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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks And Recreation Board - Minutes - 02/24/1993CITY 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: Jerry P. Brown, Assistant to the Director, and Jackie Rael, Administrative Aide II MINUTES: Regular Meeting -- February 24, 1993 President Bob McCluskey called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. Poudre R-1 Representative Dave Danielson called to say he would not be able to attend tonight's meeting. AGENDA REVIEW: No changes to the printed agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of the regular meeting of January 27, 1993 were unanimously approved on a motion by Roger Tarum, seconded by John Barnett. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION: No citizen participation. IMPLEMENTATION OF NATURAL AREAS SALES TAX Natural Resources Director Tom Shoemaker updated the Board on implementation of the Natural Areas Sales Tax and Policy Plan. The purpose of his presentation was to get feedback from the Parks and Recreation Board. This is a citizen initiated ordinance of one -quarter cent sales tax for five years and would generate approximately $13,000,000 in revenues by 1998. Tom visited with other government agencies around the state for their input on how they manage their open space program. Their recommendations were to establish a board, complete an inventory of potential acquisitions, establish a list of priority acquisition sites, but remain flexible for other acquisitions/advantages. Both the Parks and Recreation Board and the Natural Resources Board will work jointly on this. Bob McCluskey asked how often the two Boards would meet? Tom said probably annually. He further stated that both Boards would -set acquisition priorities. In evaluating sites, priority will be given to natural areas with high resource value and natural areas that offer opportunities for passive recreational usage. K-Lynn Cameron recommended that the County Parks Department be part of their communication network in the urban areas. Tom assured her they will. Tom will return to this Board in April and possibly arrange a tour of the top site selections. A question was raised, "what if a parcel of land was purchased, but only part of it is used as a natural area, and the other part sold for development?" Tom replied that the funds received for the part sold for development would revert back to the natural areas fund. He also said that there were some legal questions regarding the use of the funds to purchase any non natural areas. Staff plans to avoid this situation. K-Lynn asked what their number one priority of land purchase is? Tom said there are 10 top sites and he described the top choices. After discussion, the Board relayed to Tom that they Parks and Recreation Board Minutes February 24, 1993 Page 2 were very comfortable with the plan as presented tonight. At this time, Board Member Cathy Mulcahy had to leave the meeting. LARIMER COUNTY PARKS COMPREHENSIVE PARKS MASTER PLAN Larimer County Park Planner K-Lynn Cameron spoke to the Board about the County's Park Master Plan. She began her presentation by telling the Board that the County Parks Department has been in existence since 1950. At that time they began managing the recreational aspects of Carter Lake, Horsetooth Reservoir, Flatiron Reservoir, and Pinewood Reservoir. Since that time, the County Parks has never had a master plan. In 1991, the Department decided it was time to focus on a master plan because of the growth in the county and the deterioration of their infrastructure. Their goal is to incorporate the County Parks master plan with the plans from the City of Loveland and City of Fort Collins so the three plans can work harmoniously. By the year 2010, the population of Larimer County is expected to exceed 250,000. Therefore, there will be double the park users and the county is already unable to keep up with the facility usage. The master plan was developed by EDAW with input from a citizen task force and County staff. First an inventory was established and it was determined that 50% of the land in Larimer County is publicly owned. After the study was complete, the team presented "Option 7" as their choice. This option states that the County would keep their current system and expand to open space and develop a regional trail system. This would expand their water base reservoirs to possibly add Rocky Ridge and Fossil Creek Reservoirs. The plan would protect the open space expansions at Carter Lake and Flatiron and Pinewood Reservoirs. And third, their goal is to plan a regional trail system and connect trails that tie into the Fort Collins and Loveland systems, as well as towards Weld and Boulder Counties. K-Lynn explained where their budgeting comes from: 55% of their budget comes from user fees; 25% from the Lottery; 10% from general fund; and 10% from Park development fees (Park development fees are collected in the urban growth area where 20% goes to the County and 80% to the City). She emphasizes, that we need to start breaking down regional boundaries with the cities, Larit er and Weld Counties and take a stronger look at cooperative ventures between the two counties and the tri-cities. This plan was presented to the County Commissioners this week. They approved the direction and the "Option 7" that was described above. Bob McCluskey asked if the commissioners are in support of a county sales tax for added revenues to complete the master plan? K-Lynn said they were only looking at the vision of the plan last week and that staff will discuss funding with them on March 8. Mary Ness asked if they have looked at taxing users outside of Larimer County? K-Lynn said that is a possibility. County Planning Director John Barnett discussed the corridor with the Board. He Parks and Recreation Board Minutes February 24, 1993 Page 3 said that yesterday the two City Councils, Planning Staffs (Larimer County, Loveland, and Fort Collins) met to discuss the corridor. The staffs are looking at a one -mile corridor between the two cities from the hog back to the county line. They are also working on a cooperative regional plan among the tri-cities and two counties. Bob McCluskey asked if the Go Colorado dollars would be enough to fund this project. K-Lynn and John both said that with Amendment 1, the grants from this money might not exceed $50,000 per project. Roger Tarum said the corridor should be preserved for the natural habitats. After much discussion, the Board on a motion by Marilyn Barnes, seconded by Bob McCluskey, voted unanimously (5-0) to accept the vision of the County Parks Master Plan as presented tonight. Note: Board Members K-Lynn Cameron and John Barnett declared a conflict of interest and were not voting members on this issue. Cathy Mulcahy left the meeting before this item was brought to the Board, and Elery Wi)marth was absent from the meeting. The Parks and Recreation Board had no objection to K-Lynn and John participating in discussion of this item. BOARD MEMBERS/STAFF COMMENTS - Jerry P. Brown previously sent the Board copies of other Boards annual reports for their review. - With regards to the Update Report sent to the Board by staff, John Barnett asked if staff has looked into ISTEA money for enhancements on Taft for bike lanes? ISTEA funding items will be added to the March update report. On a motion by Mary Ness, acting on Elery Wilmar " s behalf, the meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m. I' tfully submit ed, Jackie Rael Administrative Ai Meeting Attendance BOARD MEMBERS STAFF GUESTS Bob McCluskey Jerry P. Brown Roger Tarum Tom Shoemaker K-Lynn Cameron Jackie Rael Marilyn Barnes John Barnett Cathy Mulcahy Mary Ness Diane Thies