MEETING MINUTES
UGS Conference Room
April 7, 2006
8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Attendance

Board Members:

• Geoffrey Bedell
• Charles Semborski
• Kathleen Ochsenbein
• David Simon
• Stephen Church
• Tom Faddis
• Robert Robison
• Jack Hamilton

Staff:

• Richard Allis
• Kimm Harty
• John Kingsley
• Jo Lynn Campbell
• David Tabet

Visitors:

• Darin Bird, DNR Deputy Director
• Robin Pearson, DNR Deputy Director

Chair Stephen Church welcomed all to the UGS Board Meeting. The board members introduced themselves to DNR Deputy Directors Darin Bird and Robyn Pearson. New UGS staff introduced were Kathi Galusha, Scott Horn, Walid Sabbah, and Tyler Knudsen. Rick announced UGS award winners, Wally Gwynn, who received the first annual Sovereign Lands award for his work on the Great Salt Lake and Kimm Harty, DNR Manager of the Year award.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Jack motioned to approve minutes as written. Chuck made a second. The motion carried unanimously.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Financial Report

The bottom-line expenditure position shows actual expenditures being only 57% of the budget. With expenditures fluctuating, in reality, the UGS is probably within 2% of budget. The rate of current expense and travel spending will increase during the final four months of the year as the spring field season gets going, and expenditure controls are being varied monthly according to fluctuating revenue. There are three sources of revenue; general funds, contracts and grants, and mineral lease, which is volatile. By yearend, the hope is to carry-forward $400k and $500k.

Grants and Contracts
The Geological Hazards program submitted three proposals, the Energy & Minerals program submitted two proposals. The mapping program received notification that next FY’s Statemap program would be at $213k. This is $14k less than last year. It is becoming increasingly difficult to sustain our previous year’s funding due mainly to a slowly decreasing availability of total funds within the program.

Personnel Changes
UGS is interviewing for three new positions, a renewable energy program specialist position, a petroleum geologist, and a replacement for Vicky Clarke who was promoted to technical writer.

Legislative Session
The renewable energy tax credit will expire this year unless renewed in a special session or at next year’s legislative session.

Director Allis mentioned that the Governor established a Task Force to review how mineral lease and severance taxes are used.

Office Space Update
Work has begun on the UGS’ expanded space and should be completed by the end of April. Board members were given a tour of the new space.

ENERGY AND MINERALS PROGRAM UPDATE
David Tabet, Energy and Minerals program manager, disbursed a handout summarizing his program staff and program projects.

ADJOURNMENT
Bob motioned to adjourn the meeting and Kathy made a second. The motion carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 11:15 a.m.