TRAL Monthly Meeting  

January 5, 2010 

In Attendance: Chari Ainsworth, Perri Bachini, Don Covert, Kellie Durham, Patrick Frawley, Carl Girard, David Gronlund, Mike Housley, Tim Huber, John Juliano, Bret Marchant, Dalen Marchant, Brian Martin, Joe Osuch, Amy Racki, Dan Scheske, Brian Smith, Rich Smith, Kevin Thompson 

Rich Smith called the meeting to order at 7:08 PM and introductions were made between all present. 

Event Updates 

Mesquite – Nothing new to report.  Signs are still up in the wash.  Do we want to consider installing pipe fencing at the entrance to Hanging Gardens to keep OHV’s out of the area?  A couple of ATVs were seen in the area and they were stopped and told that the area was a “non-vehicular” area.  Alan would like to see fencing installed and all agreed. 

Pobrecito – Joe needs volunteers to help cement posts in the ground.  The holes have been drilled and the pipe has been cut. 

Bulldog East – The area is staying clean.  The gate was hit sometime late Saturday or Sunday and the Forest Service made repairs. 

Bulldog West – Area is staying clean, but the locks are only lasting 3 to 4 days before they are cut off.  Need to come up with a fix. 

Approximately ¾ of a mile of barbed wire fencing needs to be installed at Bulldog to keep people out of the pits. 

Sugarloaf – People are starting to shoot in a new area and it’s drawing others in.  Tim knows an organization that we can send the license plate information to and they will find out who it is and send a letter to them.  If you get a picture of the vehicle and the action taking place, they will get law enforcement involved. 

Hwy 87 & Bush Hwy Kiosk – Amy gave us the nod to install the kiosk at the turn-off so people know what the site is.  A lot of people are turning in, but not going through the gate because they don’t know if they are allowed.  The kiosk should help steer people in the right direction. 

Joe reported that someone left a fire pit burning on the other side of the river at Sugarloaf.  It took a couple of hours to get all the ambers extinguished.  Need to keep an eye out for things like this. 

Forest Service Updates 

Travel Management - Amy reported that they received 195 original comments and roughly 2,000 form letters.  The next step is to prepare the Environmental Assessment and get that out.  The Forest Service is trying to get it out by June and then sending it out for comment in August.   

Construction along Hwy 87 will begin September 2010 and last until May 2011.  During that time, the Four Peaks parking lot will be closed and used as a staging area for equipment and plants.  Please start getting the word out. 

The Water Quality Supervisor would like an inventory of springs in the Tonto.  Amy was asked and said that with limited personnel, it will be difficult.  She mentioned asking the TRAL volunteers in addition to other Forest volunteers and the Forest Service has agreed.  Training will be conducted on Thursday January 14^th at Mud Springs.  If you would like to volunteer for this project, contact Rich Smith.   

Rich passed along that Kathy Nelson has opportunities to complete photo point projects.  Rich will post Kathy’s contact info on our web site if you are interested in volunteering. 

Alan reported that Fish and Game was out on December 27^th at Sugarloaf, Four Peaks, and Mesquite and checked 160 OHV’ers.  They issued 25 tickets, which included vehicles with no sticker, riders under 18 not wearing a helmet, and destroying native vegetation.  Overall, people are complying with, and following, the law.  

Other Events 

Tim Huber is setting up the annual “Four Peaks Pick-up” which is scheduled for February 6^th from 9AM to 3PM.  He is talking to Waste Management about getting trash bins brought out, and he is trying to get funding for trash bags.  Kellie Durham has a front end loader that she can donate until 1PM to help load bags into the trash bins.  Some OHV clubs will be taking care of lunch.  We plan on setting up a booth at the staging area to pass out info to riders.  Cycle Gear will be out there handing out goodies, and Game and Fish will be present too.   

Chari Ainsworth has agreed to be the TRAL coordinator for events.   

Game and Fish Expo is coming March 27^th – 28^th at the Ben Avery complex. 

Virtual Jeep Club is setting up a demo at Table Mesa.  BLM, Forest Service, and OHV Ambassadors will be on site.  We are considering whether or not to man a booth at this event. 

Board Updates 

The 501(c)3 application is almost complete.  We really want it in place before February or we will have more paperwork to fill out.  

The budget has been figured out. 

Funding has been figured out.  We will seek grants, donations, and use fundraising events to help get funding for projects.  One idea in the works is “Operation Gumball”.  Patrick has a friend that owns a bubble gum machine company and he has agreed to split the profits with us if we can get companies to allow him to set his machines.  If you find someone that will allow it, contact Patrick Frawley.  

Kellie’s club is giving up their tax exempt status and they have funds available to disseminate to other 501(c)3 organizations.  They are holding a check for TRAL until our 501(c)3 application is complete. 

As a follow-up to a couple of questions that came up at the recent TRAL Orientation:       

1)    Pets will not be allowed at any of the events. 

2)    We are working on a policy that will allow a family member to attend an event. 

For the first TRAL Orientation, we had 18 people sign-up and attend.  The next orientation is scheduled for February 2^nd and will be immediately after the regular monthly meeting. 

We are still looking for people to go through Project Manager training, but more importantly, we just need volunteers that are willing to come out and help. 

With no other business to address, the meeting was adjourned at 8:08 PM