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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks And Recreation Board - Minutes - 01/22/2003Call Meeting to Order: President Paul Van Valkenburg called the meeting to order at 5:45 p.m Agenda Review: No changes to the printed Agenda. Items of Note: Marry Heffernan, along with the Board, welcomed newly appointed Board Member Jessica MacMillan back to the Board. Jessica replaced Paul Hudnut. Citizen Participation: No citizen participation Approval of Minutes: On a motion by Del Price, seconded by Mary Carlson, the Board unanimously (7-0) approved the minutes of the December 4, 2003 meeting. Water/Drought Issues Marry began the discussion to inform the Board on our possible drought conditions for 2003. He distributed charts that delineate snow pack in the Joe Wright area and the Deadman Hill area. The snow pack at Joe Wright is approximately 79% of average over the last 10 years. At Deadman the snow pack is approximately 50 percent of normal. We are about in the same position as we were last year for moisture in the mountains. It is likely that the river waters will run out in early July. The CBT water is what we rely on after the river runs out of water. The estimate for our water supply for 2003 is only 30% of CBT water. The majority of the water will be distributed to the cities for treated water. Essentially we are looking at a worse scenario than last year. Jessica asked how this will affect Sheldon Lake when it is time to fill the lake? Bill explained that we need 120-acre feet of water to fill Sheldon Lake. That was a big stipulation with the project, and we are confident that the Water Department will be able to fill it as Sheldon Lake serves as the water storage for both City Park and City Park Nine Golf Course. Parks and Recreation Board Mint January 22, 2003 Page 2 Bill is part of a City staff team that met with landscape contractors, nurseries, and lawn care companies. The green industry didn't want to take the brunt of the water conservation. The group's recommendation is to educate homeowners on water conservation. Bill further explained that if there's a restriction on seed or sodding, we will have a problem with our new parks in the spring. Bill reported that we lost turf on the edges in parks at the end of the season that were predominately Fescue grass, which we have planted in all of our parks over the last 10 years. Old parks with blue grass and rye went dormant and will recover. The athletic fields held up well until September. We didn't perform any renovation to our fields that we normally do in the fall. We have 34 multi -use fields for soccer and JAA football. We have 20 fields that we think are safe for the spring. The Soccer Club is comfortable with that number. We have twice as many fields as normal that are down for repair. Water Taps in Parks Bill Whirty said that we are working on installing taps in some of our parks. The Utilities Department has offered that if we pay for the tap and installation, they will waive the plant investment fees, which could add up to over $1 million. We have too much water loss through the ditch systems (50-60 percent loss) and this would serve as a conservation measure. This will cost us approximately $145,000. We are trying to make it work even though our budgets have been cut severely. Bill explained that the window of watering will be less. Staff has prioritized taps for parks as based on the parks water delivery. Paul Van Valkenburg asked what budget impact we have with tap water. Marty said that we don't know at this time. It might be an increase of $30,000. Bill said that we have the most efficient irrigation system that we have ever had in the City. Staff spent a great deal of time last year retrofitting and improving our irrigation systems in the parks. The School District is also in a very difficult position because they depend on taps and they are going to restrict rentals of fields. Paul asked about the fields that we recently built with BCC money? Craig said that we haven't addressed that yet, but plan on discussing that with PSD staff. Marty said that staff has done a good job of outreach with our users. The user groups are understanding of the drought and are willing to work with us. How this will affect the opening of the new parks? Craig Foreman said that at our meeting with the Water Department last week, we were informed that at this time in 1995, we had the lowest snow pack and then by spring we had the largest snow pack. So, there is hope. Fossil Creek Community Park will be irrigated with raw water from the Fossil Creek. We could anticipate filling the lakes at Fossil Creek Park in May if there is water. Both Fossil Creek Community Park and Homestead Park will have to be planted according to code, as we can't leave it as dirt. The second part of the equation is trees. We will have to make a determination to plant a few trees or all of our trees. City Forester Tim Buchanan recommends it will probably Parks and Recreation Board n tes January 22, 2003 Page 3 be smarter to plant a few trees and to use more drought tolerant trees in our landscape plan. Harmony, Case, and English Ranch cannot hold up to a severe drought again as they are still new parks and the trees need additional water. Marty said that staff will keep the Board updated. Beaver Control Paul Van Valkenburg said that his wife walks the Spring Creek Trail by Stover and Spring Park and has voiced a concern about the damage the beavers are making in this area. Bill Whirty said that these dams have been a problem to the Parks staff for quite some time. Staff wrapped chicken wire around the trees that are valuable. This stretch of trail is located in a natural area and beavers are only removed if they pose a potential of damage to property and flooding. In other words, this is not under our control. We are not the managers of that area. The Water Department has demolished the dam a few times when it poses a threat to flooding the creek. Budget/Revenue Issues Marry informed the Board of some possible decisions that will be discussed during Council's Study Session in February. They will be discussing the Transportation package that was defeated. They will discuss altering and separating the transportation package and taking this back to the voters in the spring. There is some discussion about asking the voters to devote the 3rd BCC one -quarter cent to fund transportation. This would extend the money that has historically gone to fund CLRS and other City capital projects and designate it to transportation. Budget Overview: 2002 sales tax revenues ended up better than anticipated. Cuts were made last year based on what the City staff anticipated. The shortfall is $900,000, which is $1.5 million better than anticipated. Reserves are healthier than anticipated. New projections have been revised downward by $500,000. Marty explained that the budget is based on tiers. The majority of our service area is in the second tier. The first tier is Police, Fire, and Transportation, and Park Maintenance. Although Parks is in the first tier, the remainder of our service area is in the second tier. Marty hopes that Council will recognize what has happened in 2002 and 2003 and if we make more cuts, we will have to reduce hourly staffing, service to the public, and programs. As the discussion begins with the new Council in April, the budgets for 2004/2005 will be set in November. The expectations from the Budget Department will be set in the spring and we build our budgets accordingly. Paul asked Marty if the Board should make any recommendations to Council? Marty said that he isn't in a position to recommend what the Board should or shouldn't do. We, as staff, can only inform the Board of issues. Paul suggested that a few Board members meet with Bill Bertschy to discuss the relationship between Council and the Board. Marty read Bill Bertschy's comments on our work plan. Bill asked that the Board do a better job in outreaches with neighborhoods. Lance said, he doesn't know what more staff could do when constructing a park or trail. He said that staff hosts several meetings on site, holds public meetings, gathers comments from citizens/neighbors, makes changes according to their Parks and Recreation Board Mint January 22, 2003 Page 4 recommendations, and involves the Board on all these new projects. Ann Hunt said perhaps Bill only hears the negatives from citizens and doesn't hear any of the negotiations staff conducts with neighbors. The Board agreed that the staff does an incredible amount of outreach and the Board listens to citizens concerns. The Board agreed that we will add Bill's recommendation to our work plan next month. Project Updates Fossil Creek Community Park — Craig gave an update on the park. In two weeks the shelters will be constructed. The irrigation company is on site. We are on schedule and if we get water in the lakes in May, plant grass, then we can plan on having our grand opening the end of August. The widening of Lemay: Fossil Creek Community Park budget is paying for its portion of widening Lemay and the underpass. The timeframe for the road construction will be March through August. On SouthRidge Golf Course's property (on the 14`h tee), they are going to build a berm on the west side and install a 40-feet netting. Spring Park — The restroom is installed and sidewalk has been constructed. The connection of the trail has been upgraded from asphalt to concrete. Homestead Park — The irrigation system is being installed; the shelter is under construction; and in the spring the park will be seeded. Warren Park Improvements — A new restroom will be installed. We will tear down the existing restroom and replace it with a shelter and restroom. A design will be brought to the Board soon. Sheldon Lake — The dredging is taking place at this time and the project is going well. Jessica suggested planters on the Boardwalk. Staff thought that was a good idea. City Park Pool — The project is on schedule and is going well. Grand opening is planned for May 31. Soft Gold Park — Project is under design and renderings will be brought to the Board in the spring. Laporte Trail Connection — (connection to Lions Park). LaFarge is willing to give us an easement. We are working on the elevated boardwalk of 200 feet and we are going to tour the area with the Natural Resources staff. Lance said that during our trails subcommittee meeting, Natural Areas staff said that since we are mitigating the impact through the natural area, that we should receive funding from them for this project. Marty said that we are working with Natural Areas staff on this and they are very receptive of contributing to the construction of this section of trail. Parks and Recreation Board h :es January 22, 2003 Page 5 Del asked if we have enough money to develop this trail. Craig explained that we have the regional BCC money, contribution from Natural Areas, and Conservation Trust money. Annual Report Each year the Board submits to City Council an annual report based on the minutes of their meetings. On a motion by Del Price, seconded by Lance Freeman, the Board voted unanimously (8-0) to approve the 2002 Annual Report. Election of Officers According to the Board's bylaws, election of officers occurs ever February. Marty asked that if any of the Board Members wanted to make nominations for officers, call or e-mail either Jackie or him. Mary said that she would not be able to serve as Vice President as she has a full schedule during the day and if there are any commitments during school she would not be able to attend. Ann asked if Paul would be willing to serve another term as President and he said he would. Staff or Board Member Comments Lance attended the annual Northern Colorado Sports Alliance meeting. They discussed Southwest Community Park. They want to be notified when the City begins design. It was originally designed as a sports complex. Craig said that we have two challenges, one is that the park is adjacent to the natural area, and we need to provide a variety of uses as we are developing Fossil Creek Community Park. Farewell to Ross Cunniff The Board thanked Ross for, his participation and agreed that he has been a valuable asset to the Board. Adjournment: On a motion by Ross, seconded by Mary, the Board adjourned at 8:30 p.m bmitted, ;e;;aLe utive Adrninistrative Assistant Meeting Attendance Board Members: Mary Carlson, Ross Cunniff, Lance Freeman, Dean Hoag, Ann Hunt, Jessica MacMillan, Del Price, and Paul Van Valkenburg Staff: Craig Foreman, Marty Heffernan, Jackie Rael, and Bill Whirty