Girdwood Trails Committee
Minutes of Regular Meeting

Alyeska Day Lodge, 7:00 pm 
Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Call to Order
Carolyn Brodin called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Kate Sandberg took minutes. Others present were Jonnie Lazarus, Norman Starkey, Diana Livingston, Alison Rein, Jim Braham, and Andy Morrison. John Gallup stayed for his report.

Approval of Agenda
The agenda was approved as written.

Approval of Minutes, March 3, 2009
The minutes were approved with one name correction.

Introduction of Guests
Kate Walker, new Glacier District Ranger, was welcomed.

Old Business
Trails Issues
•	Alyeska Bridge Plans—John reported that he and others are preparing the wood planks for the May 2-3 installation. All permits are obtained; however, he needs more workers. Shifts are 8 hours, and six strong people are needed for each shift. He will contact Brian Burnett to get more workers. Norman is in charge of coffee and food for them.

Budget and Grants
Carolyn said she has started to look at REI grants, but she is not sure about their applicability to our trails. She will continue to investigate.

SAGA
Jonnie has contacted SAGA for our requested dates and is waiting to hear back. She mentioned that the state’s stimulus package pays for invasive weed work for SAGA.   

Trail Descriptions—GAP Review
Carolyn said that not many descriptions had been emailed to her. Alison will write one for the Iditarod Trail and for Winner Creek Trail.

Maps For GAP Revision
The group decided to have one map for the GAP document. “Winter Only” will be written next to those particular trails’ names.  The changes that she will make at the Anchorage office to the current Girdwood Trails DGPA Mapped, 1994-2002 map are:

1.  Both legs of the Alyeska Basin Trails will be renamed Joe Danich Trails.

2.  Alyeska Highway Bike Path will extend to the Hotel Alyeska, deleting #10, Moose Meadow Trail.

3.  Nordic Trail (#11) will become Moose Meadow Trails, Winter Only.

4.  Stumpy’s Winter Trail (#14) will join Stumpy’s Summer Trail to become one at Island Meadow.

5.  The left bottom leg of Virgin Creek Trail System (#16) will become the Joe Danich Trail.

6.  The extension of the Beaver Pond Trail will be added.

7.  Abe’s Trail will be added.

8.  The new Nordic/Multi-Use Trail will be added if it is GPS’ed.

9.  New numbering where needed.

Updates
•	2009 Trails for IGA—The LUC and GBOS both passed a resolution for the IGA status for our three newly requested trails.  It is unclear, however, if the resolution needs to be voted on again in Old Business next month. Jonnie investigate.

•	Summer Signs for Moose Meadow—Kate S. will email Brian about this.

•	Tract F—Parks and Recreation and the Resort have agreed to a trail design. Following a discussion about public parking and access to Winner Creek Trail, Kate Walker took it under advisement to discuss this with Resort management.

•	Nordic/Multi-Use Trail—The MOA Assembly will act upon HLB’s request on May 12.  Diana will send an email to members if we should go to the hearing.

•	Revision of Summer Trails Map—Jonnie said that the MOA printers are not our best option.  Kate S. will bring her maps to the Bike Shop.

New Business
AWWU Improvements & Iditarod National Historic Trail—Alison reported that the new AAWU Improvement Plan cuts off the segment of the Iditarod on their property and the 200’ easement is waived.  AAWU needs to include the Iditarod as a dedicated trail.  This will be addressed at the next LUC meeting, and all Trails Committee members are encouraged to attend.

National Trails Day—will be addressed when Brian returns.

Other Business
Hand Tram Trailhead—This trailhead will be renamed to Winner Creek Gorge Trailhead. The MOA gave an easement for the parking area for 18 parking spaces, which will require cutting trees. MOA owns the trees and is looking for someone to buy them. 

The Alaska Parks and Recreation Association Conference—The conference is in late April.  Jonnie passed out schedules and registration forms; she and Alison will attend. 

Wood from Bridge Project—The Committee would like to store the good wood that is taken off the bridge floor.  

The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 pm.

Next Meeting, May 5, 2009
Alyeska Day Lodge