TRĀL MONTHLY
MEETING
March 10,
2010
In
Attendance: Chari Ainsworth, Joe Aycock, Perri Bachini, Don Covert, Patrick Frawley, David Gronlund, Mike
Housley, John Juliano, Bret Marchant, Joe Osuch, Rich Smith, Dennis Stadel, Kevin Thompson, Art Wirtz, Amy
Racki, Alan Cross
The
meeting was called to order at 7:04 PM by Rich Smith.
Area Updates
Mesquite – Rich reported that there are
a couple of markers left after the heavy rains and flooding, and the big aluminum sign was found downstream
leaning against a tree. It seems to be in good shape as far as he
could tell. We have a project planned at Mesquite for April
10th where we will install pipe fencing by the Hanging Gardens, install new Carsonite markers,
install the aluminum sign, and change out the information on the kiosk.
Porbecito – Alan reported that the pipe
fencing is done at the parking lot to help keep traffic out of the wash. He would like to install more pipe fencing towards Butcher Jones, but will
have to wait until after the rainy season. Amy said the Tot Lot is
part of the Travel Management Plan so nothing can really be done until after the Plan is published later this
year.
Bulldog West – Patrick reported that
Forest Service are out at Bulldog in force. He’s seen quite a
presence from law enforcement.
Bulldog East – Bret
reported:
·
He put out a fire around
2 AM that someone left burning.
·
Quad riders are using the
old road that’s closed. They’re running up and down it at night
and the markers are gone. Alan said he’ll install some new
markers this weekend.
·
It appears that some bow
hunters shot some mule deer that used to graze in the area.
There were three deer and they’re gone now.
·
A rock slide out towards
88 has made a natural arch.
·
There’s a big cat on the
prowl out there. He saw tracks that looked to be about 5” - 6”
paw prints.
·
One of his drivers and
customers were approached by a male and female in a camo colored Jeep. The couple jumped out and stuck a video camera in their faces and told them
to make sure they stayed on the designated trails. It was on a
Tuesday. Nothing has shown up on YouTube or on the internet, and
no other run-ins have occurred.
New Projects
Chari will be manning a booth at the
Fish and Game Expo out at Ben Avery. Rich will be there for one of
the days as well. Other TRĀL volunteers are
invited.
This Sunday we will be having a “Meet
& Greet” event from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Lower Sycamore. We
will have a “goodie” bag to hand out that includes the “Places to Ride” brochure, the pamphlet that talks about
the OHV sticker, and perhaps a trash bag so we can encourage people to pick up after themselves.
Talking
points include:
·
Staying on designated
trails. Rich may bring out some signs for this
topic.
·
Make sure kids under 18
years of age have helmets. It’s the law.
·
Watch your speed in
congested areas.
·
Keep the area
clean.
·
Make sure you have your
OHV sticker from MVD. It’s the law.
Alan said it was O.K. for trash bags to
be dropped in a single location for him to pick up later. Amy also
suggested that we notify Fish and Game that we will be out in case they want to drop by. Forest Service will be present.
Open Discussion
Steve Papp has 130 gumball machines in
his garage and is willing to split the profit 50-50 with TRĀL if we help get them placed. If we will provide a contact name and number, he will make contact and arrange
to have a machine installed. Steve will also service and fill the
machines. Depending on the location, we could average $10/month per
machine. Everyone agreed that this was a great idea and we should
try to find some locations to place the machines.
Rich filed the (c)3 paperwork and has
received a confirmation from the IRS that they have received the paperwork. They have also cashed our check, so that’s another indication that they have
the application. The IRS portion of the process could take anywhere
from 4 to 12 months to complete, so now it’s a waiting game.
Board Updates
We are working on a “Friends of TRĀL”
program, a program that encourages annual individual donations for those that can’t volunteer their time but
want to contribute. Kevin will work on verbiage and get that back
to the Board as soon as practical so we can implement this new program and start building our chest for
projects.
Rich is working on a grant through
Yamaha for 2010. The grant year ends May 31st, and
Yamaha is looking for concrete types of projects or items that they can point to and say “this is where our
money went”. Rich is working on some verbiage for Meet &
Greets, maybe a package deal that would outline and detail items that the money would be used
for.
Forest Service
Update
There’s nothing new to report on the
Travel Management Plan. Everything is status quo for
now. They received a couple thousand comments; they reviewed the
comments and data and are shooting for summer to have the preliminary plan out for more comments. Hopefully the plan will be finished by the end of the year.
Art announced that Rich Smith was the
recipient of the Mesa Ranger District’s Volunteer of the Year award for all his efforts in working with the
Forest Service. Rich received a certificate and a new Leatherman
multi tool.
Art also announced that Rich’s name was
being submitted for a national volunteer award that will give $10,000 to the first 9 winners, and $15,000 to the
top winner. The money will be awarded to a non-profit organization
of the winner’s choice. We’re keeping our fingers crossed for
Rich.
With no
other business to address, the meeting was adjourned at 8:09 PM
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