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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 27Next meeting: November 17, 2011 8:40 am – Council Chambers Page 1 of 3 Los Altos Hills Open Space Committee Special Meeting Minutes of October 27, 2011 (Actions Items Printed in Bold) Present: Roger Spreen, Nancy Couperus, George Clifford, Karen Lemes, Alice Sakamoto, Sharen Schoendorf, Jean Struthers, Wendie Ward, Sue Welch, Council Liaison Gary Waldeck Regrets: None Guests: Susan Mandle Staff: Richard Chiu, Town Engineer 1. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 8:40 am. The minutes of the September meeting were approved . 2. Introductions/Presentations/Guests: Richard Chiu – Town Engineer & Public Works Director 3. New Business ‰ Mountain Lion Forum – The OSC voted to provide a stipend of $200 each to UCSC graduate student, Yiwei Yang, and retired county game warden, Henry Coletto – invited speakers for the Mountain Lion Forum. Nancy said that over 40 people had already signed up. Roger reported that the forum would be video- taped and would be available for viewing on the Town’s website. ‰ O’Keefe Open Space Preserve – Gary reported that the Town had taken action on cleaning up the area around the bench, which has been removed and relocated. 4. Current Business ‰ Wildlife Issues Wildlife Corridor Map – There was discussion regarding the Town Crier article that contained misleading information about the wildlife corridor map and inflammatory statements about the consequences of possible amendments to the fencing ordinance. Roger agreed to write a short letter to the editor in response. ‰ Ad Hoc Committee on Fencing Next meeting: November 17, 2011 8:40 am – Council Chambers Page 2 of 3 Gary stated that the Town Survey on fencing was in progress and results should be available within a couple of weeks. Concern was expressed about how the Town Crier’s article might affect results. ‰ Stanford/Arastradero Trail – Sue Welch brought up a concern about the shotcrete wall that is being proposed along Arastradero Road. She asked if there was a way that the OSC could support a vegetated wall, which it appears Stanford is unwilling to finance. Roger will write to Carl expressing concern about the wall. ‰ Mary Davey Memorial Nothing new to report. ‰ Land & Creek Management Acterra Creek Restoration Meeting – Karen, Jean, Sue and Yoriko attended this meeting (sponsored by Acterra) that focused on creek restoration in the urban environment. The participants all agreed that the meeting was very informative. Town Engineer and Public Works Director, Richard Chiu, met with the OSC to discuss creek maintenance issues, as well as provide information about how staff worked and is trained. Richard told the OSC that he has three permanent, full- time crew members, which can be augmented with part-time help, up to five when needed. Richard was hired by the Town in 2008. Although some documentation is included in training, for the most part the emphasis is “on the ground training” – learning by doing. Richard offered to bring the crew to an Open Space Committee meeting to discuss issues of concern, to set up a field trip if that was desired. Nancy mentioned that the Committee had developed a brochure on creeks and wondered if Richard would be interested in seeing it. Nancy will send Richard a copy. The OSC expressed its appreciation to Richard for his willingness to spend time meeting with the Committee and for past cooperation on issues important to the OSC. ‰ Lehigh Quarry – Nothing new to report ‰ Open Space Easements/Conservation Easements Nothing new to report. Next meeting: November 17, 2011 8:40 am – Council Chambers Page 3 of 3 ‰ Polystyrene Pollution George reported on progress that has been made on banning the use of expanded polystyrene (aka Styrofoam or EPS) food and drink containers in the county and its cities/towns. Palo Alto, according to George, has already enacted such a ban. George passed out a draft letter asking for the Town Council to support the Santa Clara County-wide efforts to reduce or eliminate use of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) waste. The letter to Council would request the use of recyclable, non-EPS food and beverage containers at Town-sponsored or other events held on Town properties. The Committee voted unanimously to support this effort and to send the letter after making a few revisions. Roger will review and send this on to the City Council. ‰ Planning Projects – none discussed 5. Open Discussion There was no time for additional discussion. The next meeting will be held on November 17, 2011. Submitted by Nancy Couperus