Minutes from the RATC Board Meeting October 15, 2012 Meeting called to order at 7:00 pm Host: Fred Walters Location: Roanoke County Parks & Recreation Building, Kessler Mill Road, Salem Attending: Liz Belcher, Bob Blankenbaker, Bruce Davidson, Timo Grueneberg, Roger Holnback, David Jones, John Miller, Bob Peckman, Mike Vaughn, and Fred Walters. Minutes Approved: The minutes from the September 17, 2012 Board meeting were approved unanimously. Treasurer s Report - Blanche Brower Not present. The following financial report was submitted: Treasurer s Report as of 10/15/2012: Balance in checking account as of 10/15/2012 = $15,770.56 Total Assets as of 10/15/2012 = $29,868.28 Total Equity as of 10/15/2012 = $29,868.28 Total income during period from 9/17/2012 10/15/2012 = $355.26 Total expenses during period from 9/17/2012 10/15/2012 = $807.78 Robert L.Trimpi Trust/Pine Swamp Shelter Balance: $4,905.03 Trail Supervisor David Jones David reported he is continuing work on the report of the Overseer s Weekend held on September 15 & 16. He plans to complete the report for the next Board meeting. David reported the next work hike would be on Sunday, October 21 along the AT leading up to Fullhardt Knob. It will entail rebuilding log steps and constructing water bars on a portion of the trail experiencing erosion. David is collecting data on the volunteer hours spent on trail maintenance for this fiscal year. He sent an email out to the trail overseers requesting their information prior to Oct. 22. Hike Master Adam Wood Not present and nothing new to report.
Land Management Supervisor Roger Holnback Roger reported the AT corridor maintenance program is progressing along our section of the AT. Boundary maintenance is currently underway along the Daleville to Troutville portion of the AT. Bruce Davidson mentioned he had some difficulty locating metal boundary markers and requested a metal detector to assist in locating the stabs. He also requested a slide hammer for installing fence posts. Fred Walters volunteered to assist in the corridor program and will be contacted by Roger. Conservation Supervisor Liz Belcher Liz reported the revised easement agreement between Roanoke Cement and ATC for the Andy Layne Trail was being reviewed by the ATC. Liz had spoken to Laura Belleville and Laura felt the easement would be approved prior to the end of October. Liz stated the easement is between Roanoke Cement and the ATC and does not include the RATC as part of the agreement. Mike Vaughn recently sent out an email to the RATC membership regarding the status of the Andy Layne trail parking lot renovation by Roanoke Cement Company. Mike reported Roanoke Cement completed the project. A new culvert was installed at the parking lot entrance and the entrance was re-graded. Mike has been out to the parking lot and noted it was in excellent shape. Roanoke Cement Company provided all labor and materials to complete the Andy Layne parking lot renovation. Shelter Supervisor Homer and Therese Witcher Not present. Timo Grueneberg provided the following report: The Jenny s Knob privy was moved on September 23 rd and 30 th. The Pickle Branch picnic table was replaced on October 14 th. Membership Coordinator Bob Blankenbaker Bob reported 9 new members for the first 6 weeks of the fall quarter. Bob also reported he had received 400 copies of the Leave No Trace (LNT) brochure from Sir Speedy print shop. John Miller inquired as to the total number of dues paying members in the RATC. Bob Peckman will provide the information from the club s database.
Blazer Editor Bob Peckman Bob has volunteered to be the club s Webmaster with the recent departure of David Perry from the position. Timo suggested moving away from the current HTML format to enable accessibility by club members to the website to post items of interest. Bob will look into the feasibility of changing formats. Bob also mentioned he plans to give a presentation at either the RATC s Christmas party or Annual Meeting on his recent bike excursion across the northern tier of the United States and Ontario. Frank Haranzo- RATC Member Counselor- Dick Clark Counselor- Sue Scanlin Counselor- Mervin Brower Vice - President John Miller John reported he had recently contacted Jonathon Wheeling, ATC regarding signage standards along the AT. Bottom line, there are no standard signage guidelines for the AT. John indicated that those needing signs on lands administered by the FS should contact them directly and make a request. John reported on the AT MYLE program that is officially scheduled to begin in 2014 with a trial run in 2013. The program is geared to young adults ages 16 30 years old and aims to generate interest in hiking and camping along the AT. John mentioned the
program coordinators are looking for feedback from the various AT clubs as to the feasibility of the hike schedule for the program. Hiking within the RATC s section is scheduled from mid-july thru early August 2014. The schedule includes a series of 1- day hikes and two day overnight hikes. Hikes will be limited to 20 hikers/day for 1- day hikes and 10 hikers for the overnight hikes. We have been asked to provide feedback as to the feasibility of the hike schedule and any issues the group might encounter based upon our knowledge of the area. All comments should be sent to John who will compile the results and forward to the AT MYLE program. Timo suggested that perhaps we could invite a guest speaker from the program to attend one of the RATC board meetings and discuss the AT MYLE program in greater detail and provide accordingly information from the RATC s point of view (distances, profiles, water resources etc.).. President Mike Vaughn Mike reported the following: 1. Update to Club Management Plan---Mike requested that all Board members review the most recent draft copy of the RATC Management Plan and submit any feedback within the next two weeks. Mike will incorporate the feedback into the master draft manuscript to be discussed at next month s Board Meeting. 2. Donation to Greenways---Mike reported the RATC received a request from Mark McClain, Chairman with the Roanoke Valley Greenways, for a donation to its Bridging the Gap campaign. Mike mentioned the RATC had already made a $100 donation to Roanoke Valley Greenways for the 2012 fiscal year and suggested that we appropriate another donation in the 2013 RATC budget to be discussed in early January. David Jones recommended we develop a long- term schedule for the repair/replacement of capital items such as maintenance equipment (chainsaws, etc) and structures (shelters/privies/picnic tables) during the upcoming 2013 budget process. This will enable the RATC to have adequate funds available to replace capital items on a programmed basis. He also inquired as to the feasibility of applying for grants from the ATC for replacing capital items. Mike will contact the ATC about potential grants available to assist in capital improvement. Mike also mentioned that several board members had concerns over the length of the RATC board meetings. In order to be considerate of an individual s time and commitments, Mike asked for suggestions as to how to make the Board meetings more efficient. Suggestions from the board included:
1. Holding meetings every other month rather than monthly. 2. Keep to the items listed on the agenda and table any discussion of other topics until New Business is discussed. 3. Have a hard cut-off time to end the Board Meeting for example ending the meeting at 8:30 PM. Mike requested that Board members submit their volunteer hour report to him and David Jones prior to October 22. Mike will calculate the administrative time Board members spent in Board meetings however members need to calculate additional administrative hours spent outside of the actual board meeting. David will compile the volunteer hours for trail maintenance type activities. Old Business: Bruce Davidson reported he had contacted Blue Ridge Signs & Stamp Co. regarding the cost to make RATC bumper sticker decals. He handed out the estimate provided by Blue Ridge Sign & Stamp Co. John Miller suggested, due to the cost of the individual stickers ($2.15/sticker), the RATC offer new members the option of purchasing stickers as part of their registration package rather than providing gratis. Mike made the motion the RATC purchase one hundred (100) RATC bumper sticker decals from Blue Ridge Signs & Stamp Company for the price of $2.15/sticker. The motion was seconded by Bob Blankenbaker and approved unanimously. New Business: Timo Grueneberg reported that one of the club s chainsaws is approximately 30 years old and in need of replacement due to wear and tear along with potential safety issues. Timo reported that he went to the local Stihl dealership and received estimates for chainsaws with a 20 bar. Estimates range from $600 - $700 based upon the model purchased. The club agreed to replace the chainsaw for the reasons provided by Timo. Mike made a motion to purchase a new Stihl chainsaw (Model MS391 or MS362) estimated to cost approximately $700.00. The motion was seconded by Roger Holnback and approved unanimously. Future RATC Board meetings and RATC sponsored functions are scheduled as follows: Monday, November 12 at 7:00 PM hosted by Bob Blankenbaker Saturday, December 1 or 8 (TBD), Annual Christmas Party
The meeting was formally adjourned at 9:05 PM followed by refreshments prepared by host Fred Walters. Respectfully submitted, Fred Walters RATC Secretary