Girdwood Trails Committee
Minutes of Regular Meeting

Girdwood Community Center, 7:00 pm 
Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Call to Order
Carolyn Brodin called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. Kate Sandberg took minutes. Others present were Jonathan Lee, Jonnie Lazarus, Norman Starkey, and Matt Wedeking.

Approval of Agenda
The agenda was approved as written.

Approval of Minutes, January 6, 2009
The minutes were approved as written.

Introduction of Guests
None

Old Business
Trail Issues
•	Winter Trails Issues
o	Grooming—Lisa Portune, Sean Stash, Andy Morrison and Resort employees have been grooming trails, and the Committee thanks them for their work. 

Reminders for all groomers are to stay away from the Dorius’ driveway next to the shed and that establishing a groomed trail on Glacier Creek should be avoided. Grooming implies safety, and the Creek is rarely safe for skiing.

o	Jonnie paid to fill all gasoline cans in December and half of them needed filling in January.  However, new snow was sparse in January, so we can expect heavier expenditures on gas this spring.

o	Carl Skustad has fixed the shed lock and bought necessary parts for the snow machine.

•	 Other Trails Issues
None

Budget
After discussion, we will not submit a grant application for the Iditarod Trail.

Identification of More Three Trails for HLB’s IGA
GBOS and HLB have shown support of Virgin Creek Falls Trail (from the falls to the railroad tracks), Wagon Trail, Stumpy’s Winter Trail, Beaver Pond Trail, and Tract F trail. Tiny Creek Trail will be protected by the Holtan Hills Plat. Stumpy’s Winter Trail and Virgin Creek Falls need to be clarified for HLB. 

The Committee voted unanimously to ask for 2009 IGA protection for Abe’s Trail, California Creek Trail, and both branches of the Joe Danich Trail. This request will now go to GBOS.

Assignment of Trail Descriptions—GAP Revision
Carolyn reported that the GAP Revision meeting for the community is March 23.  Our responsibilities are:

•	Map
We will need a corrected map for the MOA Planners that includes 
extending Beaver Pond Trail, adding Abe’s Trail, deleting current Nordic Trail, redrawing and renaming Moose Meadows Trails, and changing both branches of Alyeska Subdivision Trail to Joe Danich Trail.  Carolyn will send these corrections to the planners.

•	Text of Chapter for GAP Revision
For the trails chapter, we will need to write an overall vision for the future of the Girdwood trails and describe each important trail in the valley.

Therefore, committee members will need to update the text of Appendix 4 of the Area-wide Trails Plan to meet the needs of the GAP Revision.  This involves rewriting the descriptions of all current trails for future use and protection.

Matt will scan the older text and send it out to those who are rewriting descriptions.

Each trail description (100 words max.) will include a portrayal of the trail in the future, location, length, nearby access, and allowable uses. 

Due at the March 3 meeting:
Matt--Beaver Pond Trail, Abe’s Trail, Bike Path Trail
Carolyn --Moose Meadows Trail, Stumpy’s Winter Trail, Stumpy’s 	Summer Trail
Norman--Virgin Creek Falls Trail, Wagon Trail
Kate--California Creek Trail
Jonathan-- both branches of the Joe Danich Trail

Updates
•	Tract F
The Committee confirmed that we support this trail with a 30” tread and full bench construction (essential) and as a ski-through trail. It is hoped that the Resort will help us with maintenance.

There was discussion about safety concerns with the Resort's proposed ski-in/ski-out trail crossing this trail, but members decided it wouldn't be an issue.

•	Nordic/Multi-Use Trail
Matt reported that HLB has approved the easement for the Nordic Trail System. The next step is Assembly approval.

•	Revision of Summer Trails Map
Norman will contact Ian about helping with the map again, and Jonnie will work with the MOA print shop for paper and printing.

•	Bike Path Bridge Plans
Kate mentioned that John Gallup has set aside the weekends of May 1-2 and 8-9 for repairing the Alyeska Highway bike path bridge. Committee members will help with food and coffee, perhaps from the Bake Shop. Jonnie will order a porta-potty.

New Business
Members Designated for User Groups
Carolyn asked that members represent the needs and interests of various user groups when we discuss issues. 

Brian – summer and winter bikers
Carolyn—ungroomed trails and summer hiking
Jonathan—skijoring
Kate—summer hiking
Norman—summer hiking 
Deb—Nordic/multi-use system

Other Business
	None

Meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:30 p.m.

Next meeting, March 3
7:00 pm Girdwood Community Center