MEETING OF THE PARKS & OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

BOULDER COUNTY, COLORADO

Regular Meeting Minutes

Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 6:30 P.m. - 9:00 P.m.

Third Floor Hearing Room

County Court House

1325 Pearl Street, Boulder

Members Present:

• Janet George
• Tony Lewis
• Heather Williams
• Trace Baker
• Paula Fitzgerald
• Drew Adams
• Jackson Moller

Members Excused:

• Jenn Archuleta
• Ann Obenchain

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1.

Call to Order

2.

Roll Call

3.

Approval of Last Month's Minutes

• Moved by Jackson Moller
  Seconded by Janet George
  APPROVED

4.

Public Comment Period for Items Not on Agenda

Erin Meschke spoke in opposition of the Boulder County Parks & Open Space plan to spray herbicides on open space.

Wendy Sweet, 3600 Dartmouth Ave., Boulder. She is a member of MBA. She asked that parts of the Tolland Trail be opened early to avoid illegal uses that are now happening. 

5.

POSAC Members Comment Period for Items Not on Agenda

Trace Baker thanked the contractors and others for creating the new hearing room. He also supported the comments made by Wendy Sweet regarding the Tolland Trail. 

Tony Lewis asked staff to address the comments made by Erin Meschke regarding herbicides.

Therese Glowacki, Director, responded that Boulder County uses an integrated formula of mowing, weeding, and chemical applications. Glyphosate is a short-lived chemical and the county uses it according to the label. 

Stefan Reinold, Resource Management Division Manager, explained that the department's efforts are to reduce cheat grass, which is an invasive weed and a fire danger.

Therese responded to Wendy Sweet's comments regarding Tolland Trail. 

6.

Presentations

6.1

Heil Valley Ranch State Land Board Parcel

Acquisition of the 586-acre State Land Board parcel within Heil Valley Ranch, approximately two miles north from the intersection of Geer Canyon Road and Left Hand Canyon Road.

Staff Presenter: Sandy Duff, Senior Land Officer

Action Requested: Recommendation to BOCC

• Moved by Trace Baker
  Seconded by Heather Williams

  Recommendation to BOCC

  APPROVED

6.2

Bald Mountain State Land Board Parcel

Acquisition of the 130-acre State Land Board parcel known as Bald Mountain, approximately 5.4 miles from the Boulder city limits, on Sunshine Canyon Drive.

Staff Presenter: Sandy Duff, Senior Land Officer

Action Requested: Recommendation to BOCC

• Moved by Janet George
  Seconded by Drew Adams

  Recommendation to BOCC

  APPROVED

6.3

Small Grants Program Overview

The Small Grants Program awards cash grants to researchers to conduct research on open space. During this presentation we will discuss and highlight a few examples of research that we have completed and how we have used the results in management decisions or to shape our management actions.

Staff Presenters: Raquel Robles, Administrative Specialist and Stefan Reinold, Resource Management Division Manager

Action Requested: Information Only

7.

Director's Update

• Reclamation work has begun on the old andesite quarry at Hall Ranch. The site will also be prepared for creek restoration.
• Mac Kobza was promoted to Senior Wildlife Specialist, replacing Susan Spaulding. Susan has taken a new role as Environmental Resource Elements Specialist, working with private landowners. Melissa Arnold has been promoted to Land Officer. Liz Northrup was promoted to CE Program Supervisor.
• Our trails staff has completed the resurfacing of the Mayhoffer Trail, which was needed after the Marshall Fire and heavy rains. This area is prone to erosion, so we decided to repave the trail with crushed asphalt and a paving machine.
• The Extraction Oil & Gas lease proposal will go to the BOCC on Nov. 1.
• The Cal-Wood Fire recovery project has won four awards, including the American Public Works Association award, the COSA Blue Gramma award, a NACo Award, and the Boulder County Pinnacle award.

8.

Adjournment

8:01 p.m.