OTAY VALLEY REGIONAL PARK
TIME: Wednesday, February 19, 2003, 9 a.m. to 12 noon.
LOCATION: City of Chula Vista, Public Works Center, Conference Room 1, 1800 Maxwell Road, Chula Vista, CA 91911
ATTENDANCE: Bransford, Carroll, Dickey, Herrera-A, Hoffmockel, Lawrence, McCall, Ohrmund, Powers, Reese, Ross, Swain, Rushlow, Willett
CALL TO ORDER: Jack Bransford called the meeting to order at 9:11 a.m.
NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will be Wednesday, March 12, 9 a.m. to 11:00AM, this building.
DISCUSSION: Rushlow reviewed the Goals and Objectives discussed at the previous meeting. OVRP TSC chose and deleted words from various sources to come up with suggested language and passed the text to Delorenzo Inc. for wordsmithing. Reese added that the Goals and Objectives looked good, cleaned up, and organized. A copy of the Goals & Objectives is attached.
Willett suggested that the language be tailored to stipulate that trails would pass under bridges in three to four places.
Reese invited comments from the committee. Feel free to make additions and corrections and forward to Rushlow. At some point, it will be necessary to draw the line and allow no more revisions.
Powers suggested that the Goals and Objectives be posted on the OVRP web site.
Willett expressed concern over the legal ramifications and indemnification.
Bransford suggested that Powers work with Rushlow on electronic distribution. Bransford also wanted to make sure the word “safe” was added to goals and objectives.
Rushlow invited comments and agreed to include all comments for review at the next meeting.
Rushlow discussed the five types of trails, their widths and usages.
Lawrence expressed an interest in trails in the floodway. There was a general discussion of the difference between the floodway and the flood plain.
Andrew from Delorenzo said the width of trails would vary with site and usage. For example, a trail leading from a staging area would be wide enough to accommodate hikers, equestrians, and bicyclists. Single-use trails further away from the trailhead would be narrower. Different types of trails would also accommodate interpretive sites and trail biking.
Lawrence commented that more remote trails would get less wear and tear.
Reese added that ADA standards are somewhat flexible. Lawrence commented that ADA standards would be incorporated into the design and review process. Hofmockel added that ADA requires that standards required a “like” experience, not necessarily identical. Lawrence added that ADA standards would apply to barrier-free access and gate access.
Bransford noted that there was no formal process for adopting the minutes of the previous meeting.
Willett moved and Powers seconded a motion to approve minutes at each meeting. Motion carried.
The minutes for the Jan. 22 minutes were approved by consensus. Bransford stated that the minutes and their approval would be posted.
AGENDA ITEMS Items 1-4 were included in a presentation by Delorenzo Inc. The substance of the comments is attached in a PowerPoint presentation entitled Field Trip –1, which is attached.
Item 5. Vicky Touchstone, Tom Reed, and Tom Borkowsky from the South Bay Fish and Wildlife Refuge presented their views on the Comprehensive Conservation Plan.
Key to their mission is the idea that the wildlife comes first in their priorities. Endangered species in the Refuge include the light-footed clapper rail, least tern, and snowy plover. Their mandate specifically addresses Hunting, Fishing, Education, Interpretation and, Wildlife Photography. Any trail access would preferably use the existing bike path and not fragment the existing refuge. The mandate is defined by litigation and by Congress to leave as few footprints as possible, with a hope of restoring wildlife habitat in the salt marsh.
They cited issues with the homeless and with the safety of visitors. Also, there are problems with fence cutting and dumping.
Further information on the refuges can be found at http://sandiegorefuges.fws.gov/sweetwater.htm. Copies of the Website are attached.
Item 6. Rushlow stated that there would be a meeting in two weeks on March 12, and a Committee Meeting on March 5, 9 to 11 a.m. to discuss development guidelines.
Item 7 Willet handed out OVRP Regional Park Roads/Trails/Entry Points and Observation Comments. There will be a meeting in Willet’s garage to strategize a common understanding. Monday, Feb. 24.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 11:48 a.m.
ATTACHMENTS: Goals & Objectives
Field Trip 1
San Diego National Wildlife Refuge Complex