Board Meeting Minutes for: March 17, 2006

• Meeting was called to order by Chris Cook at 7:00pm
• Treasurers Report (by Tom Foote)
  • Current account balance is approximately $7660.58

OLD BUSINESS:

• News letter articles are needed: Submit to Chris Cook or Kristi Regotti by 3/26/2006.
• Terry Heslin notes that the February minutes indicate that he would help write the letter to the BLM regarding their presentation of the Wilson Peak E.A. and while the minutes accurately reflect the conversation, Terry has reconsidered and will not be able to assist in the drafting of the letter due to a conflict of interest.
• Rock Island Trail: Teams of volunteers have been constructing this new trail over the last few weekends. Chris Cook anticipates that the trail will be complete in the next week or two, noting that the only thing left is finishing touches.
• REI Grant / Schaefer Butte Project: Dave Beck
  • Currently the NEPA process is starting. There will be an open house on May 2 at the Foothills Learning Center where the trail plan will be presented to the public.
  • The project will be receiving a $14,000 grant from the National Park Service (Rivers & Trails Conservation Assistance Program) for Phase 1.
  • A new Ridge-to-Rivers map will be printed soon with the inclusion of the Phase 1 Schaefer Butte trails.
  • Currently we need to re-GPS all the trails over.
  • Some trails will need to be rerouted of private land very soon.
  • REI Grant discussion: Much of this discussion happened between board members via email prior to the board meeting. At the meeting David Beck presented a summary of the discussion only. The board members seem to support the idea of pursuing the REI grant with an intended benefactor being Phase 1 trail development at Schaefer Butte. Dave Beck anticipates receipt of the actual grant request form tomorrow (3/18/2006) from Sylvia Cooper at REI. David Thomas moved that the board support/request Dave Beck and Terry Heslin complete the grant application to supplement Phase 1 of the Schaefer Butte Project. Chris Cook seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
• David Thomas noted that REI had made a community grant of $10,000 to Boise Parks that is earmarked for restoration work at Camelback Park.
• Willow Lane Jump Park: There will be a work day on April 2nd starting at 9:00am. Ian reports that the jumps are in desperate need of work. Harley indicated a backhoe will be required to get the work done.
• Board Selection Committee (Bob Roehl): Rename the committee the Election Process Committee as we are really trying to adjust the process to something that is fair to all members and allows the membership to get to know the candidates better than in the past. We will try to meet the week of 3/27 and any board member is welcome. The agenda will include proxy voting and introduction statements.
• Trail work calendar update (Chris Cook):
  • Chris is currently playing phone tag with several ranger districts.

NEW BUSINESS:

• Wild Rockies Race Series update (Ron Dillon):
  • Ron Dillon is attempting to implement a system to give race points to racers who perform trail work. Work points have worked well in Utah. Ron anticipates that the program would benefit both SWIMBA and Wild Rockies by exposing people to riding opportunities through their volunteer work.
  • The Bogus to Boise Bonzai race will be reborn this season. It will also be the Northwest Single Speed Championship.
  • Brad Duke has invigorated the series with a new 18' trailer that includes a roof top announcing platform and lots of advertising. Advertising books will be distributed through Jackson's food stores. Brad is now requesting assistance. Volunteers are being sought to help with road crossings, first aid, etc. There is a possibility of compensation to the group as a whole if the showing of volunteers is reasonable.
  • Chris Cook will write something up and email it to the SWIMBA membership requesting volunteers for the April 8th race. Chris will also post the volunteer opportunities on MTBR.com and the Yahoo group. The email will include language regarding the race points for work. He will send two announcements one week apart.
• Sprokids:
  • HP has requested a volunteer to teach a 45 minute class on bike mechanics. Steve Parrish volunteered.
  • Spring Break kids programs are 3/4 full, and parent/kid programs are 1/4 full. Harley has been working on new storage for the program which has outgrown the current trailer. We are currently looking for a location to put a 14'x20' shed at Fort Boise. Cycle Idaho is helping to raise money for the new facility at this years Boise to Idaho City Tour by hosting a "GPS Corporate Challenge".
• Velodrome (Dave Beck):
  • Things are moving very quickly. We are looking for a partner and property. Eagle Parks is very interested and passed a motion last night endorsing the concept and passing it on to City Council. Today Boise Parks expressed the same enthusiasm. Look for an article in the statesman tomorrow.
• Ridge-to-Rivers:
  • Ridge-to-Rivers is looking for trail work crew for the summer. The position pays $9/hr. and will be 40 hrs/wk.
• USFS Land Sell Off, Federal Land Sale Bill: (Chris Cook):
  • Chris noted that the proposed sale of federal land included in the bill includes a large parcel located in the Smokeys. Chris will be writing a letter to his representatives regarding the proposed sale and is encouraging others to do the same.

Meeting Adjourned 8:20pm