Girdwood Trails Committee
Minutes of Regular Meeting

Girdwood Community Center, 7:00 pm 
Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Call to Order
Carolyn Brodin called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. Kate Sandberg took the minutes. Others present were Norman Starkey, Diana Livingston, Deb Essex, Brian Burnett, and John Gallup.

Approval of Agenda
The agenda was approved as presented.

Approval of Minutes, July 7, 2009
The minutes were approved.

Introduction of Guests
No guests.

Old Business
Trail Issues
•	Alyeska Bridge Painting and Bike Path Culverts—John will again contact Isobel Roy of MOA to request work on the culverts. Repairing a culvert costs approximately $7,000, and we have $60,000 left from our grant.  The Committee voiced strong opinion about the danger of these culverts to bikers and walkers.
	
•	Hand Tram Rope Replacement and Maintenance—Jonnie has ordered a new rope spool that is being shipped to Dave Wilson of Alyeska. Dave and other lift maintenance personnel from Alyeska will install the rope.  John will arrange for the spool to be sent out to the tram.  Cost of the rope is $1060 plus shipping.  

           Committee members agreed that we need a new rope every year.  It is believed 	that a rope was stolen this past winter from under a staging platform.

•	Other Trail Issues
		Shed and Its Contents—A $500 chain saw with blade is missing from the 	shed, and the door has been torn off. Trails Committee equipment needs to be 	better protected by having the more valuable equipment at someone’s home or a 	better structure and lock system. John will talk to Jonnie about buying a Conex 	($4000.00) to better protect the snow machine and other equipment. For now, 	Norman and SAGA will fix the locks.

Budget and Grants
We do not qualify for the National Parks granted mentioned in the July minutes.	
SAGA Crews
Norman will again direct the SAGA crews for the four days this week that they are here.  The Committee agreed that the priorities are clearing Virgin Creek Trail, fixing the shed latches, clearing Stumpy’s Summer Trail, fixing drainage near the second bridge of Robbie’s Route, clearing Lower Iditarod Trail, and moving the grooming equipment onto the gravel pad.

Moose Meadow Summer Usage
After discussion, the Committee agreed not to put down the Geoblock that was recently purchased until we are assured we have the right permits.  It is sure that we will use the materials in some trail area if not in Moose Meadow.  

Holtan Hills Planning
It appears from new plats for the Holtan Hills subdivision that there is no established easement for the Iditarod Trail through the subdivision.  Following Alison Rein’s example, Committee members are urged to write to MOA Planning and ask for an established minimum 100’ easement.

Fungus Fair Auction
Members went through the list of prospective donors and added new information. Assignments were confirmed. More planning is needed, so the Committee decided to hold a special meeting on August 25, 7:00 pm, to plan specifically for the auction. 

Updates
•	GAP Revision—No news. Carolyn will contact Thede of MOA Planning.

•	Nordic Trail—Deb reported that all permits have been granted (Army Corps of Engineers and DNR).  She said that the current project is to investigate how to cut down the necessary trees with minimal impact. The trees will be cut this fall and removed in winter.

New Business
None
	
Other Business
Nina’s Wall--Members agreed that the Trails Committee is not the appropriate group to take care of the area of Nina’s Wall. The Beautification Committee may be a better fit.

Stop Signs for Bikers at Donner—Kate will ask Jonnie if she will order small stop signs for both sides of the bike path at Donner. Bikers speed down the hill, and an accident may occur if they don’t stop there.  The corners could be brushed out as well.

Girdwood as a Pedestrian Zone—Kate will begin to investigate how we could establish the Girdwood valley as a pedestrian zone. 
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:40 pm.
Next Regular Meeting—September 1, 2009—Girdwood Community Center