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Minutes - Open Space - 10/10/2001ApProved asnniended. OPEN SPACE BOARD OI+' TRUSTEES Minutes October 10, 2001 BOARD MEMI3ERS PRESENT Chris Mueller Sean ICendall Linda Andes-Georges Larry MacDonnell Linda Jourgcnsen STAFF PRES~NT Jim Crain Delani Wheeler Ronda Romero Jim Tydings Dean Paschall Jim Reedei• Diann Brooks Mike Patton Dave Kuntz Cecil Fenio Jim Recder Joe Mantione Matt Jones Don D'Amico CALL TO ORDI:R The nieeting was called to order aC 6:00 pm. AGI3NDA ITEM 1- Approval of Minutes Linda Jourgensen moved thaY Che minutes of Septembec 12 be approved. Larry MacDonnell seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Larry moved thaC the minutes of September 19 be approved. Linda seconded and fhe motion passed unanimously. AGLNDA ITEM 2- Co-Director's Update Mike Patton inCroduced Dean Paschall, the new Visitor and Environmental Seivices Division Manager, and reflected on some of Dean's background. Delani Wheeler introduced Diann Brooks who will be ttaining with Cecil Fenio. The Board welcomed both Dean and Diann. Jim Crain inPormed the Board of a Denver Post article reporting on the senate's approval of a bill declaring a 6009-acre buffer zone as a wildlife refuge at Rocky Flats. This would ensure that a large portion o1' land located south of Boulder will not be developed. The deterznination of the cenfer portion, where most clean-up efforts will take place, will be discussed later. IC was agreed to scnd a thank-you note to Mark Udall and Wayne Allard after the Pinal bill passes. Since sfaff was recommending action, the Budget Reduction Plan was changed to an agenda item and moved to ihe end of tlie meeting. Dean g~ave an update on bears. He reviewed which OSMP paths were closed and mentioned there was a suggestion to reopen them. After rangers paCrolled Yhe closed trails, it was decided that bear visiCaCion will decrease. Big Blueatem may rcopen this weekend afler farCher discussion by staff, but McClintock will stay closcd lhrough fhe weakend due to a recenC bear sighting and the continued availabiliCy of food. Linda Andes-Georges asked about the level o~P cooperaCion due to Che inany closures this year. Dean fe1C that cooperaCion is high, based on feedback from Che Visitor Plan mceting and the aUsence of complaints about abuses. Linda Jourgensen asked to clarify the mcaning of "abuse" in this context. Dean explained Chat if a Lrail was closed for reasonable purposes, but then the closure was left in place for an um•easonable amounC of time, iC would be considered "abuse" and people may disobey the closu~~e. That would be a sign of staff's lack of attentivenese to bear activiry (or lack thereoY~ and visitor's nseds. Bear closures are very high on stafYs priority list because now is a time of high visifation by bears and people. Daily checks on ~nd off the lrails are being conducted so lhat trails reopen at the earliest, yef safest, possible date. The VisiCor Plan update was given by Malt Jones. The meeting held last week went well, with about 90 people aYCending. Recent comments are being conipiled and will be posted on the internet. They will be added to previous coarmenfs fronl Yhree other workshope, then a plan will be dcafted which should be ready this wintcr. Matt suggestcd taking a trip Co Maishall Mesa because it is a mulli-usc trail, then asked for inpuC from Board membecs who aYtended the meeting. Lariy MacDonnell thought it went well and thaC Chere was a lot of good discussion. He sensed iC was a good reininder of where we are in the process. Linda Andes-Georges thought there was a significant tarnover in individuals and the user groups that they represent, which mcans staff needs to continue to eniphasize the reeducation process. She also thought this type of inee[ing was a good format to reeducate and it also lets you hear other people's values. Linda then thanked the facilitaCors. Maet recognized the success as being the result of a team effort. Jim Crain invited the Board to attend a meeeing with staff and the Boulder Rotary Club on Friday. The Rotaiy Club meets with different groups to scc 6ow they funcUon. StafP will talk about various aspects about OSMP. Jim mentioned Chat two of the Rotarians attending ware on the original Open Space committee. AG~NDA ITEM 3- Matteis from the Board Linda Andes-Georges noted a change in her email address: andesgeorgesC hotmail.com. She said thaC she hoped to get a permanent address soon. Chris MueJler reporCed on the budget commitCee meeting and the sCatus of tlie proposed ordinance requesting support from the general fund for Mountain Parks expenses. Both Gordon Riggle an4 Will Toor seemed against it alChough Wilt may be open for doing someChing at a later date. IC may be presented to council with a negative recommendaCion from the budget committee. Latcr that same night, the committee responded enthusiastically to the expanded acquisiUons pi•oposal. Chris recommended that Board members attend the council meeting when this issue is addressed. He said the council scems to think OSMP has more money than stafP can spend, and doesn't understand that the deparCment may coine up short in the long haul. He believes that OSMP needs Co commtmicate that fact more effectively to council. The Board menCioned being pleased to see that the editorial got inCo the paper. Sierra Club, uisitiot~ F~ans• de ~n-[m~~t's ac4 ~ova af Yhe p~ Lameia n~'p ~ Lhe Age~~a I~ally s Not Qn of surface PLAN goul~lei and ~° ationiltcrn with ihe amount pf activiti~s p'1~lilic Paeticip ~ aistiesse,d 5taff t~ be `~~'~e Nl A - ~n stireet, ~'a: dsk~a : , NDA I'11{' North 7~ ~ hoSPita1 site ~~a ~' ~~~ ~~eise.r, 402~ at th ~U South gicky that was Qccurcing' plan for the (. distuxban~e 7 ~n there. raft Framewdrl~ Cbat wete ~qin~ of t~e D inove- lan's p~~~iaus g~CP~ LT~M 5' C~nsideration of Che diaf t~~el~e1,sive Plan C A~~NpA ' a review~alley ~=on P nations e~Y• ould~~ yhow Con~g P~a11 ~esig . CamPus Pi~OP the 1~L~sen~ationo~ tl e~ s to ~ show Preble's heelacbCg~° used mAp` ~ s do n°t' Delaui ~N btlef t~isloryp, A~nica ~,hicl~ wa5 recently }~ staff and a 8'17 •~an ott noted thaC the m Pant, ~~ a~aft, menC thraug ~es~lution 5 ace lands~ ~ buttert7y P ons~ to the actid Conncil s C) en .P e~a}orad~~dYing ~ Tesp developnlentbulfa~~ ~~lucs an ~r the ha~~tat of th ~r is p' The GiLy n+z~nag 15~Q foot , and to a~;xve as and resoUr~~ loX that a a f iesou~ce; ~luding juinping m°use 11a eid`~SP~~~es' b A~an T~Y ~, in [oc piotecti ~~ an~ ~v CP map' of the listed a~ ~ tU~~e~t~n rnendation Y ~ a i~com ~1eek, ~~ ~ceat~ betW een thc about tt1c: m~aning includoa ' auldsr ed s~ iathae than an ~'`'h~~h outh a MacDonnall in9~ a licen. ailja~ent to s Delani noted differeLaciy a~,~ ttie city ' ° icl R~sohxtian S'1'1 t7ood miCigatian. Stem~ ~, th~t C~ ~ lation a reenlcnt rouds and tcail sy~ la~ne.d ••~ontemp 's tp make an € ~eed ~ood Pla'n~' ~~ pe~~zni exp w~dt foim Che~overs ~'ay' ge a~. ublic acce~~'~ ' ~e~tic~ned ~lation eY ~pnsidere.d. tbat <.~icsnsed p =easen ~ ~pnteml ~ssuzs not y hly ,~ppreciation 7our4~ told het that t e ent• Linda With ~; ~ntiioned easem ~ ~Y~in e~~h1~ility in dcaling , 1im m but QSMp Ga»nnt aSfot ~,aouldtak~• 1im with~ize• e[ty> ropertiea on F gal som bl is dealing it Foba Y CUIPIat~zon P~~p Cu~renc p 5 not that would allow 5~fg wa ut~cha~e t'n sales C~ al ~ad~n~ ' C~is Muel~ei this situat.ion - p sin ~,ondcr~d, "~nce ~~,uncil is willing ta that in ~htly inexea~ g ~~nguag~. l th~ ctCy 51i Eity 5ean Kendall e,,,ifi~ dhouY. the t[ai urchasa ~'iYhout ~ p . ore sP ' o~ition . cU P~~°~ , taKe a P'~acd t~ wait until it ~ie p SS at ther~ sh°uld l~e m ~ble. a~9L~isition list Pac tlie goard wQilld not ed the g not be accep ' mendin~ the teail com~ottable if the hYn~d. Chri~ol, a an+~ ~'ould recom r~ Tnore oint, w~~~ vecy what w s,~d ha W ould at this p S e_fying becausa C[J's plans, ~ans before , p c~ h~„ abette~ feel far CLJ's ~ ons ~P~" Spa6~ of tihe Flatit tima and bci ~~'~r felt a Circte, a inam e ciCize+~~~~i~ty. Ga~'Y a6on4838 w• Mp°rh~ at promises inade ~U ~in~ the Q Pub~' w~e pahn~ ]o~king tQ CU acA ~omised or e~`'n has b~en involv~a ln ~omP hecause ~~ry ot events that 1~CP seci~usly thati ~omCnittee, qt ~2101~ llad paoi at~na~ 'Yark CitY has pu~ t°gethec a chi~'nO1°gY sidec th~ 13 ber of peaple con•~ o en house (. edy in N~tin~ 5~' ~aC ~ num ~at the C ~ ht vi~l held for th~ t~ublicized ~ oaal• ~hat a 1a'g ~~l1eved dlel~~ Well ~ ~ this peop nobefoie e ents adc~p destco}~ed. ~ attend a ean ~,atst ted to oaid }~~51i Ior a R ~~ inal surface niany ~eople °P ~d that the B tnions orig h1. ~e Ur g Cheir oP ~[] to resl~re Che sam~ nig nd to ~roiee essuade ts> son~~ of e ~ist of public commE hieh iaises sam ~ipYe pe~ple ~~~d that tb~ ~a~l~ ~ ~~llbed~ Ct7t~dp°ide~ C,ilrectWhite~ ld xovid~ ~a~q also rec7 .~ e5poye~ °p~ d that t1e cau P ~ that w w aY ~:~ aQa letter from uard ~cteag' 658 ~urlnAri t~e told the B oi. I~a mentionec~ ~~ veiy ~ ~on C,len, a b ~he ~oatd. which ~~ in ~av should be ~'ea Y setiaus issues ana , 3 co~ies of Chis lettcr, if needed. Chris Mueller noted Co Gary that the Board's email addresses are on the website, so he can forward his chronology on. Chris also asked for the Gilbert White lelter. Return to Board & Staff Sean Kendall wanted a specific, statement about the t~•ail from staff so that CU knows it's plan is inconsisYent with OSMP's management policies. Chris Mueller thought that the Board could not know if CU's plan is inconsistenf with the deparpnenY s because it is so broad. Sean thought that the proposals were speciPic enough and believed the Board should respond to them. Chris menCioned his concern for Che public accessing Opcn Space without a designated access point. Jim Crain clarified that people musf access Open Space through OSMP designated access points and cannoC access OSMP properly wherever they like. If a private landowner, adjacenC to Open Space, wants a fence with access to Open Space, the gate has Co swing boYh ways, so Cl~e public can access their yard also. Linda Jourgensen asked how CU decided to include this trail and if Chey discussed it with staff. Jim told her that they did not consult staff. Delani Wheeler explained that CU presented it as a concepCUal plan, but since the maps show specific acreage it is difficult Co know how conceptual the plan is. Jim reminded thc Board about another proposed access to the west which staff docs not object Co because it abuts a public road right of way. Linda Andes-Gcorges agrecd with Scan lhat it is impossible to reverse a trail once it is sCarted and also chought OSMP should be consulCed since CU's trail proposal covers a sensiCive area. She thought thaC the department should make its cnncerns clear but with delicacy a~ad not as a rigid position. Larry MacDonnell agreed wiCh Linda and Sean. Chris Chought that it was extreme to limit access to the very south edge without stafP presenCation. Linda J. asked if a negotiation with CU would follow now that staff has made a trail recommendation. Jim told her Lhat at some poinc staff would discuss concerns with tlie CU sfaff. Chris made fhe observation that OSMP has a trail Yhrough Che sensitive area and yet opposes a connector through any other part of the campus. .iim explained to Cl~ris how that U'ail developed and shared staff's conccrn with additional impact. Sean thought that this might be the only time Che Boarci bas the opportunity to give input. CUris expressed his desire for the Board to make a statement noting that iC hasdt made a decision buC would like to discuss iYs concerns with CU. Linda J. thoughC the Board shoulddt recommend Che tcail on Che map but agreed with Chris on further discussion with CU about access. Larry fe1C that the Board was not responding to what the staff was recommending. He felt that the sCafP was asking if the Board supported the continued direction of the BVCP. Some Board members believed that iP they were not specific about the trail now, it would somehow be taken as an acceptance of the trail. Chris asked for clarificaCion as Co wheYher or not the Board was being asked to pass a resolution saying that CU cannot develop the area except as shown in Attachment A. If that is the case, the Board would be rejecting almost all of CU's suggested map and he, thereforc, could not support iC. Delani stated Chat sYaff has submiCted comments to the city manager's office and the Board's decision will be sent to the city manager's office tomorrow. Jim recommended that if Open Space is to be 4 presetved Lhe Board ehould support the RVCP and negoriale Prom that. Sean stated that if the issue is up to Ron Secrist, fhe Board's discussion is moot. Linda A-G, reminded fhe Board that sYaPf's recommendation is general and could be adopted as it is. Chris re- iterated his conviction that CU should be allowed and encouraged to dcvelop the property because Che city tiad a chance to buy iC in past and didu't. He didn't think that the city should put so many limitations on the land and so could not support the recommendation. MOTION Larry MacDonnell moved that the Open Space Board oP Trustees recommend its support for the direction of the adopted Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan as regards this site. Linda Jourgensen seconded the motion. VO'IT The motion was passed 4 Co 1 with Chris Mueller casting the disscnfing vote. AGENDA IT~M 6- Consideration of the alignments of the Coalton Road to Greenbelt Plateaa connection and the C=reenbelt Plateau trailhead to l+latirons Vista trailhead connection. Mike Patton provided the Board with the background for the alignmenCs proposed Por thc two trail connectors. He told Board members that despiCe staff aCtempts ihe decision on the alignments does not saCisfy all of Che interested ~~ser groaps. He also told Chem that depending on approval and the weather iC was probable that construction may be pushed back until next year. Mike indicated that staff originally recommended the CoalCon to Grccnbelt trail to stay wiChin the righC-of-way (ROW) but because oP conccrns from many of the user groups an alternative plan was developed where the trail goes in and out of the ROW. Mike stressed tihat this alignment will require approval from Colorado Department oP Transportation (CDOT). CDOT has already indicated a restriction on the number of openings in the fence b~it the proposal can be accommodated with the number of cLin•ent openings. Mike told ihe Board that the new alfernarive provides a better view and more Crail away from the highway with the least amount of impact. Tlie Greenbelt to Flatirons Vista alignment remains as it was originally planned. Using a map, Jim Reeder gave a detaiied description of both trail alignments and their physical seCtings. He also described the location of the fencing that will be constructed to protect the prairie dog colonies and discourage the Pormation oP social trails. He stressed that the Greenbelt to Flatirons Vista plan provides a safe crossing under Highway 93 since there are no immediate plans for a pedestrian croseing at thaf intersecYion. It also allows additional parking at t6e GreenbelY trailhead for overflow Prom the Flatirons Vista trailhead and will present a safer alCernative for parking horsetrailers along Highway 93. Larry MacDonnell asked if it would be possible to expand the parking area at Flatirons Vista and Jim Crain told him that it has already been expanded three times. Mike added that this connector provides a link between trails on the west eide of Highway 93 to those on the east side. Public Participation Susan Winter, 6125 Habitat #ll01, believes that the Greenbelt to Flatiron Vista connector will not be used by visiCors because it goes Coo far out of the way. She thoughC there was a possibiliry that a Craffic signal will be installed which would be an casier and more acceptable alternative to the u•ail connector. She was also concerned abotiC the nesting ciiff swallows in Che miderpass and Che impacC increased traffic would have on them. Susan thought Chal it would be wasteful to spend money on fencing because peoplc will dieregard iY anyway. She encouraged consideration of the original Coalton to Greenbelt connecCion thinking Chat it made more scnse to utilize a corridor (the ROW) thaC was already in place. Marte Alspaugh, 7]80 Ca-•dinal Lane, LongmonC, believed that the underpass would be great for equestrians. The counecfor will provide a way for equestrians to ride the two sysfems and she recommended its approval. On the other hand, she believed ihe CoalYon to Greenbelt connector is dangerous for horses especially bccause of the fencing. She recommended bringing as much of the trail as possible onto Open Space land and use fencing to profect prairie dog l~abitat . Chris Morrison, 4100 Aurora Ave., passed out copies of the original (1967) Open Space poster and thanked the Board Por addressing the trail suggestions Prom Boulder Area Trails Coalition (BATCO). He stressed the imporCance of providing the ciCizenry with the opportuniCy to connect with the land. He thought that boCh of the proposed t~•ail alignments were Yhe result of reasonable compromise and supported the Board's approval. Ann Costello, 7180 Cardinal Lane, Longmont, favored the Greenbelt to Flatiron Vista widerpass because it provides a longer Crail experience for equesU~ians. She Cliought the Coalton to Greenbelt trail alignment wae too close Co the highway and is not in favor of it. She does, however, believe Chat it is important to preserve habitat for animals and hoped a comproniise could be reached. She also voiced her appreciaCion in the department's concerns for the wishes of the people. Suzanne WeUel, 5735 Prospect Rd., Longmont, clariPied a statement that she made regarding the Visitor Plan, which was quoted in Che newspaper. Suzanne is the president oP the Boulder County Horseman's Association and thought fhat the Greenbelt to Flatiron Vista u~ail connector was a good addition lo Che system. Tbe safc access to Doudy Draw under Highway 93 also provides much needed parking at the Greenbelt trailhead. She supporfed Board approval for this connector. She told staff and che Board Yhat the Coalton to Greenbelt aiigninent is particularly unacceptable to equestrians. She suspected Yhat thc width of Che ROW indicates thc intention of CDOT to widen the road at some time in the future. She suggested that using Che Open Space just norCh of the ROW for the trail would get it far enough Prom the highway to make it a saPer and more pleasant Crail experience. She added that by moving it just a few feet would make an enormous difference. The BCHA was noY contacted for consensus opinion along with other user groups and does not support Che current alignment proposal. She voiced her concern about trail locations seeming doomed to only marginal areas and the attitude ChaC no Open Space should be sacrificed f'or crails. She sCresscd the importance of passive recreation on Open Space and that although impact should be minimized iY should not be eliminaCed entirely. She suggested continuing ehe conversation of extending fhe Marshall Mesa trail to South 66°i Street, behind Superior and on to the east end of CoalCon Drive. Larry MacDonnell aaked for Suzanne's assurance that the GreenbelC Crailhead parking area would be utilized by the horse community. Suzanne told him that she anYicipated it would be used if Che equesh•ians knew about the new trail connector and the safe access under Highway 93. She said that she would be able to assist in disseminating the information in the BCHA newsletter thaC is exchanged with other local horse groups. Rruce Bland,1340 Lehigh, relaYed his experience at the SepYember 27th field trip. He was discouraged by the continull inter~vptions from the BATCO representative as he was epeaking. He hoped thaC the OSMP staff would be sensitive to and supportive of 6 appinpriate public process and noC base decisions on the loudest voice. He referred the Board lo Che PLAN Boulder lctter for_details about its posiCion on the lrail alignments. Bruce stressed that the ri•~til projects were predicated on the noCion that all parties would agree on the aGgnmenCs but thaC has not happened. The Greenbelt to FlaGron connector is environmentally desU•uctive and will not serve its purpose for public safeCy - people will continue crossing Highway 93 raCher than walk almost a mile out oP Cheir way. He believed the department will end up having to build a shorC connector fo allevi~tte this problem. Bruce suggested that if this erail alignment is removed from the table he would be willing to go to the counCy commissioneis, wiCh BATCO folks, and ask them to pressure CDOT into plaeing a signal at the intersection of Highway 93 and 128 as soon as possible. He listed several environmcntal problems Chat could potentially arise with the Coalton to Greenbelt alignmenC proposal. He rccommended that lhe trail be built within the ROW. Eric Vogelsberg, 1345 "A" Bear Mountain Dr., presidenY of BATCO, thanked staff and fhe Board for recognizing the needs of the people and beginning the process. He com- mended sCaff on the Cottonwood t~~ail connectoc that was recently completed. Eiic told the Board that Che Coaltou Co GreenbelC trail alignment was a compromise Chat he believed provided safety and a qLialiry user experience with minima( impact. He went into detaiis abouC Che physical aspects of both trails and the reasoning behind certain alignment decisions. Eric remindcd Che Board ihat the visiCOr plan survey in 1999 reflected Lhe publid s desire co build more trails in order to reduce t~~ail congestion and conflict. Return to Board & Staff Board membcrs agreed to discuss the irail connecCions one at a time. Linda Andes- Geoi•ges related her familiarity with Lhe Gi•eenbelt to Coalton connection. She supports thc meandering proposal and believes it provides a qualiry trail experience. She agreed thaC all of Che trails in the syslem have some sorf of impacC and it is the job of Che department tio educaCe users. She believed that the impacts in this particular siCuation were acceptable and fhe need for Yhis connector will increase as Superior confinues fp grow. Larry MacDonneil asked for an explanation of the process Por contacting user groups. Mike Patton explained fhe chronology of the series of visitations to the site and the people/groups involved. There were three trips made which were not publicized in the newspaper but interested citizens and representatives from some user groups were invited. The intent was Co coine to a compromise abouC Che t~~ail alignments. Larry suggested using Che visitor plan process with problems such as this and urged the use of input from as many interesCed groups/individuals as possible. Sean Kendall, who w1s not on the Board at the beginning of this planning process, asked about the discussions or promises YhaY were made with user groups. Mike did not recall an expecfation for agreement at the original Board meeting and after the fiist trip to the site it was clear that the original proposal for Greenbelt to Coalton was not going to be acceptable to BATCO. At that point staff began to develop the current plan where the trail meanders in and out of the ROW. Sean also inquired about the validiry of the weed issue. Mike veriPied Chat whenever an area is disturbed it is susceptible to weed invasion. He confirin- ed that stafP anticipates this and dealing with weeds is incorporated into the maintenance plan for the trail. Jim Crain suggested that staff consider fencing along the norCh side of the connector where the trail leaves the culver[ and connects to the Greenbelt tiail. He thought it would focus trail uae on the Crail and aven recommended getting an `bn trail 7 restcicCion" fi~om the cily manager. He thought it was important Co address the weed problem and to mitigate Che concerns of PLAN Boulder. Regarding Sean'a interest in fhe Coal Creck crossing, Mike explaincd thaC by using the existing culvcrt not only was the riparian area being protected but the cosC of building the trail is kept within reason. Sean inquired about fulure plans for inti•oducing anCelope and if the ri•ail would have impaet on the need for large prescrved areas. Mike assured Sean that Che department does not want lo fragment habitat. If reintroduction of antelope does occur this would be an appropriaCe habitat. He felt confident thaC the tcail alignment remains close enough to Che road that it would not diminieh Lhe habitat potentiaL StafP has been in discussion with a state expert on pronghorns and Chinks it would be a good idea to see how Rocky Flats fits into the system before making decisions about thc reintroduction. Mike also told l~im that wildlife does use Che culverts to move from one area to another. Chris Mueller asked if equestrians musC stay on the trail. Mike told him that at lhe presenC time there is no prohibiCion against leaving the trail. Because of the presence of fences, equestrians would probably not be inclined to ride out across the Open Space east of the Greenbelt parkiug area. Mikc reminded him that with Che present alignnient proposal the equestrians would not really have access to anything but the trail. Chris expressed his dis- like of being along tlie road, bul recognized the greal effort that has gone into developing the plan and so would support the proposal. Sean Kendall expressed his indecision and concern as to whether or not this plan truly reflected the needs of Che user groups. Linda Andes-Georges fe1C confident that use in the area will increasc and, ultimately, it will be worth thc investment. MOTION Linda Andes-Georges moved that the Open Space Board of Trustees approve the trai] alignment of Che Coalton trail to Grecnbelt Plateau trailhead conncction. Linda Jourgensen seconded. voTL The motion passed 4 to 1 with Scan Kendall casUng the opposing vote. Regarding Che GrecnbelC to Flatirons Vista connector, Linda Andes-Georges shared many of Che concerns in the PLAN Boulder letter. She also would prcPer a shorf direct rouCe and agreed that many peoplc will opt lo cross Highway 93 rather than fake the safer alfernative. She disagreed with several of the issues menCioned in lhe letter. The knapweed infestation is located east of the area and she believes the prevailing winds would carry sceds away from raYher than toward the site. She noted thaC the genera] condiCion of The present vegekltion is excellent which should also help keep weed infestation down. She felt confident that wildlife can jump fences quite well and noted that raptor use of the area is low because of too many cars and people. Regarding the impact to swallow nests, from what she could Yind, no swallows are on any list of concern. Mike Patton added that Chey are listed in the federal migratory bird acl. She suggested mitigating ext~a habitat if it becomes an issuc. Overall, Linda supported che alignment. Larry MacDonnell added that he would also support 1'~e alignment although he hoped that I}iere would be a simpler resolution. Although he wasn't parCiculacly happy wiYh it, it was probably the best solution. Mike PatCon told the Board that this alignmenC was the most troublesome for staff to address. In the end, staPf concluded that the connection was probably worth making. Linda Jourgensen asked who would bc the major user group. Mikc told her that BATCO made the primary presenCalion. Eric Vogelsberg clarified that BATCO represents several user groups bccause it funclions as an umbrella organization for FIDOS, BCHA and BOA. Sean Kendall asked Bruce to respoud to Linda's comnients rcgarding fragmen- tation of habitat, weeds and the predatory animal issue. Bruce Bland uoCed thaC Che trail indeed cuCS a large parcel nearly in hal£ Hc agreed that some animals would be able Co jump tlie fence but animals wiCh young would not As for the weed infestation, Bruce concurred thaC Che prevailing winds would blow seeds away from the proposed alignment but he reminded Board members thati the wind doesn't always blow in that direction and it could just ae easily blow seeds to the west. Sean thought that a signal insCalled at lhe intcr- section of Highways 93 and 128 would eliminate the need for the whole crail and wondered why it would be so difficult to ge~ cooperation from the county to address that need. He asked if a formal request bad been made and Mike told him that there had not. Mike and Jiin Crain described how difficult iC has been in Che past to get a signal in~talled. They felt confident that they would be unsuccessful in puisuing this possibiliry. To Linda's eugges- Cion for installing pedestrian blinking lights Jim concluded that because the cars on the highway are going so fast they would probably not be a eafe alternative. She asked sCaff if the crail could be closed and revegetated if a light was eventually installed. Mike told her that it would be possiUte. Chris Mueller questioned Che fencing issuc. Bruce explained that the fencing currently used in the area was constructed to keep cows in and had large gaps allowing wildlife to move through easily. Mike acknowledged that fences do impact wildliPe but added thaC Che department has control over what type of fencing to use. Hc clarified thaf when the department builds a fence for agricullural purposes it uses 10 strand bLit most of the agricultural fencing in the system is the old 3 or 4 strand. Chris suggcsCed using fencing that would discourage people and dogs, but not impede wildlife. Linda Jourgensen wondered if it might be worthwhile to delay the passing of this alignment for the purposes of connecring with the commissioners to sce about a light at this intersection. Mike and Jim agreed that it would probably be a minimum of two years before something might be done and it was doubtful even then. Mike continued that in terms of further protection of this habitaf the dcparCment could lry to designated Chis as an"on trail" corridor. This would mean that if someone did go off h~ai1 in tbie area ihey could be ticketed. In terms of use by hang gliders, this might be a dilemma for that user group. Chris suggested dealing with the "on trail" designaCion through the visitor plan process. MOTION Linda Andes-Georges moved thaC the Open Space Board of Trustees approve the reconimended alignmenC from the Greenbelt Platcau to Flatirons Vista U~ailhead connection. Lariy MacDonnell seconded. VOT~ The motion passed 3 Co 2 with Sean Kendall and Linda Jourgensen dissenting. AGENDA IT~M 7- Greenways Master Plan The Greenways Master Plan was presenfed by Annie Noble from the Public Works Depart- ment. She told the Board Chat this plan is Che res~ilt of a group effort completed in three phases. The Pirst phase involved collecting background informatioii and reevaluaCing the purpose of the program. The second phase was the establishment of goals for each of fhe 9 Grecnways objectives and identify projects. The final phase looked at thc four basic issues: organizational sCructurc and how the program is fundcd, maintained ~nd cvaluated. One of the results of the t'hird phase wae the establishmenC of the Greenways Aclvisory Committee which consists oP membcis Prom the five boards t'hat have interest in the Greenways program. Thcir funcdon is to review ~nd approve Greenways projects, make recommendations and to serve as liaisons to lheir own boards. She outlined how the docu- ment was organized and encouraged any questions from the Board. She added that Prom Che 2002-2007 budget l/3 wi11 be dedicated to maintenance of habitat. Linda Jourgensen questioned the relationship between tlie budgefed $450,000 and the actual expenscs of the program. Annie explained'that the amount has a historical basis and that many projects are anticipated fo be absorbed by the budget of an interesfed department. Jim Crain said that there is some difficulty in addressing the deferred maintenance issues c~pecially now with the reccnt budgeC cuts. Linda qucstioned what aspects oP the plan were of particular interest to Open Space. Jim Crain said that one im}~ortant concern was thaC the Transpor- tation Board was looking aC allowing motorized bikes on Greenways trails and, in fact, passed it the previous evening. Jim added that ihis would be in direct conflict with the Open Space charter. He antieipated this to be a difi'icult interaction and warned Yhat violators on OSMP t~~ails would be Cicketed. Annie guided staff and Board to Appendix 4-1 that lisYed all of the Opeu Space properCies that are along Greenways. Tl~e map also indicates where Greenways trails pass through Open Space. Annie told Jim that she would pass the infor~nation about Open Space tcails being off limiCs to motorized bikes on to Che Transportation Board. 7oe Mantione clarified thlt weed control is one of the importanC maintenance aspecCs of the Greenways buC lhere are many oCher types of habitat improvements that could occur if Che program had adequate fimding. Joe described his involvement with the Greenways pro- gram and recommended to Linda and tl~e Board Yhat the plan provides a fi•amework for decision making for Greenways and brings a balance between the construction of trails and profecting the environment He stressed the need for an advocate in the city government. The progcam has spent millions on trail construction buC little on habitat restorarion. He noted the huge deficit in deferred maintenance and voiced his hope that some of this could be handled by opportunistic projecte. He hoped that the Greenways Advisory CommitCee would champion the deferred maintenance iesuc. He believed that environmental isstiies have been somewhat ncglected because the program lacks funding. Linda Jourgensen wondered if most environmental issues fall into maintenance rather than capital projects. Annie explained Chat some large restoration projects fall under capital projects but require continued maintenance thercafter. In answer to a qaestion Prom Sean Kendall, Annie described the Goose Creek Project and told the Board thaY projects are chosen based on their ability to meet more than one oP the program's objectives. L.any MacDonnell commended the Greenways Program but is concerned that it is being driven by the agenda of the f~tnding eource. The city needs to find a way to Pund this program. Larry complimented Annie on her achievemenCs despite the financial constraints and didn't undersfand why the city has not provided more suppart for the program. No action was requested on this item. Consideration of Plan to address Projected 2001-2006 Sales Tax Revenue Shortfall in the Open Space Fund and Open Space and Mountain Parks Departmental budget. 10 Jim Crain informed fhe Board Chal they wo~ild be supplied with additional infoimarion regarding this iseua He reminded them that about 95°l0 01' OSMP's funding comes i'rom sales tax revenues. The 2001 budget projections have Uecn changed from a.6 %(6 tenths of a percenC) increase to negative 8%. He explained the details of the plan to shift funds and reduce expenditures over the next five yeais. Jim said thaC the proposed acquisitions program will have fo operaCe within budget 1nd the departmenC will noY be ablc to fund new properties by dipping into reseivcs. Jim told Che Board that it would take a couple of yeais to know if Uiese projections are wrong. He added Chat if Crossroads folds, staff and acquisition cuts will occur. Sean ciarified that deferred maintenance would be hit Che hardest. In spite of this, plans already proposed will be completed, buC new projects will not be covered. Public Participation None Keturn to Board & Staff Chris Mueller requesfed for a motion. MOTION Larry MacDonnell moved that the Open Space Board of Trustees reconimend fo Yhe City Council the authorization of the Open Space and Mountain Parks s11ff to reduce projected 2001 expenditures as outlined, in the amount oP $1,253,000, in order to maintain the Open Spaee Fund Uudget levels within projected future revcnues. Linda 7ourgensen seconded the motion. VOTE The motion was passed unanimously by the four Board members t~emaining. ADJOURNMENT - The meeting adjourned at 10:00 P.M. These draft minutes pre~~ared by Cecil Pe~ain and Diann Brooks. 11