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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks And Recreation Board - Minutes - 06/26/1991CITY OF FORT COLLINS CULTURAL, LIBRARY, AND RECREATIONAL SERVICES PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MINUTES: Regular Meeting -- June 26, 1991 President Bob McCluskey called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Board Members Bob Alexander and K-Lynn Cameron called to say they would not be able to attend tonight's meeting. Director of Cultural, Library, and Recreational Services Michael Powers is out of town on a family medical emergency. Agenda Review: Staff added to Other Business -- Joint Meeting with the Landmark Preservation Commission. Minutes: The minutes of the regular meeting of May 22, 1991 were unanimously approved on a motion by John Barnett, seconded by Rene' Cooney. Board Member Elery Wilmarth wanted the records to reflect that he was in the hospital on May 22, and therefore was not able to attend the May meeting. Citizen Participation: No citizen participation. Recommendation on Community Pool Replacement Recreation Manager Jean Helburg updated the Board on the options for the pool replacement. The scheduled plan is staff will take this issue to a Council Worksession on July 9, and after receiving direction from Council, this item will be on the Council's agenda for August 6. The options were reviewed as outlined in the memo the Board received (dated June 21). Citizen Katie Anderson, referring to Option E, said this option eliminates the children's needs in the community. Board Member Roger Tarum questioned where the most effective location in the City would be for the Senior Center? Jean replied that a location has not been pinpointed, however, the Building Team has defined that the location should be centrally located; close to bus transportation; and should have room for expansion. Board Member John Barnett questioned the plans for Block 31 and would it be possible to utilize that area for the Senior Center? Jean said Block 31 is not large enough and that a five- to eight -acre piece of land is needed. Citizen Wayne Brothers said the City should look geographically at what the user groups want. The Board then reviewed the issue paper that related to the community pool replacement that staff developed. This paper outlined a more futuristic view of having three community pools in Fort Collins. Citizen Katie Anderson said she would like to discuss item #1 on the issue paper. She questioned how EPIC can continually close the swimming pool every Tuesday and Thursday during high school swim season for dual meets and have other user groups closed out if the indoor pool closes. EPIC Manager Jeff King addressed her questions. During dual meets, other activities can be programmed such as swim lessons, the therapy pool, and recreational pool area. Staff is looking for additional pool time at other locations for FAST. For example, the Senior usage would be high during the Parks and Recreation Board June 26, 1991 Page 2 mornings and by afternoon the participation drops considerably and then the competitive swimmers could use the pool. Lap lanes at the Senior Center would be designated for swim team competition. Jean said Katie's concerns were primarily a programming issue that will certainly be dealt with when we get to that point. Board Member Karen Schubert stated that when high school teams practice there will only be one pool open for them. If we had two pools, divers could practice at one pool and swimmers could practice at another location. Jerry P. Brown related the competitive swim programs to the high school golf teams. Each course accommodates only one team each day. Poudre R-1 Representative Dave Danielson asked how the issue paper and the options for replacement will relate? Jean said staff is reviewing the options and the issue paper and will develop a strategy this week for presentation to Council. As a part of the Building Team's review, it appears that there aren't any city owned sites that would accommodate the site criteria for the Senior Center. Board Member Elery Wilmarth asked what the situation is with the CSU pools? Jean replied that staff is working on this. If the community pool does go down, it might be possible to use the CSU South College Pool. FAST President Wayne Brothers said he has talked to CSU for four years and every time has been told there is no chance of FAST using any of CSU's three pools. Jean said that she knows that their pools are highly programmed. Board Member Bob McCluskey said if these options were given to the various user groups, none of the options would make anyone of them happy. Board Member Rene' Cooney said the Building Team is looking down the road to market to the younger senior population. She had a chance to talk to two Councilmembers last week and they asked her opinion on the pool issue. She told them what the community needs, the Council can't afford to build -- that would be a six -lane pool for the Senior Center and a 10-lane community pool. They (councilmembers) recommended that all options be brought to Council, regardless of the cost. Board Member Roger Tarum stated that what he is hearing from the public is that the City will be making a mistake to try to build something that is less than adequate for the needs of Fort Collins. John Barnett said the key strategy is funding. We need to find out if the community is willing to raise $4,000,000 to support this pool issue. If the reality is that the seniors and the competitive swimmers want their own pools, then the community needs to find out how to pay for the construction of two pools. Private grants should be investigated. Karen Schubert wants to hear from the Poudre R-1 School District. She said if they have three competitive swim teams with a fourth high school planned, then part of the burden needs to be carried by the School District. Jeff King said he has addressed this issue with the School District because EPIC will not be able to provide long-term support for four high schools' swim teams and competitive swim clubs as they both grow in Fort Collins. He said the School District is looking at a pool attached to one of its schools, however they don't want to get into the 0&M of a pool. Dave Danielson said that if PR-1 does build a pool, it would Parks and Recreation Board June 26, 1991 Page 3 probably be attached to the new Fort Collins High. Northglenn and Westminster Schools have expressed that they may not open their school pools next year because of the 0&M costs. Rene' said the Board and staff need to address Council with what the community needs are and then go from there. Roger agrees with Rene'. Board Member Bob Alexander telephoned his comments to staff that he would not support any of the options presented in staff's memo dated June 21, and that the community needs an eight -lane pool, at least. He said staff should go to Council and ask for another $500,000 to build the pool right this time. Karen Schubert would like staff to visit with the School Board and find out if they are going to build a pool with the new high school; and she suggested that the competitive swim parents of younger children need to get on the band wagon with the School District. John Barnett said the Board needs to prepare an issue paper outlining the needs of the users, bring back the 4th grade swim program, explore funding strategy with a bond issue, user groups funding participation, and foundations to come up with the $4,000,000. Katie Anderson said the City and School District should work together for a positive solution for the good of the children as Loveland has done. Other Business Jerry P. Brown reported that the Landmark Preservation Commission would like to have a joint meeting with the Parks and Recreation Board. The Board agreed that would be a positive step and they would like to have the joint meeting in July or August at the regular Parks and Recreation Board meeting, but to move it up to 6:30 p.m. with a short reception of dessert and coffee. Staff will coordinate this with Carol Tunner, the Landmark Preservation Commission staff liaison. Board Members/Staff Comments - John Barnett referred to a drawing that appeared in the Coloradoan showing an engineering drawing for Spring Park which would take the natural stream away from the park. Board members decided they want to express their feelings about this project. Staff will contact Greg Lanning to express the Board's concerns. Staff will report back to the Board. - Karen Schubert expressed her concern about the trail underpass at Shields and the blind corner where the trail from Rolland Moore Park and Shields Street connect on the west side. Staff will have Civil Engineer Craig Foreman check into this and report back to the Board. - Karen questioned the storage 'shed' that is being constructed adjacent to the racquet complex at Moore Park. She had many questions about its appearance, purpose, cost, and location. Staff will investigate and report to the Board. Speed of roller blades on the trail is a concern of the Board's. John Parks and Recreation Board June 26, 1991 Page 4 Barnett said the problem with roller bladers in Boulder has escalated. The City of Boulder has a trail bicycle patrol who works 80 hours a week enforcing speed limits on the trails. A public education campaign is needed. The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m. tfully submi ed, e Rael, Administr tive Aide II Meeting Attendance Board Members Staff Guests Bob McCluskey John Barnett Rene' Cooney Mary Ness Karen Schubert Roger Tarum Elery Wilmarth Jerry P. Brown Jean Helburg Jeff King Jackie Rael FAST Parents Representatives: Rowland Waggatt Beryl Younkin Katie Anderson Linda Gilmore Wayne Brothers