Buffalo Trails Board Minutes for June 9, 2008
Feb 10, 2009
Author: Bill Cooley

Buffalo Trails Board

Minutes for June 9, 2008

A regular meeting of the Buffalo Trails Board (BTB) was held at Buffalo’s City Hall at 12:00pm on June 9, 2008

The following board members were present:
Bill Mentock, Norb Lyle, Bill Cooley, Jerry Gladson, Fred Gray, Jack Tarter, City Planner Colin Betzler, Assistant City Planner Alicia Bankston,
Absent members: Ed Von Holst

Chairman Mentock called the meeting to order at 12:03pm.

The first order of business is to approve the agenda for today’s meeting. Chairman Mentock added one item, motion to approve by Mr. Tarter, seconded by Mr. Cooley. All present voted aye.

The next order of business was to approve the minutes from the last meeting. Mr. Tarter moved to approve with a second by Mr. Gladson. All present voted aye.

The next agenda item was to review public comment from the open house and from other submittals. The BTB went through the public comment one by one and a few changes were made. The first item we discussed was the name of the trail system, and it was decided that the most popular name was Clear Creek Trail System. The next item was individual trail names. After a lengthy discussion it was decided to leave it as is. The next item was to discuss the mission statement. The word “health” was added to the mission statement. Now the mission statement would read “The Mission of the Buffalo Master Trails Plan is to maintain and expand a non-motorized, multi-use trail system at the foot of the Bighorn Mountains, for the health and enjoyment of the residents and visitors of Buffalo, Wyoming.” The remaining items were discussed and taken into consideration by the BTB. A few changes were made and will be reflected in the document. Mr. Lyle made a motion to accept changes to the public comment as revised and Mr. Gray seconded the motion. All present voted aye.

The next item on the agenda was to discuss the possibility of a loop trial on the south side of the Mentock Trail as proposed by Mr. Lyle. The purpose of the trail would be for mountain bikes. After discussion it was determined that this trail would cross private property and therefore was not viable. Ms. Bankston mentioned that two possibilities do exist. First that a trail to the north of the Mentock Trail could possibly be created. Second, that the Tie Hack extension may be a more viable possibility. Ms. Bankston also mentioned a few grants and programs may be implemented to help make this extension happen sooner than later.

The next agenda item pertained to a possible Governors Proclamation. Ms Bankston explained that it may be possible to have the governor come to a ceremony celebrating the historic bridge placement in the future. It was agreed that the board would like to pursue the possibility.

The next agenda item was to discuss another work day. Ms. Bankston mentioned a list of projects that are possible to start including; the no horse structures, access to cold springs, installing a bench near the old power plant near the aspen grove, erosion control on Mentock trail, and removal of old signs. After a lengthy discussion it was decided to have a trail work day on June 28th at 8:30.

The next agenda item was an update on the letters of support for the trail system. Ms. Bankston mentioned that letters were still coming in. Twenty five had been sent out and 5 have been returned to date.

The next agenda item was to discuss Steve Nuckolls recognition for his eighteen years of volunteering on the Trail Board. Mr. Nuckolls was presented with a very nice plaque at the city council meeting. Discussion then centered on how to fill the board vacancies. Mr. Gladson mentioned that he would very much like to have a member who was a resident of the county added to the board. Mr. Gladson feels that a representative of the county would help to make all the peoples of Johnson county represented.

The next item was to discuss the BTB budget. 5300 is what we have at the current time. All of the projects that we would like to do are funded with the exception of the sign replacement project assuming the city council will allow last years money carry over to this year.

The next agenda item was to decide which one of the companies we would like to use for logo update. The board members were given a piece of paper on which we were to circle company “A” or “B”. The results were not tallied by the end of the meeting.

Ms. Bankston then ran through some updates. The meeting with Mr. Litzel concerning weed identification. The most important issue being the transfer of burrs by dogs from the Mentock trail. The next update was the meeting with the law enforcement agencies that took place on May 21, 2008 between the Buffalo Police Chief Chapman, Johnson County Sheriff Kozisek, Mr. Betzler, Ms. Bankston, and Chairman Mentock. The conclusion was to eliminate paintballing as it would be too difficult to enforce. Also mentioned at this meeting was that the city could not enforce the rules on dogs, however, the BTB should continue with the current rules concerning dogs and leashes. The next point was the memorandum of understanding between the BPD and JCSD for extra territorial enforcement was valid and did cover enforcement. It would however need to be renegotiated when a new Sheriff was elected. It was also decided that the main agency to enforce the city lands on which trails existed was the BPD. The Sheriff also mentioned that Turkey Lane was a private road with public access, and that signage should b posted at Mentock Trail head stating to call the BPD if anyone wishes to report a crime. The Sheriff also mentioned that the city should acquire an emergency access easement to the old power plant. The city will also be providing a bicycle police officer to patrol the Mentock trail this summer. Mr. Betzler gave the BTB an update on the historic bridge placement. Bids will be called for later this month for construction of the bridge abutments. Next was an update on the Klondike culvert washout. Chairman Mentock mentioned that he had spoke with Les Hook of the city about removing the silt build-up. Mr. Hook mentioned that he would do the clean out. Chairman Mentock mentioned a couple of other issues with the Greenbelt trail that will need to be addressed. Including a second washout at the junction by the .3 mile marker. Chairman Mentock mentioned that he thought it was an anomaly from the Russian Olive cleanup. He also mentioned the trail system was overall in great shape considering the amount of rain/snow we have had this spring.

Trail brochure brought in by a trails advocacy group that will be distributed throughout the community. Lois Peterson and Susan Theune left a couple of copies for the trail board.

Public comments: Friends of Klondike worked on the Klondike trail on National Trails Day. Mrs. Peterson also mentioned that the American Volks Sport has organized a Buffalo Chapter.

With no further business the meeting was adjourned at 2:20

Bill Cooley
Secretary