HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust 18Next meeting: September 15, 2011
8:40 am – Council Chambers
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Los Altos Hills Open Space Committee
Meeting
Minutes of August 18, 2011
(Actions Items Printed in Bold)
Present: Roger Spreen, Nancy Couperus, George Clifford, Alice Sakamoto, Sharen
Schoendorf, Sue Welch, Wendie Ward
Regrets: Karen Lemes, Jean Struthers
Guests: Council member Gary Waldeck, Acterra representative, Davena Gentry, Susan
Mandle,
Staff: None
1. Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 8:40 am. The minutes of the July meeting were
approved .
2. Introductions/Presentations/Guests:
Davena Gentry, Marketing Outreach Associate for the High Energy Homes Project, made
a presentation on behalf of Acterra. Acterra has received a grant from the California
Energy Commission and is administering programs to monitor and improve energy use in
7 Bay Area towns – Atherton, Portola Valley, Woodside, Los Altos Hills, Monte Sereno,
Hillsborough and Ross. All are high energy users. So far, there are just 10 residents in
Los Altos Hills who have signed up to participate in the program and Davena is hoping to
encourage greater participation. Davena described the program and shared some of the
ways energy can be conserved.
3. New Business
Committee Officer Selection – By unanimous consent the OSC voted to
continue with Roger as Chair and Nancy as Secretary.
Polystyrene Contamination – George Clifford reported that at the June meeting
of the Recycling and Waste Commission of Santa Clara County, a ban on
polystyrene containers was recommended. The next step is taking this to the
Board of Supervisors – proposing that the County stop using polystyrene in
County government facilities by 2012. Taking this one step further, these
products should be replaced by compostable materials. George will get back to
the OSC on ways that our Town could participate.
4. Current Business
Next meeting: September 15, 2011
8:40 am – Council Chambers
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Wildlife Issues
It was agreed that our ordinances need to be brought into compliance with the
General Plan and that this is another reason to adopt the wildlife corridor map.
Roger will send Gary his power point presentation for the September 22nd
Council meeting when this item will appear on the agenda.
Ad Hoc Committee on Fencing
The Fencing Committee continues to meet. It is developing a survey, which will
be sent to residents who have signed up on the City’s e-mail list – an opt-in
system. Individuals need to be encouraged to sign up for the surveys on the
Town’s website.
Stanford/Arastradero Trail –
Sue and Eileen (Pathways Committee) met with Richard Chiu to consider what
type of vegetated wall should be used. This information will be presented to
Stanford. The Pathways Committee will review the project again in September.
Mary Davey Memorial
Some changes in wording on the plaque were recommended and agreed to by
Committee members. Roger will resubmit to Richard Chiu.
Land & Creek Management
George Clifford commented on the condition of the O’Keefe Open Space
Preserve – litter and generally a poorly maintained area. Sue reminded the
Committee that we had done a study of the Preserve and that restoration is very
expensive.
Susan reported on the maintenance problems with the Town and our creeks. The
latest example was on Moody Road along Adobe Creek. It is clear that the Town
crew doesn’t have a background in creek maintenance. The OSC would like to
ask the Town about its policies and propose modifications to improve this
situation. Both Cal Trans and SCVWD have information on best practices. Gary
offered to speak to Carl Cahill about this.
Roger suggested getting together with Richard Chiu to find out what the Town
is currently doing and discussing what can be done to improve this. The OSC
recommended getting copies of the best practices to both Carl and Richard.
Lehigh Quarry – Nothing new to report
Next meeting: September 15, 2011
8:40 am – Council Chambers
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Open Space Easements/Conservation Easements
Neighbors on Ravensbury are working on permanent protection of an acre
property they share an interest in close to Rancho San Antonio. This is a wildlife
area and meets all the criteria for open space protection. Roger and the Town’s
staff are working with the neighbors to facilitate this.
Planning Topics – None were discussed
5. Open Discussion
There was no time for additional discussion. The next meeting will be held on
September 15, 2011.
Submitted by Nancy Couperus
Next meeting: September 15, 2011
8:40 am – Council Chambers
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