Open Space Advisory Board Agenda and Packet 2015 01 11

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Open Space Advisory Board Minutes January 14th, 2014 Page 2 of 7 that if the intension is to rename the property, there is already an Open Space land parcel named after the Harney Family (Harney Lastoka), which could be confusing. Evelyn and Becky answered that they are mostly interested in a sign/marker at the site naming the pond Harney Pond and giving its history, rather than renaming the property itself. Mike was supportive of a marker/interpretive education naming Harney Pond, but felt like any discussion about renaming the land parcel should be explicitly separate. Christopher cautioned that the name the pond isn’t listed as an action item on the agenda, so a vote might be inappropriate. Joe clarified that all OSAB is being asked to do tonight is to make a recommendation that the City continue to consider this name modification, not to vote to change anything tonight (the City Council will make the ultimate decision). OSAB was in consensus that they would like to see further exploration of the idea of an educational sign at the pond, telling its history and naming the pond “Harney Pond.” VI. Discussion Item: Finalize Edits for the City Manager’s Draft Policy Regarding the Conservation Trust-Land Acquisition Fund (Open Space and Parks Fund). Attending: Malcolm Fleming, City Manager The packet shows Malcolm’s comments and OSAB’s comments on the draft policy, and Malcolm’s current draft based on those comments. Christopher said that he thought that Malcolm did a good job integrating OSAB’s feedback. Mike felt his comments had been addressed. Laura & Helen both expressed that they thought this document was very well done and addressed nearly all of the concerns on this topic that OSAB has been discussing over the last few years. They expressed gratitude to Malcolm for his work on this project. Jean Morgan (1131 Spruce St.) said she would like to see the document specify that the Conservation Trust-Land Acquisition Fund’s spending be 50% on Parks and 50% on Open Space. Helen replied that she felt that this policy document should be more about setting priorities at a broad level, rather than locking in budgetary numbers, particularly in absence of specific spending proposals. Malcolm agreed with Helen. Malcolm added that the City Council would see this policy at the end of January, if citizens wanted to comment on it further. Helen told Jean that staff and OSAB have been advocating for the transparency improvement to the fund’s spending accounting, expressly so this ratio of Parks and Open Space spending could be monitored. Jean also said that she felt that the parcel of land at Main St. and So. Boulder Road would make a great parcel for city Park or Open Space acquisition, perhaps as a “pioneer park” for transported historical buildings. But she was concerned that she didn’t see it listed on the Open Space target property document. Helen explained that OSAB only rates potential land parcels that would make good candidates for Open Space, not for Parks or any other uses, and that this parcel did not qualify as a potential Open Space parcel. Helen continued that there currently isn’t an advisory board advocating for Parks acquisition, a situation that may need to be explored. Mike clarified also that the current language in the draft policy has been left broad enough to justify using the Conservation Trust-Land Acquisition Fund for park acquisitions, as long as the balance in the fund is sufficient to purchase the top three Open Space target properties. Linda made a motion that this draft policy document be submitted to the City Council as written. Laura seconded. OSAB agreed unanimously. 3