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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks And Recreation Board - Minutes - 06/26/1996Call Meeting to Order: The regular meeting was called to order at 6:35 p.m. by President Diane Thies. Board Member Mary Ness called to say he couldn't attend tonight's meeting. Board Members introduced themselves and explained their area of interest in Parks and Recreation to new Board Members Lance Freeman and Del Price. Agenda Review: No Changes to the printed agenda. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the special meeting of June 6,1996 were unanimously (7-0) approved on a motion by Marilyn Barnes, seconded by Jessica MacMillan. Citizen Participation: No citizen participation. Neighborhood Parkland Fee Mike Powers reviewed the memo that was previously sent to the Board regarding the Neighborhood Parkland Fee. The Policy states that fees will be raised according to the Denver/Boulder Consumer Price Index (CPI) each year. That annual increase is submitted for Board approval. In addition, the Board is asked to consider a five -tier rate for these fees. However, the issue before the Board tonight is if they would recommend raising the fees according to the size of the house. This would be consistent with the new impact fees for community parks, libraries, and other government services that were approved under the Capital Improvement Expansion Fee Ordinance that Council recently passed. With our current fee, an apartment of 800 square feet and a home of 6,000 square fee pay 01- "mp \iaiahh��hn�ri Dq4, nfl Fan MFTgll Parks and Recreation Board Minutes June 26, 1996 Page 2 Marilyn Barnes said that fees should be raised according to the CPI and shouldn't even have to be brought to the Board. She feels that fees for affordable housing should be waived. If a large house is built on a large lot, then their chances of using a neighborhood park is slim. Roger Tarum said that neighborhood parks should serve the community. Jessica said the people who don't use the park shouldn't be penalized. Rebecca agreed with Marilyn's theory of if you have a large lot, the kids will play in the back yard and the kids who need parks are kids in smaller houses, smaller lots or no lots. Eric Reno said he doesn't see the comparison of large house, small house. If affordable housing is the issue then address the affordable housing and waive all the fees. Lance Freeman said this is how everything is taxed in the country. The more you make the more you are taxed and the bigger house, the more taxes. Jessica asked if this is a one-time permit? Marty said it is. Jessica said we are missing opportunities to collect park maintenance fees. Fees cover park development, but maintenance is where we are having the problem. She suggests that if you live in an apartment, when you pay for your utilities fees for start up, then add a fee for the use of the park in that neighborhood. She doesn't agree with this price adjustment at all. We need to look at alternative means of revenue. Rebecca said this is a one-time fee only, and parks maintenance is a different issue. She asked if there has been a study to add a maintenance fee to the utility fee? Mike said we have looked at a real-estate transfer tax fee for when a property changes hands, however, it was not implemented. He also talked about a utility fee. Aurora tried a district fee which allowed a neighborhood to tax themselves more for more amenities. Diane asked if we could designate some of this money to park maintenance? Mike replied no. On a motion by Eric Reno, seconded by Roger Tatum, the Board voted to recommend that the Neighborhood Parkland Fees be adjusted according to square footage size of a dwelling with as presented by staff. The vote was 5-2 with Eric Reno, Roger Tarum, Rebecca Chavez, Diane Thies, and Sylvia Cranmer voting yes; and Jessica MacMillan and Marilyn Barnes opposed. Mike Powers then asked the Board to make a recommendation on increasing the Neighborhood Parkland Fees based on the CPI. On a motion by Marilyn Barnes, seconded by Jessica MacMillan, the Board voted unanimously (7-0) to accept the CPI increase as presented by staff. Capital Improvement Program Marty Heffernan commended the Board on their special meeting and their decision process to prioritize the Capital Improvement Program. He reviewed the priority list. Rebecca said that she received calls at home for support of the Horticulture Center. Jessica suggested that the Oak Street Fountain needs lighting and landscaping around it. Sylvia agrees that Parks and Recreation Board Minutes June 26, 1996 Page 3 it needs to have a border around it. Marry gave the new Board members an update on the Capital Improvement Projects. He explained the three 1/4 cent sales tax that will sunset at the end of 1997. Marty stated that are at the point of discussing how to get public input on the CIP. He explained that the working title of the CIP process is "Building Community Choices". Marty handed out a sample survey listing all the projects. Marilyn suggested a phone line to voice their comments. Jessica feels this is a good way to present this to the community. Diane and Jessica said they want to take parking lots off the list. Suggestion was to take off the dates. Also number the projects so the citizens can prioritize. The Board thought a map would be helpful for location. Sylvia said the existing format looks too bureaucratic. Lance said we need to simplify. Jessica said we need to keep this format on file for future uses with community groups. Lance asked if after we get these results, will the Board change their priorities? Diane asked if we are making presentations to committees prior to our re - prioritization? Marty said that we will test drive this for the 4th of July; and then present to community groups and then to Council by August. The Service Area would like to hold a community outreach for CIP with the Cultural Resources Board, the Library Board, and the Parks and Recreation Board on Thursday, August 1, at the Lincoln Center, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Refreshments will be served. Put this date on the survey. Also add the phone number if we have one. Jessica would like to start booking presentations to clubs. Marty said that this would be most effective after September. Jessica asked if we could host an open house at the Mall? She said we should take the CIP presentation around the city i.e., at the mall, the Lincoln Center, the Library, at Front Range Community College. Mike said that would be a good idea when the final projects are defined. Marilyn also suggested using the radio stations and Channel 14. For the 4th of July, Diane suggested requesting air time (for CIP) through the radio station that will be broadcasting in the park. Five Board members volunteered to work the booth: Diane, Rebecca, Lance, Sylvia, and Marilyn. 9:00 a.m to 11:00 - Rebecca 11:00 to 1:00 --Marilyn 1:00 to 3:00 -- Lance/Diane 3:00 to 5:00 -- Sylvia UP Telephone Survey Results Marty talked about the telephone survey on the CIP that was conducted by a professional survey agency. He reviewed the questions. Is Fort Collins going in the right direction -- 60 percent of the public agreed with this. Most important Issue -- growth management and planning; Given that Parks and Recreation Board Minutes June 26, 1996 Page 4 problem what should the City do -- better planning, better growth management. The City collected about $775,000 over the limit legally allowed. What should the City do with this overage? Majority was in favor of the City keeping it for improvement of services. When asked what the City should do with the overage, the majority said that since it was created by growth, the money should be spent on growth -related projects such as installing additional roads, public safety, libraries, parks and maintenance of streets. When asked should we do a general de-Brucing or come to the public each time? Majority said come to us each time. The consultant felt that Fort Collins residents are very intelligent and that they are more in tune with the issues in the City than other cities they have surveyed. Jessica said that people are telling us no increased taxes. Marty said that according to the survey people are alright with extending the present 3/4 cent sales tax, however, majority won't support increases. Jessica said that the City needs to look at the expendable income and how much on an average does the City collect per household. And look at fee -generated tacked on to utility billing for maintenance of parks. Diane asked about the percentage who own their own homes? She said it looked like most of the people who were contacted were property owners, and older (from 35 and older). Roger asked Marty what this survey says in relation to our projects. Marty said Council might go with the 3/4 cent sales tax with one -quarter cent for street maintenance. Marilyn thinks that Transportation should go for one -quarter cent for maintenance, but no more. Mike said that some folks that support the 1/4 cent for Natural Area may request continuance. Marilyn said that we should package our leisure services together as one. Del Price asked if we have a recreation voice group in the community? The Board members assured him that we have "several" recreation voice groups, all with their own agendas. Other Business Jessica commented on the letter in their packets from Larimer County Search and Rescue. She feels that their requests are valid and that they should be exempt from the dogs on leash ordinance and should have some identification when training dogs off leash. Lance feels that this is a very minimal group and that the City should exempt them. Diane asked what the Natural Resources Board is doing with this? Mike said staff will do some research with Natural Resources Department and get back to them. Staff will keep the Board informed. Great Outdoors Colorado: Mike Powers explained the Legacy Grant proposal to the new Board Members. He said the GOCO staff toured with our Northern Colorado group. Jackie Rael distributed an update from Community Horticulturist Jim Clark. Parks and Recreation Board Minutes June 26, 1996 Page 5 - Retiring Board Member Eric Reno expressed his joy of participating on the Board for the past four years. Board Members and staff acknowledged that Eric's input will be greatly missed. On a motion by Marilyn Barnes, the Board adjourned at 8:30 p.m. submitted, Rael, Administrative Aide II Meeting Attendance Board Members Staff Guests Diane Thies Mike Powers New Board Members: Marilyn Barnes Marty Heffernan Lance Freeman Rebecca Chavez Jackie Rael Del Price Sylvia Crammer Eric Reno Jessica MacMillan Roger Tatum