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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks And Recreation Board - Minutes - 04/26/19839 0 CITY OF FORT COLLINS PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES: Regular Meeting - April 26, 1983 The meeting was called to order at 6:34 P.M. by Chairman Mike ImMasche. Board member Fran Bujack is absent due to a doctor's appointment conflict in Denver. One item was added to the Agenda during Agenda Review: Proposed sculpture for Rolland Moore Park. --- No one spoke during Citizen Participation. The minutes of the Regular Meeting of March 22, 1983, were approved unanimously as submitted, on a motion by Chuck Solano; seconded by Dave Adamson. Northside Center Name Change Request As we discussed at our March 22nd Board Meeting, a group of citizens representing the area near Northside Center, decided to appear before the City Council at their April 5th meeting. Mr. Ernie Miranda acted as spokesperson, presenting the Council a petition with over 200 signatures. The group requested that the City change the name of Northside Community Center to the "Fort Collins Aztlan Center". Aztlan being an Aztec word generally meaning northern area, which is apparently histor- ically significant to many local Hispanic residents. Council members briefly questioned Mr. Miranda, and unanimously "referred" the matter to the Parks and Recreation Board. Ms. Carol Salas acted as spokesperson for the group making the request to our Board. She passed out copies of newspaper stories from the Coloradoan (dated 10-4-77) and the Triangle Review (dated 10-19-77), which provided some history of this name change request. Quotes in the stories by former Mayor Nancy Gray and former Recreation Superintendent, Tom Frazier, implied acceptance of Northside area residents involvement regarding all matters. Ms. Salas said former Parks and Recreation employee, Glenda Poteste, was the liaison to the community, and she had organized the Northeast Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, a citizen group representing the Northside area. Carol Salas sees the name change request as "unfinished business" which they hoped to be 'completed' in 1978. She now sees the revised name change request as a gesture of friendship between ethnic cultures. Mike ImMasche asked about the 200 signatures on the petition, and if they were truly representatives of the people/ community; and could there be any racial problems if the name wasn't changed? Ms. Salas said the petition itself was not that important, but that the Board should decide the matter as appointed citizen representatives. She also said she did not feel there would be any racial unrest if the name wasn't changed. Dave Adamson said he talked to people who told him the name Aztlan has a political connotation. Ms. Salas agreed that in the 70's "Viva Aztlan" was a slogan, but that it was generally no longer in use. Cathy Mulcahy wanted to know if there was any difference of opinion, say from the Alta Vista/Buckinham/Andersonville area, vs the Holy Family area, for example. Ms. Salas said generally "no". Mr. Ernie Miranda said some of the signatures on the petition were from the Denver area, which shows that this is a statewide issue, as well. n E Ann Schroeder wondered if this name change would work to separate, rather than bring people together. Bob Aukerman stated that a Community Center was designed for all of the community, with no area connotation. Mary Elson wanted to know if Riverside Park could be changed to Aztlan Park, and keep Northside Center the same name? Jan Sheppard then asked about the two newspaper articles from 1977, which implied the Center was started for the neighborhood. H. R. Phillips ex- plained that staff used the name "Northside Community Center" at the time when they applied for the Federal E.D.A. Anti -recessionary Grant. We didn't act on a different name because we didn't specifically hear of Aztlan until much later. We were not opposed to Aztlan, but we already named the Center 'Northside'. In September of 1978, Ms. Salas appeared before City Council "officially notifying" them that the Northside community was naming the facility the Fort Collins Aztlan Center, and 'they' were dedicating it on September 16th. There were certain 'problems' at their dedication, and the name change issue was dropped. Ms. Salas said that they "abandoned" the name change effort due to more "pressing issues" that needed their attention. H. R. then stated that the Parks and Recreation Department has always been very responsive to the concerns of the Hispanic Community. For example, we named Lee Martinez Community Park, John B. Romero Park, completed Buckingham and Alta Vista Parks, and worked with Carol Salas on Northside Center programs. At least 60% of the programming at Northside is designed for the local neighborhoods. Chuck Solano talked about the concern of teenage gangs, territorial (turf) valves, etc. Chuck walked several local neighborhoods taking a personal survey. Of 39 households he questioned, 10 said "yes" to Aztlan, 19 said "no" to Aztlan, and 10 said they didn't care. Ms. Salas responded that there would be 'gang' problems regardless of the name of the building. Also, Chuck could have 'prejudiced' the questions to people. Chuck said he didn't, but some people responded that "Ernie Miranda must be involved with this". Some locals think Ernie is a "pain". Mike ImMasche asked H. R. about the proposed Poudre River Trust Project. H. R. said that there is a chance that within a few years that the Northside Center could be torn down, and a new full -service recreation facility built. Cathy Mulcahy then stated that the Board was not trying to be negative regarding a name change, but rather trying to get the history and facts necessary to make an in- formed decision. H. R. and Mary Elson then asked Ms. Salas why they waited five years to bring this issue back. Carol said that in 1978 their attention was diverted in different directions, and that they were 'burned -out'. Also, this Parks and Recreation Board was totally new from the 1978 Board, and there was a new City Council. In 1978, the Northeast Parks and Recreation Advisory Board circulated a petition, and the overwhelming choice of the people was naming the building Aztlan. Carol said the Parks and Recreation Department evidently 'ignored' the citizen response, but, today she realizes that there was a 'communications' problem at the time, and maybe Parks and Recreation was not fully aware. There was further discussion. Jan Sheppard made a motion to change the name of the Northside Community Center to the Fort Collins Aztlan Center. Dave Adamson seconded the motion. Chuck Solano said we need more time to research the issue. Mike ImMasche asked what implications this name change request would have on the potential request to rename High School Park. Ernie Miranda said he really didn't feel we were 'renaming' Northside, but just doing something that should have been done in the first place. Chuck Solano reiterated that the name was not acceptable, and he wants more time to decide. -2- Dave Adamson said we can't go "door-to-door". We are a representative democracy. Councilman Gerry Horak was in attendance at the meeting, and Chairman ImMasche asked him about when Council wanted the Board's recommendation. One Board member wondered if Council was "passing the buck", so to speak. Councilman Horak said there was no specific timetable, but that Council was not passing the buck. The Parks and RecreationBoard should be involved. Also, the issue was raised on April 5th, and we now have a 'new' Council, who wants the involvement of their Boards and Commissions. Bob Aukerman asked specifically if there was a promise made in 1977 or 1978 on naming the building. No one really knows for sure, but the implications are definitely there. There is no official reference in any Parks and Recreation Board minutes to this issue, but Ms. Salas produced a letter signed by former Board Secretary, Ken Nelson (dated 6-28-78), recommending the group go to City Council if it desired to change the name of the Northside Center. H. R. Phillips said he recalls that staff at that time had no problem with the name change, but that the issue was dropped. There was further discussion. Bob Aukerman then suggested combining the two names as a compromise. He suggested the name "Northside-Aztlan Community Center". Board members seemed to favor a combination of names. Jan Sheppard agreed to amend her motion to read, "Northside Aztlan Community Center" (with no hyphen appearing). Dave Adamson agreed to the second of the amended motion. Board members then noted that this particular issue was an unusual situation, and that this name change was based on historical and past promises made. The Board does not want to make a 'practice' of changing names of facilities. After further discussion, and after asking Carol Salas and Ernie Miranda if they agreed (both affirmative), the Board voted unanimously (8:0) with one member absent) to change the name of Northside Community Center to the "Northside Aztlan Community Center". Staff said that the City Clerk would receive the Board's recommendation tomorrow, and City Council should decide the issue at their May 3rd meeting. Councilman Horak is the Council liaison to the Parks and Recreation Board. Update on Batting Cages Proposal H. R. updated the Board on this issue that we discussed at our March 22nd meeting. A local Fort Collins company, known as "The Batter's Box", submitted a proposal for three commercial batting cages to be located at City Park (1 Fast Pitch and 2 Slow Pitch). They will staff it, and they pay all insurance costs. They will charge customers around 50t for 12 pitches, or $25 per hour for a team. There will be no direct cost to the City for this project, but we may move a few sprinkler lines, etc. They will pay us 15% of gross, which could amount to $3,000 to $6,000 annually. They want a three-year contract with a two-year option, so that they can properly recover their capital investment. Staff fully supports this project. Board members unanimously concurred. Status Report on Park Maintenance Districts H. R. updated the Board on this issue, which we discussed at our March 22nd meeting. Some concerns have been raised about the transfer of funds from Moore Park to just east of Edora Park. Until these concerns can be resolved, no further action will be taken. -3- Proposed Sculpture for Rolland Moore Park Staff received a proposal from Ms. Allison Lehman to provide a bronze sculpture of Mr. Rolland Moore for the dedication of the Park this fall. Board members read through her proposal, which would cost the City approximately $1,625. All Board members thought it was a good idea, and unanimously agreed to the expenditure. Presentation of Gift Catalog Jerry P. Brown presented Board members their personal copies of the new Parks and Recreation Gift Catalog. Jerry and Board members discussed the catalog, and all members were very pleased with it. Jerry said we had already received our first gifts. A lady donated some good condition, used pool table equipment, which we placed at the Northside Center, where it is badly needed. Jerry said staff mailed the catalogs to over 400 people, including Service Clubs, banks and financial institutions, accountants and lawyers, financial consulting firms, funeral directors, and a group of community leaders identified through the Chamber of Commerce. We are also delivering the catalogs personally to businesses and firms who do business with our Department. Other Business - Jean Helburg reported that the Indoor Pool would be closed the first two weeks of May for repairs. We desperately need around $18,000 to repaint the pool before the end of the year. Board members are invited to inspect the pool on Monday, May 9th, at 11:00 A.M. - The Summer Recreation Brochure will be available on Wednesday, May 4th. - H. R. updated the Board on the status of the repairs to the Outdoor Pool bath- house/concession area. Improvements are on schedule, but many problems (especially with drainage) have been uncovered. - Jerry said that the tentative dedication date for Rolland Moore Community Park has been scheduled for Monday, October loth, which is Columbus Day (school holiday). We are planning a major dedication ceremony, which should begin around 9:30 A.M. and go through lunch hour. - H. R. said that we will also plan for a formal dedication of Lee Martinez Community Park when the Farm element is completed, maybe in the fall of 1984. or spring of 1985. The meeting was adjourned at 8:27 P.M., on a motion by Chuck Solano; seconded by Cathy Mulcahy; passed unanimously. MEETING ATTENDANCE Board Members Mike ImMasche Cathy Mulcahy Chuck Solano Ann Schroeder Mary Elson Jan Sheppard Dave Adamson Bob Aukerman -4- Respectfully submitted, MARY ELSON, Board Secretary Staff H. R. Phillips Jerry P. Brown Jean Helburg Peggy Bowers Guests Councilman Gerry Horak Carlos Sanchez, The Coloradoan Carol Salas and son Ernie Miranda Paul J. Romero David Lucero