Open Space Advisory Committee Meeting
Thursday February 2, 2012
6:00 pm, Regular Meeting
City Hall (Council Chambers)

Draft Minutes

Call to Order / Roll Call
The meeting was called to order at 6:02pm.  Those in attendance were Dave Belin, Erin Frazier, Mark Dowling, Bob Spillman, City Council Member, Steve Kracha, City Administrator, Gary Klaphake, Open Space Superintendent, Jeff Moline, and Director of Parks, Open Space and Golf, Monte Stevenson.

Items from the Public
Wendy Phillips, Flagg Drive in unincorporated Boulder County, spoke of a very offensive odor that sometimes stings her eyes that has emanated from the wastewater treatment plant since October 2011.  Mick Forester from Public Works has indicated to her that they are performing some tests at the treatment plant.  With regard to planning and open space issues, Ms. Phillips is hopeful that those that live in the “influence area” of a city or town can have a voice in the policies of those communities.  She asked for improved communication between the city and the public that live nearby but are not residents.  She also asked for the city to look into the possibility for non-residents to have a participatory role in city and county boards and committees.  Gary Klaphake took Ms. Phillips concerns under advisement and explained that the biological balance at the wastewater treatment plant can sometimes become unbalanced and cause odors.  He also informed Ms. Phillips that the current city charter does not allow for non-residents to participate in city boards and committees.

Approval of Minutes
Erin Frazier made a motion to approve the January 2012 minutes as written.  Bob Spillman seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Reports
Monte Stevenson reported that an amendment to the trail easement on the Stanish property has been approved and the connection will move forward once the design work is completed.

The first design draft of the Coal Creek Regional Trail 120th Underpass project has been received by the city.  A final engineering draft will be presented to the committee once received.  It is likely the south culvert box will be utilized and that the trail will parallel the  south boundary of Coal Creek East Open Space until it reaches the Stanish Trail Easement.

The City’s art committee does not believe they will have funding to purchase the Survey Our Future sculpture by the time the barn will be completed.  They will seek additional funding strategies to purchase the piece and a 503(C) has been established so tax-deductible donations can be made.

The City of Louisville will reconsider Area 8 at their February 21 city council meeting.

Radiant heat and the foundation have been installed at the Thomas Open Space Barn project.

Topics for Discussion
As a courtesy to Boulder County staff, this item was advanced in the agenda order.  County Commissioner, Cindy Domineco presented Boulder County’s proposed open space purchase within the Lafayette influence area, the Walker Property, located on the west side of Hwy 287, north of Isabelle Road.  The East Boulder County IGA requires that the county seek approval from its cosigners when seeking to purchase an open space property with that cosigner’s influence area.  The owners of the property wish to preserve the agricultural nature of the property which has historically been used as such.  Boulder County is not seeking financial participation from Lafayette.  Erin Frazier made a motion to recommend to City Council that the committee supports Boulder County’s acquisition of the part of the Walker property that is within the Lafayette influence area.  Bob Spillman seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Staff explained that the city’s Great Outdoors Colorado Planning Grant application would be greatly strengthened by adding the Open Space and Trails Master Plan update to the proposal.  A consultant would be hired to assist and a full-fledged public input component will be a part of the planning process.  Efforts made by the committee and staff to update the master plan shall be incorporated into the plan.  Gary Klaphake discussed the city’s intention to conduct a more comprehensive, city-wide survey in the near future which will provide significant insight into the community’s needs and desires.  A motion was made by Erin Frazier to support the plan put forth by staff to combine efforts to get funding support for a combined planning process integrating both the open space and trails master plan and the parks and recreation master plan for a GOCO grant.  The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Over $17million in sales tax revenue has been collected for open space since the inception of the formal open space program which began in 1993. Gary Klaphake suggested making the Legacy Tax renewal an issue on the November 2012 ballot in the event that it needs to be run on the ballot twice in consecutive years.  He also suggested that the history of the open space sales tax is powerful and that a pictorial essay would be helpful when explaining how funds have been utilized since ’93.  It was suggested that if general terms are used, future acquisitions can be discussed to highlight what areas are valuable as future open space.  Once City Council puts the issue on the ballot, the city and its representatives cannot advocate for the issue.  The city administrator recommended sticking with the language already crafted for the Legacy tax.  Direction was given to present the entire efforts of the combined open space sales taxes in the renewal process.

Members reviewed and made recommendations to the city’s Comprehensive Plan update as it relates to open space and trails.

Members finalized the 2012 goals and assignments.

Areas discussed for Arbor Day included the stretch of the Coal Creek Regional Trail between Avalon Avenue and Coal Creek Village or along a drainage way at Two Creeks Open Space.  Other committees will be invited to attend Arbor Day this year.  Arbor Day will be held on April 21.

Erin Frazier made a motion to recommend Allison Hamm as an alternate member to City Council.

The star gazing event will be held in conjunction with the Longmont Astronomical Society at 6:30pm at the Bob L. Burger on Friday, February 17.

Member Updates
Dave Belin inquired about the recent coyote activity and email sent by the police department.  There has been an uptick in coyote sightings.

Planning Updates and Review
There were no items to review.

Next Agenda – March 1, 2012
Items for the next agenda will include Arbor Day, the Comp Plan, the City Council presentation, and Celebrate Lafayette.

Adjournment
A motion was made to adjourn by Bob Spillman.  Erin Frazier seconded and the motion passed unanimously.