking lot next to Don Zuck arbor: Discussed plans to expand the parking area and add another arbor with questions about how much area was previously authorized.
Meeting Time and Place: Bill explained a request to move the meeting time to earlier with a possible date change. Blue Lakes Country Club can accommodate earlier in the morning, but not later in the afternoon. After some discussion, Greg motioned to move meetings to the first Thursday of the month starting at 9:00 a.m., Jim seconded, motion carried.
Volunteer of the Year: Bill presented this award to Larry Hall conveying the board’s deep appreciation for his work.
ADA Barcode Scanner/Talking Sign: Lisa Callen noted Brenda’s materials for ADA signage. After some discussion the board agreed to wait for Brenda to share this at a later meeting.
Other: Bill informed the County is looking to purchase land to swap with Fish and Game’s property at the Yingst Grade parking lot. This may be finalized sometime next year.
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, May 7 at 9:00 a.m. at Blue Lakes Country Club.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 12:45 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 chairman, 208-293-2426; 48 hours prior to the meeting.