Emery County Travel Bureau

MINUTES

July 5, 2017 11:00am

Dinosaur Conference Room

Green River, Utah

ATTENDANCE:

Board Members: Lamar Guymon, Travis Bacon, Jordan Leonard, Penney Riches

Staff: Tina Carter, Chelsea Guymon, Jacque Wilde

Excused: Keith Brady, Josh Rowley, Jonathan Hunt, Danny Van Wagoner

Guests: Mark H. Williams, Tim Glenn

Conducting and Welcome: Chairman Lamar Guymon

1. Approval of Minutes: June 7th: A motion was made by Travis to approve the minutes with a second from Jordan. APPROVED

2. Discussion of Financial Report: Tina Carter: Tina said our County’s TRT for June was the highest we’ve ever had.

3. Discuss/Approve/Deny Marketing Match Funding:

a) Castle Valley Small Engine Repairs: Brett White has started a small engine repair shop where he will also have rentals and sell other recreational items. Brett is asking for $5,000 to help with signage, windows, and concrete work. There was a question on whether or not he collected the tax needed to qualify for this grant. Travis motioned to approve funding contingent on Brett collecting the correct tax with a second from Penney.

b) Ponderosa Grill: Jim Gordon is asking for funding to help with his new restaurant. Several years ago he received a loan through the County’s Economic Development Office and defaulted on it. The County Attorney was consulted on his thoughts and he said that this project isn’t something that the County should be involved in given Gordon’s past. The Board felt that if we help to fund this project that we are putting ourselves in a difficult position. Lamar then spoke on funding issues surrounding Epicenter and the Tusher Trail. The funds that were given were used incorrectly and those funds need to be recovered or funding will no longer be issued for Green River’s trail projects. Travis motioned to deny funding for the Ponderosa Grill with a second from Penney.

4. Discuss/Approve/Deny Possible Funding for Search and Rescue in 2018: Search and Rescue is up to 30 rescues for this year. Our County’s Search and Rescue is made up of volunteers and personnel from the Sheriff’s Office. With the hours being put in by volunteers they are unable to afford to go out on every search and rescue and the Sheriff’s Office is unable to pay their Officer’s overtime. Sheriff Funk spoke to Tina to request TRT funds to help alleviate the finances needed for these search and rescue missions. Those being rescued could pay for the rescue efforts but nobody wants to charge them. Lamar spoke about funding and taxes that go towards the Sheriff’s Office specifically for these reasons. The Board didn’t feel like we should release TRT funds since there are taxes and funding available for Sheriff’s Office from other resources.

5. Discuss/Approve/Deny Wayfinding & Directional Systems Project: The majority of visitors getting lost and needing to be rescued are in the Little Wildhorse/Bell Canyon area. The BLM has been contacted and they have since placed signs and ordered more signs to hopefully help with this issue. Tina said we need to be sure to have adequate signage for our County so that our visitors aren’t getting lost which will hopefully help alleviate the amount of rescues.

6. Update, Discussion on Possible Recommendation of the Following:

a) State Parks: Jordan said that Huntington State Park was really busy over the 4th of July weekend.

b) Trail’s Committee: Double E got the bid for the trail work for Crystal Geyser. Lamar is going to meet with Jay Mark about completing the paving work going up the dam in Huntington.

c) Business Groups: The Lunch and Learn will be held on the 19th at the new Castle Dale City Office building and Stephen Miller will be speaking.

d) Museums: Tim Glenn with the John Wesley Powell Museum spoke on the City’s strategic plan and how they have identified a need for a river walk so people can get to the river and access it easier. Tim met with Johansen and Tuttle Engineering about the river walk and they suggested a feasibility study which would cost $2,270. Tim is asking if the Travel Bureau could pay for the feasibility study. The City would also like to install a stage for events and the total cost would be just under $100,000. Tim said that this will be the first phase of a larger museum rehab since the exhibits are all 10 years old. Lamar said for Tim to get a project proposal put together for the board to review. Travis motioned to tentatively approve project funding with a second from Penney.

e) Expos: 2 out of 3 of our scholarships have been awarded. Castle Valley Outdoors and Knights Inn are the businesses who received the scholarships.

f) HUB: Now that they have heard from the photographer the mailing brochures are ready to go to print. They will be printing 40,000 brochures and will cost $15,000. Lamar suggested adding our website to the brochures.

g) Event Coordinator: Working on the Fair. Getting ready for drone racing at the airport. Concert tickets for the fair are on sale.

7. Discussion of Old Business: None.

8. Discussion of New Business: None.

9. Adjourn – Thank you for coming!