HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks And Recreation Board - Minutes - 06/06/1996Call Meeting to Order:
The special meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by President Diane Thies. Eric Reno called to
say he would not be able to attend tonight's meeting. Board Members introduced themselves to
Lance Freeman, newly appointed Board member, whose term begins July 1.
Agenda Review:
No Changes to the printed agenda.
Approval of Minutes:
The minutes of the regular meeting of May 22, 1996 were unanimously (5-0) approved on a motion
by Rebecca Chavez, seconded by Mary Ness. (Jessica MacMillan joined the Board after the vote).
Citizen Participation: No citizen participation.
Capital Improvement Program
Marty Heffernan explained that this special meeting is dedicated to prioritizing the Parks and
Recreation Capital Improvement Projects. Mary Ness asked why Fossil Creek Community Park is
prioritized above Southwest Community Park? Craig Foreman said that Southwest Community Park
land acquisition was purchased with Choices 95 money. However, the City has owned Fossil Creek
Community Park since 1984. Craig added that Southwest Community Park's purchase was intended
for a youth sport complex. Mary said he would like to re -prioritized as he feels there is a need for
a youth sports complex. He further feels Hickory Park is need in the north area of Fort Collins
because of the number of kids in that area. The kids are playing in the streets and don't have the
ability go to a park.
The Board agreed to select the too five nroiects in each division by having each hoard memher select
Parks and Recreation Special Meeting
June 6, 1996
Page 2
Prior to the Board's multi -voting for their top projects, Mike Powers asked if the Board had any
projects that they don't see on the list that they want. At this time, the Board did not want to add
any projects to the list prepared by staff' The Board agreed that they wanted to "lump" several like
projects together. Therefore, they packaged all community park improvements, along with Spring
Creek and Warren Park ballfield fence improvements; picnic shelters at neighborhood parks, and the
basketball court at Warren Park for a total of $1,580,000. They also deleted the street trees project
because it is included within the Streetscape Beautification Project.
The Board then prioritized their top five projects in the Parks and Recreation divisions as follows:
Park Plannina and Development
Hickory Park, Fossil Creek, Regional Trail, Southwest Park, Eastside Park
Recreation
Northside Aztlan, City Park Pool and City Park Center Enhancement, Youth Activity Center, Multi -
Use Southwest, Multi -Use Southeast, School Gymnasium Partnerships
Fore t
Streetscape Improvements, Community Horticulture
Parks
Park Improvement, Central Irrigation, Showmobile, Cemetery Improvements, ADA Improvements
Jessica said when we are prioritizing, we need to remember what the people in Fort Collins have told
us via surveys that they want improvements on what is existing such as the trails and park
improvements. Lance Freeman questioned if people are saying they like trails and parks because that
is the best we have right now and that we need to question if we had other facilities what would they
say? Sylvia Cranmer said that the trails and parks are multi -use and non -fee oriented. Marilyn added
that if a multi -use facility was built, would we (the City) be cutting into the private health clubs?
Lance said that a large group of the population in Fort Collins can't afford the health clubs.
After much discussion, the Board then decided to go to the next level of prioritizations where they
voted again for their top projects within Parks and Recreation.
Parks and Recreation Special Meeting
June 6, 1996
Page 3
Projects and Rankings CIP Funding
With 8 votes:
Hickory Park $ 850,000
With 7 votes:
Fossil Creek Community Park
$ 9,500,000
Streetscape Beautification
2.404.000
Total
$11,904,000
With 6 votes:
Northside Aztlan Community Center Replacement
$ 7,680,000
Regional Trail
1,250,000
City Park Pool and City Park Center
7,100,000
Park Improvements:
1,580,000
(Edora 320,000
City Park 430,000
Lee Martinez 375,000
Rolland Moore 210,000
Fence Upgrades 40,000
Picnic Shelters 175,000
Basketball Court 30,000)
Total
$17,610,000
With 5 votes:
Multi -Use (Southeast)
$14,600,000
Southwest Community Park
4,000,000
Central Irrigation System
250.000
Total
$18,850,000
With 4 votes:
Eastside Park
$ 1,380,000
Youth Activity Center
6,590,000
Multi -Use (Southwest)
15,000,000
Showmobile
100 000
Total
$23,070,000
With 3 votes:
PSD Gymnasium Partnership
$ 3,100,000
EPIC Enhancements
5,500,000
Farm Enhancements
225,000
Community Horticulture
2,500,000
ADA Improvements
245 000
Total
$11,570,000
Grand Total 1UJL4.000
Note: This was a preliminary vote of the Board and doesn't constitute a final ranking.
Parks and Recreation Special Meeting
June 6, 1996
Page 4
The Board asked where do we go from here? Marty said that by the end of August the list will be
submitted to City Council. Council's request is for the Board to make a list that has been reviewed
and prioritized by the Board and citizens.
The Board talked about doing an outreach at the 4th of July. Sylvia suggested that surveys could be
handed out on the Transfort busses while citizens are riding to the park. If they have questions, they
can go by the booth that will have more detailed information on the projects; we can have displays
set up at all the recreation centers. Jessica suggested an ad in the paper.
Public Process
Jean Helburg said that with the prioritization we need to follow the new Parks and Recreation Policy
Plan to make sure that the projects are in line with the plan. Marty agreed with Jean and said that at
our next regular meeting staff will determine whether the prioritization that the board put together
tonight coincides with the Policy Plan as Council will need documentation supporting any
prioritization that does not fit with our master plans and the City Plan.
Marty said we need to have a meaningful outreach to the public. Jessica said CSU marketing
department has helped the bank, but they are out of school. Marty suggested giving citizens a list and
then ask what they want, what do they like, what don't they like. Marilyn suggested a call -in number.
Marty said there will be a call in number for the entire city-wide projects.
The Board discussed having a specific public meeting to talk about the projects; advertise in the
paper; purchase space in the City news. Marty asked if the Board wants to make presentations to
service clubs along with a staff member? He said a survey was done with 400 residents testing the
waters for tax increases; keeping the tax as it is for three-quarter cent sales tax. He will bring those
results to the regular meeting on June 26.
Lance highly recommended that the operation and maintenance be put into the project dollars. He
said when they built the recreation facility at CSU, they added the operation and maintenance to the
project for the next 30 years. This allows the facility to be operated with fewer constraints.
Mike recapped the ideas: 4th of July, use our facilities for outreach, public meeting, and service
clubs. Marilyn also suggested that surveys be dropped off at the major employers in the community
in their cafeterias. Jessica suggested during Council meeting this be announced publicly on
television. Marilyn added that one of the Board members could attend the Council meeting and
announce the outreach locations.
After much discussion, Marty recapped the following: an outreach for the 4th of July, calculate
feedback, talk about distributing information, plan on an open house for Parks and Recreation, and
one for the City-wide program. Roger said we need a package that is going to sell to the public.
Parks and Recreation Special Meeting
June 6, 1996
Page 5
Mike agrees that is critical. It needs to get on the ballot, and secondly that the voters vote for the
projects.
Marry spoke about the competition our projects will have with natural areas and street maintenance.
Adjournment: The Board unanimously voted to adjourn at 8:00 p.m.
Meeting Attendance
Board Members
Diane Thies
Marilyn Barnes
Rebecca Chavez
Sylvia Crammer
Jessica MacMillan
Mary Ness
Roger Tarum
Staff
Mike Powers
Jean Helburg
Marty Heffernan
Tim Buchanan
Jim Clark
Craig Foreman
Janet Meisel
Virgil Taylor
Jackie Rael
sG mitted,
aLl_-
Administrative Aide II
Guests
Lance Freeman