Girdwood Trails Committee
Minutes of Regular Meeting
Glacier City Hall, 7:00 pm 
Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Call to Order
Carolyn Brodin called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m.  Kate Sandberg acted as secretary.  Others present: Alison Rein, Jonnie Lazarus, Diana Livingston, 
Andy Morrison, Mark Jonas, Rich Eidem, Warren Rowe, Brian Burnett, Eric Teela, and Todd Foisy.

Approval of Agenda
The agenda was approved.

Approval of Minutes, January 7, 2008
The minutes were approved with minor corrections.

Introduction of Guests
There were no guests.

Old Business
Trail Issues
Alyeska Highway Bridge/Bike Path Repair:  Diana reported that Mary Jane Michael of MOA submitted a bike/bridge repair request of $1.2 million to the legislature. It is hoped that some of this money will be awarded; however the Committee needs to continue to think of more options.  After discussion, the Committee agreed that Diana will contact Alex Von Wichmann, a Girdwood resident and lobbyist for GCI, for advice on funding, Carolyn will send a request for funding and support to GBOS.  

Hand Tram Repair Update:  Jonnie said that Dave Wilson is willing to voluntarily inspect the hand tram as recommended by Superior Tramway. He will contact Rob Martin to see if he will help. He has agreed to install the new haul rope this spring and will need the help of three or four volunteers. Brian Burnett and Andy Morrison volunteered, and Tom Yeager and Norman Starkey will be contacted.  Mark and Jonnie will work out helicopter time for carrying the rope.

Winter Use Issues: Snow machine users have been spotted in the upper valley; a big tree on Horror Hill needs to be removed; and the Enchanted Forest ice bridge is collapsing slowly.  When the snow is wetter, Alyeska Resort workers will put in a plastic pipe as a culvert for a temporary bridge.  

Comments were made about the good grooming and wide trails for skate skiing and families. 

Winter Use Maps:  Andy brought in maps for discussion.  Additions were suggested such as “You are here,” titles, credits, a key, and Trails Committee address for donations.  Text changes to the map should be sent to Andy at andy@akback.com   Alison will help Andy with this map.

Trail Signs for Non-motorized Use:  Jonnie has the signs and we will use them in the future as need arises.

Other Trail Issues:  
•	Andy reported that he wrote an article for the Turnagain Times.   
•	After discussion, it was decided not to pursue a Parks and Recreation grant due in March.

Budget
Jonnie reported that GBOS budget will be passed this month.  As reported in December, the Trails budget is $20,000 for Trails Maintenance, $3,000 for materials and $200 for winter maintenance, total $23,200.

We need to begin to plan for SAGA. After some discussion, it was decided that Kate will call Crow Creek Mine about camping during the crews’ stay, Carolyn will head up the crews if Norman is not available; Jonnie will find out available weeks for the crews. 

It was decided that the crews’ work will include finishing the Beaver Pond Trail and cutting down deadfall on Abe’s Trail.   There is no grant money, so working on the Iditarod is not required.

Girdwood 2020 Trails Subcommittee
Diana explained that the subcommittee has not met yet, but the purpose of the subcommittee is to support Girdwood trails and to help find funding for the proposed Nordic trails system.  She invited Trails members to attend.

Girdwood South Town Site Subcommittee Update
Diana reported that the consultant for the subcommittee proposed three plans for the south town site at the last meeting. Plan A had the most civic land use, including a recreational center. Plan C had nearly 100% commercial use of the land, with only one acre of civic use and no park for children. Plan B was a compromise.  Committee comments will be given at the next meeting February 20.

Bylaws
No bylaws have been found.  Carolyn and Kate will write a first draft of operating procedures for the Trails Committee for next month’s meeting. 

Iditarod—Lower Matrix Update
A subcommittee of the Land Use Committee will be formed to recommend covenants and restrictions for the Lower Matrix.  Diana will serve on this subcommittee.

Girdwood Area Plan Revision and Trails
The Committee discussed how to revise the Girdwood Trails Descriptions in the MOA Area Wide Trails Plan (AWTP), not the Girdwood Area Plan. As well, Jonnie said that Alison Smith of HLB is now working on the IGP process for Tiny Creek Trail, one of our three requested trails for 2007.  Alison agreed to find the Tiny Creek Trail coordinates and description for the IGP.

The Committee will focus on the description of Stumpy’s Winter Trail next month for the AWTP.

New Business
Committee members agreed to have Kate collect upcoming Girdwood plats that have been posted with MOA and involve trails. Diana will forward her alerts to Kate, who will bring them to each month’s meeting.

Other Business
Grant money for disc golf was discussed. Rich Eidem said that the Resort would be willing to help install a disc golf area.

Meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:45 p.m.