04.10.24 OSBT MinutesApproved 5/8/24 OPEN SPACE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Action Minutes
Meeting Date April 10, 2024
Record of this meeting can be found here: https://bouldercolorado.gov/government/watch-board-
meetings (video start times are listed below next to each agenda item).
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Michelle Estrella, Chair
Harmon Zuckerman, Vice Chair
Jon Carroll
Brady Robinson
Sarah Glynn
OSMP STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT
Dan Burke Jeff Haley Jennelle Freeston Heather Swanson Lauren Kilcoyne
Leah Russell Sam McQueen Ilene Flax Lynn Riedel Debbie Cushman
Kris Weinberger Bethany Collins Lauren Kolb Casey Brock
GUESTS
Jeremy Reineke, Environmental Protection Specialist, Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and
Safety
Tara Tafi, Senior Project Manager/Reclamation Specialist, Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining
and Safety
Daphne Kingsley and Cameron Genter, OSMP Agricultural tenants
Avani Diliger, founder of Boulder Natural Highs
Isa Angulo, Volunteer with Boulder Natural Highs
AGENDA ITEM 1 – Call to Order and Roll Call
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.
AGENDA ITEM 2 – Matters from the Board (8:00)
The newest Open Space Board of Trustees (OSBT) member, Sarah Glynn, read and signed the Oath of
Office.
Jon Carroll moved to appoint Michelle Estrella as the Chairperson for the Open Space Board of
Trustees, Harmon Zuckerman as the Vice Chair for the Open Space Board of Trustees and Leah
Russell as the Board Secretary for the Open Space Board of Trustees. Michelle Estrella seconded.
All motions passed unanimously by acclamation.
Michelle read a proclamation recognizing Dave Kuntz, the exiting board chair, for his five years on the
board. Both staff and the board expressed their appreciation for Dave and his time over the years; as an
OSMP volunteer, an OSMP staff member, and then finally as a Trustee of the Open Space Board.
The board asked questions on the “Written Information” items. On the “Wildfire Resilient Landscapes:
Update on OSMP's Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fuels Management efforts” The board asked about
the timeline and platform(s) for communication. Staff said they will bring back more info. next month but
some communication has already begun.
On the “CO Highway 7 (Arapahoe Road) Multi-Modal Corridor Study” the board asked what the
expected amount of land is that’s being discussed for a possible disposal. Staff said project staff is still in
the 15-percent design phase so possible too early to have a number. The board asked if the multi-modal
paths would connect to open space trailheads. Staff said it does offer the opportunity to connect to the
North Teller Trailhead. The board said the proposal includes a lot of pavement, and were if CDOT will be
open to suggestions/comments for changes to reduce having a continuous center turn lane where there are
no turns for example.
On the “Draft 2025 Work Plan and Budget” item the board expressed their appreciation for the timeline
shift in response to board feedback. They asked for more clarification on the audit collections and if open
space is now collecting more money from these than before, as well as the reasoning on why.
AGENDA ITEM 3 – Approval of the Minutes (49:30)
Harmon Zuckerman moved the Open Space Board of Trustees to adopt the minutes from March 13, 2024
as amended. Jon Carroll seconded. This motion passed four to zero; Sarah Glynn abstained.
AGENDA ITEM 4 – Public Participation for Items not Identified for Public Hearing (51:00)
Lynn Segal spoke about budget.
AGENDA ITEM 5 – Matters from the Department (58:30)
Jennelle Freeston, Deputy Director of Community Connections, and Debbie Cushman, Volunteerism,
Service Leaning and Partnerships Program Manager, presented the “Volunteerism, Service Learning and
Partnerships Update and Declaration to Honor OSMP Volunteers During National Volunteer Week April
21-27, 2024”. They were joined in-person by Kris Weinberger, Volunteerism and Service Learning
Manager, Lauren Kolb, Agricultural Senior Program Manager, Daphne Kingsley and Cameron Genter,
lessees on the Hunter Kolb property, Avani Dilger, founder of Boulder Natural Highs, and Isa Angulo,
teen volunteer from Boulder Natural Highs.
The Board responded to staff’s presentation and proposed questions. The Board asked about engagement
work within middle schools and where this outreach could be expanded.
The Board read the following declaration:
The Open Space Board of Trustees joins the staff of the City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks
Department in recognizing all our volunteers during National Volunteer Week 2024. We salute the
hundreds of Open Space and Mountain Parks volunteers who contributed their talents and efforts in
helping the department carry out its City Charter Purpose for Open Space. This community of volunteers
is an inspiration as their contributions help to protect the resources and provide for enjoyable
experiences, making Boulder’s Open Space and Mountain Parks a special place.
(1:51:00) Ilene Flax, Senior Landscape Architect, presented the “Marshall Mesa Trailhead Improvements
and Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (DRMS) Project Update”. She was joined by
Jeremy Reineke and Tara Tafi from DRMS.
The Board asked about the rocky shield feature towards the beginning of the current trail and if that can
remain as-is. Additionally, they asked about a possible reservation system for the shade structure, how
much this plan has changed since the last time it was shared with the board, and what will communication
look like to the community.
(2:26:00) Ilene Flax, Senior Landscape Architect, presented the “Update on South Mesa Trailhead
Renovation”.
The Board asked about the timing of this project and if there will there be a location for people to park
while this work is taking place.
Dan Burke gave several verbal updates including that the Eagle Trailhead at Boulder Valley Ranch is now
back open and renovated, and work is continuing to happen on the Sage trail. He added that it was a good
hiring season for all temporary and seasonal crews this year.
Sarah suggested while trails are closed, staff could try changing the messaging to invite people to try a
similar area while the current area is closed. She said to look at what it is that people enjoy and how does
that line up with other areas; if people feel like they are being invited to have a new experience it could
change the perception of disruption.
ADJOURNMENT – The meeting adjourned at 8:49 p.m.
These minutes were prepared by Leah Russell