City Council Agenda and Packet 2022 12 13 SP

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From: J Fitzpatrick To: City Council; Deb Fahev, Maxine Most Cc: Ember Brignull; David Blankinship; Adam Blackmore Subject: Open Space Advisory Board Appointments Date: Tuesday, December 13, 2022 8:56:23 AM Dear Louisville City Council, Late yesterday I was made aware that a current Open Space Advisory Board (OSAB) member, Charles Danforth, is not being recommended for reappointment to OSAB for a term beginning in 2023. 1 am writing to strongly recommend that Council reappoint Charles to OSAB, as opposed to taking the Committee's recommendation on this particular appointment. Charles began his Board service in 2020 and, as noted in the Committee packet, Charles has not missed an OSAB meeting this past year. He actively participates in OSAB meetings and contributes incredibly useful information on a range of topics. When I was Chair of the Board last year and was unable to participate in a meeting, Charles stepped up to moderate in his role as Vice Chair. As an avid trail user, Charles knows the ins and outs of nearly all of Louisville's open space trails. He participates in open space educational activities, particularly as they relate to dark skies and astronomy, of which Charles has meaningful interest and knowledge. Charles also brings his professional skills to bear on OSAB discussions. Specifically, he has been working with Chair, David Blankinship, to resolve a high -priority issue for OSAB, which is the topic of how we address the many miles of "social trails" within City boundaries. On his own time, Charles walks these single track, undesignated trails to understand their use and impacts on our open space properties. He has created GIS maps and brought other technological resources to provide data and insights to OSAB discussions of critical topics, including the trails issue. Failure to reappoint Charles to OSAB would further delay a solution for the important issue of social trails in Louisville and it would result in a loss of knowledge and technical insight on the Board. Finally, I would like Council to consider the effect of significant turnover in this year's appointments. Due to two unexpected resignations in 2022, OSAB has four positions open for appointment this year. Even with reappointment of two existing members (Charles Danforth and Laura Denton - who has served several terms), there is an opportunity to bring on two new Board members. As I am sure Council can appreciate, it takes a long time for new volunteer Board members to get up to speed on the priorities and procedures of a City advisory board. Charles brings institutional knowledge, energy and attention to an active workstream on the trails issue, and an existing working relationship with OSAB and division staff. Not only is this continuity of value to the City, but failure by Council to support continuity (without a clear explanation or rationale) may discourage future interest in Board participation and application for reappointment. Because I am unable to make the Council meeting in -person this evening, I request that this comment be made part of the public record for the December 13, 2022 City Council meeting. Thank you for your time and consideration. Jessamine Fitzpatrick Open Space Advisory Board Member since 2020, Chair in 2021 City of Louisville Ward II Resident 474 Fillmore Court