HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 19Next meeting: March 26, 2009
8:30 am – Council Chambers
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Los Altos Hills Open Space Committee
Meeting
Minutes of February 19, 2009
(Actions Items Printed in Bold)
Present: Roger Spreen, Chair, Nancy Couperus, Mary Davey, Karen Lemes, Richard
Partridge, Alice Sakamoto, Sue Welch
Regrets: Patty Ciesla, Jean Struthers
Guests: Ginger Summit, Council Member
Staff: none
1. Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 8:30 am. The minutes of the January meeting
were approved as written.
2. Introductions/Presentations/Guests: City Clerk, Karen Jost, dropped in on the
meeting to explain the new rules for committee expenditures and how to submit them.
3. Ongoing Business:
Living with Wildlife Series – Coexisting with the Wily Coyote
Nancy reported on the progress of this informational meeting, which will be held
on March 18th. It is hoped that the speaker, Camilla Fox, will successfully convey
the point that humans and coyotes can peacefully coexist with a few simple
measures. These measures include: chasing off coyotes with noise and not
providing food sources. Nancy explained that the presentation expense ($500)
would be shared with Hidden Villa and the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space
District. Nancy requested approval of $200 for the OSC’s share. The OSC
approved this expenditure.
Earth Day Celebration (April 19)
The new landscaping at Westwind Barn will reduce the number of vehicles that
can park next to the Barn on Earth Day. Roger recommended limiting this area to
the participating organizations – at least until the official opening time. Richard
offered to help with the parking. Nancy will let participants know about the
parking situation ahead of time. Rain will cancel. The OSC approved $1200 to
cover the expenses for Earth Day.
Sudden Oak Death
Sue passed out to members a proposed postcard explaining the SOD Blitz. The
final version of the postcard will need Council approval. Sue estimates the cost of
the postcard mailing and signage to be $1850. The OSC approved this
Next meeting: March 26, 2009
8:30 am – Council Chambers
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expenditure. Sue also explained that early detection of SOD is important because
this is the time when Agri-Fos can be an effective treatment.
Fencing Issues
Alice passed out a one-page summary on spiked fences, which included what
other communities are doing on this issue. Roger stated that he believes that the
OSC should recommend continuous rail tops on any metal perimeter fencing.
The fencing bars should also be wide enough or narrow enough to prevent fawns
or adult deer from getting caught between the bars.
Alice also passed out the minutes from a Saratoga meeting in which fencing
issues were reviewed and discussed. Alice will contact Saratoga to find out if
there has been any follow-up from this meeting.
Open Space Operating/Management Plan
Nancy passed out a preliminary Operating/Management Plan for Town open
space properties. The subcommittee, consisting of Sue, Jean, and Nancy, put this
plan together. Committee comments were solicited. Richard suggested including
information on access to creeks and boundary markings between private property
and public lands where appropriate. There was also discussion about poison oak
and how it should be treated on public lands. The subcommittee will continue
to work on the Management Plan.
O’Keefe Open Space Preserve
Nancy reported that Richard Chiu told her that no boundary stakes have yet been
placed in the O’Keefe Preserve.
Edith Park
Nancy reported that a handful of comments on the Parks & Recreation Proposal
for Edith Park have been received from neighbors of Edith Park. Susan Mandle
provided neighbors with copies of the proposal. Scott Vanderlip, Co-chair of
Parks & Recreation, is planning to bring the proposal to the Council as soon as
possible. The OSC was concerned about Adobe Creek and encouraging public
access. From an open space perspective, preservation of the creek system is of
higher importance than public access/recreation, but does not necessarily exclude
it. If there are recreational goals for the creek area, the requirements should
include that there be (a) a particularly good, safe, and shallow access to a creek
portion where (b) there is no legal issue of access, and (c) there is no sensitive
habitat, vegetation, or erosion conditions. Other considerations include
homeowners’ parcel boundaries along the creek and the presence of wood rat nest
in the creek area.
Next meeting: March 26, 2009
8:30 am – Council Chambers
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Water Issues
Nancy announced that a new Water Conservation Committee has been formed.
Karen Lemes expressed concern about drainage and strongly supports retaining
water on one’s own property. Karen would like the new committee to include this
as a goal.
OPEN DISCUSSION: Roger recommended shifting the next OSC meeting a week
later to Thursday, March 26th, since the Coyote informational meeting will take place the
night before the normally scheduled meeting. The Committee agreed to the rescheduling.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 am.
Next meeting – March 26th at 8:30 am.
Submitted by Nancy Couperus
Next meeting: March 26, 2009
8:30 am – Council Chambers
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