Open Space Advisory Board Agenda and Packet 2020 05 13

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Open Space Advisory Board Minutes March 11, 2020 Page 5 of 6 Helen commented that public communication continues to be a challenge. She said that the board is starting to focus on the issue of social trails and is hoping to have public process analogous to the process for the wayfinding process and invited the public to keep up with the minutes and to watch for events for public feedback. Charles commented that he thinks the current Open Space is pretty great as it is. Missy commented that “wayfinding” means signs and trail organization, and asked the assembled public to help with that effort if it is important to people. David wanted to clarify that OSAB is a dedicated group of recreationalists and conservationists and it isn’t the Board’s goal to limit access to Open Space. He wants to the public to realize that the board didn’t weigh in on this, but recognizes that the board’s credibility does take a hit by association. 8. Discussion Item: Update from the Integrated Weed Management Plan/Herbicide Use Discussion at City Council Special Meeting from February 25, 2020. Presented by Nathan Mosley, Director of Parks, Recreation, and Open Space. (see page 10 of the March 2020 OSAB Meeting packet) Nathan summarized that City Council wants to eliminate 2,4D and glyphosate (commonly called “Round Up”) use on Parks and Open Space land, and to continue not to use neonicotinoids. This would necessitate an 80% increase in mechanical removal on parks. Last year Open Space staff used 12oz of glyphosate total for all Open Space land. Nathan said that people would have to get used to a different look in the Parks if they want to eliminate herbicide use. Jessamine asked if the City can hope to adhere to state weed control rules without herbicide. Peter felt like OSAB has weighed in on this issue already by approving the Integrated Weed Management program. Helen asked if Esplanade was on City Council’s agenda. Nathan answered it is not yet. David thought this sounded like an unfunded mandate: hand weeding will take a lot more employee hours and therefore cost much more. Laura commented that the very small amount of glyphosate and other herbicides used on Open Space land is a tiny fraction of the total amount that other entities use in the City (private citizens, the ditch company, agriculture, the golf course). City Council can’t control all of those other entities. When citizens see other entities spraying within the City, the City loses credibility. Nathan said that it would be best to have a process and criteria for their use. David said it’s hard to give up chemical weed containment entirely, without something waiting in the wings to replace it. He also recommended using the CSU study to bring some scientific rigor to the process. Nathan said people have made up their mind about this issue and using science doesn’t always seem to be persuasive. Helen asked if the golf course was covered by the City Council’s plan. Nathan said it was not, currently. Missy thinks the most persuasive argument will be the impact to the budget, but also thinks the City saying they had listed to citizens and eliminated herbicide use where they can will be powerful, even if other entities continue to spray.