Open Space Acquisition Committee

Open Space Acquisition Committee - Apr 09 2026 Agenda Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 4:30 PM Municipal Services Facility Conference Room 929 Highland Ave, South Portland, ME Page A. Opening Procedure 1. Call to Order 2. Attendance/Roll Call 3. Approval of minutes from February 12, 2026, meeting 3 OSAC - Meeting Minutes - 2.12.26.pdf B. Administrative 1. Public Comment C. Meeting Items 1. Vice chair election 2. Review draft website https://southportland.gov/683/Info-from-City-Boards-Committees 3. Discuss meeting frequency 4. Continue discussion regarding merging with the Conservation Commission 5. Discuss Earth Day event 6. Discuss Land Bank Fund balance D. Reports and Updates 1. South Portland Land Trust 2. Conservation Commission 3. City Staff E. Closing Procedures 1. Future agenda items Adjourn Page 1 of 4  2. Date of next schedule meeting F. Adjourn Page 2 of 4  Meeting Minutes: South Portland Open Space Acquisition Committee Thursday, February 12, 2026 Call to Order Adrienne called the meeting to order at 4:30pm Members Present: Adrienne Jalbert, Valerie Beggs, Tex Hauser, Jonathan Bruel, Peter Wilson, Rachel Coleman (ex-officio) Karl Coughlin (ex-officio) Staff Present: Kevin Anderson Approval of Minutes Tex moved to approve the minutes, Valerie seconded. Motion approved unanimously. Public Comment None City Secretary, Jessica Hughes has reported that Tex cannot serve in some capacity and we have postponed that discussion to our next meeting. Jenna Martyn-Fisher, the Parks and Recreation Department’s marketing and special event coordinator, joined us in discussion of building our website. Discussion first focused on how OSAC determines the value of a potential property. For instance, financial, environmental, community, legacy. It was determined that success stories of open space purchases were important to highlight and that the committee should consider a photo gallery online, highlighting success stories of OSAC acquisitions. The group spent time reviewing outreach strategies: Jonathan asked if Josh Reny would be able to attend a future OSAC meeting and update us on various areas of possibility. Planning March meeting focus Continue discussion about outreach strategies. Page 3 of 4 Planning for Earth Day events: Date is 4/25 and OSAC will have table next to Conservation Comm. Adrianne offered to do QR codes. Financial and budget discussion requested Jessica Hughes also asked for OSAC discussion of possible benefits combining Conservation and Open Space Acquisition committees: Focusing on any particular domain/s of each committee. We discussed the idea of blending the City’s green space, etc. related committees which would include our OSAC, Land Trust and Conservation Committee but agreed on the need to continue that. Land Trust report Tex reported that that’s the most recent board meeting. A contract was awarded to affirm for erosion control work and archaeological survey involved. There will be monthly committee trail walks, going forward and film showings are planned. As well as an SPLT website and Land Trust table at SoPo Earth Day event. Related Note: South Portland Police will be planning and hosting “Wisdom Walks” going forward. Conservation Committee Peter reported the committee needs two members. Meetings are a third Monday each month at 6:30 to 8. Park Department update A tree grant exists for the amount of $130,000. There will be a tree canopy assessment, looking for gaps in our City’s tree islands and other aspects. Ted referenced the volunteer committee called Reforest South Portland and discuss the possibility of a tree mitigation fund, and the possibility of mass plantings. Kevin announced that there is a coastal Resilience Overlay Fund in progress which could address these issues. Next meeting will be March 12 and we need to revisit the election of a vice chair. Page 4 of 4