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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks And Recreation Board - Minutes - 02/22/2012Parks & Recreation Board Meeting – February 22, 2012 Page 1 of 15 BE A GOOD STEWARD: Protect & Respect your Parks, Trails & Recreation Facilities Call Meeting to Order: Michael Chalona called the meeting to order 5:35pm Agenda Review & Items of Note: Agenda Review: Brian Carroll – Add an agenda item to discuss process for submitting articles. Items of Note: None Citizen Participation: Vince Castillo, President of Northern Colorado Disc Golf (NCDG) and Lance Bebout, a disc golfer participant. Vince: The reason we are here is because we have new leadership and we’re really passionate about the game. We want a presence at the Board, so if there’s any discussion about Disc Golf we can be involved. You also have my email and cell phone number if you have any questions. Looking forward, the goal of NCDG is that we want to work with the City and Parks and Recreation and work with the public. What we want to accomplish as a club is to promote the sport of disc golf, while keeping people safe as well as the environment. The new Hughes course is great, I’ve played it a few times I’m really exited about it and looking forward to it’s potential. To give you an idea of what disc golf can become through the help of NCDG; there is a piece of land in Windsor that was donated to us through the City of Windsor; they got the land from a citizen and ask us if we wanted to do something with it. They involved us in the communication and we installed the disc golf course without any funding from the City of Windsor. We can fund raise in one weekend and get enough money to fund 18 baskets. Rest assured we are asking for cooperation, but we will also do any necessary fund-raising for equipment. I hope you’ll go to the NCDG web page and check it out. There are over 1,300 different tournaments throughout the Country and in Fort Collins we host one and Bill Wright hosts one. We also host one up in Red Feather. If we can work with the City and have more courses they would make revenue for the City with hotels, gas, and food. If you want to see what our tournament is all about, our event is over St. Patrick’s Day weekend, March 17 & 18, and hopefully if you come, you can see what we’re about and we can bridge the gap between the disc golfer and the Board and the City. Discussion: Board – When you hold a tournament do you go through Parks to reserve the course? Vince – Yes Board – What do you pay? Vince - $150.00 per day. NOTE: Feb 2 when event entered into EMS, Bill waived the fee. Board – How many people participate? Vince – About 72 players, the course will hold 90 players Board – How long does this take? PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD Minutes of Regular Meeting Wednesday, February 22, 2012 5:30 p.m. Council Liaison: Kelly Ohlson Staff Liaison: J.R. Schnelzer, 221-6301 Craig Foreman, 221-6618 Chair: Rob Cagen Phone: 970-689-7559 (home) / 970-482-3971 (work) Parks & Recreation Board Meeting – February 22, 2012 Page 2 of 15 Vince – There are two rounds on Saturday so from about 9:00am-4:00pm and one round on Sunday from about 9:00am-12:00pm or 1:00pm. Sunday is when all the good players will be playing; there are a lot of people watching. Board – Wasn’t there a tournament last week at Edora? Vince – It was a gathering. Board – Did you charge for it? Vince – We collected money, yes. Board – Lance, would you like to speak? Lance - I’m a small business owner, and disc golfer. I feel bad that you’re getting rid of EPIC disc golf. When you play you want it to be interesting, so my question is what’s the reason for the reduction? Board – We have a section on the meeting on disc golf, so we’ll probably answer that question during that discussion; but you won’t be able to ask a question at that time. Lance – So, can you just give quick reason why? Board – The biggest concern is safety and the mix use of the park and a lot of people feel it’s a disc golf park and those were a couple things identified back in 2006 & 2007 when we were going through the Plan update that there were quite a few issues at Edora including environmental concerns with the wetlands and safety concerns; so that’s part of it, and trying to figure out in 1992 when the park was built that it’s not a good idea to run a disc golf course through an entire park, it works best when it’s in a fixed space and you don’t have other recreators in the same area. So the question becomes how you rearrange the course to allow other areas to be used by everybody and ensure it’s a community park that can be used for everyone. Lance – Points against that is, I’m much more scared of riding my bike on the bike trail along Collindale or by a ball field that I’m going to get hit with ball. Hughes probably isn’t going to cut it, and it will hurt the sport in Fort Collins. I think we need more, what’s great about this town is that we have so many outdoor opportunities. People move here for these opportunities, not for jobs or money, but for the lifestyle. There are 45 other parks for picnics, to tear this out and have whole bunch of park land not being used doesn’t seem right. I can’t imagine that the complaints are any where near the usage. Board – Where do you live? Lance – By Rolland Moore Park. Board – So this is not your neighborhood park then? Lance – It’s a public park Board – But you don’t live in this neighborhood. Board – It’s both a neighborhood park and a community park. And, as our neighborhood park, what I heard you say is that for those of us who use this park if we don’t want to dodge the discs we shouldn’t go there, that we should go to other park? Lance – There’s room to the west not being used. Board – You must not come here very much. Lance – I’m all over. The main thing I’m saying is that it’s a good disc golf course in the community and if you take it away it’s going to kill it. Board – Do you have anymore questions? Board – I appreciate you giving us your thoughts. With the evolution of disc golf, do you see it where groups create their own private course at some point, or is it always going to be woven into a community park? Where do you see it going? Vince – I appreciate your question. Rochester, NY has a world championship course which generates around $750,000 for the City and they have about 500 players. We’re looking to expand and we’re well structured. It’s a growing sport and we’re always looking for space, the courses don’t have to be in a park, it could be on private land, donated land, or natural areas. We look at every option we can, we are looking at the trail going through the natural area by I-25; we would like to see something with trees and rivers and valleys and hills. I don’t want to get too emotional about Edora, but if we lose this, we’ll just go somewhere else. Board – I was just wondering with the growth of your association if the City can’t provide space and they may be providing the best they can, it could be a good business opportunity for a private course. Parks & Recreation Board Meeting – February 22, 2012 Page 3 of 15 Vince – We’re looking for cooperation and the best option for everyone. We’ve been around since 1995; and open-mindedness is all we want. Right now, the course is in its shortest position, most players throw well, but we’re looking for signage and we are working with Parks and are looking for space on the other side of the tracks. Board – You’re talking about the other side of the tracks for more holes? I’m not sure Utilities will allow this. Board – I don’t think we’re for or against either side, it’s just not a good match. Lance – If this course is so popular, why not have more courses available. Des Moines, Iowa, has 12 courses in Parks without issues. Board – We don’t have the land available that Iowa does. Board – Archery charges parking to help with expenses, do you think disc golfers would pay to play? Vince – We do collect a fee for the association, but if we put out donation boxes at the courses, they would put money in it. Board – These are all options that we’re looking at, and it’s important to work together. And, the course at Edora is not going away, it’s being downsized. Board – We’ll continue to have discussions. Approval of Minutes: Discussion: Minor changes: Typos; Board attendance add Ragan Adams and remove Greg Miller, change original board responsible for bullet points from Youth Advisory to Women’s Commission. Michael Chalona made the motion to approve the Parks & Recreation Board minutes of January 25, 2012, with the noted changes – Minutes approved 7:0 AGENDA ITEMS: Election of Officers We have three officer positions, which need to be voted on. Secretary: Shirley Christian nominated Dawn Theis to continue as Secretary VOTE: 6:1 (Ragan Adams abstained from voting as she felt she was too new a member) Vice-Chair: Danna Ortiz nominated Shirley Christian to be Vice-Chair VOTE: 6:1 (Ragan Adams abstained from voting as she felt she was too new a member) Rob - I just wanted to say that I would like to be Chair of the Parks & Recreation Board and I would keep everyone informed of meetings I have with others like Council members or staff. Chair: Rob Cagen was nominated through discussion to be Chair VOTE: 6:1 (Ragan Adams abstained from voting as she felt she was too new a member) Rob – I would like to assign times to all the agenda items and then keep to the time. Staff – I would like to caution you about having a time on all your agenda items. If a citizen thought you weren’t going to discuss an item until a certain time, they may wait to come to the meeting until that time so if you were to only take 10 minutes on an item that you noted would take 20 minutes you might have to wait to move on to the next agenda item. It would be better to put guideline times on the agenda. Rob – Can you put a disclaimer that times and agenda items are subject to change? Staff – You could try that. Board – I think it’s good to be efficient and that you want to run the meeting so we stay on track and moving, but I think you could just keep us on track with a goal of trying to get the Board out at a reasonable time. Board – It’s always a balance. Parks & Recreation Board Meeting – February 22, 2012 Page 4 of 15 Disc Golf Discussion – Michael Chalona Dawn Theis and Michael Chalona went to the City Council meeting and spoke on the Boards behalf about supporting the reduction of Edora Disc Golf Course, with a limited amount of time to speak. There were a number of questions asked, and there was a good turn out from the disc golf community. Marty spoke about the City’s position on what the reduction/reconfiguration could be, and Craig has information on Marty’s response. The discussion was the same things we’ve talked about, and something Dawn noted was that it did seem that the disc golfers felt they were caught off-guard about the reduction so perhaps the Board can help do a better job of public outreach with these types of issues. There are now some other options that have come forward, so we’ll need to have more discussion as a Board on this topic. Minutes from the City Council Meeting are linked: http://citydocs.fcgov.com/?vid=17&cmd=search&scope=doctype&dt=MINUTES&q=FEB-07-2012 Discussion Board – There are two opposing uses that are going on at Edora and some type of solution needs to come about. They want more studies on how to come up with the right solution. With continued communication and alternatives solutions can happen. Staff – We won’t be making any changes or adjustments to the disc golf course until we’ve have more public outreach and public process. We did struggle to get information to the President of Disc Golf because they were changing so often; so it’s good to have a contact in Vince. Staff – When Park Planning looks at creating a park, we design it for a lot of people doing a lot of different things. There are casual areas needed in parks to allow for people to relax, so when layering in activities there’s always a struggle. Staff – Parks has to cycle turf for repair and regeneration. Ideally we would want a couple of days a week for no play to help with turf management. Board – The trees also need help. Could Tim Buchanan, City Forester, come and speak with us? Staff – I will see if his schedule will allow for this. Staff – The people we want to reach are those people that come to the park to read a book or take a walk. We know we’ll hear from disc golfers and other users. Board – It sounds like outreach could be unbalanced, how are the neighbors going to know? Staff – We’ll work with the City Communications Office to make sure everyone has an opportunity to share their opinion. Staff – Greeley had to downsize the disc golf course in their neighborhood park because it simple outgrew the area and there were a lot of complaints from the neighborhoods. Board – How does the school feel about one of the baskets being on the corner of their property? Staff – They haven’t said anything. Board – Do you have the HOA mailing addresses? Board – Don’t some of the Large Events interfere with the Disc Golfers? Staff – Sure, some of the events keep the disc golfers off the course while their event is taking place. Board – Could tournaments be held at Hughes? Staff – I think that’s the future hope. Staff – Also, just so you know any tournament type event needs to be permitted so Parks can staff appropriately. Board – Could the Board form a subcommittee to work with the disc golfers to help come up with a five year plan to help develop a course? Is that something that could happen? Board – Being proactive instead of reactive? Board – I think we need to see what happens in the next few weeks with the open house and the BFO process before we get involved at this level. We need more direction from the public and staff. Board – If we start doing things unique for disc golf, we need to be careful since Rugby and Archery also came to talk with us about their needs; we don’t want to favor one group over another. Parks & Recreation Board Meeting – February 22, 2012 Page 5 of 15 Board – I think it’s a little different because with disc golf we’re talking about taking away a use that is currently offered in the Park and Rugby is asking for a new space to be developed. Board – I think an example of things working out is the BMX track. It wasn’t compatible where it was at Edora Park, due to the stormwater issues, and it was moved to a new location and it’s worked out great. Submitting Articles – Brian Carroll I’m (Brian) doing an article this month, and the process isn’t confusing, but I want to make sure we’re all in line and everyone has the same understanding of what’s happening. They’re asking us to put our names on the articles which gives the idea that it’s your article, but in fact, my position would be that it’s a Parks and Recreation Board article that’s being written and I’m just the author of it and in writing the article I don’t think the author should voice only their views on the topic at hand. We should have some type of Board review process, and there should be an approval from the Board before the article goes to the editor. Not only for factual information, but to make sure the views in the article are the views of the entire Board. Therefore, I think we need a formal process. At our monthly meeting we could review the article and make sure everyone is comfortable with the content. Discussion Board – We do that now electronically. I don’t think we need to do it at the meeting. Board – The meeting could just be an affirmation. Board – We all have different visions, and as long as the facts are correct, I think we should be able to express our own ideas. Board – I think electronic communication works fine. We just need to make sure information is correct and we’re in line politically and with our mission. Board – Dawn could send out reminders about articles that are due so there is time to get the Board approval through e-mail at least a week before the article is due. This would allow time for modification and one final approval. STAFF UPDATES Parks Updates • We’re getting ready for BFO 2013-2014. There are more requirements to meet performance indicators. • We’re working on Strategic Plans for Golf, Parks, Cemetery and Forestry. • New median standards are on the horizon; which will have more horticulture related maintenance. We’re not sure yet how were going to maintain them or the cost. Current maintenance is contracted out. • We have a tentative plan in place to help reduce the dog waste problem in Parks; but it’s an issue throughout the community. Discussion Board – Does anyone else think the medians are overkill? Board – Before I moved here, I live where they had cactus in the medians and people would hit them and then sue the City, so they were in the process of removing all of them from the medians. Board – Is anyone concerned with people hitting the trees in these proposed medians? Staff – The current plan will have a splash guard to keep cars off the medians. Board – They may look great, but what’s the cost? Staff – They want a more esthetic median. Board – How could we make a comment? Staff – The medians standards are going to Council on March 27, we have been told they will cost less, but we’re not sure how. Board – Is there a medium width with a minimum density? Staff – We don’t know yet. Pete Wray in Advanced Planning would be a contact. Parks & Recreation Board Meeting – February 22, 2012 Page 6 of 15 Recreation Updates • Mike McDonnell is the Recreation Manager for pools and adaptive recreation. He is going into his 26 th year at EPIC which opened in 1987. There will be a celebration on July 29 th , and we’ll be sending out invitations. • Winter Wishes Ice Show will have a 25 th theme. • EPIC has been on the international scene with ESPN3 when Missy Franklin broke a record in the 200 • EPIC is a great facility thanks to our citizens. EPIC didn’t get any of the KFCG money, but there would have been cuts in other areas where the money did go that helped us. • We were able to put in the ultra-violet system to help the water quality at all three pools in EPIC. • New starting blocks have been put in they are rubberized to be flexible. • There are 110 solar panels on the roof which gave us a $5,000 savings in heating the water; and has helped us meet our sustainability goals. • We have been replacing the lights in the parking lots with LEDs. • In the next 1-2 years, we will be reconfiguring the front desk area to have the front desk more in front of the doors to help better control the traffic • We need to replace the bulkheads, they are really old and are getting hard to move. The cost to replace will be from $500,000-$800,000 and the pool will be closed for about 3 months. • The spring registration day set a record with $136,000 in one day, with 69% of the registrations done on- line. Last year we did $114,000. • On April 17, the Senior Center will host an event on their future growth issues. • We are working on a Silver Sneakers program and the Senior Center and Northside Aztlan Center that if a senior has this as part of their insurance they can use the facility as a member and the facility is reimbursed $3.50 per visit up to 10 visits per person. We’ll add additional facility in the future if this is successful. Discussion Board – Is there money in the budget to replace the bulkheads? Staff – It could be a BFO offer, or we may use some reserves. We’ve done a lot of fixes, so timing depends on if they break. Board – Do you still use Chlorine in the pools? Staff – Yes, but not as much with the ultra-violet system, which makes the air quality a lot better. Board – Is there anything we can do as Board to help with the bulkhead need? Staff – It’s a little early yet, we’re still in planning stages. Board - Our annual discussion with City Council is in June or July. Just like we brought out the Great Lawn and Senior Center, we could bring this up just to get on their radar. Staff – We need to talk with Operations Services about this and have a better idea of cost. Board – Do you see more seniors using the facilities? Staff – I think in the pool and walking area yes, but not as much in the fitness areas. Board – Did you have to replace the floor at Northside? Staff – Yes, about 2/3 of the floor is being replaced. A ball hit the sprinkler just perfect and set them off, so we are now having braces put around all 65 heads so this doesn’t happen again. We are also having staff going to training on how to shut the fire-sprinkler system off and how to notify PFA if this were to ever happen again. Board – With increase in demand are we doing okay with scholarships? Staff – KFCG had $100,000 go toward scholarships, and we had requests for $112,000. So, it’s in sync, but I would like to review and revamp it. Parks & Recreation Board Meeting – February 22, 2012 Page 7 of 15 Park Planning Updates • Bike group sending out survey you can take on-line to help them gather data. You can get to it by going to: http://www.fcgov.com/bikelibrary Discussion Board – When did Staley become Radiant and why Radiant? Staff – It’s a fire and light theme and the name came from light radiating down. Bicycle Advisory Board Liaison Update None Other Work Plan Items Board will divvy up areas of the work plan and report on the work plan items at meetings. At the March meeting, the Board will discuss which items are of interest to each member. Bullet Points • Dialog with disc golf community representative. • Clarify outreach procedures and standards • Reinitiate/revitalize bullet points. Adjournment: Michael Chalona moved to adjourn. Meeting adjourned 8:33pm. Respectfully submitted, VtÜÉÄ etÇ~|Ç Carol Rankin Administrative Support Supervisor Parks Department Board Approved the minutes of February 22, 2012 – 7:0 Board Attendance Board Members: Ragan Adams, Rob Cagen, Brian Carroll, Michael Chalona, Shirley Christian, Danna Ortiz, Dawn Theis Staff: Craig Foreman, JR Schnelzer, Bob Adams, Mike McDonnell, Carol Rankin Guests: Vince Castillo and Lance Bebout (disc golfer) Parks & Recreation Board Meeting – February 22, 2012 Page 8 of 15 Parks and Recreation Board February 22, 2012 Park Planning and Development work items: The City was not asked to submit a grant application for our Poudre River from Shields Street to Linden Street Project for the Great Outdoors Colorado River Corridor Initiative. Larimer County was asked to submit a grant on their trail and river access project. This project includes our Poudre River Trail from the east end of Horsetooth Road to the east side of I-25. The grant is due in March with hopefully notice of award in June. Construction would then occur in years 2012, 2013, and 2014. Policy Plan: The Environmental/Sustainability Best Management Plan Manual is complete and will now be implemented. Budgeting for Outcomes: The 2013/14 BFO process will begin this week with the first meetings of the Results Teams. Building on Basics (BOB) Park improvement funds – 2009 funds to Roselawn Cemetery for improvements. Park improvement funds will be available in 2015. NISP: Staff is anticipating the Supplemental EIS to be ready in 2012? Park items: 1. Waters Way Park: Construction is nearly complete with grass to be established in the spring. 2. Tennis court plan for neighborhood courts is being reviewed by management. 3. Registry Neighborhood Park: Construction is nearly complete with grass to be established in the spring. 4. Radiant (was Staley) Neighborhood Park: Park is in the pilot program for The Sustainable Site Initiative program. The park design is nearly complete with drawings and specifications being prepared for the bidding process in February/ March. Trails: 1. Poudre Trail at Nix Farm: Staff will be developing the trail user 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 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 is under construction as weather permits. 4. Fossil Creek Trail at east Trilby Road: The project for the trail along Trilby Road east of Lemay Avenue to a new trail underpass of Trilby Road and then new trail south to the Stanton Creek trail section is in the design phase. The project will also join the Power Trail to the Fossil Creek Trail at the new Trilby Road trail underpass. Staff submitted this project into the fall State Parks/GOCO trail grant cycle. 5. 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 2013. The MPO has awarded $368,375 toward the construction of the $530,000 trail project. 6. Poudre Trail to Timnath: Scoping of the project in 2011. Staff will start to work with CSU/Environmental Learning Center for an easement for the trail to extend to Drake Road. The City is a partner with Larimer County for their GOCO River Corridors grant. The grant is for new trail and land acquisition for the trail in the Timnath/Windsor area. We are included in this grant for the trail on Arapaho Bend Natural Area and the trail underpass of I-25. 7. Engineering has the funds to reconstruct County Road #11 including our new trail underpass (our funding) to be constructed in late 2012. 8. 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 2012. 9. Staff is working with the City Bicycle, Natural Resources, Communications Office and Park Maintenance staff on a plan to update our trail signage. 10. Plan Fort Collins action item – Trail Design Standards Amendments in 2011 and 2012. Update bicycle/pedestrian trail design standards to address use of trails for commuting/transportation purposes without impacting the recreation value of the trail system. Designate which trails these new standards would apply to and avoid impacts on environmentally sensitive areas. Staff has a team with Park Planning, Transportation Planning and Natural Resources to work on this item. Miscellaneous: 1. 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. The final phase involving the installation of the monitors should happen in 2012 if needed funding is obtained. 2. Disc Golf: The course at Hughes Stadium is now open. We plan on having a grand opening for the course in May. 3. Water Craft Course – NISP impact unknown at this time and fund raising very slow. Parks & Recreation Board Meeting – February 22, 2012 Page 9 of 15 4. Old Fort Collins Heritage Park stake park lights – Group of users are attempting to find funding to supply lights at the skate park. 5. Bike Safety Town location determination process continues with PSD input. 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