HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks And Recreation Board - Minutes - 05/28/2008e1
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Council Liaison: Kelly Ohlson Staff Liaison: Craig Foreman, 221-6618
President: Michael Chalona Phone: 490-2335 (home) 472-8954 (work)
Call Meeting to Order: Mike Chalona called meeting to order 5:40pm
Agenda Review & Items of Note:
* Card for Cathy Kipp available to sign, Carol will mail.
* Introduced two new Board Members: Fred Bitting and Shirley Christian
Citizen Participation: None
Approval of Minutes: Mary Carlson Approved, Ann Hunt Seconded — Minutes Approved 8:0
Undates: New Members:
Shirley Christian: Has lived in Fort Collins for 30 years. Worked in school system and lives across from Edora
Park. She's active in her HOA and involved in the Theater. Shirley loves the parks and wanted to get involved.
Fred Bitting: Had lived in Fort Collins for 4 years. He is originally from Texas worked with the Texas Parks &
Wildlife dept and the National Park Service. Fred has volunteered with the Natural Resources department and
is the rose garden caretaker at the Senior Center.
Guest Speaker:
Michelle Provaznik - Horticulture Facilitv Service Administrator. Citv of Fort Collins
Recent Accomplishments: Visitation is up 250% and Revenue is up 150% from last year.
We have developed a 3-year rolling strategic plan and we have a new Vision Statement. We're creating special
events, new brochures, and updating our entry to the Gardens to reflect our botanical side. We are also excited
about creating international gardens throughout our space showcasing what can be done here in Colorado to
craft an oriental garden, a tropical garden, a cactus gardens, etc. In addition, the spaces will be able to be rented
for weddings and/or wedding receptions. Our Gardens of Eat'in is'/4 acre and used as a teaching garden for
schools, volunteers, etc. and the food will go to the Food Bank of Larimer County.
The plant sale at the Gardens was very successful. We had 250 visitors (even with the snowy day) and sold out
6,000 plants for a profit of $6,800 in one -day.
Upcoming Events at the Gardens include: Trains, Boats & Planes - June 14; Bike N Jazz — June 27; Summer
Camp (5 sessions, 2 age groups); Herb Fest — August; Harvest Festival — Sept 6.
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Partnerships we have developed:
CSU — Logical fit for internship programs with Dept of Horticulture, Service Learning Students, and Marketing
Classes.
Local Media — We will have an article in the Coloradoan and North Forty News
Food Bank of Larimer County
Local Small Business
We have a great staff and we're all enthused and inspired to bring the Gardens at Spring Creek to the next level.
Project Updates
Policy Plan — Craig reviewed the Plan for the two new board members.
The focus areas for the Parks are tennis courts, area/space for large events and a sports park. The large event
space need is evident by the requests for large gatherings. A sports park is also needed to meet the demand for
ball parks and turf needs. Perhaps if the community desires, a sports complex is something needed in the future.
Triple Crown has talked about partnering with the City to create a sports complex, which would require about
20-30 acres. The staff needs to gather more data on tennis court needs (user groups, drop ins, etc.). Currently
there are 44 courts plus the courts at high schools and HOAs. There is an open house on June 12 at Northside
Aztlan Center regarding the build out of parks and trail. June is going to be a very busy month for the staff
because we're working on the NISP DEIS. The Policy Plan is near final review, the P&R Board will have a
chance to see the Plan in July and it will go to Council in August for action.
Provincetown Park — Matt Day, City Landscape Architect
This park backs up to Pelican Marsh Natural Area. We've had two neighborhood meetings; the first to get ideas
and the second we were able to show three conceptual park designs. The park will be renamed after a final
theme is decided.
Other Business
NISP — Glade Reservoir
Bill Pickering has volunteered for the sub -committee to research more information about Glade. Fred Bitting
volunteered to also be on the sub -committee. They will bring some information to the June Board meeting to
help with our recommendation. The environmental impact statement review period is 90 days April 30 — July
30. The alternatives are: No Action (Glade not built); Cactus Hill Reservoir in Weld County; or Glade
Reservoir in Larimer County.
No Action: Report indicates that without the reservoir 69,200 acres of irrigated farmland would be removed to
meet domestic needs and we'd loose 1,384 acres of wetlands all at a cost of $830,500.00. Staff feels these
numbers should be challenged.
Northern Colorado Conservancy District has water rights so they will move water where demand is needed.
But filling and keeping Glade filled during dry years would greatly impact the Poudre River. The flow will be
impacted, in dry years especially, which will affect wildlife, plant life and recreational activities. It would also
affect waste water treatment plants in dumping "clean" water back into the river. When the river runs full and
flow is good, it cleans and carries any sediment. The Report does not give any information on the impact the
low flow would have on the treatment plants. The Report also states that there would be no impact to wildlife
or recreational activities, this statement is to quantitative we have to force them to have this studied. If no
extension is granted, Board input should be done in June for the July Council meeting. Bill feels that the
project will happen, and the City needs to concentrate on mitigations within the EIS.
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Uranium Issue — Where is this project? Council declined, but it's now at State level. Water has to be
proven to be "restored to original", but what does that mean?
Northside Aztlan - playground is in and looks good.
Correspondence — None
Adjournment— Board adjourned: 8:07pm
Respectfully submitted,
Carol Rankin
Administrative Support Supervisor
Parks Department
Board Attendance
Board Members: Fred Bitting, Mary Carlson, Michael Chalona, Shirley Christian, Ann Hunt, Jessica
MacMillan, Greg Miller and William Pickering
Staff: Craig Foreman, J.R. Schnelzer, Carol Rankin, Jean Helburg
Guests:
Michelle Provaznik, Horticulture Facility Service Administrator, City of Fort Collins
Matt Day, Landscape Architect, City of Fort Collins
Chris Dropinski, GreenPlay
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