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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks And Recreation Board - Minutes - 05/26/1993CITY OF FORT COLLINS CULTURAL, LIBRARY, AND RECREATIONAL SERVICES PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD CITY COUNCIL LIAISON TO THE BOARD: Councilman Gerry Horak STAFF SUPPORT TO THE BOARD: Jackie Rael, Administrative Aide II, and Jerry P. Brown, Assistant to the Director MINUTES: Regular Meeting -- May 26, 1993 Vice -President Roger Tarum called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m. K-Lynn Cameron called to say she would not be able to attend tonight's meeting. Manager of Park Planning and Development Randy Balok introduced Jeff Smullen who is interning with Randy's staff. AGENDA REVIEW: No changes to the printed agenda. ELECTION OF NEW BOARD PRESIDENT Because of the election of former Parks and Recreation Board President Bob McCluskey to the City Council, the Board's first matter of business was to elect a new president to take Bob's place. Roger Tarum was unanimously (5-0) elected President of the Parks and Recreation Board. Because Roger was the former Vice President, the Board then unanimously (5-0) elected Mary Ness as the new Vice - President of the Board. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of the last regular meeting of February 24, 1993 were unanimously (5-0) approved on a motion by Marilyn Barnes, seconded by John Barnett. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION: No citizen participation. EASTSIDE NEIGHBORHOOD PARK Randy Balok spoke to the Board about this 1.8 acre neighborhood parkland site. The park site is adjacent to Laurel Elementary School. This property is presently owned by Poudre R-1. Randy explained that the City's Right -of -Way agent has not been able to come up with a clean title to portions of this property. As soon as a clear title is presented, the City will continue the project. Diane Thies asked how willing is the School District to assist in this purchase? Randy replied that they are cooperating with the City. Jerry P. Brown added that the need for an Eastside Neighborhood Park was identified during the Choices 95 process. John Barnett and Mary Ness were on that committee when they identified the need for a park in the eastside. Since there wasn't any parkland fee money available, because it is an older neighborhood where virtually no parkland fees were collected, they decided it qualified for funding under Choices 95. John stated that at that time, there was Parks and Recregtion Board Minutes May 26, 1993 Page 2 never an assumption that a five or six acre park site could be acquired and that a "mini" site would be sufficient until other adjacent properties might become available. This site, along with the Laurel Elementary site gives the neighborhood a 10-acre site. After much discussion, the Board recommended that staff proceed with this park site after the title gets cleared. The Board asked Randy Balok to keep the Board advised on the progress. CITY/POUDRE R-1 JOINT MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT Parks Manager Virgil Taylor introduced Poudre R-1 Maintenance Supervisor Jerry Garretson. Virgil distributed a draft maintenance agreement that he reviewed with Board members. After review of the draft agreement, Virg informed the Board that he brought this to the Board tonight for informational purposes only and when a final agreement is met, he will return to the Board. Board Member Mary Ness asked if there has been consideration to consolidate the two maintenance groups? Virgil said this could be a possibility. Mary said as a taxpayer the combination of the two could save money as well as combine equipment and expertise. Mike Powers agreed with Mary and said that is something that we are exploring. Jerry Garretson said that school grounds maintenance and park maintenance are coming from different levels of service. He said that on one hand he has parents who are concerned about the lack of lawn maintenance at the schools and on the other hand Poudre R-1 is in the business to educate children and when there are budget cuts, the first area that gets cut is the maintenance budget. He said that in the last three years, Poudre R-1 has cut 25 percent of his budget. Jerry also said that they have adopted some of the City's specs in maintaining Boltz and it is working very well. Mary said the two entities are getting closer to a better working relationship and he applauds them for that. REVISED TREE ORDINANCE POLICY City Forester Tim Buchanan stated that the Forestry staff has been working with the City Attorney to revise the Tree Ordinance. Tim reviewed the changes to the ordinance with the Board. Board Member John Barnett asked if the Russian Olive has been considered to be banned. Tim replied that the Forestry staff does discourage the planting, and is following an action plan not to plant it on City land, but it has not been included on the list of banned tree species for the whole city. Jerry P. Brown questioned Section 27-31 which allows the landscape plan for public places to be reviewed by the Forestry staff. Tim explained that the way the ordinance reads now is landscape plans for public areas have to be reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Board. Their approval acts as a permit. With the amendment to this ordinance, the Forestry Division would issue a free permit before plantings which is consistent with current practices. Roger Tarum questioned Section 27-40. Appeals and Hearings. His question is about Forestry appeals for license suspension and revocation coming before the Parks and Recreation Board Minutes May 26, 1993 ' Page 3 Parks and Recreation Board. He questions the authority of the Parks and Recreation Board if they are an "advisory" board, but.given this authority? Tim said that this authority has been given to the Parks and Recreation Board since 1971 to act as a sounding Board and it is an exception to the rule. On an amended motion by John Barnett, seconded by Mary Ness the Board voted (4-1) John Barnett, Mary Ness, Diane Thies, and Roger Tarum, yes; and Marilyn Barnes, no; to accept the revised tree ordinance policy with the exception of Section 27- 18A amending to also ban the planting of Russian Olive Trees and Salt Cedar. Marilyn Barnes explained that she voted no because she feels that the Russian Olive tree is a attractive tree that has value. The motion also recommend adding to Section 27-37 a multiple tier of insurance coverage for licensed arborists. The Board felt that the insurance coverage portion of the ordinance should be on a scale depending on the kind of work being done. Tim Buchanan identified the need to seek input from local nurseries before Russian Olive is banned. Natural Resources Director Tom Shoemaker said the Russian Olive tree does attract birds. However, the research has indicated that these are not a desirable plant for ecological purposes. NATURAL AREAS SITE ACQUISITION PRIORITIES Natural Resources Director Tom Shoemaker updated the Board on implementation of the Natural Areas Sales Tax and Policy Plan. Tom showed the Board a map that explained the prioritization of the purchase of land sites. He also explained that he was returning to the Board tonight to find out if the Board is comfortable with the amount of information he and his staff have been giving them and to get feedback. Mary Ness said he is satisfied with the material given to the Parks and Recreation Board; Roger Tarum said he is mostly interested in the prioritization as it relates to the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Diane Thies said if there is a purchasing prioritization list, that the inner city purchases be a high priority. On a motion by Marilyn Barnes, seconded by John Barnett, the Board voted unanimously (5-0) to accept the Natural Area Acquisition Priorities as presented by staff and encourages staff to go forth with the purchases. SCHEDULING JOINT MEETING WITH THE NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD After Tom Shoemaker's presentation this evening, the Board felt it was not necessary for them to meet on June 2 to review the Natural Areas Site Acquisition again. The Parks and Recreation Board would like to have a joint meeting with the Natural Resources Advisory Board later this year at which time staff would be ready to have a tour of these areas. OTHER BUSINESS Jerry P. Brown said that in the Board's last packet, they received an update Parks and Recreation Board Minutes May 26, 1993 Page 4 on the North College Avenue Corridor Plan from Jan Meisel, Planning Department. He said that Jan will be available to come to the Parks and Recreation Board upon their request for a presentation. The Board felt that if staff keeps them informed by way of the monthly Parks and Recreation Project Update Report, that would be sufficient at this time. - Mike Powers informed the Board that Council has requeste a review of the Parkland Fee and this process will occur over the summer. Mike will keep the Board informed. BOARD MEMBERS/STAFF COMMENTS - Diane Thies wanted staff and the Board to know that Terry Keith has done a great job with the "Baseball for All" program for children with special needs. On a motion by Mary Ness, the meeting was adjourned at 9. 0 p.m. Respe tfully submitt�, l- Jackie2 Rael / Administrative Aide Meeting Attendance BOARD MEMBERS STAFF GUESTS Roger Tarum John Barnett Marilyn Barnes Mary Ness Diane Thies Mike Powers Jerry P. Brown Randy Balok Tim Buchanan Tom Shoemaker Virgil Taylor Jackie Rael Jeff Smullen Jerry Garretson