Girdwood Trails Committee
Minutes of Regular Meeting

Glacier City Hall, 7:00 pm 
Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Call to Order
Carolyn Brodin called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.  Kate Sandberg acted as secretary. Others present: Sadie Youngstrom, Matt Wedeking, Alison Rein, Jonnie Lazarus, Diana Livingston, Brian Burnett, Norman Starkey, Deb Essex, Sean Stash. The committee welcomed Peter Beachy, Jonathan Lee, Denise Gallup, Lisa Portune, Chris and Jocelyn Stinson, Karl Middelstadt, and Kathy Peters.

Approval of Agenda
The agenda was approved as written.

Approval of Minutes, May 6, 2008
The minutes were approved without correction.

Introduction of Guests
Jim Galanes was introduced and thanked for coming.

Old Business
Trail Issues
•	Alyeska Highway Bridge/Bike Path Repair Update—no report. John Gallup will
report next meeting.

Nordic/Multi-Use Trail
•	Summary of History
Carolyn summarized the Trails Committee’s history of involvement with the proposed 5K trail (see minutes from August 2006 forward).  The Trails Committee approved the final feasibility study because HLB was to construct the trail and Alyeska Resort offered to maintain it.  Community support was strong.  Then the trail was put on hold while the new Resort master plan was finalized.

Diana Livingston summarized Girdwood 2020’s recent support of the trail. Their Multi-Use Trails Committee noticed that the trail’s feasibility study had languished and contributed $30,000 to support the construction of the trail. HLB contributed $50,000, and a possible other $50,000 may be available. As noted in the May minutes, the total construction is now estimated to be $210,000.  This $80,000 gap can be raised through grants or other funding.  The 2020 group morphed into a larger group to include Parks & Recreation and Trails at the past month’s meeting.  Next meeting is June 11.

Brian reported that Alyeska Resort has decided to withdraw completely from the conversation about the trail. The Resort will not loan grooming equipment or help maintain the trail.

•	Galanes’ Comments
Jim Galanes confirmed that his original estimates for grooming ($30,000) and skier days (2,500) to fund the trail still hold. This does not include now buying the groomer.  

Galanes also mentioned that the Anchorage Nordic Ski Club operates with a $300,000 budget. Half is received through pass pins, and half through races. 

He thinks we can build the trail with a native soil surface and still be sustainable like the Hillside trails.  Other members said that this would not support bike traffic and that there is three-four feet of peat to dig out.  Lisa mentioned that, from her experience with trail building on Winner Creek and at Alyeska, the clay under the peat is slick and requires gravel.  Alison voiced concerns about the width of the trail—that it could be in places 40-50 feet wide because of large trees and dripping.  Galanes disagreed with both comments. 

Galanes said the HLB $50,000 may not be available with a new mayoral administration in 2009. We need to move on this project in the next six months for permitting, easements, and design for construction next summer. 

Discussion on the Operation of the Trail
After discussion, the group agreed that the primary questions were 1) How to best operate the trail?; and 2) Would the community use the trail with that operating system? 

There are various options for the operation of the trail, and they include, but are not limited to:

o	Parks & Recreation--Jonnie advised that, currently, Parks and Recreation couldn’t take on the operation of the trail. But if Girdwood voters decide to tax themselves to support it and it is approved by GBOS, her office can add hours and staff to maintain the trail.  Galanes advised against MOA Parks & Rec operating the trail because it adds more time to the permitting process.  There would most likely be an added cost because of more agency review. 

o	Additional taxes of Girdwood property owners—We could vote to add to our local tax base to pay for the entire operation via a non-MOA entity.

o	Races, pins, passes—As in Anchorage, a Girdwood Nordic group could be formed to operate the trail.  Girdwood Inc, The Anchorage Community Foundation or Anchorage Parks Foundation could manage the money.

•	Next Steps
The Committee agreed the best way to get current community input on the issue is to write a Turnagain Times article about the trail’s present status and to solicit input from readers.  This will not duplicate Galanes’ original efforts.  Brian volunteered to write the first draft that will give the current status of the proposed trail, the construction and operation situation, possible scenerios for the funding, and ask for reader input via email. Open-ended questions will be asked for directed responses.  The website for the feasibility study will be included.  Brian will circulate the article among members for changes.

All box holders and property owners will be notified by postcard. The Trails Committee has money with Girdwood Inc. that can be used for this purpose.  The Turnagain Times web site will be included on the card, so the article can be accessed. Kate will contact Linda Brooks, MOA Planning, for directions on how to reach second home property owners.

New Business
None

Other Business
NOTE: This is informational and for the record it was not discussed at the meeting. 

Hand Tram--The hand tram is fixed and ready for use. Thanks go to Alpine Air
for hauling the rope, and to Tom Yeager, Brian Burnett, SteveDelatush, and Norman Starkey for their hard work to get the tram working again.  A thank-you letter was sent to Alpine Air.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

Next meeting is July 7, 2008, Girdwood Community Center