MINUTES
| OPEN SPACE COMMISSION MONDAY 10/23/23 |
IN PERSON 2:30 - 5:30 PM MCALLISTER RANCH FIRST RIGHT AFTER CITY OF PUBLIC WORKS 3200 W ROUTE 66 FLAGSTAFF, AZ 86001 |
1.
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 2:31 pm.
The meeting was called to order at 2:31 pm.
2.
ROLL CALL
| PRESENT Chair William Wilson Vice Chair Bruce Applin Commissioner Mary Norton (P&Z Liaison) Commissioner Bruce Fox Commissioner Jacqueline Thomas Commissioner Lina Wallen Commissioner Nat White STAFF AND OTHERS Koren Brown - Admin Rebecca Sayers - PROSE Director Robert Wallace - Open Space Supervisor Sarah Holditch - Open Space Coordinator Sylvia Struss - Open Space Coordinator Pat Mcgervey - Coconino National Forest Forrest Saville - Coconino National Forest Mark Loseth - SDR |
NOT PRESENT Councilmember Representative: Deborah Harris |
Commissioner Mary Norton was present from 2:30 - 3 pm and didn't participate in the walking portion.
3.
Land Acknowledgment
The Flagstaff Open Space Commission humbly acknowledges the ancestral homelands of this area’s Indigenous nations and original stewards. These lands, still inhabited by Native descendants, border mountains sacred to Indigenous peoples. We honor them, their legacies, their traditions, and their continued contributions. We celebrate their past, present, and future generations who will forever know this place as home.
The Flagstaff Open Space Commission humbly acknowledges the ancestral homelands of this area’s Indigenous nations and original stewards. These lands, still inhabited by Native descendants, border mountains sacred to Indigenous peoples. We honor them, their legacies, their traditions, and their continued contributions. We celebrate their past, present, and future generations who will forever know this place as home.
4.
Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Mary Norton motioned to approve September minutes, seconded by Commissioner Lina Wallen. The Commission approved the minutes unanimously.
Commissioner Mary Norton motioned to approve September minutes, seconded by Commissioner Lina Wallen. The Commission approved the minutes unanimously.
5.
Public Comment
At this time, any member of the public may address the Commission on any subject that is not scheduled before the Commission on this day. The Arizona Open Meeting Law prohibits the Commission from discussing or taking action on an item which is not listed on the prepared agenda. Commission members may, however, respond to criticism made by those addressing the Commission, ask staff to review a matter, or ask that a matter be placed on a future agenda. To address the Commission on an item that is on the agenda, please wait for the Chair to call for Public Comment at the time the item is heard.
At this time, any member of the public may address the Commission on any subject that is not scheduled before the Commission on this day. The Arizona Open Meeting Law prohibits the Commission from discussing or taking action on an item which is not listed on the prepared agenda. Commission members may, however, respond to criticism made by those addressing the Commission, ask staff to review a matter, or ask that a matter be placed on a future agenda. To address the Commission on an item that is on the agenda, please wait for the Chair to call for Public Comment at the time the item is heard.
No members of the public were present.
6.
Business Items
A.
Observatory Mesa Trail Planning - Mark Loseth
| The Commission opted to open business items with the Observatory Mesa Trail Plan (OMTP) discussion. Southwest Decision Resource representative Mark Loseth provided an introduction to the trail plan and provided some insight on what commissioners would see during the field trip. He also mentioned items that they should try to observe during the outing. Representatives from Coconino National Forest were present prior to the group walk to discuss multi-agency collaboration. Forest Service representatives provided some background on their involvement and insight on how the trail plan could help meet the needs of the community. They also provided some information regarding how the trail plan could be implemented with the proper permit application from the city of Flagstaff (COF). If a permit was approved, it would allow the COF to construct and maintain trails on Forest Service lands. Forest Service representatives then took questions from the commissioners. Topics/questions that were discussed included:
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B.
Council Update Approval
Commission voted to approve the Open Space Commission’s draft presentation for their City Council update, to take place on Tuesday Oct 31. Commissioner Thomas motioned to approved, Commissioner Fox seconded. The presentation was approved unanimously.
7.
Reports and Updates
A.
Council Representative Report - Councilmember Deborah Harris
Councilmember Harris was not present to provide an update.
B.
Planning and Zoning Commission Representative Report - Commissioner Mary Norton
Commissioner Norton was only present for the meeting start, but it was relayed to staff that the naming terminology for Open Space will be presented to the Planning & Zoning Commission on Thursday, Oct 26.
C.
Open Space Management Report - Staff
8.
Informational Items To and From Commissioners and Staff
Staff Robert Wallace noted that AZ Site Stewards visited and provided over 200 hours in 75 visits over the last fiscal year. Staff Sylvia Struss shared that the Full Moon Tarantula Trek is Saturday Oct 28 at 5:30 pm from Buffalo Park.
Commissioner Nat White had a meeting with Tiffany Antol, Zoning Code Manager, who is interested in coordinating with the Commission on planning. There are occasionally small parcel opportunities when working with developers that the commission could consider utilizing as potential FUTS and OS connectors.
Commissioner Nat White had a meeting with Tiffany Antol, Zoning Code Manager, who is interested in coordinating with the Commission on planning. There are occasionally small parcel opportunities when working with developers that the commission could consider utilizing as potential FUTS and OS connectors.
9.
Potential Future Agenda Items
Proposal to invite Tiffany Antol to discuss Commission collaboration with Planning and Zoning.
10.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 5:15 pm.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:15 pm.