Girdwood Trails Committee
Minutes of Regular Meeting

Girdwood Community Center, 7:00 pm 
Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Call to Order
	Carolyn Brodin called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Kate Sandberg took  minutes. Others present were Norman Starkey, Diana Livingston, Alison Rein, Matt Wedeking, Brian Burnett, and Jonnie Lazarus.

Approval of Agenda
The agenda was approved as written.

Approval of Minutes, August 4, 2009
The minutes were approved as written.

Introduction of Guests
	Di Hiibner, Shelley Romer, Darren Hawes, all from Alyeska Resort, were welcomed to the Committee. 

Old Business
Trails
	Alyeska Highway Bike Path Culverts—Alison reported that Isobel Roy (MOA) said a contractor will patch the worst areas on the path next week, including at least the two worst culverts. 

	Hand Tram Rope—The rope has been replaced, and many thanks go to Alpine Air for taking it out to the tram and to John Gallup for receiving it there.  More thanks are due to Steve Delatush, Norman Starkey, and Brian Burnett for installing the new rope. The spare rope is at Alpine Air. 
	After discussion, the Committee agreed that hemp rope is still the best for our purpose; however, we may be able to order less rope than in past years. Brian will look into it and email Jonnie.

Budget and Grants
	This past month, GBOS had asked to see what type of work the SAGA crews have been doing.   Therefore, several Trails members took GBOS members Erin Eker, John Gallup, and Russ Stahla to the Beaver Pond Trail and Tiny Creek Trail to view SAGA work.  Trail members are encouraged to come the GBOS meeting on September 21 when the Parks and Recreation budget will be discussed.
	Committee members agreed that we should take GBOS members each year to view SAGA work (before and after) and how our budget is spent. Next year we will be able to notify them with more notice.
	Finally, Kate had created a list of SAGA accomplishments 2005-2009 from Trails Minutes. These will be updated each year, and she will send the list to GBOS members this month before their meeting.

SAGA Crew Summary
	Norman summarized the latest SAGA crew of 16, who worked two days in August.  Accomplished work:
•	Brushing done on Lower Iditarod
•	Two benches built on Beaver Pond Trail
•	Concrete poured; two bollards with chain installed for groomer trail at shed
•	Ditches dug to manage new drainage problems near bridges on Robbie’s Route
•	Brushing done on Stumpy’s Summer Trail

Norman will contact Redmonds for any free gravel for drainage on Robbie’s Route.
	Committee members expressed their thanks to Crow Creek Mine for providing a camping area again this summer for SAGA crews.  Next year the crews may stay in Indian at the established Chugach State Park camp for SAGA where there are showers.

Geoblock
	During August, the Committee agreed that Alyeska Resort could use our purchased Geoblock for the Barnyard area of the North Face Trail. The Resort will reimburse Parks and Recreation this coming spring.  
	Jonnie soon will be receiving a statement from the Army Corps of Engineers saying that no permit is needed to install Geoblock in Moose Meadow.  We can then install it next summer.  She also will look further into signs for Moose Meadow that explain the fragility of the wetland.

Pedestrian Zones
After a short internet search, Kate said we are interested in “pedestrian priority zones,” where cars are allowed; however, the design and construction of communities gives the highest priority to the safety and convenience of pedestrians.  Successful models are found in Europe, particularly Switzerland.  She contacted Lori Schanke (MOA), and Lori is willing to help where possible.
	The Committee agreed to pursue this for an eventual report to GBOS.  Kate will continue to look into it. 

Updates
•	Nordic Trail—no news. 

•	Holtan Hills Plat—HLB is going to the Platting and Zoning Board on September 2 in spite of no Land Use and GBOS non-objection of the latest rendition of the plat.  The Iditarod Trail easement is not on this latest rendition. 

•	Bike Stop Signs for Donner—Concerns remain for the safety of bicyclists at Donner     and Alyeska Highway. Di Hiibner said that Parks and Recreation could buy stop signs from Alyeska Resort, which makes them in-house.  Jonnie will do so.  Kate will contact Nick Danger to ask for cutting back brush at the same location.

New Business
	Matt introduced the public review draft of the Chugach State Park Trail Management Plan.  The plan includes new classifications of trails and proposed trails. There will be a Girdwood listening session on September 17. Committee members are encouraged to send in comments about the plan to the State Park administration.

Other Business
	Alison is able to write two grants this fall--the Recreational Trails Program Grant ($50,000 with 20% matching) and the Alaska Trails Initiative Grant. We have a particularly good chance at the Initiative Grant.  She will send all Committee members the information and ask for ideas for funding. 

Meeting was adjourned at 8:40 pm.

Next meeting October 6, 2009
Girdwood Community Center