FHTA Meeting – May 15, 2006

Olivedale Lower Level

Minutes

 

Call to order: 7:05PM by Pres. Ira Weiss with 16 people attending. In attendance were: Ira Weiss, Brett Navin, Steve Gahn, Donald Claffey, Peggy Portier, Claude Ford, Anna Ford, Larry Smith, Fiona Spears, Jim Barrett, Phil Walker, Jeff Vandervoort, Peggy Mahler, Linda Raney, Jerry Raney, Bob Williams

 

Minutes were read and motion for approval by Jim Barrett and seconded by Phil Walker.  Minutes were approved.

 

President’s report:  Ira has been very involved with all the local bike related meetings and events. Info is in secretary’s notebook of exact meetings, etc.

 

Treasurer’s report: Approx. $1,212.00 in checking and $4,601.00 in the Foundation account.

 

PR report:  Claude and Anna have been keeping up with posters for the meetings in local businesses and Phil has been keeping the paper informed to up coming events.  Terre is to let us know on the bridge move and who to notify for PR on that (TV, etc.)

 

Grant Report:  See Old Business

 

Old Business:

 

Lancaster Trail:  Much progress has been made in the Franklin St. neighborhood.  The meeting at Olivedale produced a potential plan for routing the trail thru the neighborhood with the least impact.  The trail will remain on public property and cause minimal parking changes. Our role is that of an advocacy group: i.e. education, be the public’s rep, etc. where the city is the official decision maker.

 

Amanda Trail:  Jeff Vandervoort is going to contact the attorney for Midwest again to get the easement paperwork completed. Claude introduced Steve Gahn from Amanda as our grant writer for that section of the trail. He and Pat Willard have agreed to work with the city of Amanda and us to get additional money to move this end of the trail forward.  Terre will get copies of the Lancaster grants to him.  Claude and Anna will assist and other suggestions for money were made: ODNR, ODOT and Clean Ohio Fund.

 

Interurban:  No new report.  With the Wal-Mart potentially going in south of this section, it is hoped that Terre and the city will require them to set aside some green space land.

 

Fox Trail:   It is in the works to get this section paved by the Parks department soon.

 

Updates:

 

Ride:  It is scheduled to be on Sat., June 3, at 9:00 AM at the Bixby Rd. parking lot.  We plan to have handouts on FHTA, safety, etc., available.  A potluck was also suggested.  Rick will provide details closer to the date. The Nelsonville ride was a great success.  17 people attended and enjoyed lunch at Brennan’s in Athens. The Ross Co. trail was suggested as another ride option.

 

RTC Visit:  See Presidents Report for details- Trolley ride from Cols. and lunch provided by 4 Reasons. Stops will be at Fox trail and the covered bridge.

 

Safe Routes to Schools:  Pat Navin couldn’t make the meeting.  The Healthy and Smart meetings have been well attended and more discussion to come.

 

SE meeting: Reminder that this is coming up and signup is due.

 

McCleery Bridge:  The scheduled date is still May 21, 2006.  Depart Jim Walters property approx. 7:30 and arrive at site around 12:00.  We agreed to get a group together for site cleanup at the Walter’s and also to notify TV, etc. about the move.  Miriam Wood, author of “Covered Bridges of Ohio”, will also be notified. Jim Smollens is the bridge mover.

 

New Business:

 

Membership:  We need to determine when the dues year starts as the web site doesn’t agree with the fiscal year.  Dave to update list and will have more discussion next meeting.

 

Pickerington:  Ira introduced Fiona Spears as the new coordinator of the Arts, Health, and Fitness portion for the Pickerington City Parks.  She will serve as the Trail Coordinator.  We are looking forward to working with her.

 

Cleanups: The National Honor Society and the French Club have agreed to adopt the section of the Lancaster City Trail from Forest Rose School to Fair Ave.  Peg Mahler to send a thank you letter to them.  A request was made to have Claude post their adoption at the kiosk.  We will need to care for it over the summer but they will pick back up in Sept.

 

Other info:

The city parks have closed on the purchase of 130 acres at the Hannaway Bridge site.  These will double the amount of park at this location.

 

Bob Williams reported that he has seen Neil and Betty Shaw out and about and that their health seems to be stabilizing.  Great news!

 

Next meeting:  June 19, 7:00pm at Olivedale

 

Adjourn:   At 8:25pm, Anna F. made the motion and Jeff V. seconded.  Motion carried.