Open Space Advisory Board Agenda and Packet 2022 02 09

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Open Space Advisory Board Minutes December 8, 2021 Page 3 of 9 B. Board members recently received an emailed memo from staff informing them that the city attorney had again changed the language around sledding on Open Space property, which had been a discussion topic at the November OSAB meeting. Jessamine summarized the situation for the board. She noted that the board's discussion on the topic was never even mentioned in the memo. Jessamine would like to write a letter to the City Manager. She would like to convey that the board discussed a previously -proposed change to the code (November, 2021, meeting minutes) and that the language the board discussed is different from the language being presented to the City Council. She thought that since the issue pertains to open space and since OSAB's advice was not acknowledged in the memo, she wanted to make a statement about it. She asked if anyone on the board had any objections to this. Nathan said that he wrote a letter about this to council and that staff brought the original proposed language to OSAB in good faith, unaware that it was going to be changed. C. Charles asked if there was an official update about new board members. Jessamine said that council votes on new board members at their meeting on December 21s'. Deb added that council will discuss and interview candidates on December 13tn D. Wayfinding Team Update —Helen reported that the team will be scheduling a meeting for the beginning of the New Year to finalize locations of signs and materials for the first phase of installation. Ember mentioned that they are waiting for feedback from the fabricators, too. Helen said the meeting will also discuss communication strategies with city council, the board, and the public as well. E. Trails Tiger Team Update —Nathan said that staff has met internally since the last meeting of the tiger team, but needs more discussion. Jessamine asked that both tiger teams give a more formal update in January to teach new board members about this work. 8. Action Item: Pocket Prairies Program Proposal. Presented by Steve Roels, Senior Natural Resource Specialist Steve shared the Pocket Prairies proposal (see OSAB December Meeting Packet, pages 11- 23). The idea is that pocket prairies could add habitat for birds and pollinators within the city. They also can act as demonstration gardens for private citizens interested in native plants and/or creating habitats on their own property. There is a pilot program at Dutch Creek that was installed by staff in 2020 and Steve has received lovely, positive feedback from citizens. Steve went through the types of sites being considered for future pocket prairies: trail intersections, trailside pieces, and property entrances. He also specified sites that would need full vegetation replacement and others that only need enhancement. Fully replacing vegetation requires either herbicide or solarization, but the city has eliminated use of glyphosate herbicide an available herbicide options are not as ideal for seeding purposes therefore staff is leaning towards solarization. This might require education when citizens ask about the ugly tarps needed for solarization. The proposed sites also include a phasing plan, prioritizing easy or particularly high -value sites. He also tried to aim for geographical equality around the city. Some sites will need a two-year installation: the first year would be irradicating current vegetation and the second year would be planting. 5