August 11, 2009 minutes

23 Mile Slough RSA
August 11, 2009 Meeting Minutes

Meeting called to order at 7 pm.

Election of Officers

Ron Illingworth, current chair, resigned effective August 5, 2009, leaving a position on the commission open. The FNSB filled the position by moving Ed Arobio from alternate to full commissioner. Election for officers was then held among the three commissioners: Stu Davies, Irene Coben, and Ed Arobio. Without objection, the following were elected:

Stu Davies, Chair
Ed Arobio, Secretary.

The alternate commissioner is now open. A request was put out to those attending meeting to apply to the Borough for this position if interested.

Weed Control Presentation

Darcy Etcheverry made a presentation about weeds along EFR, and how control in that area will help entire RSA. A discussion was then held among those attending about spraying a weed killer like Roundup along EFR road easement next May, probably 2x, to kill weeds (kills everything) to prevent weeds from spreading further into RSA. Cost appears minimal. There was some discussion about making full notification to community to see if there is any objection to spraying.

Prior Meeting Minutes

Reviewed and approved

Update on Current Road Service Work Cost

Stu Davies gave an update on roadwork activities and budget. Stu reported that of the $42,000 approved to spend this year on road maintenance, $10,600 has been spent as of this date, and additional maintenance work is anticipated amount to $15,000.

Update on Borough Intention to Reduce "Miles" Included in RSA

There was a discussion about the borough's plan to reduce the number of miles covered in our RSA. Attendees at meeting encouraged commissioners to hold fast on historically accepted RSA miles. Commissioners will try to give update about borough position at fall meeting.

Update on Road Repairs

The new contractor is Mitch Loveless of Rolling Stone, he is the only one who bid on RSA work. He has made repairs, basically filling all the potholes along EFR, and will continue to finish up that kind of work this week. Commissioners will ask Mitch to give an estimate for road upgrade for the newly annexed portion of Old Valdez Trail, and for repair of EFR on the side of the road from Cobens’ to Old Valdez Trail, and for repair of EFR on the side of the road for about ½ mile before Davies'. There was a discussion about how the oil will need to include rap in order to have the repair work. We are fast loosing the temperature at which that kind of repair can be done, so it is likely, unless it can be done immediately, that these repairs will have to wait until next season. There was further discussion that just putting D1 gravel on the newly annexed section of Old Valdez Trail would not be effective without something to keep it from just being pushed down into the road base by next spring. Commissioners stated that the plan now is to do some grading and gravel before winter at the end of EFR and on the newly annexed section of Old Valdez Trail to get those areas in shape before winter, which they believe can come out of this year's $57,000 budget.

State Road Maintenance

Robin Davies reported that she has spoken with DOT and some legislators about having State maintenance of EFR because of its alternative route use when the Richardson Highway is closed, but of course was told that there is no plan to include EFR as a DOT project or otherwise. Overall the attendees at the meeting agree that this is a good idea. Moved and second that Robin was authorized to draft a letter to the legislature to be signed by the commissioners on this issue.

Road Maintenance committee

Discussion on formation of standing committee to review options for repair/maintenance of road. No one willing to serve on committee and consensus that commissioners would do.

Project List and Submittal for Funding

The borough wants commissioners to submit 2 projects for borough consideration, each up to $500,000 with the RSA to match with 10% of the cost. Those present reviewed the project description list, see attached. Unanimous agreement to assign the equipment pullouts as our # 1 priority and upgrade of OVT, newly annexed, as #2 priority. Commissioners will review, discuss and sign project requests prior to being submitted to Rural Services.

Maintenance needing to be done before winter

Those present did not see a need to mow any roads in RSA. Agreement to grade the gravel end of EFR before freeze-up. No objection or other requests heard from those present.

District Committee News

When Ron Illingworth resigned, he also resigned his position on the District Committee. The commission by-laws were checked to see if that position requires that it be filled only by one of the sitting RSA commissioners, and it was determined that this is not a requirement to serve on the District Committee, so it was suggested that the commissioners ask Ron to continue on the District Committee on our behalf.

Next meeting scheduled on October 10, 2009.

Meeting adjourned at 9 pm.

Attendance

Commissioners: Ed Arobio, Irene Coben, Stuart Davies. Residents present : Bill Blockcolsky, Robyn Davies, Kelly Eggleston, Todd & Dustin Elsberry, Darcy Etcheverry, Art & Sharon Harlow, Jack & Sue Johnson, Jeff Johnson, Paul Paden, Warren Smith, John Tobin