Open Space Advisory Board Agenda and Packet 2022 12 14

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Open Space Advisory Board Minutes November 9, 2022 Page 4 of 6 the data directly comparable. He presented the data shown in the meeting packet. The impact of the fire has been mixed on the prairie. He pointed out a few highlights, including: (1) the effect of the Colorado State herbicide studies, saying this work probably inhibited the re- establishment of cheatgrass after the fire. (2) bindweed cover had been enhanced by the fire. (3) Species diversity and desirable vegetation has generally gone down. David asked if this work was done specifically because of the Marshall fire. Ember said this was a division focus but was completed sooner than planned in response to the fire. David asked if there was a take -away lesson about timing and the nature for prescribed burns and management going forward. Jesse deferred, but said in general, studies have shown that low -intensity burns can be helpful in this ecosystem, but specifics are hard to predict. Ember added that it is well-known that fires can increase weed density (especially initially), so follow up weed monitoring and control was always the plan after a prescribed burn. Helen asked if this data might be helpful for planning a bindweed response if we do a prescribed burn. Ember said a land management strategy has to be adaptive and based on what pops up in specific areas. Jesse said that using Rejuvra (the weed control from the Colorado State Study) after the fire is probably a very effective strategy. David asked if there had been follow up data collection after the prescribed burn at Aquarius. Ember said there had been a before and after study. Laura commented that this long-term monitoring is so important for responsible resource management of the land we have stewardship over and she was happy to see it being supported by the City. Discussion Item: Brief Overview of the Parks and Open Space Fund by Sub Program Expenditures. Presented by Ember Brignull, Open Space Superintendent Ember said that Kevin Watson, the Finance Director had been planning to come to present this topic. But this staff member has recently resigned, so Ember presented documents that had been published in City Council and Finance Committee meetings. She said that the Open Space and Parks sales tax fund was initially just for open space land acquisition. Later it was funding both acquisition and management. Still later, the funding began to be used for Parks as well. Helen pointed out that Parks is currently getting the larger share of expenditures from the tax fund. OSAB has asked for these expenditures to be broken down into Parks via Open Space for transparency. A few items to notice: 1) This is the only funding source for Open Space, but Parks generally also receives money from other sources as well. The budget tries to label what is being spent on Open Space and what is being spent on Parks (page 28). 2) There had been talk of maintaining a minimum fund balance. The intention had been to maintain enough money in the budget to be able to acquire a desirable parcel of land, if one