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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/27/2024 - PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD - AGENDA - Regular MeetingPage 1 Ken Christensen, Chair Park Shop Nick Armstrong, Co-Chair 413 South Bryan Avenue Mike Novell, Secretary Bob Kingsbury Marcia Richards Paul Baker Meghan Willis Josh Durand Vacant Fort Collins, Colorado Hybrid Meeting March 27th, 2024 5:30pm Participation for this hybrid Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting will be available in person, online, or by phone. Public Participation (In-person & online): Individuals who wish to address the Parks and Recreation Board via remote public participation can do so through zoom at: https://fcgov.zoom.us/j/92967039173?pwd=a2Z6cVBvcU5lYURnME1oZ29pczFlZz09 Meeting ID: 929 6703 9173 Passcode: ?jyJR^q2 Individuals participating in the Zoom session should also watch the meeting through the site. The virtual meeting will be available to join beginning at 5:30 pm on the scheduled date. If attending virtually, participants should try to sign in prior to the 5:30 pm start time, if possible. For public comments, the Chair will asl participants to “Raise Hand” button to indicate if you would like to speak at that time. Staff will moderate the Zoom session to ensure all participants have an opportunity to address the Board or Commission. In order to participate: Public Participation (Phone): As listed above, if joining via phone the meeting will be available beginning at 5:30 pm. Please call in to the meeting prior to the 5:30 pm start time, if possible, using one of the numbers below. For public comments, the Chair will ask participants to click the “Raise Hand” button to indicate you would like to speak a that time-phone participants will need to hit *9 to do this. Staff will be monitoring the zoom session to ensure all participants have an opportunity to address the Board or Commission. Once you join the meeting, please keep yourself on muted status. Parks and Recreation Advisory Board AGENDA Page 2 One tap mobile +17209289299,,92967039173# US (Denver) +13462487799,,92967039173# US (Houston) Dial by your location +1 720 928 9299 US (Denver) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) Meeting ID: 929 6703 9173 Find your local number: https://fcgov.zoom.us/u/abM0VUY5a0 Documents to Share: If residents with to share a document or presentation, the staff liaison needs to receive those materials via email by 24 hours before the meeting. Individuals uncomfortable attending in person or unable to access the Zoom platform or unable to participate by phone are encouraged to participate by emailing general public comments to mcalhoon@fcgov,com. The staff liaison will ensure the Boards or Commissions receives your comments. If you have specific comments on any of the discussion items scheduled, please make that clear in the subject line of the email and send 24 hours prior to the meeting. • CALL TO ORDER • ROLL CALL o Board Members Present  Ken Christensen – Chair  Nick Armstrong – Co-Chair  Mike Novell – Secretary  Bob Kingsbury  Marcia Richards  Paul Baker  Meghan Willis  Josh Durand o Staff Members Present  Marc Rademacher – Sr Manager, Recreation  Rob Crabb – Sr Manager, Parks/Cemeteries  Jill Wuertz – Sr Manager, Park Planning & Development  Scott Phelps – Sr Manager, Golf  Rachel Eich – Business Support III • INTRODUCTION • AGENDA REVIEW • CITIZEN PARTICIPATION (10 minutes) • APPROVAL OF MINUTES • UNFINISHED BUSINESS Page 3 • NEW BUSINESS o Conservation Group RE: Hughes o Golf Update – Scott Phelps Sr Manager, Golf • BOARD MEMBER REPORTS • RECREATOR ARTICLE SCHEDULE • OTHER BUSINESS (30 minutes) 1. RECREATION UPDATE – LeAnn Williams 2. PARK PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT UPDATE – Jill Wuertz 3. PARKS UPDATE – Rob Crabb 4. 6 MONTH PLANNING CALENDAR REVIEW . https://www.fcgov.com/cityclerk/files/six-month-planning-calendar.pdf?1677855905 • ADJOURNMENT Park and Recreation Board Meeting February 28, 2024 413 S Bryan 0 2/28/2024 – MINUTES Page 1 1. CALL TO ORDER Ken Christensen called the meeting to order at 5:30pm 2. ROLL CALL • List of Board Members Present Ken Christensen Nick Armstrong Mike Novell Bob Kingsbury Marcia Richards Paul Baker Meghan Willis Josh Durand • List of Board Members Absent Patrick Dawson • List of Staff Members Present Mike Calhoon – Director of Parks LeAnn Williams – Director of Recreation Jill Wuertz – Sr Manager, Park Planning & Development Rachel Eich – Business Support III 3. AGENDA REVIEW • Natural Areas Strategic Framework Plan discussion added to New Business 4. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION • Kevin Krause o Community member previously on the Natural Resources Advisory Board and Bicycle Advisory Committee liaison. o Previously worked with the BAC to create a recreational bicycling memo to call out the need in the community for more bicycle parks, trails, amenities, etc. o Discussed how the inclusion of planning efforts and discussions for a potential bike park and the development of the Hughes Stadium site in the Council priorities provides an opportunity to grow and support the sport for kids in the community. Parks and Recreation Board TYPE OF MEETING – Hybrid Meeting 0 2/28/2024 – MINUTES Page 2 o Citizen has observed an explosion of interest in the sport from families and kids in the community through starting the “Wolf Pack.” o The skills area at Spring Canyon Community Park is easy to master from a skills standpoint or challenging to young kids who do not have the capability/equipment o Hoping for the City to re-engage the community regarding planning efforts and inclusion of bike park amenities in future plans o Paul Baker asked what Kevin sees as missing from Fort Collins  Large scale mountain bike park that is layered from an experience and skill/ability standpoint o Marcia Richards asked what size would look like  60 – 80 acres, with varying density  Discussed the bike parks that are being put into schools (size varies depending on school and area) o Kevin to provide details to staff on examples of schools that have installed bike parks o Mike Novell asked if there is an overall governing body for this sport  Community member discussed how there are different organizations, but most of the families and kids he interacts with are utilizing biking as their active recreation time o Josh Durand mentioned that the Parks and Recreation ReCreate Plan does include bike parks, but calls them BMX courses  Community member expressed that the BMX park is having trouble with misuse and is used for fixed events (BMX team or races)  Board member recommended participation in future public process as the best avenue forward o Bob Kingsbury asked if this would be a good potential amenity at the Hughes site  Staff expressed that it’ll likely be discussed with community outreach beginning this summer. o Nick Armstrong suggested the community member engage with other stakeholder groups during this outreach process. • Rob Cagen o Previously served as a member of the Parks and Recreation Board o In attendance to offer support to the board due to previous experience with the efforts for the 2050 sales tax 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Meghan Willis motioned to approve the January 2024 minutes as written at 6:04pm, Mike Novell seconded, and all members approved. Parks and Recreation Board TYPE OF MEETING – Hybrid Meeting 0 2/28/2024 – MINUTES Page 3 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS • 2050 Tax & Infrastructure Replacement Update – Jill Wuertz & LeAnn Williams o Grounding discussion on the specific language used for the tax. The tax funding will not be replacing any current funding the department already receives for infrastructure replacement ($756,600) o Will assume roughly $10 - $11 million a year (variable based on tax fluctuations) o Staff are currently in the middle of the 2024 mini BFO process to receive what has been collected; half of what is collected this year will likely go into reserves o Park Planning & Development receives funding from multiple areas, governed through the BFO process. o Two largest sources of funding:  Capital Expansion Fees for neighborhood park development  Conservation Trust Fund for trail development o Plans for 2024  Working through top 40 projects in the Infrastructure Replacement Plan (IRP) – 5-year scope of work  Will also be looking at safety and preventative maintenance concerns  Funding will go towards a staggered staffing approach through 2026  Planning to continue to update the asset management program and merge the Parks and Recreation information to better inform decision making  Earliest initial funding: June 2024 o 2024 mini BFO offer has been submitted, will be presented at Council Finance on March 20th o Nick Armstrong asked if there has been any discussion regarding decommissioning amenities to commission a new amenity in order to reach level of service standard.  Staff expressed how they will have to look at the Parks and Recreation Plan in conjunction with replacement plans while reaching out to community for potential change of use ideas. o Bob Kingsbury suggested having board members help with parts of the public outreach for these projects. o Nick Armstrong asked if there is a Parks and Recreation Communications Plan.  Staff has a plan, but uses and leans on the CPIO City wide communications plan Parks and Recreation Board TYPE OF MEETING – Hybrid Meeting 0 2/28/2024 – MINUTES Page 4 7. NEW BUSINESS • Natural Areas Strategic Framework Plan Update o Natural Areas is about to kick off their public engagement for the Strategic Framework Plan to guide conservation and stewardship. o Kelly Smith reaching out to understand the level of engagement the boards wants throughout the process o Board chair expressed the desire to be as connected as possible for this plan due to the tight integration that exists between Natural Areas, Parks, and Trails. o Josh Durand suggested the Natural Areas staff make a recommendation for what they deem as the best touch points for the board. 8. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS • Marcia and Nick attended the Urban Forest Strategic Plan public open house. • Marcia and Nick will be part of the Community Working Group for the Strategic Trails Plan. • Marcia attended the Transportation Fair and State of the City address. • Kudos to Mike Calhoon for speaking to Council regarding the donation to fund an initial feasibility study for a pickleball complex in the City. 9. OTHER BUSINESS • Recreator Article o Meghan Willis submitted the article for review by City staff. o Rachel to bring list of topics and schedule for upcoming Recreator at the March meeting • Recreation Update – LeAnn Williams o Department has started interviews for the Owners Representative for the Southeast Community Center  Working on developing the internal team and project partners o Mulberry Pool replacement feasibility study kick off set for March o Ribbon cutting took place for the NACC childcare renovation expansion project o The staff versus Varsity Special Olympics basketball game took place. o Staff working on budget offers and looking at how fee increases might be able to add staffing. o LeAnn will look at the schedule for hosting the March or April meeting at Northside to tour the new renovation. o Registration Software launching in April • Park Planning and Development Update – Jill Wuertz o The Schoolside Park near Bacon Elementary open house took place on Parks and Recreation Board TYPE OF MEETING – Hybrid Meeting 0 2/28/2024 – MINUTES Page 5 February 15th (roughly 105 people attended with 46 additional online surveys). o The first Community Working Group meeting for the Strategic Trails Plan is set for Monday, March 4th. o Mail Creek Trail is under construction – created a great opportunity to learn what it takes to secure easements in existing sites. o 9/11 Memorial at Spring Park still under construction after the beam setting ceremony o Pickleball Feasibility CityGive project went through second reading at Council, internal kickoff meeting with Marketing on March 5th o Staff are getting ready to demo the Westfield tennis courts as a part of the Infrastructure Replacement Plan. o Most recent graphics for the Siphon Overpass are in with staff working on the last piece of the railroad agreement.  Summer bid with Fall install o PPD staff attended the Transportation Fair, great interactions with community regarding the trails system • Parks Update – Mike Calhoon o Staff are considering installing a small fence with kiosk and automated gate at the Archery Range o Finished the ice-skating season in January (10 days of skating) o Winter Bike to Work Day took place on February 9th  Trails Maintenance team takes a lot of pride in getting the trails ready for the day o Holiday lighting season finished, now preparing for the horticulture program with expanded outreach o Park Rangers were involved in the Northern Colorado Continuum of Care and Homeward Alliance to help with the Point in Time count. o In the process of hiring a fourth Park Ranger – hoping to be fully staffed this summer o Some concern about the onset of the Japanese Beetles on the golf courses o Urban Forest Strategic Plan public open house on Saturday, March 2nd  Mike Calhoon will reach out to staff regarding opportunity for inclusion of Trees Along the Trails in the plan. • 6-month Planning Calendar Review o Appropriation for Future Design Construction for Fossil Creek Trail Spur on South College (3/5 Council Meeting) o Public Hearing about Metro Districts, Strauss Lakes (3/5 Council Meeting) o IGA with CDOT for the Power Trail and Harmony underpass project (3/19 Parks and Recreation Board TYPE OF MEETING – Hybrid Meeting 0 2/28/2024 – MINUTES Page 6 Council Meeting)  Also placing a conduit along the underpass to get Warren Lake water to Southridge o Urban Forest Strategic Plan update (3/26 Work Session) o 2050 Tax Discussion (4/9 Work Session) o Community Capital Improvement Tax discussion #2 (4/23 Work Session) o 2050 Tax Discussion (5/7 Council Meeting) 10. ADJOURNMENT Ken Christensen adjourned the meeting at 7:35pm *Supporting Partner Conserving birds and their habitats through science, education and land stewardship Inspiring protection and conservation of raptors and the environment through excellence in rehabilitation, education, and research. •RMRP envisions a world where humans achieve a harmonious balance with wildlife and the environment •Provides rehabilitation care for nearly 300 raptors annually and releases 75% of treatable cases •Provides over 200 days of community education throughout northern CO and Wyoming Northern Colorado Wildlife Center, is a 501(c)3 independent nonprofit, that protects wildlife and the places they call home through rescue,rehabilitation, education, and advocacy. Rehabilitate sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife, and when successful, release those animals back into their natural habitats. Educate the public about the natural histories of wildlife native to northern Colorado, ways to peacefully coexist with them, and provide humane solutions to human-wildlife conflicts. Advocate for the preservation and restoration of native ecosystems that provide wildlife places to live and thrive. Coming Together for Fort Collins •Envision exploring the outdoors •Create a sense of place •Connect and engage with wildlife •Enhance learning for all ages •Habitat restoration •One-of-a kind volunteer opportunities •Recreation- including walking, hiking, skiing Overland Trail •Nature/Wildlife Center •Rescue and Rehabilitation •Collaborative space •Interpretive Trails •Accessibility for all The campus will enhance engagement with nature and promote a better understanding of wildlife and conservation for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. Help us bring this vision to Fort Collins. Supporting Partner WILDLIFE & NATURE CAMPUSUniting for our Fu ture Together, we can create a unique community destination! The campus will enhance engagement with nature and promote a better understanding of wildlife and conservation for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Help us bring this vision to Fort Collins. The Fort Collins community has long fostered a uniquely close relationship with local wildlife and nature. Accessibility to nature is a big part of the reason so many people live and thrive here. Four local non-profits now perceive an inspiring opportunity to honor and deepen that relationship. We propose developing a top-rated wildlife and nature campus, on a portion of the former Hughes Stadium property, that helps our community connect more profoundly with our natural world. The campus will enhance engagement with nature and promote a better understanding of wildlife and conservation for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. It will also provide one-of-a-kind volunteerism, education and internship opportunities, as well as licensed and professional wildlife rescue services. In collaboration with local community members, businesses, and supporting partners (Audubon Rockies), Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, Northern Colorado Wildlife Center, Rocky Mountain Raptor Program, propose to construct a shared cooperative space. This space will allow residents and visitors to gather and experience the impactful science, conservation, education, raptor and wildlife rescue activities conducted by these organizations and provide a retreat into our natural world. The campus will function as a conservation “think tank,” providing a greater ability to collaborate and build closer connections to the community by merging our talents, resources, and programs. It will be open to the public, including school groups, college students, and community members, fostering advanced learning opportunities. Visitors will experience wildlife viewing, rehabilitation, connections to nature, and learn about everyday conservation actions they can take at home, at school, or in their neighborhoods. Envision a place where our community can explore, gain respect for, and learn the importance of our responsibility in living in Colorado. Centrally located near trails, wildlife habitats, public transportation, veterinary hospitals, regulatory agencies, and other visitor-friendly hubs, our campus will enhance community connectivity and expand trails, while also restoring the surrounding grassland oasis. Together, we can create a unique community destination. A place where compassionate citizens can come together to serve and protect the local natural resources that make Fort Collins so beautiful and diverse. No other community in the Rockies brings together the ornithology and wildlife capacity that we have to offer. Help us bring this vision to Fort Collins. We need your ideas, thoughts, hopes, connections, and yes, your financial support. Sincerely, Carin Avila Rocky Mountain Raptor Program Alison Holloran Audubon Rockies Supporting Partner Tallon Nightwalker Northern Colorado Wildlife Center Tammy VerCauteren Bird Conservancy of the Rockies Supporting Partner 2024 Recreator Schedule 2024 Fall/Winter 2025 Spring 2025 Summer 2025 Fall/Winter Article Submission Date: May 24th October 4th January 31st May 16th 2024 Recreator Article Topic List Recreator Article Topics Notes CAPRA Award Renewal Process (2024) 9/11 Memorial Project Teen Center Partnership with Recreation Staff Highlight City Give/Parks and Recreation Partnerships Senior Center Trips Program Horses and Trails E Scooters and E Bike Programs *Waiting for Report Summer Day Camp Program/Licensing/NACC Childcare Center *Staff recommended for a Spring edition to align with Summer camp registration How does the City respond to citizen requests? Northeast Park Trail System Pottery Studio Board Member takes class & writes about it Poudre River Trail Connection to Greeley Equipment needed to take care of Parks/Trails Trail Etiquette Feature Instructors/Lifeguards (promote hiring) Next Phase of White Water Park Mental Health Benefits of Parks and Rec Urban Forestry & Strategic Trails Plan Kick Off *Completed Dovetail Park and Bacon Park Kick Off *Completed Thank You to the Voters (2050 Tax) History of the Farm *Staff recommended for upcoming Fall/Winter to align with cover