MEETING OF THE PARKS & OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

BOULDER COUNTY, COLORADO

Regular Meeting Minutes

Thursday, December 14, 2023 at 6:30 P.m. - 9:30 P.m.

Third Floor Hearing Room

County Court House

1325 Pearl Street, Boulder

Members Present:

• Janet George
• Tony Lewis
• Trace Baker
• Paula Fitzgerald
• Drew Adams
• Jackson Moller
• Kristine Johnson
• Derek Turner
• Carol Byerly

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1.

Call to Order

2.

Roll Call

3.

Public Comment Period for Items Not on Agenda

Erin Meschke, Boulder. She pooled her time with others. She spoke about what she sees as problems with the proposed draft Integrated Weed Management Plan, including herbicide assessment protocol, and the continuation of aerial spraying. She does not trust the pesticide safety ratings, and she would like to see a different approach that has the county stepping away from using chemicals. 

Michael Moss, Unincorporated Boulder County. He stated the the county's farmers are faced with multiple challenges, including a lack of affordable housing and a limited workforce. 

Christel Markevich, Unincorporated Boulder County. She spoke against using chemicals to control cheatgrass.

Mike Smith, Red Fox Hills subdivision. He stated that the area around Red Fox Hills hasn't been mowed, even though a grass fire burned there in 2022.There is also a large pile of stacked hay bales on a neighboring agriculture property that he believes is a fire risk. He would like to have a 50-ft buffer around his neighborhood. 

Nick Jancewicz, Red Fox Hills subdivision. He would like a 50-ft buffer around his neighborhood to reduce the fire risk. He stated that hay bales can pose a fire hazard by spontaneous combustion. 

Alex Markevich, Unincorporated Boulder County. He stated that chemical use of weed control doesn't belong on county open space land. He would like to see a new county plan and a new team working on weed control.

Staff Response: Stefan Reinold, Resource Management Division Manager, addressed the comments related to mowing the Red Fox Hills subdivision to say that on Nov. 9 Joe Swanson's crew mowed the area that could be mowed. Mowing is limited when the grass is wet, which was the case earlier this year. The department has a map that identifies high fire risk areas that mowing crews use. The County's Agricultural Resources staff are working with the tenant farmer to find a solution to the stacked bales. 

4.

POSAC Members Comment Period for Items Not on Agenda

Kristine Johnson spoke about the Integrated Weed Management Plan that was presented on Dec. 5. She thinks the plan is too narrow and lacks creativity. She would like to see a more collaborative process. She would also like to hear more ideas from those who oppose using chemicals to control weeds.

Tony Lewis agreed with Michael Moss regarding a lack of affordable housing for farm workers which is related to a lack of affordable housing. He would like Boulder County to think about ways to provide more housing for small production farm workers. 

5.

Presentations

5.1

2023 Real Estate Division Annual Report

Staff Presenter: Janis Whisman, Real Estate Division Manager

Action Requested: Information Only

5.2

East Boulder Creek Site (Prairie Run) Management Plan

No additional public comments will be taken for this item.

Staff Presenters: Whitney May Taylor and Jeff Moline, Resource Planners and Heidi Wagner, Resource Planning Division Manager

Action Requested: Recommendation to BOCC

POSAC questions and deliberation begins at 2:02 of the video.

Q: What is the timeline for new research options?

Staff Response: POSAC may move the plan ahead at tonight's meeting. On Jan. 25, the BOCC will decide the final location for the trailhead based on staff's preferred recommendation. The commissioners may also approve additional funding as needed. Staff would amend the plan according to the BOCC's decision. 

Q: Can staff address the concerns voiced about allowing dog access? 

Response: Our compliance rates for dogs on leash have improved over the last few years, and we will do our best to enforce. One reason we decided to allow dogs is because of the close proximity of neighbors and their requests to be allowed to walk their dogs in that area. If we find it's not working we can change the dog policy on this property.

Q: Is there a formal process and timeline for revising the plan?

Staff Response: Normally we revisit the plan when there is a new situation or we have new information. We did that with the Walker Ranch management plan. Adaptive management is something we can do without a formal process, by making a change to our Rules & Regulations, such as removing dog access on a property.  

Q: Has there ever been a time when dog access was taken away?

Staff Response: I can't remember a time when we have completely taken away dog access, but we can make those changes internally if we see a need.

Tony Lewis moved to recommend approval the East Boulder Creek Management Plan with the following conditions: 

Staff will research the alternative locations suggested by attendees at the 12/13/2023 Neighborhood meeting for the 109th St. Trailhead. Staff will present the results of that analysis at the BOCC hearing on 1/25/2024.

Derek seconded the motion. The motion was carried unanimously. 

6.

Director's Update

The POSAC Retreat is scheduled for Sat., Feb. 24. For the agenda, staff will look into adding Tony's suggestion of a discussion to look into adding housing for agricultural workers. There is still time for POSAC members to send in additional topic suggestions. 

7.

Adjournment

9:04