Girdwood Trails Committee
Minutes of Regular Meeting

Girdwood Community Center, 7:00 pm 
Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Call to Order
Carolyn Brodin called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Kate Sandberg acted as secretary. Others present: Jonnie Lazarus, Brian Burnett, Deb Essex, Keith Essex, Todd Foisey, Norman Starkey, and Jonathan Lee. 

Approval of Agenda
The agenda was approved as written with the addition of discussing the Nordic/Multi-use trail article for the Turnagain Times.

Approval of Minutes, August 5, 2008
The minutes were approved as written.

Introduction of Guests
No guests.

Old Business
Trail Issues
Alyeska Highway Bridge Repair
John sent an email to Trails Committee members outlining the repair work process and asked for help with the work and finding tools. Work begins September 26.  Alyeska Resort will be contributing manpower and tools.  

Kate will email John to ask him to set up a walk through with Larry Daniels and Brian to understand the repair needed. There does not seem to be tools in our shed that will help this project.   The Committee would like to bring hot coffee and lunch to the workers. Kate will tell John this too.

Tract F—Old Winner Creek Trail
The Resort has partially realigned this trail through Tract F and has flagged it. Brian showed Alyeska’s plan, and the Forest Service’s easement map was shown.  The trail will be relocated to wander through proposed development, but it will be planned to be as far away from Arlberg and in as natural a setting as possible. Brian wants to have it be class three trail. The trail will be put in before surrounding development and Brian hopes to punch it through to Challenge Alaska as soon as possible.

This trail will be a community trail, maintained by the Trails Committee.

Beaver Pond/CA Creek Trailhead Parking Lot
Carolyn announced that she has talked to the engineers for the CA Creek bridge about the parking for the Beaver Pond/CA Creek Trailhead. Residents close by and the Trails Committee are concerned that parked cars will cause problems for pedestrians and for residents. There is a possibility to keep the present two pads on the road’s east side for parking. However, the Corp of Engineers and the school district have not approved this plan. Carolyn will go to Land Use and discuss it as part of the Trails report.

Other Trails Issues 
•	Grooming Bike Path—Todd is interested in grooming the bike path near Moose Meadow for more trails in the winter.  Some members said that the path needs to be cleared and sanded for walkers and runners, but to call Mike Black, DOT Roads Manager.

•	Fungus Fair Fun Run—Some members voiced concern about the poor shape of the Iditarod section for the Fungus Fair Fun Run.  Jonnie said that the Run has been advertised as Fun and that people will be aware of the obstacles before the Run. She apologized for not being clearer to the Committee that this trail would be used. 

Budget
No budget items.

SAGA Crew
Job Priorities
After discussion, the Committee agreed that the SAGA crew will work by area of the valley.   Brian and Norman will walk through the work with the SAGA leader.

First Group of Priorities:  1) brushing out nettles etc. and cleaning up the Beaver Pond Trail, 2) load and move lumber from Jonnie’s house, 3) work on culverts, drainage, and tread of the Tiny Creek Trail, 4) clear out Abe’s Trail.

Second Group of Priorities: 1) Put in new Crockett’s (Enchanted Forest Bridge with culverts; 2) trim back Robbie’s Route,and Stumpy’s Summer Trail to AWWU road (sledding area particularly), 3) trim branches along paved bike path from Alyeska Hotel to Moose Meadow, 4) put any wood chips on weeds, 5) clean up Robbie’s Route by hotel housing.
	
Materials
Norman and Brian will figure out and order materials. We have $3000+ with Girdwood Inc.

Logistics
Norman will take care of informing SAGA of the work; the port-a-potty is ordered. Crow Creek Mine has been called.  Norman invited members to feed the crew anytime.

Nordic/Multi-use Trail 
Deb plans to start work on the trail system and the 501( c)(3) in September.   

Carolyn wanted feedback on the final draft of the article for the Turnagain Times. After discussion, the Committee agreed that the article should say the tread will be 22 feet.
We agreed to have an invitation to join the Committee, delete of viewing the emails, and include a good map. Carolyn was thanked for her hard work on this article.

Girdwood Area Plan Map
No work on this because the MOA has not reported back to the GAP Advisory Committee.

Updates
Brian invited hikers/runners to the Resort’s hosting of Alyeska Vertical Challenge on Saturday.  Hikers will hike up the new North Face Trail as many times as possible in nine hours. 

New Business
None

Other Business
None

Meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:50 p.m.

Next Meeting—October 7, 2008
Girdwood Community Center