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Water Documenters: Read meeting notes from the Utah Lake Authority

The Jan. 24 meeting included an overview on grants to help improve lake infrastructure and the hiring of a new executive director.

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Attendance:

  • Sam Braegger, Program Manager and interim Executive Director of Utah Lake Authority (ULA)
  • Addy Valdez, Conservation Biologist for ULA
  • Mark Johnson, Lehi
  • Kamron Dalton, Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity
  • Carolyn Lundberg, Lindon
  • Lanae Millet, Orem
  • Chris Carn, Saratoga Springs
  • Julie Fulmer, Vineyard
  • Michelle Kaufusi, Provo
  • Curtis Blair, Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce
  • Ben Stireman, Utah Division of Natural Resources
  • Jodi Garberg, Utah Department of Environmental Quality (filling John Mackey’s spot today)
  • Tom Sakievich, Utah County Commissioner, (joined online)
  • Hillary Hungerford, Gov. appointee from Utah Valley University  (Joined Online)

    • Absent:

  • Marty Larson, Genola
  • Mike McKell, Utah Senate
  • Brady Brammer, Utah House of Representatives

    • There were about 15 visitors in person and a similar number online.

    Conservation and Restoration efforts from Addy Valdez, the Conservation Biologist for the Utah Lake Authority (ULA).

  • Partnering with Conserve Utah Valley (CUV), Utah Valley University (UVU), and Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce for a restoration activity in April, May, and June. It wasn’t specified which organizations are hosting events in which months.
    • Valdez mentioned that the restoration activities generally include planting native plants using plant plugs. Plant plugs are essentially baby native wetland plants that are used in the ULA’s wetland restoration activities.
  • This year all funding is coming internally from the ULA, next year they hope to get funding from the Utah Watershed Restoration Initiative.
  • Chris Carn asked if they could get some restoration activities in his city, Saratoga Springs.
  • Kamron Dalton asked for the infographic to be sent out to everyone.
  • Dalton also asked about where they are sourcing the plugs.
    • Dalton asked why they weren’t able to locally source all 10,000 plant plugs.

    Updates from Sam Braegger:

  • The ULA’s previous Outreach Coordinator, Jenna, left for another job about a month ago.
    • Recently hired Anna Hall to be the new Outreach Coordinator, starting on January 29th, 2024.
    • Past accomplishments relating to communications and outreach from the ULA:
  • Events and engagement:
    • Winter Fish Fest:
    • Upcoming events:
    • Interim Report:

    Carn motioned and Michelle Kaufusi seconded to approve the consent items.

    Braegger’s presentation on the Small Grants Program:

  • The purpose is to launch an effort to support more recreation on the lake.
  • The ULA offers 10-12 events a year and they want to support other groups who want to host their own events. This program will allow them to offer one-time funding for starting or improving existing recreation offerings at Utah Lake.
    • The grant cycle will run from December 1, 2023 through February 1, 2024.
  • Examples include:
    • Construction of recreation amenities.
    • Ongoing programs including classes and leagues.
    • One-time special events.
    • Benches, bike repair, workout stations.
    • Equipment purchases.
    • Marketing costs, though these can only include up to 5% of total cost.
    • Permit fees, paperwork, certifications, trainings, etc.
  • Non-eligible events include:
    • Events intended for private access areas.
    • Events for restricted audiences. In other words, the  ULA will not sponsor events where only members of a club, HOA, etc. can attend. The event can include paid tickets, but there shouldn’t be a restriction on who can purchase the tickets.
  • Eligibility:
    • Counties, cities, non-profits, and private businesses can apply for grants.
    • The grant money must be intended for public use.
    • The recipient must use the grant money to provide an economic opportunity.
    • Educational purposes are also prioritized for applicants.
  • The ULA has up to $60K available for grants this cycle.
    • Applicants can request between $5,000 to $6,0000.
    • The applicant must match a portion of the money received. Details can be found on the <a href="https://utahlake.gov/small-grants-program/">ULA website</a>.
  • Funds must be spent within 18 months after receiving the grant.
  • The ULA is estimating 5-6 applications this grant cycle.
  • This year, the ULA started marketing after they opened the grant cycle so it is very short notice for applicants.
    • Because of this, they are willing to allow a one-week extension for applicants, if needed.

    Update from Dave Epstein from Jacobs Engineering on the Utah Lake Management Plan:

  • Background on the Utah Lake Management Plan
    • The plan stems from HB 232, the bill that created the Utah Lake Authority during the 2022 legislative session.
    • Started working on the plan in November 2022.
    • A picture of the list of who was on the planning team for the Plan:
    • Jacobs Engineering sent out two public surveys to gauge interest in how the public values Utah Lake.
    • The conceptual plan went through a 30-day public comment period before approval from the board.
    • Then the draft plan stage:
  • Deputy Project Manager Kayla Worthen demonstrated the management plan online hub.
    • The online hub features an inventory of all projects that are happening around Utah Lake.
    • Kaufusi gave a big thank you to the group and offered high praise for the document

    Carn moved to move agenda item 6.4 on the agenda up to now and Dalton seconded.

    Executive Director Appointment:

  • Luke Peterson was the top appointee.
    • The pay request was $150K annually.
  • Tom Sakievich suggested that it was good, Sakievich made the motion, and Blair seconded the motion.
    • Carn stated appreciation for everyone putting in the work to hire someone.
  • The board expressed unanimous approval for the appointment.
  • Remarks from Peterson:
    • He is from Payson, graduated from UVU,&nbsp; received his Master’s degree at Harvard, and was a professor at UVU.
    • He is very excited to get running with the ULA.

    Going into a closed session for discussion about the purchase of real property, including water rights.

  • Stireman moved, seconded by Carn.
  • Return from closed session at 10:21 am.

    • Fullmer needed to leave for another commitment so Kaufusi, vice chair, took over conducting the meeting.

    The closed meeting took care of point 6.1 on the agenda.

    Blair made the motion and  Lenae Millet seconded to vote on the management plan. All voted in favor.

    Sakievich left the meeting online at this point.

    Discussion point to give Braegger a bonus:

  • The appointed bonus had been held back while Braegger acted as the interim director over the past few months.
  • Carolyn Lundberg motioned to approve and Carn seconded. All voted in favor.

    • 6.5 review and approve the ULA grants policy that was discussed earlier in the meeting

  • Braegger led the discussion.
  • The ULA needs an inspection process to ensure the maximum term for when the money needs to be spent and that grants given fall within the scope and vision of the ULA.
    • Stireman asked if there was a specific amount for the grant.
    • Carn asked about what grant policy applicants were working under.
  • Dalton moved, Mark Johnson second, all approved.

    • Point 6.6 – Membership in the Jordan River Commission

  • Soren Simonson presented in November with an invitation to join the commission.
  • Braegger suggested in an email to join as an ex-officio member.
    • Cost of between 6-10k a year to have a seat on the commission.
    • Blair recommended voting favorably.
    • Dalton made the point that in the future the ULA can always change the type of partnership with the Jordan River Commission.
  • Simonson stood up to comment:
    • Clarified that being an Ex officio member of the Jordan River Commission would give the ULA a vote in board meetings.
    • He recommends being a full interlocal member because ULA is a state agency.
    • Ex officio membership is more for businesses and non-profits.
    • Recently, the commission also became the Jordan River Watershed Council which could be another reason the ULA should consider becoming an interlocal member of the commission.
    • Braegger suggested considering Sinomson’s invitation as full members.
  • Blair suggested holding the decision until later because Peterson had just been appointed.
  • Simonson said that there are no terms for how long an interlocal partner stays as a board member.
    • Ex officio terms are two years.
    • There is an establishment of membership fees, though these fees are very negotiable for groups like ULA.
  • Mark Johnson moved to table the item until the next meeting, and Blair seconded, all in favor.

    • 6.7 ULA chair and vice chair elections

  • The board is voting to elect a new chair and vice chair.
  • By ULA bylaws, board members must submit written or digital votes. Braegger will share a QR code with everyone, which will show who voted for whom after the votes are cast.
  • Kaufusi was nominated by Carn, Stireman, and Hillary Hungerford as the chair
  • Dalton for vice chair was nominated by Stireman
  • Lundberg nominated for vice chair by Hungerford
  • Additional nominations
    • Millet nominated Carn for vice chair

    Kaufusi voted as chair unanimously

    The vote for the vice chair was split between Lundberg and Carn, with each given 40% of the vote.

    • Each will give a short speech.
  • Lundberg was nominated and received 60% of the votes

    • Public comment period

  • Elliot Mott, volunteer organizer of outdoor events, is a resident of Salt Lake County.
    • “My interest in the lake is peripheral.”
    • Mott organizes bike rides, hikes, and kayak trips to help him stay active as he gets older
    • “Years ago there used to be a wonderful bike ride around Utah Lake, which dissolved when traffic built up around Saratoga Springs.”
    • Mott asked the ULA to influence the Utah Department of Transportation to make the roads more bike-friendly. This would be “really appreciated by the active community.”
    • Mott suggested that a boat takeout around Thanksgiving Point would be helpful for paddlers. Currently, there is a bike trail around the river up there and he wants it modified for river users to be able to get out of the river there too.
    • Currently, there are weirs in the Spanish Fork River but no way to portage around them. He asked the ULA to consider creating an easy way to walk around these small dams which prevent boaters from getting to Utah Lake.
    • Lundberg mentioned that the Jordan River is great to use. She went kayaking with a group last year.
  • Kaye Nelson, Conserve Utah Valley (CUV)
    • Pledging support to the new chair and vice chair.
    • CUV loves working with the ULA, they always feel heard and are excited for the future with the new chair and executive director.

    Fullmer sent a message to Kaufusi expressing her gratitude for working with everyone as the chair in the past.

    The next board meeting will be on March 20, 2024, at the Provo airport.

    The meeting ended at 11:06.

    Summary

  • Several conservation events are coming up in the spring, which are good opportunities for community members to get involved.
  • The ULA is starting up a Small Grants program where they will fund local organizations that want to host events or improve infrastructure around Utah Lake but don’t have the financial resources to do so.
  • Luke Peterson was hired as the new executive director, replacing Eric Ellis who left in November.
  • Michelle Kaufusi was voted to be the new chair after being vice chair since the ULA was created. She had previously been the chair of the Utah Lake Commission
  • Carolyn Lundberg was voted to be the new vice chair. This was unexpected for her but she received 60% of the vote
  • The Utah Lake Management Plan was approved and adopted by the board. This plan will guide the ULA in their decision-making regarding the lake.

    • Questions

  • Having reviewed the management plan, it looks like it is focused more on recreation and economic development than ecological protection. Why was this the focus when in the public surveys, the majority of the public stated that ecological protection was most important to them?
  • Are there any plans this legislative session to modify or allocate funds toward the Utah Lake Authority?

    • Water Documenters is a collaboration between The Salt Lake Tribune and City Bureau and funded through grants from the Great Salt Lake Collaborative and the Rita Allen Foundation. College student journalists from all over Utah are hired to attend and take notes at public water meetings in Utah. These notes are then published for anyone to read or use. The project is aimed at providing better public access to meetings where major decisions are made about a limited Utah resource. For more meeting notes, click here. For more information, click here.

    By Nathan Thompson | Brigham Young University