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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks And Recreation Board - Minutes - 12/13/1983CITY OF FORT COLLINS PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MINUTES: Special Meeting - December 13, 1983 The meeting was called to order at 4:33 P.M. by President Chuck Solano. All Board members present, with one vacancy caused by the resignation of Dave Adamson. Agenda Review - No change to the printed Agenda. Citizen Participation - No citizen participation. Minutes - The Minutes of the last Regular Meeting of November 22, 1983, were approved unanimously, on a motion by Fran Bujack; seconded by Mike ImMasche. Larimer Community Services Center Proposal This item was originally brought to the attention of the Board at the last Regular Meeting. At that time, staff requested postponing a decision until this Special Meeting to allow for further study and review. Staff prepared a written report for the Board, listing the advantages and disadvantages, and summarizing its opinion. Board members reviewed this report, and held further discussions on the issue in question. H. R. Phillips presented the various site proposals at Riverside Park. Mike ImMasche stated that consolidation of services makes sense, and he supports a cooperative effort. Lyn Boyer responded to a question that the Human Services Cooporation had looked at 26 different existing buildings in town, but none met the requirements of the Agencies and Day Care. It is basically cheaper to build on City land than renovate. Bernie Cain stated they also looked at many pieces of land, but the costs generally were too high, or there were logistic problems. Mike ImMasche asked if the costs of providing services to the public would be less because the land was "Free"? Lyn Boyer said it would cut down duplication of services, which could save money. George Brelig said that the costs for this building would increase $4.00 per sq./ft. because of the site location (former City Dump). Chuck Solano stated that Riverside Park is 19 acres with around 10 acres undeveloped. H. R. noted that the land was never 'purchased' as a park, but had been City property. The Northside Aztlan Center was built in the mid 1970's, and we decided on the full Park Master Plan in 1979. There is no specific reason for the site being a park (not in floodplain, no special wildlife habitat, etc.) except for its recreational and location value. lee Martinez and Buckingham Parks are in fairly close proximity. Jerry P. Brown said funding for Riverside Park has been extremely limited. Parkland Funds can't be used because the park is not in a growth area. C.D.B.G. has been a primary source, and it has been limited. Perhaps if we cooperated in the creation of this Human Services building, we could 'leverage' some money to help us develop the rest of the Park. Jerry also said there is precedents for having non -park facilities in parks, such as in Library Park, City Hall by Washington Park, and the two Fire Stations in City Park and Spring Park. However, all Board members i are concerned and don't want to open up public lands, parks, and open space for development. As a point of information, the land will remain owned by the City and leased to the Corporation for $1.00 per year. After further discussion, the Board, on a motion by Bob Aukerman, seconded by Cathy Mulcahy, voted 5:3 as follows: We, the Fort Collins Parks and Recreation Board, strongly oppose the erosion of parks, greenbelt lands, and the aesthetic beauty of the City. We see this project as just such a move. However, we concede the special need for support from the City for this unique community -oriented project to consolidate human services. Therefore, we reluctantly agree to support this project, utilizing approximately 3 acres o R vers a Park for the Larimer Community Service Center. This support is given only for this use, and only if the following park needs are met: - The location of the project is to minimize the impact upon the Park, Greenbelt and River. - Landscape screening between the development and the Greenbelt, Trails, River and Park Areas. - Relocation of the existing Trail to its final proposed location along the River with a crossing on College Avenue. - Complete rebuilding of all existing Park and Recreation Facilities that would be eliminated by this construction, including the Trail, Soccer Field, Trees, Turf, Irrigation System, and Drainage, etc. Board members, Ann Schroeder, Jan Sheppard and Chuck Solano. voted against the recommendation. Jan Sheppard and Chuck Solano basically opposed the recommendation because they feel Parks and Recreation property should not be used for non -park, recreation or leisure oriented services. Ann Schroeder feels that the site is inappropriate because of traffic and potential railroad concerns, etc. Child Care Center at Lee Martinez Park Proposal Staff shared with the Board a memorandum from Mike Powers, Employee Development Director, regarding the.possibility for a Child Care Center in Lee Martinez Park. H. R. responded to Mike with a memorandum, citing the advantages and disadvantages to such a project. H. R. is basically opposed to seeing the City utilize park property for programs that are not park, recreation, or leisure oriented. The specific disadvantages he stated are as follows: 1. Loss of parkland. 2. North exposure would not be good. 3. Utilizing public property for City employees might not be good. 4. Conflict with the farm operation. 5. The Parks and Recreation Department currently offers a summer playground program from the Northside Aztlan Center and Juan Fullana Elementary School, and an environmental day camp program at Lee Martinez Park. Presently, there are softball games, tennis, basketball, playground for older children, fitness and jogging trail, and the farm are all that this park can handle. The farm operation will be providing many new programs -2- 9 both within the farm compound and in the entire park. We simply don't feel the park can handle another facility and program, such as the Child Care Center. 6. The Park already has heavy traffic due to the previously listed programs. 7. The Child Care Center would have to provide their own playground because the present playground is designed for older children. The advantages are that this is a good, creative idea, and solves a real problem; the general location is good; and there would be no cost for the land. After further discussion, the Board on a motion by Ann Schroeder. seconded by Fran Bujack, voted unanimously 8:0 against the proposal. Other Business - The next Regular Meeting of the Board is scheduled for December 27th. Because of the Christmas Holiday, the Board unanimously concurred to not meet again until the regular January meeting date. - Board members received copies of the letter of resignation from Dave Adamson. Dave and his family are moving to Arizona. The meeting was adjourned at 5:43 P.M. MEETING ATTENDANCE Members Chuck Solano Jan Sheppard Mike ImMasche Ann Schroeder Mary Elson Bob Aukerman Cathy Mulcahy Frances Bujack Respectfully submitted, JAN SHEPPARD Board Secretary Staff H. R. Phillips Jerry P. Brown Randy Balok Jean Helburg Debra Bueno Guests Lyn Boyer Bernie Cain George Brelig Erma Devens -3-