HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 16Next meeting: July 21, 2011
8:40 am – Council Chambers
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Los Altos Hills Open Space Committee
Meeting
Minutes of June 16, 2011
(Actions Items Printed in Bold)
Present: Roger Spreen, Chair, George Clifford, Nancy Couperus, Karen Lemes, Alice
Sakamoto, Sharen Schoendorf, Wendie Ward, Sue Welch
Regrets: Jean Struthers
Guests: Council member Gary Waldeck, Susan Mandle, Kjell Karlsson
Staff: None
1. Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 8:40 am. The minutes of the May meeting were
approved .
2. Introductions/Presentations/Guests: None
3. New Business
Mayor’s Meeting
Alice reported on the Mayor’s meeting with committee chairs. She felt it was
very worthwhile. There was agreement at the meeting that the original charters of
several of the committees needed to be revised. In some cases there are over-
lapping charters.
Wildlife Issues
The OSC would like the Town to “officially” adopt the wildlife corridor map.
Roger will work with Sue and Alice to create a cover letter for review at the
next scheduled OSC meeting in July.
4. Current Business
Council Ad Hoc Committee on Fencing
Roger and Gary summarized the last meeting of the ad hoc committee. Roger
asked members of the OSC to help him identify fences that were “problems.”
Next meeting: July 21, 2011
8:40 am – Council Chambers
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Members were encouraged to photograph these fences, note the addresses, and
send them on to Roger.
Creek Issues
Susan mentioned that the Santa Clara Valley Water District has disqualified Los
Altos Hills grant application because it fell short of the cost sharing requirement.
Susan will look into this further.
Stanford/Arastradero Trail
Sue wanted to be sure that the retaining wall is segmented – made up of small
structural components – and that there would not be any large surfaces that could
end up covered with graffiti. Sue recommended as a planting “Baccharis
pilularis, a low-growing form of Coyote bush. Nancy expressed concern about
removing oak trees along Arastradero Road – at the end closest to the Park &
Ride. Gary said that he would look into this.
It looks like the recommendations resulting from the joint committee meeting
with the Pathways Committee include some from the OSC: abandoning the
bridge across Matadero Creek near Baleri Ranch Road, retaining a native path on
the section of off-road path between Berry Hill Court and Baleri Ranch Road, and
installing a 3-foot high split rail fence between the off-road native path and
Matadero Creek. Sue would like to have a fence on the other side of Page Mill as
well.
2011 SOD Blitz
Sue reported that fewer people attended this year’s SOD Blitz (close to 30),
though a small committed group did remain to discuss additional issues with the
speaker. Sixteen people turned in samples for testing.
Mary Davey Memorial
Sue found a company in Hayward (Art Monument Company, Inc.) that could
design a bronze plaque and mount it on a boulder for the Town. Sue is waiting
for additional information on pricing before submitting this information to the
Town Manager.
Land & Creek Management
Summer tree trimming advice – Nancy reported that the Santa Clara Valley
Audubon Society advises residents to trim trees between September and
December. If no raptors are in the area, this time could be extended from August
to February.
Next meeting: July 21, 2011
8:40 am – Council Chambers
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Karen did some follow-up on the tree trimming that has occurred on Moody
Road. She has not had a response from the County. While the Town says that it
has not done any tree trimming, it is using a new piece of equipment that is
chewing up tree branches as it is doing roadside clearing. The OSC would like
property owners to be given an opportunity to do their own roadside clearing.
When the Town was engaged in herbicide spraying, it provided residents with a
way to get on a list, which allowed them to avoid spraying and maintain their own
property. Residents need to know, however, the distance required for clearing,
how low vegetation needs to be trimmed.
Where open space areas are concerned, the OSC recommends that a process be
put in place to protect sensitive areas. Sue passed out photos of tree branches
dumped in a tributary of Adobe Creek in Byrne Preserve. Sue is concerned about
dumping on the banks of creeks that inhibit native vegetation from growing.
Riparian areas must be protected, as well as open space preserves. Roger will
discuss these issues with Richard Chiu.
Lehigh Quarry Meeting
Nancy reported that the meeting was well attended. Unfortunately, the Regional
Water Quality Control Board representative was unable to attend because of an
impending lawsuit against Lehigh. Lehigh handed out an information sheet
announcing the installation of an “activated carbon injection system”, which it
claimed will reduce mercury emissions by 90%. Also, according to flyer, “the
Bay Area Air Quality Management District has determined that emissions from
the plant pose no significant health risks.”
Open Space Easements
Nancy has gathered materials together – work that was done some years ago –
describing open space easements. It was recommended that a subcommittee be
formed to put this information together.
Planning Topics
None were discussed.
5. Open Discussion
There was no time for additional discussion. The next meeting will be held on
July 21st.
Submitted by Nancy Couperus
Next meeting: July 21, 2011
8:40 am – Council Chambers
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Next meeting: July 21, 2011
8:40 am – Council Chambers
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