Hagerman Valley Chamber of Commerce Luncheon January 13, 2010 A proposal was made that the Chamber pledge in writing to the JFAC that they will purchase or sell State Park Annual permits in a number equal to twice the number of its members and propose to other area Chambers that they do the same. This pledge is to be made contingent on the State's agreement to use these locally generated funds to keep the Thousand Springs State Park open through October of 2010. A motion was made and seconded followed by a unanimous yes vote. Based on current membership in local Chambers of Commerce, this action could generate $70,000 if all local Chambers follow suit.  As mentioned in recent stakeholder meetings, the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee will only consider proposals that include firm, defensible numbers. Although a number of valuable and feasible ideas have been put forward that can have a positive long-term impact on park operations (e.g., more volunteers, increased fee collection and compliance efforts, obtaining assistance from other agencies and local governments), each will require significant time and effort to develop, authorize and implement and none of the outputs from these efforts can be presented as hard dollars or savings that might convince JFAC to keep the park open.

“Income Producing” working group meeting held at IDF&G on January 8, 2010 Committee members: Jim Olsen, Dave Landrum, George Yerion, Tom Faulkner, Ilene Rounsefell, Bob Richards, Jerome Hansen and Jim Scott Comments and questions: Ritter Island fund – Since the fund dropped in value the general fund has supplemented salary costs for Ritter Island employee. Would renting houses or other habitable buildings at Ritter Island, Billingsley Creek and Malad Gorge be a source of revenue if the park is closed and personnel no longer dwelling in them? This could be a future consideration if things get to the point that parks are closed and jobs are eliminated. However, many buildings not currently used for dwellings like the Milner farmhouse and office at Ritter Island would need considerable up-grading to meet code. Increasing use and fee collection is a continuing topic of discussion in the agency. At Ritter Island building trails, a host site and public restroom might be hampered by existing Idaho Power easements. What fee changes are being considered? The annual permits would be raised from $25  to $35 and the second vehicle permit from $5 to $10. There is currently no “walk-in fee” and establishing one is being discussed. It was recommended that we provide input for two scenarios: 1) increasing revenue to help IDPR continue to operate the Park and reduce costs and keep all units of the Park open at a minimal, “keep the door open” level; and, 2) options for dealing with park units after they have actually been closed by IDPR. Strategies that might be proposed following closure of parks would entail park operation by entities other than IDPR (though in a manner that will improve the individual park units’ cost-benefit rating while still meeting the long-term objectives of the State Park system).  Hagerman IDEA, Inc., an Idaho Charitable Corporation (501c3), would be willing to investigate the possibility of functioning as an agent of IDPR and determine the feasibility of finding private partners who might invest in park operations as a vendor or concessionaire. It was felt that this might be possible if agreements could be of a sufficient term, there were demonstrable tax benefits and an expectation of a reasonable rate of return on private investment. One person believed that IDPR would have to actually have to experience the pain of significant park closures and a RIF (reduction in force) before the culture shift required to make such a significant change in the way parks are operated would ever be implemented. Placement of fee booths of kiosks and fee tubes or “iron rangers” could help increase revenues as long as compliance checking, particularly on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, went hand in hand with these installations. One option for getting a kiosk built would be to provide materials to a Vo-Ag class to build one. The various agencies and government entities that operate facilities in the Hagerman Valley should look at developing a shared volunteer program which would provide a central volunteer “compound” that would provide full RV hook-up and the opportunity for social interaction among volunteers and the opportunity for a wider variety of work experiences for volunteers. Implement a “Save our Park” an Annual Permit sales campaign with a promise that increased permits sales revenue over and above past years sales be dedicated to keeping local state park open. As part of annual permit sales or donation effort local Chambers of Commerce could host “save our parks” events at which permits would be sold and donations solicited. Horse arena use, and therefore fee revenue can be increased if this opportunity is promoted. Vendor operation of the greenhouse could add a small amount to the cash flow. Obviously past effort to get the elementary school involved won’t work. If an increased permit effort produces significant revenue it is critical to keep in mind that investment in park facilities that will produce revenue in the future (e.g, a family reunion group site at Billingsley Creek) should be a high priority to better position the park to operate more at a higher benefit/cost in the future. A significant effort to sell annual permits would have to be with the understanding that dollars collected would be dedicated to keepinng local parks open. Any projected “Save Our Park” annual permit sales effort revenue figures presented to JFAC must be realistic. Projected savings derived from implementation of a shared volunteer program must also be conservative and realistic. What have historic sale been in our area? Maybe $150 to $250. How many households are there along the Byway and how many would buy permits? How many “hospitality industry” businesses are there along the Byway and if donations were solicited from them, what might  the average donation be?

Thursday, December 17, 2009, Snake River Grill meeting room at 10 A.M. Peter Remmen, Hagerman IDEA Vice President, called the meeting to order at 10 A.M. Peter asked that everyone introduced themselves, asked that everyone provide their name and contact information on the Sign-In sheets being circulated and indicated that Jim Scott would take notes. Approximately 45 people attended the meeting. The 41 people who signed the sign-in sheet were: Dennis Bowyer, Barry Brown, Mike Pohanka, Tom Cant (sp?), Julie Pence, Stephen Hartgen, Wendy Janssen, Jerome Hanson, George Urie, Christine Davis, Jane Kullmyer, Lester Hutchinson, Nate Poppino, Jay Michaels, Markk Fleming, Jim Scott, Bill Baker, Terrell Williams, Brad Christopherson, Diana Obenauer, Mark Bolduc, Marilyn Neal, Dan Neal, Todd Sellman, Nate Wiese, Dwayne Wood, Mike Mathews, Jim Patrick, Lewis Wardle, Frank Erwin, Gene ?, Kay Phillips, Garth Taylor, Tamara Humiston, Peter Remmen, Dave Landrum, Valerie, Metzger, Steve Kaatz, Kellee Traughber, George Yerion, Wendy Jaquet and Mike Winther. Following introductions Peter introduced Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation Director Nancy Merrill. Director Merrill reported on the budget roll-backs the agency has faced and the potential for future roll-backs.  She reported that she and all the agency personnel recognize that they are a service organization whose central mission is to provide recreation opportunity through a system of state parks. The last thing anyone in the agency wants to do is close parks. The budget situation is not unlike what happened in the 80s when some parks were closed. The Park Board and the agency recognize that “an earthquake is coming” and, though they don’t know how severe it will be that have responded to the likelihood of more budget roll-backs by developing criteria and describing the course of action they will have to take should the expected cuts be implemented. This course of action will necessitate closing the Thousand Springs Sate Park along with elimination of jobs in the headquarters office and closure of Land of the Yankee Fork State Park. The Director stated that her focus is on what might be done in partnership with other agencies, levels of government, organizations and the private sector to keep these parks open? Director Merrill has met with the Lands of the Yankee Fork stakeholders and reported on what she heard during that meeting. She heard suggestions about the potential for agreements among other state and federal agencies, volunteer programs and concession operations. In light of the obvious interest in the local state park she said she would anticipate that some key, local entity take the lead and develop a task force and committees to work with IDPR. In regard to what the budget situation will be, it was pointed out that the Governor will be making his plans known no later than his speech on January 11, 2010. Another comment was that the cuts will be a reality whether made by the Governor or left to the legislature. Debbie Dane, Executive Director for Southern Idaho Tourism presented a brief overview of an Economic Impact Paper that Jan Roeser, Idaho Department of Labor Regional Economist, prepared at her request. It is obvious that the economic impact of closing Thousand Springs State Park would be far-reaching and significant. This kind of information will be valuable to legislators, local business and all who are interested in keeping the park open. Peter then opened the floor for comments and questions. Some of those were: ·         Each unit of the Thousand Springs State Park is unique unto itself and each may have a different group of stakeholders or potential partners. ·         There are some over-arching characteristics of the units that also make them alike, such as water rights, water quality and special habitats. ·         It will be necessary to identify the relationships that exist related to each individual unit. For example, Niagara Springs is operated for IDF&G, Ritter Island has a conservation endowment, Billingsley Creek has a critical farming component and important interface and cooperation potential with IDF&G, and Vardis Fisher has a strong tie to the academic community both in its proximity to the U of I Research Facility and the historic Vardis Fisher homesite. ·         If truly “sun-setted” a temporary sales tax increase to save our parks might be palatable to many. ·         A program to promote purchase of seasonal state park permits/passes to the local public might generate enough revenue to pay the salaries and cover basic park operating expenses for the park. ·         What will the added start-up costs be when closed parks are re-opened. (The Director commented that no analysis of those potential costs has been done.) ·         Is the state looking at permanent closures and eventual sale of park lands? The question was then asked, who will be taking the lead and when is the next meeting. Southern Idaho Tourism was recognized as the logical organization to take the lead due to its regional focus and established network with all of the areas organizations and levels government. Debbie Dane, Southern Idaho Tourisms Executive Director, will be the primary contact and conduit for the flow of information to and from IDPR and among the stakeholders. Scotty will send the contact information from the sign-in sheets to Debbie. Debbie will attend the next meeting of the Gooding County Commissioners to report on this meeting and solicit their support and participation in this effort to ensure that the Thousand Springs remain open to the public.  Peter thanked everyone for coming and asked if there were any final comments. Scotty thanked the Snake River Grill for providing the meeting room and encouraged everyone to have lunch and support the local economy. Hagerman I.D.E.A., Inc. Vice President Remmen adjourned the meeting shortly after 11 AM. NOTE: These are my personal notes, from my personal perspective, I apologize for anything I misinterpreted or left out. I would happy to post these notes on the Hagerman IDEA website www.hagermanidea.org as well as any comments I receive from others who attended the meeting.

December 8, 2009 - Snake River Grill, 10 am  1.   Call to Order - Peter Remmen, Hagerman IDEA  2.   Introductions  3.   Circulate Sign-in sheet  (Jim Scott will take minutes & names and email them)  4.   Presentation - Nancy Merrill, Director, Idaho Dept. of Parks and Recreation  5.   Economic Impact - Debbie Dane, Executive Director, Southern Idaho Tourism  6.   Question to be answered if not already addressed - Peter Remmen,  Moderator a.    What were the criteria for the decision to consider closing Thousand Springs State Park? b.    What is the long-term Plan for the Park? c.    Will it be shuttered completely?  For how long d.   What about maintenance? e.    Does the State just walk away, period? f.     What are cost estimate to reopen if you close for a year? g.   What happens to the employees? h.   What will the state save by closing the Park? i.     If the Governor’s holdback is for example 4.5% - what portion of that does closing Thousand Springs State Park equal?  7.   Thank you Chef Kirt Martin of the Snake River Grill for providing the meeting room. Please help us show our appreciation by having lunch at the Grill.  8.   Adjourn  Note: Thousand Springs State Park was established by the Legislature because it is one of the special places in the State of Idaho, for the protection of resources and as a place for residents and visitors to recreate.