Several trails-related issues are being addressed on the borough level currently. In this post I’ll deal with the two that are being dealt with the soonest. I’m also working on posts that involve two other issues:

• The ADMA trails and a land swap that would increase the size of Creamer’s Field Wildlife Refuge,
• Trail-related projects on the borough’s capital improvement list.

Upcoming Borough Assembly Meeting

At its December 12 regular meeting, the Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly will hold public hearings for two trail-related ordinances.

Alaska Dog Mushers Association property taxes (Ord. No. 2019 – 47)

This ordinance that would exempt ADMA property (Mushers Hall and the Jeff Studdert Trails trailhead and parking) from property taxes. While this does not directly affect trails, a tax break would allow the ADMA to spend more money on its trail system. Those trails are open to the public and are free. (Though I strongly suggest donating to the club at http://alaskadogmushers.com/donate).

While I strongly support this tax exemption, I should note that every tax break to a property owner in the borough will slightly raise the rates of all other property tax owners in the borough (including me and my wife), or at least increase pressure to do so. In this case, I think it is well worth it. We are incredibly lucky to have such an extensive trail system so close to town. We benefit from having the ADMA take care of the trails.

The specific ordinance can be found here: http://fnsb.us/assembly/OrdinanceResolutions/2019-47.pdf

Improving Borough Park Roads (Ord. No. 2019 – 20 – 1N)

This ordinance that would provide $38,161 in match funding to get $367,480 in federal highway funds to improve the access roads to Birch Hill Recreation Area and South Davis Park. This also does not directly affect trails, but it would allow the borough to improve the roads that we use to access trails at Birch Hill and the South Davis Dog Park.

The specific ordinance can be found here: http://fnsb.us/assembly/OrdinanceResolutions/2019-20-1N.pdf

Please Take Action

If you support either of these, please take one of the actions below:

• Attend the meeting and testify in support (meeting starts at 6pm on Dec 12 at 907 Terminal St.)
• Call or email one or more of the assembly members letting them know of your support: http://co.fairbanks.ak.us/assembly/Pages/Assembly-Members.aspx

Several items are coming before the Fairbanks Borough Assembly and the Borough Trails Advisory Commission this week. If you feel strongly about any of these issues, please comment.

FNSB BORO ASSEMBLY ACTIONS
Three actions coming before the Fairbanks Borough Assembly on November 14 could use some trail advocacy. If you support any of these, please take one of the actions below:

• Attend the meeting and testify in support (meeting starts at 6pm on Nov 14 at 907 Terminal St.)
• Call or email one or more of the assembly members letting them know of your support: http://co.fairbanks.ak.us/assembly/Pages/Assembly-Members.aspx

ACTIONS COMING BEFORE THE ASSEMBLY

• RESOLUTION NO. 2019 – 41: To spend $8,300 to match a $83,000 grant for multiple trailhead kiosks that will provide trail access information for multi-use trails within the Tanana Lakes Recreation Area and beyond the rec area, including the Bonnefield Trail, Tanana River, and Tanana Flats areas. (See the resolution here: http://fnsb.us/assembly/OrdinanceResolutions/R2019-41.pdf AND see the Trails Advisory Commission packet below, starting at page 21.)
• ORDINANCE NO. 2019 – 47: To exempt from borough property taxes the Mushers’ Hall and trailhead for the Jeff Studdert Trails trailhead and parking. The Alaska Dog Mushers Association owns the property. The less the ADMA has to spend on taxes, the more it can spend on the its extensive trail system. (See the ordinance here: http://fnsb.us/assembly/OrdinanceResolutions/2019-47.pdf)
• ORDINANCE NO. 2019 – 20 – 1N: To spend $38,161 as match for a $367,480 in federal highway funding to improve access roads to Birch Hill Recreation Area and South Davis Park access roads. Birch Hill has an extensive trail system and the South Davis access road access the Fairbanks Dog Park, which has several trails. (See the ordinance here: http://fnsb.us/assembly/OrdinanceResolutions/2019-20-1N.pdf)

To see the entire assembly agenda for that meeting see: http://co.fairbanks.ak.us/assembly/AssemblyMeetingDocuments/11_14_2019_REG_Fp.pdf

TRAILS ADVISORY COMMISSION

The TAC will be dealing with a number of issues at its meeting this week. For more details see the packet for the TAC November 12 meeting at: http://fnsb.us/Boards/BoardCommissionMeetingDocuments/2019Nov12TAFP.pdf

Of particular note are:

• Letters of support for Recreational Trails Program grants for the Tanana Lakes trailhead work (outlined above under Resolution No. 2019-41 and starting at page 21 of the packet) and Rosie Creek trails work, a project outlined in Resolution 2019-40, passed earlier by the Assembly. (See that resolution here: http://data.fnsb.us/assemblyvoting/viewpdf.aspx?idx=2838 and page 23 of the TAC packet.)
• A proposal by the University of Alaska Land Management and The Conservation Fund for a variance on required trail easements regarding a subdivision of land that affect the ADMA Jeff Studdert Sled Dog Trails next to Creamer’s Field Refuge. (Starting at page 24 of the TAC packet.)

The TAC meets in the Blue Room, 3rd Floor, Centennial Arts Building, Pioneer Park, 2300 Airport Way.

Contact information for the Trails Advisory Commission is here: http://www.co.fairbanks.ak.us/Boards/BoardCommissionMeetingDocuments/TrailsAdvisoryCommMbrs%2001-2019.pdf