And city officials heard from one Foothills landowner interested in possibly making a deal. The City Council will name the committee Friday at the same meeting where it will certify election results. Boise Mayor Brent Coles is flying to Washington, D.C., today and hopes to meet with Interior Secretary Gale Norton. The city wants to tap into federal conservation funds. During the campaign, Coles said that having a local pot of money was a prerequisite for attracting matching funds from the federal government and private groups, such as conservation land trusts.
City officials say they want to work with willing landowners and have ruled out condemnation.
The Foothills levy, which passed Tuesday with nearly 60 percent support, will not stop development. But money from the levy will pay to purchase land or easements to protect key Foothills parcels with important recreational, wildlife or scenic value. Now that the city and the Boise Foothills Open Space Campaign have created major expectations, they will have to deliver, said Brad Little, a Foothills landowner who has property probably coveted by the city. Little said he is curious to see what kind of reception the city receives from owners. Many have said they want to develop, not sell, their land.