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Open Space Advisory Board <br />Minutes <br />August 14, 2024 <br />Page 5of8 <br />- Tamar, Susan, Helen worked on the ballot initiative and conducted a grassroots campaign <br />which resulted in 70% approval. <br />- Next steps are to determine how to shepherd the funds and make sure they are used as <br />intended. This includes going to city council meetings to advocate for open space priorities. <br />As a result, LOSA shared their priority list with OSAB and City Committees. This includes a <br />few concerns as listed below: <br />o They don't see the budget reflecting spending on city priorities (i.e. insufficient funds <br />toward open space) <br />o Elevated level of frustration since other topics and projects have always taken <br />priorities <br />o As citizens, they will continue to advocate for open space priorities. Offer to help <br />OSAB members and help promote priorities. <br />- Cathern comments that she sees LOSA open space priorities as: <br />o Budget <br />o Comprehensive inventory of what we have: vegetation, wildlife inventory, restoration <br />plan, conservation plan, acquisition plan <br />o Water rights (e.g. for golf course is already in the works), Coal Creek in -stream flow, <br />Hecla Lake, and Louisville ponds and wetlands <br />- She is encouraged that there is a grasslands expert on staff and believes that their efforts <br />are helpful to the OSAB board <br />- Matt comments that one important item to act on is input to the RFP. It is essential that the <br />consultants have open space expertise with credentials to represent open space interests <br />that have equal authority to a parks and recreation consultant. <br />- Matt also commented that water rights should include wildlife, not just citizens. He noted that <br />open space restoration work is at a 3:1 disadvantage to parks interests within the budget. <br />o Bob noted that the previous PROST plan included an open space consultant with <br />limited expertise. He is advocating having two separate plans, one for open space <br />and one for parks. <br />- The question was posed as to which should have higher Open Space priority - restoration or <br />acquisition? Matt answers that both are a priority. Money is taken out of general funds to <br />support an overrun Parks budget. This has to be managed better. Some of these general <br />funds could have been used for land acquisition for open space. He referenced a missed <br />opportunity for the City to acquire land on Bella Vista adjoining Daughenbaugh Open Space, <br />for which it had right of first refusal, that was sold and became a residential home when it <br />could have been purchased and allocated as open space. <br />- Michiko commented that we should keep this history in mind, but also be creative in getting <br />more funds through grant opportunities. <br />- Jessamine asked how we can be more effective in communication with the city council (e.g., <br />we aren't sure how much of last meeting's RTR comments were heard or discussed by the <br />city council). It was suggested that we all must continue to attend city meetings and provide <br />input. <br />- It was asked if there's a perception by the City that more must be given to Parks since open <br />space has tax revenue. <br />- Helen commented that the last tax ballot initially had and parks' added to 'open space' in <br />the ballot. Historically, extra funds went into Parks only, not open space. This year, Parks <br />City of Louisville <br />Parks Division 749 Main Street Louisville CO 80027 <br />303.335.4774 (phone) www.LouisvilleCO.gov <br />7 <br />