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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-03-2012 B1 Dollari2 Goodwin, Heather Subject: FW: Natural Resource Program Report LsL0 CiTY CLLR From: D. Dollar AGENDA Sent: Monday, April 02, 2012 7:28 PM To: Ashbaugh, John CORRESPONDENCE Subject: Re: Natural Resource Program Report Date 91 ►z Item #—L-L_ John, Thank you for your response to my email on Open Space. I have been involved in all the Open Space Conservation Plans for the city and the Guidelines for City Owned Open Space and the COSE update for the General Plan. I also served a term on the Parks and Recreation Commission (as Open Space liaison). I regularly meet and communicate with Neil Havlik on Open Space issues. City policy is that Open Space is a natural resource program that may allow passive recreation so long as it does not degrade resources. Also, Open Spaces are not parks. The Parks and Recreation Commission deals mostly with organized sports. The Planning Commission deals with development and zoning issues. We have technical committees that deal with specialized issues; such as the Tree Committee (I served on Tree Committee also), bicycle, mass transit, etc. The revised COSE (Appendix C 15." The City may form an Open Space Committee to advise staff on open space acquisition and management ") allows for the creation of an Open Space Commission - that would be great. Currently, the Planning Commission reviews land use issues with Open Space and Parks & Rec. Commission, reviews recreation in Open Space, but there is no big picture oversight on the Natural Resource Program in the context of Open Space; such as: are management plans effective, are they being implemented, are Open Spaces being effectively monitored, what information are we getting from the monitoring of Open Spaces, what impacts are there, what is the level of use, are visual resources being preserved, are natural resources being protected, do we need more restrictions on use, different conditions on easements, is the Open Space program becoming a recreation program, an annual or biannual State of the Open Spaces Report would be great, these are just a few questions that come to mind. Sincerely, Don Dollar a COUNCIL. CDDDIR a CITY MGR u rrrDlR a ASST CNI p FIRE CHIEF • ATTORNEY n PW DIR • CLEMORIG a POLICE CHIEF • PIB n PARKS & REC DIR • TRIBUNE © UTILDIR • NEW TIMES a HR DIR o sL0 CITY NEWS a COUNCIL a CITY MGR a CLERK Goodwin, Heather Subject: FW: Natural Resource Program Report AGENDA CORRESPONDENCE From: D. Dollar Date L25 Z Item # —Ll -- Sent: Monday, April 02, 2012 3:41 PM To: Marx, Jan; Ashbaugh, John; Carpenter, Dan; Smith, Kathy; Carter, Andrew Cc: Havlik, Neil Subject: Natural Resource Program Report F•l APR 0 3 2012 Mayor and City Council, Reviewing the Natural Resources Program Annual Report, it is obvious that there has been lots of activity. The Open Space Program has grown from infancy to into young adulthood. I extend a big "Thank You" to Neil Havlik for his years of dedicated work to the city and natural resources. Way to go Neil!. Looking into the future, there will be big shoes to fill with Neil "s retirement. Please look for a well rounded and experienced replacement that has been in natural resources for many years. Some comments for the future. 1. The Open Space Program is maturing, but still needs a continuing effort to acquire addtional properties in the Green Belt. 2. Create an Open Space Committee. This would fill the gap between Parks and Recreation and Planning Commissions, neither have a mission or depth of experience in membership, of evaluating Open Space from a natural resource perspective. 3. The 2012 work plan mentions monitoring and reviewing existing Conservation Plans. That is very important and what a maturing program needs to be well maintained and function properly. Unfortunately, our Open Space areas are showing signs of being loved to death and have a backlog of maintenance needs. Many Open Space area trails have significant erosion, multiple trails, unauthorized trails, exotic plants, old fencing, bird guzzlers and other visual impacts. 4. It should be a goal of the program to clear out that backlog and be in a proactive mode with more emphasis on monitoring, maintenance and speedy response to resource problems. It would be appropriate to view our Open Space as part of the city's infrasturture and maintenance needs are very important, just like repaving roads and cleaning storlem- drains. Let's do more day to day maintenance and try to reduce the need for "project" work to correct things. 5. The residents of San Luis for years have consistently rated Open Space as a very high priority program. Please fund maintenance needs accordingly. 6. Post Natural Resource Programs Annual Reports on the city's NR website (include prior years). Sincerely, Don Dollar lard ceU. email: o COUNCIL 0 CDDDIR o CITY MGR 0 FITDIR 0 ASST CM 0 FIRE CHIEF o ATTORNEY o PW DIR • CLERR/ORIG 0 POLICE CHIEF • PIB o PARKS & REC DIR 17 TRIBUNE o UTILDIR rr o NEW TIMES o HR DIR ] 0 SLO CITY NEWS o COUNCIL l o CITY MGR o CLERK