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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJuly 11Los Altos Hills Open Space Committee Minutes of July 11, 2006 (Actions Items Printed in Bold) Present: Roger Spreen, Chair, Patty Ciesla, Nancy Couperus, Mary Davey, Barbara Mordo, Alice Sakamoto, Sue Welch Guests: None Regrets: Bob Lefkowits, Jean Struthers Staff: Debbie Pedro, Planning Director 1. Call to Order: Roger Spreen called the meeting to order at 8:35 am. The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as written. 2. Introductions/Presentations/Guests: Debbie Pedro, Planning Director 3. Ongoing Wildlife Corridor Project: b) Wildlife subcommittee members, Sue, Alice and Nancy, explained that they were meeting with residents in areas where there have been reports of an abundance of wildlife. Residents have been enthusiastic in providing firsthand information about the wildlife in their neighborhoods. Clearly, riparian areas are of great importance to wild- life. Debbie Pedro, the new Town Planner, was interested in learning about the project. Byrne Preserve Master Plan/Restoration: Sue Welch reported that the Mark Thomas report on Byrne Preserve erosion recommends further study. Discussion of this subject revealed that faulty engineering produced excess water flow that was dumping into the Preserve instead of being channeled into Barron Creek on the other side of Altamont Road. Sue agreed to have a discussion with Carl Cahill and bring out the following points: a)(1) Acknowledge the Mark Thomas report (2) Recommend channeling water into the correct watershed (3) Incorporate, if it make sense, this project with the undergrounding project Patty Ciesla suggested contacting the Water District. Patty agreed to meet with Carl, along with Sue. One of the objectives of this meeting will be to determine the process involved for installing a temporary fence and providing water for the plants. Riparian Corridor Policies: Nancy is gathering materials together from different towns and cities on riparian corridor policies. San Jose has one of the best riparian corridor policies in the state. Mary Davey agreed to see how MPROSD takes care of habitat. Mary will investigate any literature on this subject that could be useful to Los Altos Hills. Roger offered to call Bob Lefkowits who agreed to interview Carl and Steve about enforcement procedures. Mary said that MPROSD actually fines offenders, sends out periodic news releases and publicizes information in their newsletter. MPROSD also receives monthly reports on infractions. Sue Welch handed out a Town Crier article on Hale Creek. A developer had constructed an illegal 12-foot wide retaining wall on Hale Creek. Los Altos made the developer pull out the illegal wall ($75,000+) and pay fees at a rate of $1,000 a week. Herbicide Reduction: Roger reported that he had received a communication from Council member Craig Jones asking about progress being made on herbicide reduction. Roger explained to Councilman Jones the various considerations involved (fire department requirements, cost, for example) and that Karen Lemes, the key leader for this effort had resigned from the OSC. Roger reported that Carl suggested that Council could set some targets for herbicide reduction – for example, a 25% reduction by 2007. Sue Welch also may be able to help with the project later on when she has more time. Sue believes that Cal Trans could provide some valuable information on this topic. 4. New Business Crozier-Hogle Conservation Easement: The attorney for the Hogle estate has submitted a “revised” conservation easement document to the Town for review. If the Town accepts the revised document, this will amend the current easement on file with Santa Clara County Records. Nancy has reviewed the revised easement and believes that none of the conservation values of the easement have been compromised and that the new document is actually better organized than the original. If IRS approves the conservation easement, there will be a very substantial tax savings benefit for the heirs. Members of the OSC agreed that this will help its efforts to persuade others to consider putting a conservation easement on their property. Meeting Times: The Tuesday meeting time seems to work well for everyone. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 8th – 8:30 am to 10:30 am. The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 am.