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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019.07.11 OSTB Regular Minutes_S MINUTES OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS BOARD REGULAR SESSION July 112019 BOCC 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 Not Present Not Present Staff Present: Gary Tennenbaum, Kim Arensdorf, Lindsey Utter, Jessie Young, Janet Urquhart Dale Will Others Present: Jenny Elliott, Reenie Kinney, Scott Hicks, Philip Supino Media Present: Heather Sackett, Aspen Journalism Graeme Means called the meeting to order at 9:02 a.m. PUBLIC COMMENT No public comment APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Wayne Ives moved for the OSTB to approve as amended the 06/04/2019 and 06/25/2019 joint OSTB & BOCC regular and executive session minutes. Michael Kinsley seconded. Motion passed(3-0) Castle Creek Trail Budget Supplemental Gary Tennenbaum updated the OSTB on the current progress of the Castle Creek Trail construction. He explained that due to project design changes OST staff is currently working with contractors to generate a new guaranteed maximum price (GMP) for the project. Tennenbaum stated that during the final design phase it was discovered the base below the East shoulder of the road contained non-compactable material; therefore, the construction impacts need to take place on the West side of Castle Creek Road. Additionally, as a result of the new West side expansion, the retaining walls and rock mitigation requirements to be increased. Tennenbaum explained that as a result of the design change the project costs for OST and Road and Bridge significantly increased. The $250k revenue contribution from the Music School was allocated to the OST fund in the 2019 budget; therefore, OST staff is now proposing to split the contribution with R&B due to the additional construction costs, Tennenbaum said. He further explained that the GMP will include pushing construction aspects into 2020. The total budget supplemental from the OST fund is $278,821 and the Road and Bridge fund is $221,337. If the Castle Creek Trail budget supplemental is approved by BOCC on July 24a', 2019 construction 07/11//2019 OSTB and Joint BOCC Regular Session Minutes Page 1 of 5 will start immediately, Tennenbaum said. He clarified that the final design contains substantial safety improvements for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists. Michael Kinsley asked why the cost overage was not considered earlier on in the design phase. Tennenbaum explained that the beginning design phase included a 30%build plan, which failed to identify the issues with building the trail on the East shoulder. He stated that going forward large projects will include a more thorough design build, with final construction requirements. Graeme Means suggested to put in bigger contingencies for larger projects. Means noted that the safety aspect of the trail is very important, including calming traffic in a school zone, as well as pedestrian improvements overall. Jenny Elliot, Senior Vice President for Strategy and Administration for Aspen Music School, applauded Tennenbaum for his assistance on the project, and expressed the importance of the trail for safety purposes. Wayne Ives motion to recommend the BOCC approve the Castle Creek Trail budget supplemental. Michael Kinsley seconded. Motion passed(3-0) Philip Supino entered at 9:20 a.m. Jenny Elliot, Reenie Kinney and Scott Hicks left at 9:25 a.m. Aspen Uphill Recreation Plan Philip Supino, Long Range Planner for the City of Aspen,provided an update on the Aspen Uphill Recreation Plan, noting that the recommendations from the OSTB at the May 2nd, 2019 meeting were implemented into the plan. Supino explained that during the Plan process the City looked at current recreation trends in the Roaring Fork Valley before looking at opportunities for development. Jessie Young mentioned that Supino presented the Plan to the BOCC on July 9th, in which the BOCC requested OSTB recommendations. Supino stated that there will be work session with the City of Aspen Council on Aug 15th to provide an updated Plan, which will include the OSTB's comments and policies for conservation. He clarified that the Plan does not suggest new amenities or added trails,but focuses on opportunities to partner with public land management. Supino provided information on the scope,jurisdiction and topic areas which include; conservation, accessibility, safety and education, camping, huts, resort uphilling, backcounty skiing, Nordic skiing, biking and hiking. Currently camping locations in the Aspen area are limited, therefore access and availability is included in the Plan, Supino said. He noted that backcounty use has increased, and relayed the importance of widely distributed information on safety and education. GIS data, stakeholder input,uphill recreation survey and existing management plans were used to arrive at the policies and recommendations. Supino stated that the Plan depends on partnerships for successful implementation. The OSTB offered the following comments and policy recommendations: 1. The OSTB understands the current challenge of over-use and safety issues in regards to recreation and supports recommendations in the Plan that focus on better management of existing recreation activities, related facilities, education and safety. 07/11//2019 OSTB and Joint BOCC Regular Session Minutes Page 2 of 5 2. While the OSTB supports better management of recreation activities and related facilities within the Plan, they recommend that the plan better define conservation in the context of preserving or enhancing biodiversity, and that conservation/biodiversity should be at the forefront of the Plan, setting ecological integrity as a higher priority over recreation development. 3. While the OSTB supports human-powered recreation, there is concern that the main emphasis of the Plan is to increase recreation within the upper Roaring Fork Valley. The Plan inherently promotes more people in the backcounty for economic benefit, which will degrade the wilderness experience and over-crowd sensitive areas,putting more pressure on wildlife and vegetation. 4. It is important for the County to partner with the COA in the Plan process, and the OSTB recommends that the COA adopt the County's policy on biodiversity within the framework of the Plan. Supino explained that within the scope of the mandated Plan, economic development is at the genesis; however, COA is not interested in increasing backcountry use, and the position in the Plan is to provide proactive management of areas with high use. He stated that the Plan must go along with OST policies and goals and will incorporate the OSTB's comments and recommendations. Conservation statements are listed throughout the Plan to prevent recreation development relative to land management conservation policies. Tennenbaum stated that the letter from the OSTB will be revised to further emphasize the above comments regarding biodiversity and management. Dale Will &Suzanne Stephens entered at 10:15 a.m. Penny Hot Springs Management Plan Update Lindsey Utter described the history and background of the OST acquisition and management plan for Penny Hot Springs. She stated that the County acquired Penny Hot Springs from Colorado Department of Transportation(CDOT) in 1990, and mentioned management and safety issues during that time that needed to be resolved. Utter explained that the first Filoha acquisition occurred in 2001 with the Management Plan generating in 2008, which included Penny Hot Springs. OST is proposing to pull Penny Hot Springs out of the Filoha Management Plan and create its own plan and process, Utter said. The Filoha Management Plan will then be updated in 2020, which can include the Grange Load-out. Utter stated that the original Management Plan for calls for OST to work with CDOT on maintaining a safe and sustainable trail to the hot springs, and work the scenic byway on trailhead signage an informative kiosk. OST staff is currently working with Sheriff's Department, the Health Department, and CDOT to discover existing conditions and resolve any issues and concerns. OST staff is proposing a Steering Committee process to improve the existing conditions and address increased use, Utter said. Organizations expressing interest in the Steering Committee include; the Crystal Caucus, Healthy Rivers and Streams Board, West Elks Scenic Byway, the Sheriff's office, Crystal River Enviromental Protect Assoc., Redstone Community Assoc., Carbondale Chamber, White River National Forest, Penny Hot Springs users, and Crystal Valley users. Utter explained that OST staff has reach out to the organizations to appoint representatives. 07/11//2019 OSTB and Joint BOCC Regular Session Minutes Page 3 of 5 The OSTB applauded OST staff for their work on a challenging process and plans to improve conditions at Penny Hot Springs. Aspen Valley Land Trust Conservation Plan Follow-up Dale Will expressed the importance of OST involvement and assistance with resources for the AVLT Conservation Plan, attributed by mutual program interests and goals. Suzanne Stephens, Executive Director of AVLT, stated that the purpose for conservation planning is to accelerate the pace and quality of conservation in the region. AVLT's goals are to identify community conservation needs, develop partnerships, and pursue key opportunities, Stephens said. The steps to conservation planning include data collection and analysis, which comprises community engagement and compiling mapping data, strategic planning sessions, and setting planning goals and outputs. Stephens provided a map of the agricultural lands overlay in the Roaring Fork Valley, as well as a deer and elk winter range analysis map, which illustrates wildlife concentration areas and corridors. The analysis' demonstrates the importance of private land conservation in the Roaring Fork Valley. Stephens noted that the Plan is roughly half way through the planning process and the community engagement portion was a big success. She explained that AVLT will need to bring in a planner to determine the project's capacity requirements and assist with final implementation. Along with Plan involvement from the County, AVLT is asking for$25k in financial support to strengthen AVLT's capacity to analyze both environmental and jurisdictional concerns for the Roaring Fork Watershed, Stephens said. Kinsley asked if the AVLT Conservation Plan could potentially provide a way to better inform the OSTB in regards to acquisition opportunities. Will stated that the OST land acquisitions in the past have typically been driven by landowner interests, and the Conservation Plan offers a different and better process because of its trans jurisdictional and educational elements. The Plan will help develop partnership opportunities, and determine what is important in the Roaring Fork Watershed that can still be protected, Will said. Tennenbaum included that the planning effort could also provide a unique position for AVLT to increase engagement and opportunities with other counties. Stephens stated that many of the conservation opportunities need funding and partnership, and the Plan will help as a roadmap. Will explained that once the County includes its formal comments to AVLT, OST staff will bring it back to the OSTB at a future meeting. Means commented that the data mapping is very intuitive and helpful for the OST program. The OSTB thanked the AVLT Board and staff for their planning efforts. Wayne Ives motioned to recommend to the BOCC to expend $25k in funding for the AVLT Conservation Plan. Michael Kinsley seconded. Motion passed(3-0). BOARD AND STAFF COMMENTS Tennenbaum asked if the OSTB had any changes to the Aspen Consolidated Sanitation District Solar Project referral letter following the P&Z site visit on July 2nd. Means commented on 07/11//2019 OSTB and Joint BOCC Regular Session Minutes Page 4 of 5 supporting the project, however the solar industry in general should look into more sufficient landscape screening and take into consideration wildlife corridors. Tennenbaum stated that the County and Community Development are incorporating the OSTB comments to the project. BOARD ACTION Wayne Ives motioned to recommend to the BOCC the expenditure of$1,550,000 for the 9.6 acre Lambert-Wildin property. Kinsley seconded. Motion passed (3-0). EXECUTIVE SESSION The OSTB entered executive session at 11:20 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 1:00 p.m. ADJOURN The OSTB meeting of July 11, 2019 adjourned at 1:00 p.m. Approved. Attest: G'ae 1r eans Kimberly Arensdorf P t County Open Space & Trails Board Pitkin County Open Space &Trails Administrative Specialist 07/11//2019 OSTB and Joint BOCC Regular Session Minutes Page 5 of 5