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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks And Recreation Board - Minutes - 03/24/2004PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD Minutes Of Regular Meeting March 24, 2004 City Park Nine Clubhouse 411 South Bryan Avenue 5:30 p.m President: Jessica MacMillan Phone: 495-1270 work 407-8896 home Call Meeting to Order: President Jessica MacMillan called the meeting to order at 5:37 p.m Jessica introduced the new members, John Sinclair and Mark Leuker. They were welcomed onto the Board. Marty briefly explained the process of meetings to the new members. Agenda Review: No changes to the printed Agenda. Citizen Participation: None Approval of Minutes: Mary Carlson noted that Terry Nett, a guest speaker at the last meeting, was not mentioned. On a motion from Greg, seconded by Mary Carlson, the Board voted unanimously (9-0) to approve the minutes of the February 25, 2004 meeting, including a reference to Mr. Nett. Natural Areas Master Plan Mark Sears began the presentation with a description of various Natural Areas. Bobcat Ridge: The land has been acquired with a lease/purchase for full access of the 2600 acres over a five-year period. Expectations of the opening are fall 2005 or 2006. Natural Areas plans to offer tours this summer to gain public interest. Fossil Creek Resource Area Management Plan: Include 12 properties along Fossil Creek (Eagle View Management Area) to include other areas as listed, including the Cathy Fromme Natural Area. Fossil Creek Reservoir Regional Open Space: This area is partnered with the County and has been 7-8 years in acquisition. The design is out to bid. Construction is tentatively scheduled April and open in fall of 2004. Design includes trails and shelters. Indian Creek/Devils Backbone: 1500 acres north of Devil's Backbone. Latimer County will manage the construction of a tunnel under 38E, connecting the trail to Lory State Park. Trails set to open in summer of 2005. Del asked about the funding. Mark replied that funds would come from Latimer County and GOCO funds. John Stokes noted that Council would be more amenable for funding to come from local, community, regional, sources as per the Land Conservation Plan. Mark updated the Board on the Foothills Trail. The BLM to open up a portion at Soldier Dam by July. Rangers are working on the signage, as there is currently inappropriate signage. Del asked about the maintenance of the trail, as portions are in bad condition. Mark replied that Natural Areas intends to beef up the trail crew by hiring additional personnel to rebuild the trails. Lance went to the Trail Committee meeting on Pineridge and stated that a good job on signage was being done. Mark noted that Larimer County would absorb the maintenance of the trail west of Centennial, as they would be providing a parking area, for which they would collect a parking fee. John asked about funding. Mark stated that Larimer County is considering charging a use fee, so would be more likely to pay. John commented that the trails flip back and forth. Mark replied that the new signage should help with trail direction. John noted the trail along the lake is in bad condition and the County has a bad history of maintenance. Mark said that balancing the new trails with maintenance by using volunteers, the conditions should improve. Currently, there are no standards for trail signage and by making some would assist trail users. Mary thought using trail markers would assist horse riders, bikers and hikers. She believed they should be larger, noting that dogs should be leashed. Mark hopes to add mini -kiosks at every trail access. Del noted that the funding would be considerable. John Stokes described the Soapstone property, which will include an area between Hwy 287 and I-25. The property is north of Waverly and will hopefully link proposed ranch purchases together. Del asked about funding. John stated there was no funding commitment as of yet. Natural Resources Department would like to gamer interest from GOCO and Conservation Trust. Obtaining ownership of conservation easements would allow the City development restrictions as well as recreational rights. Property could be acquired either by full ownership or conservation easement ownership. 5,000 acre Roberts Ranch, north of the reservoir would require flooding mitigation for wetlands. Marty asked why the property features are attractive. John replied that at Red Stone Mountain property, one could see Pawnee grasslands to the east and to the south, Fort Collins. At the Soapstone property, an area named Big Hole is incredibly beautiful. The properties would cost 10 million dollars over 10 years. Del asked if the City has the easements, what would be the property tax? John noted that the City would need the easement for recreational use. He stated that the total Soapstone tax now is $7700/year. Mark Leuker asked what would be the liability concerns if the rancher hits a biker on the easement. John said that that research has not been done but noted that Boulder has 42,000 acres that have both recreational and agriculture uses. Marty believed that Government Immunity would apply, as long as no fee is collected. Ann asked if the property owners are interested in allowing recreation. John S. stated that he thought they would be if the recreational use was included in the purchase price. Also, there is a market for these types of properties if the land was sold outright. The market would probably be for property that would be broken up into parcels of about 1,000 acres Mark asked if the project would be a City or Regional undertaking and if the County is involved in financial or planning. John S pointed out that the closest town is Wellington. Marty noted that the County does have open lands funding. Mark talked about a dog park, which the Department hopes to add to the city at the southside of the Poudre Trail at Taft Hill — 16 acres. Mark stated that the ponds are being filled in and the shoreline will be established. (NOTE: THE OWNER OF THIS PROPERTY HAS RECENTLY INFORMED THE CITY HE NO LONGER WISHES TO DONATE THE PROPERTY TO THE Cn-Y) Del asked about long-term trail plans and how the trail would hook up with Boxelder drainage. Craig said the Boxelder trail would come together at the Welcome Center. Mark said they hope to connect the Foothills Trail with the Poudre, making a trail from Horsetooth to the rest area along I-25. Greg asked if it would meet the Timnath connection. Craig said they hope to do so in the future. Mark began discussion of the Natural Areas Planning Process. He provided a handout to the Board. Del asked if the public would review the plan. Mark said no, as nothing had changed. Natural Areas and Open Space rules haven't changed and there would be nothing controversial. The Planning Process will include: • Master Plan overall and Long Term (extended) • Long Range Plan — how to implement the Master plan — number of employees to hire. • Management — public input — workshops — natural area regulations. Jessica asked what activities would be allowed. She asked why allow boats with small wake but no kite flying. Mark pointed out that they are only at the "brainstorming" part of listing recreational opportunities. Kite flying allows a person to wander from the trail and they don't want to encourage activities that move folks off the trails. Jessica suggested they needed to get a clear definition of the difference between natural areas and open space. John Stokes stated they would purchase community easements any that would allow some other types of recreation. Lance remarked that the wording defines what you can't do here and can't do there. Mark said they are starting with a clean slate and have a list of generalities and then plan. Jess asked if it would be reviewed site by site. Dean thought the definition was leaning towards open space and more restrictions. Mark said they are reviewing what recreational opportunities where not allowed under the current guidelines but could be allowed. John Stokes said Bobcat Ranch would be discussed regarding hunting and other recreational uses, such as hot air ballooning, for -profit vs. non-profit uses, and other related issues. Del said that the guidelines generally do not allow activities such as model rockets, dog parks, model airplanes. John Stokes said Natural Areas don't have a history managing recreational areas. Ann said they should state that in general Natural Areas would consider activities not detrimental to the natural resources. Mark stated that natural areas have been somewhat defensive in the land they protected partly because they have so little property. They are moving into new areas that might need help from Parks and Recreation Board. Mark said that by identifying needs, they can go forward in purchasing land accordingly. John Sinclair noted that not all groups are vocal such as rock climbers, and may not be heard. John Stokes said they would enlist public feedback, regional input and out reach programs Dean asked why list recreation activities not allowed? Mark said they had not set strict guidelines and they were open to discuss this. John Stokes said they couldn't be all things to all people, but they strive to maintain a balance while protecting the resource and allowing appropriate recreational use. Marty pointed out that there is little Parks funding for amenities and features, like parking lots and restrooms, that may be needed to accommodate recreational use of open lands. Del said there was no reason why we can't purchase and then put in amenities down the road. John Stokes said City Plan update is on agenda at the 4/6 City Council meeting. Marty noted that he and John Stokes reached a compromise but one board member should go to meeting with Jessica as Council has some questions. Del stated he would go with her. Greg remarked that it is the second item on the Council Agenda. Lance said he would go also. John Stokes reviewed land use code associated with Natural Areas and changes to Code. • Processing changes designed to make the process smoother. • Raptor nests (buffer standards) conflict with land use plan (several hawk buffers could take up entire areas). There is a need to create flexibility with the size of the buffer if appropriate mitigation measures are taken. • Wetlands are to be classified and conservation measures identified. They are aiming for June to be complete. Mark said he could provide the Land Conservation Master plan to a meeting of P&R Board. John Stokes invited the Board members to schedule time and he could take them on a tour of the properties they have discussed Lance said that the Trails Committee talked about the Nix to Lincoln Greens trails being marked by infrared lasers to check number of users. He reported to the Board that the Mason Street corridor from CSU to Harmony would have a 6' wire fence along trail areas per Burlington -Northern Railroad. Craig pointed out that the RR guidelines do not allow openings along the UP Trail or the Power Trail. Lance remarked that the continuous fencing would split the city in half. Del asked what fencing material would be used. Lance said it would be a woven wire and that the fence would require game gates. John Sinclair asked if it was a liability issue. Lance said it was an issue to the RR. Craig noted that the RR gains a new fence paid for by the City, as they have no funds to build one. Mark Sears pointed out that the fencing keeps the public on one side or the other. Lance said the matter would go to Council and asked how the wording could be done to make the fence issue more effective. Marty would follow up on the matter. Del asked if Marty would draw up a letter from the P&P Board. Marty began the update of the Northside Aztlan Center. A new center would cost $10 million but can't build until they receive the details from the EPA on the cleanup of the current NACC site. He said they had reviewed the area at Lee Martinez but it was not suitable and too small. Del asked if the City had the option to sit tight. Marty stressed the need to have a back up plan. John Sinclair asked if the building was being tom down. Marty said the plan is to keep the NACC open until the new one is built and then tear it down. Property cast of Vine could be considered for the site. It would have land for Park -like facilities. Discussion continued as to the population who would use the facility and what would be easy access. The New Belgium property near Lemay is centrally located for the neighborhood. Marty suggested that the Board take a look at the property and discuss it at the next meeting. Marty said the SWAN group and the Sports Alliance have contacted Park Planning to discuss the design of Spring Canyon Park. Lance asked what the timeframe is for the Park. The design RFP is on the street. The consultant should be hired in May and the design process should take about 12-18 months, including public process. Plans are to open in spring 2007. He also suggested a field trip to the new members. John asked what influence their Board has on the Park. Marty stated that the City Council relies on the P&R Board to represent the greater community and listens to the Board's recommendation. Proiect Updates Craig reported that Musco Lighting would be light testing at FCCP. The new visors are black. Part of lighting problem is that when the design started, some of the homes had not been built yet. He told the Board that the Soft Gold Park is underway with its construction. He said the restrooms are up and the landform is complete. Other Business Marty stated that the Shane's Playground group/All Children Together will assist with the design of the playground at the SW Park. Adjournment: On a motion by Mary Carlson, seconded by Gregg Miller, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 8:45 p.m. Meetin¢ Attendance Board Members: Mary Carlson, Lance Freeman, Dean Hoag, Ann Hunt, Jessica MacMillan, Greg Miller, Mark Lueker, Del Price and John Sinclair Staff: Craig Foreman, Mark Sears, John Stokes, Marty Heffernan, and Barb McMillen