Open Space Advisory Board Agenda and Packet 2015 07 08

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Open Space Advisory Board Minutes June 10th 2015 Page 4 of 6 First Helen asked if there were any general comments about the brainstorming session at the previous meeting. Laura commented that it was hard to determine the proper scale; whether big "priority- level" ideas or smaller - scale, specific ideas were the goal. She also mentioned that she liked to hear some of the board's more ambitious ideas that never get vocalized in normal meeting. Helen was enthusiastic about the process. Ember said the time limits of the exercise were challenging. She suggested a retreat/brainstorming night (open to the public) at a location other than the meeting ("off - site") and that this idea was supported by the director. Mike commented that it was difficult to shift to normal business at the end of the brainstorming session, making him think that Ember's suggestion of an off -site, non - meeting time for the exercise might be helpful. He also said that he struggled being both the discussion's facilitator and a participant. The board seemed to all think it had been an interesting exercise. Ember had prepared post -it notes on a whiteboard to talk about the operational priorities from the previous exercise (Education & Programs, Development Plan, Trails, Natural Habitats), and the projects for each priority from the homework. Acquisition was not part of the discussion because it's a CIP issue, not an operational issue. Helen asked the board to vote for their top two of the four priorities. There were 6 board members present. The results were ranked as follows: 1) Natural Habitat -6 votes 2) Development Plan renamed "Strategic Planning" -3 votes 3) Trails -2 votes 4) Educational Programs -1 vote Then Helen asked the board to vote for top three projects in each of the #1 and #2 priorities. Under "Natural Habitat," the votes were as follows: — setting goals for restoring OS habitats -6 — baseline vegetation and species surveys -6 — "healthy ecosystems" -2 — agricultural land preservation -2 — native species enhancement -1 —a full time "land manager" staff member -1 Under "Strategy Planning." the votes were as follows: —set a strategic plan & work with city staff on the plan -9 — enhance native species -5 —vault toilets at Open Space properties -2 — "infrastructure" -1 — enhance the urban environment -1 Helen suggested that a clear recommendation from the board would be that Open Space invests in doing the necessary science to do baseline habitat surveys and restoring natural habitats. The second recommendation would be to create a strategic plan going forward. Mike was concerned that Trails (as a priority) dropped out, when we have momentum about wayfinding and connectivity. The board agreed, so Helen decided that we'd do the same ranking exercise on the Trails section as well. Under "Trails," the votes were as follows: — trail connectivity /missing links & Old Town/McCaslin Access -8 — wayfinding & bike plan -6 5