HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 21Next meeting: June 18, 2009
8:30 am – Council Chambers
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Los Altos Hills Open Space Committee
Meeting
Minutes of May 21, 2009
(Actions Items Printed in Bold)
Present: Roger Spreen, Chair, Patty Ciesla, Nancy Couperus, Mary Davey, Richard
Partridge, Alice Sakamoto
Regrets: Karen Lemes, Jean Struthers, Sue Welch
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 April meeting
were approved as written.
2. Introductions/Presentations/Guests: None
3. Ongoing Business:
Sudden Oak Death
Sue was not present but she sent an e-mail stating that 47 SOD packets were
returned to Town Hall as a result of the SOD workshop on May 9th. Results will
be known sometime in September. In October a follow-up meeting will be held.
Sue intends to write a thank-you to participants and let them know what next to
expect. Mary said that she is encouraging MROSD to participate in a SOD Blitz.
Earth Day
Roger attended the Parks & Recreation Committee meeting to request their
support in putting on next year’s Earth Day Celebration. The P&R Committee
was favorably disposed to the idea and Kathy Evans and Jamie Lucia will be the
point persons from P&R. It is hoped that Earth Day will eventually be viewed
more as a Town-sponsored event.
Fencing Issues
Alice presented the information she has collected on spiked fencing, including an
article entitled “Gruesome Deaths of 5 Deer Fuel Protest of Spiked Fence.”
Duarte and Monrovia both have ordinances on spiked fencing. Alice proposed
wording for a LAH ordinance which includes elements from both of these.
“Fencing shall be constructed without the use of points, spikes or other materials
hazardous to wildlife. Points and spikes shall mean any end of a vertical bar that is
capable of causing, or are likely to cause injury to persons, pets, or animals.”
Next meeting: June 18, 2009
8:30 am – Council Chambers
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The OSC agreed that this wording was good. Alice and Roger will refine this
further and will put together the arguments – making the case for such an
ordinance. This will be presented to the OSC at the June 18th meeting.
Fencing on large properties was discussed as well. Richard suggested that we
might consider proposing that fencing on large parcels be permitted on the basis
of twice the development area. Massive hillside perimeter fences can have a
devastating impact on wildlife and funnel wildlife into area where they are not
wanted. Nancy offered to bring the list of large properties to the next OSC
meeting.
Open Space Operating/Management Plan
Nothing new to report.
Riparian/Water/Creek Projects & Issues
Ginger reported on the May 20th meeting of the Lower Peninsula Flood Control
and Watershed Advisory Committee of which she is a member. Ginger asked if
there was anyone on the OSC who would consider becoming a member at large
on this committee. Ginger also informed the OSC that the SCVWD did have
money available for creek and trail projects. Nancy will check with Susan
Mandle if this is the same funding source that the OSC recently has been
discussing and whether or not Susan would be interested in serving as the
member at large. Ginger believes that the SCVWD grant information will be
released by December 1st and that the deadline for applications will be March
2010.
Edith Park
No news to report.
Invasives
Roger reported that he had sent Green Waste the recommendations made at the
last OSC meeting regarding the handling of poison oak.
OPEN DISCUSSION: There was no time left for open discussion.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 am.
Next meeting – June 18 at 8:30 am.
Submitted by Nancy Couperus
Next meeting: June 18, 2009
8:30 am – Council Chambers
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