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Home My WebLink AboutParks And Recreation Board - Minutes - 09/12/2012Parks & Recreation Board Meeting – September 12, 2012 Page 1 of 4 BE A GOOD STEWARD: Protect & Respect your Parks, Trails & Recreation Facilities Call Meeting to Order: Rob Cagen called the meeting to order 5:40pm Agenda Review & Items of Note: None Citizen Participation: None Approval of Minutes: Discussion: None Bruce Henderson made the motion to approve the Parks & Recreation Board minutes of August 22, 2012, seconded by Ragan Adams – Minutes approved 5:0 Meeting Summary Urban Agriculture and Community Gardens - The Planning Department is conducting some public outreach through meetings and an online survey to get a feel for the communities desire to engage in community gardens. Their goal is to ensure the Land Use Code supports the community’s desires in relation to urban agriculture practices when and where appropriate. Bruce Henderson reviewed the offers that the Board recommended to Council so the Board could discuss the rankings. Brian Carroll wrote an article for the Coloradoan highlighting the Gardens on Spring Creek and the importance of the Great Lawn. Grand Opening of WatersWay Park and Registry Park on October 11. PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD Minutes of Regular Meeting Wednesday, September 12, 2012 5:30 p.m. Council Liaison: Kelly Ohlson Staff Liaisons: J.R. Schnelzer, 970-221-6301 Craig Foreman, 970-221-6618 Bob Adams, 970-221-6354 Chair: Rob Cagen Phone: 970-689-7559 (home) / 970-482-3971 (work) Parks & Recreation Board Meeting – September 12, 2012 Page 2 of 4 Full Minutes AGENDA ITEMS: Urban Agriculture – Lindsay Ex, Environmental Planner Urban Agriculture entails the production of food for personal consumption, education, donation or sale and includes associated physical and organizational infrastructure, policies, and programs within urban suburban, and rural built environments. There are three types of gardens: Market Gardens where food is grown to be sold; Community Gardens where any type of plant is grown and several individuals or households work the site; and Private Gardens that are on personal property for personal consumption. The Planning Office is looking at the Land Use Code to see if there are some barriers that can be taken down to make it easier to develop Community Gardens. As we’re talking with various groups, we are finding this is evolving into the need for greater discussions and education as there are many other factors to consider besides the Land Use Code. Our goal is to ensure the Land Use Code supports the community’s desires in relation to urban agriculture practices when and where appropriate. Although using Park land or Stormwater retention areas for a site(s) for a community garden, public land is not always the best site. There are maintenance standards to consider as well as feasibility for water needs. Meetings have been held with producers and interested citizen and other stakeholders such as realtors and HOA representatives. Meetings are now being held with various Boards and Commissions, the Chamber’s Legislative Affairs Committee and an online survey is available. Some of the feedback that’s been received is to allow farmers markets in more zone districts; concern about the public lands; do tax assessments change; health concerns, allow raising of bees, chickens or other animals based on a lot size; etc. We will need to change the Land Use Code to define these new forms of urban agriculture, determine zones, create standards to ensure health, safety and neighborhood compatibility, determine a review process, and if more types and numbers of animals would be acceptable. Link for more information and to take a survey: http://www.fcgov.com/developmentreview/urbanagriculture.php Discussion Board – It sounds like the survey has been taken mostly by people who are in favor of having urban agriculture. I’m wondering when this goes to City Council if you would have a different reaction from the public. Have you considered seeking out various viewpoints to take the survey? Staff – Not at this time, but that’s a good thought. Board – It’s a bit scary when you consider that if anyone could sell or distribute food there’s no health regulation in place. BFO Discussion Bruce Henderson reviewed the offers that the Board recommended to Council so the Board could discuss the rankings; notable exceptions were the Great Lawn and the Railway. The Senior Center seemed to do well; but the Senior Center Expansion #29, was only approved for the $2.544M in 2013. Not sure if this is because of BOB money. Discussion Staff – Bob Adams will have to address the funding on the Senior Center Expansion (#29). Also, keep in mind this list is the City Manager’s recommendation and after Council has reviewed some of this may change. Board – What do we need to do to help keep our recommendations in front of Council? Board – I think we need to send another letter. We need to communicate this prior to their work session. Board – We talked about our concerns with #55 using the Recreation Reserves to fund the Senior Center expansion. I’m curious if something changed or why this made it above the line. It still feels uncomfortable using the reserves. Board – The train seemed like it was a priority, but now it’s listed as not essential? Staff – Bob Adams probably has some answers for you, we’ll see if he can send out an email to help answer some of these questions. Parks & Recreation Board Meeting – September 12, 2012 Page 3 of 4 Great Lawn – Brian Carroll The Great Lawn at the Gardens #62 did not get ranked above the line; which was very disappointing. We need to be vigilant to show our support for this and why we think it’s important. In case it didn’t get ranked, Brian wrote an article to post in the Coloradoan in October; that will hopefully encourage citizens to realize the importance of the Gardens on Spring Creek and why it will help to make Fort Collins a destination. Discussion Board – Should we also do a memo to Council, something short and to the point? Board – If we do, should we include the need for the Trail Fee? Board – Bruce and Ragan will compose an email to Council on the Great Lawn and Trail Fee. Board – Remember, all of us can meet with Council members on an individual basis as well. STAFF UPDATES Parks Updates • The downtown ice rink in Old Town Square will not be installed this year; as there was no funding from DDA. o Board – Are the pavers going to be replaced in Old Town Square? Staff – The DDA is considering remodeling all of Old Town Square, and the pavers are a part of that discussion. Recreation Updates None to Report; Bob Adams was not present Park Planning Updates • Grand Opening of WatersWay and Registry Park will be on Thursday, October 11. Registry will be from 3:30- 5:00 with speeches and ribbon cutting at 4:00pm and WatersWay will be from 4:30-6:00 with speeches and ribbon cutting at 5:00pm. • The Mulberry bridge work will now take place sometime in 2013/2014, so we’ll do the work on the trail at the same time this work is being done. Oil & Gas Committee Liaisons Update – Brian Carroll & Todd Galbate Brian Carroll reported that it’s still frustrating because it seems that there is little valid information available and there is so much demand on the people that have some of the answers. The questions still involve issues with air quality, water quality, traffic, spills, and financial impact. There are only two more meetings of this committee, and we’re still not sure of anything; best guess is there will not be drilling in the City except for current wells. Discussion Board – If anyone wants to see what this could look like, go to North Dakota. Board – Colorado land grant wants the drilling in Colorado because it makes money for K-12 schools. Board – Can any regulations be done regarding the traffic on the roads? Board - Yes Board – Have the oil and gas members been invited to the meetings? Board – Yes, but they want to see our plan. Bicycle Advisory Board Liaison Update – Bruce Henderson Bruce Henderson reported that they also discussed their BFO offers; the Fort Collins Bike Library/Safe Routes to School, and the North College pedestrian/bike redevelopment were both ranked above the line. Schedule of Articles/Calendar Dawn passed out and updated list of events and the Council calendar. BOARD WORK PLAN ITEMS UPDATE No Updates Parks & Recreation Board Meeting – September 12, 2012 Page 4 of 4 Bullet Points • Board expressed appreciation for Lindsay Ex coming to the Board meeting to discuss Urban Agriculture. • Board reviewed the BFO offers recommended to Council and how they were ranked. The Board will follow-up with an email to Council reiterating its recommendation for the Great Lawn and Trail Fees. • Brian Carroll reported on the oil & gas committee. They are trying to find answers to the questions on how oil rigs would impact air quality and water quality. Adjournment: Meeting adjourned 7:35pm. Respectfully submitted, VtÜÉÄ etÇ~|Ç Carol Rankin Administrative Support Supervisor Parks Department Minutes approved October 24: 5:0 Board Attendance Board Members: Ragan Adams, Rob Cagen, Brian Carroll, Bruce Henderson, Dawn Theis Staff: JR Schnelzer, Carol Rankin, Craig Foreman Guest: Lindsay Ex, Environmental Planner City of Fort Collins and Seth Lorson, City Planner