HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks And Recreation Board - Minutes - 04/27/2011Parks & Recreation Board Meeting –April 27, 2011
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BE A GOOD STEWARD: Protect & Respect your Parks, Trails & Recreation Facilities
Call Meeting to Order: Michael Chalona called the meeting to order 5:33pm
Agenda Review & Items of Note:
Agenda Review: Add to the Agenda
Rob Cagen would like to speak to the Board about finding a place for the Rugby players.
Discussion:
JR – We can add that to the staff updates.
Items of Note: None
Discussion: None
Approval of Minutes: Greg Miller made the Motion to approve the Parks & Recreation Board minutes of
March 23, 2011, seconded by Bruce Henderson – Minutes approved 9:0
Citizen Participation
None
AGENDA ITEMS:
Introduce Golf Board Members
JR introduced the Golf Board Members that attended the P&R Board Meeting.
Shane Houska, has been on the Golf Board for five-plus years. Golf is his passion, and their Boards challenge
is how to help golf make money.
Michele Marquitz, has been on the Golf Board for two-plus years.
Bob Visocky, has been on the Golf Board for about four months.
The common thread between golf and parks is service. We are working toward a more cohesive blend in
sharing equipment and maintenance best practices.
Collindale Golf Course
Dale Smigelsky, Golf Pro at Collindale
Dale was awarded Colorado PGA’s Merchandiser of the Year, and is up for the National award.
In 1993, Dale began working as shop manager at Collindale under then Professional Joe Nance. From 1997 to
2000, he was the Head Professional at City Park Nine. In 2001, he took over at SouthRidge and stayed there
through the 2008 season. In January 2009, Dale took over as the Head Professional at Collindale.
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD
Minutes of Regular Meeting
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
5:30 p.m.
Council Liaison: Kelly Ohlson Staff Liaison: J.R. Schnelzer, 221-6301
Craig Foreman, 221-6618
President: Michael Chalona
Phone: 970-490-2335 (home) / 970-472-8954 x1 (work)
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Golf is doing pretty good right now. Our biggest concern is the infrastructure (carts, the irrigation systems, as
an example Southridge is 27 years old). We are holding our own, but we’re getting behind in keeping our
infrastructure current.
The golfing trends for the number of kids enrolling in junior golf programs from 2005-2009 has dropped 24%.
We need to do more locally, to bring golf back. We are working toward getting The First Tee Program
(www.thefirsttee.org) to come to Fort Collins to get kids involved with golf. We are getting endorsements from
community golfers (pros, management, etc) and all funding is coming from outside sources. We are looking for
possible sites, where a First Tee course could be built. We have to create this for the future or we won’t
survive.
We are also working on curb appeal, all of our club houses are going through some type of renovation. City
Park Nine has had a major tree trimming done and all the shrubs have been removed from in front of the
clubhouse. At Collindale we having some remodeling done to make it more energy efficient. We will be
changing out lights, insulation and plumbing. We also got $4,500 grant to help with energy upgrades.
Discussion
Board – What type of site are you looking for to make The First Tee course?
Pro – A 9-hole 3 par course would be great. Golf is a sport you don’t learn by going out playing because when
you’re on a course you affect other players. This will allow golfer to develop some golf skills before they go to
a bigger course.
Board – Is The First Tee Program for just kids?
Pro – No it’s for anyone who wants to learn. My intension is to get it going and then let someone else take it
over. We are hoping maintenance would be something shared by all the courses in Fort Collins, at least at the
start up.
Board – Where is funding coming from?
Pro – All from the private sector. They want to give back.
Board – Would you buy private land?
Pro – Yes, but we would like to partner with the City.
Board – How much land is needed?
Pro – Anywhere from 10-35 acres up to 100 acres. And, it should stay close to the urban area.
Board – Is the 24% decline people participation or golf rounds?
Pro – It’s specifically kids not participating in Golf. There’s the economic impact, and also we compete with all
the other recreational sports available to kids.
Board – What are the local numbers like?
Pro – I haven’t broken it down, but it’s proportionate to the National trend. With the three courses, we only did
103,000 rounds last year, which is about 30% decline; but weather, the last couple winters, has also factored
into the decline. We had a high of 150,000 rounds about 15 years ago when we didn’t’ have the course
competition and had unlimited type annual passes. There are a lot of affluent courses closing (Green Gables,
Fox Acres, etc.; some have recently been sold and reopened).
Board – What’s the cost comparison between private and municipal courses?
Pro - A private course’s initial fee is usually between $3,000-$15,000 with annual dues between $300-400 per
month, plus carts and meals. A private club member playing 100 rounds will pay over $40.00 per round. The
municipal course is about $550 for a pass which breaks down to 100 rounds at a cost of about $14.00 per round.
Municipal courses are positioned better when there is an economic downturn because it is less expensive to play
a round.
Board – How does golf work with Recreation?
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Pro – A few years ago, there wasn’t a lot of interaction, but we realize we need to get kids involved. Recreation
sets-up comes classes and we teach them out of our Golf Academy. We also advertise in the Recreator and we
work with Poudre School District.
Board – Does golf need more marketing?
Pro – We did a large coupon give away recently at an expo to get more play from people who live in other
towns. We are just starting to track these numbers, but so far it’s looking positive.
Board – Are you making enough money for maintenance?
Pro – We are finding synergy with parks & recreation to improve our maintenance. The easy way to make
money would be to raise fees, but we want to make sure we keep it economical for everyone to play and learn.
Board – Why not covert to General Fund?
Golf Board – We resist this, because it would be one of the first things cut when there are economic problems.
It’s better to be able to control our own destiny.
Board – Were the electric carts a mandate?
Staff – No, but we are working on reducing the carbon footprint so we felt this was the right step toward good
stewardship. We are monitoring this to see how it affects economy and environment.
Board – Do they have insurance for golf courses?
Staff – Yes, they have to have $1M policy w/City named. Safety is a big goal for all of CPRE.
P&R Board Review Questionnaire
The Board worked on the questionnaire on-line during meeting. It is attached.
Staff Updates
Park Updates
Just for note: The Recreation Director position is open for applications.
Rob Cagen wanted to speak about Rugby in Fort Collins
Rob - Timnath has decided not to allow Rugby in their City after the death of a child. Is there anyway we could
bring Rugby to Fort Collins?
Staff – Rugby had been playing in Fort Collins for about 10 years, prior to them moving to Timnath. They
didn’t approach us this year, so we thought they found another place. In the past we had them at Greenbriar
which gave them the 60 x 120 field they need. However, we move fields around each year to keep them in
good condition and healthy, so right now we don’t have a field available for them. If they want to come to us
for some fall play, we might be able to come up with an option. We will certainly work with them.
Board – What are the large balls doing in City Park?
Staff – Those are called bollards, we put them on fields we are trying to heal, to keep people from playing
games on those fields.
Recreation Updates
There is going to be a new sculpture at EPIC donated by Sandra Hau Foundation. Art in Public Places
has approved this, so we will be going to Council for final approval. It will be across from where the
sidewalks come together at the entrance to the parking area.
The Senior Center is having an art show on May 1
st
from 4-6pm.
Cinco De May will be at Civic Center Park on May 7 & 8.
We start summer registration on May 12.
We hired two customer service positions, and are in the process of hiring a Recreation Coordinator
position.
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Park Planning Updates
Board – On you report you have Staley, something unique – what does that mean?
Staff – We are looking to develop an unstructured play area for older kids. It would be a place to “hang out”
but we’re not yet sure what all we will be doing. We will have three options to share at the open house. If we
get a good response, we’ll meet with the neighbors again, and then start on the final design so we can go out to
bid in December and start construction next spring.
Board – Have you talked with the student council for ideas?
Staff – No, but good idea.
Board – Are other communities doing this type of space for older kids?
Staff – Some have bits and pieces of this concept, it is interesting to work on.
Electric Bikes - We had a demonstration in May with, Josh Kerson, who came to us in January about
electric bikes, to see what the bikes were like. Staff contacted 18 communities, five allow e-bikes and
the rest do not. Greeley, Windsor, Loveland, Boulder, and Larimer County do not allow. Most
communities are not active on this issue, so they’re not as far along as we are. We will be going to all
the appropriate Boards/Commission for recommendations to Council.
Discussion
Board – I tried three of the bikes, they don’t go as fast and are not as loud as I thought.
Board – How fast to they go?
Staff – The max is 20 mph, so there is still a concern; and the best we can do is to set a speed limit.
Board – Do the bikes have a speedometer?
Staff – No.
Board – Will they be allowed on any trail?
Staff – Only on paved trails.
Board – Which communities do allow?
Staff – Norman, Oklahoma; Lincoln, Nebraska; Foothills Parks & Recreation District and Fayetteville,
Arkansas.
New underpass at 38E - We are continuing to work with Mark matching pines on his property and
talking with the County about the fence. The road is closed right now and the box is in so they are
starting to backfill. It’s going very well.
Discussion
Board – Did you talk to the County about the speed limit?
Staff – Yes, but we haven’t heard anything yet.
Board – Other members of the neighborhood are excited about the new underpass and wanted me to pass that
on to the Board.
Board – Do we feel Mark has been responded to?
Board – Yes, staff did follow up, and it is a County project so I think we’ve all done what we can.
Board Communications Sub-Committee Update
Dawn is working on finding out what’s out there as various means of communications. She apologizes for not
getting out information to Board. She has a spreadsheet of thoughts and ways to communicate with electronic
media and will get this out to the other board members. When the sub-committee has options available, we will
present to staff for support.
Communication with other Boards is improving. Rob will coordinate the bullet points and send out the
consolidated information.
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Bicycle Advisory Board Liaison Update
Three things
Police Services, Mike Langley, is collaborating with the bike committee on bike safety and enforcement.
They are working toward regional coordination, sharing best practices as bike friendly region. Lots of
outreach with other communities, working on regional safety with things like consistent signage.
Mountain Avenue improvement will be a bike lane from Meldrum to Howes, shared lane from Howes to
Riverside. They are also working on a Bike Box at Plum & Shields intersection. This is for the right
lane turning traffic. Bikes would gather in the Bike Box to wait for a special signal which allows the
bikes to go before traffic turning right. They will start the project in July to be ready for CSU this fall.
Board - Another place for this might be Lemay & Stuart; the bikes have to go onto sidewalk to push
signal.
In addition, there is a bike expo coming to Fort Collins on June 18.
Other Board Work Plan Items
Disc Golf Course Update – The design is done. Now we are working on a survey and license with CSU.
We are hoping to have construction start in August.
Board will work on getting a stewardship sub-committee together for the May agenda.
Board Bullet Items
The Parks & Recreation Board has a better understanding of golfing in Fort Collins and The First Tee
program.
Reaffirmation that communication is important to the Parks & Recreation Board in multiple areas:
Council, Staff, other Board and Citizens.
Long range fiscal responsibility of Parks & Recreation.
Adjournment: Brian Carroll made a Motion to adjourned meeting, Seconded by Bruce Henderson – meeting
adjourned 8:40pm.
Respectfully submitted,
VtÜÉÄ etÇ~|Ç
Carol Rankin
Administrative Support Supervisor
Parks Department
Board Approved the minutes, of April 25, 2011 – 9:0
Board Attendance
Board Members: Rob Cagen, Brian Carroll, Michael Chalona, Shirley Christian, Bruce Henderson, Greg
Miller, Danna Ortiz, Selena Paulsen, Dawn Theis
Staff: JR Schnelzer, Craig Foreman, Mike McDonnell, Carol Rankin, Bill Whirty, Dale Smigelsky (Golf Pro)
Guests: Golf Board Members: Shane Houska, Michele Marquitz, Bob Visocky
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Parks and Recreation Board
April 27, 2011
Park Planning and Development work items:
Policy Plan: The draft of the Environmental/Sustainability Best Management Plan Manual has been completed and staff is reviewing.
Budgeting for Outcomes: The 2013/14 BFO process will begin in the spring of 2012.
Building on Basics (BOB) Park improvement funds – 2009 funds to Roselawn Cemetery for improvements. Park improvement funds
will be available in 2015.
NISP: New. Staff is anticipating the Supplemental EIS to be ready late in the year.
Park items:
1. Waters Way Park: Under construction.
2. Tennis court plan for neighborhood courts is being reviewed by management.
3. Registry Neighborhood Park: Project is ready for construction to start.
4. Staley Neighborhood Park: Park is in the pilot program for The Sustainable Site Initiative program. First public open house
was March 23rd from 4:00 to 7:00 at Zach Elementary School. New. We had about 60 people attend the meeting and received
good support for the park. Some of the top items requested were shelters, trail connections across McClelland’s Creek, natural
play area, something unique, trees, toddler play area, restrooms and safe access to the creek. Several people committed that
Muskrat Creek Drive, on the south side of the park, has a lot of congestion and safety concerns when parents drop off their
children for school in the mornings. We will have traffic staff attend the next open house and hear these concerns and offer their
ideas on the issue. The next open house is scheduled for Thursday, April 28th from 4:00 to 7:00 at Zach Elementary School.
Staff will have up to 3 park conceptual layouts for neighborhood review.
Trails:
1. Poudre Trail at Nix Farm: Staff will be developing the tree resting area design. Natural Resources have seeded the area with
native grasses. We are sensitive to this costly effort and will plan our construction of the tree resting area for a later date to
minimize disturbance to the new grass.
2. Power Trail: Keenland underpass of the UP in approval process and in the second step of the railroad approval process.
3. Fossil Creek Trail along Stanton Creek north of Carpenter Road planned for summer/fall 2011 construction.
4. Poudre Trail at Lemay: Mulberry Bridge to be replaced by CDOT. The design team has incorporated our trail bridge needs
downstream of Lemay into the floodplain analysis. Latest from CDOT is they are planning for construction to start in the fall
of 2013. The MPO has awarded $368,375 toward the construction of the $530,000 trail project.
5. Fossil Creek Trail and underpass at Highway 38E: Project is under construction. The full closure of County Road #38E for the
installation of the trail underpass is no set to start April 25. GOCO grant.
6. Poudre Trail to Timnath: Scoping of the project in 2011.
7. Staff will start to work with CSU/Environmental Learning Center for an easement for the trail to extend to Drake Road.
8. County Road #11 and trail underpass on hold due to limited Street Oversizing funds.
9. Spring Creek Trail east of Centre Avenue to the railroad tracks. R.O.W. is working with CSU (CSURF) about the new trail
easement process. We hope to acquire the easement in 2011.
Miscellaneous:
1. Electric bicycle process to determine if they should be allowed on the trail system occurring in 2011. Staff is researching
other community’s allowance of the bikes and a question on e-bikes has been posted on the City’s Face-Book.
2. Veteran’s Plaza at SCCP. Info can be obtained at the web page of the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado, News
and Events section, and into Veteran’s Plaza page. Construction has started on the project in March with completion set for
Memorial Day in May.
3. Disc Golf: The Hughes Stadium design effort continues. The disc golf course is part of the plan. The design of the course
holes is just about competed. We are proposing using Conservation Trust funds for the development of the course and are
hopeful the disc golf community can find grants and help with construction. The GOCO grant was submitted.
4. Water Craft Course – NISP impact unknown at this time and fund raising very slow.
5. Old Fort Collins Heritage Park stake park lights – Group of users are attempting to find funding to supply lights at the skate
park.
6. Discovery/Museum Center – we are coordinating on this project.
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DRAFT
RETURN COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRE TO CITY CLERK BY: FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2011
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
PERIODIC REVIEW QUESTIONNAIRE
DATE PREPARED: 4/27/11
BOARD/COMMISSION NAME: Park & Recreation Board
LIST OF MEMBERS: Chair, Michael Chalona; Vice Chair, Rob Cagen; Board Members: Brian Carroll,
Shirley Christian, Bruce Henderson, Greg Miller, Danna Ortiz, Selena Paulsen and Dawn Theis
1. Are the current duties of the board, as defined by City Code, realistic? If not, what duties would
you suggest be added and/or deleted?
Yes.
However, the Parks & Recreation Board knows there are limited staff resources available in CPRE’s Public
Relations Department and feels there could be more marketing done for Parks. We would like the
ability/authority to develop a marketing plan which we could present for recommendation to Parks
2. Is the board’s workload (annual work plan) too much; too little; about right? Explain.
The Parks & Recreation workload and work plan are just about right. As is typical, unexpected things come up
that take priority, so backlog is natural way of working; however, it’s nice to have backlog of possible work
plan items to work on. We get through most of our work plan in some form throughout the year.
3. Does the board effectively accomplish its annual work plan?
Yes.
We also feel that our Board had a proactive roll in helping 2B to pass.
4. Are board meetings conducted in an effective manner? What could be done to improve board
meetings?
Yes, our Chair does good job in bringing Members and/or citizens back to subject/task for time management.
Also, having meetings at different parks and recreation facilities has been beneficial.
Improvements:
Meetings with other Boards would be helpful, when there is a need of collaboration on recommendations and/or
projects.
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RETURN COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRE TO CITY CLERK BY: FRIDAY JULY 1, 2011
5. Is the current size of the board appropriate?
Yes.
6. Are communications between the board and Council effective? What could be done to improve
these communications?
Yes.
We have responded as a Board when asked to give recommendations.
When we have a question, Staff gets answers to the Board.
Writing letters and showing up at Council meetings, when necessary, has been affective.
Improvements:
Staff keeping us appraised of Council meetings we should be involved with, has been helpful. We would like
this to continue.
7. Other comments:
The Board feels there should be additional staff to help with marketing and promotion of Parks (newsletter).
We have a good Parks & Recreation Board; we set our own destiny and work plan and it’s up to us to get going.
The City does great job with staff resources. Having the Recreation Supervisors attending each meeting has
been valuable. Staff supports what we need as Board.
Attachments:
City Code description of duties
Current Work Plan
Current Annual Report
Current Bylaws