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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLand Conservation And Stewardship Board - Minutes - 03/14/2007MINUTES CITY OF FORT COLLINS LAND CONSERVATION & STEWARDSHIP BOARD Regular Meeting 200 W. Mountain, Suite A March 14, 2007 For Reference: Bill Bertschy - 491-7377 Mayor Doug Hutchinson - 416-2154 John Stokes, Staff Liaison - 221-6263 Board Members Present Michelle Brown, Greg Eckert, Michelle Grooms, Vicky McLane, Greg Snyder, Karyl Ting Board Members Excused Bill Bertschy, Dave Theobold, Linda Stanley, John Stokes Council Liaison Mayor, Doug Hutchinson Staff Present Natural Resources / Natural Areas Department: Geri Kidawski, Mark Sears Guests Seth Anthony, CSU Student Edgar Ramero, CSU Student Public Comments Anthony: Regarding the Wildlife Management Guidelines, I am concerned along with some of the prairie dog folks about public improvement requirements. I would like to express my concern that the Natural Areas program will at least be in dialogue with the prairie dog folks about humane ways to deal with prairie dog populations rather just the go with the fumigation option. Brown: There are plans for that correct? Sears: Our door is always open. We've had an on -going dialogue with prairie dog advocates and concerned citizens for the past year, and it will continue. One thing that was not stressed at the City Council meeting is that we will report back to this Board twice a year, which is a public forum. Prairie dog advocates or concerned citizens on either side of the situation can come in and voice their concerns to this Board or City Council at any time. However, the six week notification will no longer be required by the Natural Areas program. Agenda Review • Sears: We have two additional agenda items. The one that will require action is the Andrijeski Farm Agriculture Lease, and I'd like to talk about that just before going into Executive Session. The other agenda item is the viewing of the Soapstone Prairie Natural Area video. Review and Approval of Minutes Vicky McLane motioned to approve the minutes of February 14, 2007. Michelle Grooms second. The minutes were unanimously approved as written. Natural Areas program - Long Range Budget Summary — Mark Sears Sears passed out the Long -Range Budget summary to the Board, which consisted of estimated revenues and expenditures from 2006 — 2011. He also presented to the Board a map of the Phase I Soapstone Ranch Access Road for their review. Making reference to the map Sears explained to the Board Phase I of the Soapstone Ranch access road. • Sears: We had hired an engineering firm to look at some of the hydrology and hydraulics of the three drainage crossings on CR15. We feel that this is an absolute must build road for this year, because that will make everything we build next year, easier to build. Sears spoke about a possible entrance kiosk, potential trails, and the continuance of roads into the natural area, the building of connecting roads and the building of parking lots. Sears also passed out the Soapstone Prairie Natural Area Public Improvements Cost Estimate. He reviewed with the Board the total estimated cost low range, mid range and high range for the access road, interior roads, west, east and north parking lots, soft trails, entrance gate, station and kiosk, education interpretive features, and permit fees. He also reviewed the potential total funding available, and the potential total funding shortage. Andrijeski Farm Agriculture Lease Sears pointed out on the attached map the location of the Andrijecski Farm, which is located on 1425 North Overland trail. Sears: Pursuant to the City of Fort Collins Land Conservation and Stewardship Master Plan, the Andrijeski Farm was purchased on September 1, 2004. Approximately 75 acres of the property has been leased since the Natural Areas purchase to a farming tenant for crop production and grazing purposes. It is the recommendation of the staff to lease the 100 acres of the Andrijeski farm to the adjacent land owner, Ken and Linda Fisher, for hay production and grazing for a period of 10 years. A second phase of the lease would include 70 acres of the 86 acre Fisher tract, located directly adjacent and to the north of Andrijeski. If Natural Areas successfully completes the purchase of the Fisher property, staff's recommendation is to include 70 acres of the 86 acre Fisher tract into the Andrijeski Farm leases. The lease is a one year lease with up to nine annual renewals. Further details of the lease have not been negotiated at this time. We have no idea if the Fisher's will accept our offer, and if so, how soon. We've been talking with them for over a year. We may want to have two recommendations. McLane: If Ken and Linda decide not to sell, then we would not need the second ordinance. • Sears: That's correct. Vicky McLane made a motion. The Land Conservation and Stewardship Board recommends to City Council to approve an ordinance granting an agriculture lease of 100 acres located on 04FH1— Andrijeski Farm. Second by Michelle Grooms. It was unanimously approved by all. Vicky McLane made a motion. The Land Conservation and Stewardship Board recommends to City Council to approve an ordinance granting an agriculture lease of 70 acres located on the Fisher Tract addition to the O4FH1 — Andrijeski Farm, if purchase of the Fisher property is completed. Second by Michelle Grooms. It was unanimously approved by all. New Business: No new business. Announcements: No announcements. Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Submitted by Geri Kidawski Administrative Secretary