Girdwood Trails Committee
Minutes of Regular Meeting

Glacier City Hall, 7:00 pm 
Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Call to Order
Carolyn Brodin called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m.  Kate Sandberg acted as secretary.  Others present: Alison Rein, Jonnie Lazarus, Diana Livingston, 
Warren Rowe, Brian Burnett, Todd Foisy, Matt Wedeking, Norman Starkey, Tom Swanson, and Paul Narre.

Approval of Agenda
The agenda was approved.

Approval of Minutes, February 5, 2008
The minutes were approved with a minor correction.

Introduction of Guests
There were no guests.

Old Business
Alyeska Highway Bridge/Bike Path Repair
Brian reported that he had talked casually to Alex Von Wichmann, GCI Lobbyist, about the cables under the path. She offered to make some calls about this. 

John Gallup, GBOS Parks and Recreation rep, has made the repair of the bridge a top priority for the summer. We have $21,762.92 from the 2005 Alaska Trails Initiative grant that will be most likely be used to buy decking and salary for an AK Railroad employee to watch the tracks during the repair. Alison will contact Lori Schanche about getting funds for this ongoing concern.

Hand Tram Repair
Deb Essex at Alpine Air volunteered a helicopter to sling the new rope to the tram.  Committee members expressed thanks to Alpine Air. Jonnie will call Mark Jonas to see if he has contacted Evergreen. The old rope will come out in the spring.

Winter Use Issues
Maps:  Once Jonnie gets the final, she will order 11” x 17” maps for trails.  These maps are to be used as signage maps that have a “You are here” and will use Andy Morrison’s map.  Andy will use his own resources for handout maps with his logo etc.  

Parks and Recreation has $500 for maps if Trails wants to use it.  Alison or Carl Madson (USFS) may be able to find a winter map that we can use for public distribution
($160 for a ream of two-sided maps--rain, chemical resistant, one side color, one black and white from MOA print shop, if paper is available). Carolyn will get the map from Andy to proof. 

•	Tree removal:  Andy and Dario would like to cut down four-seven trees along the dog trail next to Horror Hill for easier grooming.  Each Committee member is to visit this area before the next meeting and see what Andy and Dario request.  At this point, cutting the trees is not approved.

Other Trail Issues 
•	Jonnie passed out the GBOS Resolution 2008-2 that demonstrates the support of the GBOS to dedicate Wagon Trail, Stumpy’s Winter Trail, Beaver Pond Trail, Tract F, and Virgin Falls Trail. Signed by Tim Cabana 2-27-08.

•	Alison discussed the map she had sent out of Tiny Creek Trail. At this point, it appears to cross private property and ASD land; therefore, we are not pursuing dedication until we can find out who owns the property.

•	Carolyn reported that snow mobilers have been tearing up Stumpy’s Winter Trail. Norman said that snow mobilers have also been using the Beaver Pond Trail to get to their homes.  More “Non-motorized vehicles prohibited” signs will be posted.

•	The trailhead for Robbie’s Way will remain as is for this winter/spring.

Budget
Jonnie reported that the Parks and Recreation budget passed GBOS: $3,000 for materials, $20,000 for SAGA, $3,000 for Hand Tram, and $200.00 for winter grooming equipment.

Jonnie will report next time on the SAGA schedule when she had more information. Norman will take care of the crews, and Crow Creek Mine has agreed to have the crews camp there again this summer.

Updates
Diana reported that there was no news for Girdwood 2020 Trails Subcommittee, Lower Matrix, or South Town Site.

Kate said there were no upcoming platting notifications that involve trails.

Operating Procedures Document
Carolyn and Kate presented the first draft for the Committee’s operating procedures. Suggestions were taken and a second draft will be presented at the next meeting.

Area-wide Trails Plan and Girdwood Area Plan
Matt suggested that we have a matrix for our valley trails, rather than a narrative. He gave a list of the characteristics to be included and suggestions were given. At this point, the characteristics are trail’s name, classification, main use and function, managing agency, owner of land, distance, GPS coordinates, trailhead location, and restrictions.

Matt read the list of trails, and additions were made. Matt will continue to work on this project.  This matrix will be used for both the revised Area Plan and the Trail Plan.

New Business
None

Other Business
The Danich Trail has been misspelled in the minutes as Danish. Kate will make corrections to all minutes.

It was suggested that notification of Trails meetings be put on Channel 6.

Next meeting is at the US Forest Service Building, April 1, 2008

Meeting was adjourned at 8:20 pm.