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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes.OSB.20260319.Regular MINUTES City of Aspen, Open Space and Trails Board Meeting Held on March 19, 2026 5:00pm at Pearl Pass Room, Aspen City Hall City OST Board Members Present: Ted Mahon, Adam McCurdy, Dan Perl City Staff Members Present: Matt Kuhn, Michael Tunte, Austin Weiss, Shelley Braudis, Mary Oliver Adoption of the Agenda: Adam made a motion to approve the agenda; Ted seconded, and the vote was unanimous. Public Comments, for topics not on the agenda: None. Approval of the Minutes: Adam made a motion to approve the minutes; Ted seconded, and the vote was unanimous. Staff Comments: Matt: mentioned drought conditions pertaining to the Parks and Open Space Department and the committee on which staff serve to focus on data toward determining drought levels; the City may soon move to a more stringent level. For Parks, this may affect things such as new plantings and related projects. The Department is striving to conserve water, and measures may affect projects as well as activities can be offered in our public spaces. Adam asked if Parks follows the same restrictions as the public; Matt explained that Parks does; however, recreation facilities and public spaces have some exemptions. The City is currently operating under stage two restrictions. Matt mentioned that when water is restricted on athletic fields compaction increases and this can lead to more general injuries and head injuries, so these decisions are made carefully. Many trees in public spaces depend on irrigation; drought conditions lead to increases in disease, stress, and pathogens; the City’s forester is focused on these issues. Shelley: noted the maples around the St. Regis which are all dead due to drought. She also mentioned wildfire-related projects that will begin in May, including work on the lower flanks of Shadow Mountain for which a community outreach plan is underway. It is hoped that this will illuminate and inspire such projects on private properties. Shelley shared Roaring Fork Outdoor Coalition’s (RFOC) work to support the public services office at the US Forest Service (USFS) office in Carbondale following USFS staffing cuts last year. This is a priority for the USFS. The Forest Conservancy said that it would post a paid position to provide visitor services and would also develop a volunteer program. The City and other coalition partners contributed funds to this effort, and it is a prime example of how this coalition is meant to work. Thirty-six applications for the position were received, and the job should be filled by April 1st. The RFOC meets quarterly, and after several years of forming, it saw some of the first fruits of its labor last month when it was able to award many local groups with funds from a CPW that will support a variety of needs including restroom maintenance on the Pass, treating weeds, support for RFOV projects, etc. RFOC unifies a funding source for such projects throughout the valley, and this success shows it is working. Dan asked for the total funds awarded; Shelley guessed it was about $140,000. Funds will continue to come from a variety of sources. Matt added that the RFOC funds projects regionally rather that strictly by jurisdiction. Dan asked if the vision is for local entities to go to the RFOC instead of going to individual sources; the City and other partners will continue to contribute to this overall source of funds. Shelley mentioned invasive weeds as a priority. When entities apply for weed control funding, this work is supported by all partners and all partners benefit from the work. Ted mentioned his service on the RFOC’s selection committee and asked for a follow up. Adam explained that the resulting community advisory group provides input to the RFOC on priorities and its decision-making framework. New Business: None. Old Business: Strategic Plan, History Section: Mary introduced “Our Common Ground,” which is the history section of the Parks and Open Space Department’s draft Strategic Plan. She mentioned that the writer’s work on the history piece has culminated in a large, stand-alone document. The writer commented that the process of creating this history piece brought about an appreciation for the evolution of land conservation locally, public amenities throughout the valley, the governmental structures that merged and split over time as the community’s needs changed over time, and much more. Mary said that copies will be printed for staff use and to make available at City Hall. Mary asked the Board if they have thoughts on how this document could be made available for use by other groups or stakeholders. Adam suggested the Aspen Historical Society (AHS); the writer mentioned that AHS was very helpful in the process of creating the document. Mary mentioned that the history is a balance of technical acquisitions history and storytelling, suggesting that QR codes could be posted at certain parks enabling visitors to scan them to access history information, for example. Ted suggested the Chamber could use the history piece and asked if there is an intention to print and bind it. Mary said that it would be printed and made available to staff, AHS, Aspen One, etc. Adam suggested an “Evening at the Park” series as a way of sharing the stories of certain parks; Shelley suggested involving AHS. Dan suggested a video format for the public as possibly more appealing than a book. Ted commented that a printed copy would also have appeal. Mike mentioned that the John Denver Sanctuary has QR codes through which the public may access additional information via a web-based app, while keeping interpretive signage on site to a minimum. Adam asked how much usage this has received; Matt will look into this. Mary provided an update on the overall Strategic Plan which has come together with staff collaboration. This draft plan will be shared at the Board meeting on May 21st for review with specific prompt for comments; feedback will be sought at the June 18th meeting. Adam asked about the timeframe for the plan; Mary said that the plan will cover a 10-year horizon with additional 3-5 year goals. Adam asked if there has been a prior strategic plan; this is the first one. After Board feedback on the 18th, the Board may adopt the plan before sending it on for adoption by Council. The history section writer added that corrections and specific input on the history portion are welcomed. Ted asked about Fox Crossing Park; Matt said that a building was moved into the park for one summer and was then moved out under arrangements with Parks. Adam commented that the history document was impressive. Updates on Ongoing Projects: Matt provided the following updates. Brush Creek Park and Ride to ABC Trail Project: Recent efforts with this project focus on how the ABC bridge may be installed as close to the population hub as possible; Matt showed the current conceptual alignment. The engineering firm is SGM. This project will be very complex to build in the proposed corridor; therefore, a subcontractor to SGM is being sought to advise on constructability. Matt described challenges such as narrow sections of the Rio Grande Trail, adjacent wetlands, lack of access roads, and the trail as a recreation corridor; utility and land ownership issues are additional key factors. Other considerations include crane dimensions, material deliveries, construction impacts affecting use of the Rio Grande Trail, creation of a significant cut across the slopes, significant vegetation loss, etc. SGM reached out to its contacts and staff are ready to bring on a firm with extensive experience with very complex bridge projects. This study will take 3-6 months and will help the City and County contemplate complexities, costs, and community impacts before taking it to the BOCC and other funding bodies to continue the design process. Adam asked if the County is still leading this process. Matt explained that the County is leading the process although the City is a 50/50 financial partner and the City and County are working very closely together. Matt added that staff are in conversation with Aspen Consolidated Sanitation to work on necessary easements for construction access at Brush Creek and at the wastewater treatment plant below the AABC. Following the feasibility study, they will reach out to Aspen Valley Land Trust (AVLT) as the owner of Stein Park. There are five private parcels that the alignment would cross; conversations with these landowners is part of the process. After these stages, next efforts include budget allocations, grant opportunities, and land use process. Dan asked for clarification of the extent of work that has been authorized by Council and the BOCC. Matt explained that in 2025 Council and the BOCC authorized $250,000 for design; for a $20-30 million project, those funds will just cover fees through design development. About $130,000 remains in the budget. Requests for additional allocations will likely be made in 2027. The next step in the process will probably be a “go/no-go” conversation with the BOCC and Aspen City Council. Staff continue to advise them of the progression of steps in the feasibility/design process with each allocation approval and threshold reached, and the next ask will be the full design effort. Matt expressed that it is hopeful to secure grant funding, but a full allocation of funds will also need to be considered and will be challenging given the overall costs. Airport Expansion Project: Matt described the West Side Enabling Project which will begin this year to prepare for the runway closure and runway work in 2027. This project involves relocating the Owl Creek multi- use trail and is primarily County-led with input provided by the City. Matt described the various changes in the alignment, including airport dimensions, fences, access points, and the trail. Most changes occur within the County right-of-way, with no encroachment on the City’s Burlingame West Open Space. The new Owl Creek Trail alignment will have a slightly diminished user experience. The City asked for some trail undulation and a greater buffer between the trail and the road where possible. The detour onto the Butterline Trail during construction will be challenging, and the City commented that preventing new additional access points is important. Dan asked if this is a temporary or permanent realignment; Matt explained that it will be permanent in order to extend the runway within the space available. Ted asked for the length of the trail relocation; Matt explained that it is about 1,800 feet. Matt and Austin showed City and County portions of the Owl Creek Trail. Austin posed the idea of allowing encroachment into Burlingame West as a way of gaining enough space to improve the Owl Creek Trail user experience in exchange for another gain of land elsewhere. Matt said it might be too late to suggest this approach. Dan asked what types of barriers are being contemplated between the trail and the road. Matt said that this is not known at this point; at Adam’s suggestion, Matt will ask the County if there are specific parameters pertaining to the trail’s proximity to the road with its speed limit, etc. Lift One Project: This project is also known as Chalet Alpina. The building permit is anticipated very soon; when a construction phasing agreement is signed between the owners of the upper and lower properties and Aspen One, the project will then receive its Phase Zero permit which allows them to start moving soil. It will take about two years to remove soil material and build the parking garage and retaining walls before vertical construction may begin. Matt and Mike have been working with Lift One and AVLT on construction mitigation approaches to keep Dolinsek Gardens open and intact. Adam asked about AVLT’s role; Matt said they hold a conservation easement on Dolinsek Gardens, including a western portion that will become part of the ski way. This area is not allowed to be used for construction staging. Mike explained that the City posted an RFP for an owner’s representative and construction inspector; the City is working with Engineering regarding City code requirements for inspections within the right-of-way. The City is responsible for building parts of the project as stated in the ordinance approved by voters. Because this is a very technical project in conjunction with a development, a professional owner’s representative is needed. The City expects to have this role filled in 3-4 weeks. Due to the pending construction sequencing agreement, the City anticipates earthmoving beginning this summer; before then the owner’s representative to digest all of the plans and considerations for the City’s approach to the work it will be doing. Snowmaking Project on the Aspen Golf Course: Work has begun on exploring a snowmaking system on the driving range and surrounding areas. SE Group has prepared a study on required water storage capacity and overall design. A project steering committee which includes golf program staff has been formed and will meet in April to begin work on conceptual planning. Asphalt Overlay Work: Brian is initiating a contract for $300,000 of asphalt overlays on many trails this summer, including the Jail, Marolt, East of Aspen, Hospital Trails. A bid will close soon for concrete repair west of the bridge deck on Maroon Creek on the ABC Trail to address center cracking. This will occur later this year and the trail will be closed during the work. Dan asked for clarification of the location and duration of this work; Matt showed the location and said that duration will be kept to a minimum, given the lack of good trail detour options. New irrigation main lines at Cozy Point Ranch: This project will improve the existing irrigation system, including addressing erosion at a point where the system’s pipe currently sits in Brush Creek. That section of pipe will be realigned and moved out of the riparian zone. Restoration of old access road to Wheeler Ditch: This and other improvements will take place this summer at Ute Park. Board Comments: Ted: suggested a Board site visit to Cozy Point Ranch to see the new learning center. Matt said this can be scheduled in April or May. Ted also asked if any feedback was received on the Palm Tree Festival event and its infrastructure. Matt shared that the City received a handful of complaints. It was noted that the volume of noise was not as much as in past years. Matt said that a small amount of reclamation is needed in Rio Grande Park. Council has given this event a five-year green light. The event team has been very professional and has handled protection of the park fairly well, including temporary flooring and other methods of addressing the thin snow this year. Matt expressed that grass is now recovering. Next year impacts will be addressed on trails and other aspects of the general area largely due to the additional flooring, etc. that was needed this year without having good staging areas. The City will ask event organizers to have a public safety officer to manage vendor work and other aspects of the event. This was year two of the event’s five-year approval. Ted commented on the multi-level steel structures and asked if policy provides limits on such temporary structures. Matt explained that Parks will not allow anything more complex than the structure used this year. Parks gave event organizers two added days to remove the structures in order to do so carefully and not damage the park. Matt added that duration of park rentals could be a way to provide limits. Dan added his support for working on such limits. Adam commented on the amount of time Wagner Park requires to recover the grass after Food & Wind, in relation to the overall closure time of the public space for that event. Dan: asked if there could be an opportunity to improve the Deer Hill Connector Trail, specifically to make it more useable for strollers, bike trailers, and the like. Matt said that this is on Parks’ radar and could be contemplated if the ABC bridge is approved. It is not currently budgeted and the conservation easement must be consulted to see if such improvements are allowed. Matt added that the April/May budget meetings would be a good time to consider this idea. Dan asked for an update on Theatre Aspen (TA). Matt said there are ongoing meetings; the first draft lease was submitted. TA has retained a number of staff to carry their ideas forward. Council will consider the draft lease at an upcoming executive session meeting. Mike said that they are not in a land use application process; however, they have had a pre application meeting. Next Meeting Date(s): Regular meeting April 16, 2025. Executive Session: N/A Adjourned: Ted made a motion to adjourn; Adam seconded, and the vote was unanimous.