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Gold Country Trails Council
Minutes of the General Meeting
January 12, 2010
The general meeting was called to order by President Teri Personeniat 7:05.
Members present included:
President: Teri Personeni
Treasurer: Tracy Morgan
Secretary: Karen Schwartz
Board Members:
Mary Lundin, Vicki Testa
Forest Service Liaison: Willie Brusin
President Teri Personeni distributed the agenda. She requested a motion to approve the revised minutes of the 12-15-09 executive board meeting. Willie Brusin so moved and Laura Duncan seconded the motion; the minutes were approved unanimously.
Treasurer Tracy Morgan distributed copies of her 12-09 report. She noted that the balance as of 11-30-09 was $6442.34. In response to Teri’s inquiry about responses to the solicitation letters sent to groups representing equestrian and other trail user groups, Tracy reported that a $50.00 donation had been received from Echo Valley Feed for relocation of the Cable trail. Teri also asked whether a bill from BONC for the food they provided on United Trails Day had been received, but apparently they have not submitted a billing as yet.
Forest Service Liaison Willie Brusin distributed a copy of his January report and requested that members record their volunteer hours on behalf of trails on a form designed by Mary Johnson. He reported that Joe Chavez of the Tahoe National Forest (TNF) thanked GCTC members for 1500 hours of volunteer trail work provided in 2009. Willie explained that Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs), at a cost of $1800.00, are required before trail work on the proposed Cable trail can proceed. In response to questions from the membership about the need to solicit funds for EIRs, Willie explained that TNF has an extremely limited budget and that Joe Chavez is applying for grants to fund trail work. Records of volunteer hours are important in winning grant approval.
Regarding the Pioneer Trail relocation project, Willie said Joe Chavez suggested that two volunteer workdays are needed in 2010 to complete the trail pad and signage on the Pioneer Trail relocation project. TNF is requesting that GCTC place identification markers at each road crossing and multi-use trail crossing. In addition, Willie and Sue Brusin plan to flag the Pioneer Trail relocation project at the Washington Overlook for approved by TNF. Also, one workday will be needed to complete the Hallelujah Trail crossing at Burlington Road and the Green Gate connector. The TNF will schedule a ceremony dedicating the Pioneer Trail relocation in the spring.
Willie also stated that Joe Chavez said PG&E offered the TNF a 3-year easement for the Bowman Road Trailhead if and only if TNF or GCTC provided funding for two portable or vault toilets with weekly maintenance. Estimated costs would be in the thousands of dollars and too costly for TNF or GCTC. Therefore, the Bowman Road Trailhead has been put on hold until funding is obtained.
Finally, the federal government is requiring an update of the Travel Management Plans in the national forests to keep trails open. After reviewing the 7000 comments submitted on their first Draft Environmental Impact Statement, the TNF recognized that their core database of previously designated roads and trails was full of flaws and incorrect data. Several GCTC members (Vicki Testa and Kim Nunez) rode the trails to take GPS readings at various sites. The TNF’s Motorized Travel Management updated version will be published in March with a 45-day comment period to follow.
Old Business:
Regarding the GCTC bi-monthly newsletter, Editor Annalinde Wainwright requested that items be submitted to her before the 22nd of February. Those who wish to advertise their business may submit a business card to Michelle Montgomery, and the cost for a year will be $25.00.
Teri announced that the membership directory will be updated by Michelle Montgomery and will also include advertisements, again at a cost of $25.00.
Teri requested that a new members packet be developed by Michelle Montgomery to include a membership directory, a copy of the by-laws, and a map of the Pioneer Trail.
Teri announced that the Poker Ride, which is the annual GCTC fundraiser, has been tentatively scheduled for Saturday 6-5-10 but not yet confirmed with the TNF and the Skillman concessionaire. A volunteer is needed to chair and organize a committee.
New Business:
Teri distributed copies of the tentative 2010 schedule of club activities and circulated a sign-up sheet for members to volunteer for coordinating various events. She reviewed a coordinators’task sheet developed to help volunteers organize activities. She next reviewed the tentative 2010 schedule, noting changes that will be made to the final schedule, e.g., 5-16-10 workday is changed to 5-22-10; Wild West Ride is 5-28 through 5-30-20; 5-29-10 workday is cancelled. She reported that response had been very favorable to Vice President Melissa Ribley’s e-mail proposing a Tack Swap/Book Exchange for the March general membership meeting. Regarding the BBQ scheduled for 10-23-10, the issue was raised as to whether attendance at the event should be limited to members only or should be used as an outreach effort to gain new members; no decision was made.
Teri reviewed the status of the GCTC website which is hosted by former member Ron Brown but has not been adequately updated. Member Helen Harvey offered to consult regarding what is needed, and Teri will contact her to follow up.
Teri requested a member volunteer as publicity chair. The responsibilities would involve contacting local media to increase GCTC’s visibility in the community by publicizing events and accomplishments.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:11 for a presentation by saddle fitting specialists from Christensens Saddle and Supply in Loomis.
Respectfully submitted,
Karen Schwartz, Secretary
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