Open Space Advisory Committee (OSAC)

OSAC meeting of November 28, 2018 notes to possible minutes T Holmes OSAC meeting of November 28, 2018 notes (Per agenda, q.v.) PRESENT: Chair Tom Denny, Maureen Roberts, David Miller, Tim Holmes. City staff: Tina Carton. Absent: Erica Gifford, Suzanne Kwasniewski, Beth Wurtmann. Public: Wendy Mahaney. RECORDING OF PROCEEDING: The minutes are not a verbatim record of the proceedings. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 5 pm at the Recreation Center. PUBLIC COMMENT There was no opening public comment. NRI Update. Tom reported on the SUNY / LaBella presentations. LaBella has submitted more materials to OSAC (distributed). In discussion it was considered a good idea to include local experts in Open Space plan development. It was agreed to hold a community-wide meeting to provide an opportunity for all. Towards further map development with LaBella, definitions of some of the layers were discussed. 2019 Budget request. It was reported that the Council has included $45,000 in the draft Budget. Tina was roundly thanked for her communication with the Mayor and Council. Tom Denny reported he had sent his Powerpoint presentation to the Council members and received acknowledgment. One of two City Council meetings closely following this OSAC meeting is on the Budget. Tina mentioned possible desirability of expanding the LaBella contract to include output features that would importantly enhance the work product’s legibility for the public. Possible land acquisition. Tina outlined a key parcel connecting to the Bog Meadow Trail which seemed of particular value for public access. Also mentioned were connections to the Zim Smith Trail, Pitney Farm and Greenbelt Trail. To be discussed further. Conservation easement consult. Chair Tom Denny reported dialogue with Brad Birge, the City’s Administrator of Planning & Economic Development. Mr. Birge thought it might be useful to get an OSAC advisory opinion regarding priority assets for conservation as the Planning Board considers conservation easements. A pending development on Kaydeross Avenue East is a case in point. Tom Denny said he would explore the usefulness of OSAC working with Planning in this case. Other. The topic of water levels in coming years was discussed. Tina reported that major national and state agencies are projecting weather in the Northeastern United States to include increased precipitation. It was mentioned that alerting developers and builders might result in improved siting of builds. A committee member requested that OSAC include adaptability in its mapping materials so that elevation adjustments can be made by future planners. Pocket parks. Examples of possible pocket parks were discussed, and criteria as presented in the SUNY /LaBella materials in the context of prior City policy in nonacceptance of developer’s donations of lands that would call for City upkeep. It was agreed important to put in place appropriate process for considering pocket park proposals, this to include long term impacts. The idea was suggested (as in the SUNY LaBella documents) of a committee or board with its own prerogatives and focus. There were no closing comments from the public. The meeting was adjourned at 6:31pm. (Maureen Roberts, David Miller) Respectfully, Tim Holmes WELCOME AND ATTENDANCE THE MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMENT- 5 MINUTES NRI – UPDATE U ALBANY LABELLA – DISCUSSION OF LATEST BATCH OF MATERIALS ROLE OF LOCAL EXPERTS (SHARE SELECT MATERIALS W/ PRES FOUNDATION; SOIL & WATER; PLAN; ETC) SCENIC RESOURCES – COMMITTEE INPUT TO MATERIALS SENT PREVIOUSLY – U ALBANY CRITERIA SHALL WE SCHEDULE A PUBLIC WORKSHOP IN JANUARY? POCKET PARKS – DISCUSSION (SEE ATTACHED LIST OF PROPERTIES & CRITERIA LISTED BELOW) 2019 BUDGET REQUEST FOR OPEN SPACE PLAN ($45,000) - UPDATE PRESENTATION TO CITY COUNCIL (NOV 5) COMMUNICATIONS FROM FINANCE POSSIBLE ACQUISITIONS? - TINA INVENTORY OF CURRENT & POSSIBLE POCKET PARKS POSSIBLE CRITERIA? POCKET PARKS POSSIBLE CRITERIA? – REFERENCE BRIANNA’S WORK (COBB COUNTY, GA)  BENEFIT TO PUBLIC USE(S) OF PARK NEIGHBORHOOD INTEREST AVAILABILITY OF LAND NEIGHBORHOOD SUPPORT NEED MAINTENANCE RESOURCES CONSERVATION SUBDIVISION CONSULT (ON KAYDEROSS AVE) EXPLAIN REQUIREMENTS AND CALCULATIONS FOR CONSERVATION SUBDIVISION? PUBLIC COMMENT- 10 MINUTES ADJOURN