Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks And Recreation Board - Minutes - 11/30/2005Minutes of Regular Meetn November 30, 2005 215 North Mason Community Room 5:30 p.m. Phone: 495-1 Call Meeting to Order: Jessica MacMillen called the meeting to order at 5:45 p.m. Agenda Review: Addition: Downtown Ice Rink update — Marty Heffernan Items of Note: None. Citizen Participation: Mary Carlson addressed the Board, not as a Board member, but as a citizen. Mary was riding her horse at Spring Canyon Park last Friday when her horse was spooked by families setting off an Estes rocket in a dry grass area. Her horse ran and she almost fell off. She spoke with the families; they did not have a fire extinguisher, were not aware of the dangers of an Estes rocket, and were not aware that rockets were not allowed in parks. She called 911. Mary felt the police response was slow, and was surprised that they were not familiar with the Parks ordinances. She also found no signs indicating that rockets are not allowed in the park system. She did see a very small sign listing the Ranger's number. She feels the City is putting themselves at risk by not having appropriate signs posted, and those signs that are posted are not large enough. Approval of Minutes: On a motion by Mark Lueker, seconded by Cathy Kipp, the Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the October 26, 2005 meeting. BCC Project Updates Craig presented an overview of the BCC projects. The BCC projects are: regional trails, community park improvements, and City/PSD joint projects. Regional Trails: Craig explained that there is approximately $1 million left for trails. Community Park Improvements: The improvements consist of putting sidewalks in the Community Parks. The project was put on hold this summer because of the hurricane situation and the shortage of concrete City/PSD Joint Projects: This agreement was put together in the late 1999s. Its purpose was to make specific school fields open to the public. Those fields are: Rocky Mountain ballfield and soccer field, Blevins and Webber ballfields, Preston ballfield at Harmony Park, Poudre High School ballfield, a skate park at Northside and Edora Park, and an in -line hockey rink at Edora Park. All are currently built with the exception of the in -line skating rink at Edora. They have agreed that the in -line rink no longer fits in Edora park because of the number of activities already held in that park (skate park, BMX, disc golf, horseshoes). Craig has spoken with the staff at PSD about using the last of the monies redoing the skate park at the Northside Center. The PSD staff said Parks and Recreation Board Minutes November 30, 2005 Page 2 that they are interested in adding a sixth tennis court at Rocky Mountain High School. It would take $40,000 to make one more tennis court at Rocky. If we agreed to put the money toward the tennis court, it would be open to the public when PSD is not using it. The court would be located outside their fenced - in area. The remainder of the money would be put toward a skate rink at Northside. The Board was concerned that the public may not have ample access to the courts. Craig felt that we might be able to get the keys. Mark asked who would maintain the courts. Craig explained that it would be similar to the maintenance on the ballfields; PSD maintains it because it is on their property, but the Parks maintenance staff will help maintain it when necessary. Normally, the Parks Division work out fair agrcments to share maintenance of shared facilities with PSD. Mark asked what else could be done with the $40,000. Craig responded that it has to be a project that has the interest of PSD students and citizens, that's why the Northside skate rink was of interest to them, because it served underprivileged kids. They prefer to build a facility around school property. Greg asked about the expectation of the in -line skate rink. Craig felt that it would not get much use and was not a good fit for the park. The neighbors of Edora Park feel the park is already too busy. Fossil Creek currently has an in -line rink and it is not heavily used. Marty asked if the Board agreed with building another tennis court at Rocky Mountain High School. The Board agreed with it, on condition that the new court and at least one of the existing courts be unfenced and open to the public. The Board suggested that a sign should be posted that says the courts are for public use. Oak Street Plaza Park Update Craig brought in the final drawing for the plaza and reviewed the primary features with the Board. The DDA gave extra money to improve the area by the Museum of Contemporary Art with planters, handicapped access, and space for art. The bus shelter will be also improved, as will the planters along the bank. The tile paths through the plaza will have a cobblestone look, and the ribbon sidewalk will be made of concrete tiles with mosaics. Staff is still reviewing the colors for the mosaics because they want to make sure the look is timeless and won't end up dating the plaza. The stage will be two feet higher than the plaza. All of the water features will be in the area to the west of the bus stop. Craig added that the bidding will begin next week and go through the middle of January. It will take about a month to get the contract in line. Craig will bring updated information in January. Spring Canyon Community Park Update Craig brought the drawings and the specification book on Spring Canyon Community Park. Craig explained how the drawings were organized in the tablet and that the drawings tell the builders where to put things. The specifications book tells the builders how to build the infrastructure in the park. Craig added that the project will be going out to bid next week and it will close in January. In March they will begin building. Northside Aztlan Community Center Project— Handball Courts Marty announced to the Board that the group pushing for handball courts at the Northside Center did raise their share of the cost, $75,000. They found a benefactor in Soderberg Masonry. The original agreement stated that if they could raise half of the necessary costs, the City would provide the other half. Because they raised their share, the project will move forward. The courts will be located in the northwest corner of the site. Parks and Recreation Board Minutes November 30, 2005 Page 3 BOB Tentative Project Schedule Marty handed out a draft of the roll -out schedule for the Building on Basics projects. He reminded the Board that the schedule still needs to go to Council. He explained that Building on Basics projects are on a pay as you go basis because they are not bonding and bringing the money forward, so they have to decide what projects get money as they come in. In Parks and Recreation they have $5$6 million, but most of it is the Senior Center project which is set for2013 and 2014. Marty requested that they bring in the $275,000 for the Roselawn Cemetery updates earlier than the current date of 2009. The park improvement money is not coming in until the end of 2015 because Marty had tried to negotiate money for the Discovery Science Center project, which is an enhancement at Lee Martinez Park. He was hoping to get that money earlier in the process, but there were critical transportation projects that were needed because of some safety issues at specific intersections as well as requirements for matching federal dollars. They need money up front for the transportation projects. Marty stated that they are also having issues trying to raise funds to match the $5 million needed for renovating the Lincoln Center. They were hoping that the BOB money would come in by 2009 or 2010 so they could have a chance to get started with the fundraising. That will be quite a task because $11 million is needed for the project. The City Manager was concerned that some of the CLRS projects were late on the list. Marty added that the list is just a draft so it will most likely change. He will update the Board when he has more information. Adopt 2006 Work Plan Marty reviewed the 2006 Work Plan, and reminded the Board that the 2006 meeting schedule is also listed on the Work Plan. He stated that Parks and Recreation will not be building as many projects in 2006 so it will not be as intense as it has been in past years. The 2006 Work Plan includes: Update of the Parks and Recreation Policy Plan: Drives standards for parks, trails and infrastructure, delineates acres of parks per thousand of dollars, reviews funding, etc. Craig stated that they are always looking for more efficient and less costly ways to build parks and trails, so they will be comparing themselves with other communities to see if there are trends, or other opportunities that they could be utilizing. He would like to have future discussions with the Board on the topic. The goal is to develop a plan that will take Parks and Recreation in to the next 10-15 years. The current plan has been a good plan with excellent standards and good funding sources, but it is a good time for an update. Building Community Choices Capital Improvement Program: Northside Aztlan Community Center, Regional trail plans. Neighborhood Parks: Provincetown Park, Case Park, Oak Street Plaza, parkland acquisition, neighborhood park Management Plans. Community Parks: Spring Canyon Community Park, community park Management Plans, parkland acquisitions. Marty mentioned that they have been trying to purchase 125 acres from Budweiser but Budweiser has not expressed any interest in selling at this point. We will continue to pursue it because we will not be ready to build the park for 12-15 years so there is time. Trails: Fossil Creek Trail, existing trail expansions, trail funding, Trails Subcommittee. Other Projects/Programs: Natural Areas Issues if related to P&R, Open Lands recreational opportunities, grants and funding for P&R programs, P&R fees. Parks and Recreation Board Minutes November 30, 2005 Page 4 There were no further additions to the Work Plan by the Board members. On a motion by Mary Carlson, seconded by Cathy Kipp, the Board voted unanimously to approve the 2006 Work Plan. Other Business Marty updated the Board on the downtown ice rink. The rink is currently under construction. Marty will send out an e-mail with the date of the grand opening. Craig handed out the Policy Plan update for the Board to review in order to discuss it next month. Craig also announced that he received a call from RB&B architects who designed Fossil Creek Community Park. They invited Craig to the Stanley Hotel to attend a merit award celebration for architecture. At the event, the firm received two honor awards, one for Fossil Ridge High School, and one for the lake Pavilion Shelter at Fossil Creek Community Park. Jessica asked where we were in the process of replacing Scott Ohm. Marty contacted the City Clerk office, and they said they would be including the position in the latest round of recruitments. Marty thinks the Board should have a new member by February. The Boards next meeting is January 25, 2006. Cathy Kipp asked about port -a -lets in the park system, specifically Golden Meadows park. Marty, with Kelly's help, responded that the Parks Division would not be putting port -a -lets in neighborhood parks with the exception of neighborhood parks along the Poudre trail and Spring Creek trail. Jessica reminded the Board that they will be selecting a new round of officers in February. Jessica volunteered for a third year unless someone else was interested in the position. Board members who are interested in nominating others, or themselves, can let Marty know. Marty will update the Board on the nominations and the Board will vote in February. Jessica thanked everyone for a wonderful year and good attendance. Board Member and Staff Comments None Correspondence None Adjournment: The Board unanimously agreed to adjourn at 7:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, K e-KI RADoK.e-- Kelly Moore Administrative Support Supervisor Parks and Recreation Board Minutes November 30, 2005 Page 5 Board Attendance Board Members: Mary Carlson, Ann Hunt, Cathy Kipp, Mark Lueker, Jessica MacMillan, Greg Miller, Walt Peeples, Jon Sinclair Staff: Craig Foreman, Marry Heffernan, Kelly Moore Guests: None