JROC September 2, 2002 Meeting Minutes

MEETING ATTENDEES:
Greg Velzy, Ralph Hambrick, Buzz Kraft, Anne Wright, Elaine Casper, Karen Abse, Rich Young, Troy Smith, Sarah Carneal?,  Roger Sattler, Barry Dixon, Stephen (D or P or some letter than looks like that) Ensign, Dave Gunn, Steve Ellison, Brian Mutchler, Chris Hull, Susanne Smith, Lisa Harmon , Jim Juritsch, Grace LeRose, Dan Caston

MINUTES
The minutes were issued very late and no one had time to read them and they were probably incomplete, but the membership approved them anyway.  If anyone wants to add stuff to them or make corrections, clarifications, or just make fun of the way we do business, let me know.

TREASURER'S REPORT
The treasurer was late getting in from Paradise again, and we don't know how much money we have anyway.  The guesses range from about $2500 to $4000, so we need to figure out where to use this stuff and reduce temptation.  The commute from Bermuda is killing the treasurer. Our project list is fairly long and we're going to get this stuff going soon.  The good news is we have money to spend!!
We're still on track to get our status changed to a 501.3.c tax-exempt status, but the locomotive ran out of steam over the summer.  Greg V and Steve Ellison are getting it moving again, so we can pay bills and reimburse for expenses quicker.  As an added bonus, we may even know how much money we have.
Greg V has promised to keep the meetings short and sweet.  He even went so far as to announce it with some options for discussion.  Of course, this made the meeting drag on and on and on as we discussed methods of keeping the agenda limited and limiting time for discussion and GǪ..  Please come to the meetings and bring up something off-topic, so Greg can cut you off  (his problem is that he's way too polite).
PROJECT REPORT  
The missing link walking trail still needs work.  Since Jeff Ault wasn't at the meeting, he has been assigned the task of moving some big rocks.  Work down there probably doesn't need a big group, so on one of our project days, Jeff may grab a few and go. He'll work on the trail later.  Anyone who has an interest in helping there specifically should speak up.

 

 Ralph Hambrick is leading a charge to get the North Shore takeout officially designated as river access, with improvements like paving and landscaping  (It looks way too nice for the Richmond boating crowd - they just want to know they're not going to get towed or arrested).  Troy something or other drew up a real slick layout for Ralph to use in his planned meeting with the City.  In return we made Troy an honorary member, but the more he finds out about us, the less he may appreciate that.  Ralph will give us an update next meeting.
One big project that I for one really support, is a removal/demolition/cleanup effort aimed at improving river safety near the Pipeline rapid.  There is a large concrete slab (~20'x40'-1' thick), with an exposed steel snag near the railroad trestle.  We could just send Jeff down to cart it off, but then he'd have all the fun.   Sara Carneal? will try to get Greg V a contact with CSX, since they pulled a big section of sewer pipe out of almost the same place years ago and might be able to help.
Trail maintenance is proceeding.  Bob Burch and his cronies are working on  the trail from 42nd St to the Blvd Bridge area.  SEPTEMBER's PROJECT, 9/14, is to set two telephone poles over a wash for a bridge base.  Meet at Reedy Creek at 10 AM with hand tools for clearing and light digging.  Bob has the poles and decking and just needs help on the trail, in the woods, digging, smoothing, and general kibitzing.
In connections with the Xterra Games, Karen Abse (GREG - PUT KAREN'S PHONE NUMBER HERE) is looking for volunteers to help on race days (Sept 28 & 29).  The Xterra committee donates $10/volunteer, so it would be great if we could get a crowd (of course thatGÇÖs the weekend I'll be jumping off the Ohiopyle waterfall, but I'll be with you in spirit).  If you do sign up, put down JROC as your organization, so we get credit.
In connection with trails, several attendees noted that trail sharing etiquette seems to be lacking. We discussed putting more signs to remind all users of their responsibilities not to run over anyone.  Dan Caston is going to check on language from cycling circles and should have proposed language for signs next meeting.  May try to get mile markers, too
The summer fundraiser with Richmond Whitewater contributed $328.  Now we have $328 plus whatever we had before, even though we don't know what that was.
The project sponsorship forms are complete and some were passed out.  These have lists of projects we've done and can be used to make a pitch for $ for a specific project from corporate money spenders.  Monte did a good job in the beginning of this, but we haven't seen him lately.  If he doesn't come back, he doesn't get his cut.  Greg and Chris are still working on the membership brochure.
Regular water quality sampling is supposedly being done in the River by DEQ and in Reedy Creek by Bill Sneed at Trinity High School, but no results were discussed.  Someone reported that DNA testing is being or has been done on some of the fecal to determine if the gooses are at fault or cows (or, gasp, humans!!!).  We need to get this data and publish it (assuming it's available) or get a link to whoever's got results.  
The PortaJon we sponsor at Huguenot Woods is reportedly staying pretty clean, even though some of our members are using it instead of going at home.
We bought a backpack sprayer and some really harsh chemicals to kill weeds.  Now we have to find someone brave enough to use it.  Supposedly it's coming up to an effective time to kill poison ivy so it doesn't come back as heavy.
Sarah C talked about more proposed development along the river and handed out some brochures.   We may want to find out more about this and lend support or opposition (or support to opposition?).
Adjourned at 7:07 PM - shortest meeting yet - Hooray for Greg!!
NEXT MEETING Potluck Dinner on OCTOBER 2, 2002 6 PM at the Reedy Creek Nature Center. Bring dead chickens and anything else you want to eat or share (I plan to clean my fridge out).

David M. Gunn