Agenda Date: 02/07/2017
Subject:
Title
Adoption of a resolution of support for the High Line Canal Vision and Action Plan
Body
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Presented By: |
Mike Braaten, Deputy City Manager |
POLICY QUESTION:
Does city council approve the resolution supporting the High Line Canal Conservancy’s (HLCC) Vision and Action Plan?
BACKGROUND:
The HLCC’s mission is to preserve, protect and enhance the 71-mile legacy canal in partnership with the public. HLCC is responsible for the recent planning efforts for the High Line Canal. This work began in early 2016 with the hiring of a planning firm to lead the planning process and included numerous public meetings and events in communities along the Canal. The planning effort culminates with a Vision and Action Plan that seeks to capture the residents’ and users’ vision for the canal (in defined individual segments), with specific strategies to address how to move forward to preserve and enhance this resource.
Mayor Beckman is one of the HLCC Council of Advisors, which also includes current and former local elected officials and others who have interests in the High Line Canal.
The HLCC uses the High Line Canal Working Group (HLCWG) as a conduit and sounding board for its activities. The city’s representatives to the HLCWG are Mayor Beckman as the elected official, and Deputy City Manager Mike Braaten.
A representative of the HLCC made a presentation at council’s January 10 study session to provide an overview of the organization, the planning process and a formal request for the resolution. At that time, council gave its consent to moving the draft resolution forward for formal council action.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
The HLCC’s Vision states: “71- meandering miles preserved and enhanced as a cherished greenway that connects us to nature and binds together varied communities from the foothills to the plains.”
The Guiding Principles of the plan are: Natural, Connected & Continuous, Varied, Managed, and Enhanced. The Guiding Principles are further defined with objectives for each (found in the attached summary document).
The Action Plan includes the following strategies:
1. Create a roadmap for the canal’s future physical form
2. Build awareness & understanding of the canal
3. Align the canal’s governance & funding structure with the vision
4. Harness the community’s passion to promote stewardship of the canal
5. Capitalize on existing momentum to take action now
Similar to the Guiding Principles, each of the Strategies in the Action Plan is further defined with multiple supporting actions. For example, under strategy number 3, a supporting action includes, “continue to coordinate with local jurisdictions, districts, and other governing entities.”
Staff finds the plan is consistent with the Citywide Plan, touching upon policies found in Goal 2: An Outdoor Littleton, Goal 3: A Connected Littleton, and Goal 4: A Distinctive Littleton. The High Line Canal is specifically called out in Policy 2.6: “In addition to the river and its tributaries, identify, safeguard, and enrich the city’s other outdoor resources, including the High Line Canal.”
Additionally, the Action Plan includes supporting actions that are similar to objectives found in the council-adopted Parks, Recreation, and Trails Master Plan from May of 2016. Shared action items include signage and wayfinding, development of improved public communication, grow volunteer opportunities, address connections, crossings and improvements where appropriate, among others.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
None.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends support.
PROPOSED MOTION:
I move to approve the resolution supporting the High Line Canal Conservancy’s Vision and Action Plan.