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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks And Recreation Board - Minutes - 07/27/2005PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD Minutes of Regular Meeting July 27, 2005 215 North Mason Community Room' 5:30 p.m. Council Liaison: Kelly Ohlson I Staff Liaison: Marty Heffernan, 224-6064 Call Meeting to Order: Jessica MacMillan called the meeting to order at 5:45 p.m. Agenda Review: Marty noted that he would like to include an item to Other Business regarding the gate policy used by the USSSA Tournament at Rolland Moore Park. Items of Note: None. Citizen Participation: None. Approval of Minutes: On a motion by Ann Hunt, seconded by Mark Lueker, the Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the May 25, 2005 meeting. Introduce New Board Member Scott Ohm Marty asked Scott to tell the Board why he was interested in being on the Board and a little about himself. Scott stated that he has lived in Fort Collins for two years, he is a registered landscape architect from Nevada, he has worked on trail and park design/planning, and has experience with soccer complexes and both private and public parks. He is interested in adding his experience to the Board and learning as a professional. Jessica felt his background could add quite a bit to their discussions. The other Board members then introduced themselves to Scott. Jessica explained when the Board meets and Marty explained the attendance policy. Meet Council Member Kelly Ohlson, P&R Board Council Liaison Jessica welcomed Kelly. Kelly reviewed his past participation and accomplishments in city government as a council member and mayor, and stated that he requested to be the liaison for the P&R Board because of his long-standing interest in parks and recreation. He also stated that the Board may not always agree with him, but that he would be more of a warrior than those who don't challenge or question at all. He added that he would not come to all meetings, but that he would be in contact and would come whenever they requested him to. Kelly also explained that he has followed parks and recreation for a long time, and has worked for them throughout his political career. He stated that he has been concerned that at times there seemed to be too great a focus on organized team sports and he feels the Board's perspective should be broader. He has also thought that some of the parks could look more like a park instead of someplace to go and do things like sports. He knows that part of that is money, flowers, maintenance etc., but he would like to see the Board work on those areas. Kelly continued, saying that most good things Parks and Recreation Board Minutes July 27, 2005 Page 2 in Fort Collins have never come without a fight. He also felt that the farm anniversary was not advertised enough, and that it was worthy of more publicity and celebration. He felt it was a good opportunity to make people aware of it. Jean stated that staff had been extremely busy with the new budget process and agreed that it should have been handled like the Senior Center celebration. Marty agreed that the celebration should have been done on a bigger scale. Marty stated that Kelly has gone to bat for Parks with regard to the Building on Basics program and thanked him for that help. Kelly added that he pushed for a major shift of money from the Natural Areas program to trails over the past two years. Marty noted that this was to convert them from asphalt to concrete and for other trail projects, like the extension of the Poudre River Trail to LaPorte. Marty added that they have asked the Natural Areas staff to put a little more money into the trail program as the budget process unfolds. In order to keep Spring Canyon Park on line, they are proposing to shift more trails maintenance costs on to the Conservation Trust Fund. The general fund money that used to go to trail maintenance will then go to the maintenance of Spring Canyon Park. Natural Areas staff agreed to put another $50,000 a year toward the hard surface trails. Kelly also mentioned that natural areas funds for trails was given at the full amount requested by Craig Foreman, because there is only so much to spend it on at one time, and they got it. Jessica thanked Kelly. Jessica asked if there were any more questions. Mary asked if Kelly could repeal the ordinance against riding a horse on the sidewalk in order to get somewhere else. Greg asked if Kelly had any specific agenda items that he thought the Board should focus on in the next year. Kelly stated that he would like to see fee structures reviewed to make sure people who can pay are paying the correct amount, and those that can't pay aren't closed out, and that it works fiscally. He stated there is a balance between how much you can charge vs. how much participation you lose. Jessica stated that they did look at the fee structure when the senior discounts were brought up and that it is hard to determine who can pay and who needs help without looking at financial statements. She noted that it is a tough topic to make equitable. Kelly stated that he is not looking for perfection, just a review. Jessica stated that this might be where we look at public and private partnerships. Marty stated that they will be talking later about new revenues and cost reductions. Jessica asked if Kelly could summarize what Council can do to create an environment where business will want to come, so people will have work, so they can spend money, so there will be money to support the general fund. Kelly responded that there are already things in the works that will surface in the budget process. He added that Council will do their part, but that there is only so much local government can do. Kelly also wanted to mention that historically he thinks there are areas of parks that have been over -sprayed and over -mowed, and that he would like to see things a little more sustainable. He feels Parks should do what they need to do in the high use areas, but also do more aesthetic things like native plantings. Marty responded that Parks has been doing that for quite a few years. He said that Fossil Creek Park is a reflection of that, and it will also be seen at Spring Canyon Park. Kathy asked if Kelly saw them putting in a recreation center on the south end of town in the near future. Kelly responded that realistically it is a long way out because of the large capital expense and the O&M dollars. There may be a blended Building on Basics package that will be voted on for a 10 year tax continuation. There may also be a shifting of projects that will mean more money for a couple of other projects. Marty asked if he was talking about the Parks and Recreation Board Minutes July 27, 2005 Page 3 library. Kelly confirmed he was. Marty also stated that they will be talking to Council at the August 9d' session for potential new funding sources for the library. Budgeting for Outcomes Update Marty gave Scott an overview of the process to bring him up to date. He then went on to say that CLRS was in deep trouble after the initial offers were ranked. CLRS had several funding projects that fell below the line; Mulberry Pool, Adaptive Recreation, Spring Canyon Park, and the Horticulture Center. Marty went back and worked with all of the managers and reduced the offers by over $1 million in 2006 and $1.6 million in 2007. He noted that Jean Helburg and her staff reduced their offers by over $400,000 in 2006 and over $700,000 in 2007. He added that we have the Northside Center and Spring Canyon Park coming on in the near future and both have significant O&M costs. In the end, Recreation did offer to close the YAC at the mall in order to save over $400,000. If the offer is accepted by the City Manager and Council, all staff and programming from the YAC will be shifted over to the new Northside Center in 2007. Marty stated that it is not an ideal situation, but a way to keep programming in place and save over $400,000. He noted that the lease at the YAC is expensive. The gym at the YAC can still be used by the City because it was built with donations. Marty stated that CLRS did lose some items; Marty's assistant position, funding for Picnic Rock, there will not be a north dog park anytime soon, and the construction of Provincetown Park will be pushed back until 2008. Marty ended by stating that he feels staff did the best they could to make sure they would not be closing the Mulberry Pool, Adaptive Recreation, Spring Canyon Park and the Horticulture Center. He added that there are still three to four weeks to go in the process, so hopefully things will stay as they are right now. Jessica said she did not feel many youth would travel as far north to the Northside Center. Jean said that most of the kids that go to the YAC now are from Boltz, so Recreation staff has already been working with the Boltz staff to have activities at the school itself so the kids would not have to travel to the Northside Center. Jessica inquired if there was any way to approach General Growth, the property owner at the mall about a donation. Marty thought that was a good idea. Greg asked if they could still program at the gym once the YAC is closed. Jean said they could. Jean announced that when City Park Pool was remodeled it was plumbed for a water slide. One of the Recreation proposals is to spend recreation reserve money, hopefully get a GoCo grant, and interest and support from the community donations, to spend $300,000 to $400,000 for a water slide next summer. There would be a charge to use the slide. If they can get the slide in they feel that the facility can be self -funding by 2007. The slide is 52 inches wide and approximately 150 ft. long so it can be used with a tube or as a body slide. Kathy stated that she was concerned that City employees are not getting raises in pay and no compensation. She feels they will begin thinking about leaving. Kelly stated that she has to realize that things are not really as they are being portrayed. He said the City will have more money this year than last year and probably more money the following year. He felt that something was needed to shake up the way we do the budget so that employees view themselves and projects differently, and with the combination of a new mayor and a new City Manager we needed a radical change. He said that they are looking to eliminate things the City does not need to do, so we are probably going to lose staff and programs. There will be whole programs that Parks and Recreation Board Minutes July 27, 2005 Page 4 exist today that will not exist five months from now. One of the reasons we are $8 to $12 million in hole for next year is because we have been using reserves for the past five years. Kelly also said that there will be cuts in order to give increases to employees. He feels the benefits for employees have been too generous, particularly in light of the escalating cost of health care. This has been unfair and inappropriate to the tax payers. Kelly said he is still open to salary increases next year, and that he believes the City should be an excellent employer but that it does not exist for that purpose. The city exists for the tax payer and there is a balance in that to be fair. He then asked how many employees need to be cut in order to give raises. He added that he would rather have a job than a raise. Kathy responded that she would hate to lose good employees. Kelly stated that he is for some raise. He added that just because employees have not had a raise does not mean they have not been well paid. He does not want to hear that the City has been awful. He feels people are fairly compensated. He added that the proposal would be a 4% merit increase plus a 1.5 or 1.8 cost of living increase, totaling a 5.8% raise. Jessica added that most private sectors don't get cost of living increases. Kelly said that he works for one of the largest employers in the city and he is paying 55% of insurance costs. Jessica suggested the Board get back to Budgeting for Outcomes. She asked if there were any questions. Mark asked Marty when it terminates. Marty responded that it would be early November when council adopts the budget, so the City Manager has a deadline of early September to recommend it to Council, and Council has 4-5 weeks to adopt it or not. The public will also have input before Council adoption. He added that the timeframe is laid out in their Board packets. Ann asked if Marty could tell if this process is better or worse. Marty stated that obviously it's painful, but he could not say at this time because it is not completed yet. Jessica felt they were doing a good job saving what they could. Marty said that Council is working diligently with the City Manager to analyze what we need to provide necessary services. Jessica said that the challenge will be on educating the public on why things are changing, why prices are going up. Marty agreed that it was critical. Kelly also said that it is challenging because we are making the change in six month instead of 18 months. He added that the positive thing is that Northside and Spring Canyon Park are coming on line. Building on Basic Update Marty stated that the Capital Program is moving forward. He commended Council and Kelly for moving forward with it. A change in the Capital Program is they are including O&M costs for the projects in the package, for seven years from the time they are built. This gives them more time to find permanent funding sources. The final discussion will occur at a work session on August 9th, and then it will go to Council at their next regular meeting. He added that it will be put on the ballot in November as an extension of a % cent sales tax for transportation and quality of life. The second quarter cent was extended last November for the street maintenance program. Marty noted that they took the neighborhood park upgrades, community park upgrades and Roselawn Cemetery and combined them into one project that comes in at just over a $1.5 million. The original request was over $2 million. This is a reduction from both the community park package and the neighborhood park package. Marty added that we would still have $1.5 million going into the park system to implement the high priority action items identified by the management plans. These are items that make the park system more modern, attractive, useful, Parks and Recreation Board Minutes July 27, 2005 Page 5 and easier to maintain. Marty added that parks can be lost to the wrong element if they are not kept vibrant. The other item is the expansion of the Senior center. The project was scaled back from $9 million to $4 million. It will still be a 2-story facility at around 10,000 square feet and will include aerobics, weights, and an outdoor fitness trail. It is being designed with baby boomers in mind. It will also include additional parking to alleviate the parking problem at the Center. Kelly was interested in knowing if Parks would like more funding for any project. Marty stated that the main thing we need is a full renovation of City Park's core area. He said we have enough for a restroom, a shelter, and few other improvements, but not enough for the pedestrian plaza. He stated that it would take $1.5 million just for that. Jessica inquired about EPIC. Marty stated that Jean is doing a good job keeping EPIC updated using reserve money. Jessica asked how the pool was. Jean stated that it was in good shape, and they just upgraded the lighting over the pool last year. They put indirect lighting around the edge instead of lighting that has been directly over the pool. She stated that the bulkheads will need to be replaced at some time, but it is not a danger. Kelly wanted to know what the most responsible package is because Council was really listening right now. Walt stated that he hated to see Parks lose money from current projects like Rabbitbrush Park or Oak Street Plaza. Marty responded that they are not in competition with these dollars because we have impact fees for these parks. Mark asked about changing the name of the Senior Center. He feels that from a marketing point of view it's not drawing the citizens it could. Marty responded that the name is being looked at by the Senior Advisory Board. Jean commented that a repetitive complaint they've received for over ten years is the limited parking at the senior center. There are currently 130 sites now but they could add more regular spaces as well as handicapped spaces. Kelly asked the Board again what their recommendation is for P&R projects. He stated that he would like to see City Park upgraded. Marty stated that he would like at least $1 million for the Senior Center, but if it was between City Park and the Senior Center he felt both were important. Kelly asked how they would feel if they gave $1 million to $1.25 million to the Senior Center, some for the North College project, and the remainder to City Park. Ann felt it was important to take care of what we have and City Park has been around for a long time. Mark said City Park was fine and that it is a quaint and condensed area, and felt the upgrades would detract from the park. He thought it would be better to upgrade the Senior Center to a Community Center where all citizens can go and it would serve more of a constituency. Jessica inquired if we could submit a name recommendation to the Senior Center Board. Kathy agreed that it should be a community place, but that we should renovate City Park. Kelly suggested that the Board get their thoughts to Council before the work session. He said it would have a better chance if it came from the Board. He also added that if the water slide was put in at the City Park Pool it will create a bigger parking issue that would need to be resolved. New Northside Recreation Center Project Update Marty stated that they received several nice design -build proposals. When they were reviewing the conceptual plans, they were looking for a design that considered the future so it would not have to be changed for a long time. He added that this is the design they selected although they still need to sign the contract. Parks and Recreation Board Minutes July 27, 2005 Page 6 Craig and Jean presented the design. It will be facing Willow and will sit toward the front of the lot. Jean noted that they liked the exterior of the building because it uses some of the architectural features of the old power plant on north College Avenue, an old town influence and a past industrial look. There is an atrium that raises the front of the building, and over all they feel it fits into the area nicely and will help d raw people to the river corridor. Jean said that there will be a multi use area that can be divided up into several sections, there will also be classrooms, locker rooms, a triple gymnasium, an upstairs fitness area, and an open area that can be used for dancing, boxing or wrestling. There will be a running track around the gym. The meal program currently at the Northside will continue at the new Northside Center. There are no racquet or handball courts inside, but they are considering building them outside on the north side of the building. A private handball group is very interested in donating their time to start a program for kids. It's an inexpensive sport and works well for kids who don't have a lot of money. They are currently trying to raise money to bring it to the table. Marty added that if the private sector raises half of money the City will put up remainder. He reminded the Board that they had said no to it originally because it was untested. If the private sector does the legwork then that shows a commitment, if they strike out then the project doesn't move forward. Jean continued, stating that the outdoor basketball court currently on the site will be taken out; concrete pads will be put in. Jessica asked if there would be a tennis backboard outside of the building. Jean said there could be. Jessica also asked what they were thinking as far as fees. Jean said the drop -in fees will be similar to Epic, Mulberry Pool, and the Senior Center. But otherwise the new building will bring new fees. Jessica asked if there would be a monthly fee. Jean said have never had monthly rates, but use punch passes instead. Jessica said they might want to consider a monthly rate. They all agreed the fees need to be more, but not low enough to undercut the health clubs. Jessica also stated she would like for the center become more multicultural. Jean said that it already is and that they also get people dropping in from downtown at noon and after work. Mark asked what their rational was for not including racquet ball. Jean responded that it was a space issue, plus the citizens involved in the public input were not interested in it. They also did not put in a climbing wall due to space restrictions, the supervision they require and the technical skill and training the walls require. There are also various climbing walls around town at the Gym of the Rockies, the YAC, Boltz, and CSU. Kelly asked if they are designing now. Jean stated they are finalizing the contract now. Jean also added that the design will meet the silver Leeds designation for its energy saving design. Kelly added that the design has his support but he would like Council to have input before the design is too far along. Scott asked if there would be an outdoor skate park. Jean said it would be the concrete pad and equipment will be added on to it later. Building Community Choices has money for roller hockey at Edora Park but there is no more room at Edora to build it, so they will be asking Council to move that money to help build a nicer skate park at Northside. It must be a surface skate park because we can't dig into the landfill. Craig added that we will still have a soccer field behind the building and there will be lighting for late hours. He added that the lighting was required not only for safety, but also for the energy efficient certification. Marty said the design will be brought back to the Board as it becomes finalized. Jean added that the old building will remain open while the new building is built, then the old building will be torn down after the new facility is open. Report on Council Review of P&R Board Parks and Recreation Board Minutes July 27, 2005 Page 7 Jessica said that the review by Council went well. The questions they asked and the answers Jessica and Marty provided are in the Board's packets. Marty and Jessica both said they were surprised by the Council's questions because the reviews were originally intended to identify whether the Board felt things were going well, if the Board felt they were contributing, etc. Greg also attended the review and said that Jessica did a good job. Project Updates Craig provided updates on various Park Planning projects. Bicycle Coordinator Position — Craig spoke with Transportation to see what the status of the bicycle coordinator position was. They said it is still frozen at the City Manager's level. Transportation did say they could make a pedestrianibicycle subcommittee so they will discuss it. Transportation and the Parks Division are working on improving their websites to include trail updates. Spring Canyon Community Park — Kathleen Benedict, Craig, and Russ Lee from BHA were sponsored by Double Eagle Construction to go to San Francisco and visit the Shane's Inspiration playground group. They saw six of their playgrounds and met the woman designing our playground. They now have a good understanding of what these playgrounds are like. Craig said the playground encourages activities where handicapped children and non -handicapped children can play side by side as friends instead of isolated playing. For instance, there are two sets of monkey bars next to each other, one with a ramp. There is a hard water feature playground with jets coming up and circles that you could put a wheelchair through and a sensor wall with water running over it. Craig felt they got really good stuff from the visit. Craig also said that they received the $200,000 GoCo grant that helps us match the money for the playground. Otherwise design on the park is moving along. Mary asked if the park is still on hold. Craig said it is still in the design process. Mary also asked about the hay on the site and if the Farm could use it. Craig said he would check on it. Stewart Case Park — The open house was a success. Thirty-three neighbors showed up. They liked the multiuse pads, the back wall for tennis, and the trees by their homes. Craig will be putting in short trees that grow fast so they won't block their view of Longs Peak. Matt is shopping around the idea of a bouldering area because a lot of folks said their kids would like it. The long sidewalk from the restroom to the ball fields will have an academic corridor theme. There are still issues with the parking lot on Red Mountain Drive. The neighbors liked the idea of not having a parking lot. There are still high school students smoking and hanging out in the park, but we do have an agreement with Fort Collins High School that the high school's regulations apply to our parkland. The principal could enforce school rules in the park. Craig will contact PSD. Oak Street Plaza — Craig stated that they found additional money from the neighborhood parkland fees. They had to make up the extra money because the DDA was not able to put in $450,000, but they did contribute $300,000. Jessica said the input from downtown was that they do not want trees removed from Oak Street Plaza. Marty stated that we could not execute our current design without taking a few out, and that the City Forester said that the trees will still have a good canopy, plus the canopy will grow back and spread more. Walt mentioned and showed pictures of a musical interactive artwork that he saw in New York, that citizens were Parks and Recreation Board Minutes July 27, 2005 Page 8 lined up at to participate in. Craig said that they have been looking for some sound art in a park but haven't had a chance to do it yet because they are about $10,000. He felt it would be appropriate in Southeast Park or the downtown area. Walt will find out the names of the designers and will send the information to Craig. Craig added that any time the Board was traveling and saw things they like, to just bring the idea in. Downtown — Marty mentioned the Parks has taken over the Old Town Plaza maintenance and it is looking much better. Fossil Creek Tennis Courts — Craig said the nets are up on three courts and the others should be ready this week. He said the original contractor put the surface on the courts when the temperature was less than 50 degrees causing the adhesive to not work. This caused the water to go under the courts. To correct it they had to put in french drains at about $10,000. They also had to strip off the top layer and then found some dirt in there. The dirt doesn't let the adhesive stick so the new contractor would not touch it until we took care of the water and dirt issue, and they had to wait until the temperature was up. The general contractor is going after the insurance company for the damage. Miscellaneous Marty told the Board that Kelly asked him, before he left tonight's meeting, if the Board wanted to make a recommendation to Council for additional funds for City Park. Walt asked if $500,000 was enough money to do the job right. Craig said it was, but just for the core area, to truncate roads, and put in sidewalks. Marty said that Kelly's question was, do you want him to try to reallocate some money? Jessica and Walt said yes. Marty suggested writing a memo. Jessica suggested supporting a reallocation of $500,000 from the BOB package to be specifically used for renovation and upgrades to City Park. Walt seconded it. There was no further discussion. The Board voted 7 to 1, with Mark Lueker voting against the suggestion. Jessica asked if the Board was still interested in touring the newer park sites. The Board decided they wanted to do self -guided tours of Spring Canyon Park, City Park, Fossil Creek Park, Northside (Old Fort Collins Heritage Park), Rabbitbrush Park, Waterglen Park and Stewart Case Park. Scott will get with Craig to discuss any additional parks he may need to look at. Craig will send out maps of the parks to everyone. Jessica asked everyone to visit the parks before the August meeting. Other Business Marty stated there were several complaints this week from the USSSA Tournament attendees at Rolland Moore Park. They were not happy that they had to pay to watch their children play in the tournament. Marty explained that Council had given their permission for USSSA to charge a gate fee because many cities throughout the country allow it, and the tournament director had stated that they could not bring the tournament to the City unless they could charge. Because of the complaints he felt the topic will need to be revisited. Board Member and Staff Comments None Correspondence Parks and Recreation Board Minutes July 27, 2005 Page 9 None Adjournment: The Board unanimously agreed to adjourn at 8:42 p.m. Respectfully submitted, �ftj m oorz Kelly Moore Administrative Support Supervisor Board Attendance Board Members: Mary Carlson, Ann Hunt, Cathy Kipp, Mark Lueker, Jessica MacMillan, Gregg Miller, Walt Peeples, Scott Ohm Staff: Craig Foreman, Marty Heffernan, Jean Helburg, Kelly Moore Guests: Kelly Ohlson