SWAN CITY SNOWMOBILE CLUB MEETING MINUTES

December 15th, 2009
 
Rob Hayward called meeting to order @ 7:33pm.
 
Swan City Snowmobile / TNT Partnership For Big Mountain:
 -Discussion of document between clubs
 -SRD was the one who wanted document draw up
 -Cory from TNT spoke on the clubs interests  (land management, maintaining it, respecting the land,
repairing trail effects, corduroying mud holes with government authorization, as well as the two clubs working together).

 - Was also brought to our attention that there are no full size trucks in the club

 - Group camping at Big Mountain stay with our club

Tim Kozie motions to pursue this agreement. Gary Riendeau 2nds this motion.

Sled Deck Raffle:

A Huge congrats goes to Heath Barnfield.. Winner of the 2009 sled deck raffle.

In total we sold 93 tickets. A big thank you to all who sold tickets, Parsons Printing, Len Friesz, and Jet Craft.

 
Trans Canada Trail: 
-copies of the map are needed
-ASA would like it to be routed as soon as possible
-our area covers about 20 townships and were hoping to do it in 6 mile sections
 
Big Mountain:
- had a trapper call from loop B , apparently there was trees cut down and trap stolen.  He would like it back.
- Big Mountain poker rally is scheduled for February 20, 2010
Volunteers and Sponsors needed. Contact club if you can help out
- Group camping will be available to be booked on line starting April/May of 2010
 
Kakwa:
- Groomer has been out to both the falls and lake
- River isn't froze over, creeks at our end not freezing, still open water
- No more permits are being issued for Lick Creek, About 160 permits already
- Dan Clifford has volunteered to make a map of all camp areas over the winter
- Discussion of camping expansion, government grants, project manager needed
- Stars boxes are out, in exception to Cecil Creek, as of meeting date
- Avalanche signs have been put out at Red Hair, A thanks to Tim for both
- Trouble with cabin door at lake, a call will be made to BC Parks
- SOMEONE cut a green tree at the lake right beside the cabin
 
Groomers:
BR 100 - parts have arrived, just needs to be put back together
BR 250 - was having some problems with the pro heat and gelling up.
 
Club Business:
- Signing Authorization change
- Cash for camping application, hope to hear back in Jan '10
- Donations to Grovedale Fire Department and Stars from 2009 Poker Rally
- On line banking for the club
- Randy Gulick motions for a second account for the on-line banking. Tanya Metcalf 2nds this motion.
- ONLY 150 trail passes sold as of meeting
 
Tim Kozie motions the meeting adjourned @ 8:57pm. Randy Gulick 2nds it.
 

November 17th, 2009
 

Keith Black called the meeting to order @ 7:37pm.
 
Sled Deck Raffle:
   All tickets were not present, therefore draw date has been changed to December 15th at our next club meeting.  Tickets still available.
 
Cash for Camping 2010:
   Randy Gulick motions to apply for application. Henry McDermott 2nds the motion.
- 125 volunteer hours needed to help
- phone list needed for volunteers
 
Swan City Snowmobile Club/ TNT Agreement:
- ideas on what the club would like to see happen with this agreement.
- more meetings needed with TNT.
 
Trans Canada Snowmobile Trail:
Grande Prairie to Fox Creek
- check out the areas to see what is going to be needed (signing, bridges)
- better maps needed
- Rob at Sky Base is helping with the GPS of this area 
 
Lick Creek: 
- No more permits for parking lot are being issued
- suggestions of camps being marked out on a map with camp permit numbers, as well GPS the spots.
- Dan Clifford has volunteered to do this
 
Big Mountain:
- new way of booking group area has been suggested
- wood is still needed for the chalet

- only 5 people turned out for Big Mountain Clean -Up on Oct 24
 
BR 100 is apart getting some repairs
BR 250 is waiting for foam tires
 
Randy Gulick motions to end meeting @ 8:47pm. Mitch Bombier 2nds it.
Meeting adjourned.

Next meeting is Dec. 15, 2009 @ 7:30 pm.

Swan City Snowmobile Club Annual General Meeting
October 20,2009
 
Rob Hayward called the meeting to order @ 7:44pm.
 
Stars Presentation :
- encourage people to use website and watch video
-3 yrs in G.P area (statistics)
-slide show all of which are on website ( www.stars.ca)
 
Alberta Parks-  Peter Crawford
- went over camp compliances ( flagging camp entrances, garbage, no doing your business in the bush)
- possibilities of charge for camp permits next season. (eg $100)
 
B.C Provencal Park Update
- presented by Rob Hayward as Rick Roos was unable to attend
- compliance of snowmobile zoning is at 90%. Keep up the great work.
- everything to north end of tote road to approximately the north end of Kakwa Lake is closed to snowmobiling
- mention of the group who came in and shoveled cabin roof.  Thanks
- groomer brings firewood to north end of lake. Need people to skimmer wood across lake to cabin
- wood is located at north end lake entrance on right hand side where groomer parks
- not to much garbage
- work was done this summer , trails were marked as well as toilets dismantled and moved (too many)
- door of cabin was also repaired, new table top and floor has been painted
- 09/10 winter season, pack out what you pack in, please no leaving fuel at the lake any longer than day trips (bears have punctured jerry cans)
- anyone using the cabin please shovel all snow and ice away from door and roof
- Please do not bring in items you feel would be good for cabin
- will be in for regular patrols this season
 
Alberta Forestry (SRD) - John Bradley
- all stays the same this year but possible change for next year (Camp Permits)
 
Club Items:
 
Camping at Kakwa
- all spots are full at Lick Creek
- planning on adding 40 spots in 2 or 3 phases.
- new out house at Lick Creek donated by Silver Tech
- No early camps....November 1st. It only hurts with SRD and Alberta Parks when this happens
- Clean up after camps April 15th ...frozen floors and one camp with a lot of garbage
 
Avalanche Course:
112 signed up for course last year. Course is bigger and better. Thanks to Brian Steinward, Cary Charbonneau, Rick Bugnet, Scott Kozuback, Laurie Ranstad and Red Line Power Craft.
 
2010 Avalanche Course is scheduled for February 4 & 5 for classroom and field course for the 7-9 at Kakwa.
Course price is $ 350- $56 for early registration
www.ZacTracs.com
 
Back Country Avalanche Workshop by the Canadian Avalanche Center
Grande Prairie  Quality Inn Sunday November 29, 2009
Cost is $ 20 at the door
 
Sled Deck Raffle:
Draw date: November 17th 2009 at the 1st club meeting
100 tickets printed @ $100 per ticket
BIG thanks to Parsons Printing and Len Friesz
 
Ski Doo Promo:
We received $ 1500 from Ski-doo last year and a bonus from Stojans of $1000 for having 150 certificates at the dealership.
A HUGE thanks to Stojan's and Windsor.
 
Last year we had 390 memberships. This year we ordered 450
 
Big Mountain:
- firewood is needed at north end chalet
- poker rally 2 or 3 weekend of February
- Big Mountain TRAIL CLEAN -UP this Saturday , October 24th. Meet at the South side IGA at 8:30am and have breakfast on the club
 
ASA has a $1000 scholarship that no one applied for last year.
 
Clean up at Lick Creek
Kirk Quick spoke on the clean up.  Way more needs to be done to keep our area clean...
 
Website Updates:
- picture contest
- reporting of snow conditions...please e-mail info for us to post
 
2009 Swan City Snowmobile Club Board Replacements
 
A HUGE thank you to Andrea Zieglgansberger and Mitch Bombier for all there hard work and dedication over the past years.
 
Treasurer - nominated Linda Pitre. 2nd by Rick Pitre. Linda Pitre replaces Mitch Bombier as Treasurer
 
Secretary- nominated Tanya Metcalf . 2nd by Robyn Kozie. Tanya Metcalf replaces Andrea Zieglgansberger as Secretary
 
Robyn Kozie also has a new position. Trail Pass Representative
 
Meeting was called to end @ 10:00pm

Feb. 17, 2009

Rob Hayward called the meeting to order @ 7:32 pm.

AVALANCHE COURSE:  112 signed up for the course.

POKER RALLY:  The Poker Rally is this weekend, Feb 21, and we still have grooming to do.  Our groomer is broke down and if it can’t be fixed, we will borrow Stojan’s.  The parking lot will be cleaned on Thursday, February 19, 2009.

We are waiting on one more sign for Windshield Alley; otherwise all signs are up in Kakwa.

We are going to do a follow up on the outhouse that Silver Tech is building for the new loop at Lick Creek.

Rob signed a 2 yr letter of authorization for the groomer to groom into Kakwa Lake.  AB Parks would like us to flag the entrances to camps better and to make sure we take out our human waste and not do our business in the bush.

A letter was presented to us for a donation towards a park at the new Ecole Nouvelle Frontiere’s school in Pinnacle Ridge.  Keith Black motioned that we table this until we have the numbers on our last Casino.  Rick Bennett 2nd. Carried.

Tim Kozie made a motion to donate 2 hoodies for the Poker Rally and to cut the cost on them to $40 so that they sell better.  Randy Gulick 2nd.  Carried.

STARS sites at Big Mtn. were not permanent but that has been rectified.

340 memberships sold to date.

Mark Sipe moved that the meeting be adjourned.  Randy Gulick 2nd. Carried.

Jan. 20, 2009

Rob Hayward called the meeting to order @7:33 pm.

LICK CREEK: Most signs are up with the exception of a couple.  Robyn Kozie motioned that 3 trail passes be given to the Quick family in lieu of the signs that he made.  Don Hodges 2nd carried.

Don Hodges hasn’t had much trouble collecting trail pass money from the trail head.

People are reporting lots of garbage between the airstrip and parking lot.  Tyler Boyd picked up a garbage bag full last weekend.  So people, please make sure your garbage is secure in your vehicle.

Randy Gulick motioned that if Silver Tech won’t build the new outhouse for Lick Creek then we set aside $750 for material for Mark Sipe and Gary Riendeau to build it.  Tim Kozie 2nd. Carried.

Rob Hayward will phone Dion Lawrence with SRD about the load of wood that was to be delivered to Lick Creek. 

BIG MTN & POKER RALLY: There was a work bee on Sunday to clean the trail of dead fall and lay plywood on the bridge.  The road and parking lot need to be graded.  Drew Shields with RENTCO has signs for the Poker Rally.  Rob Hayward and Scott Lykins will groom the trail prior to the Rally.  Scott is still looking for sponsors.  Robyn Kozie will help him.  Rob Hayward will make up posters for the Rally and get in touch with newspapers and radio stations for advertising the event.

AVALANCHE COURSE AND AWARENESS:  We are going to get a couple reflective signs made stating “no stopping etc” for Windshield Alley.  Also there is a link on the webpage for avalanche conditions.  Our Avalanche Course is filling up.  We have 57 people signed up as of tonight.  Bryon Steinwand will verify pricing with Zactrax as there is a discrepancy.

HILLCROSS:  The event will be held April 4/09. 

AB PARKS MANAGEMENT PLAN:   Kakwa Wildland Foundation has contacted Rob Hayward informing him of their interest in the Management plan.

FUNDRAISING:  Discussion on ways to raise money (raffles, etc).

CAMPING EXPANSION AT LICK CREEK:  We will look at suggested areas in the spring and summer.

To Date we have 262 paid members

We will be sending a big Thank You to Talisman for grading the road in to Lick Creek.  It is very much appreciated.

Don Hodges motioned the meeting be adjourned @ 9:25 pm, Wes Juryn 2nd, carried.

Dec. 16, 2008

Rob Hayward called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm.

SIGNS FOR LICK CREEK:  Most of the signs are built and others are being put up.  The groomer sponsorship sign is not done yet.  The STARS signs and boxes are up and restocked for the year.

FREE FM radio had a bit of a mix up with info this past month and now it is straightened out with the right updates for snow conditions at Kakwa.

The groomer is out at Lick Creek and had made a trip to the lake on Dec. 13.

Mitch will have all the financial records ready next meeting (Jan) so we can start on the budget.

Lou Maffret is willing to head up a committee to start preparing a plan to submit to AB Parks about the camping at the border (Border Town).  Mark Sipe, Gary Riendeau and Randy Gulick will also help.

Sustainable Resources Department gave Rob Hayward and Mark Sipe some suggestions and maps of the area at Lick Creek that could be expanded for camping.  We need to get a proposal together and submit to them for approval.

We also need volunteers and materials to build the new outhouse for the new loop at Lick Creek.  Please contact Rob if you are interested in helping out.

The bridge at Big Mtn was installed.  There is logging going on out there until Jan 15/09.

Scott Lykins will be out looking at sponsorship for the 2009 Poker Rally being held Feb 2, 2009.  Rob Hayward will get the sign rented for advertising of the poker rally.

The committee for the Hill Cross has met twice this last month.  They are now waiting to hear back from Nite Hawk as to whether we can have the Hill Cross the same day as their Slush Cup or a different day.  The committee will have more info in Jan.

Don Hodges will be going to Edmonton in January for an ASA  media ride.

It appears that there are a few camps in the parking lot at Lick Creek.  Please move them.  We need room for the groomer to get in and it is a PARKING LOT, NOT A CAMPING LOT.  Thank you.

Don Hodges moved that the meeting be adjourned at 8:50 pm, Scott Lykins 2nd. Carried.

Nov. 18, 2008

Rob Hayward called the meeting to order @ 7:32.

LICK CREEK:  Sign posts are in and some signs are up and others getting made.  There is a sign recognizing the Groomer sponsors, also recognizing the equipment sponsors that helped build the new camping area.  There are also 2 signs at the Y entering the parking lot that have info on them (trail pass reminder and NO CAMPS in parking lot).  We will have some maps next meeting to see where a possible expansion could go.  All spots have been filled at Lick Creek (actually, over full).  There was lots of discussion on the grandfathering of camp spots at Lick Creek.  Still a hot issue that wasn’t resolved.  We have to find a way to make this work for all those involved.    

FREE FM:  Stephanie has gotten hold of Rob wondering if we will be reporting to her about the snow conditions and trail reports in Kakwa again this year.

BR250:  Laurie has Reco Trenching lined up to haul the groomer out. He has a planned to do maintenance on the groomer Wednesday night (Nov 19) at his house.  Keith Black and a couple of volunteers will be going out there.

SKI DOO PROMO:  We don’t have all the numbers back yet from Stogan and Windsor, but it is looking good.  We hope to get roughly $2500 for the club from this promo.  A HUGE thanks to Stogan’s and Windsor.

AB PARKS:  Alberta Parks have not changed anything this year in regards to the camping in at the border but that will probably change this coming year.  With that in mind, we as a club need to prepare our case to be able to stay there for another 10 yrs or more.  A group will be appointed to prepare.

FINANCIAL:  Mitch Bombier will get current numbers together and we will start working on our budget.

AVALANCHE COURSE:  Brian Steinwald has been in touch with Zactracks and the tentative time for the course will be the second week in Feb.  The specific dates will be known at the next meeting.

BIG MTN:  Keith Black made motion to buy a steel skid for a bridge at Big Mtn.  Mitch Bombier 2nd carried.  Keith is organizing a trail clean up.

NITEHAWK:  Duane Stevenson with Nitehawk ski hill approached us about organizing a hill cross.  Andrea Zieglgansberger made a motion that a group look into the matter and get back to us with specifics.  Gary Riendeau 2nd. Carried. 

ASA:  Chris Brookes with ASA stopped by the meeting to introduce himself and give us some pamphlets and info.

Mitch moved the meeting be adjourned @9:15, Ross Courvoisier 2nd, carried.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND ELECTIONS

October 21, 2008

Mark Sipe called the meeting to order @ 7:50 pm.  Trail pass sales and Camp registration took place prior to meeting.

AB Parks:  Scott Blake informed us that 103 permits for camping were registered last year.  There has been a small increase each year.  The Management Plan that AB Parks started last year was put on hold and they will look at it this year.

SRD (Sustainable Resources Development/Forestry):  Dion Lawrence told us that wood would be hauled into the Lick Creek Parking/Camping area.  The dates for putting camps in at Lick Creek is Nov 1/08 and out on April 17/09.  Camps can go in the park on Dec. 1/08 and out on April 17/09.

BC Parks:  Rick Roos came from Prince George to let us know that the cabin was fairly clean this spring, but again TAKE OUT WHAT YOU BROUGHT IN AND NO IMPROVEMENTS TO THE CABIN WITHOUT RICK’S SAY SO.  He said to phone him and discuss what you would like to do.  The parks have done some improvements themselves to the cabin.  The stairs were put back where they belong, the floor was redone in plywood and painted, a shoe grate was put outside the door to try and keep some of the snow and dirt out, and 2 new outhouses were put in.  Of course NO FIREWOOD CUT IN THE PARK.  Our club will transport wood in to lake with the groomer, same as last year.

Our club sold 339 memberships last year. 

We worked our casino nights last week.  28 people volunteered to work it and a huge thank you goes out to them. 

We will be trying to change our year end to coincide with ASA’s year end.  It will make the treasurer’s job easier. 

On the calendar for the coming year we have our Poker Rally scheduled for Feb 21/09.  Scott Lykins will be heading it up again this year. 

Also work at Lick Creek and Big Mtn. will be attended to.  At Lick Creek we need to finish the expansion for camping and the outhouse.  At Big Mtn. we need to fix Chalet stairs and of course wood cutting always needs to be done. 

The Alberta Snowmobile Association is NOT holding a raffle this year. 

We are also looking into ideas (eg:  a sloop) for hauling the wood on the groomer to Kakwa Lake.

ELECTIONS

PRESIDENT:                  Rob Hayward

VICE PRESIDENT:        Tim Kozie

TREASURER:                 Mitch Bombier

SECRETARY:                 Andrea Zieglgansberger

PAST PRESIDENT:        Mark Sipe

Director 1:                         Gary Riendeau

Director 2:                         Randy Gulick

Director 3:                         Trevor Debois

Director 4:                          Robin Levins

Director 5:                          Keith Black

VOLUNTEER POSITIONS

Trail Pass Rep.        Robyn Kozie

ASA Meeting Rep.  Robyn Kozie

ASA Raffle Rep.      Scott Lykins

Groomer Maintenance Rep.  BR 250:   Don Hodges

Groomer Maintenance Rep.  BR 100:   Rick Bennett

Group Campsite Rep/Rentals:  Linda Robinson

Poker Rally Rep:  Scott Lykins

Big Mtn Chalet Rep:  George Podusky and Henry McDermott

Big Mtn Trail System Rep:  Wes Jurvyn and Keith Black

Safety Rep:  Brian Steinwald

Meeting adjourned @ 8:45 pm.