Heart of the Lakes Trail Meeting
Monday, June 6, 2005
6:00 p.m.

Present: Rodney Carlson, Ken Jude, Carol Weir, Elizabeth Cabalka, Marilyn Gordon, Renee Cardarelle, Paul Hellenschmidt and Connie Allen

Renee Cardarelle shared a history of the trail committee and set the vision for the group.  We need to set up phases in order to reach the long term goal.    She reviewed the grant applications. The grant, which is  phase 1 has been submitted.

Elizabeth shared that the Planning and Zoning Committee has been working on a tool, a grid system that will indicate where things such as a stand of trees is located.  They are mapping the city to protect green space corridors in the city.  They are also setting up opportunities for POD.  They will require trail systems in development plans.  Elizabeth reports that their  #1 priority is preserving green space within development.

We need to work on small steps to keep our momentum up.  We need to contact Mark Casey, city administrator, and remind him that we would like to be a part of discussions about land use.  Renee will call and discuss and request that a representative of the Trail Committee be present at the next meeting.

Steps to short term goals:

I.          A representative needs to be present at area township meetings.  Volunteers are willing to attend

A.        Ken Jude will attend Corinna Township

B.        Renee will e-mail when the meetings are scheduled and appoint a person to attend.

C.        We need to have a short presentation with visual aids (maps) and tell why we came about and what we are trying to do.

D.        We have been to Corinna, Southside, Clearwater, Albion and Annandale

II.         Meet with South Haven, the 1^st Tuesday of the month at 7.  The next meeting is July 7^th.  Renee will write a letter to the administrator Clerk, Carol Baken, Box 97, South Haven.

III.       Other groups that we plan to address:

A.        Meet with Maple Lake and let them know we are interested in cooperating.

B.        Meet with Clearwater bike group

C.        Contact Lake Wobegon Trail developers

D.        Talk to Lake John Association; Carol Weir will address at picnic

E.         Landowners

1.         Postcards were sent to invite landowners to this meeting

2.         We need to develop a relationship with landowners,

3.         Make follow up calls

IV.       Trust for Public Land is a good resource and we could have a speaker from that group speak at a meeting.  Elizabeth will bring information at the next meeting.

V.        Grant Application

A.        We need to plan and revise before we resubmit.  

B.        We could use more letters of support

C.        We can enhance the narrative

D.        We need to set aside some time to work on the application.

VI.       We need to finish brochure-Renee will contact Sharon

VII.      Need to set trail standards -- how wide should it be, etc.

VIII.     It may be helpful to join other groups.  The group belongs to the Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota

Fund-raising

The Arts & Culture committee has offered to allow the three other groups to sell items at the Summer Concert Series at Municipal Park.  The first concert is June 17.  The group decided to sell ice cream.  Connie will contact Kevin Brown to see if ice cream freezer is available.  Paul agreed to help transport the freezer. 

Future Meetings: The group decided to meet monthly to keep momentum going.  Wednesdays seemed the best choice.  Meetings will be held the 1^st Wednesday of each month at Annandale Care Center from 6 to 7:30 p.m.   Meeting dates are July 6, August 3, September 7, October 5, November 2, December 7. 

Respectfully submitted by Connie Allen: