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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 12OSC Final_Minutes15-0212.docx 1 Los Altos Hills Open Space Committee Los Altos Hills Parks and Recreation Building FINAL Minutes of Regular Meeting February 12, 2014 2015 Members Present: George Clifford, Nancy Couperus, Karen Lemes, Alice Sakamoto, Sharen Schoendorf (arrived 9:11 am), Roger Spreen, Jean Struthers (arrived 9:06 am), Wendie Ward, Sue Welch, Kit Gordon (Associate Member) Members Absent: None City Council Liaison Present: Gary Waldeck LAH Staff Present: Suzanne Avila, Planning Director Carl Cahill, City Manager 1. Call to Order and Approval of Minutes A. Roll Call. RS called meeting to order at 9:02 am. B. Acceptance of Meeting Minutes. Minutes of the January 08, 2014 2015 Regular Meeting were approved with minor amendments (NC moved; GC seconded; GC, NC, AS, RS, WW voted in favor; KL and SW abstained). 2. Continuing Business A. Byrne Preserve i) Open Space Stewardship Update. Acterra presented an update of contract activities at the Council meeting on Feb 9, 2015. Byrne Brigade volunteer stewardship group met on Jan 8, Jan 15, and Feb 12, 2015, and additional groups are scheduled. GC moved that an Ad hoc OSC Stewardship Subcommittee be formed (SW, NC, JS, KG). SW seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor (GC, NC, KL, AS, SS, RS, JS, WW, SW). ii) Budget Request for Stewardship Services. OSC reviewed the three scope of services options for renewal of their contract that Acterra sent. The need for a grazing advisor probably precludes increasing the funding level. GC moved that OSC request the City Council renew the annual stewardship contract with Acterra or a second year at the rate of $55K. KL seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor (GC, NC, KL, AS, SS, RS, JS, WW, SW). RS and SW will work with Richard Chiu on this. SW requested $200 to purchase survey markers for photomonitoring work in Town- owned open space preserves. Monitoring is an essential element of stewardship work that provides information about the efficacy (or lack thereof) of management actions. KL moved that the OSC request $200 from the OSC budget for survey markers for photomonitoring. GC seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor (GC, NC, KL, AS, SS, RS, JS, WW, SW). SW will write the request. iii) Budget Request for Grazing Management. SW presented rationale for a conservation gazing advisor for Byrne Preserve, with the goal to preserve and enhance native plants and improve forage for the horses. KL moved that the OSC discuss the need for a conservation gazing advisor with Carl Cahill and Richard Chiu, request $5-8K, and identify potential firms that can provide this service. JS seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor (GC, NC, KL, AS, SS, RS, JS, WW, SW). iv) Annual SOD Treatment. Members will review SOD prevention methods, including Bay removal, used for other local open space lands (e.g., MROSD). v) Grant to Restore Eroding Creek Channel. Acterra is interested in working with the Town to submit a grant to SVWD for bank stabilization and revegetation of the eroding tributary of Moody Creek that runs through the grassland in Byrne Preserve. The Town OSC Final_Minutes15-0212.docx 2 has been aware of serious erosion problems here for over a decade and contracted a study in 2003 that recommended restoration as the preferred option to address the problems. The banks are covered with invasive weeds and experienced significant additional erosion during the recent rains. Acterra is the best vendor to prepare the grant application and implement the project because they are already working on site, have extensive experience with creek restoration, and have a highly successful track record obtaining grants from SCVWD. RS and SW will discuss with Richard Chiu and Carl Cahill. vi) Off-Leash Dogs. OSC discussed options to address this continuing problem (e.g., signs, have sheriff resume periodic patrols) B. O’Keefe Preserve Restoration. Restoration done under SCVWD grant is nearly completed and a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on March 17, 2015. C. Creek Signage. KG and JS are working with LAH Public Works Director, Richard Chiu on making and installing the first wooden signs. D. Preventing Tree Work on Weekends. OSC discussed this with LAH Planning Director, Suzanne Avila. She will write an article for the newsletter reminding resident that contractors are not permitted to work on weekends. E. Streamlining Site Visit/Review Process. OSC awaiting response from former LAH Planning Director, Debbie Pedro, who is now Planning Director in Portola Valley about scheduling an informational meeting for LAH Planning Commissioners about Portola Valley site visit and review procedures. 4. New Topics A. Discussion with New Planning Director on OSC Topics. Suzanne Avila, the LAH Planning Director, introduced herself and provided a brief history of her planning experience. Discussion included charges and duties of the OSC, procedures for OSC site visits, open space easements, voluntary conservation easements, OSC-sponsored educational events, wildlife corridors, fencing (including courtesy fence reviews), SCVWD grants, options for addressing contractor work done illegally on weekends. B. New Invasive Weed in LAH. The highly invasive, oxalis or Bermuda buttercup (Oxalis pes- caprae), has recently appeared in Los Altos Hills. This explosively invasive weed has potential to invade widely throughout the Town, crowding out native and ornamental plants and requiring significant, long-term costs for control. Oxalis reproduces rapidly, spreads aggressively, and can out-compete and completely displace other plants, resulting in a monoculture of solid oxalis. Because it forms prolific underground bulbs, oxalis is exceedingly difficult to eradicate. This invasive has potential to move into and radically alter the plant composition and ecology of the Town’s natural areas. SW and RS will discuss with Carl Cahill options for informing residents about this weed and how to control it. C. Earth Day 2015. This annual event will be held at Westwind Community barn on Sunday April 26, 2015. SW moved that the OSC request $600 from the Town to cover cost of the Live Cats exhibit, which is always a major draw for the event. KL seconded and the vote was unanimously in favor (GC, NC, KL, AS, SS, RS, JS, WW, SW). Members will also look for other animal exhibitors (e.g., Birds of Prey, Hungry Owl). D. Article for newsletter about Albert Barnitz Byrne. OSC discussed writing an article for the Town newsletter on the life of Dr. Byrnes, who donated most of the land that became the Town’s largest open space preserve. Dr. Byrnes was a West Point graduate, served as a physician in the American Medical Brigade during the Spanish Civil War, was imprisoned in Spain, and devoted many years of his medical career serving on Indian reservations. OSC Final_Minutes15-0212.docx 3 E. Review of Mayor-Committee Chair meeting. RS summarized this meeting. 3. Planning A. Fence Permits. Discussed above. B. Site Plan Reviews. i) 26900 Beatrice Lane. OSC reviewed the proposed development on this lot at the corner of Robleda and Beatrice. OSC recommended a standard riparian setback and open space easement 25-feet from the top of bank of Robleda Creek, which runs along the southern border of the parcel. The creek and the setback are shown on the development plans. RS will submit the recommendation to Planning Department. 5. Communications from the Floor. A. CNPS Wildflower Show and Plant Sale. The Spring Native Plant Sale and Wildflower Show will be held Saturday, April 25 at Hidden Villa. 6. Open Discussion. None 7. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 10:50 am. Next Regular Meeting: Thursday, March 12, 2015 9:00 AM at LAH Parks and Recreation Building Attachment A: Acterra Contract Options Minutes approved at the Regular OSC meeting of 0312/15