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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks And Recreation Board - Minutes - 09/28/1992u r CITY 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 -- September 28, 1992 President Bob McCluskey called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Board Member Cathy Mulcahy called to say she would be late to tonight's meeting. AGENDA REVIEW: No changes to the printed agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of the regular meeting of August 26, 1992 were unanimously approved on a motion by Mary Ness, seconded by John Barnett after correction (Roger Tarum approved the minutes of July 22, seconded by K-Lynn Cameron). ELECTION OF OFFICERS The Board By-laws state election of officers shall be the first item of business at the regular September meeting. Bob McCluskey was elected president; Roger Tarum was elected vice president; and K-Lynn Cameron was elected secretary. All were unanimously elected to office. 1993 RECREATION FEES AND CHARGES Recreation Manager Jean Helburg gave an overview of the Recreation Fee Policy. In 1980, the City Council adopted a policy in which the fees were to recover 50 percent of the cost of the programs. Over the years this percentage had steadily increased to a recovery of 63 percent in 1990. As a result, users were paying fees that covered more than the actual costs of the activities. The City received ongoing complaints that fees were not equitable and in some cases citizens quit using our programs because the prices were above what participants were willing to pay. In 1990, Council adopted a new Recreation fee policy with a four-year phase -in plan. The new policy was initiated so that the fees would have a more equitable cost between the users and the general tax dollars. The costs would be split between the General Fund paying for the administrative costs and the users paying for their direct program costs with the General Fund subsidizing programs that cannot totally be covered by user fees, i.e. therapeutic, senior citizen, and low income activities. Council has funded two of the four years. In 1991, $113,000 was added in General Fund support, which resulted in no fee increases to users that year. In 1992, Council added $242,919 in General Fund support: $170,269 supported the reduction of many activity fees; $33,632 was added to begin support of an ongoing low income scholarship fund for financially disadvantaged citizens; and $39,018 was added to begin the development of a revenue shortfall reserve. In 1993, $20,000 has been proposed to increase the scholarship fund. Staff is not suggesting any additional funding for 1993 beyond the scholarship fund. We Parks and Recreation Board Minutes September 28, 1992 Page 2 want to evaluate the impacts on the policy of a full year of fee reductions before recommending future changes. Mike Powers added that this analysis was requested by some of the members of Council. The Board is asked to review the fees and charges as proposed for 1993. The fee schedule will be presented for adoption by the Council as part of the 1993 budget process. Some fees will increase. However, these increases are in line with the requirements of the adopted policy and reflect increases in the costs of the specific programs, i.e., salaries and facility costs. The remaining fees are frozen at the 1992 level. If the third year of the fee policy is adopted, some of these frozen fees would be lowered. Marilyn Barnes expressed concerns about the fee discounts seniors receive just because they are over 50 years old. She stated that seniors in Larimer County have more disposable income than single moms trying to put their kids in programs. Jean said that the goal in analyzing Recreation fees is for the low income policy to be implemented on an as need basis, not age. As soon as the scholarship program is implemented, staff will do a phase -in period that will occur between 1993 and the time the new senior center opens. Roger Tarum agreed with Marilyn that it is time to do something with the senior fees. Diane Thies asked what formula is used to adopt the fee schedule. Jean said the formula is based on the cost of the program and is done on an individual program cost. Cathy Mulcahy asked if these classes where the salaries are being increased are the most popular classes and if they are always full? Jean replied that was correct. Bob McCluskey said we need to go forward with the Fee Policy since participation is up and that the Board needs to encourage Council to fund year 3 of the policy. K-Lynn Cameron asked if the Council supported the 3rd year, would that lower the fees? And she agrees with Bob that we need to stay on track. Marilyn said she doesn't have any problem with the fees as presented tonight, but would like to see the 3rd year of the policy implemented. John Barnett said Council adopted the policy two years ago and the philosophy hasn't changed, therefore, the fee schedule should be followed. On a motion by Marilyn Barnes, seconded by K-Lynn Cameron, the Board voted to recommend to Council that the Senior Age be raised to 55 years old, and that the fees be adopted as submitted by staff tonight. The Board voted 7-2 (Barnes, Cameron, Tarum, Mulcahy, Barnett, Thies, and Ness, yes; and McCluskey, and Wilmarth, no) On a motion by K-Lynn Cameron, seconded by John Barnett, the Board voted unanimously (9-0) to recommend that Council adopt the third year of the Recreation Fee Policy. A letter from Bob McCluskey will be sent to the Council with this recommendation. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION: Citizen Kelly Ohlson spoke to the Board. He first wanted the Board to know that he agrees with their philosophy of discounts based on ability to pay rather than an arbitrary criteria such as age. He said he was on the Board for the Office on Aging and also City Council Liaison the Senior Board. He said that private studies in Larimer County over the years indicate Parks and Recreation Board Minutes September 28, 1992 Page 3 that Seniors are the wealthiest population in Larimer County. The discounts should be given as an economic break because of need not age. Further, the main reason why Mr. Ohlson addressed the Board this evening was to ask for their endorsement on the citizen initiated ordinance to fund suitable land for public trails, wildlife habitat, and natural areas by a one -quarter cent sales tax for five years. This one -quarter cent sales tax in five years would generate $10,000,000 to $12,000,000. The cost to maintain these lands would be $35 an acre. John Barnett asked if this money could be use to refurbish lands that are purchased with this money? Kelly said yes it could. Cathy Mulcahy asked what resistance they have met on this? Kelly said virtually none. Bob McCluskey thinks this is a good plan and we should go forth with it. On a motion by K-Lynn Cameron, seconded by Marilyn Barnes, the Board voted unanimously (9-0) to recommend that Council support this citizen initiated ordinance. The Board further asks Council to lend permission to the Parks and Recreation Board to become a supporter of this ballot initiative. NAME CHANGE FOR THE COMMUNITY POOL Recreation Manager Jean Helburg spoke to the Board about renaming the Fort Collins Community Pool to the "Mulberry Street Pool" or "The Mulberry Pool." She asked the Board if they had any other suggestions or comments. Cathy Mulcahy asked why this renaming wasn't brought to the public? Jean said that the outcome of a public contest in 1974 was "The Fort Collins Community Pool." In addition, there hasn't been time to administer a contest. The opening in January will be nice, but not as grandiose as the EPIC opening. Since the pool is located on Mulberry Street, the name change provides more description of its location and creates a more colorful name. OTHER BUSINESS Jean brought attention to the Board a memo in their packets regarding the racial incident at EPIC. She sent the Board a press release on this issue. Jean feels many positive aspects will come out of this incident. Roger Tarum said there is an underlying problem that was brought out by this incident. We, as a society, need to not take this lightly. John Barnett said the pendulum does swing back and we need to educate our young people on what happened in the 160's and we can't go back to segregated life style. Amendment One - Jerry P. Brown spoke to the Board about the Colorado Parks and Recreation Association endorsing "Vote No on Amendment One." This tax limitation would directly affect Parks and Recreation facilities. Greater Outdoors Colorado - Jerry further said that the City Council is not taking a position on this amendment because of the lottery funding CSU receives would have an effect on others in the community. BOARD MEMBERS COMMENTS K-Lynn Cameron questioned the Project Report Update as to what the North College Entrance meant? Mike Powers replied that is the North College Avenue bridge replacement and this is also considered a gateway to the City. Parks and Recreation Board Minutes September 28, 1992 Page 4 Roger Tarum asked if there was going to be any ISETEA money used for this project? Mike said that the State has ISETEA money for a portion of beautifying this project. As soon as we have drawings, we will bring them to the Board. Halloween Treatsylvania - Jean Helburg said that last year at the Farm a Trick or Treat Street was set up for the kids. Local businesses purchased 25 store fronts and gave away coupons or treats. Recreation raised over $4,000 on this. At last week's Colorado Parks and Recreation Association Conference, Fort Collins Parks and Recreation was awarded the Columbine Award for innovative programming. There were only two of these awards given in the State this year. This year Treatsylvania will have 35 store fronts. Cathy Mulcahy attended the Senior Building Team meeting last week. She reported that the committee has lots of energy and is a very diverse age group. Work Plan for 1993 - Jerry said the 1993 work plan will be discussed at the October meeting. The plan is due to the City Clerk by December 1, and since the Board is combining the November and December meetings to meet December 9, the work plan needs to be completed at the next meeting. Jerry asked Board members to bring their requests to the next meeting. Staff will provide a draft work plan for the Board. John Barnett attended a neighborhood meeting where Park Planning and Development Manager Randy Balok and Civil Engineer Craig Foreman presented the plans for the Spring Creek Trail extension to connect to the Foothills Trail. John said he has never attended a more positive public meeting. The attendees had a very positive response to the trail plan. On a motion by Elery Wilmarth, the Board meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. �tfully submit ed, L -cam e Rael, Administrative Aide I] Meeting Attendance BOARD MEMBERS STAFF GUESTS Bob McCluskey Roger Tarum John Barnett K-Lynn Cameron Cathy Mulcahy Mary Ness Roger Tarum Diane Thies Elery Wilmarth Mike Powers Jerry P. Brown Jean Helburg Jackie Rael Kelly Ohlson