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.
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.
Updates from Sam Braegger:
The ULA’s previous Outreach Coordinator, Jenna, left for another job about a month ago.
Events and engagement:
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.
Examples include:
Non-eligible events include:
Eligibility:
The ULA has up to $60K available for grants this cycle.
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.
Update from Dave Epstein from Jacobs Engineering on the Utah Lake Management Plan:
Background on the Utah Lake Management Plan
Deputy Project Manager Kayla Worthen demonstrated the management plan online hub.
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.
Tom Sakievich suggested that it was good, Sakievich made the motion, and Blair seconded the motion.
The board expressed unanimous approval for the appointment.
Remarks from Peterson:
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.
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.
Simonson stood up to comment:
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.
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
Kaufusi voted as chair unanimously
The vote for the vice chair was split between Lundberg and Carn, with each given 40% of the vote.
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.
Kaye Nelson, Conserve Utah Valley (CUV)
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?
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