Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks And Recreation Board - Minutes - 02/23/2000Call Meeting to Order: The Regular meeting was called to order at 5:45 p.m. by President Lance Freeman. Agenda Review: Marty Heffernan added under Other Business: New employee drug testing. Citizen Participation: No citizen participation Approval of Minutes: Jackie Rael noted Paul Hudnut's changes as follows: Gateway Park: Page 2, second sentence should read: The paddlers would like to look at adding permanent obstacles in the river, but did not feel there needed to be any permanent course (i.e., slalom gates). They felt that it might be a good site for events or seasonal training, but these would involve temporary fixtures on the bank, nothing permanent." With that change, the minutes were unanimously (7-0) approved on a motion by Del Price, seconded by Paul Van Valkenburg. Note: Paul Hudnut joined the Board after the minutes were approved. Community Horticulture Center Update and Funding Community Horticulturist Jim Clark said that the Community Horticulture Center land purchase/land exchange with Colorado State University Research Foundation has been approved by City Council at their meeting of February 15. The land exchange involves the transfer of High School Park to CSURF in exchange for an 18-acre parcel. In addition to the exchange of the parcels, the City will pay CSURF $50,200. Jim explained that the 18-acre site will accommodate several uses, including an easement for the relocated Spring Creek Trail, a 1.5 acre neighborhood park, and a 5.5 acre restoration buffer along Spring Creek. Then the remaining 11 acres will be for the gardens, 8,000 square foot building, and parking for the Community Horticulture Center. He explained staff is planning on six to eight months for design of the Horticulture Center. The construction will begin mid -fall anA . nmrl�ti�.'1A01 T' �m F 1]- Parks and Recreation Board Minu February 23, 2000 Page 2 around the country. Tim Buchanan and Jim explained that Light and Power staff are on our design team and will help in the energy conservation aspect of the design. Jim said we will combine the beauty of the gardens with environmentally sensitive ethics. An amphitheater will be incorporated into the design. We will be involving the entire community of all ages as much as they want. Strong emphasis will be on utilizing interns and class studies from Front Range Community College and Colorado State University. Jim further explained that the Community Horticulture Center support group plans to begin its private fund raising efforts for enhanced and expanded garden development. City/Poudre School District Project Update Marty said that on February 15, the City Council approved a resolution for the joint projects with Poudre School District from Building Community Choices. In August 1999, the City/Poudre School District Liaison Committee recommended the following projects be constructed with the Building Community Choices funding: Develop a softball field at Poudre and Rocky Mountain High Schools, and Preston Junior High School; renovate existing softball/baseball fields at Blevins and Webber Junior High Schools; move a soccer field at Rocky Mountain High School; build an in -line hockey rink and a skate park at Edora Park; and renovate the skate park at Northside Aztlan Community Center. The Board of Education approved the list of projects prior to City Council's approval. Marty explained the phases of the projects. He said that Council directed staff to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with Poudre School District. Craig Foreman, Bill Whirty, and Terry Keith will be our representatives for the City. The Council asked about operation and maintenance; they made it clear that the projects must be for youth and supported that; they commented on the ballfields being crowded and look forward to the additional fields that will be welcomed to the community. Jean Helburg added that the Mayor said that many educational benefits are obtained through recreation. Craig said that staff will meet with the principals at each of the schools to determine what building schedule will best fit for their schools. Downtown Intersection Improvement Updates Virgil Taylor began his presentation to the Board by illustrating on a map the intersections in downtown. He explained that staff expected to construct all the corners this spring. However, because of Stormwater's projects, we have to plan this construction in phases in accordance with their schedule. This spring we will revamp the Mountain Avenue corners along with the corners at College and Olive. Then we will proceed to the Walnut and College comer. The corner by the hotel will be completed after 2001 when the renovation of the hotel is completed. A major Stormwater project of Mountain Avenue will be constructed in 2004 or 2005. Lance asked if there is any quick fix in the meantime? Virgil said we can keep the sidewalks safe. It could cost us $10,000 to $15,000 per corner for a temporary fix. We have $1.1 million budgeted to repair all of the downtown corners. We did not expect to do a temporary fix. Marty said the brick pavers are a real concern and we are looking for a solution. Parks and Recreation Board ates • February 23, 2000 Page 3 Park Planning Projects. Skateboard Park Update — Craig said that he met with the team working on the skateboard park design. He said that we have a consultant along with six youth from the skating community to give us ideas and input. Craig gave the Board a sampling of "skate vernacular" that he learned from the kids. Fossil Creek Community Park — City staff is in the process of designing the park, along with consultants. We will begin the public process this summer. Craig will visit with the neighborhoods surrounding the park. The plans are for final design in the summer, building completion in 2002, and opening the park in the spring of 2003. Marty added that it is an interesting process and the artists and designers on the team have great ideas. Staff will present the design to the Board next month. Marty asked if the Board members want to be involved and explained that their feedback will be important as representatives of the community. Del asked if we will have much controversy over the lights? Marry explained that there are only two places in the park where the ballfields can be constructed and we will address that with the community/neighborhoods. Further discussion on Fossil Creek Community Park and Board involvement will be discussed at the March 22 meeting. Union Pacific Trail — Construction from EPIC to Drake Road is going well. Craig said that he has received good comments from the neighbors and community. Jessica asked about the trail connection along the ditch on the north side of the city? Craig said there will be many years before we will have access to the ditch. It is more than 10 years away to even consider. Boat Chutes — Craig explained that the low bid was awarded at $220,000. That project will start this spring. This project meets the requirements of the Water Court to continue using this section of the Poudre for recreational activities. Gateway Park Public Process — Marty explained that the park access road is nearing final design. Construction is scheduled for summer and fall. The conceptual park design will be placed in various public buildings and on the City's web site for citizen comment in March. The park is planned to be open to the public in 2001. Lee Martinez Park Management Plan — Lance said the Board would like some design input on the management plan for the rest of the park. We want to focus on the natural feature/undeveloped area of the park. He thinks we could form a sub -committee that could make recommendations to the Parks and Recreation Lead Team. Del said that he would like to be involved in the management plan ideas for the Lee Martinez Park. Paul Hudnut asked what jurisdiction do we have over the river at the park? Craig said we own to the southside of the bank. He further explained that there is a section of the river that is owned by no one. We are working on ownership since we own both sides of the land on the river. Paul's suggestion is that it be looked at as a public fishing area and added it is a recreational opportunity we don't have in Fort Collins. Lance and Del said that is a good idea. Lance said that it could be a focus point in Parks and Recreation Board Minu February 23, 2000 Page 4 the Lee Martinez Park Management Plan sub -committee. Marty said that if the sub -committee has a focus on the undeveloped portion and the staff could work on the park management plan, it would be helpful. Lance asked who is interested in being on this sub -committee? Dean Hoag said he would be interested if the meetings are during the day and Del Price said he would be interested, along with Lance. Paul VanValkenburg said we need to inform the Natural Resources Board that we are interested in this project. Del would also like to see someone from DDA be a member of the team. He thinks that the improvements of College Avenue could be part of the design and said there are some opportunities for buy off in the North College Avenue area. Marty said that if we invite others beyond the board, then we need to include the Martinez neighborhood. He said that if it is the two Boards that is one thing, the second is to include DDA and the neighborhood. Dean said he would also be a representative of the North College Avenue Business Association. Craig said that it would be a good idea to include Timothy Wilder, Advanced Planning, into the group. Craig said that he is meeting with the Martinez neighborhood on Saturday at 1:00 at the ballfields. He will do a site visit and a walk through with the neighborhood. Lance asked at that meeting we ask them (Lee Martinez Neighborhood) to appoint someone to represent the neighborhood. Other Business • Drug Testing — Marty said that there is a new pre -employment drug testing policy in the City. The policy applies to nearly all new employees, including hourly employees, and volunteers in safety sensitive positions. It may make it more difficult to hire hourly employees and volunteers. • Lance said that on the CLRS monthly report he questioned Riffenburg School hooking up to our water (vice/versa) and how does that work for us? Jackie Rael explained that it is a policy that Virgil Taylor has been working on with cooperative maintenance agreements with Poudre School District. • Proposed New Youth Center — Lance is a member of this grass roots team headed by Brownie McGraw. He said he was unable to attend the last meeting, but according to the minutes, a vision has been developed and now we need to obtain funds to go forth. The Mayor is very involved in this and has attended the meetings. Lance said that the church on Lemay is a very good site. However, the cost right now is not feasible. It would need some remodeling. Mary Ness said that the five acres the property sets on would be a good feature. Paul Van Valkenburg would be interested in attending the next meeting. Lance said it will be Wednesday, March 29, 3:00 to 4:30 at City Hall. Adjournment: On a motion by Paul Van Valkenburg, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at 7:50 p.m. Parks and Recreation Board Outes February 23, 2000 Page 5 Meeting Attendance • Respectfully submitted, Jackie Rael Executive Administrative Assistant Board Members: Rebecca Chavez, Lance Freeman, Dean Hoag, Paul Hudnut, Jessica MacMillan, Mary Ness, Del Price, and Paul Van Valkenburg Staff: Tim Buchanan, Jim Clark, Craig Foreman, Marry Heffernan, Jean Helburg, Jackie Rael, and Virgil Taylor