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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks And Recreation Board - Minutes - 07/26/1989w CITY OF FORT COLLINS PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MINUTES: July 26, 1989 The meeting was called to order at 6:32 p.m. by President Cathy Mulcahy. John Barnett called to say he could not attend the meeting. Agenda Review: A trails update item was added to the printed agenda. Introduction of New/Returning Board Members The terms of Rick Ramirez, Ann Schoreder, John Barnett, and Roger Tarum expired on June 30. Council appointed Rene' Clements Cooney and Bob McCloskey, Jr. to replace Rick and Ann who both retired, and re -appointed John and Roger. Council also appointed Mary Ness to replace John Rabun who resigned from the Board last winter. All new and returning Board members were introduced. Minutes: The minutes of the Regular Meeting of June 28, 1989, were approved unanimously (8-0) as submitted, on a motion by Elery Wilmarth, seconded by Roger Tarum. Citizen Participation: No citizen participation. Brief Orientation for Newly Appointed Board Members Staff briefly explained the role and functions of the Board. Staff provided the three new Board members with a large three-ring binder to hold agendas, minutes, reports, budgets, by-laws, etc. Several documents, including the 1989 Board work plan, the 1988 Parks and Recreation Board Annual Report, and the minutes from the past two years were included in the binder for review. Each sitting member discussed their view of how the Board works in relation to City Council, the Parks and Recreation staff, and the citizens of Fort Collins. The Board is advisory in nature, and advises the City Council on matters affecting parks and recreation, except cemeteries and golf courses. Cathy Mulcahy feels the Board has done a good job over the years. Elery Wilmarth said the Board is not a 'rubber stamp' for staff, and he is personally somewhat frustrated about the perceived role of the Board. Roger Tarum said the Board needs to represent the general values of the community. Mary Ness asked if the job of the Board needs a new definition. Elery would like to see the Board take a stronger role. Adjusting Ice Rental Rates at EPIC Jean Helburg introduced Jeff King and Steve Budner from EPIC who made the presentation. A written report on the fee increases was previously distributed to Board members. Jeff explained how and why the rates are calculated. Staff is requesting an approximate 5 percent increase in rental rates for the 1989/90 season which begins September 1. The 5 percent basically mirrors the projected expenditure increases for the ice operations at EPIC for next year. Jeff discussed the fixed costs such as permanent salaries and benefits, insurance, workers' compensation, utilities, etc., as well as the direct costs associated with each ice program. Bob McCluskey asked why the revenues don't cover direct costs in all programs. Parks and Recreation Board Minutes July 26, 1989 Page Two Jeff said that ice rental rates are being increased and use continues to grow which will narrow the program cost/revenue ratio. Jeff said that we are booked for rentals from 5:30 a.m. to after midnight daily. Patch and Free Style skating (P&F) was discussed. Participation has greatly increased during the last three years and the nature of the activity limits its usage to only 22 patch and 24 free style skaters maximum per session. We charge a premium for P&F skaters. Bob Aukerman then asked if the 5 percent was enough to stay ahead of the cost of living increases. Jeff noted that in 1988 the ice operation recovered 78 percent of its total costs. Roger Tarum asked for a comparison of 1987 with the 1988 figures. Karen Schubert asked if the user groups had been informed of the proposed ice rental increases and Jeff said they don't have any strong objection to the fees. Mary Ness wanted to know if we are trying to decrease our expenses rather than just increase our fees, and he suggested volunteers (especially seniors) could help us cut our expenses. Jeff responded why he is not comfortable with using volunteers in certain situations, and he stated we are 'lean' in our staffing and wages now, and we buy items through City procedures, and we are constantly trying to keep expenses down. Steve Budner noted we do already use volunteers in appropriate situations, and Jean said Recreation uses many, many volunteers as they match with their expertise. The written report showed the results of a staff survey of other Colorado ice arenas to compare rental rates, and our proposed fee increases are well within the range throughout the state. The survey indicates the average prime time rate is $87.50 and non -prime is $75.60. We are proposing $87 (up from $83) for prime and $77 (up from $73) for non -prime times. Elery Wilmarth asked if money is set aside for a working capital fund, and the answer is basically no. Bob McCluskey asked again about the interaction with user groups, and Jeff noted that Youth Hockey currently has around $3,500 in reserve revenues available. After further discussion, the Board, on a motion by Bob Aukerman, seconded by Elery Wilmarth, voted unanimously (8-0) to approve the Ice Rental Rate adjustments for EPIC as proposed by staff, and recommends the same to the City Council. Trails Update Mike Powers presented the update. He said he was pleased to see the City Council support a more aggressive approach to the acquisition of missing trail locations. Mike distributed trail location maps and showed a brief video tape that Council saw last night at a worksession. Council wants to make sure that existing maintenance and safety problems are being addressed, and they want a complete report within six months detailing options for acquiring the missing pieces. Mike said Council also discussed the trails in terms of commuter usage rather than just the traditional recreational usage. Staff suggested that this issue would be most appropriate for the Board to become very involved. It was suggested that a four -member sub -committee work directly with staff on Parks and Recreation Board Minutes July 26, 1989 Page Three researching and preparing the trails report. President Mulcahy appointed herself, Elery Wilmarth, Roger Tarum, and Bob McCluskey, Jr. to the sub- committee. Elery asked that a list of the major points outlined by Council be included with the next Board minutes (see attachment). Other Business/Board Members and Staff Comments and Reports Karen Schubert said she has been told that the basketball games at Northside Aztlan Community Center are becoming very 'rough' and people are complaining. Jean Helburg will look into it. Roger Tarum asked about the impact of the cruising closure issue on Parks and Recreation. He wondered if it presented any problems or opportunities. Staff briefly described what the City is doing, including the financial support to the Activities Youth Center (AYC). Elery Wilmarth asked why the Poudre R-I School District Advisory member (without a vote) doesn't attend or participate in Board meetings. Jerry P. Brown explained his understanding of the role of the Poudre R-1 representative. Bob Aukerman suggested that a member of the School Board would be a good representative, similar to what is done elsewhere around the country between school districts and Parks and Recreation Boards. Elery made a motion, seconded by Bob Aukerman to write a letter to Poudre R-1 extending a cordial invitation for them to participate with us. The motion passed unanimously (8-0). Elery inquired about the possibility of the Board holding a retreat or workshop at his mountain cabin maybe in September. He said it will help us get to know each other, to discuss significant issues, and to become "intoxicated" with the mountain atmosphere. After discussion, it was decided we would try to schedule such a retreat for a Sunday in September. Cathy Mulcahy reported on a letter she received from Mayor Winokur with regards to his participation on the Poudre River NRA as a potential conflict of interest due to his employment, and he asked Councilman Horak to substitute for him as a liaison with us on this issue. Bob McCluskey reported on the public meeting he attended on the proposed North College Avenue trail crossing. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Roger Tarum, Board Secretary Meeting Attendance Cathy Mulchay Rene' Clements Cooney Mike Powers Jeff King Bob Aukerman Bob McCluskey, Jr. Jerry P. Brown Steve Budner Roger Tarum Mary Ness Jean Helburg Karen Schubert Elery Wilmarth CITY OF FORT COLLINS MIKE POWERS' NOTES FROM CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION JULY 25, 1989 TRAILS 6-MONTHS PLAN I. Repair Plan A. Safety B. Preventive II. Problem Areas: No seller involved III. Problem Area Due to Unwilling Seller IV. Negotiations in Progress A. Far above Fair Market Value B. Close V. Alternate Routes: Options for Problem Areas VI. Access Available, But not Built A. Other Pieces Not in Place B. Other i.e. Cost VII. Areas to Widen VIII. Add Other Amenities IX. Work with Transportation A. Feeder Systems B. Recreational Plus Commuter Focus Expand C. More Loops X. Communicate Trail System to Citizens as Commuter System