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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016_01_07 OSTB Reg Minutes_S MINUTES OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS BOARD REGULAR SESSION Jan. 7, 2016 Plaza One Meeting Room 520 E. Main St.,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, Paul Holsinger, Fran Soroka, Janet Urquhart, Tom Oken BOCC Present: Michael Owsley Howie Mallory called the regular session to order at 9:03 a.m. PUBLIC COMMENT None APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Hawk Greenway moved to approve the OSTB regular and executive session minutes of Dec. 15, 2015 as amended and the joint OSTB-BOCC regular and executive session minutes of Dec. 15, 2015 as amended. Graeme Means seconded. Motion passed(4-0). OSTB 2016 Retreat Dale Will urged the board to set an April date for its annual retreat with the expectation that seeking reauthorization of the open space tax in 2016 could be the focus of the retreat. Reauthorization could expand the open space program's scope to include maintenance of historic structures and management of trailheads that aren't tied to OST assets. Those expenses could reshape the program's long-range plan. Will said he will meet with the Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 19 to discuss whether or not OST reauthorization will be on the November 2016 ballot or not. Tom Oken said seeking reauthorization four years before the current tax expires may be earlier than necessary unless there are reasons diving the need to seek reauthorization this year. In addition, the BOCC may wish to put the Healthy Community Fund tax on the ballot before open space, in 2016, since the HCF tax expires in 2018. Hawk Greenway questioned going to the ballot for a 10-year reauthorization with four years still left on the tax, but Dale Will said seeking a 20-year reauthorization has been contemplated. Graeme Means asked if the open space program can continue to manage its properties properly if the reauthorization vote doesn't occur this year. The challenges posed by the current cap on what can be spent on maintenance will be discussed with the BOCC at the joint meeting, Will said. If there's a driving need to seek reauthorization this year, the board needs to know that, Howie Mallory said. The board agreed to schedule its retreat on April 7. If reauthorization is not pursued this year, the focus of the retreat will be modified, Will said. 01/07/2016 OSTB Regular Session Minutes Page 1 of 2 BOARD ACTION None BOARD AND STAFF COMMENTS Howie Mallory asked how long the recordings of the board's executive sessions are maintained. At present, the policy is to maintain them permanently,though the county government is currently reviewing its records retention policy, said Fran Soroka. Mallory suggested the policy for board minutes could be a topic for future discussion. Lindsey Utter updated the board on completion of the Stein Bridge project, though some work, including revegetation, will occur in the spring. The project was over budget by less than 5 percent, said Gary Tennenbaum. The total cost, including improvements to Stein Trail, was about$300,000, Utter said. John Armstrong entered the meeting at 9:18 a.m. MattAdeletti entered the meeting at 9:20 a.m. Tom Oken left the meeting at 9:35 a.m. Graeme Means said he was contacted by Aspen Valley Land Trust board member Jim Cardamone about scheduling a meeting of AVLT and Open Space and Trails board members. Tim McFlynn and Tai Jacober had been assigned to meet regularly with AVLT board representatives, but Jacober offered to relinquish the assignment to Means, who accepted. AVLT is currently in a state of transition as it replaces two staff members, including its director, Dale Will noted. OST has offered its assistance in the interim, he said. Howie Mallory said he'd like the two organizations to have a shared vision regarding conservation easements. Gary Tennenbaum said he'd like the two organizations to be "on the same page"regarding the easements they hold jointly and have a framework in which to work together on management plans. Tennenbaum said he'd like OST to meet with AVLT's new director, once that person is in place. Howie Mallory urged Means and McFlynn to meet with AVLT representatives before the open space board's next meeting on Jan. 21. 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 at 9:43 a.m. The OSTB adjourned executive session at approximately 12:44 p.m. ADJOURN The OSTB regular and executive sessions of Jan. 7, 2016 were adjourned at approximately 12:44 p.m. Approved: Attest: . 11 Ahab Howie Mallory, Chair t Urquhart Pitkin County Open Space &Trai . Board ST Stewardship Outreach Coordinator 01/07/2016 OSTB Regular Session Minutes Page 2 of 2