HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 18Next meeting: January 15, 2009
8:30 am – Council Chambers
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Los Altos Hills Open Space Committee
Meeting
Minutes of December 18, 2008
(Actions Items Printed in Bold)
Present: Roger Spreen, Chair, Nancy Couperus, Karen Lemes, Jean Struthers, Sue
Welch
Regrets: Patty Ciesla, Mary Davey, Richard Partridge, Alice Sakamoto
Guests: Susan Mandle, Associate Member; Jean Mordo, Mayor; Ginger Summit,
Council Member; Sandy Humphries, Environmental Design
Staff: none
1. Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 8:30 am. The minutes of the November meeting
were approved as written.
2. Introductions/Presentations/Guests: Susan Mandle – Adobe Creek Restoration
3. Ongoing Business:
Riparian/Water/Creek Projects & Issues
Susan Mandle, passed out a proposal for restoration planting in Adobe Creek
(Edith Park) including costs. The proposal is based on the following assumptions:
(1) a maximum top of bank planting strip about 10 feet wide
(2) installation of 1 gallon plants on 3 to 4 foot centers
(3) removal of non-native invasives within the planting area
Susan explained the layout of the Park to the committee members, pointing out
that some of what is regarded as part of the Park is actually private property
(owned by Los Altos residents). Susan also pointed out that the understory of the
existing creek vegetation is non-native and that the presence of woodrat (“species
of special concern”) nests would impact any project in Edith Park.
Mayor Jean Mordo expressed concern about the cost – between $76 and $83
thousand dollars. Susan suggested a couple of ways to reduce cost:
(1) resurrect the park’s original irrigation system
(2) complete the project in phases as the budget allows, planting from
downstream to upstream
(3) use volunteer labor and donated materials
Next meeting: January 15, 2009
8:30 am – Council Chambers
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Roger expressed his view that Edith Park, as the scenic gateway to the Town,
should be aesthetically pleasing. Some members of the OSC felt that Edith Park
is ill-suited as a “destination” park because of its location (a very busy
intersection nearby) and lack of parking. Other OSC members thought that
neighbors would object to heavy use and would prefer a “walk through” park.
Council Member, Ginger Summit agreed, but thought that natural features (i.e.
large rocks) could provide recreational use by neighborhood children. This has
been done successfully, according to Ginger, at the Waldorf School.
Susan Mandle left the OSC meeting with Mayor Mordo to attend the Parks & Rec
meeting and to present the creek restoration proposal to that committee. Susan
returned after her second presentation and informed the OSC that it appeared that
the Parks & Rec Committee shared a similar view about Edith Park.
Nancy recommended that a sub-committee should be formed with members from
both P&R and the OSC. This idea was suggested to Nancy by Co-Chair of Parks
& Recreation, Scott Vanderlip. The OSC agreed that this would be useful. Scott
plans to initiate contact with the OSC about forming a subcommittee.
Sue Welch offered to document the recreation/open space properties owned
by the Town – how large they are, current use and potential use, limitations
(security, parking, amenities, noise). Roger thanked Sue for taking this on.
O’Keefe
Sue summarized the meeting with Town Engineer, Richard Chiu. The action
items that were discussed include:
• improving and looking into access
• verifying the border of the property and placing posts at intervals to
designate the border
• confirming a mowing schedule to coincide with the best time to mow for
star thistle control
• laying out a new loop trail (Patty Ciesla has offered to do this)
• keeping neighbors apprised of future plans
• considering a water supply
SOD Blitz
This event will take place on Saturday, May 9th, at Town Hall. It will be noticed
in the December Town Newsletter. Sue Welch set up the meeting and will keep
the OSC informed about publicity and other associated issues.
Next meeting: January 15, 2009
8:30 am – Council Chambers
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Byrne Preserve – ATV use update
After forwarding the OSC’s recommendation concerning ATV use in Byrne
Preserve to the Town Manager and exchanging some e-mails, Roger was
informed that ATV use in Byrne Preserve had been stopped. The Town Manager
indicated that other solutions to rounding up the horses in Byrne Preserve were
contemplated, which would serve the P&R riding program better.
As a consequence of the discussion about what would be allowed in open space
areas, the Town Manager forwarded to Roger the open space management
policies from the Towns of Tiburon and Fairfax. These plans could be easily
adapted for Los Altos Hills.
The OSC agreed that a subcommittee should be formed to look at what other
towns and agencies have done and to formulate a management policy for our
town. Sue, Nancy, and Jean expressed interest in serving on such a
subcommittee.
Planning/Development
None discussed.
Deer Issues
This topic was postponed until January when Alice would be attending and would
be able to share the information she has collected.
OPEN DISCUSSION:
None
The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 am.
Next meeting – January 15th at 8:30 am.
Submitted by Nancy Couperus
Next meeting: January 15, 2009
8:30 am – Council Chambers
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