Open Space Advisory Board 2017 12 13 Final Minutes

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Open Space Advisory Board Minutes December 13, 2017 Page 6 of 6 crossing at Dillon Road for the Powerline Trail. The proposed Overlook Underpass Trail and several other small trails have been postponed. Helen asked where these other trail suggestions came from. Ember replied that they came from the trails open house several years ago combined with staff ideas and Planning Department ideas. Jeff added that Council added funding for a ranger -naturalist position. They want that person to be a generalist, who can do whatever Open Space needs along with doing ranger duties. XII. Discussion Item: Select Trail Option to Avoid Declining Cottonwood Trees by Recreation Center There are two large, aging cottonwoods along the Powerline Trail, just below the Recreation/Senior Center that the City forester has identified as hazardous. Alan and Joe couldn't come tonight so most of this discussion will be postponed until next month so a full update can be provided. PPLAB has voted to keep the trees, and add a protection zone (add safety fencing and route the trail around the trees). Alan proposed a trail realignment. Ember asked that OSAB provide feedback on the trail alignment and not the trees as they are not on Open Space. Jim pointed out that some of the realignment is on a current social trail. Jim said that a big effort to go around trees that aren't healthy is weird. Fiona asked which is cheaper: getting rid of the trees or moving the trail. Helen wanted to hear an estimate of how much longer we should expect the trees to live before the City moves a significant section of trail infrastructure. Mike thought any trail bypass alignment should be smoothed out and the primary trail clearly established. He also wanted any plan to include information about what will be re- seeded. Fiona commented that the trail is expensive and so the trees should come down. Laura pointed out that wayfinding trail realignment plans, including a significant one just down trail from these trees at Fireside Elementary, keep getting postponed due to budget constraints. She was frustrated by the idea of spending the City's limited trail budget on degrading the trail network's alignment rather than improving it. Mike commented that OSAB will most likely not have a say in whether or not the trees come down. XIII. Discussions Items for the Next Meeting on Wednesday, January 10th - A. Notice of Public Posting. B. Election of OSAB officers. C. Jim would like to revisit the topic of the Warembourg prairie dog preserve. The board may need to invite the county land managers. Helen asked what role the City could have. Ember said that the City could help manage the prairie dogs in one small fenced in area on the west side of the property and south of Goodhue Ditch but that the property at large falls under County management plans and policies. Missy suggested that a refinement of the problem statement might help. Ember commented that this topic might need to happen in February in order to allow the County time to prepare and schedule to attend. D. Laura suggested that the board might need to discuss the Coyote Run slump study. XIV. Adjourn - The meeting adjourned at 9:29 pm.