Buffalo Trail Board Minutes January 28, 2009
Mar 2, 2009
Author: Lois Petersen

1. Welcome new members
2. Approval of minutes of Jan 12th meeting
3. Approval of agenda
4. Lake DeSmet Conservation District Award
5. Trail map sample
6. New brochure proof
7. Trail system responsibilities
8. Centennial Trail Suggestion
9. Capital Improvements Plan (Budget and 3-5 year plan)
10. Additional signs on the trail kiosks
11. Buffalo Bulletin
12. Plaques for retired Trail Board Members – Mentock and Gladson
13. Update on Friends of Eva Knepper
14. Other business


Meeting called to order 4:35 pm with the following members in attendance: Bill Cooley, Dave Palmerlee, Lois Petersen, Jack Tarter and new member Courtney Frost – Patty Reid was out of town. Also in attendance were: Asst. City Planner, Alicia Bankston, and Bill Mentock, former BTB Chair.

1. Welcomed new Board member, Courtney Frost.
2. Approved the minutes of the Jan. 12th BTB meeting
3. Adjusted the order of the agenda since Alicia had another commitment.
4. LDCD has agreed to fund the remaining ,000 of matching money so that the full amount of the state grant for signage will now be available and the signage project can be completed. In exchange for the funding, LDCD projects (such as Russian Olive removal and Creek Restoration) will be highlighted on various signs. The large kiosk signs will be worked on first with a timeline of March 1 – July 1 for installation.
5. The new Trails Map was passed around and finishing details were discussed.
6. The new CC Trails System brochure includes the comfortable feeling of the old one, but the information has been updated, the wording has been edited, and it has a new look. Educational information related to trail etiquette and usage, and a welcome directed to visitors is included. A 2008 JCTA grant paid for development of the brochure. RDG Planning and Design designed the brochure and The Office is printing 5000 copies for distribution.
7. Trail system responsibilities list broken down by time needed to do the task and who is responsible to do it was updated recently and copies were given to board members. Courtney agreed to take responsibility for the waste station Bill Mentock had been assigned. The waste station for the 1880 bridge will be installed later when the bridge project is finished. As new trails and members are added to the board, the board president will update this document. Should a seasonal person be hired to do summer trail maintenance, this document can be used to determine tasks to be completed by that person; the remaining tasks would continue to be the responsibility of trail board members.
8. Fred Gray reported that asphalt on the Centennial Trail (Buffalo’s first trail) is broken and worn. This route provides a connection between the motel area and downtown and connects local residents to work along Hart St. Emerson Scott gave the City a trail easement recently around the carousel area behind the motels along Hart St. Businesses along Hart are also interested in allowing easements in order to help connect their businesses to the trail system. Linking the trail system to downtown is also highlighted in the Downtown Plan. A phased project might work best. The first phase would make repairs to Centennial Trail and add new access points off Hwy 16 E. A second phase could be connecting Lobban to Main St. and third phase could be the resurfacing of Fetterman making it a pedestrian promenade as specified in the Downtown Plan. This would mean working cooperatively with the Downtown Planning Board, applying jointly for grant monies, and each board lending support to the other to get this project underway.
9. Other considerations for the 3-5 year plan – a connection between the Mentock Trail and the Forest Service. Also, with the Gov. possibly coming to dedicate the 1880 Bridge on National Trails Day, a decision as to whether to hold an event in honor of trails day, and a decision as to whether that should be considered an annual event, needs to be discussed as a possible part of the 3-5 year plan. This year, by using funds made available years ago by Rebecca Frasier, this could be a free event. In future years, there might have to be a small charge to participants for food, etc. or some fundraising done in advance of the event in order to keep it free. A subcommittee to solicit donations, obtain a grill, etc, and help plan the National Trails Day Event for 2009 (June 6th @ 10 – 2 in Washington Park, dedication, group walk, educational booths) was formed – Lois (publicity), Courtney, and Bill C. Bill will fill out the online registration soon in order to receive a free National Trails Day banner from The American Hiking Association. We need to decide what outcome we are looking for from the NTD event and then plan activities that will support that outcome – ie, awareness of the trails, education on trail use, accomplishments of BTB, etc. We need to try to invite those at WYDOT who helped obtain the bridge.
10. There will be 3 additional signs on the kiosks – one pertaining to the history of the trail, another listing the permissible uses, and the third related to trail etiquette. [Alicia and Dave had to leave around 5:15pm]
11. Bill C talked with Grant at the Buffalo Bulletin – pictures and an educational article about the signs will be printed, asking for community feedback once the 2 ‘prototype’ signs have been constructed – the signs at the Bridge (large kiosk) and the Shiloh trailhead (small kiosk) – and before constructing the other signs. Since taxpayer money was used for this project, community comment needs to be incorporated. Hopefully, another story will appear in the Buffalo Bulletin after the sign project is completed.
12. Plaques commemorating their BTB service will be presented to Bill Mentock and Jerry Gladson at the City Council meeting on Feb. 3 at 4pm.
13. Sid Parker was called today related to Friends of Eva Knepper but he wasn’t home. To make the trail part of the CC Trail System, some trail improvements need to be made. Phil Gonzales may be instrumental in making those improvements. Bill will call Sid again and possibly Phil Gonzales.


Other business:
Expanding the board – at present there are 6 voting members, including Patty Reid. Bill C says Bob Buhr may be interested in board membership. Also a county position is still open until filled. Dave is still interested in a school district rep on the board, and a downtown rep might also be good (possibly Ross Eliot). Bill C. will contact Rod Kessler regarding a school district representative.

Jack Tarter moved to renew our membership in the American Hiking Association, Lois seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Discussed projects that might need to be included in the 3-5 year plan and funded by city money – waste station supplies, trail marker signs (school class or prison conservation camp in Newcastle), vandalism costs, garbage bags, paint, wood - and decide how much money is needed. Previous budget of 0 will probably not be enough.

Discussed machinery and tools BTB might need – ie. line trimmer, chain saw, etc. that, if not purchased by grant money, might be secured either through other donations or city money.

Next meeting: Feb 25, 4:30 at the City Hall (and future meetings will be in the 4th Wed. of each month at 4:30 in the City Hall.)

Adjourned: 5:55 pm.