HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks And Recreation Board - Minutes - 09/27/1989CITY OF FORT COLLINS
PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD
MINUTES: September 27, 1989
President Cathy Mulcahy called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. Board Member
Mary Ness called to say that he was unable to attend the meeting.
Agenda Review: No changes to the printed agenda.
Minutes: The minutes of the regular meeting of August 23, 1989 were approved
unanimously on a motion by Elery Wilmarth, seconded by Karen Schubert.
Citizen Participation: No citizen participation.
Election of Board Officers
The Board By-laws state election of officers shall be the first item of business
at the regular September meeting. Cathy Mulcahy was elected president; Bob
Aukerman was elected vice president; and Roger Tarum was elected secretary. All
were unanimously elected to office.
Timberline Road Extension - Riverbend Ponds Mitigation
The City is currently involved in the preliminary plans to extend Timberline Road
to Summitview Drive. The reason this issue is brought to the Board is because
of the road's intersection with the Riverbend Ponds explained Superintendent of
Park Planning and Development Randy Balok. Greg Lanning, Civil Engineer from
the Engineering Department explained the processes the City will be taking.
Jerry P. Brown said that the Board last reviewed this in April 1986, and decided
to wait to make a recommendation until the mitigation impacts could be known.
Greg explained the road is intended to be a major linkage north/south, and 10
years from now this road will be six lanes similar to College Avenue with medians
and bike lanes. The right-of-way purchases will involve compensation to the Parks
and Recreation Department for the land taken by the road from the Riverbend
Ponds and the Poudre Trail. Land acquisition will begin in 1990 and
construction, according the Choices 95 plan, will begin in 1996. Greg explained
the budget figures range from $150,000 to $300,000 for mitigation. The five
mitigation issues are as follows:
1. Fish Habitat
2. Parking
3. Noise barriers
4. Revegetation
5. Path crossing
The Board questioned what the Natural Resources Board thinks of this project?
Greg said he is currently working with Natural Resources Department. They have
concerns for natural wildlife habitat. An island may be built under the bridge
Parks and Recreation Board Minutes
September 27, 1989
Page Two
to encourage wildlife to remain in the area. He said that trees and shrubs will
be planted as noise buffers. The parking will accommodate 30+ parking spots and
will be on the northwest area of the ponds. Roger asked if this parking would
serve the trail users. Randy said that it probably will.
The Department of Fish and Game and a professor from CSU all suggested that fish
protection areas be built in the ponds by dragging specific areas of the ponds.
Karen said that she would like to hear from Natural Resources Board before she
approves this. Bob Aukerman asked about the options. Why not go through the
air park? Greg said the area in question is the buffer for planes coming and
going. Bob is concerned about a major road adjacent to the quiet park area.
Water habitat is a natural outdoor recreation and this area provides that
condition which is limited in the city. Karen moved that we table this issue
until we have further information from Natural Resources Board. Elery seconded
and proposed that we involve the public in the issue. Greg said that this has
been taken to a public hearing in 1987. Jerry said that this went to Council
at a worksession and some of the issues that Bob brought up were addressed at
that time. Rene' Clements -Cooney said that it should be a community issue since
it will affect the passive recreation area. Roger said that this is probably
the only extensive area on the trails that it is passive and quiet. Bob
McCluskey agreed that we need to look at this in more detail because of the
amount of questions we have. Greg asked that the Board move on their
investigation since he wants to take it to Council by the end of the year. Roger
asked if the City has a policy of preserving parkland from development. Staff
responded that we do not.
Jerry asked Greg if there are any other public hearings? Greg said city-wide
public hearings are not scheduled, however, the Board has the right to speak to
Council on this. Rene' questioned the multi -model transportation plan that
Planning is working on for alternate means of transportation and if they have
addressed this? Greg responded that the Planning Department is involved and in
favor of the extension. Randy suggested that in the mitigation we suggest an
additional area for habitat, and staff will have Kevin Cook review it. The Board
then voted unanimously (7-0) to table their decision on the Timberline Road
extension as it relates to the Riverbend Ponds and the adjacent open space area.
Mike Powers suggested Cathy meet with the Natural Resources Board Chairperson.
Staff will arrange meeting.
Fisher Open Space Donation
Referring to the area of the trail under the Lemay bridge and extending down to
Highway 14, there is a 25-acre piece of land presently referred to as the Fisher
Open Space area. Randy Balok explained that the Corp of Engineers has told the
owner that he has to clean up that area presently filled with various debris.
The owner has contacted the City as he would like to donate this land to the
City. The Planning Department is interested in this 25-acre land donation.
Storm Water wants this land for a basin area. The land donation is valued at
approximately $12,500 and will cost between $10,000 and $15,000 to clean up.
The first $15,000 will come from Storm Drainage, and if additional money is
0
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September 27, 1989
Page Three
needed, $5,000 would come from Parks and Recreation. Randy felt Parks and
Recreation would put up to $5,000 into the project for enhancements that we feel
are necessary. He said the City will gain river corridor and open space. This
area could also serve as a trailhead for parking. On a motion by Elery,
seconded by Bob Aukerman, the Board voted unanimously (7-0) to recommend that
City Council accept the donation of the Fisher property.
Acquisition of Proposed Park Site at Quail Hollow Sub -Division
Randy Balok made reference to the new sub -division on West Drake Road and the
new elementary school at Taft Hill Road and Horsetooth, where staff has been
working on purchasing 20 acres of land for $90,000 for the construction of a
neighborhood park in the Quail Hollow Sub -division. The property includes reaches
of the Pleasant Valley and Lake Canal and Spring Creek. This will provide us
with an important link for our Spring Creek Trail as well as neighborhood park
amenities. The developer would like to show plans where the trail extends from
the development to the new elementary school. Randy said this land would also
serve as an extension of the trail through the Quail Hollow sub -division to
Pineridge Open Space. Staff asked approval from the Board to proceed in the
purchase of this land. Elery feels the concept is great. On a motion by Elery
and seconded by Bob McCluskey the Board voted unanimously (7-0) to have staff
cooperate to investigate right-of-way to the new school, and to proceed with the
purchase of land for a proposed park site.
Park Sianage Standard
The Parks and Recreation Master Plan calls for consistency in parks signage
explained Park Planner Leslie Beckmann. The sign, designed by a Castle Rock
consultant for $5,000, and colors chosen by staff, were shown to the Board.
Leslie displayed to the Board the system of signage that will be used in the
parks and trails. She explained there will also be international signage,
prohibitive signs, and signs indicating directions to the community parks and -
trails. The metal oval signs will be manufactured in the City's sign shop.
The signs will be varying sizes with smallest signs for mini -parks, and extending
larger for the community parks. The signage has been approved by City Manager
Steve Burkett. Staff concerns are vandalism, mounting, and mowing, therefore,
staff has looked at ease of maintenance in mowing around the signs, and since
the signs will be manufactured in the City's sign shop, replacement should be
quick and easy. The initial replacement of existing signs will begin January
1990 and continue for the next three years. The Board unanimously agreed that
these signs will be an aesthetically pleasing addition to the parks and trails.
Discussion of Board Retreat on October 1
The Board at their last meeting unanimously agreed to have a retreat at Elery's
mountain "cabin" on Sunday, October 1. He passed around a sign-up sheet and maps
for the Board members. The retreat will begin at 9:30 a.m. and brunch will be
served at 11:00 a.m. At the retreat, Board members will each explain what area
drew them to apply for their position on the Board.
Parks and Recreation Board Minutes
September 27, 1989
Page Four
Other Business
- Council goals were passed out for the Board's information.
- Osprey plan was passed out for the Board's information. Board members should
call Randy with any questions they may have.
- Bob Aukerman reported on attending the Mayor's breakfast for Boards and
commissions. Council stated that the Board and Council are partners and that
the Boards and Commissions of the City are the eyes and ears of the community.
The Board's role is to recommend major policies to the Council. On February
10, 1990, there will be a Boards and Commissions recognition.
Board Members and Staff Comments/Reports - No additional comments or reports.
On a motion by Bob McCluskey, seconded by Roger Tarum, the Board voted
unanimously to adjourn at 9:20 p.m.
tfully submitted,
ie Rael, Administrative Aide
Meeting Attendance
Board Members Staff Guests
Cathy Mulcahy
Bob Aukerman
Karen Schubert
Rene' Clements -Cooney
Bob McCluskey
Roger Tarum
Elery Wilmarth
Michael Powers Greg Lanning, Civil
Jerry P. Brown Engineer
Randy Balok
Leslie Beckmann
Jackie Rael