Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks And Recreation Board - Minutes - 02/22/1989• CITY OF FORT COLLINS PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MINUTES: February 22, 1989 The regular meeting was called to order at 6:35 p.m. by President Cathy Mulcahy. Board Members Richard Ramirez and Bob Aukerman called to say they would not be able to attend tonight's meeting. Agenda Review: No changes to the printed agenda. Minutes: The minutes of the regular meeting of January 25, 1989 were approved unanimously, as submitted, on a motion by John Barnett seconded by Elery Wilmarth. Citizen Participation: No Citizen Participation National Recreation Area (NRA) Study The Federal Government has allocated $75,000 for a feasibility study of the Poudre River as a National Recreation Area. Kari Van Meter, City Planning Department, introduced Consultant Steve Walker of Shal key Walker Associates, Inc. of Denver. Steve's consulting work is managed by the City of Fort Collins and Larimer County. He gave the Board an overview of the National Recreation Area Study as it relates to the Cache La Poudre River. He explained the purpose of the study is to determine if this area can be used in passive recreation with the conservation of the wildlife in the area. The reason the Poudre River area has been chosen is that it is somewhat natural and undeveloped through the City. He further explained that the benefits of NRA in Fort Collins would provide positive economic values to the City, and would enhance the area. He said the main concern is the focus on the community and the regional values. There is a strong sense of concept (how it will be used) and how the water management (fishing and water rights) will be conducted. He showed three maps which included the NRA Resources assembly, NRA Resource Enhancement, and NRA Resource Development. Jerry Brown asked about the easement and tax advantages for the property owners. Ann Schroeder asked if there will be restrictions on buying and selling because tt,e Federal Government wants it. Kari addressed the question saying that as long as there is a willing buyer and willing seller there will be a guarantee or assurance put into the plan. Jerry said that we are in the process of studying the Downtown Plan and asked if the two are compatible. Kari said that they are. The Downtown Plan is open to the recommendations of the NRA for the river study. Cathy Mulcahy asked if a presentation has been made to the County Parks and Recreation Board. Kari said yes and they were generally supportive. There will be a three year planning and design period if it does pass. It will then be put into a five-year plan. The actual development can go on for generations. Roger Tarum asked if there is a concept where you could encourage Parks and Recreation Board Minutes February 22, 1989 Page Two more passive usage along the river where people would donate land. John Barnett (Board Member representative who is on the NRA Study Committee) said the study has been with the private property rights and are concerned with the NRA and what the government is going to do to us. He said the data base is extremely detailed and it has been well thought out. Kari said the most contacts are the people involved with the study. John said the reactions will come out when the draft copy is released. Kari wrapped this up by saying that they are doing a presentation to the Planning and Zoning Board at lunch on Friday. On April 10 at the Library from 3:00 until 8:00 p.m. there will be an open house to display all the information on the NRA study for the public to review. On April 25, a presentation of the draft report will be presented at the Lincoln Center in a public meeting from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. The final report will be sent to the Secretary of Agriculture by October 1989. Municipal Election Ballot Issues Jerry showed a 9-minute tape on the sales tax issue. Elery Wilmarth asked about the EPIC debt. Jerry said that EPIC will be paid for before the present tax expires. Elery asked what assurance the voters have that this tax will be definitely designated for the projects listed. Jerry said in looking at the history of the City, it has generally kept its promise to the citizens to utilize this money for the originally designated capital projects. Council each year will have to appropriate this money. Roger said that out of this list, there are not any projects that as a Board we are opposed to. Mike Powers said the Board will play a significant role in advising Council on what direction they take in these projects. Jerry said that Dr. Karl Carson (former mayor) is chairman of the Voices for Community Choices, a committee pro Choices 95. Downtown Plan Leslie Beckmann, Park Planner, has been the lead staff person studying this plan for Parks and Recreation. Cathy Mulcahy and John Barnett have been the designated Board members also to study the plan. Leslie lead the discussion stating the basic overall plan is to maintain the esthetics of Old Town. There is a plan to do extensive landscaping along College, and perhaps an art walk. It would be assumed that since Parks and Recreation maintains downtown that would continue. Also extension of Willow across College through Martinez Park is a concern. The report also contains a strong recommendation to build the senior center in the downtown area. The Board (in October 1988) voted unanimously that they don't want parkland to be used to build City facilities. Ann said we shouldn't restrict ourselves to build the Center in the downtown area and we should be open to more options since there is very limited City land available in the downtown. Leslie talked to Recreation Supervisor Barbara Schoenberger, who is supervisor of the senior center. Barb said there is a senior committee looking at a variety of areas in the City to build a center. John Barnett feels that it would be an economic advantage to put it in downtown. The Board agreed that Leslie should make a recommendation that the Board and the Parks and Recreation Department don't necessarily want to be tied into the Center being built in the downtown. Parks and Recreation Board Minutes February 22, 1989 Page Three The Vine Extension Project is another concern of the Board and they are adversely against the splitting of any of our community parks for streets. Roger asked what passive recreation has been included in the plan. Leslie said very little development along the river has been included in this. One of the reasons is that the NRA study is underway and that our Master Plan has recently been addressed. There are recommendations to make better connections between the trails and downtown. Elery said we need to address who is going to maintain the forestation. The Power Plant has not been addressed and Ann suggested that it be utilized. Leslie said she will mention it in her report that it is a viable area. John said that Fort Collins needs to look at other ways to finance projects. John is also concerned about what he perceives as a conflict in the Downtown Plan with regards to highlighted entrance ways and multiple planting areas/streets. Rails to Trails Mike Powers brought the Board up-to-date on the rails to trails project. The objective of the project is to take the trail from Taft Hill to join the Foothills Trail at Michaud Lane. Negotiations and meetings continue between Parks and Recreation staff and property owners along the rail line. The City's intent is to work with the property owners to find a mutually agreeable trail alignment to complete the northern connection objective. In connection with the rails to trails issue, Mike also discussed a possible joint purchase with the Water Department of an area adjacent to the rail line both east and west of Taft Hill Road. The major features in this area are ponds created from gravel mining. The asking price for this area is $350,000. The Parks and Recreation portion of this purchase would be approximately $100,000. The Board discussed the possible trail and water and enthusiastically supported pursuing this Department. This acquisition will be presented to at their next meeting. Staff will keep the Parks as to our progress. Other Business recreational uses of this area acquisition with the Water the Water Board for discussion and Recreation Board informed - Jerry said staff distributed the Parks and Recreation Board's annual report to Council prior to the January 31 deadline. Board Members/Staff Comments Cathy Mulcahy asked if the Board would prefer meeting another night. Board members discussed Mondays or Tuesdays. It was decided that this be discussed more in detail at the next meeting. • Parks and Recreation Board Minutes February 22, 1989 Page Four - Elery asked if there was a citizens committee for fees as stated in the annual report. Mike stated that the Recreation Division will do a market analysis of existing programs to develop a data base for the fete study. Staff has requested that Council postpone the fee policy study until this initial phase is complete. - Elery questioned the article in the paper about the opening of the Poudre River Park. Mike said this property is owned by the Water Department and the proposal is that it be managed for public use by the State. Copies of the proposal to the City will be made available to the Board. The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Jackie Rael, Administrative Aide Meeting Attendance Board Members Staff Guests Cathy Mulcahy Mike Powers Kari Van Meter John Barnett Jerry P. Brown Steve Walker, Consultant Ann Schroeder Jackie Rael Roger Tarum Leslie Beckmann Elery Wilmarth I