Alaska Trails Board Meeting Minutes

 

November 9 2004

 

1. Call to Order at 9:03 am

Attendance: Present are Jack Mosby (proxy for Lisa), Bruce Friend (proxy for Joe), Dan Chagnon (Fairbanks), Warren Templin, Lindsay Winkler(Homer), Geoffrey Werth (Fairbanks); Joe Parrish (SAGA), Pat Owens joined at 9:06 am; Lisa joined in at 9:25 am, Jim and Ann Skinner (Valley)

 

2. Changes to Agenda

            No changes to the agenda

 

3. Reading and Approval of October 12, 2004 Minutes - Jack Campbell

            Jack Mosby mentioned that he had sent some corrections to Jack Campbell and the group should be reading from the corrected minutes that Jack sent before he left.  The minutes will stand as written. 

 

4. Old Business

  1. Replace Three Founding Board Members - when, how, who?  Jack M

Jack announced that Lindsay and Bob Gorman presented resumes to the group.  Pat Owens made a motion to discuss the addition of these folks as new board members.  Dan mentioned Lindsay would be a great addition to the board. Jack seconded this. Jack mentioned that we do need to have a general election in the spring, where all board members will stand for election.  Jack also noted that Bob Gorman would be an excellent addition to the Board.  A notice would need to be sent to the membership at least thirty days in advance for the general election.

 

Pat Owens moved that we add Lindsay Winkler to the Board; Bruce Friend seconded. The motion passes unanimously.  Lindsay abstained.

                               

Pat Owners moved that we add Bob Gorman to the board. Dan seconded. No discussion.  The motion passes unanimously.

 

Jack asked for any additional individuals that we would like to add to the board. No additional folks were added at this time.

 

b. Updates on Any Field Projects - Board

            No field projects were updated on.

 

c. IMBA Trail School Trail Training Request for 2005 Update ­ Kevin

An application has been received from Dan in Fairbanks.  Jack would like to offer up to $300 for their transportation. Jack said that the Single Track Advocates are also working to raise money for travel. Dan says it is a good possibility that ARPA may be able to help with a few hundred dollars; he thanked Jon Haas for working on the IMBA application. 

            Jack spoke with Bill Overbaugh who has passed the gavel onto Marti Marshall in Juneau and they (Wildlands section) are interested in helping again.  Alaska Trails believes that through these sources, we will be able to provide most of the travel costs; Jack will volunteer to host the trail crew at his house in Anchorage. Warren indicated that Scott Lapiene has a guesthouse that the trail crew could use while in the Valley.

            Lindsay moves that we provide up to $300 for their travel to and from Alaska; Dan seconds. No further discussion. Motion carries unanimously.

 

d. Recreation Trail Grant Update - Bob & Jack M

            Bob and Jack were not able to complete an application at this time as we had anticipated, although there are other funds available. Bob is exploring funding opportunities for the ATV Safety curriculum and Jack is exploring other funds for the trails and health brochure.

            Jack asked for help with the application and Lindsay offered to help review the application for the Board. 

 

e. Web Site List of Honorary Members – Joe

            Jack does not believe that the honorary membership for Austin Helmers has been put on the website. This was confirmed and Jack will follow up on this progress.

 

f. Starting a Trail Crew – Pat

            Pat Owens has started looking into this option. She is still contacting local groups, including Sitka Trail Works and Trail Mix.  She has looked at this nationally and noted there is a mix of not-for-profit and for-profit entities providing similar services.  Similar entities have had a crew with a trained crew chief and crew members, and they charge by the time, not necessarily the project.  SCA tells everyone what they provide and then expect something from the agency in return (e.g. housing).

            Pat noted the biggest expense would be in getting this on the ground, and this would require staff time especially. Pat recommended that we set up a survey first for agencies and organizations that would use this type of service to understand the feasibility of having a trail crew like this (e.g. would they pay for it, housing, etc.).  Joe Parrish has significant experience in this arena and would like to help in this endeavor.  They have a recruiter that recruits local young people from that area to work on local projects; grants help offset the projects.  Joe strongly recommends getting local individuals involved in projects in their area.

            Pat noted the main emphasis is that this would be a first attempt to provide this type of service and get media attention to help us with our capacity building.  The individuals would be local, and we need at least a year to plan for this.  Joe and Pat will talk after this meeting to discuss this option further.

            Joe noted that the facility in Indian is always open for these types of uses. Pat needs assistance in developing the survey; Joe Parrish will help develop this, as will Jack. 

 

 

g. Newsletter topics – Jack

            Jack has been working to collect trail information across the state, so far, he has

            -Fairbanks multi-use trail and parking area, mini-trails summit in February in Fairbanks concerning legal trail access in multi-use trail access; Dan

            -SCORP; Jack

            -Snowmobile grants due in December; Bruce Friend, paragraph with contact information

            -Past and Future IMBA trainings; Jack

            -Mechanized trail construction training-Randy Goodwin might have mentioned this

            -Additional board members needed; Pat

            -Mat-Su Trails Map—Warren

            -Mat-Su Trail Easement program-2005 miles of trail easements by 2005; Bruce

            -Austin Helmers trail dedication; Jack

            -Caribou Lake Trail-a paragraph or two, Lindsay, with a picture

            -SEA Trails, finalizing a master trails plan; Jack

            -Changes with ORTAB; Jack, calling for applications through the 22nd of this month

 

Jack wants to get this information in by the end of the next week. Will go to all the members and will go electronic. Jack will provide the document in word, pdf and rtf formats. Jack would like to do this in February and maybe once more before the summer rolls in.

 

h. Lester Lightfoot Agreement status - Joe

            No update on this at this time. Lester is a fox and is our mascot for trail education issues.

 

5. New Business

a. New Fairbanks Multi Use 400 acre Park Proposal - Dan C

            Dan mentioned that this park proposal is the original proposal for a subdivision that includes green space.  There is trail access for every lot, coming out of the landowner’s backyards. There is a meeting this evening with the Fairbanks NS Borough Planning Commission to rezone this to outdoor recreation, as the first step in creating a master plan. They hope to get this to be a multi-use trail system, serving as a microcosm for Alaska Trails’ goals. Dan would like to enlist our support and receive a letter of support from our organization.  This will go in front of the assembly for adoption in February.

 

Bruce Friend asked if there is a map or description on the park proposal that has been distributed to this board; Dan replied that he would be happy to forward to the board members a copy of the proposal area.  He did want to note they are not in the master plan phase yet. This area would tie into the 100 mile loop trail. Dan will send on a staff report and the map of the proposal area.

 

Bruce is traveling to Fairbanks today to speak with motorized dealers and would like additional information regarding this opportunity to spread the word.  Dan will get him this information. Dan would like a speaker to come to Fairbanks to speak in support of the project; Jack will work with Dan on this.

 

b. State Parks ORTAB Established - Jack M

            Jack mentioned that the TRAAK board was abolished last December, previously run under DOT.  A new advisory board has been established, Outdoor Recreation Trails Advisory Board, which will review state recreational grants and other DPOR grants.  They are currently searching for board members; get in contact with Chris Degernes at Alaska State Parks for more information, or your local park ranger. 

            Bruce Friend commented that he is a board member on SnowTRAAK and he is glad to hear that there will be synergy within the review processes for the state grants with regards to outdoor recreation.

           

c. Alaska Trail Champion Trail Training Schools - Lisa

            Lisa received an email from Joe Parrish; at the statewide trails conference, there was a discussion on having a traveling trail crew.  Joe, Jack, and Lisa discussed that there is a lot of trail curriculum around, and that we could put together a basic curriculum, volunteers could come in and get a training (similar to the firefighters red card), and receive a certification that says they are trained. There could be beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels.

Lisa talked with Joe about using their AmeriCorps volunteers to develop this.  The advantage of this would be the core group of volunteers around the state that have similar training ; we could give them Alaska Trail Champion patches to highlight their commitment to sustainable trail construction. 

            Pat noted this compliments the option of having an Alaskan trail group. The Mat-Su Borough is working on an agreement to have volunteers adopt-a-trail and the volunteers will commit to an annual trail training. This would compliment an Alaska Trails training session. 

            Bob has a researcher working for him that is scoping out Design and Construction standards for ATV trails in the bush.  This person may have time available to work on other project and we could potentially make this a package. 

            Lisa noted that perhaps we could coordinate with DOF to provide a labor source (fire crews during wet seasons) to begin this program.  Lisa would like to put a subcommittee together to work on this.

            Joe in Juneau is interested in this, as are Jack and Lindsay; Joe may be able to work with his AmeriCorps volunteers to help with this effort.  An application would need to be filled out, including a job description. AK Trails could take a lead role in this recruitment, if we would like. In addition, a host area would need to be identified.  It’s $800/month for this individual.  Joe noted that they match this funding. There is a current timeline for January 18th.  Lisa said she might have room for office space in her office. Lisa would like to talk with Bob Gorman to see if he could some of his funding for this cost.

            The subcommittee will work to come back to the board next month with a more specific proposal.  Wednesday the 17th at 8:00 am works for everyone.  We will use the same teleconference number. Lisa expressed that this could be a great opportunity for our state. Lisa will contact the Forest Service to see if anyone can participate in this process.

            No objection from the board to explore this; hearing none, the group will proceed.   

           

6. Reports from Board and Chairs: (What¹s happened on your committee since

the last board meeting)l

a. President - Jack Mosby announced we have 69 members, with two joining this morning. Thanks Jim and Ann!

b. Treasurer - Joe Westfall is absent. Lisa noted the IMBA bill has been paid.

c. Secretary - Jack Campbell is absent.­

d. Funding Committee - Bruce Friend has nothing new to report.

e. Education Committee - Joe Westfall ­is absent.

f. PR/Media Committee - Pat Owens ­is curious to see if the brochures out to folks.  Jack noted he has put out brochures in the Tok area.  Lisa sent a large envelope to James King as well as Karl Kassel.  Dan has distributed some in Fairbanks. Joe Parrish is meeting with James King in an hour and will follow up on this. Lisa noted that we are trying to understand if these brochures are generating memberships, Jack noted several have come in because of them so far.

 

g. Volunteer Recruitment Committee - Jack Mosby ­said we have two of the board positions filled. He will continue to seek another individual as well. He stated he would like to hold elections in mid-March. 

h. Program Committee - Karl Kassel/Dan Chagnon—Noted that Karl did receive the envelope and will begin disseminating the information. He identified that we sent in the IMBA application again this year.  Jack also hopes we can work with the Single Track Advocates.

 

7. Trail News (2 minute limit) -

a. Board members –Paul Sandhofer will get the TrailWare Version 2.0 to enter things into trailexplorer.org. He would like to start next summer to start documenting these trails. Lisa noted that there should be accessibility training in the Alaska Trail Champions training.  Paul attended the trails symposium in Austin and they had a session on accessibility and within the next year, it appears that ADA will apply to all trails that are funded through state and federal funds. It is currently going through the federal Office of Management and Budget for their stamp.

 

b. Members –Jim asked if we are working on issues with non-motorized trails; Lindsay mentioned that she has been approached about a trail connecting Homer to Anchor Point and Lisa asked Lindsay to contact her about this.

            Bruce noted that there is a group forming in the Peters Creek area for snowmobiling purposes.  The group is actively seeking increased participation for trail clearing.

            Jim has been approached by mothers of by ski jourers in his area and they had asked about a certain area could be identified as a non-motorized area.  Pat explained the process to classify areas as non-motorized, and she noted that the area is currently going through a community planning process and that this is the avenue for getting this accomplished.

           

c. Public Comments -

 

8. Adjournment – The meeting was adjourned at 10:16 am. Dan in Fairbanks moved to adjourn; Pat seconded.

 

9.  Next Meeting:  Dec 14 9:00AM

 

 

 

ACTION ITEMS

 

1. Jack will make sure Austin Helmers is on the website as an honorary member.

 

2. Dan will send on a staff report and the map of the proposal area regarding the 400 acre proposed park area.

 

3. Pat Owens will work with Joe Parrish and Jack to develop a survey to identify needs for a trail crew.

 

4. Everybody has his or her newsletter responsibilities—get these to Jack by early next week (shall we say Wednesday?)

 

5. Lisa, Joe, Lindsay, and Jack will have a teleconference on Wednesday, November 17th through the same numbers to discuss the Alaska Champions Trail Trainings for volunteers.  Bob Gorman should also be invited and perhaps someone from the Forest Service as well. The group will come back to the board in December with more information.

 

6. Everyone needs to continue outreaching the brochure for Alaska Trails!