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HomeMy WebLinkAboutpitco.ost.min.reg.06122002 . . . Minutes OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS BOARD MEETING OF JUNE 12, 2002 Courthouse Conference Room Board Members Present: Rickenbaugh Tom Cardamone, Hawk Greenway, Bill Fales, Rick Neiley, Anne Others Present: Dale Will, Barb Hogan, Gary Tennenbaum, Jonathan Lowsky, Hilary Smith Hawk Greenway called the meeting to order at approximately 9:20 a.m, with Tom and Rick present. EXECUTIVE SESSION The Board voted unanimously to move into Executive Session at 9:20 a.m., in accordance with CRS 24-6-402(4)( a), for the purpose of discussing personnel. All staff members except Hilary left the room for this discussion. The Board adjourned Executive Session at 10:10 a.m. REGULAR SESSION APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES The minutes of the Regular and Executive Sessions of April 23, 2002 were approved as amended. STAFF COMMENTS Introduction of Newcomers Dale introduced Anne Rickenbaugh, who will be officially appointed to the Open Space and Trails Board at noon, and Gary Tennenbaum, the program's first Land Steward. 2002 Work Plan Gary referred the Board to "La Liste Grande" ofprojects identified on OST properties, which was included in the packet. This list incorporated projects identified by Michael Craig and items Gary noted in his visits to the properties. Gary stated that he will prioritize mapping weeds and vegetation, and anything else as directed. He will begin weed mapping next week. Board members asked various clarification questions on list items. Hawk requested that a fence delineating the Moore Open Space be installed along Maroon Creek Road be added to the list. Rick suggested treating this list as a "living document" and recommended adding a separate section for management plans. The issue of squatter eviction was discussed. Dale informed the Board that the Sheriff has committed to work with OST on the issue. Redstone Management Issues Gary informed the Board that he met with the Redstone Community Association Tuesday night and that the association has no way of maintaining the bathrooms, noting, among other reasons, that they have no insurance. The issue was discussed at length. Board members agreed that the current situation was not tenable and favored a proposal to put restrooms on Elk Park along the highway, and exploring the possibility of getting some funding from the Scenic Byway Committee. Staff will explore various suggestions, including installing a composting restroom. The Board agreed that the swing set which I collapsed partially should not be replaced, and that any other playground equipment that poses a danger . should be removed as well. Jaffee Park: Rick commented that this is the heaviest used ofOST's properties, and noted that it has several management issues which need addressing, including landscaping, cleaning up the pond, the well, and the boat ramp. Dale reviewed the status with Lowe regarding installation of permanent restroom facilities. Emma: Tom asked ifit was possible to use some of the water rights associated with Emma to do a garden at the old schoolhouse. Bill questioned whether Colorado law or the program's conversion restriction would limit using the water from Emma for other property or purposes. Dale suggested inviting the Emma Community Trust to the next Board meeting. OS Ranger/Enforcement Dale informed the Board that the City of Aspen Parks Department volunteered to patrol OST properties and trails in the Aspen vicinity and enforce the Pitkin County Code on open space/trails properties. Dale checked with John Ely, who said that the County could authorize Aspen Parks staff to enforce the Pitkin County Code. Dale added that Parks did not request funding for this service. The Board agreed to try this arrangement on an indefinite trial basis. Dale suggested pursuing a similar arrangement with the Town of Basalt, once it hires its animal control officer. . Rick asked about the signs for the lower Rio Grande Trail. Dale explained that he was waiting for a commitment from ReRe to patrol the trail. The Board directed staff to put the signs up even if enforcement is not yet in place. Board and staff discussed the Open Space Ranger position. Staff suggested that it may be too late in the season to start the hiring process for a seasonal position. Dale recommended that they get through this season with cooperative partnerships such as with the City Parks department, and get organized and hire the right person for next season. Gary added that his crew is on the trails every week. The Board directed staff to do a press release on enforcement ofleash laws and the dogs bans, and issue some tickets if that is what it takes to get the word out. Rio Grande Trail: Hawk asked about the status of opening the Rio Grande Trail through Cerise and on the trestle. The subject was discussed and the Board determined that the trail should be opened to the upper end of the trestle and that a fence and sign should be put at that end closing it. Hummingbird: Tom reminded everyone that there is a well on the Hummingbird property which could be used as a water source for trail users. BOARD COMMENTS There were no Board Comments. EXECUTIVE SESSION The Board voted unanimously to move into Executive Session at II: 15 a.m., in accordance with CRS 24-6-402(4)(a), for the purpose of discussing acquisitions. The Board adjourned Executive Session at II :52 a.m. . 2 . Rick Neiley left during Executive Session. REGULAR SESSION (continued) Bill moved to approve the Resolution recommending the acquisition of the Filoha Meadows. Tom seconded. Motion passed unanimous. (Note: Anne Rickenbaugh did not vote because she had not been officially appointed to the Board yet.) JOINT OSTB/BOCC MEETING County Commissioners Present: Patti Clapper, Jack Hatfield, Shellie Roy, Dorothea Farris Others Present: Dale Will, Barb Hogan, Gary Tennenbaum, Jonathan Lowsky, Hilary Smith, Brian Flynn, John Starr, Hunt Walker Rick Neiley rejoined the meeting. REGULAR SESSION The Regular Session for the BOCC was convened by Patti at 12: 15 pm. John Starr Recognition The BOCC and OSTB thanked John for his years of volunteer service on the Open Space and Trails Board. . Introduction of New Staff Dale introduced The OST's new Land Steward, Gary Tennenbaum. Resolution Appointing Citizen Board Members Jack motioned to approve the Resolution appointing Anne Rickenbaugh to the Open Space and Trails Board and John Howard to the Planning and Zoning Board. Dorothea seconded. Motion passed unanimously. STAFF COMMENTS Letters of Support Dale requested approval of two letters of support for construction of the Rio Grande Trail in the lower valley: MidValley Trails Committee request for funding from Eagle County, and Carbondale Trails Committee request for funding from Garfield County. Jack motioned to approve and Dorothea seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Bill motioned to approve and Hawk seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Letter to GOCO Dale requested approval of a letter to the GOCO Board of Directors, commenting on the FY 2003 budget. The Boards discussed the issue. Dorothea motioned to approve and Shellie seconded. Motion . passed unanimously; Bill motioned to approve and Rick seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 3 . . Policy On Donated Properties Dale recommended to both boards that the County should adopt a policy requiring a complete title report on any property proposed for donation to the County. In addition, a boundary survey and environmental assessment should be required unless County staff determines that it is not necessary, or that it is an expense that the County is willing to pay in order to accept the land. County staff would assess the property to determine if the proposed parcel had OST values or values for any other of the County departments, such as Housing or Public Works. The boards agreed with the proposed policy and instructed Dale to come back with a formal resolution. Redstone Maintenance Issues Dale briefed the BOCC on the issue. The BOCC, like the OSTB, felt that Elk Park was a good location for new bathrooms and that temporary restrooms should be installed while staff researches options for a permanent structure. Dorothea agreed to address the Scenic Byway committee about the idea of participating in constructing a rest stop by the highway in Elk Park. The BOCC also agreed that any endangering playground equipment should be removed. The leaking water main that feeds the Elk Park irrigation system and the cabin were also discussed. Staff is awaiting bids for replacing the line, and will determine cost sharing between departments once that bid has been received. Staff was instructed to move the garbage can from Redstone Park to Elk Park. OS Ranger/Enforcement Dale summarized for the BOCC the Aspen Parks Department's offer to enforce Pitkin County Code regarding dogs and open space/trail use on County lands. Brian Flynn was on hand to discuss the issue with the BOCC. Dale informed the BOCC that he has discussed this proposal with John Ely, who approved it. Dale added it is already late in the season to start the hiring process for a seasonal ranger, but that the program would be prepared to hire one in the spring. The BOCC agreed with the proposal and instructed Dale to prepare a formal resolution authorizing the City to enforce County code on County property. Bill and Patti both thanked Brian and the City for their assistance in this area. BOARD COMMENTS Stein Trail Closure: Patti asked the status of the closure of the Stein Trail. Dale explained that Aspen Sanitation did not get a ROW permit for this project and that Bud Eylar thinks that the trail need only be closed for 2 weeks. Mills Deed: Hawk expressed frustration over the fact that CDOT still has not conveyed a deed for the Mills property as promised to the County, as part of the Moore condemnation. The issue was discussed. Hawk, Patti, Dale and Debbie Quinn will meet to strategize how to approach CDOT on the subject. Brush Creek Trail: Jack informed the boards that, after site visits to the proposed trail alignment with Bud and Jonathan, that a trail between the creek and the road looks doable. He explained that the issue that the project now faces is that Holy Cross Energy is considering how to upgrade is transmission lines to Snowmass Village. If the upgrade involves placing the lines underground, then there would be no trail this year, since much on the trail alignment is on top of a Holy Cross easement. The issue was . discussed further. Holy Cross is expected to meet on its proposed Snowmass Village upgrades on June 25th. 4 . . . EXECUTIVE SESSION Shellie motioned and Jack seconded that the BOCC enter into Executive Session in accordance with CRS 24-6-402(4)(a), for the purpose of discussing acquisitions. Bill motioned and Rick seconded that the OSTB do the same. Both boards voted in favor to enter into Executive Session at I :36 p.m. The boards adjourned Executive Session at I :50 p.m. REGULAR SESSION (continued) First Reading of Ordinance Authorizing the Filoha Meadows Acquisition Jack motioned to approve the draft ordinance on first reading. Shellie seconded. Motion passed unanimously. ADJOURN The OSTB meeting was adjourned at approximately 2:00 p.m. Approved Attest /j tB~ 5