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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks And Recreation Board - Minutes - 10/28/19981121-6351 Call Meeting to Order: The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Vice President Jessica MacMillan. Agenda Review: There were no changes to the printed agenda. Items of Note: Board Members Lance Freeman and Mary Ness were not able to attend the meeting. Citizen Participation: None Approval of the Minutes: On a motion by Marilyn Barnes, seconded by Paul VanValkenburg, the minutes of the September 30, 1998 meeting were unanimously approved (7-0). Natural Areas Regulations Karen Manci displayed poster boards explaining proposed Ordinances for City -owned natural areas which the Open Lands Natural Areas Team have been working on for some time. Public outreach on the proposed Ordinances, which are similar to existing regulations, has received a lot of public review and comment through the years and hasn't been very controversial. New Ordinances deal with conditions under which Search And Rescue (SAR) dogs may be trained in a natural area, construction of a structure, harassment of wildlife, and fishing rules and regulations. Regarding horseback riding, Karen said concern was expressed by the public that riding would not be permitted but the proposed regulation states a horse may be ridden on or within five feet of a paved trail or another type of trail designated for such use. Search And Rescue trainers want full rein on use of locations, especially off -leash training of puppies, and three sites were proposed (Gustav Swanson Natural Area, Archery Range Natural Area, and the Ross Natural Area). They didn't care for Archery Range and Gustav and said these natural areas were not enough. Parks met with them and proposed two other sites (Greenbriar Park and Troutman Park) and will take an offer of Redwing Natural Area, Salyer, and Legacy Natural Areas to them. Golden Meadows and Legacy Parks may also be possibilities and would give them a good area distribution for the training. Marilyn Barnes asked if the dogs in training could wear orange jackets for identification, similar to those worn by service dogs for blind and hearing impaired persons? Karen responded that the dogs do wear training jackets and that the trainer is identified as well. Jessica MacMillan asked what areas Search and Rescue are presently using to train the dogs, and Karen Manci said they use a variety of sites, including Lory State Park for group events. Big weekend events are not an issue; the smaller, individual training is more of a concern. Paul Van Valkenburg asked if specific times for use were discussed with SAR. Karen Manci said it was mentioned briefly but that it is more desirable for the group to use the areas when convenient for them rather than being restricted to certain times. Marilyn Barnes added that the purpose of using the dogs is to find lost people, and people don't get lost very easily in a place like City Park; that's why they need areas in the foothills to use for their training. Karen Manci said they want natural areas included as well as more often used park areas so that the dogs can learn to distinguish scents. Jessica MacMillan said that the dogs could be on a leash when training in community parks and agreed with Virgil Taylor that, if they were off -leash, other people using the park would be encouraged to allow their dogs off -leash. She felt natural areas, like Lory State Park, would be a great place for the training. Karen Manci said they did request some sensitive areas and are pushing for natural areas and community parks. Virgil Taylor said the group originally asked for 1,000 acres to use for training, and the city offered 100 acres. SAR was not satisfied, so the City attempted to increase the acreage and spread the locations throughout the community, avoiding City parks as much as possible as the general public would be encouraged to allow their pets off leash after seeing the dogs in training running around. He said that staff members from Natural Resources and Parks have been working together to accommodate the needs of SAR for their dogs to work on leash in numerous City owned sites. There are seven natural areas and four parks that staff has reviewed and approved for this use. These areas have been located in different quadrants of the City to facilitate the needs of the SAR group. SAR identified the following needs as important: 1) Close areas that SAR members and their dogs could utilize after work without traveling long distances; 2) Areas that have a variety of scents located in them; 3) Areas that had schools located close by; 4) Water ponds, lakes or streams were important; and 5) Cover is helpful to hide a possible victim. Parks and Natural Resources staff will present the following areas which meet the criteria proposed by SAR, to the group: n u Natural Areas Salyer and Legacy Natural Areas Ross Natural Area Redwing Natural Area/ Stormwater Wetlands Arapahoe Bend Natural Area Gustav Swanson Natural Area Archery Range Natural Area Parks Size (acres) Legacy Park 37 30 Greenbriar Park 30 100 12 50 Troutman Park 20 Golden Meadows Park 12 Total291 acres Karen Manci said that the list of areas offered to SAR would be reviewed each year. Virgil Taylor said that the group also asked for permission to use Fossil Creek; this may be added at some future point, although there are not a lot of scents at that location for dogs to track. Diane Thies asked about Southwest Park, the location of the new park for dogs allowed off - leash. Virgil Taylor said that if people are in the field, the hay could be knocked down. Regarding proposed regulations dealing with posting of signage, Paul VanValkenburg asked if places which allow fishing have to be posted? Karen Manci said that the areas would be posted if fishing is not allowed. He also asked if people wading in ponds conflicts with no swimming restrictions. Karen Manci said wading would be allowed only when signs indicate it is; float tubes, for example, are considered non -motorized boats, so would be allowed even if a sign indicates motorized vehicles are not allowed. Regarding access to a natural area during the hours of 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., Jessica MacMillan asked if permits would be required for an activity such as stargazing at a site that is closed between these hours. Karen Manci said that a permit would be required which would assist the Police, who patrol these areas, by letting them know that the group is using the area for a legitimate purpose. Regarding the construction of a structure in a City -owned natural area, Del Price asked about a kiosk? Karen Manci stated that it would have to be done by City staff. Del Price asked if the proposed regulations apply to City -owned land? Karen Manci replied that it is all City -owned and run by Natural Resources. Marty Heffernan added that the regulations could be applied to City Parks, and that this may be brought to the Board at the next meeting. The Ordinances could be combined with Parks and taken to City Council in December. Marilyn Bames moved to accept the Ordinances as written; Dean Hoag seconded the motion and the motion was unanimously approved (7-0). West Central Neighborhood Plan Janet Meisel -Burns explained that the Draft West Central Neighborhood Plan recommends that the City acquire and develop at least two new neighborhood parks in a three square mile area bounded by Mulberry, Drake, Taft Hill Road, Shields, Lake Street and College Avenue. After completing an analysis of the Draft Plan, Park Planning staff recommends acquisition of parkland on the east side of the planning area. The eastern park is located in the C.S.U.R.F. Property behind the Holiday Inn. The park location is proposed in the Spring Creek drainage basin and is located within a proposed natural area. The proposed park site lies within a square mile that is deficient in neighborhood parkland as defined by the Parks and Recreation Policy Plan. The neighborhood parkland need is between 0.1 acres and 2.9 acres. Staff agrees with this proposed park location and will begin working with C.S.U.R.F. and future development proposals to determine a new park location. Staff would like to pursue joint acquisition of a park site if this area is chosen for the Horticulture Center. The second park site is located on the western edge of the plan area and fronts Taft Hill Road and Glenmore Dive. Staff does not recommend acquisition of this site. It lies within a square mile section that does not need any additional parkland as defined by the Parks and Recreation Policy Plan. The proposed park also does not meet the location criteria and exceeds the parkland need of the service area as defined in the Policy Plan. In addition, funding is limited due to the lack of new development in this area. The WCNP agrees that there is adequate parkland overall, but does not feel there is sufficient neighborhood parkland for this area. The area is currently served by Avery Park, City Park and Rolland Moore Park. Both City Park and Avery Park are within 1/3 to 1/2 mile of the proposed park location. The Policy Plan recognizes that Community Parks provide neighborhood park benefits to people living near them and, therefore, no additional neighborhood parkland would be required for this section of the City. Although the Policy Plan states that new, mini -neighborhood parks should be developed in existing residential areas, staff believes the focus should be on those sections of the City that have a deficit. Staff agrees that there is a need for parkland in the section bounded by Shields, Prospect, Drake Street and College Avenue and will pursue acquisition and development of a new mini -park site as development occurs in this area. Jessica MacMillan asked if the C.S.U.R.F. Property is along the creek. Janet said that it would be alright to locate it in the flood plain area as only benches would be placed in the park. Dean Hoag asked if a park could be located on this property if the Horticulture Center is located at Lee Martinez Park instead of on this site. Janet said that a good park could be placed on the property. Rebecca Chavez expressed concern about Hickory Park, a site identified some time ago. Janet said that it is planned to design the park in 1999-2000 and build a portion of the park in 2000- 2001 using money from the General Fund. The new proposed park would be built and developed with money acquired from parkland fees and would not delay the development of Hickory Park. 4 11 Marilyn Barnes moved to recommend the site located in the C.S.U.R.F. Property to be built with parkland fees from the service area of the park and based on the current policy plan; Jessica MacMillan seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved (7-0). Marilyn Barns moved that no additional parkland money should be used to acquire or develop parks in the WCNP area that does not have a parkland deficit. If more parks, which the City would maintain are desired, the Board would support a decision to use the property north of Bennett School, but funding should come from the neighbors or the General Fund. However, if money comes from the General Fund, it should not delay or interfere with the development of Hickory Park. Diane Thies seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved (7-0). A memo from the Board to City Council and the Planning and Zoning Board will be prepared regarding this motion. Request to Combine November/December Meetine on November 18,1998 Paul VanValkenburg motioned to combine the November and December meetings on November 18 at 281 North College; Jessica MacMillan seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved (7-0). Other Business • Paul VanValkenburg asked if it is planned to dredge Sheldon Lake. Virgil Taylor said that it may be done in the future if Storm Drainage staff feel the lake has to be made deeper. A wall is being placed at the north end for the time being to take care of erosion problems. Cattails have also been planted in the wetland area to help clarify the water. • Marilyn Barns stated that she has heard people do not like Miramont Park. • Jessica MacMillan asked about Ridgeview Park. Wally Piccone said that it is moving along and that the art pieces are set up. Positive response has been received from the public. Jessica asked about drainage, and Wally said it will be taken care of through completion of the park improvements. • Rebecca Chavez said the drainage by the ditch in City Park is not good. Virgil Taylor said that the irrigation company is presently working on the downstream area and that it will be looked into next year. • Diane Thies mentioned that several people are complaining about not being able to reserve rooms at the Senior Center and that staff is not always consistent with giving directions. Mike Powers will look into the room reservation problem. Marilyn Barnes said that volunteers are often used at the desk, and that may be the reason for vague directions. • Mike Powers stated that Ron Daggett, Poudre School District Facilities, was unable to attend tonight's meeting. 5 • Diane Thies asked the current status of plans to partner with the schools. Mike Powers stated that cooperative nurturing will continue with neighborhoods and schools. • Virgil Taylor mentioned that about $30,000 has been spent on graffiti removal this year. Rebecca Chavez asked who could be called if kids are seen writing graffiti, and Virgil said that private security has been hired to handle parks in the south west area and that it is hoped this will help with the problem. • Marty Heffernan suggested that public input at future meetings be more structured, perhaps limited to 3-5 minutes, and an individual representative appointed to speak for groups. It was also suggested to use a facilitator on occasion, especially if there are emotional topics on the agenda. • Wally Piccone said the Open House process for Gateway Park proved to be positive although some people did not like the name. Janet Meisel -Burns said it falls in the park preserve category and that the process will be started for a management plan. • Paul VanValkenburg mentioned that he never saw so many dogs off leash as he did at the dog park and was impressed that owners put the dogs back on leash as they left the dog park. He asked who cleans up after them? Wally Piccone said that dog owners do some of the pick-up and Parks staff does the rest. • Jessica MacMillan asked about leash laws in the City and County. Janet Meisel -Burns said that the Humane Society is the enforcer for the City and Latimer County, and that Rangers are responsible for issuing tickets in the natural areas. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m. Meeting Attendance Board Members Staff Marilyn Barnes Rebecca Chavez Dean Hoag Jessica Macmillan Del Price Diane Thies Paul VanValkenburg Respectfully submitted, Marjorie Teklits Administrative Secretary Edith Felchie Marty Heffernan Karen Manci Janet Meisel -Burns Wally Piccone Mike Powers Virgil Taylor Marjorie Teklits