Fairfield Heritage Trail Association Minutes March 19, 2007
Olivedale Senior Citizens of Fairfield County
253 Boving
Road
Lancaster,
OH 43130
1) CALL TO ORDER-7:05pm In attendance were: Jim Barrett, Anna Ford, Claude Ford, Rick Holt, Laura Kynion, Tim Kynion, Peg Mahler, Peggy Portier, Jerry Raney, Linda Raney, Larry Smith, Jen Speiser, Jeff Vandervoort, Ira Weiss and Bob Williams
2) APPROVAL of December 18, 2006 minutes by B. Williams, second by J. Raney
APPROVAL of January 15, 2007 minutes by B. Williams and second by J. Raney
Minutes were approved
3) REPORTS
a) Presidents report- Ira once again attended many meetings including The Central Ohio Greenway & Trail Forum in Powell and MORPC.
b) Treasurer's report-We have $4,881.00 in checking and $1,368.00 with the Fairfield Foundation Motion to approve by P. Mahler and seconded by J. Barrett. Motion passed.
c) Grant Report - See specific trail reports
4) OLD BUSINESS
a) Lancaster Trail Update-Much discussion about the possible options to get from Lanreco Park across the creek to the Kroger side. It may be possible to cross from the Monger property (down one of the abandoned alleys off Cherry) or to cross at the Kroger intersection and down the creek all the way on that side. Path is to run along creek in Lanreco Park. Mary Burnham Park Bridge is scheduled to be completed by July. T. Vandervoort is checking on a different type of signage for the covered bridge. We will compare the 2 choices at the next meeting. There is to be an addition to the north end of the trail at Forest Rose that will include signage as a nature style preserve.
b) Amanda Trail Update-There has been contact with Steve Gahn about being our grant writer for this part of the trail; also the potential to contact Bob Urig to assist with this.
c) Midwest Fabricating easement for trail, ownership, grants and next steps - The County Park System has agreed to accept the easement that will be granted by Midwest so that we can move forward with the trail. FHTA has agreed to facilitate the construction of this section. This change was approved by a motion by J. Barrett and seconded by C. Ford.
d) Bremen Update - No report
e) Pickerington Trails Update - No report
f) Interurban Update - No report
g) Creating signage and educational opportunities on the Lancaster Trail and fundraising for those items, including covered bridge commemorative plaque B. Williams to compare the 2 options for the signs along the trail.
h) Thank-you notes for contributors and people who have worked on the trail-No new info nothing written yet.
i) Using ODNR canal land in addition to or in place of former RR right-of-way-no report
j) Working with the Boy Scouts possible trail adoption Jennifer Spicer was introduced as the District Advisor for the Boy Scouts. She presented the idea of a fund raiser for the Scouts that would use our trail as the path for a 5 mile hike-starting at Forest Rose and turning around at Mary Burnham Park and retracing the path. This would occur on June 2nd with registration at 9:00 am and ending at 12:00pm. Cost would be $25.00 per person or $100.00 per 5 person team and would include T-shirts and other door prizes. She asked for our help in this project and also suggested using the troops for cleanup, plantings, etc. They meet the 1st Tues. of the month so we need to get info to her group before that so they can get it out to the leaders of the troops. The group agreed to help her out with this project. We also discussed that be the day that we dedicate the bridge. More info later on that
k) Increasing Fairfield County parks funding with increased impact fees from new builds - I. Weiss to take the lead on this.
l) Changing county subdivision regulations to help create trails in and between subdivisions
m) Bylaws review changes for proxy voting and others- J. Vandervoort to present language to include these additions
n) Other old business
5) Report out and discussions on action plan items
a) FHTA rides Discussion of what to do this year-R. Holt to assemble a tentative schedule. Some suggestions were to alternate Sat/Sun and also alternate times; i.e.- morning or late afternoon, and staying away from holiday weekends-more in the middle of the month
b) County map/vision - an ongoing project
c) Safe Routes to School Update from potential applicant sites and upcoming meetings-There is much competition for the funds - $23,000,000 in requests and only $3,000,000 available.
d) Phone tree and meeting signs Raneys to help with this
e) Healthy and Smart Development report on final meeting coming
f) Dues and memberships any additional dues Ira to get report from Treasurer Dave Scheffler
g) Trail cleanups - P. Mahler will check with the NHS and see if they are still on board for the section from the Forest Rose to Thomas Ewing.
h) Future Fox Trail cleanups - Larry Smith will handle this section.
6) NEW BUSINESS
a) Elections of Officers: All officers to be retained I. Weiss President, J. Vandervoort - V. President, P. Mahler Secretary, D. Scheffler Treasurer Motion to approve the slate was made by B. Williams and seconded by J. Raney. Motion passed.
b) Ohio Planning Conference Brown Bag Lunch Presentation Multi-Purpose Trails 3/23/07 report
c) Powell meeting- Report Ira gave a report on the meeting.
d) Setting priorities for 2007 tabled until next month
(The following were listed last January for 2006 suggested modifications for 2007)
i) Connecting City trail to Pickerington Ponds with provides a tie in with Blacklick Trail and into Canal Winchester. This requires partnerships with ODOT, MORPC, Canal Winchester, Lancaster , Carroll, Groveport and Pickerington and which will entail negotiating and obtaining interurban trail rights or rights to canal land
ii) Develop county-wide trail plan working on our earlier plan
iii) Initiate Safe Routes to School Program using Lancaster and Pickerington trails under development and work with legislature to secure adequate funding for the program
iv) Continue to develop other partnerships, i.e. Health Department.
v) Work with municipalities to develop ways for cyclists and pedestrians to access our trails
vi) Work with Commissioners to increase funding for County Parks Department setting up future meeting with Brooks Davis
vii) Get EMS involved with trail
viii) Put trail on county road map when it is reprinted
ix) Get involved with visitors and convention bureau
7) MEETING WAS ADJOURNED 9:00PM Approved by A. Ford and seconded by Linda Raney