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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks And Recreation Board - Minutes - 07/26/1995CITY OF FORT COLLINS CULTURAL, LIBRARY, AND RECREATIONAL SERVICES PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD CITY COUNCIL LIAISON TO THE BOARD: Councilman Bob McCluskey, Jr. STAFF SUPPORT TO THE BOARD: Jackie Rael, Administrative Aide MINUTES: Regular Meeting --July 26, 1995 CALL MEETING TO ORDER: The regular meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Board President Roger Tarum at the Senior Center. Board Member Eric Reno was on vacation. AGENDA REVIEW: Natural Areas acquisitions was moved to the August meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of the Regular Meeting of May 24, 1995 were unanimously (8-0) approved on a motion by Marilyn Barnes, seconded by Jessica MacMillan. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION: No citizen participation. Regional Planning Frank Bruno, Acting Deputy City Manager, explained to the Board that he is the project manager of the Northern Colorado Regional Planning Study, and Diane Jones, Interim City Manager, is the official manager for this group. Nine communities from Larimer and Weld Counties participated in the study of this plan. He reviewed the scope of the study: Establish Regional Resources area; establish regional corridors; establish community separators; establish community and regional gateways; place special emphasis on critical regional linkages; establish urban growth boundaries, based upon appropriate criteria; establish uniform intergovernmental agreements; incorporate key elements into community plans and policies; consider regional transportation and infrastructure linkages; adopt a community based, comprehensive approach to implementing the framework. Frank explained that staff will ask Council to adopt this policy and implement it in the nine communities. Diane Thies asked how will the communities agree on the growth management when Parks and Recreation Board Minutes July 26, 1995 Page 2 they are all at different levels? Frank replied that the communities do have varying levels of expansion, however, they are all committed to have a better regional plan than Metro Denver or Southern California. Diane further asked about the agricultural community and if they are represented. Frank replied that in developing a preliminary regional framework for growth management, continuing agriculture was viewed as an important resource worthy of protection. He further explained that the group encourages the protection of prime farmlands and agricultural activities in the communities. He said the group is looking for money from the nine communities to fund a coordinator who would be based in Greeley. Roger asked if Frank sees any specific role that the Parks and Recreation Board serves on this plan. Frank said tonight's presentation is informational and awareness that the plan will be presented to City Council in September and he wanted the Board to be cognizant of this when any land acquisitions are brought before them. Udall Natural Area Susie Gordon, Environmental Planner, brought this plan to the Board for informational purposes. This is a 25-acre site along the Poudre River in the downtown area. Stormwater Utility is planning to develop a treatment settling pond for a stormwater treatment site. The property is basically in bad shape. This will be the first time the City has gone in to restore such a large areas that has been this abused. Because of its proximity to Old Town, staff is going to bring in a consultant from Denver whose known for restoration of urban natural areas. In September she will bring a conceptual design of this area to this Board. August 16 will be an open house for input on this property. She reviewed the five conceptual designs that have been presented to date. Rich asked if this could be used as a trailhead? Susie said that yes, we are looking at this as a pedestrian trail. The plans are to use this area as an environmental study area. Mike Powers said that the Poudre River Plan does address this area. Susie said that there are homeless people living in this area. Jean Helburg would like to have the consultant look at the banking by the railroad tracks. Diane Thies asked since this area is in the flood plain, would it have to be restored again if there is a flood? Susie said throughout the river this is the risk we take. Sylvia Cranmer asked if the Board does an inventory tour, could they tour this area. Mary asked what's the purpose of this 25-acre area and why is the City spending money on it? Susie said that most of this property was paid for through natural areas tax money. She said the storm water coming from old town passes through this area, and she feels the property holds a great educational value on urban water quality issues as well as natural habitat needs. Diane asked if the Larimer County Environmental Health has a concern with this? Roger Tarum asked if there is dangerous chemicals in this area of contamination? Susie said she doesn't know, but the stormwater coming into this area would be contained and biologically "treated". Marilyn Barnes asked if we are developing a mosquito haven? Susie said Environmental Planner Rob Wilkinson is looking into that. Question was asked if this area could be used as a recreational area? Mike said it was looked at for an amphitheater, however, there isn't any good access to it. Rich asked if something could be done minimally. Sylvia asked what the staffs goals are for this area? Susie explained the four goals as Parks and Recreation Board Minutes July 26, 1995 Page 3 follows: Identify an appropriate level of development for the Udall Natural Area; integrate the proposed natural area with both existing and proposed improvements; the area should contribute to the creation of a constituency with an investment in the conservation of the Cache La Poudre corridor as a public amenity for years to come; and get the master plan built. She further stated that they are still molding their ideas for this area. The price tag could range any where from $1,000 an acre to $60,000 . Mike Powers further explained that each piece of the river in this area adds to the complete plan for the Poudre River. The future of this whole area is what the Board needs to look at. The Board thanked Susie for her presentation. Old Fort Collins High School Jean Helburg said that she wanted to update the Board on Old Fort Collins High School since Council's resolution for adoption of the Old Fort Collins High as a youth center. She said that at the last Youth Advisory Board meeting (July 12) there was public input as to what the kids/community wants to see at this facility. She said we are looking for donations of televisions/VCR's, etc. The Boys and Girls Club will have about 3,000 square feet of space in this facility. Sylvia asked if we are renting for a two-year time, then what? Mike said the Youth Center is a pilot program and staff is hoping that funding and interest continues. At this point two full time Recreation staff will move to this facility and until we know about the City's future at Old Fort Collins High, Recreation registration would stay at 281, and if we have a longer term lease at Old Fort Collins High, Recreation staff would move there. Presently CSU is looking at this building. Marilyn Barnes said in the paper she read that kids asked about smoking sections at the Youth Center. Marilyn said we don't need to make arrangements for smokers. Diane said we need to have a safe environment for the kids. Roger said that he thinks in addition to a recreation center, we need to provide a place for mentoring. Jean said we are looking at all of these interests. OTHER BUSINESS Jessica MacMillan asked Frank Bruno about the Fort Collins/Loveland Airport and the activity since DIA has opened. He said there are currently 11 flights in and out of there daily. They are trying to get a second carrier to fly to the local airport. Diane Thies was recently appointed to the Board of the Foothills Gateway Family Support. - Jean Helburg said the memberships at the Senior Center has risen. Average donation is $19 and we are up to 850 members. The Senior Center is exceeding our revenue expectations. Jessica MacMillan asked about the shortfall of revenue in golf this year and where does the money come from to keep going? Jackie Rael explained the prior year reserves will be used, and that seasonals may have shorter employment terms; and non -essential projects have been Parks and Recreation Board Minutes July 26, 1995 Page 4 delayed. Marilyn added that if this is the time that the Golf Board looks at the fees, there shouldn't be a discount for all seniors and that the reductions should not be based on age. Mary has been the representative on the Board for the senior center and Jean presented him with plaque. - Jean stated that we have had two or three record breaking days at the outdoor pool. Sylvia asked again about the possible sidewalk around City Park on the east side (Jackson Street) Rich suggested we could possible "rope" off part of the diagonal parking and make it a sidewalk. Rich said the area across from Rolland Moore Park is a 40 ft section of undeveloped area that has become a used parking lot. What can the City do about that? Staff will check with the Police Department and report back to the Board. The board adjourned at 8:35 p.m. Meeting Attendance Board Members Roger Tarum Mary Ness Marilyn Barnes Rebecca Chavez Sylvia Cranmer Rich Feller Jessica MacMillan Diane Thies Staff Mike Powers Jean Helburg Frank Bruno Susie Gordon Jackie Rael