HomeMy WebLinkAboutExtended Open Space Public Comment, ONeill (2)To: The Mayor and each City Council member of the city of San Lui
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From: Kathleen O'Neill OCT 20 2011
Date: 10/18/2017
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Dear Madame Mayor and City Council Members:
I spoke before your council last night in support of a two-year pilot
program for the extended hourly use of the Cerro San Luis Natural
Reserve when daylight savings time is not in effect. I did not present you
with a written copy of my concerns; nor did I have enough time to finish.
So I am presenting my written concerns to you now. While I presently
reside in Pismo Beach, I have lived the majority of my life in the city of
San Luis Obispo, my parents having bought our home in SLO on Bishop
Peak in 1962. My entire 35- year career working in SLO County
government service was in the city of SLO; so I was in SLO all day long
before I retired. SLO remains the primary city where I shop. Contrary to
what one speaker said last night, fellow hiker Sara Von Schwind who
spoke both last night and also on 8/16/2016 lives in SLO.
I have been hiking Cerro San Luis and Bishop Peak regularly for at least
40 years. With the exception of the last two winters when the City
ordinance prohibited our evening hikes, I have hiked for the last 30
years with a group one night a week between 5:30pm and 8pm. Most of
my friends work until 5pm and can't get to the mountain until 5:30pm.
We fellow hikers enjoy the natural beauty of SLO, love to exercise in, the
fresh air outdoors to stay physically fit, and relish our time together one
night a week. We are all responsible, mature, professional adults with
some but not all professions being veterinarians, teachers,
microbiologists, nuclear engineer, chiropractor, postal worker, a retired
health care administrator (myself), and a Cal Trans top manager. We
have never needed any kind of rescue on any mountain, do not smoke or
light fires that could cause a brush fire, and have never bothered
neighbors or wildlife. We have been off off the mountains between
7:30pm and 8pm and thus create minimal impact on the nocturnal
habits of the wildlife. We would like to continue hiking evenings year-
round.
I spoke before the council on 8/16/2016 asking that we be allowed to
hike a little later during the winter. I submitted my letter to the council
then; it is a matter of public record. So I will not repeat my main points
from that time. However, I would like to make some new points.
* First, the agenda item last night prior to the open space issue was a
proposal from the Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID). The
very first photo they displayed was of SLO nestled among its
magnificent surrounding mountains, which advertises SLO to tourists.
They went on and showed several other photos that showcase the
mountains. The TBID director stated that "TBID encourages outdoor
activities for tourists and residents". So, City Council, please do the same
and encourage people to exercise outdoors; don't put up barriers to
physical fitness and the natural beauty around us. Our local mountains
are not just to be looked at; they are to be climbed as they have been for
eons.
* Second, I believe that our request to extend hiking hours just a little bit
is consistent with the City's own mission statement and organizational
values. Below listed are your own words for the city of SLO.
MISSION STA'T'EMENT OF THE CITY OF -SAN LUIS _ 0BISP0:
WHO ARE WE?
*A team that puts high value on each citizen it serves.
*Providers of programs that meet the basic service needs of each citizen
*Enhancer of Qh—eAuafity of life for the community as.a whole.
WHAT DO WE STAND FOR?
*Service to the community — the best — at all times.
*Respect — for each other and for those we serve.
*Community involvement — the opportunity to participate in attaining the
goals of the City.
WHERE ARE WE GOING?
*Planning and managing for levels of service consistent with the needs
of the citizens.
*Providing the residents of the City with accurate and timely
information on issues which affect them, and encouraging the full
utilization of City services.
Vromoting the-Citythe-City as are Tonal t recreational, and tourist,. center
and improviing he quality of life for residents and visitors.
RGANIZATIONALVALUES OF THE CITY OF_SAU LUIS _OBIPO
*We foster open and clear discussion that encourages the
willingness to speak up and to listen, within a framework of
respect and understanding.
*We encourage effective working relationships within and between
departments and the public to address issues and achieve valuable
results.
**V& are o n to c n an " ing to try new warms to fulf ll the
OrganizaUMn's Idgion,s more e9kctively..
Last night it was decided to study the issue further and to continue
discussion for some unknown later date. As you and staff continue data
collection, I implore you to strongly consider the desires of your citizens
who Iove to hike and bike and that you serve. We would certainly like
to hike Cerro San Luis this winter. Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
r
Kathleen O'Neill
PO Box 15255
San Luis Obispo, 93406-5255
805-550-5010
konei11555@gmail.com
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