Open Space Advisory Board Agenda and Packet 2015 01 14

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Open Space Advisory Board Minutes November 12th, 2014 Page 5 of 7 Joe clarified for the board that the new City Services building project has been moved from Empire Road to 104th and Dillon in the Colorado Technology Center. Mike and Christopher asked about its funding and how the listed grant would offset the cost being born by the Conservation Trust -Land Acquisition Fund. They questioned whether the Conservation Trust -Land Acquisition Fund would be ultimately paying more than 25% of the cost of this facility. Helen asked about page 14 and the Wayfinding information. Ember suggested that the consultant's current work will help clarify the costs and phasing of the project. Ember talked about the plans for future Harney Lastoka, including delivering the water for the planned CSA, doing building preservation, and developing educational trails. Hecla Lake reservoir improvements were listed on page 15. It turns out that many of the trees that the City Forester declared dead on the dam weren't dead after all and didn't have to be removed. The improvements listed in the CIP allow for some planting and drip irrigation to help get vegetation established for the site's dedication as a bird sanctuary. This will depend on the developer's schedule, since they will be putting in the irrigation tap at the pocket park. Christopher asked about the Open Space Zoning project. Ember explained that the idea is to add an extra zoning protection for Open Space land and to compile all the Open Space parcel boundaries and surveys. The board will be asked to consult during this process. The background research will be done by consultants, which is what the listed $28,000 will be used for. Tom asked about the Hwy. 36 underpass and reemphasized his opinion that getting the alignment correct on the Davidson Mesa side will probably cost additional funding. Ember replied that Planning is managing this issue. Missy suggested that staff alert Planning that there are going to be alignment issues before more work is done. Ember called attention to a few 2016 items. One item is revision of the Open Space Master Plan. Ember wants to have OSAB participation in this discussion. Ember thinks this might involve some vegetation surveys, which may require hiring consultants. OSAB could help formulate goals for an RFP and vision for the product. Tom asked why City street medians aren't being maintained by Public Works. Joe said it has always been done by Parks. Ember pointed out that vegetation surveys need to be done in 2015 to study the effectiveness of the planned controlled burns in 2016. Trail counters are estimated to cost about $15,000 for two. The Wayfinding consultants suggested that we might be able to borrow them from CDOT. Helen suggested that there might be ways to share or rent them. 7