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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks And Recreation Board - Minutes - 06/27/2007Parks and Recreation Board Minutes June 27, 2007 Page 1 Call Meeting to Order: Michael Chalona called the meeting to order at 5:40 p.m. Agenda Review: No changes. Items of Note: None. Citizen Participation: None Approval of Minutes: Approval of Minutes On a motion made by Cathy Kipp seconded by Walt Peeples the Board approved the May 23, 2007 Minutes: (8:0) BFO Overview Craig explained the current BFO process with the Board and where we are in the process. Michael asked if the City is planning on making cuts and Craig said that we aren't planning on cutting positions, however there are some items below the line. J.R. stated that we are still struggling to maintain the parks at the current level of service. He said that may change but during this first budget round it doesn't appear so. J.R. informed the Board that he and Marty Heffernan have met with the City Manager to discuss long term issues and Marty has come up with some ideas that may help us. He said that we could potentially lose some items unless we come up with an alternative way to maintain them and we will look to the Board for suggestions when it comes time. Cathy asked what we might lose. J.R. said that he's not positive right now, however if he looks at the user base he's a little concerned about where we are going with the Horticulture Center. He said that last year they had around 5,500 users. J.R. also said that he suggested that they open on Sundays during July -September to try and build up their user base. He stated that they would like to open a new garden in order to grow vegetables and fruit but that would be difficult to fund with the current user base so we are looking at grants. Cathy said that she attended an event there and she thought that it would be great for them to hold more events. J.R. informed the Board that the Horticulture Center does have a bike and jazz event on Friday nights. He said that it would be beneficial to have an entry fee but currently there aren't enough amenities to have a value for that. Cathy said that there weren't many plants to choose from by the time she got to the event and she suggested that they have more available. J.R. explained that we don't want to be too competitive with the public so we limit it to a smaller number. William asked if the Soccer Club was a part of this year's offers and Craig said that they are privately funded. Craig said that the Soccer Club is mentioned in the Policy Plan but they aren't funded by the City. Parks and Recreation Board Minutes June 27, 2007 Page 2 Policv Plan Update Michael asked when GreenPlay would be giving their presentation to City Council and Craig said that we aren't sure yet. Craig said that GreenPlay has provided the findings to us but with BFO taking place there hasn't been time for the Managers to review it. He said that he is planning on making a presentation to various Boards to discuss the policy plan. Walt asked if the large portion of our discussions will be regarding the Operation and Maintenance of the parks and Craig said that it would be an important part of our discussions. J.R. stated that we have to find a mechanism for long term maintenance because what we have is going to dwindle. He said that we may have a couple of options coming up. Michael asked what those options are and if they include the Park Maintenance Fee. J.R. said that he doesn't feel that will be an option for us right now because there are other items coming up on future ballots that people will be voting on such as Police and Transportation issues. Jessica asked what the Transportation issues entailed and Craig said that RTD may come up on the November Ballot. William asked if the City or the DDA would be providing the maintenance of the Kayak Course. J.R. said that we do maintain areas in Old Town and our current agreement with the DDA has expired so that will be included in our new agreement. J.R. informed the Board that we are looking at a complete make -over of the holiday lighting in Old Town. Jessica asked if they would be lit permanently or just for holidays and J.R. said it was recommended that they just be up for special occasions. He explained that the reasoning behind this is that they may not appear as special if they are continuously left up. Jessica asked if we should consider revising the number of parks that we are bringing on-line. J.R. said that it is apparent that there is currently an issue with that and before we bring these parks on we need to make sure we have the funds to maintain them. Jessica said that we may have met our maximum build -out or maybe we can reconsider bringing them on-line when our economy or growth determines otherwise. Craig said that it may be beneficial to have Marty come to the July meeting to discuss the BFO process more in detail. Proiect Updates Spring Canyon Community Park Craig informed the Board that the Giant is in and it's around 100 feet long. The structure will be painted in September to match the rocks. Matt Day said that we are almost finished with the earthwork so you can get a feel of what the park is going to look like. Jessica asked what the tentative opening date is and Craig said that it is set for October. Matt said that the contract with ECI isn't up until November and even though we lost months with the snow they are doing a great job trying to make that opening. Northside Aztlan Community Center Craig said that we are redoing the playground, the skate park as well as adding a hand -ball court at the Northside Center. He informed the Board that we received a GOCO grant for the project. Water Craft Course Craig said that we are planning on applying for a GOCO grant for this project as well. Walt asked if the City would be maintaining that area and Craig said that we would probably pick up the trash in the area. Other Business Greg asked what the policies were for holding special events at the public parks if there is alcohol and Craig said that it's allowed only in certain parks. Greg explained that he was having Parks and Recreation Board Minutes June 27, 2007 Page 3 a fund-raiser at Civic Center Park and would like to provide alcohol. J.R. said that he would have to try to obtain a special use permit through the City. Ann stated that it is allowed in Loveland and Craig said that our concern is due to the young kids in the park system. Tour of Case Park Craig informed the Board that Matt was the Landscape Architect for the park. Matt and Craig then gave the Board a tour of the park. Matt said that they took a look at how the park was being utilized and came up with a design that would increase the usage. He explained that the park received its name from Stewart Case an influential person in Fort Collins and in Colorado. The parks design stems from "The Last Waterhole," Stewart Case's film attempt to make Colorado West Slope and East Slope residents realize the recreational values and other usages that water offers if developed and not disputed in legal battles and other squabbles." The Parks new phase features a new playground and plaza area, shelter, site furnishing, sidewalks, basketball court and landscaping. Board Member and Staff Comments None Correspondence None Adjournment: The Board unanimously agreed to adjourn at 7:55 p.m. ectfully submitted, Dawn Worth Administrative Aide Board Attendance Board Members: Michael Chalona, Ann Hunt, Cathy Kipp, Mark Lueker, Jessica MacMillan, Greg Miller, Walt Peeples, William Pickering Staff: Matt, J.R. Schnelzer, Craig Foreman, Dawn Worth Guests: None