Open Space Advisory Board 2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Bev Baker (USFS weed manager / biologist) urged Louisville to get after their weed control. She agreed that the City could get at the leafy spurge, it should do it right away. She wondered if a scout troop or other organization could be organized to "go after" a weed species? Wayne Varra reminded the Board that some type of weed management decision need to be made in order to be budgeted for next year. Bob Muckle recommended going with what Cindy Owsley recommended in her memo to Steve Baysinger. He suggested that the Board shouldn't discourage Council and Staff from applying resources to the weed problem now, while the Board works on alternatives for specific properties. Bill Jennings added that the Colorado Native Plant Society offers "Weeds of the West" for sale ($20) for interested parties. He will also work to organize a weed pull. Steve Baysinger said he will send out the plan of attack and unless the Board identifies a problem, he will proceed. All Board members agreed. Next agenda item: Native Plants Matt Jones stated that Bill Jennings and Caryl Shields, members of the Colorado Native Plant Society, are going to edit the native plant list that he submitted last month. Dave Sexton (City) was unclear on the definition of "native" plants since Louisville is located in a ecological transition area. He wondered if Louisville was being classified as prairie, which would mean no trees. Matt Jones clarified "native" as meaning native to Colorado's grasslands and riparian areas. Brad Chromowski (City) added that he would like to see the plant list broken down into groups as it would apply to specific open space areas. He will also have to get approval of the list by his staff. He stated that "edge" areas, i.e., parks next to open space, need to be clarified. Bob Muckle wondered what would be mandated and what would be allowed as general guidelines. Steve Baysinger suggested that the "edge" areas might not be a function of LOSCAB. Those areas are generally driven by public requests from the adjoining neighborhoods. Matt Jones stressed that because LOSCAB is only an advisory board, the definitions would ultimately have to be approved by the Council. Bob Muckle suggested the plant list be an outline (not exclusive) which would serve as a guideline or general approach to managing open lands. Steve Baysinger noted that the City's current approach was to use as many native species as possible, when possible. He is concerned that a "native plant list" that is bound to the ordinance, could be problematic if plants are used that are not on the list. The plants might be native, but are not listed. Availability of native plants drives their use. Public Comment Matt Jones called for public comment on the natural plant issue.