February 2019 Advocacy Minutes
Advocacy Meeting
February 4, 2019 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
4499 Ruffin Road, San Diego, CA 92123
Ben Stone - Advocacy Committee Chairperson
Welcome and Introductions (Susie Murphy)
Karen St. Germain and Kyle Gunderman new board members
-Ben welcomes Karen and Kyle
Jason Showalter - Thanks for service!
Questions or comments? -None
Guest: Van Collinsworth, Preserve Wild Santee
Van has been instrumental in stopping gas plans and fighting for what Santee is about (Kevin’s comment)
Van’s presentation: he is a mountain biker/grew up in Santee/worked with two fire prevention agencies/studied political science.
Got involved in MTB from traveling to see family in Oregon which fostered his love for the outdoors. His goal is finding the right balance in using it while protecting it. Founded PWS in 1974. Gathered 7000+ signatures to keep home development from going through (3000 houses). This was in 1998 - they were able to keep the project from happening. of the people voted against it. Over the years the project kept coming back as a new project and lawsuits were filed.
PWS doesn’t want to see the land turned into a subdivision. We need to make land use decisions based on the things we’ve learned over the decades i.e. this was a bad project in the beginning and is even worse now.
Van illustrated on the map and discussed the potential for a connector trail between Mission Trails and Stowe - through East Elliott.
Looking to SDMBA to help preserve the land. Van said they have compromised quite a bit over the years (in response to those who’ve stated there’s been no compromise). Where is the project at this time?
Home Fed has done a scoping meeting. There will be an environmental impact report done. SDMBA may want to submit comments.
Kevin’s comments: it makes sense to partner with the many groups who use the trails but the resistance has been difficult. We want to partner with the preserves, etc. How do we change the paradigm? Does Van envision that MTB will have access?
Van: there are many sources of money, i.e. TransNet, Prop 68; State Park funds; private money. Ben: the TransNet funds went mostly to land that doesn’t allow public access.
Van has no interest in riding through the subdivision they want to build. He showed us the map which he got from the City showing the Cut and Fill areas of this development, which are extensive. We also looked at a map showing the high habitat areas of this development. Kevin: this is where we run up against
wall - MTB gets shut out of these areas because of the high concentration of species, etc. Ben explained to Van that we are working with 4 unpopular developments at this time and trying to convince developers to put trails in early on so they don’t get shut out (much later in the development).
Van stated the power of the people coming together CAN win some of the battles against development. He referred to stopping the building of a Power Plant. He encouraged us not to believe the development will happen no matter what.
It is a natural urban growth boundary and isn’t meant to be developed.
Gardner’s comments: He is in the midst of the fight to preserve Fanita Ranch (been living in Santee since 1992). Discussed how important it is to partner with public entities but recommended not to sell ourselves too cheaply on this.
Kyle asked questions regarding specifics for miles of trails to be built, number of parking lots, etc.
Van is relying on us to fight some of the battles on his behalf. He’s looked at the previous environmental impact report (the new one isn’t out yet) - 30k vehicle trips per day being generated by the project, with no new entrances/exits to the 52. Residential development doesn’t pay for itself but a town center does because it brings in people from outside of the community.
Ben: we are small frys in the conservation equation but we gets in the door by stating we are trail advocate and asks if they’re open to hearing what we have to say.
Kevin asked Van to continue the conversation one on one so he can get to know him better.
Rockhouse/Mother Miguel Update (Jose)
Jose wasn’t in attendance. Ben discussed status. Work days ongoing through the Spring.
Lusardi/Black Mountain/Black Widow update (Matt Bartelt ) we have all the corners cut but nowhere near done. Sunday is most likely the next work day.
The threat we’re running into now is hikers - 3+ new trails been cut by them recently. Grant money we’ve received though can’t go for restoration.
Trail to be done by springtime. Lasardi should happen when?
Realigning Deer canyon but won’t be open until mitigation is complete which is summer 2019. Awareness signs have been requested for uphill/downhill signs which we’re working on.
USFS Cleveland NF Update (Ben)- government shutdown has affected the workload on ee’s with the USFS so they are behind on many levels. Orosco ridge- botanical surveys need to happen in march/april/ their botanist just took another job…
California Trails and Greenways Conference April 23-25 Viejas
And CA MTB (Kevin/Susie) - conference is run by State Parks. Will be hosted in SD/Viejas this year and is open to the public. Hosting a workshop and a session.
Get to meet the people who make the decisions. We are most likely hosting the Presidential suite (waiting for confirmation on this). 23rd is the workshop day.
Schedule is being planned at this time.
We’re in process of forming a CA MTB association. CAMTB.org!
Will be meeting at Greenways conference and hope is to get it started then.
Not on the Agenda but discussed Ben’s spreadsheet regarding memberships - 181 new sign-ups in January!
Balance Insurance for Cyclists and other SDMBA member offers (Susie) -
Nick represents this service
To find discounts on website: Member Communications/Forums/Discounts -?
Ride the Rancho Event 2/23 and Archipelago Ride Updates (Susie)
Selling tables for the event.
Susie’s had trouble finding a vendor to bring demos.
Old Business (Non-discussion items)
Tecolote Trails plan - (Evan) - (In progress 2019)
Sycamore Goodan Ranch Update (Ben Stone)
Fanita Ranch Trails Plan (Ben Stone) (Unknown)
Castlerock project date June 2016 grading has begun (One year) Ben
Black Mountain/Black Widow (Matt 2017 -19)
Sweetwater Summit Bike Park (2018-19)
Del Mar Mesa Surrounding Development
Rock House / San Diego Wildlife Refuge- update (Jose/Jason)
Otay Valley Regional Park +Bike Park - (Jose)
Tijuana River Valley (Jose)
Palm Canyon Update (in Progress)
San Diego County PLDO Funds
Village 13 Projected Date (First Quarter 2017)
Mission Trails Master Plan (Summer 2018)
Next meeting: March 4, 2019
4499 Ruffin Road (second floor)
-Upcoming events and volunteer opportunities
Trail Work - various locations see updates at SDMBA Meetup or SDMBA.com calendar; we still need liasons!
Archipelago Ride 4/6/2019
San Marcos Trails Day Kids Bike Skills Course 3/2/2019
Contact volunteer@sdmba.com (Karen St. Germain)
Liaisons needed: Balboa Park, Daley Ranch, San Marcos, NICA Team Liaison
Attendees:
Andy Darragh
Jeff Miller
Tim Butrum
Lisa Wood
Kevin Loomis
David Welland
Minette Ozaki
Renee Halsch
Phillip Erdelsky
Kyle Gunderman
Karen St. Germain
Matt Bartlett
Don Dias
Sean Murphy
Bob Pointing
Mike Lowry
Ben Stone
Seth Hanson
Kristen K.