Open Space Advisory Board Agenda and Packet 2014 12 10

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Open Space Advisory Board Minutes November 12th, 2014 Page 4 of 8 Missy asked about page 8, item no. 1. She was wondering if the order of the list ( "open space, buffer zones "... etc. with "future parks" listed last) reflected a proposed spending priority. Malcolm said he got that language from the ballot initiative. He asked whether the OSAB liked the list as a priority list, or whether trails might jump up from position number 3 on the list. Malcolm suggested that his intention was to prioritize: a) acquisition and, b) development, construction, operation, and maintenance. Mike asked whether the draft policy could include language that directs that the Conservation Trust -Land Acquisition Fund is not to be used for Recreation or the Golf Course. Helen had a question about the language of the draft policy regarding OSAB approving the estimated cost figures for the Open Space target parcels, information not previously made available to the board. Malcolm thought that it might be useful to provide these figures to the board through staff research and county records, to help make sure that the fund maintained an adequate balance. Missy pointed out that the draft policy doesn't mention any alternative venues for land acquisition, such as right of first refusals. Malcolm pointed out that the draft policy is already highly detailed and specific, and City Council is likely to want to retain some flexibility. Jeff recommended that the policy remain at a fairly high strategic level, rather than specifying things too precisely. But he agreed that the City does need to keep some of the indirect acquisition /conservation methods in the toolbox. Helen asked when OSAB needs to make formal comments on this draft policy. Malcolm asked for them to be submitted by January, so that the policy can be in place for the 2016 budget discussions. VII. Discussion Item: Lafayette- Louisville Boundary Area Drainage Improvements. Presented by: Cameron Fowlkes, Project Manager, Public Works Department Cameron presented the current ditches and flood drainage on the Harney Lastoka Open Space parcel and gave the history of the proposed plan. He showed the current 2008 master plan for the City of Lafayette's ball fields on the land, and expressed that the flood work needs to minimize impact for them. He reviewed the Project Goals, showing the current estimated 100 year flood plain, and what it would look like after the project was completed. The current full project costs are $12.7 million. Last week, the team decided not to do the portion of the plan indicated on the map as the 7.1 and 7.2 drainageways (along the north portion of Harney Lastoka), as the disruption to the vegetation and agricultural lease would be large, but the number of insured buildings in the area was few. Cameron listed some of the techniques that will minimize the impact of the project to the land. He also showed the trails that Urban Drainage was planning, which could be used as both Open Space trails and access roads for ditch maintenance. Tom noted that there were several springs that appeared near Empire Rd after the 2013 flood. He asked whether there were any groundwater specific parts of the plan. Cameron said that groundwater issues should be resolved by the project. Tom asked how close to the water table the ditch channels were. Cameron said he did not personally know, but the geo- engineers involved in the project are evaluating that. Mike asked whether the drop structures would be natural stone. Cameron said they would be natural stone, but grouted. 5