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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks And Recreation Board - Minutes - 12/04/2002Parks and Recreation Bo.Minutes • December 4, 2002 Page 3 unanimously. Del Price recalled that the Coloradoan's editorial was in support of the trail staying where it is located. Ross said whether the City did or didn't cross all the is and dot all the is this neighborhood is backing out of an original agreement with the City. Paul Hudnut agreed that it is a safety issue and putting it next to a busy street is last case scenario. Paul said that as a Board, they are supposed to represent the entire city as a whole. We need to go forth with the trail as originally planned. The Board, then on a motion by Paul Hudnut, seconded by Del Price, recommended that the City should mitigate the trail design to alleviate the impact to the neighborhood taking it further out in the open space where it abuts to the homeowners in two locations. The Board unanimously passed the addendum to their original motion. Note: Marty Heffernan left the meeting during the discussion of the Fossil Creek Trail at Paragon Point as he is a homeowner in the Paragon Point neighborhood. Discussion: Open Space Yes! Approval and Defeat of Transportation Funding Measure The approval of this tax has some implications for Parks and Recreation. Paul Hudnut asked if it would be our group that would draft the continuation of BCC for next round. Marty explained that the City Manager's office leads this project. The Board and staff will make recommendations for proposals on the ballot. One question for Council will be do we want one - quarter cent sales tax for streets, one -quarter for open space and it leaves one -quarter cent for all other capital projects for the City. The current BCC will sunset in 2005. Paul said we can initiate something as private citizens but not as a Board. Dean asked if we could count on some funding from the Natural Areas money for trails? Marty said that our staff has been working with Natural Resources staff and they are receptive. Craig has been working on a trails master plan to protect the natural areas. Del said that we need to encourage Natural Areas staff to continue the trail to Pine Ridge. New Gateway Trail Craig said that Paul Burkholder, Gateway Park Manager, has been working with volunteers that discovered a CCC trail at Gateway Mountain Park and will try to rehab that. This could be a nice intermediate trail for pedestrians. Del said that we need to construct the trail in a loop that travels back down to the park. Fossil Creek Community Park Photo Update Craig showed photos on the progress of the park. The lights have been installed and are 70 feet tall. The neighbors in the Southridge patio homes have some concern about the lights. We had 8 months of public process and there were no concerns. The illumination will be full drop down lights. Craig is meeting with the concerned citizens. The photos showed the construction of the ballfields, the maintenance building, the tennis courts, parking lots, roller hockey slab, and Adventure Island. Parks and Recreation Board nutes i December 4, 2002 Page 4 Laporte Trail Connection Craig explained that the property owners are not willing to sell. Therefore, staff is working with our consultant to build a board walk and raise the trail about 3-4 feet above the ground that will be adjacent to the property owner who is unwilling to sell. There is some concern about brown - eyed butterfly that is an endangered species. We will continue with design and then hopefully construct in the spring. Project Updates • Easy Street Marathon. Craig explained that the coordinators would like to hold another marathon in Fort Collins. They donated $2,200 to the trail rehab program and said they would like to double that amount for next year. Paul Van Valkenburg asked how we notify citizens about closing the trail? Craig responded that we will put signs up prior to the event. • Kayak course on the Poudre River. Craig explained that staff will create a soft path next to the trail. This will cost $280,000 (approximately). In 2003 we will work on funding with Stormwater and Natural Resources to submit a grant to GOCO. It will be a multi -use grant proposal. Lance said we should utilize Legacy Park for put in. Craig said it is too far away. • Front Range Trail. Funding will be used for the Loveland Connection. • Homestead Park. It is under construction. Horticulture Center Marty reported that bids from nine companies were opened last week. This project went to bid during a very favorable climate resulting in a bid substantially below estimated costs for construction. We have awarded the construction contract for $1,540,000. The project was estimated at approximately $2,000,000. Therefore, this will allow us to develop more gardens with the extra money. Our hope is to get the project started in a few months. Farewell to Paul Hudnut Paul Van Valkenburg thanked Paul Hudnut for his service on the Board. Marty thanked Paul for all his hard work on the Board. Board Comments • Mike Gavin commented on the cooperation between CSU and the City for the use of the CSU basketball courts. Adjournment: On a motion by Ann Hunt, seconded by Ross Cunniff, the Board adjourned at 8:20 p.m.