Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013 0221 OSTB Regular Minutes S MINUTES OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS BOARD REGULAR SESSION February 21, 2013 Plaza One Meeting Room: 530 E. Main St.,Aspen OSTB Present: Howie Mallory, Anne Rickenbaugh Hawk Greenway Tim McFlynn, Tai Jacober, (Chair) Dist. 2 Dist. 1 Dist. 3 Dist. 4 Dist. 5 Staff Present: Dale Will, Gary Tennenbaum, Paul Holsinger, Lindsey Utter, John Armstrong, Fran Soroka, G.R. Fielding BOCC Present: Michael Owsley, Steve Child COA Staff Present: Jeff Woods, Stephen Ellsperman Media Present: Janet Urquhart, Brent Gardner-Smith Tia Jacober called the meeting to order at 9:08 a.m. in the Plaza One Meeting Room. PUBLIC COMMENT There was no public comment. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Board Action: Hawk Greenway moved to approve the OSTB regular session minutes and executive session minutes for 2/07/13 as presented. Tim McFlynn seconded. Motion passed all in favor. (4-0) Dale Will added he has discussed with staff about preparing a future OSTB memo/agenda item about minutes content/structure and distribution. Stein Riverside Parcel—Water Retention Swale and AABC Storm Water Drainage Project Pitkin County Engineer G.R. Fielding presented project updates to the OSTB with Gary Tennenbaum assisting as outlined in the memorandum with attachments `AABC Drainage and Trail Connections' dated 2/19/13. A copy of this memorandum with attachments is attached hereto and made a part of this record as `Exhibit A'. Since the project was last presented to the Board G.R. Fielding and Gary Tennenbaum have discussed how to incorporate/blend a storm water catch pond on this steep hillside into the landscape. The project offers OST staff opportunities to provide esthetic oversight while keeping costs down by providing vegetation planting by maintenance crew. With OST oversight the project vegetation selection and planting time timetable can be determined by staff. Project construction will require rebuilding Stein Trail's upper stairs and will provide stairs built to better specifications (cribbed steps). The project calls for two three foot diameter pipes into and one forty-two inch out of the catch pond. Stein Trail design will not preclude the ability to come back and improve the trails grade percentage or incorporate improvements as future Rio Grande 2/21/2013 OSTB Regular Session Minutes Page 1 of 5 Trail designs evolve. Current project design has moved away from installing in-ground mechanical water separation structures. The water retention swale design is sufficient. The project area will provide for occasional motorized equipment access to clean the water retention swale. Aspen Sanitation Department will provide the cleaning service. The original AABC developer did not address storm water drainage, and now Pitkin County is responsible for correcting this design oversight and consequently Pitkin County Public Works (PW) is delegated to fix the problem. Dale raised the a question previously noted by Board members; whether this project presents an opportunity to invest more into the Stein Trail bringing the trail to a higher standard? The existing steep upper Stein Trail will be torn up when constructing the water retention swale and rebuilt to a better standard while the rest of the trail will essentially remain at the same trail standard. The project may provide an `economy of scale' by utilizing the provided PW resources plus additional OST funds to create better meandering decent/accent friendly trail grade. The project presents another opportunity to consider re-programming an existing social trail that runs between 200 Road and the Holy Cross sub-station. This area would be at OST's expense not a PW expenditure. The Holy Cross trail connector would be in addition to the Stein Trail. Staff added additional public scoping would be necessary. Jeff Woods contributed that this summer COA OS will be constructing a trail from Burlingame to the AABC as part of a larger construction utility project which will be bringing underground electrical/water/sewage lines from the AABC utility facilities to 250 additional Burlingame residences. G.R noted his planned AABC improvements anticipate increased public use when this Burlingame Trail connection is completed. G.R. perceives additional trail opportunities: OST can proceed with planning& designing this trail connection and potentially be coordinated with the contractor working on the catch pond or OST could contract out on its own. Gary suggested not to rush planning,but to take the time to view the overall area surrounding including RGT. Discussion The project presents an opportunity to solicit community volunteer participation to assist OST crew with the vegetation plantings. Making reference to the storm water catch area as a `pond' leaves room for public misinterpretation, instead refer to the area as water retention swale. Determining when trail closures and/or rerouting will occur will be made by the selected contractor based on the contractor's project approach. G.R. will be working closely with the contractor and if public safety becomes a concern he will ask OST staff to close. There is a possible reroute available along 200 Road. Informed Project Consent Board members were in agreement to move the project forward adding that utilizing in-house staff for site vegetation planting was a good idea. Start referring to the construction as a water retention swale. Seek input from City of Aspen Open Space and start planning a sustainable trail connection from where the Burlingame Trail will enter the AABC to Stein Trail. Steve Child entered regular session at 9:30 a.m. G.R. Fielding exited regular session at 10:00 a.m. 2/21/2013 OSTB Regular Session Minutes Page 2 of 5 Rio Grande Trail Connection Discussion reference: RGT connection is a 4.1 mile project from W/J Ranch to Stein Park and can be viewed as three project segments: 1. lower segment— 1.5 miles (sage flats) 2. middle segment 1.35 miles(Shale Bluffs) 3. upper segment 1.25 miles(Roaring Fork Gorge) For additional project background refer to Memo - Thoughts on the Rio Grande dated 2/19/13. A copy of this memorandum is attached hereto and made a part of this record as `Exhibit B'. February 12th the BOCC did not support OSTB's recommendation to pursue an engineering design study for a proposed bridge spanning the Roaring Fork River as part of project Option 4. The BOCC expressed consensus to examine the upper segment Roaring Fork Gorge's resources more closely. The majority of the BOCC also expressed a readiness to see OST begin constructing a dual surface trail through the sage flats area(lower segment-1.5 miles). BOCC invited the OSTB to take part in collaborative conversations over more than one meeting. The BOCC's opinion to split the project by constructing a dual surface through the sage flats will increase OST's costs and decrease OST's ability to attract outside funding partners. Choosing to construct through the sage flats will also defer other planned 2013 trail initiatives. Staff favors proceeding with a comprehensive holistic area master plan. And not consider any RGT construction until 2014. Staff was seeking OSTB guidance on how to rejoin the project conversation with the BOCC. Also for discussion, staff outlined project alternatives previously considered by staff as financially prohibitive yet exploring these alternatives were suggested by the BOCC. These alternatives had also been voiced during the project's public open house meetings. 1. Examining what would be required for a trail following Hwy 82 through Hwy 82's Shale Bluffs heading toward Aspen. 2. Examining a bridge option at the Hwy 82/Brush Creek Road Intercept lot. 3. Examining a bridge option at the backside of Burlingame development. Staff will be asking Loris &Associates (engineers who produced the feasibility study) to take a look at these alternative concepts and make recommendations. Peter Loris will attend the March 19th joint meeting. City of Aspen Parks and Recreation Director, Jeff Woods was present and offered his department's assistance supporting the project conceptually and financially. City wants a strong/solid/safe/esthetically and environmentally sensitive connection into Aspen from RGT. Jeff expressed both the City and County staffs have the opportunity to work together forming a vision (master plan) for the upper valley. He offered his department's construction, design and landscape restoration expertise. The project offers an opportunity for both entities to bring their talents together to work collaboratively on enhancing the upper Roaring Fork Gorge's public amenities and to protect the scenic and sensitive qualities of the area. The City's main objective is to solve the RGT connection into Aspen. Jeff eventually foresees a bridge will be necessary to connect Hwy. 82 populations to the RGT. 2/21/2013 OSTB Regular Session Minutes Page 3 of 5 Discussion Board and staff were in agreement that the Roaring Fork Gorge area needs a comprehensive in depth analysis, an overall master plan vision, before proceeding with any RGT construction. Staff interprets the Roaring Fork Gorge area to be all the public lands on both sides of the river from Jaffee Park all the way through to Pitkin Green (area is larger than RGT upper segment also referred to as the Roaring Fork Gorge and recently referred to as the `Shire Mile'). There was some discussion about public process and what quantity/or measurement is required for the process to be deemed adequate enough to proceed with a project. As capital improvement projects become larger so does the need for increased public engagement. The public process becomes an increasing challenge, not just for OST but also for the elected BOCC. Attendees remarked a long term vision would include ways to integrate the Hwy. 82 communities into the RGT system most likely by spanning the river with a bridge. Interactive discussions with the BOCC are needed in conjunction with a guiding master plan vision before final project direction decisions can be made. Direction to Staff • Produce a timeline including action items for March 7th meeting to be discussed in preparation for meeting jointly with the BOCC on March 19th • Estimate the amount of time needed to conduct RFG inventory. Roaring Fork Gorge management plan will look at both sides of the Gorge area from Jaffee Park all the way through to Pitkin Green (looks at all the public lands). Looking at the system as a whole. • Consequences for splitting RGT project segments/or not. • Staff to start considering other options for connecting the RGT to the communities along Hwy 82. Estimate the amount of time needed to evaluate alternatives. • Timeline for achieving additional BOCC discussions and meetings with City of Aspen Open Space. Commissioners in attendance offered their views: Commissioner Owsley—BOCC's relationship to the OSTB is a funding relationship. OSTB recommends and BOCC determines to fund or not. February 12th the BOCC decided not to fund the bridge engineering study. The BOCC did not preclude any future crossing of the Roaring Fork River. Outcome from the work session has led to OST gaining a project partner with the City. OST and City staff can concentrate on improving qualities of the RGT. Close scrutiny of the qualities will lead to a surface determination. Commissioner Child—Best to look at each side of the Roaring Fork River independently. Take the time to determine the best Roaring Fork River crossing that will best serve connecting the Hwy. 82 communities. Connectivity along Hwy. 82 corridor needs to be resolved separately. He reminded the OSTB that the February 12th work session was the BOCC's first in depth look at the project. Stephen Ellsperman entered regular session at 10:15 a.m. Jeff Woods and Stephen Ellsperman exited regular session at 10:45 a.m. 2/21/2013 OSTB Regular Session Minutes Page 4 of 5 BOARD COMMENTS Hawk Greenway—Brought OSTB attention to a Little Annie basin land use application which has netted two trail easement (right-o-ways). Dan Bunta is requesting assistance from OST to formalize the trail easements donations. Tai Jacober—Asked for an update on replacing the Acquisition Manager position. Dale responded the Operational Consultant (Anna Pool) department's analysis has just begun. The process is involving Staff,Board and County Manager input and recommendations may change the nature of the position. Anna is reviewing other County departments' operational efficiencies. Dale suggested inviting the County Manager for further staffing discussions. EXECUTIVE SESSION The OSTB moved to enter executive session in accordance with CRS 24-6-402(4) (a) and (e) for the purpose of discussing acquisitions and negotiations at 11:15 a.m. The OSTB adjourned executive session at 1:00 p.m. ADJOURN The OSTB meeting of February 21, 2013 adjourned at approximately 1:00 p.m. Approved: Attest: • lam_ Tai Jacober,Vice hair ran Soroka Pitkin County Open Space Trails Board Pitkin County Open Space &Trails Administrator 2/21/2013 OSTB Regular Session Minutes Page 5 of 5 Open Space and Trails Memo To: Open Space and Trails Board From: Gary Tennenbaum, Stewardship and Trails Manager, GR Fielding, Pitkin County Engineer Date: 2/19/2013 Re: AABC Drainage and Trail Connections OST staff has been working with GR Fielding of Pitkin County Public Works on planning a new access and drainage plan for Aspen Airport Business Center(AABC). The drainage plan, as discussed with the board recently includes a proposed drainage pond to be included along the Stein Trail, mostly contained on the Stein parcel. Staff indicated that it would bring back the final trail alignment and several other design details to the Open Space Board prior to construction this summer. One of the concerns around the pond construction was the revegetation of the area. In the last meeting, Staff discussed the intermittent moisture content and flow, which limits the options available for this area. At this time, Staff is going to specify the Pitkin County seed mixture, a wildflower mix, and is still exploring more opportunities for the disturbed areas immediately adjacent to the pond, and within the pond itself. One option is for OST to restore the pond and area around the pond. This will allow OST staff to match the surrounding area vegetation and decide how much shrubs to install to blend the pond into the surrounding environment. The latest iteration of plans calls for preserving the existing stair case down the Stein Trail (actually to have the contractor only rebuild what they damaged). However, during the last talks with Open Space Staff it was discussed to replace them with ones which would be easier to walk. Stair specification is attached. In summary, we will improve the users experience going up and down the Stein Trail stair section. Trail work will continue along the bench where the stairs end and adjacent to the pond.A rail has been included in the plans to separate the user from the pond.The trail will wrap around the pond, and eventually land in the same spot as the existing trail along the service road that connects to the bridge. Additional improvements to the AABC/Stein Trail connections will be made off of the 200 Road. This will feature an improved trail section from the 200 Road, past the Holy Cross substation, and EXHIBIT A:2/21/13 OSTB Regular Session Minutes 1 of 7 connect to the Stein Trail.This section of trail will be constructed of concrete and is designed to carry the water flow off of the 200 Road and flow down to the pond. Public Works Staff anticipates proposals to be accepted for the project before spring. With some of the changes to the scope we anticipate coming in just above the$2.6M budgeted for the entire project. As previously discussed, we are seeking grant applications for the stormwater pond and features. If these are not enough to cover the cost of the entire project, Staff will look at all possible funding sources and may request funds from OST for enhanced aspects of the trail and revegetation from the Open Space and Trails Board. We would also make simultaneous submission for additional funds from the general fund to cover any shortfalls. Staff Recommendation: Give final approval on constructing the pond on the Stein Riverside Parcel. EXHIBIT A:2/21/13 OSTB Regular Session Minutes 2 of 7 ASPEN AIRPORT BUSINESS CENTER PROPOSED WATER QUALITY POND&STORM SEWER EXHIBIT t /SRN COdOIO.RD 3M.1••0♦ P.•Cfl ♦!M13S 00SN • ►Mlca gyq•.. .MC r • 0.110...moo 0�..,'• '...-YI' NT..1 CDl.Ir1 CPO.VM3f T•IMtt . •o I A&C-IF UALM r'� .1 0/Rf.RI T MR. P..QI 433110005I t1 I WO NOOK.Of AC-r, i �t}1 ,,' �,t^ • f.MO fLR)1 \ • M9110-DOTM111f.y DlfildpT , .• •onrito•2r vow I1U1 i �' ^' ♦ •\ �` 7 ORf[T mkt.fn$IT.10 LNI/Ar"DER yf:. .1.1/4A,1% z," #.0 • 44p---. :-. --I, - ''t . 'IC ♦4IP - VOSI.Ia MA& TO MAO I r'✓�u/+/ /, 1� ,, .. r s 01. - ,.t.•,, ' * . 4•6 ', t:I. I.\ 1.:f,:7;.:,,,,,.....,/::,;.._ _ ::'''.,:::•',,,. ..30.40 II: I • s + i /\ +` • — 1 iI 1 ,'114 t r! ��` /• J I g w,- .S*A*Act t /J •"'at SOJuO 'UK ' 1. T I rT. I if r- ' is t I 1 t II ►..cft PSN315.1 0035 I Ors I 1 : 11r tI I r —I , , a , — Iri I r..at ea3oM•,twc : . rd. - a. I 0' Q"` t • i : U. 3 fgoi '. _ tl I 1 ' �, i r r———J I J r 1'o N iis ,\ \\ L I faf CMG rI.LV C.:• "I , r ft 'KW AMC 2i00,0004 SI�on canfcror I 1 , I-_( ---I�t I 1 � d ;• 1 0I • _ i^ «rt.ar.un Poo a., i - 0 �. /-, '; .AK 1 . roa NO. 71011.00 ` r 1 I I '` ' ,9[7tt:or 3 __ I I f1 EXHIBIT A:2/21/13 OSTB Regular Session Minutes 3 of 7 ASPEN AIRPORT BUSINESS CENTER PROPOSED WATER QUALITY POND&TRAIL EXHIBIT 01117../. p i t �' . viva oomeo►a*m sw.uwa 10 M $ .• 4 .. IP:* . ,r. ..:1- " ' ,1 t .jp le • P It - -. rr , ilk , , • - '' ilk _v AAL3C SJ: ♦ `• _C y - f• • • jpr •; 'iiikli, iMIC •oAt rDQY A� YYZ."O� � r f ill If • 4 ''.44A..ilrk,4il Si_: ,,,,4*,.: �: ` ' ? '. ;I t•• ,T p''J'o: tip' • —_ ,tee . / ' ,iik i . - ---'\A,,v____- ___i S"oi.k...il,rI I tif irr. .• 4'IO.e„.._ ,• cri,i,:, . tr s. • ;; v' ?, ‘jtsee'L,4t,,r. , 1"11$r , Q s. Q A s$ l 4 . . 2. i-i1Pt-• ior 11, �, ,� - Irk r � }i+ -1 1 i, .10 ‘011% isoitaiialli• 1 • Mec e/so/+2 9<11+or l • p E'. K EXHIBIT A:2/21/13 OSTB Regular Session Minutes 4 of 7 ASPEN AIRPORT BUSINESS CENTER PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENT EXHIBIT -, Wir_\-37,,N1' f' _ -# i� sS 0 JP • 1/. y 'ail' iftEMMI.jihosi. 1 ;split.. .:. 40.. ' . A ,.,s Ti, if7e*,;C:r*ilir ...bV, aibiStt. TEM ell" f. .. , _ ‘4, At. .. .t„,,,,,,. . t It. ... .... .....r. , , ... _ 1 0 40., ' 0: '' • • "ft N k. ‘ , ,. 0001 ,. • ,i, :ftlit \110. . . ,... .• . . t.s' k - �•!• ..ti_ . M om. T:4 '- -44'1 7 t• C f# ' ' JP tatik tieto, ' . .;., bb • - ''. ti� T b..si 0000010:44: .,•, *-- .. ,,,„..„ ..- r 10, °I. • • ' goy s, ,4 , .t:. • • i , , _ ..; r.1 . op .: ,,,,,,r:ic-, i, V - tk ic..\ `. • 44 •,% ..to , .4 re...it..- . 7-.....:$7.......4.1,r 16.` . Y,• It feels? • I cat,ir I . . a r-: ' ft...I.... ♦. 4...4 . A - ...... ,II.", . ..:fre4' . . t. *1 . 4? -. Vill lb . I 1:114 bli. 7 /i '' gik _ ` _ 111 II\*P. '• i 0.-- • ' -' II 4:3:46 .. •47CA .1 .fit • 1 6•-. • t . 7,), . f • ,• . r „. _ ....„, .. ,... . • . . „. , $ . , ... 11 rfl .n • 4., li '•. •-lie -' 4 * ".4k gOI. f r. . 4` 1r - Ilk-.:--- 1-•:"4- .. .. _ ,.. ... .. ..,,,..ei i , , ‘,.., „,..% . ! - - ik b *.. • eefff. r 1 ► r l _i, tin:: : • r; - • •� T` LEOI 11O pMO 7�OIIIs If►•ml•••N fram Q 1 •t v \i. t •••••�UMW••. EXHIBIT A:2/21/13 OSTB Rogular Soesion Minutos _. �«•� cL.7 Trail Detail 01 — Cribbed Steps CRIBBED STEPS Cribbed stairs (that use`cribbing,' a framework of wooden bars for support) are very stable and long lasting. They are more challenging to — - site and construct,fitting most easily into hillsides with consistent slope. This allows uniform riser and tread,improving safety. _1c There are several styles and a variety of materials for use in stairs. In -- general,steps are avoided if a longer,sloped route is possible. However, sometimes a more vertical route is needed to minimize the impact of a AIANIIIIIMINIMMINEMIlb longer,sloped trail. _ Steps and stairs should not be used on outdoor access routes and accessible trails. They can be used at the beginning of a trail to signal that trail is not accessible or is closed to bicycles and wheeled vehicles. Dickinson Park-cribbed steps .r • t: -, , Woods Memorial Park-cribbed steps under construction Portland Parks & Recreation 41 EXHIBIT A:2/21/13 OSTB Regular Session Minutes 6 of 7 Trail Detail 01 — Cribbed Steps NOTES- I RISE AND RUN Cog STEPS S•-0o._D BE y,4 �,-�, ADJUSTED TO FIT SLOPE OF •- LL5'DE. s7, n: /. WHILE 1+O_D1' a STE" e4EIG•4- 'R19ER? y1iy'y;�;, • CONSTANT IN EACH SERIES OF STEPS TRAIL ; ffit..' : ..i'% -R .. +. Y'• 2. STEEPER SLOPES REQUIRE S'4QRTER •riSZt..IS TREADS AND TALLER RISERS: CALCULATE �}A�"' D11''cP81ONS Lh R R SER AND r — 41 1 T T. TREAD WITH 7R • T • 26 OR 21 3 1.9E 2' x bard 4' x 8' LUMBER FOR STEEPER STAIR /1'/?• RISER) PLAN v1EW 4 1.5E ALL 4- X MATERIA. FOR WOOER SERIES Cm STEPS F POSE DLE. s•-4•• BACKFILL U.ITLI CRa15'.ED --'1 2%• MAX -_, 1 TREAD '/f• MNUZ GRA'VEL,COr('ACTED r -++ TWO 2'x6' SIDES ATTACNE7 ��l. .FA n TO 4-X6' FRONT IMTN Tr.1REE GALVANIZED LAG BOLTS 'RI -► TRAIL ) ) newt WI gr. TWO 16' X ''V2. D IA.REBAR. CROSS SECTION APPROX.6' FRCP' ENDS ELEVATION F DRILLING FROM SIDE IS CONSTRAINED,USE LAG BOLTS Mal FRCNT INTO WIDER SIDE BO.:RJS QCRIW STEPS WITI-i 51/211 RISERS ►.O' 'O SCALE 42 Trail Design Guidelines— May 2009 EXHIBIT A:2/21/13 OSTB Regular Session Minutes 7 of 7 Open Space and Trails Memo To: OSTB From: Dale Will Date: 2/19/2013 Re: Thoughts on the Rio Grande The Open Space Staff took the Board's recommendation on the Rio Grande Trail to the BOCC on February 12. The two basic themes of the Open Space Board were to a)initiate the engineering of a bridge over the Roaring Fork Gorge,while b)beginning a full inventory of natural resources in the Gorge itself. The BOCC's review was premised on preparing for further discussions with the OSTB,with a target of March 19th for reaching consensus. In a dramatic discussion that surprised even the individual Commissioners themselves, not a single one of them are prepared to engineer a bridge at this time. Instead,the BOCC suggested the department immediately prepare to start building a dual surface trail on the"sage flat"below the shale slopes of the Roaring Fork. The second premise of the OSTB,to study the gorge,seemed fully accepted by the BOCC. Consequently,the primary issues for the OSTB would appear to be a)do you agree that we should build a dual surface trail to a point where the ultimate connection into Aspen has not been determined, other than to make the soft surface on the RR grade as good as can be?; and b) if so, how soon could we start? The OST staff has the following preliminary observations on this. Public scoping and recreation planning have both defined a goal of creating a dual surface from W/J into Aspen. A decision to build only half of the hard surface will slow the Department's overall progress in meeting its cumulative trail goals. We believe it is appropriate to prioritize the available trail construction funding to the completion of the Rio Grande Trail. If this process extends over many years,we do not know where that will leave our readiness to tackle the tributary canyon trails,such as Castle and Crystal, in the interim. It would appear that both of these would need to be delayed until an ultimate resolution of the Rio Grande is decided. Second,the bifurcation of the project into"half steps"will have the unfortunate effect of decreasing our ability to attract partnerships even while the total cost of the eventual construction increases. Our hope to raise significant State dollars would likely be diminished if we cannot tie such a grant to completing the hard surface into Aspen. And, by having to mobilize twice, including the requisite public scoping, the cost to the Open Space Fund and staff will be more. The only way this is optimal efficiency in a use of human or financial resources is if we never seek to complete the hard surface. What then is the logic of the tentative position of the BOCC? While our work session on February 12th did not allow time for full reflection,some basic truth is apparent in talking to the individual members. The basic disconnect between the OST perspective and that of the BOCC is that the latter entity does not believe our public scoping has obtained an accurate read on the will of the public;the BOCC do not EXHIBIT B:2/21/13 OSTB Regular Session Minutes 1 of 2 believe that a working majority of the voters are prepared to see us construct a bridge over the Roaring Fork Gorge. We acknowledge that the ultimate responsibility of determining the voters'will lies with the BOCC,who run for elected office. We do believe our public scoping was as good as we could make it. We have a strong majority of survey respondents wanting a hard surface into Aspen, and among those a virtual split between the RR grade and bridge proponents However, our survey respondents remain a minority of the voting public, and the will of those who have not responded is unknown to us. The BOCC have the unenviable task of determining what those voters want. The BOCC discussion on February 12th must be considered preliminary,and will be revisited at our Joint Meeting. However,the degree of BOCC consensus was striking,and the universal view seems to be that the lack of a mandate for either option 3b or 4 means that we must take an interim step of completing only the sage flat portion of the trail,while waiting for an indefinite period before proceeding further towards Aspen. The Open Space Board needs to decide for itself whether this bifurcated approach makes sense,and to consult with the BOCC on this point. We would urge the Board not to seek to accelerate possible construction into 2013. Gary and Lindsey have a full plate of projects already approved by the Board,and accelerating construction in this corridor would require a corollary set of deferrals that staff can discuss in detail at the meeting. As a preview, here is what we have scheduled in 2013: Final Trail design for Upper Rio Grande Trail Gold Butte management plan march-may access trail construction May-June. Saltonstall interim plan March-May Saltonstall new trail construction May Brush Creek bridge and soft surface Feb-May with Maroon Creek bridge. July with new bridge. Rio Grande phase 2 Woody Creek Feb-September Elk park Feb-October Sky Mountain Park new trails and wildlife habitat improvements May-September Smuggler Mountain forestry Sept-Oct Filoha meadows habitat improvements June-July Rio Grande Gorge inventory and management plan May-December Map all passive recreation locations in the system Work with BLM on Light Hill To get this sage flat section done in 2013 would require moving other projects that are already in motion. We can accommodate the planning of this section and build what is directed in spring 2014 with our current schedule since we do have the planning for the entire section scheduled this year. FOR DISCUSSION EXHIBIT B:2/21/13 OSTB Regular Session Minutes 2 of 2