City Council Minutes 2024 02 13 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

City Council Meeting Minutes February 20, 2024 Page 2 of 4 PARKS & PUBLIC LANDSCAPING ADVISORY BOARD UPDATE AND 2024 WORK PLAN Cynthia Corne, board chair, reviewed the work of the board over the past year. She noted successes with advising on the 2C ballot language, providing input on median and playground projects, and getting the City designated as a Bee City. She reviewed the board's proposed work plan for 2024. She asked for feedback from Council on the economic impact of parks on the community, if the work plan aligns with the City Council work plan, and if the current communications strategy for Parks is working well. Public Comments Sherry Sommer, Louisville, stated she would like to see more communication between the boards and Council and more ways for input from residents to be incorporated in decision making. Members all agreed parks are an important asset to the community for economic and quality of life reasons. They need to be property maintained as an asset and be accessible to all members of the community. Councilmembers and board members discussed the need for including sustainability in decision making around parks. Board members noted concerns that the split of the Parks and Open Space Funds could reduce the budget for parks. Everyone agreed this will need to be considered in the 2025 budget. Councilmembers agreed the Board work plan aligns with the City Council's plan. Members also agreed that the communications strategy for parks has been working well. OPEN SPACE ADVISORY BOARD UPDATE AND 2024 WORK PLAN Chair Susan McEachern reviewed the role of OSAB and the highlights from 2023. She reviewed the board 2024 priorities including open space management, wildfire mitigation, and creating an acquisition policy. David Blankinship stated the current acquisition process is too slow and we need a policy in place so we can move quickly if a property becomes available. He reviewed projects the Board would like to see funded with any new funds generated by the approved open space and parks tax including habitat protection and restoration;