Centerville City Trails Committee meeting held October 11, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Business Conference Room, 250 North Main, Centerville, Utah.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Mark Austin
                                         Wendy Higgins
                                        Stephanie Wheatley
                                        Denise Cox

STAFF PRESENT:  Steve Thacker, City Manager
                                  Bruce Cox, Parks and Recreation Director
                                  Kathy Streadbeck, Recording Secretary

VISITORS: 
 Lisa Summers, Recreation Supervisor

MINUTES REVIEW AND APPROVAL

The minutes of the Trails Committee meeting held August 28, 2007 were reviewed. Seeing and hearing no objections the minutes were declared approved.

MISCELLANEOUS
 
Lisa Summers, Recreation Supervisor, introduced herself to the Committee and informed them that any Eagle Scout projects should be coordinated through her. She explained that she keeps a list of all possible projects and directs any interested eagle scouts accordingly. If there are any projects the Trails Committee would like to add to the list, they may do so. Wendy Higgins will be the Trails Committee liaison for Eagle Scout projects and will stay in touch with Lisa Summers.  

Ms. Summers also informed the Trails Committee that she would like to coordinate a trail-hiking class as one of the spring recreation classes. She said she would be willing to handle the logistics of the class if someone on the Committee would be willing to be the instructor. The Committee expressed a desire to help in this effort and will discuss this idea further in the future. 

ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS

Select Chairman

Wendy Higgins made a motion to appoint Stephanie Wheatley as the Chair of the Trails Committee. The motion was seconded by Denise Cox and passed by unanimous vote (4-0).

Potential Members

The Committee discussed several names of potential members. The Committee will continue to make phone calls and direct interested parties to the City website if interested.

PORTER-WALTON PARK – Open House

Steve Thacker, City Manager, said the City Council would like to hold an open house for the Porter-Walton Park. The Council has deferred to the Parks and Recreation Committee as to when to hold the event (this fall or next spring). Mr. Thacker asked the Trails Committee if they would like to hold a ribbon cutting for the southwest trail network in conjunction with this open house. He also asked if they have a preference on the time frame.

The Committee agreed that a ribbon cutting would be appropriate and beneficial. The also agreed it would be better to wait until spring to hold the open house. This will give more time to complete other sections of the trail network. Mr. Thacker said he would forward this preference onto the Parks and Recreation Committee.

TRAILS MASTER PLAN

Steve Thacker, City Manager, gave a brief overview of the purpose of the Trail Master Plan and how it is used to guide future decisions. He provided the Committee with some direction on what could be included in the plan. The Trails Committee Goals and Objectives (dated 9-14-07) was distributed. Stephanie Wheatley asked the Committee to review this document and come prepared to discuss it further at the next meeting. The Committee also agreed that a map of the existing and proposed trails should be included in the Trail Master Plan. Committee members will identify proposed trails to be discussed at the next meeting. 

FREEDOM HILLS PARK
 
 The Committee chose Freedom Switchback Trail as the name for the switchback trail in the Freedom Hills Park. Steve Thacker, City Manager, will submit this name to the City Council for approval.  
 
DEUEL CREEK TRAIL

The Committee discussed the Deuel Creek Trail and the need for improvements and additional signage. Several members said the location of the trailhead is confusing and better signage is needed. They also said there is need for parking at this trailhead.
 
 The Committee discussed different types of signs and kiosks that could be posted at each trailhead in the city. They agreed the kiosk used by Farmington City is appealing
and functional. Stephanie Wheatley will contact George Chipman from the Farmington Trails Committee to get the specifications of the kiosk they use. Bruce Cox, Parks and Recreation Director, will design a sign for the fork in the Deuel Creek Trail to be approved at the next Trails Committee meeting.

FORD CANYON TRAIL

Identify Property Boundaries

Bruce Cox, Parks and Recreation Director, identified the Ford Canyon Trail on the map and explained the property boundaries (city owned and private owned). He explained the difficulty of continuing the trail through private property on up the canyon. He provided some options for containing the trail to City-owned property only. He said the trail could be cleared on one side of the river to a dead end or a trail could be cleared on either side of the river and a bridge built across the river at both the top and bottom of the trails, creating a loop. This could be a temporary solution until an easement agreement can be negotiated through private property. Mr. Cox also said Curtis Tanner a Landscape Architect could create a conceptual plan for the trail if the Committee desires.

The Committee agreed a loop would be the best solution for this trail at this time. They discussed the need to post signage regarding private property boundaries, discouraging hikers from trespassing. The Committee also agreed it would be beneficial to have Mr. Tanner create a conceptual plan for this trail.
 
NEXT MEETING

The next regularly scheduled Trails Committee meeting will be held on Thursday, November 8, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

 _  
 Stephanie Wheatley, Chair                                          Date Approved

  
 Kathleen Streadbeck, Recording Secretary