Open Space Advisory Board Agenda and Packet 2014 12 10

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Open Space Advisory Board Minutes November 12th, 2014 Page2of8 The Board also reiterated that in their experience, it is the perception of the majority of the citizen's that communicate with the Board, that the fund's primary purpose is acquisition and support of Open Space. Board members continue to highlight that we need to acknowledge the Conservation Trust -Land Acquisition Fund name and history and the affect it has had on the public's perception of the tax's goal and urged Malcolm, the City and Council to use consistent language and continue to support and increase spending on Open Space acquisition and operations. Malcolm talked about staff's recommendation to reserve funds for Open Space land acquisition and maintain a fund balance sufficient to acquire target properties. Laura asked whether Louisville has ever considering asking for a tax dedicated solely to Parks and Recreation (like Lafayette has) or whether there was an appetite for such a tax. Malcolm responded by saying that recent citizen polling indicated that use taxes are the most popular, followed by sales taxes, followed by property taxes. Jeff recalled a ballot proposal about a decade ago that asked the citizens to fund parks and the library and it failed. Mike pointed out that it has been since 2007 that the City bought actual Open Space land with the Conservation Trust -Land Acquisition Fund. Malcolm responded that we buy land as it becomes available, something the City has no control over the timing. Malcolm explained that he thought OSAB had some good ideas about how the City could be more proactive about land acquisition, and explore the use of land acquisition tactics such as negotiating rights of first refusal with landowners, conservation easements and proactively contacting land owners. Jeff pointed out that most of the target properties are already zoned agricultural, so there is some protection, as zoning would have to reviewed and changed by the City before a rival buyer could come in and develop the land as housing or commercial property. Mike commented that part of being more proactive about land acquisition should involve the City targeting land acquisition in areas of the city that are planned to increase in population density according to the comprehensive plan. He particularly pointed out that if more housing is going in near Davidson Mesa, then Davidson Mesa is likely to be heavily impacted and that the City would plan to support open space to anticipate and address these issues. Mike also commented that if the economy were to be weak the next time the ballot came up for renewal, it might not pass. He asked whether it would be appropriate to ask for a tax, providing for Open Space land management, that does not sunset. He felt that in Louisville, such a suggestion may have support. Malcolm responded by saying that polling revealed that support drops off for taxes that never sunset. City Council discussed this idea at the time of the last ballot renewal of the Conservation Trust -Land Acquisition Fund. The Council felt that forcing renewals encourages accountability. Spencer asked whether Malcolm thought that a citizen board should advise on the Parks portion of the City's expenditure. Malcolm stated that in 2015, roughly $450,000 will go towards Open Space (activities, salaries, management) and about $1.5 million will go towards Parks (staff, operations, management, etc.). This ratio of spending is found in the accounting spreadsheets in the packet. Jeff responded to Spencer's concern by saying that though parks don't have a citizen board, overseeing those responsibilities does fall to the City Council. 3