NEBRASKA HORSE COUNCIL

Trails Committee Meeting

Meeting Minutes - February 20, 2005 

Kathy Newberg called the February 2005 meeting of the NHTC to order at 3:00 with the following members and guests in attendance: Rich and Kathy Newberg, Mike Anderson, Pattianne Belitz, Vickie Sich, Duane Umland, Tammy and McCain Vasa.   Welcome guests and new members Julie Baker and Ed Mark.  Thank you to Rich and Kathy Newberg for opening their home to the NHTC for this meeting, and also thank you to everyone who brought refreshments to share!

OLD BUSINESS

Nebraska Horse Council Website

Thank you Tammy Vasa for recent updates to the Nebraska Horse Council website!

State 4H Show Trophies

NHC must be identified on the trophy.  Pictures of the winners and thank you notes are to be forwarded to the NHC also.  State 4H Show dates July 17-21, 2005.

Rock Glen WMA

Letter sent to Daylan Figgs approximately 10 days prior to this meeting.

Seldom Lake -- On hold

ONGOING and NEW BUSINESS

T-Shirts

Mike A proposed embroidered logos for shirts, rather than screen-printing.

Mike provided price for digitizing, as well as per shirt price for four-inch wide pocket size logo, as well as for the 12-inch wide jacket size logo.  Mike will confirm and e-mail if OK to provide our own shirts or if shirts must be ordered through the person doing the embroidered logos.  Mike will also let us know when we must have shirts to him.  The logo must include “Nebraska Horse Council”.

Oak Creek – Loma – Rails to Trails

Thank you to Tammy Vasa for creating a great flyer for the trail clean up.

Trail clean up scheduled for April 16, meet in Loma at 9:30 a.m.  NECTRA and 4H club participants are also expected to join the NHTC for the trail clean up.  A shredder is needed, to cut small trees, also skid steer with bucket for small brush, two skid steers would be ideal.  The NRD will provide the chemicals to prevent regrowth.   Because the remaining uncleared trail has some high banks, a small committee of NHTC representatives will meet at the trail, plan and flag the area, prior to the clearing date.

3V Fun Day April 30

Thank you Greg and Cindy Vossler of 3V Stables for their donation of the arena, at no charge.  Wayne Brandt and his wife have been invited as guests.  Game plans, certificates and prizes were discussed.

National Parks Service Grant Application

Requirements for the grant have changed.  Kathy will ask Mary Hanson to check with Wayne Brandt at Rock Creek Station to determine if the abandoned track meets the new requirements.

MoPac Trail Springfield to Louisville

Vicki F started a petition against the restriction of horses on the MoPac trail.  Discussion was held regarding whether the existing limestone trail could be shared as multi-use or whether an additional trail would be required along side the existing limestone trail.

MoPac Lower Platte South

Kathy N proposed clearing the remaining 3.5 miles of trail, as a future NHTC project.   Kathy shared that the NHC contributed towards work on previously completed sections of this trail, which is approximately 14 to 15 miles.   Kathy also shared the trail costs $22,000 per mile to build and $1,000 per year to maintain.  A motion was made by Tammy V to consider this project after survey and evaluation of cleanup requirements, motion seconded by Duane U, and all voted in favor.

MORE Riding Opportunities are needed west of the Lincoln Area!

Vicki Sich shared the NHTC has little information regarding riding opportunities west of the Lincoln area.  Please reply to Pattianne Belitz with information regarding NRD or WMA ground, Pattianne will share new information at upcoming NHTC meetings.

Wilson Creek Wildlife Management Area

Concerns were expressed that this area may have very limited parking for trucks/trailers.  Duane U will take pictures of the area to share and further discussion will be held at the next meeting.

Two Rivers State Park

Kathy N will contact the park superintendent to discuss trail the possibility of the NHTC in future trail improvements.

NHTC Booth at Expo

Mike A and Pattianne will co-chair the booth.  Vicki shared the question game she and Jamie have used at past Expos; participants are eligible for horse or people treats!  Various flyers that will be available in the booth were discussed.  Plans for the donation jar and raffle drawing were discussed.  Proposals for 2006 NHTC demos, in addition to a booth were discussed.

NHC ANNUAL MEETING is scheduled for Sunday, April 3, at 1:00 p.m. at the Lincoln Airport Inn.   Membership dues must be paid and postmarked 30 days prior to April 3 to be eligible to vote at the Annual Meeting.

The next meeting of the NHTC will be held Saturday, April 16, immediately following the Oak Creek Trail Clearing at Loma.

Vicki Sich motioned to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Rich Newberg, all in favor.

The Nebraska Horse Council Trails Committee

http://www.nebraskahorsecouncil.org/

Chairperson:                 Kathy Newberg of Walton, NE

Vice Chairperson:         Mike Anderson of Blair, NE

Secretary:                     Pattianne Belitz of Omaha, NE

Treasurer:                     Vickie Sich of Grand Island, NE