SCRA General Meeting

Weber County Library Auditorium

March 23, 2006 7:30pm

OLD BUSINESS

1         APPROVE NOV. MINUTES

The minutes from November 2005 were approved as read – no corrections/additions I posted them on the web 3/24/06 - Bonnie

2         RESPONDED TO BOB WALLIS LTR.

Bill Stewart wanted to know “did we pick and choose on who got $25.00 checks for fire fighting! The question was asked in regards to an email received from Robert Wallis regarding payments for firefighting.  Derek responded to his email and told the audience that the issue will be brought up at the April board meeting.  Also Derek Hunwick went over the email received by Robert Wallis about trespass on his property during the 2005 hunt season – what hunter’s did and what they left on his property.  His property is located by Eldon Checkett’s old cabin – Derek said we would look into the issues and address them.  Jim Spencer said that people have been going in there for years.

3         MAILED CHECKS TO FIRE HELPERS

Checks were issued and sent to the 6 firefighters who requested the $25.00.  Others involved did not want any money.

4         KEN LOVE WILL WORK WITH RAY GIBBONS ON STATE WATER.  TWO YR. EXTENSION GRANTED 

According to Ken Love, a 2 year extension on state water has been given.  He has been up to Cache County with Ray Gibbons and Lynn Clarke and they are working on this project because it is something that has to be done.

5         OTHER OLD BUSINESS?

No other old business

NEW BUSINESS

1         TRESS. HUNT SECURITY WILL BE DISCUSSED LATER

Derek stated we will discuss trespass and hunting at the end of the meeting after going over other new business.

2    WWW.SCARECANYON.COM    BOARD MBRS.  GEN. AND BOARD APPROVED MINUTES + WEATHER 7 MI. EAST OF PARADISE

Derek reminded the members present that there was a new “easy to remember”        website that had minutes, weather, board member listings, contact numbers and email address for communicating with board members.  He said Bonnie Love has done a great job working on the website and is continually upgrading and adding to it.            

3         START GRAVEL FRM. FLAT RD. ASAP THEN OVER ROCKY

$6000.00 has been allocated to work on SCRA roads.  Derek said we hope to start spreading gravel from the Ant Flat road in and as the roads dry out, we will repair over Rocky Ridge and other places in the road that need work.

4         MOVE FALLEN TREES  CUT BACK RD. BRUSH

Remember that this is your association – take time to remove downed trees, rocks, etc.  If you can’t do it yourself – get help or report it to someone who can help!!

5         GREAT PICNIC TURN OUT  NEED MORE MEMBER HELP

It’s true – we had a GREAT picnic turnout – but we were SKIMPY with help for the work party!!  Again, remember this is your association – we need the help – cleaning up the roads, trimming limbs, moving rocks, picking up trash, mending fences, fixing gates, etc.  It is not just board members who are supposed to work and care for the association – it is your association!

6         BE RESPECTFUL WHEN ASKED ABOUT DECALS, IF YOU ARE A MEMBER

If someone asks you about decals – don’t badmouth or be disrespectful – it is your association and your property – treat these people with respect – they are board members or other members of the association and are trying to be good neighbors to protect our property for all of us.  Remember be RESPECTFUL!!

7         OTHER NEW BUSINESS?

Per Ron Hill:  John Issacson’s and Cotton Rosser’s property sold and there is a new owner of the property behind Dave and Bonnie Casperson’s cabin.  Bonnie Love has new owners of Issacson’s in the database from Cache County records.  Derek Hunwick  found out name of new owner of Cotton Rosser’s place – Jeff Marchant in Sandy, UT.  Bonnie Love will add to address database.

Derek mentioned that we are trying to find a new location for our general meetings – that is not so time restrictive, more versatile and ample parking.  We will notify members when/if new location is found and provide a map to get to new site.

Randy Rochell asked about SCRA purchasing their own small lot for gatherings and a place to keep the grader.  Ken Love said that he spoke with the owner’s of a 2 ½ acre parcel in Mt Quakes (who live in Idaho) and they do not wish to sell at this time.

8         COMMENTS ON SECURITY  TRESPASS   HUNTING

Derek opened the comments on security/trespass by saying that things are going to change – it’s inevitable.  He asked how many read his “Thoughts from the President” and actually drew a map of where their cabins/structures are located on their property.  Two people (Derek and Jerry Trujillo showed their maps).  He said there are many more structures up there than when he first came in and more are being built continually.

Dan Skeen stated that ATV’s on Sour Dough property are issued registration numbers and the numbers of ATV’s are restricted.  Derek stated that our by-laws are much “looser” than those of Sour Dough.  Derek recommended that we put our lot# on our permits. He also suggested hiring an off duty police officer to patrol randomly to see if he can “nail” a few trespasser’s.  If they pay a fine and the word spreads, we will have better control.  A member asked why pay someone – they have no jurisdiction – Derek said the board is checking into it – that currently trespass is a Class C misdemeanor and the legislature is trying to change it to a Class B.

Another member asked if problems were really coming from SCRA hunters and members.  Ron Hill stated he lived up there all summer and fall and you need someone watching 24 x 7.  Bob Wall suggested some training on “neighborhood watch” – stating that we need to make a written record regarding questionable members/visitors in Scare Canyon.  Write down type of car, license number, describe occupants, how many, names if they give them.  Report them to the Cache County Sheriff.

Mardel Amundsen stated that mostly hunter’s paid annual dues.  Derek stated that hunter’s probably paid “maybe” a third of the dues collected.  Derek also reminded the members present that it was entirely feasible for members who own 40 or more acres to pull out of the association and not allow anyone with lesser acreage to hunt their properties – he said “it could happen people” so let’s do something about the issues now!

Derek stated that it is unclarified in the bylaws about trespass and the hunting permit.  Does the permit give you permission to hunt/traverse on un-posted property only or can a hunter hunt/traverse on posted property if they pay their dues and the person whose property is posted – pays their dues.  Does paying the dues allow them to hunt anywhere – posted / not posted?  Dan Skeen says you’re a weasel if you do not let them hunt your land if posted and dues are paid.

Tom Whitaker and Jim Spencer stated that we need to check the by-laws and make corrections and amendments as needed.  Jim Spencer reminded everyone that you cannot hunt within 600’ of a structure.  Don Todd said you can hunt closer to a structure with your hunting permit/written permission from the landowner.  Jim said what happens to the status of hunting and trespass depends on our members and their conduct and the conduct of their visitors.

Patricia Perkins asked why we issue permits.  Dale Perkins suggested we have a “draw” for permits.  Dan Skeen thought that was a good idea.

Jerry Trujillo stated we should all “practice” neighborhood watch and report what we find to a law enforcement officer.

Mr. Hargis stated that he has been a property owner in Scare Canyon for 20 or 30 years and has several properties and what upsets him the most is how ATV’s trash his property – he says he feels “violated” and doesn’t even want to go up anymore!  His son (who is a police officer) knows how bad it makes him feel so he won’t even tell him about it anymore!  He says something has to be done!

Derek stated that in this general meeting we were getting together to discuss the issues and ideas – we are not trying to upset anyone – we just want to go forward and get something positive done about the issues.

Bill Shurtliff stated that amendments to the by-laws can be suggested/written up and voted on by the general membership.

Dan Skeen reiterated that something has got to be done and once done, enforce – when that happens, the word will get out.

One of the suggestions brought out by Derek was possibly to have dues be separate and charge for hunting permits.  Jim Spencer said we have to be careful because we are a non-profit organization and cannot make any money charging for permits.

Mr. Stratford asked about the second gate – first it was closed, then open all the time and then one of the general meetings they voted to close the gate again and now it is open – what does that do about trespass?  Ron Hill said the second gate was put in because at one time a member left the first gate open all the time – so the second was put in.  He doesn’t want it closed because of the ATV rider’s that go through 24x7 and don’t have keys to unlock the gate and come to him constantly to lock/unlock it.  Derek mentioned that at the general meeting where the vote was taken to close the second gate – it was the meeting when SR2477 was an issue – where the state could access private roads/land to get to BLM land.  Right now SR2477 is not on the “front burner” with the state/county.   The Cache County attorney has his hands “full” with lawsuits pertaining to the issue.  However, this issue has not gone away – the state can still come in above through Coldwater Ranch – through Cottonwood and over Rocky Ridge into public land – that could mean as many as 2 or 3 more locked gates.

9         CLOSE MTG.

Jim Spencer moved to adjourn the meeting. It was seconded by Jerry Trujillo.  The meeting was adjourned at 8:40pm.

Bonnie Love

Secretary, SCRA

Board Member’s Present:                                        Absent:

Derek Hunwick                                                        Tony Fox

Ron Hill                                                                    Monte Matue

Ken Love                                                                 Dave Richardson

Kerry Dykster

Doug Stewart

Cal Pack

Joel Thomson

Bill Shurtleff

Bonnie Love

Mary Lou Heslop

These minutes approved as read at August 17, 2006 general meeting.  Approved by Jim Spencer; Second, Randy Rochell.