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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks And Recreation Board - Minutes - 04/23/2003Call Meeting to Order: President Paul Van Valkenburg called the meeting to order at 5:47 p.m. Agenda Review: No changes to the printed agenda. Items of Note: Mike Gavin called to say he was not able to attend tonight's meeting. Marty thanked the Board for their attendance at the Second Sheet of Ice grand opening ceremony at EPIC. Citizen Participation: No citizen Participation Approval of Minutes: On a motion by Paul Van Valkenburg seconded by Ann Hunt, the Board unanimously (9-0) voted to approve the minutes of the March 26, 2003 Regular Meeting. Capital Projects Marty Heffernan explained the City's Capital Planning process which ties in to the bi-annual Budget process for 2004 and 2005 and commented on Council's adoption of the 20-year plan. He noted that the City Manager is asking that all the Boards provide input on the most important capital projects within their jurisdiction. He stated that he believes there will be little, if any, funding available for one-time projects and capital improvements. He asked the Board what Parks and Recreation projects in the unfunded or partially funded categories did the Board see as a priority for funding and if there were other projects that should be included. He outlined the main unfunded projects within Parks and Recreation for the Boards' consideration as follows: Southeast Recreation Center at Fossil Creek Community Park S20,000,000 Southwest Recreation Center at Southwest Community Park $15,000,000 The park design will be available later this year. Gateway Mountain Park Phase II and III S 5,000,000 Parks and Recreation Board Mir April 23, 2003 Page 2 This would include a children's fishing area, naturalizing the banks with native grasses, a fishing area, and picnic shelter and laying back the very channalized bank of the river. The old treatment plant could be used as a reception area and a water history museum. Community Park Improvements $ 1,000,000 This would be additional funding that is needed to implement the Management Plans. As an example, he described the improvements at City Park and noted the vehicle traffattern and pedestrian traffic pattern changes. He stated that the costs associated with the changgp could be $1,000,000. Edora Park is currently in very good shape. Possible improvement ideas would include removing the BMX Track and develop additional quiet areas within the park. The possible enhancements that could be made at Lee Martinez including improvements near Mason Street along the trail and river. Mary Carlson stated that the art structure at Edora Park is falling apart. Marty stated the Parks Maintenance staff is looking into having the structure repaired as another capital project. Additional ADA improvements throughout the City's park system $ 500,000 Craig Foreman added that some sidewalks within the parks could be improved and noted that restroom upgrades could also be made. Eastside Neighborhood Park Expansion $ 500,000 This is as a smaller park and we need to acquire more land to enlarge the park could cost one and one-half million. He noted that the land is owned by US West and stated that US West is not interested in selling that piece of land at this point in time. Beautify the Pickle Plant site. There is money available for some minor improvements. He noted that the DDA may contribute some money for improvements and explained the difficult access to the area. Marry Heffernan asked the Board if there were any other projects they would like added to the list? Del Price asked if there was funding available for the continuation of the Fossil Creek Trail to the north and west through the natural area near Southwest Community Park? Marty replied the Fossil Creek Trail will go to Southwest Community Park and explained the need for right-of-way on the south side of the park. Craig Foreman noted that the City has easements through the housing developments to get the Fossil Creek Trail up to County Road 38E. He stated that land owner on the north side of 38E has recently asked the City develop the trail through his property. Mary Carlson asked about the time line associated for building Southwest Community Park? Parks and Recreation Board M. es April 23, 2003 Page 3 Marty stated that the 2006 target may be somewhat delayed for finishing the Southwest Community Park construction due to budget constraints associated with operation and maintenance costs. Lance Freeman asked if Northside Azatlan Center was funded? Marry stated that Northside was fully funded and explained that site mitigation information from the EPA should be available in about a month. He stated that the City is in a "wait and see" situation and noted that the City has explored alternative sites. He stated that nothing has come together and stated that the City Manager is also, involved with the alternative site search. Lance Freeman stated thrhebelieved that any extra money should be put towards additional square footage at Northside)or toward buying anotehr site or cleaning up the contamination at the existing site. Paul Van Valkenburg spoke in favor of enhancing Northside. Lance Freeman spoke in support of Community Park enhancements and ADA improvements. Craig Foreman explained the need for acquiring at least three -to -four acres for Eastside Neighborhood Park and restated the adjoining land is not for sale. Jessica McMillan spoke in support of additional funding for Northside to mitigate the current site contamination, to purchase a new site and to enhance the size of the facility; for Community Park ADA/improvements, and YAC-gym improvements, in that order. Lance Freeman spoke in support of Jessica's project prioritization improvements. Paul Van Valkenburg made a motion to support the tree park project improvements. The motion was seconded by Dean Hoag, and the Board unanimously (9-0) voted to support the capital projects as described by Jessica MacMillan. Rolland Moore Management Plan Craig Foreman described the final plan and described the Recreation Zones and explained the Active and Passive Use areas within the park. He commented on the Sports Zones, Multi Use Zones and Non -Programmed Zones. He described the Core Area activities, minimal irrigation, the Tennis Complex and court improvements, Special Sports Zones, Special Feature zone which includes the Spring Creek Trail. He explained the Zone Rating System and how it applies to the zones within the park and noted that improvements could be made to the passive area ie., make the area more attractive with landscaping, berming, and new shelters. Jessica McMillan spoke in support of natural improvements to Rolland Moore Park, like landscaping. Craig Foreman explained the maintenance costs associated with natural grasses, shrub, and flower improvements and described the volleyball court location and usage. Jessica asked where would the volleyball and tennis courts be moved and offered design options and relocation ideas. She stated she believed a backboard was needed for the tennis players. Craig noted where the volleyball courts could be relocated with adequate parking and stated he believed that four sand volleyball courts seemed to be too many courts for Rolland Moore. He stated that two of the courts are possibly in the wrong place and offered options of removing two Parks and Recreation Board Min April 23, 2003 Page 4 of the courts. He stated Park Planning would involve the community in that process by getting feedback and explained the funding and maintenance issues. He outlined possible improvements to the horseshoe pits and basketball courts with the addition of lights that would work on a punch -in basis and explained the water feature zone improvements along Spring Creek. He explained the available funding for parking lot and sidewalk improvements and discussed the "sports" theme of the park. He stated that art or landforms could be placed in the park to support the park's sports theme. Jessica spoke in support of a sports theme in Rolland Moore Park. Lance Freeman stated he believed that the passive portion of the park was unfriendly and improvements fo the passive area should be a top priority and commented on the'Cffficulty, of getting around in the park. He spoke in support of making improvements to the passi a areas of Rolland Moore Park. Craig explained that trail improvements in Rolland Moore would consist of a loop trail through the park. Del Price spoke in support of a loop trail in Rolland Moore Park. Craig further spoke about drinking fountain and restroom locations in Rolland Moore Park and explained why the restrooms are locked in the winter. He explained a new restroom design and larger heating unit, which would allow the restrooms to be open year round. Ann Hunt spoke in support of restrooms being open year round. Craig explained that the staff is trying to keep the restrooms open all year. Craig spoke about enhancing the Ross Open Space area and stated that some of the asphalt trail would be removed. Mary Carlson spoke about the traffic and parking situation at Rolland Moore and spoke in support of additional sidewalks and parking in the park. She expressed concern about the danger of the pond area and the potential for children falling into the pond because of the deep drop off. Craig stated that the pond was designed in 1983 and spoke in support of a making pond design improvements. Mary spoke against spending more money for new trail design at the north end of Rolland Moore and spoke in support of making improvements within the park. Greg Miller asked about re- routing the trail in the southwest corner of the park. Craig responded that the trail re-routing would take place by 2004 and noted that the trail would be shortened up and would become more of a walking path. Jessica McMillan and Mary Carlson both support the curve of the trail in the natural area. Craig explained the shared parking agreement with the church on the south side of Rolland Moore Park and noted that crusher fines could be used along the straight part of the trail near the natural area. He recommended adding a swing, or a bench in a shade area in the north part of the park. Jessica said that the park should have at least one quiet area with no activity. 2004-2005 Budget Marty Heffernan explained the City's current budget situation with respect to Parks and Recreation and stated that Sales and Use Tax revenue is up approximately 1.7% over the first quarter, but the City's budget is based on approximately a 5% increase over last year. He noted that Sales Tax revenue is down 1.3 % for the first quarter of 2003 and stated that there was an 18% increase in the Use Tax. He explained that some local businesses were adding Parks and Recreation Board M, :s April 23, 2003 Page 5 infrastructure, in addition to the new housing growth and noted that the Use Tax kept the City in a positive in the first quarter of 2003. He stated that the trend for Sales Tax Revenue does not look good and stated that if the trend continues for the rest of the year, the City will be down over $2 million below the already reduced budget. He noted that the 2003 Budget has been reduced by $4.4 million and noted that the potential exists for the budget to be cut again. He explained how the revenue loss will impact Parks and Recreation and the entire City and explained cutbacks at the State and County levels. He stated that City Finance Director Alan Krcmarik has spoken with the State Economic Forecasters and they believe that there will be a slow and steady recovery, but they don't know when it will begin. He stated that+brt Collins may not ever do as well financially for annual increases as it has done in the past an_d }noted that the City might have sales tax revenue at the 4% to 5% levels. He explained the impact of Fort Collins' loss in lost shopping revenue and explained the impacts to Parks and Recreation projects. He explained that any project that creates an operation and maintenance burden to the City's General Fund will be looked at with a high level of scrutiny by management and City Council and explained Council's concern surrounding the level of service provided by Parks and Recreation. He described the policy changes Council may put in place regarding operating parks and park facilities and noted that Council may look at possibly reducing the quality of life services in order to fund transportation services, along with police and fire protection. He stated that there may be discussions regarding alternative revenue sources, unless the sales and use tax revenues increase. Jessica McMillan noted that Fort Collins has always offered `high quality of life' and spoke in support of toll roads within Fort Collins to fund transportation operation and road maintenance needs within the city. Lance Freeman spoke about the remaining one -quarter cent sales tax and using it for street maintenance funding and spoke in support of the utility fee funding operation and maintenance costs. He spoke in support of removing the operation and maintenance funding out of the General Fund and encouraged the Board to be supportive of this also when presenting it to Council. Marty Heffernan stated that the Board had recommended to fund the entire cost of park maintenance or some portion of it and noted that the entire cost of park maintenance is approximately $7 million annually. He noted that a survey might be one way to determine what citizens are willing to financially support and stated that the City Manager has put together information on alternative funding sources. He spoke of the importance of establishing dedicated funding for park maintenance and noted this would be more reliable funding separate from the General Fund. He stated that Council may not be interested in looking at fees at this time. Paul Van Valkenburg spoke in support of a park maintenance fee and Jessica McMillan spoke in support of a park maintenance fee in a small dollar amount on a monthly basis. Project Update Craig Foreman presented the following updates: Parks and Recreation Board Mini April 23, 2003 Page 6 Sheldon Lake — The project is progressing well with the new sidewalks and overlooks. He commented on Park Planning Landscape Architect Hetty Bixby's involvement with landscape at Sheldon Lake. He stated that landscape costs were under budget and noted that water is back in to the lake. He stated that the Division of Wildlife will stock the lake with trout and bass and noted that the work at Sheldon should be done by July 4. • Power Trail — The trail from Drake to Horsetooth Road is half completed and looking very good and said that Homestead Park is being prepared for seeding and commented on the positive feedback on the shelter design. He went on to say that Fossil Creelomritunity Park is coming along and is on schedule. • Horticulture Center — Marry reported that the construction is underway and stated that he is hopeful that a fall grand opening will take place. Board Members and Staff Comments Jessica McMillan thanked the Forestry Division for the storm limb and tree clean up. Marty Heffernan commented on the costs (approximately $250,000) to the Forestry Division for the storm clean up and stated that there is no funding available to reimburse the Forestry Budget. He stated that Hewlitt Packard — Greeley Division is donating some trees to the City. He went on to say that Soft Gold Park getting ready to go out for bid. • Ann Hunt asked about the entrance road at Gateway Mountain Park. Marty Heffernan stated that the entrance road is stabilized and solid. Volunteers of Outdoor Colorado will be rebuilding the trail in Gateway and stated how beautiful the views are along the existing trail. He also stated that a new domestic water system is being installed at Gateway. • Jessica McMillan asked about any new developments with annual golf passes. Marty stated that the Golf Board has recommended to eliminate annual passes, but will offer discounts to seniors. • Lance Freeman stated that he believed the EPIC project turned out really well. Mary Carlson spoke in support of the community and the City working together on the EPIC project. Marty Heffernan stated that available ice time for both sheets of ice are reserved till the end of the year. • Lance Freeman spoke in support of the City's great parks and the design elements within the parks. He praised the Forestry Division's clean up work in his neighborhood and commented on the great cleanup job that Forestry has done throughout the city. He asked if the City was looking to purchase land to build a dog park off of North Taft Hill. Craig Foreman stated that the City is looking at acquiring land in that area for a dog park. Marty Heffernan explained the water augmentation issues and noted that Connell Resources wants the City to take responsibility for the augmentation obligation. He commented on the associated costs and Natural Resources involvement. Parks and Recreation Board M es April 23, 2003 Page 7 • Marty spoke about Natural Resources offering money for trail construction. • Paul Van Valkenburg thanked Lance Freeman for his participation in the interview process for the City's Natural Resources Director and stated that he had received a lot of support and interest for the City Park Pool Grand Opening on May 31. Marty Heffernan stated that there will be a notice of the grand opening in next month's packets. Adjournment: The Board unanimously agreed to adjourn at 7:32 p.m. �} Respectfully submitted, Jackie Darner Meeting Attendance Board Members: Mary Carlson, Lance Freeman, Dean Hoag, Ann Hunt, Jessica MacMillan, Greg Miller, Del Price, and Paul Van Valkenburg Staff: Jackie Darner, Craig Foreman, Marty Heffernan