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Minutes - Open Space - 02/14/2001. A~lo~~ted as amended 2/28/01 OPEN SPACE BOARD OF TRUST~ES Minutes February 14, 2001 BOAl2D MEMBERS PR~S~NT Ciystal Gray Chris Mueller Linda Andes-Georges Lany MacDonnell Linda Jourgensen STAI'F PRESENT Jim Crain Delani Wheeler Ronda Romero Laurie Deiter Lynn Riec~el Cathy Vaughan-Grabowski Eric Butler Mike PatYon Dave Kunlz Cecil Fenio Caiy Richardson Bryan Pritchett Alan Taylor CALL TO ORDER The ineeting was called to order at 6:00 pm. AGENDA ITEM 1- Approval of Minutes Chris Mueller moved that the minutes of January 24 be approved; Larry MacDonnell seconded fhe motion. The mofion passed unanimously. AGF.NDA IT~M 2- Director's Update Eric Butler presenCed an overview of how the base map is created, and the role GIS plays in map makipg and land management. He explained how data is gaChered and idenCified, and how various maps can be made from this data. Jim Crain mentioned that using fhe maps produced in this way provides OSMP with a great tool for collecting and analyzing data. Mike Patton reported on the sCaCue of the Matterhorn properCy. The columns and asphalt pad will be removed, and staff will work with the state to move Lhe fence. Staff hopes to obtain topsoil from anoCher open space site so Chat nadve seeds will be present. Esrimated cost is $2Q000, with work planned for late March/late April. Bryan PritchetC reporCed on the Mann properCy, which was recently damaged by dirt work done in the wirong location. There was some question regarding the time of the work and how it corresponded to the effective date of the deed. The land had been slated to become open space for some Cime prior to the dirt work. Ann Goodhart and Biyan PritchetC are in conversation with Che developer responsible for fhe work and are making restoration plans. At this time Jim Crain told the Board that as of March 1, OSMP will be responsible for prairie dog relocation projects conducted on city lands. He mentioned that if this servicc is provided to othec depactmen[s or private lands within the city the department will be •~ reimbursed. He also hoped that there would be funds available for a new position needed for Chis added responsibility. Jim Crain announced that additional acquisitions in Jefferson County are in discussion. The land in consideration would link City of Boulder OSMP lands in Jefferson and Boulder Counties. Staff is also working on purchasing land in the Table Mountain area jointly wifh the County. Details regarding maintenance of the shared properry will be developed. Jim gave Lhe Board an update on the proposal by Pacific Gas & Electric to build a gas-fired power plant in the Rocky F1aCs area. He said that staff is working on a response that would describe the impact this would have on OSMP lands locaCed a half mile from the proposed site. This would be one of 31 power planCs planned in various locations in Che west IhaC would provide power to California. Dave Kuntz disCributed an article Prom Ecological Restoration that was co-authored by staff inembers Don D'Amico and Dianne Andrews. This is a credit to them as well as the deparCment. The arCicle describes the management plan for the restoration of montane ponderosa forests in Yhe Front Range. Delani Wheeler reported that the department is currently Craining rapCor monitoring volunteers; recruiting education volunteers; and reciviting staff and crewmembers for Che Junior Ranger program. Jim Crain disfributed a budget proposal reflecting a 5% reduction, an exercise currently being required of all City departments. He explained the options to be discussed with the Deputy City Manager. Michael Sullivan and Delani Wheeler will be conducting an in- depth analysis of the budget, and projecCions for the future. Jim added that we will look at the Mountain Parks General fund transfer and reminded the Board that the intent of the consolidation included the assurance that there would be no negative impact on the Open Space Pund. Crystal Gray suggested having a discreet conversation with fhe City Manager about these concerns. Staff will keep the board informed as the budget pirocess continues. Board members expressed their desire to have a discussion on the lottery funds. AGENDA ITEM 3- Matters from the Board Linda Andes-Georges commented about a pile of asphalt close to Boulder Creek near its confluence with South Boulder Creek. It is not on OSMP land, but is quite unsightly and should be removed. Jim Crain assured Linda Chat staff will pass this on to public works. Linda also asked about the trenching project she saw near Coal Creek. Bryan Pritchett told hex that ihe trenching is a way to create artificial burrows for prairie dog relocation. Linda Andes-Georges acknowledged Linda VanDervorC for her work on the conservation easement process. Crystal Gray added her appreciation for Linda VanDervort's work, and commended Matt Jones and John D'Amico for their work on open space programs in Louisville and Longmont respectively. 2 AGENDA ITEM 4- Public Participation/Items Not on the Agenda None AGLNllA ITLM 5- Consideration of the joint purchase with I3oulder County of 79 acres located near Mineral Road and 95"' Street Prom Deborah and David Turunjian for Open Space purposes. Ann Goodhart described lhe Turunjian property and its locaCion. Because it is highly visible and located within thc acquisitions target area called the Northern Tier it is considered to be a valuable acquisition. She said that there would be a conservaCion easement on the 22 acre portion Lhal would continue to be the residence and location of tl~e Turunjian's egg business. The remaining 57 acres would be purchased in fee (jointly with Che County) and then Icascd back to the Turunjians. Linda Andes-Georges quesCioned the reasoning behind joinCly purchasing a parcel oP land witl~ tlie County that is surrounded by CounLy Open Space. 7im Crain explained this tactic as a way to leverage our funds. Joint acquisitions will allow us to gel twice as much property as before. Chris Mueller had questions about the CiCle and whose regulations would dominate. Jim informed the Board that the County and CiCy will share thc title but the land will be rcgulated by our charter. There was also a quesCion about leash laws on jointly owned properCy, since the Counry has inore strict regulations regarding dogs. Ann Goodhart reminded the Board Chat because the Turunjians will be leasing back this properCy this would noC be an issue in tt~is siCuation. She also assured the Board that the City's and County's Conservation Easements are pracYically the same. 7im said LhaY there will be discussion about the iuture management of these jointly owned lands. Public Participation Ricky Weiser, 4020 N 75~~' Street, livcs nearby, and is concerned abouY future development in the Gunbarrel Hill area. She supporCs this acquisition. Return to Board & Staff MOTION Chris Mueller moved that the OSBT recommend that the Ciry Council authorize Yhe joint purchase with Boulder County of 57 acres in fee and 22 acres in ConservaCion Easement located on the south side of Mineral Road west of 95`~' Sueet from Deborah and David Turunjian. Linda Andes-Georges seconded. VOTE The motion passed unanimously. AG~NDA ITEM 6- Systemwide Inventory Update Crystal Gray thanked staff for the report, especially Yhe executive summaiy which ehe found very useful. Dave Kuntz provided an overview of this project, explaining the involvement of various sfaff inembers. He commentcd on fhe value of the GIS maps, as described by Eric Butler, 3 Co this work. There are five areas covered in this invcntoiy. TonighNs reporC will include vegetation, wildlife and IPM; visitor and water issues will be discussed at a future meeting. Lynn Reidel referred to a map illusU•ating vegetation information, which will be used in creating a systemwide map/inventory. She explained that staff has refined vegetation classification, which is based on information from many experts across the naCion. This informaCion will allow us to make good management decisions, and to make informed plans for Che future. Lynn said Chat GIS has the ability lo creaCe many differenC types of maps with Che information thaC is currently available, and will inerease thaC ability wiCh the collection of this new and expanded infarmation. Cary Richardson said that compiling existing data has been an important parC of looking at wildlife management. She explained Che criteria being uscd in prioritizing spccies and the resulting list of species and habitats, to be updated at least eveiy 3 years, will be used in management decisions. In addition, staff will include historical data in reviewing cucrent management plans. Laurie Deiter discussed weed mapping, another componenC of the systemwide inventory. The inforn7ation is very useful in a variety of management decisions. The 2001 inventory will be very challenging with fhe addition of Mounlain Parks lands. She explained that Integrated Pest ManagemenY is an on-going effort, year after year, and will also require a lot of work with additional land. Chris Mueller wondered what sort of informarion from the inventory is available to the public. Dave Kuntz said that this will be provided on the web page, and staff offered to assist ciCizens with quesCions and requests for information. Jim Crain added that the shortfall in funds will also impact the departmenNs ability to collect and utilize the necessary data. CrysCal Gray complimented the staff on this work, especially with the shartage of staff. Dave Kuntz said that staff's cooperative efforts resulted in excellent work on this complicated issue. Public Participation None Return to Board & Staff Crystal Gray thanked staff for this information, adding that no Board action is requested at this time. AGENDA ITEM 7 - Removed AGENDA ITEM 8- South Boulder Creek, Phase A Report Crystal Gray Yhanked staff, including Alan Taylor, and many citizens, for Yheir continued work on and interest in this project. She discussed the OSBT's November modon on this issue which supported staff's recommendations on the preliminary reporC and did not support any of the suggested alCernatives. CrysCal would be interested in hearing about what has changed fi•om the drafr Co this final reporl. She also felt that it was important thaC cilizens l~ave access to the correspondences among Ron Secrist, Bill Taggart and Bill DeGroot. Delani Whecler said Yhat Che final report is not significantly difPerenf from the draft, discussed in November, adding that this is the beginning oP a new public process. Alan Taylor reported that the 5 alternatives (see attachment) addressed in the drafC are included in the final report, and brietly outlined lhe specifics of each. I3e addressed alfernative 5, as recomniended by the consultant, which suggests acquiring and removing 90 residences from the floodplain, aud consCructing a control structure on SouCh Boulder Creek, on/near open space lands as well as construction of an overflow water way across open space. Alan explained thaC under the current agreement (which may be terminated and a new agreement negoliaced), Che Ciry now has a 60-day pcriod to review and comment on the Plan. Council will liear this item on Pebruary 20, and Council and the CounCy Commissioners may meet to discuss this, sonietime in April. He said Yhat there will aiso be several large public meetings, and may be some smaller, neighborhood meefings. Linda Andes-Georges commented on the imporfance of including various perspecfives in the infa•maCion to be presented at the TaggarC open houses. Alan Taylor said Chat Chere is also an independent committee reviewing the plan and making suggestions, as part of this public review process. Delani Wheeler reiCerated Che fact that neither staff nor the boa~•d supported any of the alternatives suggested in the draft, and now the final, plan. She added thaC consh•uction of the structures on open space as recommended in the report would cause irreparable damage to open space lands/values, including endangered speeies' habitat, and would be in violation of the city charter. Public Participation ~laine Downing, 1453 Marshall Road, had several questions for the Board: the bottom line agenda for floodplain managemenC; iheir comments on the Taggart report regarding u•ails/paths along SouCh Boulder Creek, and the suggestion in thc repa•t oP relocating displaced residents onto other OSMP lands. John Bates, 862 Cypress Drive, wlio lives in the 100-year floodplain, voiced concern with the life, properCy, and the ultimate effecti this would have on the city if nothing is done to mitigate the flooding of SouCh Boulder Creek. He believes that the truc dilemma has not been realized by the City, including OSMP. He proposed thc necd to balance concerns with the needs of the people who support open space. Dave AIUee, 1453 Marshall Road, is concerned about community saPety. He believes that a plan similar Co alternative 1 could be effective. CulverCs could carry water under Hwy 93 without flooding neighborhoods. Dave urges OSMP to address Chis problem of potential flooding. He suggested that OSMP work with CU, possibly swapping land to be used as water storage/sports complex. Peter Ornstein, 556 Aztec Drive, lives in Keewaydin Meadows which would be impacYed by flooding, not just the 100 year flood. He stressed fhat flooding will occur and it will have significant consequences. No action should not be an acceptable option. He believes that mitigation can be accomplished without compromising thc objectives of OSMP. Doretta Hultquist, 1561 South Foothills, Sans Souci Mobile Home Park, illustrated the visual impact the proposed dam would have on area residents. She reminded the Board that the South Boulder Creek acea is a state-designated natural area and questioned the fairness of sacrificing homes in one area to protect oCher hoines downstream. She believes that some flooding occurs due to lack of maintenance. She encouraged the City to start over with a study thaC would consider Che entire watershed and recommended that stakeholders should be on a review commitfee and that Bill DeGroot be removed from the sCudy. ~ Rob Mota, 818 Racquet Lane, said thaC his residence is in the floodplain, though it was not shawn in the floodplain at the Cime he purchased his home. He is representing Meadow Glen homeowners and encouraged Board and staff to listen to the people in the floodplain. The city should take action on a mitigation plan because of the poCenCial for major damage and loss of life. Ruth Blackmore, 705 South 41sr Street, commented on the small scope of the study. She suggested expanding the sCudy to the entire watershed. The city, the county and Yhe Urban Drainage District should be in charge of flood studies. She does not sUpport tbe xelocation of residents to correcC the mistakes of Che past. She urged ihe Board to do the right thing and encouraged an independent study of the entire waCershed. ~dward Smelko, 220 Seminole llrive, lives in the affecfed area and has followed tbe issue for several years. He believes that the real issue is the meaning of OSMP land and Che protection of that land su~essing that it is not a land bank for greedy developers. He urged the Board not to set precedent by giving in Co CU and to take a firm stand in protecting OSMP l~tnd and the charter under which it was established. John Rancher, 2895 Lafayette Drive, feels thaf this plan is very biased and leans toward an industrial alternative. He believes that channelizing the creek bed would only exacerbaCe problems, aud that we should leave the natural riparian areas alone. He does not support the relocation of residenCe. He also encourages the Board to take a stand and influence Che Council now. Bill Tyree, 1977 Senda Rocosa, feels that this is biased to CU. Relocation of residents is undesirable. OSMP is a major landowner in the area and should have been included in fhe original study. Ae believes that the alCernatives suggested violate the charter and encourages the involvement of citizens, including the stakeholders. Ben Binder, 720 South 41s` Street, commented on the Pact that the final report did not address any of the comments made on the first draft. He is PrustraCed by this failure to acknowledge concerns of citizens. He feels that the report is poorly designed and many of the numbers (including amount of damages, ete.) have no backup. There are many other, betCer alternatives. He voiced concern about people living in the floodplain. Since there are no acceptable alternatives in Phase A, he thinks that the City should not proceed with 6 Phase B. E11en Willis, 2895 Lafayettc prive u,oi~ld prefer no developnlcnt on the Flatirons properCy, She sugges~~ ~ new, independent study, Return to Board .~ StAff Delani Whaeler i•eminded the Board that tl~e chartar addressas lhe prevenrion of eneroachmenC op floodplains and not lanc{_banking Por consi~t~uctiott of flood control structures, Sl~e also c]arified that relocaLion of displaced residents onto open space would be in violation of the charter. egu•ding the trails eonuecCions discussed m the plan, there is no actual Crails network in tfie area. Delan't recagutzed Bob Crifasi and Don b'Am" for ~l~eii• assistance in revicwing and commenting on tliis plan. ico Alan Tayior added his concern to those already ex}~ressed on the lack of involvemen~ b those affected, and the undesirability of relocating residents. look at doing somcthing, thoi~gh not as si Y S~ggested seekin gnificant as the actioHe agraes that we naed to g options that would have minimal irn ns pi•oposed in the stud , pact~. Y apd Dalani Wh~jei• said that staYf doas not recommcnd use op t'hese suggested alfernatives and recommends workin acceptahle solution for these °pen space lands for any of prob]ems. Jim Ci•ain added ith the com~unify to seek a more bank for an ~dE the cha~~er is inteuded ~o ~~•o~c~ op~'n spa~~ OSMP land belongs to all citizcns of the coinmunit y P°iP°~Se• Use of OSMp land as suggested in the sCUd PU~Poses tor whicfi t X aad is iiot a land his land has baen preseived, Y would violate the alternatives in k6e study. Stdff cannot su pport any of the Lai•1y Macl~onnell said that South Boulder Craeg is a re cominuniey. $e u,ould like to markable treasure and benefits the solu[~ions th~t will continpe Yo p ot ctu oil to starC oyer on 1 perty values and i~uiri~ n~ lives, as well as Che resource. A stakeholder d]a(ogue is important. We have not begun to explore aIl of the opportunities and options. Chris Mueller said that he doesn't feel he has an ad decision. He said rhe re equate levcl of port has drawn shurp criticism ro undeistaqding to make a h9drolo ' ~. : fhe sco .~ m thoughtful people, b'3' ie complefely ~,i•ong, tliere are su p~ °f Yhe report is too preserve praetically ever ggestions that it is na~•row, the eostly, if may be necessar~~~~~g ~ha~ could be destro Uatied °n ~n attempt to yed wpic6 is noY realistic, it is Coo p~OP~i'ty, and Yhat the seud bs co~se of something that was dona on f(~e Univeisity/ Flatirons in the process, So alChou ~ mPromised becaase of the involvement of the University Y what a wise approach for the ciey would be, he feels uncorxiportable in say ng that~OS]~gp does noC have any sort of i•ole, a~c~ ~o ~- some accommodation might be Boulder, the Board sbouId not be ~ot~j ~ a rf t~here is considerable risk to the citi enstof~ Y gains[ using opep Spa~~ in some w1y. Ljncta Andes-Georges lives in Che floodplain and does not Chink that t6e City catt atford to "do notliing", ,She agrees that the Council should get a new sfad , to incorporate upstream storage capabilities, aad looking at the watershed usin Ala~ns concept. She thinks thar greater emphasis should be pid~ed pn noq embanktp~nrons g a canyon to 7 solutions and lhat there are posiCive solutions in which OSMP can. parCicipate without violating the charter. ; "~°~ •~' --~„°~'~° "~..~a Linda Jourgensen bclieves that there is a better way to look aC Che whole problem. Health and safety is always a top priority oP government, however, that should not Porce ue to sCick with this plan. MOTION Larry MacDonnell moved thaC Yhe OSBT recommend that City Council not accept this study and thaC we start again with a different set of objectives and questions, such as: how to better resfore the health of the South Boulder Creek sysCem; how to reconnect the floodplain to the river syslem; how to address the health and safety of residents in a fiscally achievable manner; and that we seek community based solutions, including Che Cask force results; and, that the entire watershed, including the poCential of upst~•eam storage, be considered; Crystal Gray seconded. VOTT The mofion passed unanimously. AGENDAIT~M 9-BVCP Delani Wheeler commented thaC Che progiam summary for the BVCP has been updated to reflecC the new depar[ment of Open Space and Mountain Parks, and is more complete than previous summaries. The Planning Board will review and comment on this summary on February 15. Public Participation None Return to Board & Staff MOTION Linda Jourgensen moved the the OSBT approve the OSMP program summary for the 2001 5-year update to the BVCP. Lany MacDonnell seconded. VOTE The motion passed unanimously. ADJOURNMENT - The meeting adjourned at 10:15 pm. These minutes prepared by Cecil Penio. Attachment **A1Chough not a part of Lhe minutes of this meeling, it would be beneficial, at ihis point, to include a brief review of fhe five alternatives as proposed in the Taggart Phase A Study (as discussed by the Board at its SepYember 13 and November 15 meetings): 1. L'nhanced rloodplain Management - By regulafing floodplain development, educating the citizenry, acquiring higb hazard properties and improving storm water utilities, Alternative 1 would help lessen the impaet of flooding without a major constcuction project. 2. Multiple Storage at Gross 12eservoir, Hwy 93 and CU-South - By increasing the height of the embankmenC at Gross Reservoir and by constiucting significant embankments at Hwy 93 and Hwy 36, flood wateis would be captured and stored eliminating all Ilooding outside the main creek. 3. Single Storage at Hwy 93 ("the large dam") - A major storage reservoir would be consCructed upstream from Hwy 93 to dam floodwaters for measured release to SouCh Boulder Creek. Plooding outside the main creek would be eliminated. 4. Dual Storage at Gross Reservoir and Hwy 93 - Construction of a water storage reservoir upsh•eam from Hwy 93 and the utilization of the storage capabilities at Gross Reservoir would prevent flooding outside the main creek. The strucCure woLild be larger than that proposed in Alternative 2 and smaller than in Alternative 3. 5. Limited Storage at CU-South and Floodplain Conveyance Improvements - Construction of new detention reseivoirs at Hwy 93 and Hwy 36 and improvements to floodplain conveyance systems would eliminate flooding in the Soufh Boulder Creek floodplain.** 9