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Home My WebLink AboutParks And Recreation Board - Minutes - 04/24/2013Parks & Recreation Board Meeting – April 24, 2013 Page 1 of 4 BE A GOOD STEWARD: Protect & Respect your Parks, Trails & Recreation Facilities Call Meeting to Order: Bruce Henderson called the meeting to order 5:30 p.m. Agenda Review & Items of Note: JR Schnelzer introduced Melanie Pierz, who will be taking minutes for the meeting in Carol Rankin’s absence and Bud Bredehoft, the new Parks Ranger. He also acknowledged the students from the CSU Environmental Economics class in attendance as guests. Citizen Participation: None Approval of Minutes: Discussion: None Dawn Theis moved to approve the Parks & Recreation Board minutes of March 27, 2013, and it was seconded by Scott Sinn. The minutes were approved 6:0. Meeting Summary • Bud Bredehoft was introduced as the new Park Ranger, a position commissioned through Police Services. Bud described his job duties and the goals for the position. He stated that the SOP (Standard Operating Procedures) is currently being finalized, and he discussed his plans to work with PSD School Resource Officers (SRO’s) to patrol parks and trails. • A presentation on the Parks, Golf, and Cemeteries water delivery systems was given by Bill Whirty. • Early April storms kept Parks crews busy, as Fort Collins received record amounts snow. In spite of the heavy, wet snows, trails and walks were well maintained and clear of snow thanks to Parks staff. PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MINUTES Regular Meeting Wednesday, April 24, 2013 5:30 p.m. Board Chair: Bruce Henderson, Chair 2013 bmhender6@gmail.com Council Liaison: Gino Campana – gcampana@fcgov.com Staff Liaisons: J.R. Schnelzer, 970-221-6301 – jrschnelzer@fcgov.com Craig Foreman, 970-221-6618 – cforeman@fcgov.com Bob Adams, 970-221-6354 – badams@fcgov.com Parks & Recreation Board Meeting – April 24, 2013 Page 2 of 4 Full Minutes AGENDA ITEMS: Water – 101 – Bill Whirty In a presentation entitled, “Water 101,” Bill Whirty explained the Parks, Golf, and Cemeteries water delivery systems. The presentation covered the complex process of the buying, selling, and renting of water rights. He discussed the Response Level 1 water restrictions which became effective April 1 and the Water Supply Shortage Plan which outlines restrictions for the four levels of water shortage. Hopefully, with the recent precipitation and the early implementation of water restrictions, the need for higher level restrictions can be avoided later in the summer. Supplementary materials were provided, including a spreadsheet of Cache La Poudre River decrees, the 2012 Natural Areas Annual Report, and a copy of Ordinance No. 048, 2003for the reference of the Board and guests in attendance. STAFF UPDATES Parks Updates • BNSF approached the City about purchasing Jefferson Street Park land. Craig Foreman has been in discussions with the BNSF, but the City is not interested, due to high potential cost and not in an action plan. • Parks crews did an excellent job during the recent spring snow storms, some staff arriving to work as early as 3:00 a.m. to begin clearing snow. Discussion Board – If the City wanted to purchase the land, is there money? Staff – No. Recreation Updates • The Southeast Cultural and Recreation Center study kick-off meeting was April 22, and a community meeting is scheduled for June 5. The Youth Commission will be invited to the community meeting or a separate meeting will be scheduled. • The first day of registration for activities and programs listed in the summer edition of the Recreator will be May 2, beginning at 7:00 a.m. Senior Center members can begin registering for classes on April 30. • Presently working with mall redeveloper on Youth Activity Center (YAC) plans. Bob met with redeveloper on 4/24, and he will bring preliminary plans to May meeting. • Bob gave an overview of Senior Center expansion project. A public outreach open house scheduled for May 16 at the Senior Center which will launch the public fundraising campaign, during which time, the architect (Neenan Archistruction has been selected as the contractor and architect) will be introduced, preliminary designs can be reviewed, donors will be recognized, and refreshments will be provided. Discussion Board – Is the Club Tico renovation completed? Staff – Renovation completion delayed because funding has not yet been secured from the Don and May Wilkins Charitable Trust. Board – Will the City Park Railway be operational this summer? Staff – No, though there is a Facebook group trying to raise money for the project. Park Planning Updates • Several upcoming City projects scheduled during the next year will impact the Poudre Trail system, so trail detours are being planned. One detour route option is a new paved concrete neighborhood connection (8 ft. in width) between Lincoln Middle School and the Poudre River Trail. This route is currently in the planning stage and scheduled for fall/winter 2013 construction. This route may serve as the primary trail detour during the Shields Street bridge replacement project and for a portion of the construction duration of the Utilities Vine Street Outfall project. However, several scheduling details for these projects are still developing at this time, so other trail detour routes are being considered as needed. Parks & Recreation Board Meeting – April 24, 2013 Page 3 of 4 • Poudre River Projects Open House, featuring information about the over I-25 City-sponsored projects planned along the Poudre River Corridor, is scheduled for June 26. Discussion Board – Is there an update on the Community Gardens? Staff – Four park sites for the Community Gardens have been determined. Board – Will there be a hotline for citizens to call learn about trail detours or report problems? Staff – Parks and Transportation will publish detour routes on fcgov.com. Board – Have you considered a Smartphone app which would enable citizens download real-time trail closure and detour information and help them plan alternative routes? Staff – The City is always interested in using technology to improve communication with customers and citizens. Perhaps CPIO could help with community outreach similar to the MAX project. Bicycle Advisory Committee Liaison Update – Ragan Adams • April meeting cancelled. • The new FC Bikes coordinator/ program manager will be Tessa Greegor. She is formerly the principal planner for the largest bicycle organization in the country, Cascade Bicycle Club, located in Seattle, WA. She is scheduled to start on May 16. Board Work Plan Items – Updates • Budget – Bruce Henderson o None • Communications – Dawn Theis o Working on a PowerPoint presentation and scrapbook of the 2012 articles to be presented to the new Council liaison. o Idea Lab – Representative from CPIO will attend the May 22 meeting to discuss the new community engagement website. CPIO provided a document explaining Idea Lab which was included as an attachment in an e-mail Carol Rankin sent to the Board on April 19. • Sustainable Practices – Scott Sinn o Trying to schedule a meeting with the City’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Bruce Hendee • Parks & Disc Golf – Todd Galbate & Michael Chalona (absent) o None • Trails – Ragan Adams & Brian Carroll o On May 17, John Stokes will be conducting a tour of the Poudre River Corridor site and sharing plans for some of the projects. • Recreation – Richard Barnhart o Richard will discuss upcoming May Recreation article with Bob Adams. Topic(s) will be timely, promoting summer activities and events. • Other Projects/Programs o Discussed arranging a meeting with the new PSD Superintendent Sandra Smyser, as Parks and Recreation need a closer association with PSD for stewardship. o Bob Adams has spoken with PSD Communications Director Danielle Clark. He plans to meet with Superintendent Sandra Smyser in July. Schedule of Articles/Calendar • Article about Recreation will be featured in the Coloradoan in May. • June article will focus on the 4th of July Parade. JR advised that Richard speak to Mike Calhoon about the article. • JR, Bruce, and Brian plan to attend the Human Relations Commission & Women’s Commission Awards Breakfast on May 2. • Senior Center Expansion Committee meeting, “Engage in Aging,” will be on May 16 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Senior Center. • The Poudre River Projects Open House will be held on June 26 at 4:00 p.m. in the Lincoln Center Canyon West room. Parks & Recreation Board Meeting – April 24, 2013 Page 4 of 4 Bullet Points • The Board welcomed Bud Bredehoft as the City’s inaugural Natural Areas Trail Ranger. • Parks Manager Bill Whirty presented an overview of the City’s water portfolio. • Parks crews were recognized for their efforts during the recent spring snow storms. Adjournment: Meeting adjourned 7:16 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Melanie Pierz Customer Service Technical Specialist Park Planning and Development and Recreation Board Attendance Board Members: Ragan Adams, Richard Barnhart, Brian Carroll, Bruce Henderson, Scott Sinn, Dawn Theis Staff: Bob Adams, Bud Bredehoft, Craig Foreman, Melanie Pierz, JR Schnelzer, Bill Whirty Guests: CSU Environmental Economics class in attendance