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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 08/14/1996t � • MINUTES CITY OF FORT COLLINS NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING 281 CONFERENCE ROOM - 281 N. COLLEGE AVE. AUGUST 14,1996 For Reference: Phil Murphy, NRAB Chair - 491-6303 Gina Janett, Council Liaison - 493-4677 Tom Shoemaker, Staff Liaison - 221-6263 Board Members Present Phil Murphy, Bill Miller, Kelly Ohlson, Craig McGee, Jan Behunek and Ed Secor (until 10:30 p.m.) Board Members Absent Linda Kirkpatrick, Phil Friedman, Katy Mason Staff Present Natural Resources Dell: Tom Shoemaker, Sally Maggart, Margit Hentschel; Cultural Library and Recreational Services: Mike Powers; Parks Planning DeZ: Jan Meisel The meeting was called to order at 6:10 p.m. Guests Mayor Pro-tem Gina Janett was in attendance for the agenda item on Capital Improvement Projects. Review and Approval of Minutes With the following changes, the minutes of the July 17, 1996 meeting were approved as written: Bill Miller noted that the last paragraph on Page 4 should read " there are only eight years of life remaining at the landfill" instead of "this will add eight more years of life...." Agenda Review Tom Shoemaker reported that he has an addition to the Natural Areas Acquisitions agenda item. It was noted that the Growth Management Committee meeting will be on Principles and Policies, not Polices. Announcements Shoemaker announced that the GoCO Legacy Committee field visit for the Cache la Poudre/Big Thompson Project will be on August 27. He invited board members to attend the reception at the Environmental Learning Center from 11:15-12:15 p.m. Natural Resources Advisory Board August 14, 1996 Page 2 Miller announced that the Latimer County Environmental Advisory Board is working on the Master Plan for the PLUS system. Phil Murphy said that he met with the chairs and liaisons of three other boards. He will give a report at the end of the meeting. Election of Officers It was decided to defer this to the September 4 meeting. Parks and Recreation Policy Plan, Jan Meisel, Parks Planner The updated plan is scheduled for review by City Council at their September 17 meeting. The Transportation Board did not make a recommendation but will forward their comments to Council; the Storm Drainage Board approved the plan as written. It is scheduled to go before the Planning & Zoning Board on August 26, and the Parks & Recreation Board on August 28. The submittal deadline for the Council packet is September 4. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PLAN: • defines "Park Preserves" (Gateway, Fossil Creek Reservoir and Strauss Cabin) • increases the parkland acreage standard by one acre • provides more "non -programmed" space in the park system • builds more accessible parks, as called out in City Plan • continues to develop and acquire trails and natural areas • limits recreation programming to 40 percent • develops management plans • maximizes public facilities (Poudre School District and CSU) • endorses a horticulture center Meisel reported that the collection of a Community Parkland Fee during the building permit process started in July. It is based on the square footage of housing units. This is an impact fee that did not require voter approval. DISCUSSION • Trail connectors for pedestrian access will be 4-6 feet wide through drainage areas. • The City's share of County tax money has not been defined. • Funding sources have been identified but percentages have not been specified • More passive places are needed with benches, flowers, etc. • Need to accommodate forms of recreation that are not organized, e.g., skateboarding, rollerblading and mountain biking. • Locate horticultural gardens in passive areas also. • Maximize school use. Natural Resources Advisory Board August 14, 1996 Page 3 Management plans will be completed within five years. Community Parks plans are the highest priority. Wording is important: "shale.' and "will" are better than "should". COMMENTS Bill Miller objected to the wording on Page 2-2, point Lk of the draft. He suggested replacing "will utilize any opportunities" with "may take advantage of opportunities", in developing public access along stream and irrigation ditch corridors. Mike Powers referred to Page 2-20, where the third and fourth bullets describe the treatment of rivers and streams and environmental sensitivity. Craig McGee questioned the rationale for giving the Fossil Creek Community Park priority over the Southwest Park. Meisel explained that since there are no large parks south of Drake Avenue, Fossil Creek would serve the southern region of the community. Powers noted that there is confusion between Fossil Creek Park Preserve and Fossil Creek Park. Miller suggested renaming the park. Ed Secor expressed concern about active programming in small parks. Meisel explained that pocket parks will not have any programming. Secor noted a typo on Page 2-7 that should read 40% instead of 50%. Jan Behunek expressed concern about the balance and distribution of funds and whether priorities are being placed on natural areas acquisitions rather than trails. Powers explained that the City's Natural Areas Tax buys natural areas and the Conservation Trust Fund (lottery) buys trails. The two work very well together. Shoemaker explained that the tax passed in November 1992 and the implementation measure adopted by City Council says that none of the main trail system construction would be paid for with natural areas money, but trails (paths) providing appropriate access to the natural areas could be funded from the tax. To date, the tax has been used solely for land acquisition. Kelly Ohlson expressed concern that, with changes in elected, appointed and hired officials, interests change and he felt that the funding should be nailed down. He suggested that for -profit tournament costs need to be recovered more than 100 percent from out-of-town users. Ohlson said that he had not had a chance to read the plan and would like the opportunity to look at it closer. He suggested that comments and recommendations be made at the September meeting without staff having to return. DECISION Kelly Ohlson made the motion to table the decision on the Parks and Recreation Policy Plan to the next Natural Resources Advisory Board regular meeting September 4, 1996. Ed Secor Natural Resources Advisory Board August 14, 1996 Page 4 seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously (6-0). Gina Janett, Council Liaison, arrived and encouraged the Board to communicate concerns on issues to Council. She said that a memo to Council is a good tool to summarize the Board's actions. Natural Area Program Review and Capital Improvement Projects (CIP), Tom Shoemaker Shoemaker reported that there will be a Council study session August 27 on these issues. ISSUE Natural Area Program: • Acquisition has the highest priority. • Second priority is to address management issues. • The foothills piece is almost complete and the Poudre River is now priority • More than 3,000 acres have been acquired. • Community stewardship is the goal. • Partnerships are important (GoCO) • Focus is on changing the development code as part of City Plan implementation process. • Emphasis is on implementing management plans and ranger program Capital Improvement Projects: • $3.8 million from the 1/4 cent sales tax in 1997. • $1.9 million from the County sales tax. • Same level of funding would equate to a 1/8 cent sales tax. • Three 1/4 cent sales tax expire in 1997 - Choices 95, Natural Areas and Street Maintenance. • Council has given boards the charge to be part of the public outreach effort and prioritize projects. • There will be very keen competition for future tax dollars. • Need to be specific about describing needs. DISCUSSION • There is an unlevel playing field among departments. • Public outreach has already been done with the tax initiatives. • Shortfall of $5.5 million for acquisition, not counting maintenance. • Easy to justify 1/8 cent tax. • Broaden definition of open lands - include natural areas, wildlife habitats, buffers and backdrop projects. • Regional composting site needs capital. • Ask for a 3/8 cent sales tax. • Look at operating costs. • Build in long term programming, stewardship, maintenance, rangers, and environmental Natural Resources Advisory Board August 14, 1996 Page 5 interpretation. Factor in additional rangers. Meadow Springs Ranch land is suitable for conversion to natural areas. Need to get environmental regulations in City Plan for development. DECISION The Board agreed there was a large need for ongoing Natural Area and other Open Lands (e.g., buffers, community separators) acquisition. While the need is great, the Board recommended continuing the 1/4 cent sales tax at present levels. Janett recommended sending a memo to Council recounting the outreach that has been done, the results and needs. Proposed Natural Area Acquisitions, Tom Shoemaker ISSUE Three potential acquisitions: • 80 acres adjacent to existing Pineridge Natural Area. $8,000/acre • Donation of 40 acres adjacent to the Campeau/Reservoir Ridge Natural Area. Valued at $175,000. Acquisition of 10 acres adjacent to Pineridge Natural Area. DISCUSSION $14,000/acre. Concern about the Neenan construction next to the trail at the Poudre Corridor by Prospect. It is a "use -by -right". Other opportunities: 1) The option on the sugar beet area by Seven Lakes has not been exercised. 2) The McKee property with 800 acres of dedicated open space is still viable. 3) An investment group has a contract from Western Mobile on four gravel ponds south of Timberline. They are trying to get the City to buy them. We will make a reasonable offer. 4) Continuing work on a three way partnership with Fort Collins, Larimer County and Loveland on land west of 287. $4,500/acre. DECISION Consensus to proceed with purchases and donation. Benson Reservoir Feasibility Study, Tom Shoemaker This will be discussed at an adjourned meeting to be held on Tuesday, August 20 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Committee Meeting Scheduling Growth Management Committee: Katy Mason was not present Recycling Committee: Craig McGee will contact Susie Gordon Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 10:50 p.m.