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Home My WebLink Aboutbocc.min.spec.09-07-2021 (OST) MINUTES OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS BOARD REGULAR SESSION September 7, 2021 Zoom Meeting OSTB Present: Graeme Means Howie Mallory Amy Barrow Michael Kinsley Wayne Ives Dist. 1 Dist. 2 Dist. 3 Dist. 4, Chair Dist. 5 Not Present Staff Present: Gary Tennenbaum, Kim Arensdorf, Paul Holsinger, Jessie Young, Liza Mitchell, Dale Will, Richard Neiley BOCC Present: Patty Clapper Others Present: Bill Fales, Gwen Garcelon, Temple Glassier Michael Kinsley called the meeting to order at 9:07 a.m. PUBLIC COMMENT No public comment APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Howie Mallory motioned for the OSTB to approve the 08/19/2021 regular and executive session minutes. Amy Barrow seconded. Motion passed(5-0). Agriculture Lease Process Update Holsinger stated that the Agriculture Lease Bid Process began with the purchase of Glassier Open Space in 2014. The Policy was generated to lease County land for agriculture in a competitive way that was fair and transparent, he said. The process was amended and updated in 2017 to remove redundancy in the selection criteria and include guidance on subleases and infrastructure improvements. Holsinger explained that the growth and progress of the agricultural leasing program has lead to the necessity for improvements within the process, specifically with refining the selection criteria. Gwen Garcelon noted meeting with a committee consisting of agricultural producers and other community members to review the policy and make recommendations to OST staff and the Board. She explained that adding a Agriculture Specialist to the program was recommended through this process. Additionally,public education was identified as a program focus area. This will create more public involvement and connection to local food production, as well as making the public aware of public land status. Garcelon stated that the food supply will increase in demand in the future, and every community needs to look at resiliency. She noted that recommendations from the committee will provide a great way to integrate improvements to the Policy. Howie Mallory asked for a comprehensive look at the long-term policy update with regards to increasing food production. Garcelon explained that each parcel will need to be looked at for food 09/07/2021 OSTB and Joint BOCC Regular Session Minutes Page 1 of 4 production potential and then the Policy mechanics will help direct OST in selecting the most appropriate lessee. Temple Glassier stated that committee discussed a transparent process, and accountability of leasees to accomplish OST's goals and fit into the Management Plans. Bill Fales commended the committee recommendation to "Renew lease with existing lessee. This would occur if the lessee has stewarded the property appropriately and there is no need to change the control of the leased area", noting that if the leasee is providing good work they should be able to renew their lease. He stated that within recommendation#5 to"articulate goals/purpose statement for the Ag Lease Program"and"prioritize maximizing food production" it should be added that taking the best care of the land should be the main purpose of the program. Additionally, he suggested editing the scoring criteria to add experience/successes with previous land management. Wayne Ives agreed with Fales comments with regards to recommendation#5. He noted that the OST program should be an example for private land owners. While experience is necessary, it is a great opportunity for new agriculture producers, Ives said. He asked how equity and diversity will be scored. Holsinger stated that equity and diversity is a way to look at ways to educate and communicate with a more diverse public. Gary Tennenbaum explained that the next steps of the process will be to take comments from this meeting and incorporate them into the Policy. He noted that the Policy will not be part of the procurement process. Staff will continue to work with the committee,the community, the OSTB and BOCC, Tennenbaum said. BOARD AND STAFF COMMENTS Mallory requested additional signage at the entry areas for Castle Creek Trail. Michael Kinsley asked for an estimated completion date for the Watershed Biodiversity Initiative. Early in 2022, Tennenbaum said. Kinsley requested information on ebike user conflicts that are arising on trails. Barrow mentioned speed being an issue. Tennenbaum stated that staff is working with rental shops on user education. Additionally staff will be discussing ebikes and the Brush Creek Park and Ride to Aspen Trail feasibility with the City of Aspen at their joint meeting in February. EXECUTIVE SESSION Kelly McNicholas Kury motioned for the BOCC to enter into executive session for in accordance with CRS 24-6-402(4) (a)(b) and(e) for the purpose of discussing acquisitions, attorney consultation and negotiations at 10:08 a.m. Steve Child seconded. Motion passed(4-0). Michael Kinsley motioned for the OSTB to move into executive session with the BOCC. Amy Barrow seconded. Motion passed(4-0). 09/07/2021 OSTB and Joint BOCC Regular Session Minutes Page 2 of 4 JOINT OSTB —BOCC WORK SESSION Commissioners Meeting Room; 530 E.Main St., Aspen OSTB Trustees Present: Michael Kinsley(Chair), Amy Barrow, Graeme Means, Wayne Ives, Howie Mallory BOCC Present: Kelly McNicholas Kury(Chair), Steve Child, Greg Poschman, Patti Clapper, Francie Jacober Staff Present: Gary Tennenbaum, Jessie Young, Kim Arensdorf, Janet Urquhart, Jon Peacock Others Present: Gail Bartik, James Spencer, Joy Reichert Media Present: Grassroots TV Kelly McNicholas Kury called the joint work session to order at 12:05 p.m. The entire joint work session meeting video is available from this link by selecting the meeting date: https://pitkincounty.ompnetwork.org/embed/sessions/228284 Aspen Village Bridge Connection Tennenbaum stated that within the 2015 Rio Grande Trail Management Plan an action item was identified to improve regional trail connections to the Rio Grande Trail, including addressing the missing link to Aspen Village subdivision. This has been identified as a community need, he said. Staff has been working with SGM engineers to evaluate the feasibility and costs of potential bridge alignments across the Roaring Fork River and connecting the Hwy. 82 underpass to the Rio Grande Trail, he said. SGM evaluated three types of bridge designs and four alignment alternatives, as well as the potential for an expanded shoulder along Gerbaz Way. Tennenbaum explained that staff recommends "Alignment No. 2,"the least expensive of four options and a route of least resistance from the Aspen Village Trail's highway underpass. The cost is approx. $700k, which can be included in the budget for 2022, he said. Staff will need to work with Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and adjacent property owners to complete the project. Tennenbaum noted that public outreach was conducted by OST and Aspen Village, which reflected good community support. Graeme Means asked about other needed trail connections to the Rio Grande Trail along the Highway 82 corridor. Tennenbaum said OST would be looking soon at proposals from the Brush Creek Park and Ride to the Aspen Airport Business Center. Steve Child asked whether the recommended alignment for the new bike bridge near Gerbaz Way would need Bureau of Land Management approval, as it goes over their land. Yes, Jessie Young said. Child noted that residents both at Aspen Village and Phillips Mobile Home Park could access this area safely. 09/07/2021 OSTB and Joint BOCC Regular Session Minutes Page 3 of 4 Patty Clapper expressed support in moving forward with the project, in honor of Doloris Gerbaz who promoted this connection for many years. Francie Jacober expressed concern of the proliferation of biking trails in the County as well as the costs of the project. James Spencer, Aspen Village resident, provided support for the trail connection. With more construction and traffic there have been increased safety concerns, he said. Gail Bartik, Aspen Village resident, explained that safety and connectivity to both sides of the river are important for public access. She noted that it is very dangerous with the current conditions due to traffic. It wouldn't only serve bicyclists, it would assist families who want to walk with their children from one trail to the other, she said. Joy Reichert, Aspen Village resident, stated that currently residents have to drive to access the Rio Grande Trail and the river. This connection would eliminate that issue, she said. Barrow stated that the trail connection is a great opportunity to link communities to resources on both sides of the river, without having to use a vehicle. BOARD ACTION Aspen Village Bridge Connection Howie Mallory moved to include "Alignment No. 2," for the Aspen Village Bridge Connection project in the 2022 OST Budget. Wayne Ives seconded. Motion Passed(5-0). ADJOURN The OSTB and Joint OSTB-BOCC meetings of September 7, 2021 adjourned at 1:00 p.m. Approved: Attest: gh.4/(/‘.-„s11 Michael Kinsley, Kimberly Chair Arensdorf Pitkin County Open Space & Trails Board Pitkin County Open Space & Trails Administrative Specialist 09/07/2021 OSTB and Joint BOCC Regular Session Minutes Page 4 of 4