Open Space Advisory Board Agenda and Packet 2016 03 09

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Open Space Advisory Board Minutes February 10th 2015 Page 5 of 7 philosophical concern about "amenity creep," where open space gets slowly turned into a park as more and more features are added, such as paving the lot. Larry Donner (1020 Willow Place) complained about the dust from the west. He pointed out that a primary source of the dust is cars from the lot tracking wet mud into McCaslin, which dries, then becomes airborne. It was his observation that this problem has become considerably exacerbated by the increased traffic from the underpass and redesign project. He also suggested closing the lot during the snow. Spencer suggested that the dust problem is also from the Dog Off -Leash Area, which gets de- vegetated from use. Mr. Donner disagreed, saying that, in his opinion, most of the dust comes from mud from being dried up and deposited onto McCaslin. Spencer asked whether closing the property entirely ever would work. Mr. Donner thought not. Mike suggested milled asphalt as a compromise between creating a hard surface and the current gravel /dirt surface. Helen asked why milled asphalt would be less offensive than pavement. Mike wants to see the open space vs. park distinction visually preserved. Graeme commented that the parking lot is very heavily used and the City has to address that fact. Helen wanted clarification whether the lot would stay the same size, if paved. Jeff said that he had heard no suggestion for expanding the lot's footprint. Linda asked whether maintenance costs would actually go down if the lot were paved. Ember wasn't sure based on which approach was pursued, but Joe felt like it was possible that costs would go down, given how much maintenance it takes now. The board all agreed that incremental changes and amenities could slowly change an open space into a park, and that the board needs to help resist that trend. Linda commented that a lot of the property's problems are due to too many users and she wondered what could be done to reduce the numbers. Graeme asked whether cobblestones would work as a paving compromise, a solution often used in England. Joe replied it is too dry here. Spencer commented it was a "killing" irony to debate the degradation of the Davidson Mesa parking lot, when degradation of the land itself was so much more serious and sad. Jeff said that City Council will ask staff to develop options and cost estimates. Helen asked Joe and Ember if they had any current recommendations. Joe said that staff had it built the way they wanted it, but that they hadn't anticipated how crowded it would become. Laura asked whether the parking lot could ever be temporarily closed during bad weather, forcing people into the already paved Harper Lake parking lot. Joe said it wasn't ever done except during maintenance. Jeff said that he would report to Council that the board had some concerns about this project and would like to see a variety of options, including maintenance costs. Jeff expressed his opinion that a decision on this topic might happen relatively soon. X. Discussion Item- Ranger Position Update The City of Louisville had a position advertised on the webpage for an Open Space ranger, and the position closed today. There will be phone interviews during the week of February 15th. There will be panel interviews that include two OSAB members (Laura and Mike) and two outside rangers. Human Resources has received over 115 applications and Joe was encouraged by the good quality of the candidates. Helen asked to whom this position would report. Joe said that the ranger would report to Ember primarily, but also to the Police Department and code enforcement. The position includes an emphasis on enforcement, but OSAB's feeling was that there needed to be a strong emphasis on education as well. Helen liked that the job posting used the word "ambassador," since she didn't want to see it be only ticket - writing and adversarial. Helen asked if there would be formal time commitment percentage assignments. Joe replied no, since staff wants to maintain some freedom for adjustment to the job as time