AORA 7/19/25/ Meeting Minutes

By Jane Flavin | August 30, 2025

Alpine Trails Association -ATA

Markleeville Disc Golf – MDG

07/19/2025

10:00 am Board Member Meeting

11:00 am Public Meeting

  1.  Meeting called to order at 10:07 am.
  • Introductions/Attendees: In Person: Amy Mecak, Heather Segrest, Jane Flavin, Jim Haen, Bill Young, Craig Radach.
  • Reviewed 4/09/2025 meeting minutes.

Action Taken: Motion:   Bill Young , 2nd:Amy Mecak. Approved Unanimously

  • Treasurer Report – Amy Mecak
  • Financial report: Since the last meeting, we received $4,428.40 in donations. Total AORA funds are $35,367.69, some of which are designated funds (e.g. for Disc Golf).
  • SWAG: Amy will perform an inventory of swag.  Tri-fold flyers are running low, mainly due to high demand at the General Store.  We may need to order more prior to any revisions.
  • Community Outreach Person – Jim Haen
  • STPUD update: Jim will continue discussions with Adrian Combes at STPUD. STPUD remains interested in the trails concept.
  • Sponsored public hikes: The Board felt that the liability for officially sponsoring hikes was too great. However, Heather suggested using the MeetUp app to informally let people know that people are getting together to do a hike. Heather will follow up working on details.
  • Deputy Director – Jane Flavin
  • Diamond Valley Collaboration: Amy, Jane and Bill will form a subcommittee to pursue details.
  • The Board decided not to participate in Peak Pursuits on Sept. 19-21, Aid Station on Sat. 20th, trail workday Sun 21st.
  • Hosting Tribal Youth – The Board is in support of working with Jeanne Mortimer (Washoe Tribal Council Representative). Jane and Bill will follow up with Jeanne.
  • Equipment Operations Officer – Craig Radach
  • The Board discussed purchase of a new gas chainsaw (24-32”), backpack, additional chainsaw accessories, a folding table for the tent setup, shed locking bar and a cooler.  Motion to approve up to $3,000 for the items. Motion by Jim Haen. Second by Jane Flavin. Approved unanimously.
  • Next meeting: The next meeting was set for September 6 at 10am at Jane Flavin’s house.  The Board felt a two-month interval until the next meeting was preferred.
  • Adjournment at: 10:54am.

Public Meeting

  1. Attendees: Jane Flavin, Craig Radich, Bill Young, Jim Haen, Heather Segrest, Amy Mecak, Clint Celio, Bil Flavin, Leslie Sarich, Jim McLain, John Clausen, John McDougall, Debbie McDougall, Clay Grubb
  1. The Public Meeting Started at 11:36 after lunch was served.
  1. Directors Report – Board Members
  2. Summary of Spring Work – Heather discussed the Curtz Lake Interpretive Trail, the Charity Valley Trail, the Burnside Lake trail and the Thornburg Trail/
  3. New Sawyers: Andy Lovell, Craig Radich, Bruce Sanford and Bill Young are now certified Class B Bucking sawyers. We need to buy new supplies and chainsaw to support the new skills.
  4. Elizabeth Coyan Park: The volunteers and the Board agreed that ATA should help cleanup and maintain the park. New stairs and general cleanup and maintenance of the park are required.  It is thought that one workday should be able to perform the work. The group did not discuss the Hope Valley Old Road.
  5. Disc Golf Update Disc: Jane read Andy’s summary which stated that we received a letter of support from the California State Parks and that we are investigating the possibility of a Sierra Nevada Conservancy grant to cover funding for the project. Funding assistance will be necessary if a pit toilet/parking lot revision.
  6. Sponsored Public Hikes – Heather described using the MeetUp app to informally let people know that people are getting together to do a hike.
  1. Community Outreach: Jim Haen noted Desolation workday and lunch will be held at the Desolation Hotel Hope Valley on the 2nd Sunday of September (September 14). There will be free drink and lunch provided by Desolation Hotel. Thirty loads of soil are being delivered to address erosion. Work will also include a reroute to the vista point.
  1. Trails Operations Officer – Heather Segrest
  2. Workdays will continue on Tuesdays as weather permits.  Saturdays may be scheduled if there is sufficient interest.  Trails to be maintained to be determined.
  1. Public Comment:
    1. Clint Celio described the Alpine Search and Rescue, explaining that our organizations have shared goals.  He encouraged ATA members to consider involvement with Search and Rescue, noting that there are also “operational overhead” positions that do not require field activities.  Go to alpinesar.org to participate.
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