Summary – Dec. 14 2005 Open Space Network Meeting

 

 

Groundworks Update: 

 

No new news.  Reaffirmed intention to eventually merge with the El Paso Groundworks group was included in original proposal.

 

EBID drainage trail update:

 

Susan & Andy met with Rep. Cervantes re liability issues of public use of trails.

Options discussed included  -

  1. Proposing similar legislation to what was floated last year to provide exemption from liability.
  2. Expanding EBID mission to include trail development, potentially creating a taxing entity for these trails.
  3. Potential for purchase or lease of easement of maintenance road on one side of levees for trails.

 

Rep. Cervantes may help draft legislation for EBID trails since it could have applicability throughout the state.

 

West Mesa Proposal:

 

Creation of a regional park concept has been presented to Las Cruces & DAC.  Noted that two arroyos in proposed park have been included in MPO plan, poor soils for supporting structures make development difficult, and Oscar Butler is pursuing flood control money for some areas of the escarpment that may help with the park.

 

Proposed city annexation of the West Mesa to protect wells, develop housing, and an entertainment and events center may affect this proposal.

 

Las Cruces Strategic Plan:

 

Water, open space, arroyos, parks and trails all included in plan based on Natural Resources sub-committee work (committee included Nancy Stotz & Win Jacobs).  A regional open space authority proposal is included in the plan.  All seems to indicate more City attention to quality of life issues.  The plan is available on the city website.

 

Trail Funding

 

Don Shepan from the advisory committee for New Mexico Recreational trails presented info about grants available for trail projects from the NM Energy, Minerals & Natural Resources Department.  April 1 2006 application deadline.  Guidelines available at NMPARKS.com.

 

Other news:

 

A 2200 acre development has been proposed N. of Las Colinas, near the Doña Ana Mountains.  Annexation has been proposed.  A Phillipou project.

 

A multinational multi State, Rio Grande trail proposal was presented by William Porter for future consideration.

 

Open Space Network Organization:

 

Caretaking the Vision Committee:  Job is to ensure that network efforts are consistent with the open space vision.  Members include Nancy Stotz, Sandy Geiger, and Win Jacobs.

 

Management Committee:  Job is to organize meetings, set meeting agendas.

Members include Carol McCall, Tim Sanders, Richard Hummel, Ray Bowers, Susan Krueger.  Susan & Tim will set up the structure.

 

Possibility of the Groundworks board serving as the future management committee was raised.  A source of organizing help might be the “Community Foundation Group”.  Contacts are Patsy Duran & Marilyn Zaylor.

 

Network Projects

 

Next network meeting will focus solely on choosing projects to implement.  Susan K. will send past project updates via e-mail prior to next meeting.

 

Sandy G. will meet with Mgmt. Committee to update criteria for selecting projects to be used by the Network.  Was suggested that assigning points and putting them in a pot might be helpful in prioritizing projects.  (See Andy H. for details)

 

Since there may be many players involved in proposed projects, we will need to define what the specific network role will be in any selected project, and what tasks are best handled elsewhere.

 

 

Next meeting scheduled for Jan 18- Same time & Place.