Attending: Michael Bartmess, Carol Beckman, Eric Billmeyer, Mary Burger, Mike Cotter, Steve Jennings, Ed Lynch, Eric Swab.

Guests: Bob Bunch, Mike Ciletti.

Meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m.

Minutes from the previous meeting were approved.

Board Discussion:

 A donation was received from the Barr Trail Mountain Race.  Steve wrote a thank you. 

Steve reported on Saint Mary’s Falls.  The Forest Service said that development cannot be there.  Brent checked for what needed to come out.  The picnic table, liner under the falls, sign directing to the memorial, and the big sign came out.  A plaque remains there.  A trail to the top of the falls would be too dangerous to build.  John is out of town now.  The materials removed are stored at the work center.  John apologized for any difficulty for Friends of the Peak.  Brent absolved Friends of the Peak of any responsibility.  Friends of the Peak still is holding the money.  Mary suggested waiting for John’s input on what to do with the money.  Eric S. suggested that Steve talk to Brent.  Michael B. suggested creating a policy for being involved with other groups.  Two problems are just channeling money and not being in charge of the work.  An advisory role doesn’t seem to work.  Getting something in writing about what is approved and what is not is a possibility.  The operating plan might be a possible vehicle.  The policy should allow people with known skills to have freedom to work.  Some organizations that Friends of the Peak works with are also involved with Forest Service.  Trail dogs, for example, are trained by someone from Friends of the Peak before working, and also have someone walk the trail with them.  Michael B. wondered if the Forest Service had a document that describes the rules.  They do have many regulations.  Most of the regulations are common sense.  Extracting a list would be difficult.  Some of the distinctions are difficult to express.  Michael B. offered to try to condense information into a usable list.  The Forest Service office might be the place to start.  Waiting until winter, when the staff is less busy, might be better.  The information might be online.  The front desk person, at the office at 601 S. Weber, is very knowledgeable.  Having it to hand to a person might be beneficial.  We could even have a person sign something acknowledging that they have read it.  Michael B. suggested having annual training days.  Ed thought that supervision summarized what was needed.  Michael C. suggested notes on meetings so that people can check after the fact what was said and what was agreed upon.  Michael suggested including checking work afterward.  Steve suggested just having a group work directly with the Forest Service.  Eric B. noted that Barr Trail doesn’t have a cohesive plan but has several people and groups working on it.  A master plan might include structures, location, and funding sources.  Grants would require monitoring and evaluation.  Michael C. suggested something like a five year plan.  It wouldn’t be detailed farther out, but would be more detailed for two years.  The web site should be up in a week or two.  It should help provide information on needs.  Barr Trail is different from all the other trails we work on.  Work should be consistent throughout.  A template for how the work should be completed might help.  Forest Service does have a small book on trail work.  Eric B. would like to have Friends of the Peak oversee work on Barr Trail, with all the various groups interested in and working on Barr Trail.  Barr Trail has a huge number of users.  Eric B. proposed late fall as a good time to organize a meeting on Barr Trail.  We could send out a general announcement.  Barr Trail is one piece.  Other trails need to be included in any plan.  The plan can include first what the work needed is, then how to do it.  Contract work, with opportunities for volunteers also, is probably the best approach for Barr Trail.  Publicity for volunteers among Incline users might attract volunteers.  Michael suggested a note in the Incline Club newsletter. 

Steve mentioned reserving date and location for the fall members’ meeting.  Mary offered to talk to the Department of Wildlife.  November 7, 14, and 21 are the Saturdays.  November 7 is first choice with November 21 as second choice.  Steve will contact the caterer.  Penrose House is a possible location for the board retreat.  Michael B. offered GD.  Eric B. likes the Penrose House and suggested January.  Steve will check with Penrose House for availability.

Mary reported on Thursday work days.  15 or 16 people are attending each one.  Bob had a work day on Barr Trail with Lexis Nexis.  They had 9 or 10 people volunteer.  Horsethief Park had 6 adults and 4 children.  We put in a raised causeway through the swamp.  Two Forest Service people also worked that day.  The work was completed.  People can cross the swamp without stepping in the wetland.  Mary would like to improve the trail around the area.  The volunteers widened the trail to obtain material.  Thursday project lost a few tools. 

Eric B. talked about the Pikes Peak Corps.  Eric thought it was successful.  Steve was there two days.  They put in a drain, risers, rock steps.  The trail has a lot of water on it.  Eric B. is interested in knowing if the board wants to do something next year.  It could be discussed at the planning meeting.  RMFI is planning an eight week program for next year, probably increasing from one team to two teams.  Steve said it was good group of kids.  They worked the entire time.  No one had a cell phone or an iPod. The kids enjoyed it and wanted it to be longer.  They all received t-shirts.  Eric B. is trying to set up projects and funding.  With Barr Trail, having the meeting and figuring out funding and seeking grants would be good.  Eric B. could include Barr Trail in grant proposals he plans to write.  The proposals will be due in September or October.  It needs a commitment to matching funds.  Each week included an educational day.  The kids enjoyed that.  They’ve also volunteered on other RMFI projects.  They could be added to the FOTP mailing list.  Mary moved that FOTP match grant funds.  Michael C. asked if the grants were all matching.  Foundations like to see matching money.  Friends of the Peak could write proposals to different organizations, to diversify and increase odds.  Youth outdoors is a popular program now.  Eric S. seconded.  Motion passed. 

Eric S. reported.  He looked at the proposed trail at the foot of the falls.  It does not seem to be a good idea.  The Ring maps are available.  He has 100 copies of all 9 maps.  They are displayed on the front counter.  Feedback from an employee was that they be one piece of paper.   The Pikes Peak Atlas should have the Ring on it.  Eric S. sent around a card for the Fremont Experimental Forest display.  Eric asked for $65 to $70 to print the brochures.  Steve suggested an electronic version that could go out to the mailing list and onto the web site.  Ed moved to fund it.  Mary seconded.  Motion passed, with a maximum of $100.  He’ll talk about it on September 11 at 11 a.m., and on September 12 at 2 p.m. in another location, and at the CMC meeting in February.  Mary asked if Eric S. would speak at the fall members’ meeting.  An archaeologist suggested listing the experimental forest as a National Historic Site. 

Michael C. distributed a handout.  It included Donations, Membership, and Volunteers.  He recommended a smaller committee to address those areas.  It is another item to discuss at a planning meeting.  Grants opportunity is another area that is more complex.  Grants could be for Barr Trail or other trails in the area.  He recommends forming two small committees, with board members and others, to look at these areas.  He suggests thinking about the ideas and discussing it at the next meeting.

Mary has about a dozen t-shirts left.  Steve has some left from last year.  Steve can give Mary the extras after Saturday. 

Eric S. mentioned WAAG.  They are supposed to develop a policy for managing South Slope.  Eric S. obtained permission to explore routes for the Ring.  Mary and Eric S. walked the south fence along two routes, lower and higher.  The higher seemed slightly superior.  Both are manageable.  The lower one was closer to the water.  They saw bighorn sheep and elk.  They also want to check the link from Bear Creek to Mountain View .  The RFP was awarded. 

Bob introduced Mike Ciletti, who has been helping with Barr Trail.  Bob received e-mail requesting initials carved into timber steps.  Bob is concerned about graffiti.  Mary suggested that we send a note to the donor citing Forest Service policy against memorials, asking if she would like the donation back.  Bob asked about Saturday, with Steve, if they needed anything.  Mary has some treated wood she offered.  They’ll meet at Memorial Park at 8 a.m.

Steve will try to contact Forest Service about sign boards.  Barry talked to Forest Service, and they will provide signs. 

Mary will check with Pikes Peak Highway about access for August 8 and planning.

Michael B. brought photos of Saint Mary’s Falls.  He receives forms for registration on a regular basis with nonsense characters.  He hasn’t received feedback about ignoring those.

Meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.