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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks And Recreation Board - Minutes - 04/25/2007Parks and Recreation Board Minutes April 25, 2007 Page 1 Call Meeting to Order: Michael called the meeting to order at 5:40. Agenda Review: No comments Citizen Participation: Two CSU students were in attendance to observe the meeting. Approval of Minutes: On a motion made by Kathy Kipp seconded by Mary Carlson the Board approved the March 28, 2007 Minutes. Fort Collins Soccer Club Presentation Al Minatta gave a Powerpoint presentation to the Board to obtain support for the current expansion of the Soccer Complex on the north end of town. Al reviewed the history of the Fort Collins Soccer Club, the history of the Soccer Complex, and the relationship between the City of Fort Collins and the Soccer Club. He reiterated that he felt the partnership between the two has been a good partnership and he would like to see it continue and expand. The Club has had a long term relationship with the City, since the fall of 1979 when the City cut the soccer program out of the recreation budget and requested that the Soccer Club take over the soccer programs. The Club was a volunteer organization at that time and remained so until 1989 when Al was hired as the Director. Al reviewed the organization and structure of the club, the different ages groups, different skill levels, the different seasons, and joked that soccer has been referred to as "the never ending season." They have seen more high school and college level soccer each year, and have expanded well beyond the city limits to include Windsor, Sterling, Greeley, and Loveland. They have recreation and competitive leagues with 52 teams in the advanced league. The Club has also developed a coaching curriculum based on age, they hold referee training, training parents to act as officials, and an educational piece for those parents to help them understand the philosophy of the game. Their primary focus for the kids is to focus on skill, development, character, respect for the game and for the officials. The Soccer Club holds four tournaments per year from all of the surrounding states, and those tournaments generate substantial revenue Parks and Recreation Board Minutes April 25, 2007 Page 2 through meals and lodging of the players and their families. Today the Fort Collins Soccer Club is the fourth larges program in the state in numbers, with 822 teams and 9,699 players. They have a relatively small staff; five full time employees, one part time employee, and will be adding a coach this season. Al feels that the Club has expanded as far as they can with the space they have. He is currently utilizing 32 fields in 11 different venues including 10 fields at the Soccer Complex and eight parks within the City, most of those parks holding multiple fields. Al added that he feels they currently have the best situation they've had in a long time at Fossil Creek Park because he is able to put their entire peewee program of 68 teams at one location. To make the program successful, they need to have someplace to play (fields.) Al stated that Choices 95 was put through for the development of new facilities. One of those facilities was the Southwest Community Complex which changed dramatically from its inception. It was originally intended to have eight lighted soccer fields. When they realized that wasn't going to occur they realized they needed a multi -field complex because the current program was putting pressure on existing fields and there was a lack of new field development. They had fairly good success with CSU but CSU began cutting them off for their own programs. When the Soccer Club first began renting fields from the City there was no fee, then it went to $1.92 per hour, and now it is at $10.00 per hour. In 1992 the Club imposed a tax of $5.00 per player, now it is $10.00 per player and $300 per team. It is afield and facility fee, and has gone toward the purchase, design, development, and maintenance of the complex. They try to use the fee to give them a cushion to sustain the complex. They knew they wanted 100 acres and looked at 40 different sites including Loveland and Greeley, and ended up choosing a piece in the northwest section of town on County Road 54 and the frontage road of 1-25. They then went to the county for permanent usage rights, but were denied due to lack of restroom facilities. They did receive a temporary use permit. They did finally get the building constructed and took occupancy in 2003. They were approved to operate 10 fields at the complex on 25 acres. It soon became clear that 10 fields were not enough so they increased their turf in 2004. They received a GOCO grant for phase two and opened 27 more acres. They now have 52 acres under irrigation. The next obstacle was to expand the parking lot, but another access point with acceleration and deceleration lanes were required. By utilizing their own fields at the complex, they reduce the pressure on City fields. They hold their tournaments, tryouts and team training at the complex. They also rent the fields at the complex to other groups like the Force (a women's semi-professional team), private high schools, several colleges, and the Larimer County Canine Unit. The club has spent $2.8 million dollars in money from the soccer club, $1.6 million in grants, and additional monies in donations and fund raising. Al stated that the complex has happened because the soccer community made it happen. The Soccer Club would now like to finish out the Complex. They are in the process of reviewing the design process and adjusting the entrance and exit points to ease the traffic load. Al stated Parks and Recreation Board Minutes April 25, 2007 Page 3 that in 2004 it was going to cost $300,000 for deceleration lanes and acceleration lanes. He feels it probably increased 50% by now, plus the cost of the asphalt and oil would bring it much closer to $500,000, including the parking lot and extra items. Larimer County stated that there might be a possibility to create a special improvement district and repay it at a special rate. At their last Board of Directors meeting they focused on how to get the project completed. They did end up borrowing S 100,000 during the drought for well rehabilitation and water alternatives. They know the parking lot will cost $500,000; they have 20 fields but only 10 can be used at one time without the access lanes for the parking lot. The Club has reviewed alternative parking such as parking at Budweiser and car pooling, but they've struggled to get the participants to fully utilize the options. When asked how long until they outgrow the entire complex, Al responded that they would never outgrow it because other complexes will be built to handle the growth. He stated that Loveland has a new complex already, and Greeley has Monfort Park (7-8 fields) as well as a sports complex. William asked if Al was saying that the City should stop focusing on City fields and focus on this complex. Al replied yes. He explained that the City has never built a soccer field, but instead built turf fields. He feels that it is a definite need for them to continue expanding the complex in order to meet the needs of other sports in the community as well as soccer. At gave an example of field shortage issues. The last two years when he's gone to the City to get fields, he's been moved around quite a bit. This year they provided two fields at Homestead Park with no off- street parking. The City received e-mail from a gentleman who said the soccer parking was too much for the neighborhood. The City and Soccer Club both realized it was a problem, so they went to the Thompson School District to see about using a vacant lot next to the park that would eventually become a school. They received agreements to use the field, but then discovered that building on the school would begin in three weeks so they could not use it after that time. The City moved one of the fields to a field that had been closed for turf repairs in order to alleviate the problem. Overall, Al said that building the parking lot and access lanes at the complex was needed, and while short term alternatives might be available, it was really a safety concern. They need to distribute traffic along the roads at the complex. They currently station traffic representative on game days. Mike asked Craig if there was anything in the Master Plan right now that speaks of the relationship with the Soccer Club. Craig stated that the City does want to keep their relationship with the Club. He felt it should probably be an action item in the new Policy Plan. Cathy complimented Al on a well run program. William asked if Al had interaction with Greenplay. Al stated he had attended the focus groups and had input. He would like to continue to provide a very good quality facility that is available for the community of Fort Collins and the surrounding areas for years to come. Youth Activity Board Survey Discussion Matt Strauch from the City of Fort Collins Youth Advisory Board visited with the Board about Parks and Recreation Board Minutes April 25, 2007 Page 4 the 2006 Youth Census Data report they put together. He began by explaining that they advise City Council on youth related matters, and provide them with data on youth; where the youth are, and how they interact with the city. To meet this, the YAB put together a report from census data and created a map that reflects the data in the report. The data collected was broken down by population in each youth age group; total youth population, age 0-4, age 5-9, age 10-14, age 15- 19. It was also broken into City quadrants going out from the main point at the intersection of Drake Road and College Avenue. Matt reviewed the correlation of the report to the map, and then asked if the Board had any questions. Jessica asked what action they are planning to recommend for youth when anticipating future City growth. The City is estimated to grow 6%-10%, from a population of 138,000 to 210,000, mostly in the NE area based on the census information (including CSU.) Matt stated that they are looking at transit routes, recreational opportunities in parks and where schools are located, including recreation facilities. He mentioned the closure of the YAC, and the expansion of the Northside Aztlan Center which fostered additional conversation about youth facilities. William asked what the bottom line was. Matt responded where the kids are living and their ability to get to the recreation facilities. Williams also asked if Matt's data was in conjunction with the Master Plan. Craig stated that he already gave Matt's data to Greenplay. He added that the City does not have any areas where there are no kids as there is a mix of families across the City. Once they link the data into Greenplay, they can better look at how future recreation sites can serve the community. Craig feels the data is invaluable. William asked if they could calculate participation rates per quad. Matt stated they could not. Mike asked if Recreation has that data. He feels we could obtain it by zip code. He would like the Youth Board to keep expanding the data and use it as a tool. Matt also added that they were aware that there is acreage available for future recreation facilities and noted that the largest group of kids were in the southeast quadrant of town, so it would be a good location to explore for fixture recreation sites. There was additional discussion on the demographics of those who might use the Aztlan Center and the YAC, the bus routes to those locations, whether parents would send their children from the south side of town to use those facilities, and comments about what socio economic group the Azdan Center would serve. Some members just didn't feel people would use the Aztlan Center. Craig stated that he would get additional demographic information from Jean. In continuing the conversation, Matt also mentioned that the southwest quadrant had a high youth population. Cathy thought the Discovery Center should be added to the list of Recreation sites. She also thought they should pursue partnerships with schools. Jessica asked if anyone knew what the plans Loveland had for their youth. She thought we might be able to work with them on some things. Parks and Recreation Policy Plan Update Craig presented. Greenplay sent a survey to 3,800 homes with 440 returns to date. So far it looks like the households like where Parks and Recreation is headed. Craig commented that the Parks and Recreation Board Minutes April 25, 2007 Page 5 Board should have received the survey. Mary suggested that it was small print and suggested that future surveys be easier to read. William asked where the household list was found. Craig responded that it was from Equifax. He added that the top three important outdoor items were 1) trails 5 1 % paved and unpaved 31%, 2) outdoor swimming pools 23%, and 3) playgrounds, additional parks, picnic shelters, better maintenance and upkeep ... all at 15%. The top indoor facilities so far are 1) aquatic center with pool, 2) teen activity areas, and 3) indoor walking/jogging tracks, weight rooms w/cardio, lap lanes in pools, rock climbing walls and handball/racquetball courts. He added that Greenplay will be up in May to summarize everything and discuss their findings. Mike asked if they would have information in advance that the Board could review. Craig said he would look into it. Bud¢et 2008/2009 Craig stated that the BFO process has created public trust because the citizens were able to see the budget process. The City cut $17 million in the 2006/2007 budget. He added that the City is still cutting back and adjusting, and they are now using reserves for the next cycle. He reminded the Board how the BFO process works; Council decides where the money goes, the departments make offers and the Council approves it according to their goals. He then explained that the results teams will look at the offers from the departments and decide what offers can fit into the amount of money each team has. These teams decide what will or won't fit into the budget they have been given. Cathy asked how the Council knows what the citizens want. Craig responded that they hold open houses, and that citizens can lobby Council. He stated that it is a very transparent process and that staff likes it. Mike asked which project Craig was selling. He stated he was working on the entire trail program to develop it for the next two years and, building out the neighborhood parks program for the next two years. Craig stated that they should have received an invitation for May 7`h to see the BFO business side in order to get education in the process. Craig stated that he would bring a typical budget to show the Board the breakdown of the budget between the areas within CPRE. He added that he will be keeping them informed all summer, and that there would be public meetings in the summer. He also stated that they could send information to Council. Cathy noted that the last input meeting is at the July 22"a drilling platform because then it would go to Dann for the final offer. Because Kelly Ohlson is mayor pro temp, she thought it might be a good idea to have him come to the June meeting so they could tell him their opinions. Project Updates Spring Canyon costs increases by 5% of which 4.2% is the adding back in of the Inspiration Playground. We did get the DOLA (Department of Local Affairs) grant to use recycled tires in the playground surface. Also, the skate park will go out to bid. Last weekend, on Earth Day, Trees, Water and People were out on site and planted 60 cottonwood trees and 130 shrubs. Golden Meadows Park - The access road back to the pump house will be fine graded to keep it level. The road will be used to bring in the pump building and the pump. When those are Parks and Recreation Board Minutes April 25, 2007 Page 6 completed the reseeding will take place. Craig has asked maintenance to move the doggie bags. Fossil Creek Trail at 38E — The trail will run to Spring Canyon Community Park. We currently have a consultant looking at the layout and we are hoping to get it from 38E north to the park site this year. Case Park - Craig said they are in the final phase. He also showed a series of photos showing varies portions of the park in its final phases. There will be a shelter at the existing school sidewalk cul-de-sac to encourage the high school students to stop at the shelter instead of going to the playground. Additional pictures showed the new basketball court, and the eight foot climbing rock. Other Business Mike asked if anyone had any questions about the Natural Areas Annual Report. There were none. He also asked for ideas for future meetings. Suggestions were: having Greenplay in May, John Stokes from Natural areas in June including updates on Gateway Park, a July visit to Bobcat Ridge, an August visit to Spring Canyon Community Park, a Soapstone tour in early September, a meeting at the Aztlan Center to see it when it's ready to open. Cathy thought the Board should discuss BFO and how they would fit into the BFO picture. Mike suggested they utilize a -mails for that topic as well. He also suggested getting together with Latimer County Parks and Recreation Board and see how they can partner with them on various projects that involve both the County and City. Cathy suggested bringing Kelly Ohlson in for the June meeting and discussing BFO. She also asked if they could get more information from Craig by e-mail. Craig said he would see what he could do. He suggested spending the first 30 minutes of the May meeting on BFO and then Greenplay, then in June have Kelly Ohlson in as well as maybe John Stokes, and also 30 minutes for BFO. He added that Greenplay will be doing more public outreach in June. Correspondence None Adjournment: The Board unanimously agreed to adjourn at 7:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kelly Moore Administrative Support Supervisor Parks and Recreation Board Minutes April 25, 2007 Page 7 Board Attendance Board Members: Mary Carlson, Michael Chalona, Cathy Kipp, Mark Lueker, Jessica MacMillian, Greg Miller, William Pickering Absent: Ann Hunt, Walt Peeples, William Pickering Staff: Craig Foreman, Kelly Moore Guests: Al Minatta - Fort Collins Soccer Club, Matt Strauch - Youth Advisory Board