HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015.08.20 OSTB Reg Minutes_S MINUTES
OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS BOARD
REGULAR SESSION
August 20, 2015
Pitkin Airport Operations Center Meeting Room
1001 Owl Creek Road,Aspen
OSTB Present:
Graeme Means Howie Mallory Hawk Greenway Tim McFlynn, Tai Jacober,
Dist. 1 Dist. 2 Dist. 3 Dist. 4 Dist. 5
Chair Absent
Staff Present: Dale Will, Gary Tennenbaum, Lindsey Utter, Janet Urquhart, Fran Soroka
BOCC Present: Michael Owsley
Others Present: Austin Weiss and Matt Kuhn(City of Aspen staff) and John Wilkinson(Aspen
Snowmass Nordic Council President)
PUBLIC COMMENT
No public comment
Updated Pitkin County Nordic Ski Trails Plan (Plan)
COA Trails Manager, Matt Kuhn and COA Open Space &Natural Resources Manager, Austin
Weiss presented the updates to the adopted 2008 Plan as summarized in the memorandum `2015
Update to Pitkin County Nordic Ski Trails Plan' dated 8/07/2015 and made part of this record as
`Exhibit A'. Aspen Snowmass Nordic Council (ASNC) President, John Wilkinson participated in
the discussion.
The OSTB questioned how the COA and Pitkin Community Departments will utilize this Plan as
a referral document. Each governmental entity will adopt the Plan by resolution then the Plan
becomes part of each Community Developments' reference materials. It is best to review and
update the Plan every 5-7 years to keep information current. GIS shape files have been created
to reflect current system with areas of interest. OST's Recreation Inventory GIS shape files also
identifies connectivity areas. The OSTB recommended developing a list of system expansion
priorities. Problematic trail breakage by driveway plowing was discussed and the OSTB
emphasized continued discussions with Owl Creek property owners and other problem areas.
Some board members expressed an interest in incorporating more `classic skiing' experiences
into the Plan. Solar lights for night skiing was suggested. It was suggested to take advantage of
the Richmond Ridge area's climate and expand opportunities there. Board members noted the
Plan basically stops at Crown Mountain and misses addressing the upper Crystal Valley
opportunities where the narrow valley holds the snow. OSTB recommended the ASNC become
supporters of the Crystal Trail. Additional nordic opportunities in the Basalt area were mentioned
like Grace-Shehi Meadows. The board requested 2016 nordic budget information be sent to
them. The OSTB recommended the Plan emphasize access and connectivity and the board would
support acquiring easements to that purpose. OSTB recommended the ASNC be assertive when
promoting the Nordic system and emphasize that the Nordic system is as important to the Valley
recreation/economy as the hard surface trails system. This also applies to ASNC being assertive
when expressing the need for capital expenditures like underpasses or overpasses.
8/20/2015 OSTB Regular Session Minutes
Gary Tennenbaum responded the Plan would come back to the board with clarifying Crystal
Valley specifics. Pitkin County funds the nordic budget and nordic budget represents a
significant portion of OST's maintenance fund allocation which is currently limited to 15%.
When the OST program proceeds with reauthorization the costs for this public benefited nordic
trails system is a perfect example why the maintenance fund allocation needs to increase. All
OST's maintenance projects are affected by any increase to ASNC budget and require budgetary
coordination. Even limited grooming in the Crystal Valley would cause significant labor and
equipment costs. With this fact in mind Gary foresees that offering a free Crystal Valley nordic
opportunity would receive County wide support. Dale Will added the OST program plans to go
to the voters for reauthorization November 2016.
Matt Kuhn explained the nordic trail system sign standard presented with the Plan. ASNC is a
signage funding partner. John Wilkinson described the main trails will be identified by number
and trail subsections will numerically correspond to their associated main trail number.
(example: main trail#60 and subsections starting with#61 etc.) Every trail designation sign will
have printed `created and funded by Pitkin County Open Space and Trail'. The nordic trail map
has been updated with this nomenclature.
Burlingame Connector Trail
COA staff reported the Burlingame Connector trail is basically a soft opening until the re-
vegetation is completed, the tie-in from the top up to the road level is waiting for utility work
completion and the Stein Bridge renovations are completed. Lindsey Utter contributed that the
Stein Bridge and area will be closed for construction starting September 8th through end of
November.
Austin Weiss, Matt Kuhn and John Wilkinson left regular session at approximately 12:05 p.m.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
Hawk Greenway moved to approve the OSTB regular and executive session minutes of August 6,
2015. Graeme Means seconded. Motion passed(4-0).
STAFF AND BOARD COMMENTS
Staff has drafted a letter acknowledging Connie Harvey's successful efforts eradicating weeds on
the Harvey Ranch Conservation Easement.
By the September 1st meeting the August 6th adopted OSTB Working Agreements will be
forwarded to the board to include in their manuals.
Colorado Open Space Alliance (COSA) conference will be in Snowmass Village September 14th
— 16th. Lindsey Utter is on the COSA steering committee. OST is hosting this year and will take
the opportunity to spotlight the program's 25th Anniversary.
8/20/2015 OSTB Regular Session Minutes
This Saturday, August 22nd is Aspen Valley Land Trust's(AVLT)annual Land Dance fund
raiser. OST is a co-sponsor of the event. On behalf of the OST program, Howie Mallory will pay
homage to departing Executive Director, Martha Cochran at the event.
Gary Tennenbaum reported on challenges presented by this season's noxious weed infestation.
Based on herbicide application records the maintenance crew has sprayed three years' worth of
herbicide to combat the infestation. When spraying weeds OST has a three hour dry time rule,
which has been challenging to coordinate with this spring/summer seasons' abundant rain events.
In addition OST lost a crew member mid-season and only recently hired a new member.
Currently the weeds are going to seed and this fall the crew will be watching for rosettes and
attacking them. With so much labor time spent on noxious weeds, maintenance crew has had to
re-prioritize their project schedule. One result is the updated sign installation project is delayed
to this fall or next crew season. OST monitors our main properties with tri-sects and the new
Resource Specialist position will offer the capacity to re-map areas for the crew. For the 2016
budget OST will be asking for an additional seasonal crew member which will provide the
program with 6 crew members and that in turn will enable maintenance to run two full crew
operations at the same time.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The OSTB moved to enter executive session in accordance with CRS 24-6-402(4)(a)(e)and (f)
for the purpose of discussing acquisitions,negotiations and personnel matters at 9:00 a.m. The
OSTB started executive session in personnel matters at 9:00 a.m. and concluded personnel
matters at 10:00 a.m.The OSTB continued in executive session for the purpose of discussing
acquisitions and negotiations at 10:00 a.m. and concluded that executive session at 11:00 a.m.
OSTB reopened executive session for the purpose of discussing acquisitions and negotiations at
12:30 p.m. and concluded all executive sessions at 1:22 p.m.
ADJOURN
The OSTB meetings of August 20, 2015 were adjourned at approximately 1:22 p.m.
Approved: Attest:
Howie Mallory, Chair F{Ean Soroka
Pitkin County Open Space ils Board Pitkin County Open Space& Trails
Office Manager
8/20/2015 OSTB Regular Session Minutes
MEMORANDUM
DATE: 08/07/2015
TO: Pitkin County Open Space and Trails Board of Trustees
THRU: Dale Will
Gary Tennenbaum
FROM: Matt Kuhn
Trails Manager, City of Aspen
CC: Austin Weiss
RE: 2015 Update to Pitkin County Nordic Ski Trails Plan
SUMMARY: The Aspen Snowmass Nordic Council has worked over the last two years on
revisions and updates to the Pitkin County Nordic Trails Plan of 2008. Revisions to the plan
include minor changes to proposed system improvements,desired trail characteristics,and a screen
criteria that will aid the Aspen Snowmass Nordic Council and Pitkin County in analyzing future
trail expansion (or contraction) opportunities.
DISCUSSION: The Aspen Snowmass Nordic Trail System is funded by Pitkin County Open
Space and Trails with the City of Aspen being the operational arm of the program. The system is
overseen, in an advisory capacity, by the Aspen Snowmass Nordic Council (ASNC). The Pitkin
County Nordic Trails Plan (Plan) is the culmination of over 25 years of community participation
and experience with the Nordic Trail System.
The original 2008 document formalized the short and long term goals of the Nordic Council to
improve and expand the cross-country skiing experience in the middle and upper Roaring Fork
Valley.With the 2014 update,the Plan builds on the ideas for future trail improvements and adjusts
some of the goals to better reflect the current status of the Nordic trail system. The plan still
includes the design guidelines required for maintaining the trail system.
Special attention was given in the 2014 revision to answer the questions of how to provide a diverse
trail system. Much of the current trail system interfaces with the community, and in 2014 the
Aspen Snowmass Nordic Council identified the desire to seek out more remote and wooded skiing
experiences. The plan also defines goals to seek climate resilient skiing opportunities and consider
elevation, aspect, and environment when contemplating changes to the ski trail system.
In conjunction with the Nordic Ski Trails Plan, the Nordic program and the ASNC undertook an
effort to establish a new sign standard for the ski trails. Over the course of the last year, staff have
worked with Esse Design of Basalt, Colorado, to devise a new sign standard that will provide
EXHIBIT A: 8/20/15 OSTB Regular Session Minutes
improved navigation and wayfinding around the trail system. On July 22nd, the ASNC moved to
adopt the sign standard attached in Appendix B, and staff are working towards an implementation
for the 2015/2016 season.
Following this first reading at the Pitkin County Open Space and Trails Board, staff will return in
September to collect final feedback prior to adoption. Staff anticipate a presentation to the Board
of County Commissioners in early October.
Attachments:
Exhibit A—Pitkin County Nordic Ski Trails Plan—July 20, 2015 Draft
Exhibit B—Aspen Snowmass Nordic Trails Sign Standard
EXHIBIT A: 8/20/15 OSTB Regular Session Minutes