Attending: Michael Bartmess, Carol Beckman, Mary Burger, Mike Cotter, Barry Dolan, Ed Lynch, Eric Swab.

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

Minutes from the previous meeting were approved, except for a typo.

Board Discussion:  

Mary asked about the restrooms for Barr Trail.  No one knew.  Carol will check into the status of the restrooms and set up port-a-potties if needed.

Steve contacted the caterer and found out that they are out of business.  Steve is checking into others.  The invitation needs to go out.  The save the date notice went out.  Last year’s invitation was a quarter page in Microsoft Word, printed on card stock and mailed as postcards.  Mike C. asked about e-mail versus postcards.  Some people have opted for e-mail only.  Michael B. can print labels.  Mike C. volunteered to work on invitations.  Michael B. has logos that he cleaned up that he’ll send to Mike C.  Mike C. will send the invitation to Michael B. to send to the e-mail members.  The RSVPs will go to Mary’s home phone number.  Mike C. wondered about letting people RSVP on the web site.  Michael B. can set that up.  They can also e-mail to info.  Set up for the room is at 5:00 p.m.  Mary will bring the leftover sodas and buy water to bring.  Mary would like to present a volunteer of the year award.  An award shop has the artwork for it, on Wahsatch between Pikes Peak and Colorado .  Barry volunteered to have the award made up.  Mike C. suggested a write up.  Michael B. volunteered, as did Barry and Mary.  Mary asked who was mc-ing, as Steve won’t be there.  She’ll check with Steve, as he might have asked someone.  Eric S. asked about trying to avoid having the dinner on the same date as CMC. 

The phone is disconnected, and a refund received.

Mary talked to Bob Johnson about tools for the camporee.  Mary said we had tools for 50 but not 200, and Bob will get back on that.

The retreat is set for January 16.  We need to construct an agenda.  Mary has some ideas and suggested e-mailing it out for comments. 

We need a fall newsletter.  Mary asked for volunteers to write articles.  Eric offered to write an article on the Fremont forest.  Mary will do projects.  Michael B. will produce a list of volunteers.  Steve has been editing the newsletter, but is time constrained.  It’s a Word document in two-column format.  Michael B. and Mike C. offered to put it together.  Michael B. said he would put it together then send it to Mike C. for comments.  Mary proposed having all the articles in so that it would be ready to hand out at the meeting, saving postage.  Mary suggested October 29 for articles.  Eric S. offered to write an article on the Ring maps available at Mountain Chalet, and the red line on the new Pikes Peak Atlas.  Steve needs to write “Pondering the Peak” by October 29.  Mary offered to give suggestions to Steve if he’d like.  Mary would also like photos in the newsletter.  Mike C. wondered about including any information on the Incline.  It might be better for next spring. 

Mary reported on the WAAG.  The consultant held a public meeting.  Mary talked to John at the consultant company about the plan they intend to develop.

Eric S. talked to the engineer at the PP Ranger district office about the trails at the top of the Incline, and was encouraged by his response, that the road that has been there and used for a long time should be the designated route.  He knows where the trails are but is not the person who can decide.  Eric S. hopes to be at the meeting on Barr Trail. 

The Fremont exhibit comes down this month and goes up again at another location, with at least the photographs.  Eric is working on the forms for state recognition of the site.  Eight resources each get an eight-page report.  Eric S. is working on those. 

The public meetings on the South Rampart Range travel plan are on October 14 in Woodland Park and on October 15 in Colorado Springs . 

Eric S. also mentioned the mailing from the Pikes Peak ranger district office about support for an application for funding for off highway vehicle use of public lands.  Money comes from licensing fees.  They would like to increase signage, improve trailheads, increase trail maintenance, fund youth corps crews, and other things.  Eric S. has a name and address to mail to before November 16.  Mary offered to e-mail the letter from last year to the board for comments.  The letter could emphasize support for the activities that we most support, for example, protecting wetlands, keeping motorized users on motorized trails.  The Nelson Camp trail and the motorized part of Bear Creek trail need help.  The letter could mention help for trails used by both motorized and non-motorized users.  Eric is looking into quiet use interests for a couple of organizations.

The tools on Barr Trail came down, Mary said.  Mike C. asked about rails, which need work.  One of the guys who had been working with Bob brought the tools down and gave them to Mary. 

The group discussed the inquiries that info receives on the Incline.  It is a difficult topic.  Eric S. will look for the Gazette article. 

Barry commented on the e-mails on money from the races. 

Michael B. asked about the data gathering tool for Barr Trail.  He wondered about updates to it.  Steve is the person to ask.  Michael tried the web site, and one problem was fixed.  He’d like to see the data gathering part more prominent.  Michael also wondered about inserting more information and photos.  Mary wondered about other people making modifications.  Eric S. would prefer that the person responsible make requested chance.  Mike C. suggested sitting down with the designer to make adjustments.  It’s a topic for the retreat. 

Carol reported on signing runs.  They’ve had two since the previous meeting, seven total for the season, replacing and installing a total of 25 signs.  A suggestion was having a brief article in the newsletter on signs.

Mary reminded that the set up for the annual dinner and meeting is 5:00 p.m. at Department of Wildlife.