HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 18Next meeting: January 21, 2009
8:30 am – Council Chambers
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Los Altos Hills Open Space Committee
Meeting
Minutes of December 18, 2009
(Actions Items Printed in Bold)
Present: Roger Spreen, Chair, Nancy Couperus, Karen Lemes, Jean Struthers, Wendie
Ward, Sue Welch
Regrets: Mary Davey, Alice Sakamoto
Guests: Susan Mandle, Council Member Ginger Summit
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: None
3. Ongoing Business:
Sudden Oak Death
Sue will put together an article on SOD for the March Town Newsletter, which
will include the table – SOD Preventative Treatment Calendar. Sue handed out an
information sheet on the management of SOD. She also brought an injector – a
reusable pressurized syringe – which she ordered from Australia to illustrate the
way in which the phosphonate solution would be injected into a tree. Sue has
these available for individuals who are interested.
Fencing Issues
Alice was unable to attend the meeting. Discussion of this subject was deferred to
the January meeting.
Other Fencing Issues
The spiked fence ordinance will go before the Town Council sometime in
January.
Open Space Properties
Stirling Acreage – A subcommittee is working on this.
Rhus Ridge Open Space Preserve – Roger proposed on behalf of his
neighborhood that the garbage receptacles be moved – with a privacy fence to
hide the garbage containers. The OSC thoughts this would be all right as long as
the area 25 feet from top of bank was kept free of any structures.
Next meeting: January 21, 2009
8:30 am – Council Chambers
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Byrne Preserve – Sue will assess the weed situation in Byrne Preserve to see how
big the problem is. Sue thinks that the first step is to map the area to see what’s
there. Jean said that she would contact Paul Heiple to find out the best time to
pull weeds. Nancy will contact Roger Burnell about getting the youth
commissioners involved with weed eradication. Sue will look into control of
yellow star thistle with weavils. Jean thought that the weavil approach should be
considered for O’Keefe where the thistle has taken over a large area of the
Preserve.
Hidden Villa – Ginger described recent developments in regard to Hidden Villa.
Apparently the fire district doesn’t have jurisdiction over the entire acreage – only
265 acres. For that reason, the Town is considering annexation of the 265 acres
rather than the entire 1600+ acres. This annexation would expand access for
recreation facilities for the Town and provide additional access to open space
lands.
Riparian/Water/Creek Projects & Issues – SVWD Grants
There are two grants that the Town is considering applying for:
(1) Environmental Enhancement Planning Grant – O’Keefe would be well suited
for this grant
(2) Trail & Open Space Grant – the Robleda pathway extension, which would
entail removal of non-native invasive plants, would be a good candidate for
this grant
Susan and Ginger will get together with Carl to discuss this in January. The
Town’s financial participation in the project would be 25%.
Wildlife Habitat and Corridors
Nothing new to report
Invasives
Discussed above – Byrne Preserve and O’Keefe
Coyote Signage
Nancy will look into how the “coyote signage” could be customized for Los Altos
Hills. The OSC thought that signs could be posted at different entrances to Byrne
Preserve.
24560 Vorhees Drive
This is a two-lot subdivision behind St. Nicholas. The OSC did not see that there
were open space issues associated with this development.
OPEN DISCUSSION: There was no additional time for discussion.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 am. Next meeting is scheduled for January 21st.
Submitted by Nancy Couperus
Next meeting: January 21, 2009
8:30 am – Council Chambers
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Next meeting: January 21, 2009
8:30 am – Council Chambers
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