Study Session: Nancy York, Partnerships Coordinator, showed the video used in the presentations to the GOCO Board for Jefferson and Clear Creek County’s successful grant request for the Clear Creek Trail. Although the amount granted was less than requested, Open Space will move some funds to ensure that the project can be completed within GOCO’s two-year window.
Manager, presented the proposed 2013 budget. The sales tax revenue growth is anticipated at only 2% per year for the next five years. The operations budget is flat for 2013 with 3% increases anticipated for the years 2014-2017. The cost of County supplied services is expected to increase about 10%. The amount budgeted for acquisitions is reduced by $3 million over the next five years to account for funds transfer to the Clear Creek Trail. Capital projects planned for 2013 include a restroom at the Elk Meadow Dog Off-Leash parking lot and trailhead, a restroom at the Quaker Street entrance to South Table Mountain, a restroom at Apex Park, a restroom at Windy Saddle Park, and replacing the restrooms at Matthews Winters Park and Mount Falcon Park-west.
Shaun Howard, Park Ranger Lead, gave a presentation on Open Space’s fire prevention and educational practices. By early July there had been over 100 fires on Open Space lands in 2012, all human-caused by camp fires or cigarettes.
A Gala Event is planned for April 5, 2013, to “Celebrate Jeffco Outdoors.” It will acknowledge the lands and opportunities created by Denver Mountain Parks (100 years), Jefferson County Open Space (40 years), and Great Outdoors Colorado (20 years). The event is anticipated to be at the Red Rocks Park Visitor’s Center.
Regular Session: Jon Sovell and Pam Smith gave a brief overview of the Colorado Natural Heritage Program’s survey in Jefferson County. This survey was an update and expansion of the survey done 20 years ago at PLAN Jeffco’s request. The new survey found 40 more extraordinary biodiversity elements and 18 more potential conservation areas. Open Space has preserved 63% of the 28 potential conservation areas identified in 1992. To view the report, go to www.cnhp.colostate.edu/download/reports.aspx, look for “Survey of Critical Biological Resources Jefferson County, Colorado” under “2012 Reports”.
The proposed 2013 budget was approved. A resolution to transfer title of the Christ Community Church property at 82nd and Simms to Apex Park & Recreation District was approved. OSAC had earlier determined that leased properties could be considered for transfer to special districts on a case-by-case basis.
