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Mr. Gruber noted there are communities who have large volunteer forces that work on and <br /> maintain trails and he has been in contact with them. <br /> Commissioner Balch asked if more encouragement was needed to push this forward or <br /> whether it was already underway. <br /> Mr. Gruber replied that encouragement is needed from the City Council. <br /> Chair Allen indicated there was unanimous consensus in the Commission's support of <br /> volunteer work for trails. <br /> Commissioner Brown said in understanding what residents can do over the next seven years, <br /> the plan is near final form. He inquired about the process by which volunteers should approach <br /> the City and asked about the on-going engagement model. <br /> Mr. Gruber said this has not yet been determined and he plans to discuss it with City staff. <br /> Commissioner Balch asked if the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) improvements budget <br /> would go towards funding the $42 million deficit along with grants to help with the completion. <br /> He also asked whether the Parks and Recreation Commission held their priorities meeting to <br /> discuss prioritizing CIP funding for this project. <br /> Mr. Gruber responded that they did hold their meeting but they didn't prioritize CIP funding <br /> towards this plan. He explained that the Trails Master Plan projects are fairly new, would be <br /> included when the Trails Master Plan is adopted, and that there are other competing projects. <br /> Commissioner Balch asked and confirmed that the next opportunity for funding would be held <br /> during the City Council's Special Meeting regarding Council priorities on March 12. <br /> Chair Allen referred to creative financing and asked if there was a way for the mountain bike <br /> community to create their own fund to provide money for this effort, similar to the models used <br /> for the Fire House Arts Center or Bernal Community Park. <br /> Mr. Gruber said this model has been used in the past and there's an assumption in the Trails <br /> Master Plan that bikers would be participating and cost-sharing through labor or funding. <br /> Commissioner Ritter voiced support for Ms. Spotorno's suggestion for added language in <br /> regard to private property. <br /> Mr. Gruber suggested staff have further discussion with the City Attorney's office before <br /> committing to accept the suggested wording. He added that when the trail projects move <br /> forward, they will go through the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process. <br /> Commissioner Balch and Mr. Gruber confirmed that the dotted lines portray the proposed trail <br /> location, and the map and trailhead where they propose to improve the wayfinding system for <br /> existing trails with signage that will help direct the public. They are not getting into specifics in <br /> the master plan document but they would consider adding in some specific language <br /> Planning Commission Minutes Page 5 of 18 February 27, 2019 <br />inutes Page 4 of 18 February 27, 2019 <br /> Gruber <br /> for including a bike trail. He urged the Commission to re-write or amend City policies that have <br /> restricted users and to allow the public to volunteer their help. He voiced support of the Bay <br /> Trail through Niles Canyon and hopes the City will collaborate with Rails to Trails. <br /> Planning Commission Minutes Page 3 of 18 February 27, 2019 <br />