Open Space Advisory Board Agenda and Packet 2016 05 11

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Open Space Advisory Board Minutes April 13th 2015 Page 5 of 7 "shaggy" look of Lake Park wasn't simply a function of the reduction of City mowing that the whole City has experienced as a result of the economic downturn. Mike felt Lake Park Open Space should remain as Open Space, but perhaps the City could change the classification to Open Space -Other to allow for more aggressive weed control, more frequent mowing, and perhaps better maintenance of the shrub beds. Linda asked if the City was being too influenced by the opinions the adjacent neighbors rather than the whole city, and expressed concern about how increased maintenance at Lake Park Open Space might tax the total Open Space budget. Helen revisited the Open Space classifications' legal description and pointed out that the current Open Space- Visitor designation was flexible enough to allow a bit more manicured maintenance. Laura agreed with Helen that the Open Space- Visitor designation still fits and mowing could be increased, but the debate may really come down to weed and algae control. Graeme felt that algae is probably inevitable in a pond like this because of the high nutrient load of the area but the current aeration bubblers should keep the pond from destructive anoxia. Helen proposed a motion: Keep Lake Park Open Space designated as Open Space- Visitor. Keep the current maintenance routine of mowing, but make incremental improvements such as mulching and grooming the beds and introducing some weed control. Linda seconded the motion. The board voted on this motion with six votes for, no votes against, and one abstention. Walnut Park has been designated as a Park, but maintained as an Open Space, with weed control and volunteer projects. Raptors routinely nest in the area and there are plenty of reports of coyotes using the land. Previous Open Space staff even put a sign on the property that refers to it as an Open Space. There haven't been any citizen complaints about the way the land is maintained. Spencer made a motion: the City should re- designate Walnut Park as Open Space. Linda seconded. The board passed the motion unanimously. Ember will take recommendation to Joe Stevens. Ember suggested that OSAB also discuss this issue with the new Parks Board (PPLAB). X. Discussion Item: Trail Updates a. Davidson Mesa National Trails Day Volunteer Project— Presented by Harlan Vitoff, Open Space Technician Harlan presented a trail project planned for Saturday, June 11, 8 -12am, at the Northwest corner of the the Davidson Mesa property. National Trail Day is officially June 4th, but there were so many things going on in the City on that day that staff changed the date of the event. Last year only one person showed up to this event, but this year Harlan has a business signed up for an organized work event. More volunteers are still needed, however. Harlan showed photos of the highly eroded current trail conditions and shared some of its current statistics (see meeting packet). The repair goals are to reduce water erosion and create water bars, so that water doesn't run down the trail and further erode it. Harlan thought that logs might be the most effective materials for the water bars. Harlan listed all the materials that would be needed and presented a plan for deploying all the materials on the day of the event. Helen asked how many volunteers would they need to move all that material with buckets. Harlan thought 20 -25 people, working for four hours, would be sufficient. Ember pointed out that this is an unusual project since these two trails are essentially non - conforming social trails, and repairing them may be construed as tantamount to endorsing them. Also, be aware that the "primary trail" has been on City Open Space maps for years. The board felt there should to be a single trail, not both of these trails in use. Board members initially preferred repairing the less steep 6