Open Space board urged to press for easement as city moves to transfer MLK property; hikers found ordnance near Castner Range

Board members discussed an ordinance that had its first reading the previous day to empower the city manager to sell the MLK property to the State Park, with final council action scheduled for Jan. 20. The chair said the board has repeatedly sought an easement on the property but that the draft sale appears to omit that easement. "I do not think it has the easement included in that process, which is something we've been asking for forever," the chair said, and asked whether the board wanted the chair to continue speaking on the board's behalf at council. Members agreed the chair should continue to press for an easement.

A board member who reviewed documents reported that the city and the Parks & State Board (PSB) had exchanged responsibility for creating the easement and that the year-long timeline lapsed with neither party completing it. The member said documentation shows the parties "pointed at each other and nothing happened."

Separately, the board discussed remediation north of Castner Range. Staff reported surveying is complete and that remediation work may start this year; they reminded the public that orange-painted stakes mark survey grids and cautioned against disturbing them. Members reported a hiker found an unexploded ordnance off trail; local bomb squad and federal authorities responded and blew it up in place. The board urged hikers to stay on trails and to report any suspicious items without touching them.

The chair said he will attend the Jan. 20 council hearing and represent the board's position urging an easement. Staff agreed to coordinate and provide maps and legal background to support the board's testimony. No formal board motion was recorded at this meeting.