Attending: Attending: Carol Beckman, Mary Burger, Ed Lynch, Eric Swab.  Guests: Bob Bunch, Mike Cotter, Barry Dolan.

Meeting was called to order at 6:35 p.m.

Minutes from the previous meeting were approved.

Board Discussion:

Mary reported that the planning project for Saint Mary’s Falls went well.  Fourteen people attended.  Two people were new to Friends of the Peak.  They saw the information on the website.  On May 4, Mary met with John Murphy and walked up to the falls.  They discussed what they planned to do.  He’s hiring people via day labor to work.  They’ve built a pond at the base of the falls.  They plan to build steps.  John and two others are working on a trail near the falls.  The other side of the stream has one of the old Forest Service signs.  He installed a few rustic water crossings.  He has plans for the signs.  He wants to recreate the metal signs, with accurate distances.  He has plans to spend the money he’s raised.  He’ll submit bills for reimbursement.  Steve and John talked to the Forest Service.  He’s also talked about producing more of the historic signs for other trails.  Friends of the Peak serves in an advisory capacity.  The Forest Service told John that Friends of the Peak was the appropriate organization.  There is some question about the wording on the signs.  The money could cover expenses for snacks and t-shirts for volunteers.  Mary will call John about substantiating expenses and wording on the signs for the name of the trail, and signs for other trails.  Another sign by the social trail is a possibility.  Closing a social trail is another possibility.  People do access Cook Stove Mountain from somewhere in there.  Since Eddie was a hiker, he’d appreciate the hiker’s viewpoint.  Mary might talk to Frank or Steve about the Forest Service’s stance.

Mary talked to Ann of VOC.  She’s worked with Colorado Youth Corps.  Federal and state agencies will fund programs like that for youth employment.  She is willing to talk with Steve and Eric B. about how to obtain money for youth employment programs.  She believes that RMFI and FOTP can obtain funds to cover even this year’s cost.  Mary suggested that Steve and Eric B. talk to Ann.

The Lexis Nexis day was covered by a Friends of the Peak volunteer.  Michael’s brochure is good, and all but four were distributed.  Eric wondered about producing maps in the same way.

Mary mentioned electing new board members.  Mary nominated Barry and Mike as new board members.  Ed seconded.  They were elected.

Barry mentioned the social trails at the top of the Incline, and wondered about creating a sustainable trail.  Bob noted that a NEPA would be required to make it a trail.  The existing official trail was created when the Incline was running and goes slightly up.  A large sign with the official trail labeled might help.  Eric wondered if anything can be done before the trail is open.  A sign might attract the casual users and perhaps some regulars so that they will use the official trail.  The short cut trail has steep sections.  A turn off to the top of the Incline off Barr Trail has a sign.  Another trail turns off Barr Trail but doesn’t have a sign.  Ed checked the Pikes Peak Atlas for what trails it shows.  Barry offered to call Sue Miller at the Forest Service about obtaining a sign for the top of the Incline.  It’s a large brown sign for posting on.  Mary offered to help transport the sign if Forest Service approves installing it.  She believes that recruiting volunteers to help place the sign is workable. 

Mike sent a PSA to KRCC.  The posting is on the website.  He’ll talk to them about the Thursday work days.  Mike sent out a time line.  Mary plans to compare it to one she produced last year.  Michael has fact sheets for the projects.  Michael gave Mike information that he had. 

Bob had a key to give to Steve.  Mary took it to give to Steve.  Bob had expenses to turn in.  He had a sheet showing materials usage and money spent.  The total so far was $378.  Mike mentioned that some of his family noticed the trail changes.  So far the feedback has been almost all positive.  One person wanted steps farther apart.  The runners seem to negotiate them well.  The minimum distance now is 5 feet.

Mary mentioned that she loaned some tools to Gail for work in Garden of the Gods.  She’ll give more tools to Spencer.  Boy Scouts are asking to borrow or rent tools for a weekend project.  Dick Bratton found a contact at Coors for more brewery blankets.  The current blankets are wearing out. They’ll sell them for $2 each with a minimum of 100.  He found someone who resells them for $7.50.  Another organization might buy the 100.  Mike will talk to Mike Bristol about blankets.

Mary ordered t-shirts.  She’s not sure about obtaining more highway passes. 

Spencer had asked about tax-exempt status.  Mary did not know the state website.  She believes most people accept federal status.

Eric has talked to the folks at Mountain Chalet about the maps.  They can print 100 each of the 9 segments.  The per map cost is $1.22.  He would like the Mountain Chalet logo on the brochure.  He’d like to charge $1 per map, so that people won’t just take them and throw them away.  He plans to donate the money to Friends of the Peak.  If we make money, we cannot use the National Geographic map.  The licensing agreement says we cannot make money.  Eric has tried to contact them but has not received a response.  Eric has another map he can use.  Another question is what paper to use.  Having better paper would help it survive better.  The paper Michael used for the brochures might be good.  Special paper will increase the price.  Eric will talk to Bill about donating enough to cover the special paper.  Ed suggested finding out costs of assorted options for paper. 

Eric also mentioned the Gillett portal.  The road to the Cripple Creek reservoirs crosses private land.  Mary and Eric talked to someone from Cripple Creek .  Eric received e-mail.  The easement is for the city of Cripple Creek .  The key is the lease document.  Teller County 81 goes to a dirt road.  There was a gate at the top of the road.  It moved to the top of the Timberline Fishing Club.  Access to West Beaver Creek started there.  The gate has been moved down to the Norris property.  There’s no place to park.  So there’s no public access to the Gillett portal.  Since the West Beaver Creek is not a system trail, the Forest Service questions increased use.  Forest Service recommended doing only one NEPA for the entire segment from Pancake Rocks to the water road.  NEPA requires establishing the need and listing all the options available, then examining pros and cons.  The Pikes Peak master plan includes the concept of the Ring. 

Eric asked about the number of people at the dinner.  Mary believed it was 50. 

Horsethief Park wetland crossing is worsening.  Someone moved it, again.  Mary suggested that she and Eric go up to plan the day, and invite Frank.  It’s scheduled for the end of June.  The plan is for plastic wood, which doesn’t deteriorate, for support, then cross boards.  Drains under the wood are also needed.  The next meeting can discuss the logistics of the project. 

Eric had photos of what the Fremont Experimental Forest used to look like.  Eric is putting together a display of photos, which will be on display.  He’ll also give a talk.  This year is the 100^th anniversary of the Fremont project. 

Meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.