always concern about the snow pack, or lack of it, in the mountains which supply our summer potable and irrigation water. The park behind the city building was not the only one progressing, as grass was planted at the 700 South park by A1 Donoviel. Jerry Stanger prepared the ground by running a harrow over it until the condition for the grass was right. The secondary water line installed to this park was finally completed by the developer, and sprinklers have been installed by Mr. Donoviel Jim Ito has been asked about a grant for a tennis court at this park. The 17th Street park will remain a nature park. Randy Phipps volunteered to help with weed control at the parks. Steve Mecham located a bridge for use at a proposed crossing of the Ogden River. It is new and was built in Colorado for a Boyer project, with an estimated value of about $90,000. The bridge did not fit in the final plans of the Boyer project, and Mr. Mecham made arrangements for the city to obtain the bridge for $25,000, plus transport costs of about $1,800.00. The measurements of the bridge will fit across the Ogden River at a location east of Joe Elmer's residence. The new bridge is now stored at the 17th Street nature park until it can be set in place. Setting the bridge and constructing the deck will be an additional cost. The old bridge at the park will be scrapped. The city currently has impact fees to cover this expense. A bridge was requested and supported by residents at the CDBG public hearing in 2007. This bridge will satisfy that request, and represents a significant savings from the expected amount. A 404/stream alteration permit from the state must be obtained before placing the bridge. Randy Phipps, City Trails Coordinator, gave the council a map from Weber Pathways showing the trails that they have completed and those in process. He will again be participating in the Weber Pathways program as the ex-officio member from our city, volunteering approximately 8 hours a month on the program. A July 19, 2008, Utah Supreme Court ruling will affect the use of the Weber River through our community. The conclusion of the ruling reads: "We hold that the scope of the easement provides the public the right to float, hunt, fish, and participate in all lawful activities that utilize the water. We further hold that the public has the right to touch privately owned beds of state waters in ways incidental to all recreational rights provided for in the easement, so long as they do so reasonably and cause no unnecessary injury to the landowner." Those residents with land along the river will be watching the results of this ruling, particularly as it may result in damage by trespassers. Weeds are with us always, and the noxious ones are particularly bad. The March issue of The Pioneer Post announced that the Weber Conservation District again would sponsor its annual "Bag of Woad" program in May this year. Last year, kids collected approximately 500 bags of the weed for disposal. Dyer's Woad is a noxious weed that displaces native grasses and threatens wildlife, livestock, and our food and water supply. The collection ran every Thursday in May. Participants must be between ages 6-18, and received $10.00 for each full bag returned. This years activity was again successful. The Pioneer Post for May 2008, also advised us about the unwelcome visitors who invade our community each year~the increasing number of noxious weeds. No matter what the weather, we can always count on the presence of numerous species in copious amounts. Noxious weeds are defined by the Utah Commissioner of Agriculture as non-native, invading species that pose a serious threat to native plants, wildlife habitat, agriculture and livestock. They include Dyer's Woad, Bermuda Grass, Johnson Grass, Leafy Spurge, Puncture Weed, Whitetop, Quack Grass, Field Bindweed, and many more. Property owners were asked to control noxious weeds on their land by landscape planning and weed barriers, tilling and cultivating, pulling out weeds by hand, or by use of chemical sprays. Grass is needed on the roadside for erosion control so 2-4D is recommended for spraying, as it kills only the weeds. It can only be used when the temperatures are consistently below 85 degrees. Pre-emergent products retard weed seed germination. It is important to remember that control is a constant process. Field bindweed seems to be with us forever, as witness of ail the little white flowers we see blooming around the city. Keeping noxious weeds out is an individual responsibility, but if determined residents unite in consistent efforts, our city will see the results. 12