Here are the minutes from the May GHORBA ride/meeting:

GHORBA May 2001 Meeting/Ride

501c(3) Application ? Status being sought to allow GHORBA to recieve funds
without paying taxes (standard for many organizations). Submitted response
to IRS request for additional information on 5/11. Submittal was 172 pages
long with attachments. Request required:
· Copy of bylaws
· Amended Articles of Incorporation limiting GHORBA's activities to
charitable activities (education, etc.).
· Descriptions and materials concerning our education programs (i.e.,
riding clinics, trail maintenance clinics, bike maintenance)
· Any lobbying we plan to do or have done ? sent copies of letters
concerning Pasadena, Olympic Park and connection trail. No real lobbying
ever intended or can get our charitable status revoked.
· Flyers, meeting minutes, newspaper articles, etc.

State Taxes ? Jeff Nielsen completed application to be exempt from state
franchise taxes. Would have had a bill for $2,300?for what, who knows?!

Connection Trail ? another meeting was held Wednesday 5/9 to discuss
alternative ravine crossings (low water vs. bridges) and to propose a
different exit location. Larry Pruitt and Chris Case in attendance, as
well as Parks Dept reps, bike cop, ranger, and Claire Caudil of MP Advisory
Board. Giving information from US Forest Service about ways of crossing.
Scope of "wetlands" delineation is appropriately being reduced due to cost
and recommendation to limit to trail.

GHORBA Jersey ? Still working on sponsorship. Have to speak with West End
and Planetary to firm up sponsorship. Hope to have the jersey in
production in June. Will be using internet to sell jerseys on Pay Pal.
More info to come.

Trail Maintenance Class ? Since IMBA will not be coming to Houston or Texas
this year, GHORBA will be hosting its own trail maintenance class. We have
ordered materials from IMBA and are planning a trail walk-through and class
in June. The date will be set and posted on the web. The class will not
cost anything. Attendees will also include the Parks Dept. and MP Advisory
Board members. Hope to gain better access for trail maintenance and teach
more users IMBA techniques ? city officials in support of classes.

Riding Clinic ? Working on clinic #2 for month of June or July. This
clinic will be taught by local expert riders and cost $25 to pay for
instruction. The class will be open to all who would like to attend, but
class size will be limited to 25 persons for managability.

Jacquie Phelan Riding Clinic - Went well. Had 18 attendees who all sounded
very pleased about the class. Forming a new women's riding group as a
result. If you are interested in joining, contact Chris at
ccase@... for more info.

Bear Creek ? Greg Herriage has sent to email letters to contact at Bear
Creek. Waiting for repsonse.

Olympic Park / Hill at Sims Greenway ? The city of Houston was not awarded
the $1MM grant for the new mountain bike park. The project will proceed
under the Harris County Flood Control, and Parks Dept will apply for
another, smaller grant ($125K) to build parking lot, lighting, trees, etc.
Will also be working with forest service to hopefully obtain free trees and
vegetation.

Bike Maintenance Classes ? Michael Gross has spoken with Planetary about
classes. Classes will be on June 14th at 7 pm and July 19th at 7 pm at
Planetary Cycles. Cost is $10 per person. Check website for me details.