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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks And Recreation Board - Minutes - 10/27/1993• • 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: Jackie Rael, Administrative Aide II, and Jerry P. Brown, Assistant to the Director MINUTES: Regular Meeting -- October 27, 1993 CALL MEETING TO ORDER: The regular meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m. by Board President Roger Tarum. Board Member Eric Reno called to say he would not be able to attend tonight's meeting, and Board Member Marilyn Barnes called to say she had been injured in a recent automobile accident and would be off her feet for at least eight weeks. AGENDA REVIEW: No changes to the printed agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of the last regular meeting of September 22, 1993 were unanimously (6-0) approved on a motion by Mary Ness, seconded by Diane Thies. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION: No citizen participation. EASTSIDE NEIGHBORHOOD PARK Mike Powers gave an overview of the project. The Parks and Recreation Master Plan and Eastside Neighborhood Plan both identified the need for a neighborhood park in this area. Since this neighborhood was mostly built before the Parkland Fund's inception, Choices 95 money was designated to acquire land and build a park in this neighborhood. Staff recently asked Council to.approve Choices 95 funds for the purchase of 1.89 acres from Poudre R-1 for the Eastside Neighborhood Park at $48,000 per acre adjacent to Laurel Elementary School. Council, at their meeting of October 19, chose to postpone purchase of this land for several reasons. The neighborhood is concerned about the traffic in this area, the access to the park, and parking around Laurel Elementary School. Councilperson Janett said she would like staff to perform a transportation study, look for alternative park sites and come back to the Council with a better plan for the December 7 meeting. There was discussion at Council that the two neighbors (US West and Sportsman RV) were going to relocate or willing to sell their properties adjacent to the park site. Staff spoke with Sportsman R.V. Storage and U.S. West who stated they have no plans to leave the neighborhood and Sportsman R.V. said they would consider selling to the City for $1,000,000. Staff will work with Council Member Janett. Park Planner Leslie Bryson showed the Board the master plan for the park. The Neighborhood asked for a paved area to the school and to the shopping center; Parks and Recreation Board Minutes October 27, 1993 Page 2 pre-school play area; tennis courts; and perhaps ballfield or soccer field. Modifications will be done. Mary Ness asked how much money do we have to construct the park? Mike replied $640,000. Park Planning and Development Manager Randy Balok said we knew the land purchase would be expensive and we had $200,000 from Choices 95 for land acquisition. The original appraisal was at $28,000. The County Tax Assessor valued this land at $91,000. Rich Feller asked if the neighborhood wants a park? The neighborhood wants a park, but some don't want it in this area. Mike Powers said staff is not asking the Board for a recommendation tonight, but we just wanted to keep the Board updated since they previously recommended this site for the Eastside Neighborhood Park. A question was asked if we have to build a park in this area? Jerry P. Brown said it is a Choices 95 project, and therefore we need to build a park in the Eastside neighborhood. TRAFFIC SIGNALS The Board previously discussed concerns about lack of traffic signals at Shields and Rolland Moore Park. Transportation Director Rick Ensdorff joined the Board at this time to discuss their concerns. Mary Ness asked how the traffic surveys are done and what the criteria is for a location and how do you compare Moore Park with Raintree and why it is a priority? Rick replied that the Transportation does all the data gathering for traffic volume and accidents. Guidelines are national guidelines that all traffic engineers use. They provide guidelines for traffic flow. In Fort Collins we follow traffic volume on both streets; 48-hours consecutive with 8 consecutive hours of maximum pattern of traffic flow. Second warrant is something that looks at the high volume on the main street, but does not allow for side streets to flow into the main arterial. Third is safety access. If we get a certain amount of accidents that could be eliminated by a traffic light, then one is installed. Rolland Moore Park meets warrants for two hours a day, five months (May through September). In relationship to the other traffic lights that appear to be minimal, there are needs for pedestrian traffic; CSU traffic at Lake and Taft Hill; Valley Forge and Taft Hill meets those warrants as mentioned above; Raintree and Shields met 7 hours of the warrant and because of the new senior center, a light was installed. Oak and Mason had a four-way stop and it warranted a signal light because of the pedestrian traffic by the Court House. When the collector street is built at Shields and Rolland Moore Park there will probably be a signal light placed in this area. Jerry P. Brown asked how we fund these signal lights? Rick replied that the vast majority of traffic signals in the last 14 years were Federal money allocated to the City at 100%. Some signals were paid for by developers and street oversizing fund. We no longer have the Federal Funds. We do compete for regional money. Mary got back to Rolland Moore Park and questions the variables connected to Rolland Moore Park. He said there are 32 teams that play five nights a week. There is a minimum of 320 cars going through that area every night from 5 to 10 Parks and Recreation Board Minutes October 27, 1993 Page 3 p.m. Fall ball has three nights of play at that park. He has watched that traffic flow since the park opened. Shields Street is a speed street with 299 tickets written in that area from January to August, which represents the highest speed tickets written in the City. There's potential for a serious accident in that area. People drink in the park and are not as cognizant when they are driving out of the park. Rick said we look at all circumstances. We can't just put traffic signals where there is a convenience for people. He read the Traffic report as follows: July 6, count was 273 vehicles at 10:00 p.m. The count declines by the hour back to 5:00 p.m. Other than that time frame the highest number in that area is 22 per hour. Mary said the speed limit on Shields is 35 mph and needs to slow down. How do we get that reduced to 30 mph in that intersection and what warrants a peak season light? Rick said there is a special time of day warrant and our judgment is that is at some time during the day at various locations in the city, we would need to put traffic lights in 75% of the intersections in Fort Collins. Reducing the speed limit doesn't help the matter as people make their own judgments. Speeding is the biggest complaint the Traffic Department receives., Sylvia Cranmer asked about speed bumps? Rick said that they are working with the schools about installing speed bumps in the neighborhood by Rocky Mountain High (west). Poudre R-1 Representative Jerry Garretson said the traffic pattern will be changed at Rocky Mountain and won't that reduce the traffic. Rick said that the traffic flow after school will be high. Board Member Mary Ness left at this time. Jerry P. Brown asked how much does it cost to install a signal light at Rolland Moore Park if we paid for it? Rick said it would cost $33,000. If it was just a matter of money, we would still have a significant problem. There needs to be rhyme and reason. His recommendation is not to put this signal light in. Rich Feller suggested a timing device so that the traffic flow on Shields be such that it would allow 10 cars to exit the park or have a flashing yellow light or a "school zone" type caution zone? Rick said when the street across from Rolland Moore is developed, plans are to install a light at that time. The Board and staff thanked Rick for attending tonight's meeting. 1994 RECREATION FEES AND CHARGES Recreation Manager Jean Helburg reviewed with the Board a memo outlining the changes for fees and charges in 1994. Three fees are adjusted because of direct cost increases in the program for pay increases for part-time staff. The others are aligned to break even. The fee for private ice lessons would go to 310.00/lesson to fully cover FICA, Workers Comp., and pay increases. These changes are consistent with the requirements of the Recreation Fee Policy and balance the Recreation budget. The Board was asked to make a recommendation. Jessica MacMillan asked if this ice lesson fee increase is for private only? Reply is yes. Parks and Recreation Board Minutes October 27, 1993 Page 4 Diane Thies asked about age differentials. She suggested fees should be on a scale of affordability and not age. Jean said we discussed this last year and we don't give discounts because of age to anyone under 60 years old. Any citizen can get a financial break if he/she qualifies for financial hardship. Some seniors do not take the fee break because they don't want to divulge their age. We are still refining that policy and want to eventually get away from the age discount. Sylvia Cranmer asked how the categories were picked for the part-time staff increase? Jean replied that staff recommended based on the market. On a motion by Jessica MacMillan, seconded by Sylvia Cranmer, the Board recommended that the Recreation Fees and Charges for 1994 be supported as submitted. Diane said we need to discourage senior/age discounts. The Board voted unanimously (5-0). 1994 PROPOSED WORK PLANNEETING SCHEDULE Jackie Rael referred to the draft 1994 work plan and meeting schedule previously sent to the Board for their review. She asked the Board for their input on additional discussions they would like added to the plan. Diane Thies asked for the ADA Compliance and Recreational Opportunities for the Diverse Population to have a date on the agenda for 1994. Jean said that each division has not developed a plan, however the ADA Compliance could be added to the Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update on the April agenda. Jean added the Recreation Opportunities for Diverse Population could be discussed in July. Jackie suggested that the staff could add the ADA compliance to the update report on a monthly basis. Jerry P. Brown said that this plan is due to the City Council by December 1 and realizing it is early to plan, when we meet for the December 8 meeting, we will come back with a more complete list. Roger asked if there are any other items the Board would like to see added: Diane suggested the Drop In Program be added to the agenda. Jessica MacMillan asked if the second sheet of ice is an issue? Jean said she is meeting with the Mayor tomorrow. Rich Feller asked about the Youth Sports Complex? Staff replied that would fall under the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Conceptually the Board approved the 1994 work plan as submitted. OTHER BUSINESS Senior Center -- Mike Powers updated the Board since the last Parks and Recreation Board meeting and the discussion on the bids being $450,000 over Parks and Recreation Board Minutes October 27, 1993 Page 5 budget. Staff followed through on the Board's recommendation to shave costs in the project, but to continue as planned. Staff came up with a reduction of $126,000 without significantly impacting the quality of the facility. We are not compromising quality, but looking for "equal value." Staff also received support from the Senior Advisory Board on our decision. Staff is asking the Board tonight to consider the options. Redesigning the project would take 10 months to redesign and rebid. Jessica MacMillan said construction costs will rise in that time. To delay for one more year is not acceptable. Sylvia Cranmer asked if we had outside professional suggestions? Mike said we had a professional estimator who estimated it would come in as budgeted and then by the time the bids were open the market has gone higher than expected. Jessica asked why Council asked for a cut of another $100,000? Council feels that we can't overspend under Amendment 1 and the taxpayer's Choices 95 votes. Diane Thies asked what they decided on for the landscaping? Mike said Fescue grass and other water conservation plantings. Landscape is a design intent to be a very restful area and could be used for weddings or anniversaries. Jessica suggested landscaping be done in phases. Jean said that Planning has restrictions on landscaping plans and a certain percentage of the project has to be landscaped. Jessica suggested seniors donating landscaping, i.e, trees in memory of a family member. Staff is working on a gift catalogue for the senior center for donation of room furnishings, landscaping, etc. After much discussion, Jean Helburg read the recommendation that went to Council as follows: "Staff recommends that the construction cost for the senior center be further reduced by $50,000 through "equal substitutes," that General Fund savings of $53,000 be realized by a two month delay in opening the center, and that $279,800 be added as part of the 1994 budget appropriation from Choices 95 excess revenues to balance the construction budget." Therefore, on a motion by Diane Thies, seconded by Jessica MacMillan, the Board voted unanimously (5-0) to support staff's recommendation to Council as stated above. Update report -- Diane Thies asked how the trail on North College coincides with the Riverwalk? Are they two different areas? Jessica MacMillan said the Riverwalk starts by Lee Martinez Park and goes past the Power Plant and connects almost to Link-N-Greens. Nature Center, retail, and an amphitheater are planned, with the intent to expand the downtown area. It would be similar to San Antonio but on a smaller scale. Jessica added it is a.10-year project. Jerry P. Brown said Sylvia Cranmer has an interesting dilemma. She was offered a position with the City of Fort Collins, Transportation Department. She asked if she could still remain on the Board or would there be a conflict of interest? The City Clerk determined that she does not have to resign because there is not a rule in place with employees serving on City Boards and Commissions. Sylvia will be working with regional Parks and Recreation Board Minutes October 27, 1993 Page 6 transportation. She will spend two days in Loveland, two days in Greeley, and one day in Fort Collins. Council may still review this employee/board issue. The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ;cam Jackie Rael, Administrative Aide II Meeting Attendance BOARD MEMBERS STAFF Roger Tarum Mary Ness Sylvia Cranmer Rich Feller Jessica MacMillan Diane Thies Jerry Garretson, Poudre R-1 Rep. Mike Powers Jerry P. Brown Randy Balok Jean Helburg Leslie Bryson Jackie Rael Jeff Mullins