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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019.03.05 OSTB BOCC Joint Regular Minutes_S MINUTES OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS BOARD REGULAR SESSION March 5, 2019 Roaring Fork Meeting Room, 530 E Main St. Aspen CO, 81611 OSTB Present: Graeme Means Howie Mallory Amy Barrow Michael Kinsley Wayne Ives Dist. 1, Chair Dist. 2 Dist. 3 Dist. 4 Dist. 5 Staff Present: Gary Tennenbaum, Lindsey Utter, Paul Holsinger, Janet Urquhart, Kim Arensdorf, Jessie Young, Dale Will, Richard Neiley, Phylis Mattice Graeme Means called the meeting to order at 8:01 a.m. PUBLIC COMMENT No public comment APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Graeme Means moved for the OSTB to approve as amended the 02/7/2019 regular and executive session minutes. Wayne Ives seconded. Motion passed (5-0) Emma Townsite Steering Committee Lindsey Utter reiterated that the Emma Townsite Steering Committee would consist of nine members, three of these members would represent; the Emma caucus, the Town of Basalt, and a Basalt Historic Society liaison. In addition, the OSTB will need to select six public members, based on the questionnaire responses, Utter said. Utter stated that the three public applicants with all five OSTB votes, are Caroline Shipp, Harry Teague and Jason Smith,therefore, she recommended they be appointed to the Steering Committee. Mitzi Rapkin and Raul Gawrys received four votes, and Richard Hampleman and Martha Ferguson received two, Utter explained. Amy Barrow entered 8:15 a.m. Wayne Ives commented on the great public response and quality of applicants for the Steering Commitee. The OST Board discussed the applicant's questionnaires and chose the following six public members: Caroline Shipp, Harry Teague, Jason Smith, Raul Gawrys, Mitzi Rapkin and Martha Ferguson. 03/05//2019 OSTB Regular Session Minutes Page 1 of 6 BOARD AND STAFF COMMENTS Graeme Means commended on the excellent level of participation by the OST Board and attendance for the OSTB meetings. Howie Mallory mentioned David Hamilton's resignation from the Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers nonprofit organization, he stated that Hamilton's work with the RFOV has been a critical part of OST's success. Mallory recommended the OSTB generate an acknowledgement letter for Hamilton's 24 years of leadership with RFOV and the programs contribution to OST. Tennenbaum stated that OST would create a thank you letter for Hamilton and mentioned RFOV's continuous volunteer assistance on OST trail projects. Mallory commented on an Aspen Times article regarding the Colorado Parks and Wildlife's Northwest Region Sportsmen's Roundtable. Mallory questioned how the roundtable will coordinate with OST's commitment through the Crystal River Valley's trail corridor project, specifically with the big horn sheep study. Tennenbaum stated he recently had a meeting with CPW members and the Bureau of Land Management regarding the watershed wildlife biodiversity initiative, he commented that CPW was very receptive to the initiative. OST will keep the board updated on the progress with CPW and the wildlife biodiversity initiative, Tennenbaum said. Utter commented that OST would set up a meeting with the person appointed to the Northwest Region Sportsmen's Roundtable. OST will publicize work on the wildlife biodiversity initiative, Utter said. Janet Urquhart commented that OST will be moving away from single use plastic and be using reusable supplies for future meetings. Richard Neiley, Phyllis Matice, and Dale Will entered at 8:30 a.m. Tennenbaum updated the OSTB on the Highland Bavarian property; the BOCC approved the land application along with the conundrum creek access and the interpretive trail overlooking the Highland Bavarian Lodge. Tennenbaum mentioned that the BOCC approved a 6 year vesting option in lieu of the 10 year vesting requested by the Coffee family. Tennenbaum explained that the Coffee family will also move forward with the conservation easements on the property. Tennenbaum noted that OST hired a new Natural Resource Planner, Liza Mitchell, who currently works for the Roaring Fork Conservancy. Tennenbaum mentioned that Mitchell has previously worked on the joint naturalist programs with OST. EXECUTIVE SESSION 03/05//2019 OSTB Regular Session Minutes Page 2 of 6 The OSTB entered executive session at 8:35 a.m. in accordance with(CRS 24-6-402(4)(a)), (CRS 24-6-402 (4)(e)) and(CRS 24-6-402 (4)(b)) for the purpose of acquisitions, negotiations and attorney consultation. The OSTB adjourned the executive session at 10:00 a.m. EXECUTIVE SESSION II The BOCC entered in executive session with the OSTB in accordance with CRS 24-6-402(4) (a)(b) and(e) for the purpose of discussing acquisitions, attorney consultation and negotiations at 10:04 a.m. The joint executive session adjourned at 11:49 a.m. JOINT OSTB—BOCC WORK SESSION Commissioners Meeting Room; 530 E. Main St.,Aspen All OSTB Trustees Present BOCC Present: Greg Poschman(Vice-Chair), George Newman, Steve Child, Kelly McNicholas Kury Staff Present: Gary Tennenbaum, Ted O'Brian, Dale Will, Kim Arensdorf, Paul Holsinger, Lindsey Utter, Janet Urquhart, Jon Peacock, Phylis Mattice Others Present: Greg Poschman called the joint work session to order at noon. The entire joint work session meeting video is available from this link by selecting the meeting date: https://pitkincounty.ompnetwork.org/embed/sessions/100472/bocc-work-session-03-05- 2019 Budget Supplemental Requests Wingo Bridge Decking Gary Tennenbaum stated that the Wingo Bridge, which spans the Roaring Fork River near Wingo Junction, was originally placed in its current location in 1917. The bridge was then resurfaced by Pitkin County in 2002. Tennenbaum explained that the bridge decking is now approaching the end of its lifecycle due to wear and tear. Schmueser Gorndon Meyer, Inc. dba SGM, conducted a bridge inspection and concluded that the Wingo Bridge will need decking replacement within the next 1-4 years, which this budget supplemental is dedicated to, Tennenbaum said. Tennenbaum explained the bridge repair options provided by SGM. The first option is to replace the current decking with similar timber panels. Due to cost and overall lifespan of the bridge, replacing the timber decking is OST's recommendation, Tennenbaum said. An alternative 03/05//2019 OSTB Regular Session Minutes Page 3 of 6 option is glue laminated timber deck panels, which provides a nicer surface but at a much higher cost, also there is no guarantee the laminate options would last longer than the wood, Tennenbaum said. The third option is precast concrete panels, with this option there would need to be more structural assessment due to the weight, as well as a significantly higher cost than the decking. The last option would be to replace the entire bridge, Tennenbaum explained that the Wingo Bridge is a historic railroad bridge, therefore Pitkin County would have to go through the State and Historic Preservation office and overall replacement would be very expensive. Ted O'Brian entered at 12:15 a.m. Greg Poschman asked if the current decking from the bridge could be recycled or used for another project. Tennenbaum stated that OST could reach out to public to see if there is a need to repurpose the wood. George Newman inquired about the timeline for completing the project. Tennenbaum explained that once the budget supplemental is approved, the re-decking project can start this spring or early summer. Howie Mallory asked how Wingo Bridge surface compare to the bridge on Brush Creek Trail. Tennenbaum clarified that Ipe wood was used for the bridge on Brush Creek Trail and is only milled in 2x8 inch panels. For the Wingo Bridge, OST would need to replicate the current 3x8 panels as to provide structure for vehicles use. Ted O'Brien stated that the Wingo Bridge is engineered to flex with the current decking, he explained that if the decking is too stiff the timber boards will wear out faster. Kelly McNicholas Kury inquired as to why the Wingo Bridge re-decking was not in the original budget. Tennenbaum explained that the project was in the budget, however the total costs for the project was yet to be determined as OST needed the inspection report and cost information from SGM to determine the budget supplemental amount. Wayne Ives moved to recommend to the BOCC the Wingo Bridge supplemental budget request. Howie Mallory Seconded. The motion passed(5-0). Sopris Creek Bridge Tennenbaum stated that the bid process for the Sopris Creek Bridge improvement was not complete in time to incorporate into the original 2019 budget process. Initially the project was budgeted for$127K. Tennenbaum explained that the bids that now have been collected reflect an adjusted budget of$162,416 (50% shared cost with RFTA), therefore a $35,416 budget supplemental is requested. Tennenbaum explained that the bridge is currently in very poor condition, referencing significant failure of the abutment, which cost more than originally anticipated by OST. Howie Mallory moved to recommend to the BOCC the Sopris Creek Bridge supplemental budget request, to include OST signage at the bridge. Amy Barrow seconded. Motion passed (4-0). Ives abstained from voting. 03/05//2019 OSTB Regular Session Minutes Page 4 of 6 Lazy Glen Barn Tennenbaum explained that the Lazy Glen Barn is a multi-use property that is occupied by Nordic operations, as well as two apartments which house the property's agricultural lessee and an OST full-time Ranger. During recent renovations OST found it necessary, per the Pitkin County building code, to put in a 2-hour firewall between the commercial and residential aspects of the barn, Tennenbaum said. Therefore, OST is asking for a Lazy Glen budget supplemental of $39K for the firewalls and electrical work necessary for the barn to be up to Pitkin County building code. Greg Poschman asked if a sprinkler system would need to be added in the future. Tennenbaum explained that the current 2-hour firewall meets the Pitkin County building code, therefore it is sufficient. Wayne Ives moved to recommend to the BOCC the Lazy Glen Barn supplemental budget request. Michael Kinsley seconded. The motion passed(4-0). Graeme Means abstained from voting. Ted O'Brian left at 12:35 a.m. Emma Steering Committee Lindsey Utter provided an update to the Emma Steering Committee, which was included as part of the 2017 Emma Open Space management plan to help determine the best uses for the Emma property envelope. Utter stated that earlier this year OST put out a call for members of the public who may be interested in participating in the Steering Committee. Utter explained the committee will be comprised of six members of the public chosen by the OSTB to include; Caroline Shipp, Harry Teague, Jason Smith, Raul Gawrys, Mitzi Rapkin and Martha Ferguson. The three designated positions were appointed by the following groups: Emma Caucus (Liz Newman, Margaret Simmons as an alternate), Town of Basalt(Watkins Fulk-Gray), and Historic Society liaison(Matt Annabel), Utter said. Along with the nine members chosen, Michael Kinsley will serve as an OSTB representative. Utter stated the goal of the Steering Committee is to work collaboratively to formulate a recommended use and purpose for the Emma Store Buildings. This recommendation will ultimately be presented to the OSTB, which would then need to recommend the purpose and use to the Board of County Commissioners for final approval. Means inquired about the timing of the project process. Utter explained the committee would kick off with an Emma site visit, then the Steering Committee will hold discussion meetings which could potentially take up to a year. Tennenbaum clarified that all of the project meetings will be open to the public, minutes will be taken, and updates posted on the OST projects webpage. Mallory asked if sound barriers would be part of a solution to the high traffic area at the Emma Store buildings. Tennenbaum clarified that snow fencing was previously looked at by OST, however the Steering Committee will need to first determine the potential use before a solution is determined. 03/05//2019 OSTB Regular Session Minutes Page 5 of 6 Greg Poschman asked if a wildlife crossing would be included in the committee discussion. Tennenbaum explained that Colorado Parks and Wildlife connectivity study will looking at entire valley to determine where the wildlife crossings will be most effective. George Newman inquired whether the project would require resolution through the BOCC. Tennenbaum explained that the committee decision is not a binding piece, ultimately the committee will provide a recommended use for the building and then the BOCC will make the final decision. Lindsey Utter left at 12:45 a.m. Emma Open Space Agricultural Structure Paul Holsinger reiterated the BOCC's decision on December 4th, 2018, to increase the budget for the Emma Open Space to allow for an agricultural structure for the lessees Two Roots Farms. The two structure options presented: a pre-fabricated barn, which was a higher cost than budgeted, and a temporary shed option. The BOCC decided to increase budget for the temporary shed option, Holsinger explained. A Request for Proposals (RFP) was posted to solicit bids for agricultural structures in which OST received a new option: an alternative smaller pre-fabricated barn for$63,406, which was within the project budget. Holsinger explained that this new option works well within context of the property and provides support for local food production. Steve Child asked if the land area by the structure is irrigated for an orchard or gardens. Yes, Holsinger said. Mallory asked if ground surface for the structure would be concrete. Yes, Holsinger said. George Newman asked if solar panels could be added to the structure in the future. Holsinger explained that with the pre-fabricated barn being a permanent structure it will be engineered to accommodate solar panels. ADJOURN The OSTB and Joint OSTB-BOCC meetings of March 5, 2019 adjourned at 1 p.m. Approved. Attest: Gra eans, Chair Kimberly Arensdorf Pith County Open Space &Trails Board Pitkin County Open Space &Trails Administrative Specialist 03/05//2019 OSTB Regular Session Minutes Page 6 of 6