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• • • Open Space Advisory Board Minutes DATE Page 2 of 4 1. Staff Updates (Jeff Moline) On the topic of instream flows, Jeff suggests that city may need a formal resolution from the Board to pursue. City is concerned about possible costs. Ted Kowalski notes that cost to city should be minimal. Regarding Davidson Mesa Trails, the project is out to bid. Jeff asks OSAB for confirmation of the "35 foot" guideline when determining trail alignment near homes. 2. Board Updates. Michael Gheleta notes that OSAB Chairman Bob Muckle has been elected to City Council, and will no longer be on the OSAB board. Mr. Gheleta will assume Chair through remainder of the year. Gary Mansdorfer asks to have prioritization of Open Space acquisitions added to the December meeting agenda. OSAB and Jeff need to think about how to rank properties for possible acquisition. 3. Dutch Creek Gardens (And general discussion of gardens on Open Space). Several citizens fro the Dutch Creek neighborhood were present at the meeting to voice their concerns over the proposed OS rules and regulations. Jeff began with a brief review of the relevant rules and regs, and the rationale for those rules and regs. Several citizens spoke in favor of allowing gardens to continue to be planted on Open Space. Speakers included Mr. Matt Luneta, Ms. Christina Richmond, Ms. Nancy Harper, Mr. Christopher Cone, and Ms. Marli Kennel. Comments of these citizens are summarized here. The citizens who spoke were uniformly in favor of continued use of Louisville Open Space lands adjacent to their properties for gardens an other landscaping "improvements ". Rationale for asking the OSAB to support ongoing use of the land for their gardens and requests of the OSAB included: a. No prior prohibition, and in some cases even tacit approval by City staff. b. Grandfathering current uses until City Council explicitly prohibits c. Gardens as a valuable social gathering place that enhances sense of community and increases citizen awareness of neighborhood (a beneficial safety side effect) d. Acts as buffer against weed invasion from OS into yards. e. Gardens are assets to community f. Would open more land in the proposed Harney - Lastoka gardens for others. g. OS lands bordering dutch Creek neighborhood are "visitor lands" and as such not critical to protection of native species. h. Argument of animal issues and weed issues from Jeff Moline's letter are not valid, as "infestation" will occur regardless. The citizens encourages the OSAB to recommend re- opening its discussion of the rules and regs, any other assistance OSAB can provide. All OSAB members except David Waldman were unwilling to consider modification of the OS Rules and Regs. The feeling of these members is