Girdwood Trails Committee
Minutes of Regular Meeting
Old Library Building, 7 pm 
Tuesday, July 11, 2006

Matt Wedeking called the meeting to order at 7:11 p.m.  Kate Sandberg acted as secretary for the meeting. 

Others present: Brian Burnett, Sean Stash, Alison Rein and Diana Stone Livingston

Approval of Minutes
Minutes from June 7, 2006, were approved.

Old Business
1. SAGA Crew Planning
SAGA (Southeast Alaska Guidance Association) crews are due in Girdwood for four weeks (16 days) in late September/early October.  Alison will send Matt a copy of last year’s contract; Matt will take care of this year’s contract. It is believed that we have $7,500 from the Municipality and $7,500 from the NPS. Matt will confirm this amount.

After discussion, the Committee agreed to the following jobs for SAGA crews.  In order of priority, they are:
1.  Brush out rest of the Beaver Pond Trail—6 days

2.  Fill in large mud hole on Iditarod Trail near avalanche parking lot (Mile 2.8 CCR); peel and lay logs on trail

3.  Fix hole next to second bridge near Our Lady of the Snows Chapel; grade, ditch, and gravel trail near Chapel if Alyeska Resort is unable to do so.  Brian will check with Larry Daniels (Alyeska)—1 day.

4.  Put in removable bollards on both ends of Deb’s Way to stop motorized vehicles from using trail—1 day.

5.  Brush disc golf course; chip or haul alder pile—1-2 days.

6.  Improve winter trails—5-4 days. Better access on the connector from the hotel parking lot to Moose Meadow, widen and clear of stumps on Stumpy’s Winter Trail at the connecting point with Snowcat Trail, and a better bridge on Deb’s Way.  Other possible work jobs bridge improvements are at the connector between hotel parking lot and Moose Meadow and a bridge on Stumpy’s Winter Trail near Winner Creek.  

Diana will talk to Eben Stone to confirm winter trail work. It is hoped that Eben will show the crews what is needed.

2.  Trails Issues
a.  Alyeska Highway Bridge Repair— Alison reported that the engineer’s estimate for the repair came in far over the budget at $188,723. The Municipality is meeting with the State to see if additional funds are available.  
b. Winner Creek Trail—the main trail is much improved with new gravel and ditching.  Upper Winner Creek will be worked on (Sawtooth) beginning this week, and it too is in good shape.
	c.  Other Trail Issues
1) Alison reported that the Forest Service continues to work on Iditarod signage, and she showed schematics of the proposed trailhead parking lot below the Crow Creek Mine. 
2) The zipline one-year permit is out for public comment until July 27.  The owner proposes 400 service days. 
3) There appears to be a mining operation on the boundary between Forest Service land and the Crow Creek Mine.  Alison will find out more information on this.

3. Bike Path Repair Options
Kate reported that our GBOS representative, Brandi Hoke, wrote that she cannot attend our meetings.  Among other things, it was hoped that Brandi would have information and give support for obtaining funding for bike path repairs.  Concern was expressed about having no representative at our meetings and the consequent lack of guidance.  Diana will talk to John Gallup, GBOS Chair.

4.  Nissman Memorial Update  
A fire pit and two tables have been installed. 

5.  Beautification Committee 
Deb Essex will water the flowers this summer, and may be willing to chair the committee next summer. Kate will contact Deb for confirmation.

6.  Alyeska Highway Crosswalk 
Sean said he had written to DOT about painting the crosswalk, and although he did not hear back, the crosswalk is now painted.  The Committee agreed that further signage is important.

7.  Disc Golf Update
Greatland chipped the majority of the alders cleared for the course.  However, a small portion was left behind along the road to the ballfield.  This remaining pile will be removed by volunteers or by a SAGA crew.  Mari Steinbach (Anchorage Parks and Recreation) was contacted on July 13 and the paperwork to get Greatland paid for their portion of the work had been submitted and is being processed. The chips could be used in the Forest Fair area.  Six-seven of the holes also need further brushing.  These jobs will either be done during the summer by volunteers or by SAGA crews in the fall.  Tee Numbers on river cobbles and course maps (available at the first tee) have been put in place to help navigate the course.

The Resort is interested in a disc golf course, but Sean wants to wait to see the success of the first course before attempting one on the mountain. To increase awareness and interest, it was suggested he teach a course for FVCS.

8.  Status of Parks and Recreation Employee
Diana reported that Parks and Recreation are interviewing applicants and someone will be hired soon.

9.  Rafting Glacier Creek Update
Andy Morrison received a one-year permit from LUC for his rafting business.

New Business
Bike Usage/Access of Trails
Brian Burnett voiced concern that mountain bikers are losing access as trails are upgraded. An example is the boardwalk section of Winner Creek Trail where bikes are no longer allowed.   He said that this loss happened without community input. 

Brian proposed that when a portion of trail is taken away from mountain bikers, a new section of trail is created.  For instance, a bike trail may be created to go around the Winner Creek boardwalk section.  He also said that not all trails have to be cleared of all roots and rocks—mountain bikers like them.   The Committee commented the importance of hearing from this user group and thanked Brian.

Girdwood Area Plan Revisions
Kate said that the Girdwood Area Plan will be revised and that a committee has been meeting to develop an approach to the work. That committee has been going through the plan and that the plan’s goal of trail dedication has not been accomplished.  The Committee agreed to start the administrative process of dedicating five trails in Girdwood valley for protection.  

Next meeting is August 1, 2006, 7:00 pm

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 pm.