Valley Mountain Bikers Meeting Minutes, Sunday, 11/11/2012
The November Board meeting was held at Jason’s house. In attendance were:
Jason Shivok (board member)
Jon Roth (board member)
Hope McAndrew (board member)
Rich Butz (board member)
Mark Woodhead (board member)
Scott Stortz (board member)
Renee England
Robin Rufe
Rob Reichert
The meeting was called to order at 3:50 PM.
Business: Lehigh and the South Side Vision 2014 Open Space Committee
Scott reports: about a year or so ago, VMB was invited to participate in the Lehigh and the South Side Vision 2014 Open Space Committee, the primary purpose of which was to look at extending more trails into the (now almost complete) Greenway. There is a representative from Lehigh University, the Sierra Club, the City of Bethlehem, and the Wildlands Conservancy (Tom Gettings.. They’re part of Community Action of the Lehigh Valley.
This Committee wants to approach Lehigh University to incorporate SMB into the Greenway, by proposing that the University open the mountain to public use, based on PA Recreational Use of Land and Water Act – the Open Space Committee’s position is that the University is more exposed to liability issues with the mountain as a private place, than as a public use place. (Lehigh has said no to a similar proposal in the past, maybe 10 years ago.) There will be a rare evening Committee meeting Thursday (11/15/12) so VMB reps can be there and talk to them about this proposal.
(Review of document Scott made that looks into what he might present at the meeting.)
There are three options for Lehigh for dealing with the trails on their land: “don’t ask don’t tell,” legitimizing the trails, or enforcing “no trespassing.”
Discussion: should we get involved? It might be a better idea for us to do it, or should we pass it off onto the Lehigh Cycling Club for instance? Should we separate ourselves from some responsibilities, such as agree to maintain the cross country trails, and let the Lehigh Cycling Club or others take care of DH/Freeride trails? If we get involved, we will need both a trail boss, and someone who can be the Club’s presence on this Committee.
Motion: Continue VMB involvement/support in Lehigh and the South Side Vision 2014 Open Space Committee efforts in opening Lehigh University’s trails to public use. Seconded, carried unanimously.
Scott, Jon, Renee, and possibly Jason will go to the Thursday evening meeting.
Hope left the meeting.
MOVIE SPONSORSHIP
Motion: Don should continue to look into the possible Club sponsorship of a local showing of “Bicycle Dreams.”. Seconded. Carried unanimously.
Meeting adjourned 5:15 PM.