Open Meeting Minutes
Thursday, September 14, 2023
19th Hole Restaurant, Jerome Country Club
Attending Board members: Chairman Bill Bridges, John Weston, Sue Williams, Brenda Weekes and Greg Moore. Guests were Mike Tylka as Advisor, Aaron Utz with Idaho Power, Adam Stockberger with Idaho Adventure Rentals, Randal Brunmeier with the Idaho Department of Lands, Jerome Commissioner Art Watkins, Ben Lyda and Rebecca Wildman from the Southern Idaho Climbing Coalition and Rebecca taking minutes.
Bill called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. followed by self-introductions.
Treasurers Report: Given by Bill with $5,967 left for the year in one account and the other account with $11,352. Bill recently ordered replacement signs and Mike asked about the Shoshone Falls Road sign, Bill will get it ordered.
Minutes: Sue motioned to approve the Minutes from the August 10, 2023 meeting, Brenda second, minutes approved.
RV Park: Yesterday was the RV Park’s Grand Opening and included the Jerome County Commissioners, Keith Ricketts, and another 30 people attending. Corrals will be completed in the large open area in October. The second vault toilet is confirmed for March 2024 and after it is installed the RV project will be complete. Sue elaborated on the horse corrals, posts, concrete work, etc. and need for 18 five-gallon buckets with Bill looking into getting them for no cost. KMVT should be televising tonight and the Times-News story on the RV Park ran today.
Website: Jerome County’s IT Department (Desea Lance, Systems Specialist) will study if they can managing the website. Bill has notified current provider Canyon Crest Creative and has asked for the username and password.
Broken Bridge: Mike Walters with Wolftone Construction told Brenda that the ramp will be painted and hand rails ready by the end of the week. Next week they will begin installing and will need access for the concrete truck. There was discussion about access from the north or south side, along with availability of concrete. Project to be completed by the end of September and a Ceremony is anticipated first part of October. Wolftone Construction has invoiced through Gerald Martens $33k and $53k and Art will follow-up. Brenda will follow-up with invoices from EHM and getting them to Jerome County.
Brenda desires getting volunteers to do a clean-up. This Saturday is the Carl Nellis Day of Service and Brenda thought it would be a good coordinated time, possibly for next year. The park is being used by other groups and the park board does not have any information on these. With more information and lead time we can help manage these projects. Bill looking at ordering 3 dog-bag dispensers and probably will get a trash canister at top. Mike Tylka suggested asking the Jerome Work Duty crew to participate in a cleanup. Bill thinks three service clubs are cleaning up around the Perrine bridge this Saturday.
Shooting Range and Overlook: John Weston compiling information to submit to the BLM. It has been a year since Jerome County and Fish & Game went to Arizona and he voiced he is unhappy with BLM’s delayed response thus far. He is hoping to progress by the end of this year. Discussion about delay and issues and why BLM is not attending these monthly board meetings and if the BLM will run the proposed shooting range. John asked if we are wasting time by trying to get it going separately and Brenda advised to put it in the project request regardless.
Bill clarified the BLM priority is first the Yingst Grade Right of Way, second the Shooting Range and third the Overlook. Discussed if we can do the Geotechnical survey part of the Overlook to see if it is still in line and that the proposed structure may need to be modified with a view survey and rules. Greg suggested a meeting with BLM District Manager Mike Courtney to see if communication could be improved. Randal added that the BLM has not yet completed their exchange with the Department of Lands. Brenda shared minutes from the meeting with BLM on August 21, 2023.
5-Year Plan: Brenda shared the form that she and Alan Clawson created for user groups to submit for BLM approval and Codie Martin liked this approach. Discussed maps size and scale and Sue shared she can utilize Mark Reyes for map size and use. John suggested 7.5’ map size.
Brochure: Brenda shared the brochure asking for review. Suggested Rock Climbing added and Rock Crawling changed to Off Roading. Discussed re-naming the Broken Bridge in honor of Gerald Martens; Bill will run this through Jerome Commissioners.
Speaking: Bill spoke with the Optimist Club and SILT. Will speak to the Resource Conservation District RC&D on September 22nd, Magic Valley Land Trust on September 25th evening, and Twin Falls Noon Rotary October 11th. Brenda emphasized the purpose to ask for money and/or manpower. Bill asked Clif Bar if they’d offer employees to help with cleanup.
Speakers Bureau: No longer on for 2023, will look at 2024.
Security: Signage up, shot up, now run over.
Maintenance: Bill cleaning vault toilet bathroom daily and may check with Wilson Lake person and/or David Frieberg if BLM will take it on. Freiberg said they fill theirs with water clean it 1-2/week and pump it every 5-years. Greg suggested we get water in ours, Sue said Sweets should be contacted, Bill to follow-up.
Newspaper: Need ideas for articles.
Open Meeting Rules: Jeff Pierson to address when he is attending.
Roundtable: Adam Stockberger of Idaho Adventure Rentals introduced himself and his business of renting the side-by-sides in the area Northeast of the Bridge. He said people are rough on his machines and he’s looking at ways to mitigate torque and speed. Adam said most renters stick on state land and a few 2-hour renters go to BLM land. Mentioned some visitors are lost on the North side looking for Shoshone Falls on their GPS. Randal added that the Department of Lands has Fish & Game Wardens that also patrol that area in addition to the Jerome County Sheriff. Adam mitigates weed transfer if vehicles are used elsewhere. His permit ends September 30th.
Ben Lyda introduced himself as new Access Chair for Southern Idaho Climbing Coalition and opened discussion on possible climbing areas. Randal noted Massacre Rocks shutdown and that there are possible issues for archeological and cultural resources here too.
John Weston noted the $5k Pitman Roberts grant for a feasibility study on the shooting range shows it has already been disbursed by Idaho Fish & Game. Communication issue and Art Watkins will follow-up.
City of Twin Falls has been billed for $10k for Broken Bridge.
Meeting was Adjourned at 12:40 pm.