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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks And Recreation Board - Minutes - 12/14/19886 CITY OF FORT COLLINS PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MINUTES: December 14, 1988 (rescheduled from December 7 because of inclement weather). The regular meeting was called to order at 6:37 p.m. by President John Rabun. Board Members Cathy Mulcahy and Ann Schroeder notified us that they would not be able to attending the meeting. Agenda Review: Staff added one additional item to the printed agenda as follows: "Rails to Trails" Minutes: The minutes of the regular meeting of October 28, 1988 were approved unanimously as submitted, on a motion by Karen Schubert, seconded by Roger Tarum. Introduction: Director of Cultural, Library, and Recreational Services Mike Powers was introduced to the Board. Citizen Participation: No Citizen Participation. Dogs at Large (off Leash) in Designated Areas Jerry P. Brown, Assistant to the Director, opened the discussion by stating that City Council is anxious to have the Board's recommendation on this issue. Jerry brought attention to two sections in the ordinance that the Board previously reviewed. They were the provisions allowing for only two public areas for such usage, and the limitations of usage during certain days of the week and during certain specified hours. Staff suggests that these two provisions in this ordinance are unnecessary. Board members agreed. Virgil Taylor, Parks Superintendent, explained to the Board that staff is concerned about capital construction costs as no funding is currently identified and about the operating and maintenance costs, and that the areas designated would definitely have reduced quality maintenance. He added that the Humane Society was concerned about the lack of incentive to use these areas when the people are taking their dogs to the parks and utilizing the trails, and that we really don't gain anything unless we increase enforcement. Staff said that according to the City Attorney's office, there has to be a fence around these designated areas for liability reasons. John Rabun asked who would patrol this area, and if the Police Department or Humane Society has budgeted for this? After much discussion, Elery Wilmarth made a motion to amend the ordinance, John Barnett seconded. The Board unanimously accepted the ordinance in its amended form removing the two provisions on the number of areas to be designated and days of the week/specified hours restrictions. However, as a group they are all concerned about the liability issues and the capital and 0&M costs associated. The Board then voted 3-2 against the proposed ordinance allowing Dogs at Large in Designated Areas with Karen Schubert and Roger Tarum voting for it, and Elery Wilmarth, John Rabun, and John Barnett against it. Parks and Recreation Board Minutes December 14, 1988 Page Two Rails to Trails Mike told the group that staff has been working on this project of converting abandoned railroad tracks to trails. This section of trail would connect the west Taft Hill (Poudre Trail) with the Foothills Trail. City Staff has received complaints from some LaPorte residents. Mike said that Thursday morning at 8:30 a.m. KCOL will be devote a segment of time to this issue. City Planner Tom Peterson and Deputy City Manager Skip Noe will represent the City. On Monday, December 19, at 5:00 p.m. the City will hold a public meeting at the Lincoln Center in the Ludlow Room to address the LaPorte citizens concerns. Randy Balok, Superintendent of Park Planning and Development and Tom Peterson have met individually with several LaPorte citizens in their homes or in City offices. 1989 Work Plan Jerry P. Brown explained that the City Council and Commission to prepare a work plan for 1989. the staff prepared list of issues the following as issues arise in 1989: - Participation Figures for Recreation - Youth Participation - Quarterly Report on Trails - Lottery Money - Poudre River NRA Study Other Business would like each City Board The Board chose to add to items which may be altered Elery showed the Board a newspaper article indicating that the County wants to turn some of their parks over to the State. He asked if we should be concerned with inter -governmental decisions as this. Jerry said that we don't need to be concerned with this as we essentially provide urban recreation. The County inherited these areas, i.e., Horsetooth Reservoir and Carter Lake, and don't generally want to be in the recreation business. Elery would like to encourage plans of the inter -governmental agencies. Randy Balok said that from time -to -time, staff meets with Loveland, County, and State agencies to discuss what projects each are working on. For example, the Poudre River NRA study is an inter -governmental project. Virgil mentioned the cooperation between the City and the Poudre R-1 School District. John Barnett briefed the Board on the Choices-95 process regarding the Senior Center and the Indoor Community Pool. Mike Powers said that the next Council meeting would be a public meeting to decide whether to put the sales tax on the ballot for Choices. Parks and Recreation Board Minutes December 14, 1988 Page Three John Barnett talked about the Poudre NRA Study. He and Karen Schubert are members of this committee. He explained how some of the citizens living along the Poudre are against any development, and have voiced their concerns at public meetings. He favors the approach Karl Van Meter took to include the public in these meetings by breaking up into groups and having the groups list the values and amenities of this area. He would like the Board to be active in this project and suggested that we have a presentation at our January or February meeting. Staff will ask Karl to present this program to the Board. Trail Construction Update was presented by Randy Balok. He said that the Shields and Rolland Moore project is close to completion and will be seeded in the spring. The College Avenue underpass project is going well and if weather permits, it should be completed in January. The South Prospect trail expansion bids have come it and the construction will probably be awarded to a company in Berthoud. This extension will go to the CSU Nature Center. The trail will be asphalt 10 feet wide. Flatiron is donating 44+ acres north of this area. Overland Park - John Rabun asked if the ballfields at this park would be built this spring. Virgil responded that they will. The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m. fully s itt d, Rael, Administrative Aide Meeting Attendance Board Members Staff John Rabun John Barnett Karen Schubert Roger Tarum Elery Wilmarth Mike Powers Jerry P. Brown Randy Balok Virgil Taylor Jackie Rael