HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks And Recreation Board - Minutes - 02/24/1988CITY OF FORT COLLINS
PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD
MINUTES: Regular Meeting - February 24, 1988
President Karen Schubert called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. Board
Member Mike ImMasche called to say he would miss the meeting as he is ill.
Agenda Review: Staff asked the Board to add a presentation from Dr.
Howard Alden of CSU regarding the status of the Northern Colorado Nature
Center to the agenda.
Minutes: The minutes of the regular meeting of January 27, 1988 were
approved unanimously, as submitted, on a motion by Cathy Mulcahy, seconded
by John Rabun.
Citizen Participation: No Citizen Participation
Northern Colorado Nature Center Presentation
Dr. Howard Alden of CSU asked to speak to the Board about the status and
future of the Northern Colorado Nature Center (NCNC). The NCNC came into
existence in the late 1960's. It is now 144 acres in size. Flatiron is
the major adjacent property owner who will continue to do mining and
reclamation. The NCNC houses the CSU Raptor Rehabilitation Program. It is
a multi -purpose area which hosts over 2,000 Poudre R-1 students and 6,000
community drop -in visitors annually. Our new Strauss Cabin Trail which
extends the Poudre River Trail toward I-25 passes through the NCNC. Dr.
Alden stated there is an inter -relationship between the trail and the
Nature Center parking lot.
Dr. Alden has worked over the years with H. R. Phillips, as well as Randy
Balok and Craig Foreman from our Parks Planning and Development Division.
The trail and fencing improvements and some parking lot improvements will
be a joint effort. As a result of the trail, the NCNC will probably get
many more visitors. Currently, Poudre R-1 provides $1,500 annually to help
fund two work study students on site. The rest of the people are all
volunteers. Dr. Alden would like the City to also participate with at
least $1,500 in annual 0 & M funding as well. He would like a cooperative
effort from us as they currently receive no community revenue.
In response to questions, Dr. Alden said the NCNC and the Gustav Swanson
Nature Area are complimentary of each other and will serve different
functions. He was one of those responsible for the Swanson area. Dr.
Alden also said he has discussed the NCNC situation with the City Natural
Resources Department and they are supportive. Dr. Alden also mentioned a
problem with the nearby sewage treatment plant and how it impacts the NCNC.
Karen Schubert asked about adjacent mining efforts. Dr. Alden feels the
NCNC should eventually be a partnership and probably an endowment using
interest earnings could help pay for 0 & M costs. Bob Aukerman suggested
that staff work with Dr. Alden to get together a conceptual plan. Dr.
Alden suggested that Board members may want to tour the site in May or
June.
Parks and Recreation Board Minutes
February 24, 1988
Page Two
Craig Foreman indicated that the Strauss Cabin Trail should get to the NCNC
parking lot by the fall of this year. Bill Loy agreed with Bob Aukerman
that it makes sense to pursue looking into a partnership agreement. There
was further discussion. The Board unanimously indicated their interest in
seeing the City support the management of the NCNC financially. Staff will
pursue and report back to the Board.
Advertising Policy Issue
This issue was discussed at the January meeting with a decision to be
reached this meeting after a month of thinking. Jean Helburg reiterated
the proposed changes to the advertising policy as it relates to Alcohol.
There was some discussion regarding the difference between making a
business decision versus a 'moral" decision, as well as society in general.
Anheuser-Busch is in fact our neighbor and a contributing member of this
community that was sought out by the City and approved in an election.
Most Board members felt we are not the moral conscious of the City. Karen
Schubert strongly opposes adding alcohol advertising and said we are the
moral keepers of recreation. After further discussion the Board, on a
motion by Bill Loy, seconded by Bob Aukerman, voted 6:1 (Karen Schubert
voted no) to accept the revisions to the advertising policy to allow
alcohol advertising within the specific guidelines as proposed by staff,
and to recommend same to the City Council. Karen asked that another Board
member represent the Board at Council when the issue comes up for
discussion.
Other Business
- Staff said that we would discuss the curfew issue at the March meeting.
- A copy of Jeff King's response letter to Mrs. Jensen was distributed, as
well as a copy of the Parks and Recreation Board annual report.
- Karen reported that she and Leslie Beckmann met with Mr. Lemos regarding
his concerns at Buckingham Park. We will probably have a neighborhood
meeting.
John Rabun said he has heard good comments regarding one of our
department's basketball officials.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:51 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bob Aukerman, Board Secretary
Meeting Attendance
Board Members Staff Guests
Karen Schubert Rick Ramirez Jerry P. Brown Dr. Howard Alden
John Rabun Bill Loy Jean Helburg
Dr. Bob Aukerman Roger Tarum Craig Foreman
Cathy Mulcahy