OSAC NOTES - AUGUST 05
January 2005 - There were no regular meetings. A meeting was held January 20 to hear presentations for Joint Venture grants and determination of the grant awards.
FEBRUARY 7, 2005 - Study Session
Lisa de Graaf, Planner, presented the Visitor Survey Results for 2004. The parks surveyed were Apex, Elk Meadow, Matthews/Winters, Mount Falcon, and White Ranch. Hiking and biking were the most popular uses of these parks. Matthews/Winters had an increase in hikers and a decrease in bikers. Biking showed a decrease at Elk Meadow, Mount Falcon, and White Ranch. Apex showed an increase in biking. Matthews/Winters had the highest level of reported conflicts.
Regular Meeting
Lakewood requested that the County-owned property adjacent to the Health Department at Alameda and Kipling be added to their acquisition priorities. A resolution was passed to pursue a conservation easement on 107 acres adjacent to the 310-acre conservation easement that Open Space holds West of the Crawford Gulch road. The purpose would be trail corridor from White Ranch to Golden Gate and/or Centennial Cone.
The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Comprehensive Plan for Rocky Flats was reviewed. A field trip was scheduled to view three Douglas Mountain properties. Impact of the Highway 73 widening on the Flying J Ranch Park was reviewed
MARCH 3, 2005 - Study Session
Staff presented an overview of Preservation Concepts - a look at all possible options for purchasing or securing interests for Open Space and the types of lands and interests that could be considered.
Regular Meeting - North Table Mountain Water and Sanitation (NTMWS) presented a proposal for a easement to place a 1.5 million gallon water underground on the North slope of North Table Mountain. Staff recommended rejection of the request and it died on a tie vote, with the recommendation that staff and NTMWS
After much discussion on the three Douglas Mountain properties the vote was to forego further negotiation. The principal objections were the steep topography and the poor access.
A resolution was approved to exchange Open Space’s option on 5.8 acres at 96th and Indiana for a conservation easement. Charles McKay, the owner, felt that the Option made him reluctant to make improvements to the property.
Ralph Schell reported that the Commissioner’s wanted to have less day-to-day involvement with Open Space administration than had previous Commissions. There was much discussion on how to handle activities that previously were reviewed by the Commissioners.
APRIL 7, 2005 - Study Session
Staff provided more details on the Preservation Concepts with a numerical weighting for method of potential preservation.
Regular Meeting
Negotiations were approved for a 29-acre property at the Northeastern corner of Alderfer/Three Sisters Park that would allow easy trail connections to Evergreen Lake.
A resolution was approved for negotiations for a trail corridor from Red Rocks in the the Town of Morrison.
MAY 5, 2005 - Study Session
Ceremony at Alderfer/Three Sisters Park on transfer of title of Evergreen Mountain to Open Space.
Regular Meeting -
A request by Foothills Recreation for a 20-acre site at Chatfield and Carr that consisted of 14 separate parcels was presented. The resolution was tabled until all priorities are considered for the remaining bond funds.
Staff presented a resolution for a better location for the water tank easement requested by North Table Mountain Water and Sanitation District in March. The revised site was acceptable to staff and OSAC so a resolution for the easement was approved.
JUNE 2, 2005 - Study Session
Staff rankings based on the Preservation Concepts for the acquisitions that are in process were reviewed. There was a general discussion that related to a number of the properties that are in process.
Regular Meeting -
Staff presented information on a number of properties in the Mount Tom - Van Bibber Creek headwaters Natural Area. The properties are being considered for a trail corridor from Centennial Cone to White Ranch as well as for their natural qualities.
JULY 7, 2005 - Study Session
Ralph Schell presented the proposed budget for 2006. The budget is detailed in a separate article.
Regular Meeting -
The proposed 2006 budget was approved.
A request by Westminster for acquisition of a six-acre in-holding in Westminster City Park at 104th and Sheridan was approved for negotiation.
There was an extended discussion on policy revisions to match the Commissioners desire for less day-to-day involvement with Open Space Administration. OSAC felt that the policies still should allow for OSAC approval of most acquisition activities and approval was tabled until revisions could be made.