Girdwood Trails Committee
Minutes of Regular Meeting

Girdwood Community Center, 7:00 pm 
Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Call to Order
Carolyn Brodin called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m. Others present: Jonnie Lazarus, Brian Burnett, Deb Essex, John Gallup, Todd Foisey, Norman Starkey, Matt Wedeking, and Kathy Peters.

Approval of Agenda
The agenda was approved as written.

Approval of Minutes, July 7, 2008
The minutes were approved as written.

Introduction of Guests
Pete Gatreau, Alaska Paragliding

Old Business
Trail Issues
Alyeska Highway Bridge Repair
John Gallup reported that he met last week with Alaska Railroad (ARR) and MOA Parks and Recreation (PR). PR initiated a permit application that will take 6-8 weeks; however, it is unclear if volunteers will be allowed to work.  John will address this when he finds out from MOA.
John said the materials list is ready; the cost will be 50-70% higher than 2007—approximately $60,000.  We will need lights, safety helmets, wood, and tools. The projected work date is third week in September.

Other Trail Issues
Bollards--Isobel Roy (MOA) has found money for three bollards to block motorized vehicles from HLB land.  After discussion, the committee decided that we had no immediate need for bollards, but we would like to store them for later use, perhaps for the new Nordic Multi-use trails. Jonnie will talk to Isobel.

ARR and Fishing AccessTrail—Brian reported that ARR is not planning to change the access to the CA and Glacier Creeks confluence. Perhaps we can encourage parking at the Forest Service Building and have a cross walk painted in the future.

Alyeska Bike Path—Isobel Roy will tell Jonnie how many asphalt repairs we can afford, and Jonnie will ask volunteers to walk the path and make a list of priority patches. 

Tract F and Old Winner Creek Trail—The transfer of Old Winner Creek Trail in Tract F from HLB to PR is on our priority list, and the trail cannot be lost.  It is flagged, and the Resort will be realigning it next summer.  Jonnie reported that Larry Daniels said the Resort will give the management of this trail to PR.  This may be listed on Tract E by the Resort, but is F on MOA maps. Alison Rein should know which is accurate. 
Brian will walk the trail on August 11, and make sure the flagged trail is the Old Winner Creek Trail. It goes from Challenge Alaska to the Pump House.  If it is displaced by development, we must make sure that another similar or better trail is installed. This trail will be heavily used by resort guests and residents and needs to be a high standard for use.  Jonnie will ask the Resort personnel what standard they plan for this trail. 

Virgin Creek Trail—Todd Foisey said that he is in the process of brushing out a portion of the Virgin Creek Trail (Turin to RR). He plans to keep at it this summer.

Problem at Donner/Alyeska Bike Path—Deb Essex remarked that the bike path crossing with Donner is dangerous.  Bikers go down hill quite fast and do not look or stop for cars.  Drivers have a blind corner there too. Jonnie volunteered PR to purchase small stop signs for bikers. Three will be ordered--one extra.

Budget
No discussion necessary.

SAGA Crew
This topic will be thoroughly discussed in September when we make a job priority and materials list.  It was noted that the trail between the school and Crow Creek Road is in bad shape and should be on our list. 

Nordic/Multi-Use Trail
Carolyn has integrated committee suggestions into Diana’s draft. She asked for advice on some phrases and will send out the final to committee members before submitting it to the Turnagain Times.

Map for Girdwood Area Plan Revision
Additions to the map are Abe’s Trail, Nordic Mult-Use Trail, Snow cat Trail, Max’s from Virgin Creek, Beaver Pond Trail access. These trails need GPS coordinates.  #16 and 1 on the map are the same trail, so this needs to be corrected. Ridge Trail/Secret Trail???

New Business
Moose Meadow Traffic
Peter Gatreau of Alaska Paragliding and Committee members agreed that visitors are creating an inappropriate track from the bike path to the paragliding landing site. After discussion, it was decided to try signage and textile matting on the trail next summer.  Suggestions for wording were “Sensitive area—Please use designated trail.”

Other Business
Brian mentioned that the public will be invited to walk the Resort’s Blueberry Pancake Trail during the Blueberry Festival, August 23.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:50 pm

Next meeting--September 2, 2008
Girdwood Community Center