MnGCA

EPMinnesota · Past MnGCA Board Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 1908

Stu wants me to call him tomorrow to decide on a time. I would think if MN Fruitcake can attend Weds night we should go with it. Whoever can attend please come. Otherwise we could perhaps find a time next week, most likely Thursday? TWS will you be able to attend if it's tomorrow night? Stu claims not to know anything about any situations like yours happening. Also, ISpy, will you be able to attend?

The meeting will be at City Center which is at 8080 Mitchell Rd off Hwy 5 just west off 494. Take the Mitchell Rd Exit! It's the same building as the police dept. but continue past the police area and go in the main doors up the hill.

Pear Head · Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2011 9:19 pm Post subject:

I can make it barring any last minute changes to my schedule (which I don't anticipate). I'll PM you some contact details separately.
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Hmm...

KRedEP · Geocacher Joined: 03 Aug 2007 Posts: 721

I'm a bit confused. Stu wants to change the time of the meeting? or his he trying to accommodate Pear Head's schedule? I agree if FC can attend, to go with it, otherwise I'm good with trying to accommodate other's schedules.

I think TWS should try to make it. He has published quite a few with Stu. If he can't attend, maybe he can forward to Carol the copies of the "approved" forms that Stu sent back to him? And maybe the name and publish date of the cache that was placed on top of his.

ISpy isn't available.

What room in the City Center? or will it be obvious when we arrive?

PS I love this weather!

Pear Head · Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2011 9:31 pm Post subject:

KRedEP · Geocacher Joined: 03 Aug 2007 Posts: 721

I'm good anytime after 4. I'll assume 7 unless I hear otherwise.

EPMinnesota · Past MnGCA Board Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 1908

Stu was suggesting perhaps we discuss another date but since MF can attend let's go with tonight at 7pm. I don't know which room yet. I'll call Stu this morning and confirm that. It would be very helpful if TWS can attend or yes, send copies of those approvals.

timewellspent · Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2011 7:58 am Post subject:

I can't make it tonight, I have plans with the family. I will try and dig up my approved form and email exchanges with SJ about the caches. I sent emails to Stu after it happened and he never replied.

This has been my only issue with the EP process, otherwise it has been pretty pain free.

-TWS

pippin and merry · Geocacher Joined: 31 Aug 2007 Posts: 39

I can make it tonight and forego my other commitment. We had the same issue as TWS with a cache a couple of years ago. Stu approved a cache that was not within the required limits and we called him on it. He disagreed with our calculations and we sent it to Surfer Joe (who agreed with us and would not approve it). In fact, Gilby brute forced it and signed the log, before it was approved. We also had an issue with another cache that he would not approve until there were additional discussions on location. Let me know if you want me to research these items. These are old issues that have kept us from putting out new caches in EP.

EPMinnesota · Past MnGCA Board Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 1908

The meeting is on for tonight at 7pm at 8080 Mitchel Rd. EP, as mentioned above. It will most likely be in the Prairie Room which is the first door on the left as you come into the building. If it's not there for any reason the room being used will be posted at the entrance. Bring your laptops if you have anything you'd like to share. They have wifi although Stu doesn't know how to use it but does know it's secured. Hopefully, we'll be able to get on and use it. I have info from both Ispy and TimeWellSpent on issues they've had with the application process. If anyone has emails received from Stu regarding denials for caches in areas that SHOULD have been okay, please bring them or plot them on a map, especially if you could do it in google earth. Any further questions about tonight? Just ask!

Hal-oween · Geocacher Joined: 10 Mar 2009 Posts: 164

I will be there between 7-7:30 to help show support. I don't have any issues to bring other than the glacially slow time it takes the city to approve.

EPMinnesota · Past MnGCA Board Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 1908

Magaroni · Geocacher Joined: 17 Oct 2010 Posts: 4

I'll be there. If anybody needs any of their emails or anything printed out, email them to me at maggiemaymn@gmail.com and I will print and bring them.

ThePurplePuppy · Geocacher Joined: 06 Oct 2010 Posts: 39

Since I can't make it tonight here's my thought...I've been an EP resident for the last 16 years and geocaching for the last 2 years. As I started looking into placing caches and looking at the process to get it approved, I have avoided it. I've placed a cache in a Bloomingtion park to avoid the headache of what I've been told about EP Parks. I would love to place more caches in EP, but as crazy as life is... the few hoops the better. Michelle

qwerty2582 · Past MnGCA Board Joined: 03 Apr 2009 Posts: 457

There does need to be some sort of process for when caches are archived.

In the example I'm thinking of, Surfer Joe archived a cache because it was temp disabled for 3 months. I tried to place a cache very near by, and it was denied. Stu reached out to the cacher who originally placed it, and they expressed an intent to replace the cache.

Turns out at this point, the cache has been replaced and un-archived. So in this case, the cacher did end up continuing the cache. But at what point do you "lose your license" to hide a cache in that spot? And how does Stu find out?

Pear Head · Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2011 2:53 pm Post subject:

I think a large part of this is that there are two controlling factions here, both controlling the same parts of the same thing. It ends up being confusing to all, especially the cache owners.

My hope is that we'll be able to identify WHY there's a registration policy in the first place. What is EP gaining by having cachers obtain permits?

Can this function be combined with the normal reviewing of the cache? Part of that answer lies in the "why" that I'm hoping we'll learn tonight. If there are certain off-limits areas beyond what's already posted in the policy then that can be an issue. If the permit process is to enforce things like 528' then that's a task that's already being done. The reviewer can also keep caches out of pre-designated areas if EP is willing to provide some files depicting those areas (this is already proven with both St. Paul and Dakota County).

By having EP try to manage things like proximity, without having an accurate picture of the situation (archived caches, moved caches, etc), it appears to be leading to a mess for everyone and a duplication of efforts.
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Hmm...