General Membership Meeting Minutes 25-Oct-2021

 

1.    Called to Order: 7:30pm by President Al Girolami in the Patio Room at Cribari

 

2.    Attending Board Members:

President – Al Girolami                                   VP Social – Michelle Breslin

VP Membership & Website – Jim Beyer         Treasurer – Sandy Petrin

Secretary – Gordon Carbonetti                       Total Other Attendees – 33

Excused Absence – Dan Kato VP Hiking & Trails (volunteer temp)

 

3.    Reports

President’ Message – AL GIROLAMI

·         Re-routing Trails Upper Meadow area and Garden Steps – We expect the work to start in the Spring 2022.  There is a possibility equipment can be brought in sooner than the Spring when the ground is softer, but we’ll have to see.

·         Cattle Grazing – Many experts say cattle grazing reduces fire danger in the hills.  Michelle Breslin is leading the HC grazing effort with assistance from Dan Kato and Bill Johnston. As the previous Villages Board rejected this idea two years ago, the idea is to re-energize this with the new Villages Board.  One proposal is considering grazing only for a few months of the year (perhaps during the slow hiking months) over a 5-year trial period.

·         Use of the Internet – All Board and General Membership meeting minutes, financial reports and other pertinent information are uploaded to the HC website.  Hard copies covering the previous month’s meeting are provided for review at the General Membership Meetings at the back of the room.

·         2022 Budget, Donations at Yearend 2022 – The Board approved a slight change in the HC donations for 2022 compared to those approved for 2021.  A $100 donation was added to Big Basin due to their significant wildfire damage sustained recently, and a $100 reduction to the Greenbelt Alliance donation (now $100 after the change) with the resulting net total donation of $1200 unchanged.

·         Picnic Table at the NE corner of the Hill Lands – Al said the table will be ordered shortly by the VGCC.  The HC will pay for the table (approx. $1200), but the VGCC will install.

·         Need Volunteers – Al again asked for volunteers to take on the open Board positions – President, VP Social and VP Hiking & Trails.

Secretary – GORDON CARBONETTI

·         Gordon presented the minutes for the September 27, 2021, General Membership Meeting.  A motion to approve the minutes was made by Deb Siedband with a second by Michelle Breslin, and the motion passed unanimously.

Treasurer – SANDY PETRIN

 

September 2021 Hiking Club General Fund

 

Beginning balance as of August 31, 2021                                                 $3,606.22

 

Income – Membership Dues (Terri Gavens, Kime Kim Tiger, Ling Yu)         $21.00

Income – Villages GCC (Summer Picnic proceeds)                                  $1,509.00

 

Expenses –

-Sept 22 ATM Withdrawal – Purchase gift cards for John Breslin and Alicia Finger for volunteering assistance with the Summer Picnic.                 ($100.00)

 

-Sept 22 – Bank charge for 3 books of new checks                                 ($34.00)

 

Ending balance as of September 30, 2021                                                 $5,002.22

Note: Bank Balance is $6,002.22 as Ck#1679 ($1,000) is outstanding

 

September 2021 Hiking Club Hill Lands Project Fund

Beginning balance as of August 31, 2021                                                 $2,801.82

No Income and Expenses                                                                                $0.00

Ending Balance as of September 30, 2021                                               $2,801.82

 

·         The preceding Financial Report was approved by a motion made by Johanna Bakkar, and seconded by Bonnie Preston, and it passed unanimously.

Sunshine Committee – The HC made $50 donations to the Evergreen Village Foundation (in memory of Bob Hunley) and to the National Parks Conservation Association (in honor of Faye Swanson), both as requested by each family. Terri Vivoli sent one of her hand-crafted cards with HC condolences to the family of Bob Hunley.

 

VP Membership & Website – JIM BEYER

·         Jim reported we have three new members (Joy Rem, John and Mary Bork) and the total current membership now stands at 306

·         Jim said he is leading the effort to publicize information for all the hikes and events in the Villager, and to the members via emails.

·         There will be a memorial hike (to the picnic area above the Upper Gardens) for Faye on Saturday, October 30, 2021, at 9a. There will also be a remembrance event for Faye at Foothill at 2p with cookies (provided by family) and coffee, with words from the family and other Villagers. Jim encouraged anyone to share their memories of Faye during this event.

·         Jim reminded all that the HC started in 1977, and if no one steps forward to be President for 2022, the HC will have to shut down per Villages rules.

 

 

VP Social – MICHELLE BRESLIN

·         Michelle said the Pismo Beach Outing turned out very well.

·         She just emailed out to all, information about Santa Teresa County Park Trail Day. It’s not a HC-sponsored event, but usually fun nonetheless.

·         Game Night will be added to the schedule on November 11, 2021 at Vineyard at 6p or 7p.  This event never made the planned 2021 schedule, but Michelle was able to add it. Her idea is to make it a simple evening event providing some snacks, desserts, and hot cider. Please bring board games and masks. There will also be a National Park Trivia Game at the end.

·         Hidden Paths Walk, Holiday Party, and Holliday Lights Walk and will be planned next.

 

 

4.    Next Meetings

·         November General Membership – Monday, November 29, 2021, at 7:30pm in the Foothill Center (please bring your mask). Program: Sempervirens (Sara Barth)

·         NO DECEMBER MEETINGS

·         January General Membership – Monday, January 31, 2022, at 7:30pm in the Foothill Center (please bring your mask). Program: TBD.

·         January Board Meeting – Thursday, January 27, 2022, at 9:30am, in the Forum Room in Cribari.

 

5.    Meeting Adjourned, Cookies and Program – The business meeting adjourned at 7:55p.  After a short break with cookies provided by Manoli Kelly, Cheryl Allmen and Susan Brown, Al Girolami introduce John Trudeau who gave a very informative presentation on his hiking exploits in the Eastern Sierra of California.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Gordon Carbonetti – Secretary

 Villages HIKING CLUB

June 25, 2020 9:30am at Outdoor Table behind Cribari Gym

Those Present : President Al Girolami, VP Trails Faye Swanson, VP Membership & Webmaster Jim Beyer, Secretary Cheryl Allmen and Treasurer Sandy Petrin.

Excused:  VP Social Michelle .

Secretary’s Report – Cheryl Allmen. Minutes of the May Board meeting were approved as emailed.  Motion: Sandy/second, Jim-approved.  Sunshine – Brad’s health has improved.

Thank you note for a donation was forwarded to Judy Gardnier.  Cards of condolence were sent to the family members of Lee Wade and Terri Molloy who passed away.  Action:  Cheryl will ask Terri Vivoli to forward a get well card to Peter Holmes who is having medical treatments.

Treasurer’s Report –  Sandy Petrin. The May Financial Reports included a beginning balance of $6578.06 and an ending balance of $6535.06.  The EVF Hill Lands account remains the same as last month. Attachment 1 .   Motion:  Cheryl/second, Faye-Approval of May Financials-passed. Since the annual charge for our credit card is $95/yr.  It was moved to cancel the credit card and instead, rely on a debit card with a limit of $1000/day. Motion:  Jim/second Cheryl-passed . Action:  Al agreed to seek a reversal of the $95/annual charge currently on the account.

Membership Report – Jim Beyer. Current membership totals 291 members with 2 new members:   Bob Bogdanoff and Karen Hillis.  Since Cribari remains closed, board members are to forward new member applications to Jim for processing prior to forwarding funds to the treasurer.

VP Trail Report – Faye Swanson.  The work conducted by King Grading has greatly improved the upper part of Meadow Trail and Maintenance has provided good support for fallen trees .   Action: Al plans to send a note of appreciation to King Grading for their support.

The Board members agreed that Upper Meadows Trails from Skyway to Fox and Upper Bay and Switchbacks are the next priorities for improvement.  Motion:  Faye/second Jim-passed.Our first informal hike at Rancho Canada Del Oro was led by Faye.  Our second informal hike at Alum Rock Park attracted 10 hikers. Wade is offering to lead additional informal hikes approximately every 2 weeks which could also include Rambler and Rambler Lite hikers.  Sandy suggested sending occasional informational emails to the membership containing suggestions of local area hikes. In lieu of paying for more paper maps out of the Hiking Club budget, trail head maps are readily accessible on line and can be downloaded from our website.  Action:  Faye will determine availability of paper maps from Bldg. B. Other initiatives on which to follow up are: 1. a request for a new third trailhead mailbox at Joe Marsh cul de sac which would also encourage more sign in’s; and 2. and to give incentive to park at the cul de sac by approaching the Board for funding 3’ x 5’ signs at all trailheads.  ​

VP Social Report – Michelle Breslin – tabled

OLD BUSINESS:

Hill Lands Standing Committee Report – Dan Kato- tabled.

Additional Business- No response has been received from our letter to Jan Champion requesting status updates.  It was moved to reimburse Peter Holmes up to $100 for expenses incurred for sign in’s upon receiving a receipt. Motion:  Jim/second, Faye-passed.

Fall Outing update – Sandy plans to remain in contact with the hotel and chamber of  commerce throughout summer. Because of the virus threat, the officials in the area are discouraging outsider traffic until the end of August since trails are currently crowded.

Status of equipment sign out sheet and marking items – Faye.  Room is currently unavailable due to Covid-19 limitations.

NEW BUSINESS

Additional Benches/Tables – Al-  After discussion, it was moved to request the Villages to supply l bench at post 45 on Meadow and also l bench on Buffalo Trail between posts 27 & 36. Motion: Jim/second, Cheryl-passed.

Next Meetings –Board -Next July 23, 2020 at 9:30am (location TBA) is on reserve however, it is likely no July board meeting will be necessary unless issues arrive.

General Meetings – June 29, 2020 was cancelled by Villages Administration and the July 27, 2020 meeting at Foothill Center mostly will also be cancelled by the Villages due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Meeting was adjourned at 11am.

Respectfully submitted,

Cheryl Allmen

Cheryl Allmen, Secretary