March 2019 Advocacy Minutes

Advocacy Meeting

March 4, 2019 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

4499 Ruffin Road, San Diego, CA 92123

Ben Stone - Advocacy Committee Chairperson

Meeting called to order: 6:05pm

Welcome and Introductions (Susie Murphy)
Questions or comments?
Upcoming Public meetings:
1. March 12 Otay Valley Bike Park 6pm, Chula Vista Library South

This is a County meeting for the public to give input on the planned small bike park in Otay Valley; staging area exists already at Rios Drive.

1. March 28 Sycamore Canyon Public Access Plan 6pm, Poway Civic Center: Important meeting for public input for trail improvements. See the link to Sycamore Canyon/Goodan Ranch on SDMBA website. SDMBA will promote widely to get a good representation at this meeting. There is some pushback for the plan by conservation groups.
CDFW issues around County (Ben) - Ted’s, Calaveras. New signage may be going up at Calaveras notifying trail users that the area is not accessible. SDMBA is aware of situation at Ted’s and is working with local riders to help communicate with the City of Poway and other entities.
Trail Building Education Program Input (Kyle Gunderman)- SDMBA is interested in holding regular trail maintenance and building classes. Kyle asked those present what would you like to know more about in regards to trail maint/building, levels to those new to this skill, advanced classes for more experienced, trail crew leaders need volunteer mgmt training, etc. What will the best format - 1 day, 2 days?

Answers: Clarify who volunteers should listen to when out in the field? What are our limitations in regard to the work needed at the specific trail? How to break large groups into smaller groups? IMBA training was good (comments from attendees).

Classroom vs. in the field training - how to structure? Break up into levels, i.e. 101, 201, etc.

Training for the safety rules always vital..everytime.

Suggestion: make Youtube videos -they can be referred back to at will; can have volunteers watch and prepare before coming to the trailwork.

Two levels: how to do the work and how to manage the volunteers.

Rockhouse/Mother Miguel Update (Jose)
1. Work continues at Rock House as we are able to coordinate with USFW. USFW has given permission to use rented mini excavator at turn #1 this month. Finish work will need volunteers. Stay tuned for upcoming work days.
La Costa Update (Ben) - recently completed trailwork there with over 30 volunteers led by Ben Stone. Ben working with some locals to find dedicated liaison who will take up regular work here. Center for Natural Lands Mgmt. staff very happy with work and want to continue to get more done.
Lusardi/Black Mountain/Black Widow update (Matt Bartelt)
1. Still waiting for road to be dry enough to do mass movement of pavers to top. Rangers have been delivering small batches.
2. Next work day 3/9- will be building exit ramp to the big rock rollover.

As trail nears completion, we will work on signage in partnership with the city.

9. USFS Cleveland NF Update (Ben): 2 official projects, one on Mt. Laguna (Descanso District) and Orosco Ridge (Palomar District). Orosco has some challenges with new staff and staff vacancies. We’ve requested from USFS how they intend to submit botanical surveys since the botanist position is currently vacant. SDMBA has met with Palomar staff and continues to push forward and will follow a defined strategy to keep the wheels turning. Laguna project is on track and will move faster once new asst. Recreation Officer is fully placed. Shut down caused considerable delays.

California Trails and Greenways Conference April 23-25

Looking for volunteers. Put on by CA state park association. Open to the public. Many trail groups and partners are involved including mtb’ers, climbers, trail runners, equestrians, etc.

Ride the Rancho Event 3/16 and Archipelago Ride Updates (Susie)
1. Full arch ride is almost full; working on marketing for the half arch
2. Volunteers needed - see Karen St. Germain for details

Meeting adjourned: 7:30pm

Present:

Seth Hanson

Karen St. Germain

Susie Murphy

Ben Stone

Mike Jennings

John Steele

Phillip Erdelsky

Dave Forsyth

Vicki Krauss

David Steiner

Tony Dickey

Renee Halsch

Chris Pollard

Robbie Pollard

Bob Ponting

Andy Darragh

Mark Webb

Evan Sollberger

Dom Dias

Mike Lowry

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)- april 4th going to the Planning Commision; april 18th it’s going to the environmental committee; and May 14th it’s going to the City Council.

Next meeting: April 1, 2019

4499 Ruffin Road (second floor)

-Upcoming events and volunteer opportunities

Trail Work - various locations see updates at SDMBA Meetup or SDMBA.com calendar
Hess Ride, Meet & Greet 3/13/2019
Ride the Rancho 3/16/2019
Archipelago Ride 4/6/2019

Contact volunteer@sdmba.com (Karen St. Germain)

Liaisons needed: Balboa Park, Daley Ranch, San Marcos, NICA Team Liaison

Attendees: