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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks And Recreation Board - Minutes - 05/28/2003an Call 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. Citizen Participation: No citizen participation. Approval of Minutes: Jessica MacMillian made the following correction: On page 5 the minutes should read: Jessica is in support of toll roads on I-25. Paul Van Valkenburg made a second correction: On page 3 fifth paragraph, Paul summarized and the motion was made by Jessica MacMillan. With these corrections noted, Ann Hunt made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Lance Freeman, the Board unanimously (7- 0) approved the minutes of the April 23, 2003 meeting. Mason Street Trail Kathleen Reavis, Transportation Planner, made a presentation to the Board regarding the Mason Transportation Corridor bicycle/pedestrian trail. Kathleen said that this transportation trail was funded through BCC and CDOT. The Budget is $7 million from BCC and $600,000 from CDOT. The 3-1/2 mile trail will begin at Mason and Prospect and run south along the Burlington Northem Santa Fe railroad corridor connecting to the Spring Creek Trail and south to Harmony Road, and will eventually be a vital connection between the Spring Creek Trail and the Fossil Creek Trail. The City will pursue grants to continue the trail through the CSU campus. This is the first phase of the Mason Street Transit system. The project will start construction the end of this year and will hopefully be completed by next spring. Dean Hoag asked about the safety issue of crossing the busy intersections. Kathleen said that it is direct route for the commuters on bikes and the most critical piece is between Horsetooth and Harmony. She added that there will be new pedestrian cross signals at Harmony and Horsetooth. With the original master plan, there were underpasses built in Parks and Recreation Boars' ' Tinutes May 28, 2003 Page 2 the plan, but budget constraints will prohibit that at all of the arterial street crossings. All of the arterial crossings will be well marked and at grade level. She explained that there will be rest areas/mini parks along the trail. The north termination of the trail will connect to the Spring Creek Trail. The plan is to eventually go under Prospect and connect through CSU campus. Kathleen said this will provide a great network of trails throughout the City. Marty Heffernan asked how wide is the trail? Kathleen said it will be 12 feet wide. The reason for the 12-foot trail is because it will be a commuter trail. Where space allows, there will be soft shoulders on both sides of the trail for walkers or joggers. Del Price asked for an explanation of how they will cross the trail at Fossil Creek Boulevard? Kathleen said that they are working on various options and to keep it as linear as possible. She referred to the Red Tail Development site that is in the City's Development Review process and they have been working with that property owner to determine ways to integrate the trail through their site. We are trying to use their bridge to cross the pond. There are several options on the table and the City's desire is to keep it as linear as possible. The biggest question is the timetable for that development and if it coincides with our development of the trail. Del suggested a raised trail through the sensitive areas. Kathleen said she will visit with Craig Foreman on that. Craig Foreman explained how we will connect with the trail through the Red Tail Grove area and to Fossil Creek. He walked the site with the trails subcommittee. The concern is the hawk nesting. Lance said the trail needs to go through the culvert under College as it was planned. Marty said we have a safety issue and must avoid surface crossing of College Avenue as the road is wide and speeds are over 50 MPH. Hetty Bixby is working on this project. In July, we would like to plan a field trip with the Board and this will be one of the areas to visit. Del has concerns with the crossing on Horsetooth. Kathleen said it is an issue. We can't fund an underpass in this area. She agrees with Del. Lance asked if they have prioritized project enhancements in the event of grants? Kathleen said they don't have formalized priority list, but first east/west underpass would be Troutman and the first roadway underpass would be Horsetooth. Paul said that this will be very beneficial as a north/south trail is needed and the connection with Fossil Creek Trail is a big plus. Stormwater Master Plan Bob Smith with Stormwater spoke about the overall project and how it relates to Parks and Recreation. He explained that staff is in the process of updating the Stormwater Plan for the City. He said that their presentation this evening would be a three-part program. He will give an overall view of the plan; Kevin McBride will talk about the water quality aspects of the project and how that relates to the trails and parks; and Susan Hayes will discuss the Master Plan and give some examples of how our two departments work Parks and Recreation Board lutes May 28, 2003 Page 3 together on the planning process. He explained that his staff plans to go to Council in the fall with this plan. They are not asking for a recommendation from our Board tonight. He distributed a philosophy of the plan and guidelines. The drainage master plan includes recommended projects to reduce flood damage to homes and businesses, as well as reduce flooding to roads; guidance for new development in the basin, and guidance for enhancements to the riparian habitat along stream corridors to improve water quality; and guidance for stabilizing streams where necessary. He explained the flood plains. The new plan is more restrictive for new residential and less restrictive for commercial. The Stormwater staff worked with Park Planning staff to modify our trail bridges for future developments. Kevin McBride spoke to the Board regarding stormwater quality. He said the number one quality problem in the USA is non -point source pollution that is collected on landscaping, farms, through the rains and collects in the rivers. By Federal regulations, the City has to have a stormwater permit to mitigate stormwater pollution. Staff has held meetings for public involvement and public education. He explained the watershed approach to stormwater throughout the city. In new developments we require stormwater ponds to collect and filter the sediments. He spoke of habitat protection along the creeks. All the streams in town have been evaluated. He showed a picture of the Spring Creek Trail and the before and after plantings. The City provided pools and ripples and replanted it with native species appropriate to riparian system. Marty said as we construct, we will be more cognizant to our practices along the watershed and look to the Stormwater Staff for environmental opportunities. Susan Hayes spoke to the Board on the drainage master plan to reduce flood damage to homes and businesses as well as flooding of roads, and new development in the basin. They are also concerned about the stormwater in the parks. The goal is to keep streams as natural as possible and keep them stabilized. She showed a map that outlines their plan. The biggest impact for Parks and Recreation is along Spring Creek. The problem along Spring Creek is too much water and we need to slow the water down by building more detention ponds. She further explained on the northeast area of the City is the Cooper Slough. On the east in the Mulberry area there might not be the opportunity to get trails in that area. Susan asked the Board for questions. Paul asked how do you prioritize? She explained that the capital projects are prioritized based on reducing the risk of flooding in areas that will protect the most people and secondly protect property. We partner with other City departments during their capital construction. Marry asked about the erosion buffer at Southwest Community Park? She explained that it is quite technical. Marty gave an example of the Fossil Creek Community Park bridge we had to build. Susan said that was a matter of erosion prevention, and met the existing erosion control requirements. Del is concerned about moving trails away from the water. He said that people want to be near the water. Craig explained that the 1997 flood we only lost minimal trail on Spring Creek. It is a trade off of people enjoying the trail along the water. She said every site is different. Del is concerned that we are taking a good look at the Parks and Recreation Boare - 'inutes May 28, 2003 Page 4 environmental impacts and we should look at the human aspect of our trail experience. He said one of the reasons why the Poudre River Trail is so popular is that the users experience the beauty of the river and the trees. Ann Hunt asked about the philosophy of the vegetation along the rivers. Susan said that we want vegetation on our channels. We are well aware of the effect of overgrowth or debris on the rivers. We still want them to look natural. A perfect situation would be the shaded area over the rivers. Paul asked what is the planning between Parks and Stormwater? Susan said that it is a shared plan with the Parks and Recreation Department. They have a good working relationship with Park Planning for new development. Susan said we have completed very successfully many projects with Parks and Recreation. Marty commends the Stormwater staff for their working relationship with our department. Role of Parks and Recreation with Open Space Land Acquisition Paul Van Valkenburg said that our Board wants to look at opportunities to access these open lands for recreation. What are the options? How can the Board provide input on Parks and Recreation issues related to new open lands acquisition? Dean Hoag asked what Council decided on regarding expanding the area for open land acquisitions? Marty explained that Council passed it. Lance said that it is no longer defined as Open Space. We need to address this issue. What is appropriate and what isn't. Lance said there are many recreational opportunities in these lands Natural Resources is acquiring. This is opening huge recreation opportunities and we need to be participatory in this. Del asked if the Natural Resources Advisory Board has a subcommittee for acquisition? Lance thinks they do have a subcommittee. Jessica asked what their philosophy is for purchasing land? Marty said that Mark Sears came to this Board and outlined their values. Lance said that we need to help create awareness about the recreational opportunities in these lands. There are more opportunities than trails. There is a magnitude of land and we need to have a voice. We, as a Board, need to have representation. We have expressed that to the Council that a new Board needs to be developed. Jessica said these lands should be opened to passive recreation. Del asked if the Natural Resources Board is involved in the purchase of the lands? Marty said that they are involved and are influential. The new Board needs a good cross section if it is created. The new revenue stream will begin in two years. Paul thinks we should give input on Natural Areas land acquisitions. Marty said that if this Board is interested in their acquisitions, we need to let them know. Del said we see a reverse of that as they have input on what we do. Ann said we need to formalize it and go forth. Marty suggested that the Natural Resources staff informs our Board about possible acquisitions. Now is the time to get involved to have an open dialogue. Del said another option is that we need to be more proactive and look at acquisitions regarding recreational opportunities. Lance thinks we should form a subcommittee. Lance thinks we should invite the new Natural Resources Director John Stokes to our next meeting. We need to create some mechanism to work with Natural Resources. Dean suggested that we go to Parks and Recreation Board utes May 28, 2003 Page 5 Council and make it known that we want some recreational opportunities in these acquisitions. Ballfield Lights at Fossil Creek Community Park Craig Foreman explained on May 12 we were at the park with the Lighting Company and we walked around to observe the impact in the neighborhoods. There was light escaping into the neighborhoods. We will have the lighting company come back in the fall to review the problem. Jessica asked how late will these lights stay on? Craig said 10:00 p.m. Mary asked if the neighbors realize we are working on this? Craig said that they do. Lance said that when you first install the lights the illumination is strong and they slowly curve down over a three-year period, and normally the life of the lighting is 3-1/2 years. Water/Drought Update Marty reported that we are no longer in drought conditions and we are now concerned with flooding. It depends how fast the runoff happens. We have good water supplies. CBT is not available to rent and the price went from $25/acre-foot to $400/acre-foot. This is the water that we rely on for the late fall. We, of course, at that price will not be able to purchase CBT water. We have taps installed so that we have a good back up. Lance asked if we have any restrictions on game play? Marry said no, we have closed,12 fields to recover, but this has not reduced league play. We normally close six fields each spring. Trail Funding Craig explained the trail funding with the Natural Resources additional funding. Natural Resources is contributing $850,000 for trail construction. $250,000 for asphalt to concrete on the Poudre River Trial. The money will also pay for much of the LaPorte Trail connection. We will receive an additional $550,000 from Natural Resources in 2004. Lance said that we are very grateful to Natural Resources for the funding. Marty thanks the Parks and Recreation Board members who served on the trails subcommittee and for all the work. Budget Update Marty said that we have been asked to do a 5% budget reduction in priority basis. That has some implication in 2004-2005 budget. Marty reviewed the budget cut recommendations as they relate to Parks and Recreation. Jessica said that if the downtown area becomes vacant then it spirals downward. We will lose the vital part of Fort Collins. Paul added that at the Study Session Council said they wouldn't add new fees or taxes and the only alternative is to cut budgets. Parks and Recreation Board' `inutes May 28, 2003 Page 6 Project Updates • Craig Foreman announced that we have replaced Senior Park Planner Jeff Lakey with Kathleen Benedict. He further explained that she will be a valuable asset to Park Planning with her background and knowledge. • Sheldon Lake Pool Grand Reopening is Saturday. Hetty Bixby is working to complete the Boardwalk project for the 4a' of July. • Fossil Creek Community Park. The shelters are up and our schedule is back about 20 days due to weather. The park should be completed and opened the end of August. The Lemay Avenue project will be completed the first of August. • LaPorte Trail Connection is going through the FEMA process, which generally takes three months. • Jessica suggested a virtual tour of the trail system and the park sites for our Web site. Adjournment: The Board adjourned at 8:45 p.m. :tfully sub itted, Rael Administrative Assistant Meeting Attendance: Board Members: Mary Carlson, Lance Freeman, Dean Hoag, Ann Hunt, Jessica MacMillan, Greg Miller, Del Price, and Paul Van Valkenburg Staff: Kathleen Reavis, Transportation; Bob Smith, Kevin McBride, and Susan Hayes, Stormwater; and CLRS Staff Craig Foreman, Marty Heffernan, and Jackie Rael