Open Space Advisory Committee Meeting
Thursday March 1, 2012
6:00 pm, Regular Meeting
City Hall (Council Chambers)

Draft Minutes

Call to Order / Roll Call
The meeting was called to order at 6:07pm.  Those in attendance were Dave Belin, Erin Frazier, Bob Spillman, Mark Dowling, Allison Hamm, Monte Stevenson, Director of Parks, Open Space and Golf, and Jeff Moline, Open Space Superintendent.  Also in attendance were Karen Westover, Community Development Planning Manager, and Phillip Patterson, Community Development Director.

Items from the Public
There were no items from the public.

Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Bob Spillman to approve the February 2012 minutes as written.  Mark Dowling seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Reports
Monte Stevenson reported on an IGA with Urban Drainage for the 120th Street Underpass project that will go before City Council at the next meeting.  Many of the erosion issues will be dealt with on Coal Creek East Open Space during this project.  Urban Drainage continues to be a great partner on projects in Lafayette.

Jeff Moline plans to use the Youth Corps to construct the temporary trail through the easement on the Stanish's property this summer that will connect to the Coal Creek Trail-Eastern Link project.  Boulder County will go out to bid on the four mile section of the Eastern Link project this summer.  A brief presentation and description of the box culvert proposed to go beneath 120th Street was given by Mr. Moline.

Mr. Moline illustrated the city's efforts to extend Powerline Trail west of Caria Street to make a connection into the trail system around Hecla Lake in Louisville. 

Louisville has a rough draft of an IGA before Lafayette and Boulder County which will assist in bringing agricultural water to Harney Lastoka Open Space.  The estimated cost to Lafayette is $30,000-50,000 (25% of the total project cost) which would likely be paid from the POST Fund.  A motion was made by Erin Frazier to support staff's negotiations for capital improvements which will get agricultural water to the Harney Lastoka Open Space market farm.  The motion was seconded by Bob Spillman and passed unanimously.

Mr. Stevenson reported that Louisville’s City Council has reversed its position on potential open space designated as Area 8 in the Open Space and Trails Master Plan. 

The Thomas Open Space Barn Project is on schedule and on budget.  The lessee is looking into hanging historical photos inside the retail area of the barn.

Topics for Discussion- Comprehensive Plan Update
This item was moved up in the agenda to accommodate the Community Development staff.  Mr. Patterson and Ms. Westover provided insight and guidance for the committee’s contributions to the in-house Comprehensive Plan update process.  The Comprehensive Plan will provide a broad vision for the city’s future development.  New policies will need to be worked through the process and will be scrutinized.  Specifics will fall under related master plans and departmental policies rather than in the Comp Plan.  Planning would like to receive feedback by the end of April or early May.  Planning staff will be back to open space staff and the committee in regards to map related issues.  City staff will revise the goals and policies the committee has updated to date.  Cross-departmental work within the city will be important to capture efforts that affect multiple facets of the community and city departments such as connectivity.  Mr. Moline will email the current red-lined version of POG staff edits to the comp plan to members for further review.

Topics for Discussion- Legacy Tax
Information on past open space acquisitions as well as future, proposed properties was discussed.  Roughly $10 million from open space sales tax revenues have been spent on acquisitions to date.  Proposed future acquisitions for Tier I and Tier II parcels would run around $27 million for 892 acres.  Several of the proposed future parcels would likely involve partnerships with regional agencies.  Members will present a photo essay to City Council on April 17 when asking to renew the Legacy tax.  Ms. Frazier suggested presenting the photos at the beginning of the presentation.  Mr. Belin suggested including general, macro-level location descriptions as well as a sequenced map presentation for both open space and trails.  Members suggested starting the progression in the early 1990s.  Dave Belin and Erin Frazier will subcommittee on the City Council presentation. 

Topics for Discussion- LOSAC 2012 Goals
The 2012 goals to be presented to City Council were finalized and it was encouraged that quarterly updates occur throughout the year.

Topics for Discussion- Arbor Day
Members discussed Arbor Day plans.  This year’s event on April 21 will be held along Coal Creek Trail near the Avalon Street entrance to the Coal Creek Trail between the City Service Center and the Coal Creek Village neighborhood.  A mechanical watering plan will be utilized for this particular planting.  It is important to staff to avoid plantings that require a time-intensive hand-watering plan which must be maintained by staff on a regular basis throughout the warmer months.  Jeff Moline will inquire with Boulder County if plantings can be done on the south side of the trail.  Online registration, flyers and promotional materials will be made available.  Mr. Belin encouraged utilizing this event to ask other committee members to work together.

Members reviewed and revised the existing education and outreach master plan.  It was recommended that the document be called a plan rather than a master plan.  The Outdoor Classroom Task Force references can be removed since its duties now fall within those of the Open Space Advisory Committee itself.  “Celebrate Lafayette” will be replaced with “community events”.  A final review will occur at the next meeting.

Member Updates
Bob Spillman will be out of town throughout the month of April.

Erin Frazier reported that the annual report given to City Council went well.  Mayor Cutler commended the committee for its efficacy.

The Project YES bench on the northeast side of Waneka Lake Park was removed after it was found broken in two.  The police were notified and a report was taken.

Planning Updates and Review
Members reviewed a planning referral of the Stephenson/Nelson parcel--a request to rezone the parcel from DR to Public.  Members support this request.

Next Agenda
Items for the next agenda will include the comp plan update, the education and outreach plan update, Arbor Day plans, and the Legacy tax renewal presentation.

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