MEETING MINUTES
UGS Conference Room
June 16, 2006
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Attendance

Board Members:

• Geoffrey Bedell
• Charles Semborski
• Kathleen Ochsenbein –Excused
• David Simon
• Stephen Church
• Robert Robison
• Jack Hamilton
• Ex Offico: Tom Faddis

Staff:

• Richard Allis
• Kimm Harty
• John Kingsley
• Jo Lynn Campbell
• Gary Christenson
• Phil Powlick

Visitors:

• Kim Rodela, Budget Analyst, Governor’s Office

Chair Church welcomed everyone to the meeting. Rick introduced Kim Rodela to the board. The board members introduced themselves to Kim.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Robert Robison motioned to approve as amended. Geoffrey Bedell made a second. The motion carried unamimously.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Financial Position

The UGS is at 72% of budget at the end of the 10-month position. The usual factors contribute to this apparent under-expenditure; end of year salary reconciliations and contract pass-through. The rate of Current Expense expenditure typically increases in the last few months as Program Managers close out their program budgets. Overall revenue is above budget due mainly to increased Mineral Lease revenue. UGS’ budget is 40% general fund, 30% mineral lease, and 30% grants and contracts. The UGS has concerns about the trends in federal funding. Within DOE, there is a possibility of severe cuts to the State Energy Program, Geothermal, and the Fossil Energy program.

Personnel

UGS filled 3 positons, Jason Berry with SEP. Petroleum Geologist – Stephanie Carney. Graphics Arts Specialist was filled by Liz Paton. UGS has taken on 6 – 8 intern-type individuals for the summer months. They will help with data entry and out in the field, along with other geological type tasks.

Legislative Update

Director Allis has represented the UGS at the Governor’s Natural Resource Extraction Impact Working Group meetings. The purpose of the working group is to review how mineral lease and severance tax revenues are allocated, and whether the existing allocation formulae are appropriate. The UGS has pointed out that mineral lease revenue is close to a third of our budget, we spend 1.5 times the revenue on activities in the counties that generated the funds, and our efforts are targeted at sustaining the local wealth generation. Bills may be presented to the upcoming legislature that propose changes in the Severance Tax allocation, and possibly also Mineral Lease allocations. At the moment, all Severance Tax goes into the general fund, whereas the Mineral Lease royalties are distributed according to a formula. The UGS is watching for proposed changes in the Mineral Lease formula.

CRAWFORD AWARD
This year, four publications were submitted for the Crawford Award. The nominations were Geologic Field Guide to the Central Wasatch Front Canyons, by Case, W., Eldredge, S., Milligan, M., and Wilkerson, C. UGS Public Information Series 87 (2006); Selected Mining Districts of Utah, by Carl Ege. UGS Miscellaneous Publication 05-5; A Primitive Therizinosoid dinosaur from the Early Cretaceous of Utah, by Kirkland, J., Zanno, L., Sampson, S., Clark, J., and DeBlieux, D. Nature, 435, 84-87; and, Ground-Water Quality Classification and Recommended Septic tank Soil-Absorption-System Density Maps, Castle Valley, Grand County, Utah, by Lowe, M., Wallace, J., Bishop, C., and Hurlow, H. UGS Special Study 113 (CD). After much discussion and praise for all the nominations, Jack moved to make the Paleontology article the Crawford Award recipient. Chuck seconded the motion. All were in favor. Jack recommended the $1,000 be divided equally between Jim and Don. Chuck made a second. All were in favor.

EXPANSION OF UCRC
Use of the UCRC has increased greatly. Workshops are being conducted at least once a month. The layout area and the classroom area for the workshops are inadequate. Options would include putting a second floor on the front end of the building, putting a second floor over front portion of the present layout area, and extending a half-width wing at the eastern end of the building.

Bob moved to do a feasibility study on the expansion of the UCRC. Jack made a second. All were in favor.

BOARD FIELD TRIP
A possible itinerary for the Fall field trip of the Board was discussed. This trip would travel through central Utah, looking at potential resource development issues. The board was in favor of the agenda for the upcoming field trip in September, and asked that arrangements be finalized.

PROGRAM UPDATE
Gary Christenson – Gave an update of the 2006 landslides around the state.
Phil Powlick – Discussed the status of the State Energy Program.

ADJOURNMENT
Bob motioned to adjourn and Chuck made a second all were in favor. The meeting adjourned at 12 pm.