Board Meeting - August 30, 2011

Present:  Ted Young, Kate Kelnberger, Paul Kelnberger, John Bottger, Barb Bottger, Tom Rice, Linda Bosma, Chris Matter, Wayne Monsen, Karen Monsen, Peter Spink

1.  Pres. Linda Bosma called the meeting to order.

2.  Motion to approve minutes.  John moved.  Kate second.  Motion passes.

3.  West End Re-route.  New owner would like us to pay for cost of survey of property at an approximate cost of $8,000.  A BTA member has suggested that the trail would be grandfathered and there would be no legal obligation on our part to change the trail head.  Ted suggests we consider grant monies to pay for the survey.  These grant monies, “Local Trail Connection Grant” is due October 31, 2011.  The grant is a 25% cash match up front.  Chris and Ted could work on this grant application in order to get it through the county by mid-October.  Barb and John will also be consulted.  The survey would be part of the trail development costs, thus fitting the parameters of the grant.  Kate moves that the board let the property owners know that we want to go forward on the project contingent on the approval of a grant proposal.  John seconds.  Motion passes.

4.  Maintenance.  Jim Raml cleared, for 4 miserable rainy days, ¾ mile of the trail, eight miles out for $1,000.00 covered by grant money.

MCC worked 8 days in August to clear down trees on the west end and widened about 1-1/2 miles of the west end.

Mowing has occurred on the Tall Pines Trail and the Banadad by brush saw.

Banadad Bridge Project for Sept. 17-18.  Lee W. and Steve are interested as well as one or two other people (Karla, Ted, Pete, Tom).  Ted will ask Jim Morrison and Tom will ask a few more.  Out of town workers can stay at Little Ollie on Friday and workers will camp at the site on Saturday night.  Ted and Tom will work out equipment, etc.  This project is being funded through the Arrowhead Grant.

Ted reports that we should focus on work outside the Boundary Waters with equipment to finish the trails; namely, Tall Pine, Lace Lake and part of  the Tim Knopp Trail.  Ted would like to hire a brush hog and bobcat to come up to do it for 3-4hours.  Grant money would cover this. 

5.  Treasurer’s Report.  Kate reported ending balance of  $1,227.66. 

The budget needs to be prepared for the annual meeting.  Linda has asked Chris and Ted to join Kate and Linda in preparing the budget.  Linda anticipates a few conference calls and emails in order to accomplish this task.

6.  Possible new ski trail from the west end of Poplar connecting to the Banadad.  Homeowners on Poplar are proposing to take the old Winchell Lake trail, widen it and use as a ski trail.  They hope to groom this section by mechanical means upon approval by the USFS but they would do it by hand if need be.  Kate moves that we support this group in their efforts and to send a letter saying so.  Chris seconds.  Motion passes.

7.  Grant Status.  Ted & Chris

MN DNR Grant in Aid has been paid by the state.  The proposal for this year’s grant has been submitted to the state.  We should hear from them between mid-August and mid-October.

The MN DNR grant for the Lace Lake Trail Extension of $4,500 has been closed out.  Work has been completed.

MN DNR Ski Trail Assistance Program was used to purchase the snowmobile.  This grant expires this fall.  Ted reported that an activator on the motor of the groomer needs to be replaced for $400 +.  Ted would like to re-write the grant to purchase another activator in order to use the last $500 of the grant, with the BTA providing $250. 

The $500 Arrowhead grant will be used for the bridge project.  Chris suggests that photos be taken during the project to be submitted with the final report.  Barb will take lead on the final report.  A separate thank you note, requested by Arrowhead, will be sent along with an invitation to the annual meeting.

Question to Ted – do you know how much we need to request from the DNR this year?

8.  Membership Committee – Ann R. submitted an article to a prominent magazine.  It will appear in the November issue of the Cross Country Skier magazine.  Ted suggests that board members write the magazine with enthusiastic reports of the Banadad and the magazine will print those.

 We continue to struggle with the number of memberships outside of the board.  We have not been able to figure out number goals.  John suggests we use boreal, if possible, to solicit memberships.  Ted reports that every time he posts on his blog, it goes on the boreal website.  It is recommended that an article of the bridge project be included in the North Star newsletter as activities of members, not a direct club activity. 

Linda asked about the collection box installed at the beginning of the trail.  In 2010-11 we collected approx. $7.00!

This committee will meet before the annual meeting. 

9.  Annual Meeting, October 22.  This includes a work day, a short board meeting, and a showcase general membership meeting.  Pictures presented last year were impressive.  Linda will ask Andy if he could bring is projector again.  Any pictures on a cd or memory stick to Tom by Friday night would be included on a presentation he could put together.

Terry Grove and Priscilla will be contact people from North Stars.  Tom will send Terry’s phone number to  Ted.

Linda will pull together a nominating committee (Karen M., John B.) to present a slate of candidates of officers to be voted on by this meeting.

10.  Maps.  Ted has asked for and will submit an estimate from the McKenzie Map company.  We will need new maps by mid-winter.  This would be chargeable to the DNR Trail Fund.

11.  Other items.  Officer’s Insurance.  No money to pursue this at this time. 

Ted’s contract will need to be reviewed and updated by the annual meeting.  The contract will be updated to support the need to spread out our payments to BCT over the year rather than at the end of the year.  Linda and Ted will present to the board.

12.  Paul K. moves that we adjourn at 8:15.  Kate seconds.  Motion passes.