Breckenridge Open Space Advisory Commission October 26, 2020 at 5:30 Pm
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Breckenridge Open Space Advisory Commission October 26, 2020 at 5:30 pm Zoom Webinar When: Oct 26, 2020 05:30 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada) Topic: BOSAC - October Meeting Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87111228701 Or iPhone one-tap : US: +13462487799,,87111228701# or +16699006833,,87111228701# Or Telephone: Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 346 248 7799 or +1 669 900 6833 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 929 436 2866 or +1 301 715 8592 Webinar ID: 871 1122 8701 5:30 pm Call to Order, Roll Call 5:35 pm Discussion/Approval of Minutes 1 • September 2020 Draft BOSAC Minutes 5:40 pm Discussion/Approval of Agenda 5:45 pm Public Comment (Non-Agenda Items) 5:50 pm Staff Summary 8 • Field Season Update • BOSAC Vacancy • Forestry Update • Cucumber Gulch Preserve Update 6:00 pm Open Space Discussion 9 • Al-Qatami and Neighboring Open Space • TOB Open Space Grant Review • BOSAC Role & Engagement 7:15 pm Executive Session 7:45 pm Adjournment For further information, please contact Anne Lowe at 970.547.3155. Town of Breckenridge September 28, 2020 Breckenridge Open Space Advisory Commission Roll Call Matt Powers called the September 28, 2020 BOSAC meeting to order at 5:33 pm via Zoom. Other BOSAC members present included Nikki LaRochelle, Duke Barlow, Erin Gigliello, Chris Tennal, and Ian Hamilton. Staff members present included Anne Lowe, Tony Overlock, and Scott Reid. Local residents Peter Grosshuesch, Kelly Ahern, Rayanne Harris, Todd Rankin, Whitney Hedberg, David Rossi were also in attendance. Approval of Minutes The August 13th, Special Topic meeting minutes were approved. Approval of Agenda The agenda was approved. Public Comments There were no public comments. Staff Summary Field Season Update Our Open Space Technicians have been busy completing the following projects: • Hired a new Open Space Technician, Shelby Corning, to replace a vacancy. Shelby has worked for Jefferson County Open Space for 5 seasons. • Constructed ungulate exclosure fencing in the Barney Ford clear cut, in conjunction with Summit County Open Space and The Nature Conservancy. • Extended the X10U8 Trail to intersect French Gulch Road across from the B&B Trailhead. • Completed the new Middle Flume Trail reroute. • Opened the first phase of the Mineral Hill Hiking-only Trail. • Began installing new etiquette signs. • Conducted maintenance on the Slalom Trail. • Completed work with a mini-excavator: o Constructed drainages on the Fall Classic Trail. o Installed rock armoring and improved drainages on the Upper Flume Trail. o Constructed drainages on the Prospect Gulch Trail. o Improved drainages on the True Romance Trail connecting to Baldy Road. Ms. LaRochelle: I thought you might build a spur for an interpretative site off the Mineral Hill Hiking Trail? Ms. Lowe: That particular area may not be the best option for an interpretative site given the heavy mineral content of the soil. Mr. Grosshuesch: Regarding the Troll Trail, is it possible to get crowd management and revegetation in place, especially around the creek bank? Ms. Lowe: We plan to work with the BTO to address crowd management, revised messaging, physical distancing, and COVID-related concerns. Page 1 of 7 1 Town of Breckenridge September 28, 2020 Breckenridge Open Space Advisory Commission Ms. Gigliello: At which point is this no longer just a trail amenity but an actual event? The Town’s responsibly is something to consider. Ms. Ahern: The majority of people using the trail are following mask requirements. Mr. Powers: In what ways are people learning about the Troll Trail? These platforms are a good opportunity and should be utilized to message proper trail etiquette, and COVID protocols. Ms. Lowe: The BTO handles this marketing effort, and we are working them to relay proper messaging. Mr. Tennal: How has the closure worked for Fairy Forest Trail? Mr. Overlock: The closure and corresponding fencing has been successful. Mr. Grosshuesch: I think it’s important to also address the tail degradation and stream banks getting hammered. This is an important riparian corridor, and would it be possible to install fencing in some areas and harden touch points to the creek? Ms. Lowe: Staff agrees on the importance of protecting the riparian corridor. We will assess this and come up with a plan to address it. Friends of Breckenridge Trails (FOBT) The August 8th and 22nd FOBT events were well attended. A total of 50 volunteers constructed 1,500 feet of new trail and two bridges on the new Middle Flume Trail reroute. The goal of the project was to realign the fall section of the trail with a more sustainable trail alignment, reducing resource damage and improving earlier season conditions. The September 12th event focused on the Little Corporal extension project, was the last event of the season. Over 25 volunteers constructed 1,000 feet of new trail. The Open Space Technicians will be able to complete the remainder of the trail project this season. Thank you to everyone that participated in our events this summer! Overall, staff was very pleased with the FOBT season, especially given the new COVID-19 protocol. An incredible amount of work was accomplished and volunteers seemed grateful to have the opportunity to participate. Ms. Gigliello: How do the volunteer numbers compared to last year’s? Mr. Overlock: Our numbers averaged around 25 per event this season compared to 35 per event last year. This was in part due to limited available crew leaders and new COVID protocol. BOSAC Vacancy Since Carol Saade was elected to a Town Council position, her seat on BOSAC remains open. Staff has posted the vacancy on the Town website, social media, and Summit Daily News. There are 2.5 years remaining of a 4-year term and the newly appointed BOSAC member will serve the remainder of that term. Applications will be accepted until 4pm on Friday, October 2nd and can be emailed to [email protected]. Candidates must live within the Breckenridge town limits. Those candidates with knowledge and experience in forestry, Page 2 of 7 2 Town of Breckenridge September 28, 2020 Breckenridge Open Space Advisory Commission restoration, or land management would help diversify the skills on BOSAC. Please see the announcement on the Town website and forward to anyone who may be interested. Ms. Harris: Have the winter activity suggestions been finalized? Ms. Lowe: This is currently a moving target. Council will be meeting in October to discuss budgets and this will be prioritized at that time. There has been discussion about utilizing current facilities, such the Ice Arena and Gold Run Nordic, and expanding programs where there are existing equipment and staff. Trail Priorities Staff is in the midst of budgeting for 2021 using the same Tier 1 cuts model in place for 2020. With that budgeting structure in mind, staff is refining our list of trail priority projects for 2021 and beyond. This field season was challenging given contractor availability and reduced staffing. Many of the planned projects or those started in 2020 will be prioritized for 2021. 2021 priorities include several components of the Golden Horseshoe special use authorization (SUA) permit. First, is completing a baseline inventory of all the recreational trails and roadways and their conditions so that the Town and County crews can determine what work needs to be completed and can develop a maintenance schedule with each entity along with a shared database. Second, all of the proposed new trails identified as conceptual in the permit have been vetted by the Golden Horseshoe Oversight Committee and are ready for flagging and then NEPA analysis. There are approximately 10 trails that fall into this category. New projects that haven’t been vetted by the Committee are not a priority and will require consultation and vetting with the Committee following established protocol as time and staffing permits. Staff will work into 2021 to finalize these conceptual alignments and together with our partners, contract for NEPA consultants. Projects from 2020 that we expect to continue and finalize in 2021 include the Rose of Breckenridge beginner mountain bike loop with interpretive/educational signage, Cucumber Gulch Preserve trail alignments, and trailhead expansion projects. Staff is in the midst of hiring a contractor to expand the Gold Run/Peabody trailhead, hopefully in time for winter. Unfortunately, our Streets Dept is too busy to complete that for us this season. Similarly, the Reiling Dredge trailhead expansion project will need to wait until 2021 when our Streets Dept has staff and equipment available. The pandemic provides us an opportunity to see what demands and needs exist for our Town and County trail network, including types of trail users, congestion, route suggestions, and needed connections. Staff will endeavor to continue examining possibilities and hopes to transition from being reactionary to proactive as we navigate our way through the pandemic and budget constraints. Mr. Powers: It sounds as though a bunch of the planned projects are getting pushed back. Perhaps we should revisit the budget to seek solutions. Are these projects getting delayed due mainly to limited man power and reduced staffing? Page 3 of 7 3 Town of Breckenridge September 28, 2020 Breckenridge Open Space Advisory Commission Ms. Lowe: Our Tier 1 cuts for 2020 will continue into 2021 budgeting. The majority of the Tier 1 cuts in 2020 were in land acquisitions, which has been on a temporary freeze, as well as staffing. The proposed 2021 budget include less sales tax, no incoming grants, reduced staff and staff training, and elimination of the Hoosier Recpath Fund contribution. It does, however, contemplate seasonal hires, including the other Naturalist for Cucumber Gulch Preserve and two additional Open Space Technicians.