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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks And Recreation Board - Minutes - 09/24/2014Parks & Recreation Board Meeting – September 24, 2014 Page 1 of 4 BE A GOOD STEWARD: Protect & Respect your Parks, Trails & Recreation Facilities Call Meeting to Order: Bruce Henderson call the meeting to order 5:43pm. Agenda Review & Items of Note: None Citizen Participation: None Approval of Minutes: Discussion: None Scott Sinn made the motion to approve the Parks & Recreation Board minutes of August 27, 2014, seconded by Ragan Adams – Minutes approved 6:0 Meeting Summary • The Board was presented with the West Central Area Plan. The purpose of this planning effort is to revisit and update the 1999 West Central Neighborhoods Plan based on emerging issues and trends. The project will include a new conceptual design for Prospect Road from Shields Street to College Avenue. Corridor alternatives will be developed and evaluated to establish a preferred design that is functional, safe, and well-marked for pedestrians, bicycles, buses, and cars. . The West Central Area Plan will be developed over the course of 2014, with anticipated City Council adoption in 2015. Neighborhood outreach, events, and other engagement activities will occur throughout the development of the plan. • The Board discussed BOB2 Projects and decided, unanimously, that the focus should be on the needs of existing projects and maintenance before new projects. The Board dubbed BOB2 as “maintenance BOB” and supported the following projects: Water Sustainability Improvements for Parks and Golf; Completion of the Gardens at the Gardens on Spring Creek; Recreational Trail Enhancements; EPIC Pool Improvements; Preserving Our Heritage: City Park Train, Club Tico Renovations, Fire Museum; and Renovation of the Historic Carnegie building (already spent $100K). A secondary level of support went to new projects in Culture & Recreation, if money remained available: Southeast Community Creative Center; Downtown Poudre River Enhancements. As a footnote, the Board also wanted to call to the attention of Council the need for a Downtown Maintenance Facility, proposed under Economic Health. Motion: Jessica MacMillan moved that the projects be presented to Council as discussed. Seconded by Michael Chalona Vote: 6:0 in favor • The Board members will be working on their 2015 Work Plan and each Board member will review the area of the 2014 Work Plan that they have worked on and propose any changes/updates to Bruce via email. Bruce will compile the changes/updates and have a 2015 Work Plan Draft available at the October 22 Board Meeting for final review. • JR Schnelzer updated the Board on the Smoking Ban Ordinance which will be brought to the Council work session on November 25. The enhanced Ordinance will ban smoking in Parks, Trails, Open Spaces and Events. PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MINUTES Regular Meeting Wednesday September 24, 2014 5:30 p.m. Board Chair: Bruce Henderson, Chair 2014 bmhender6@gmail.com Council Liaison: Gino Campana – gcampana@fcgov.com Staff Liaisons: J.R. Schnelzer, 970-221-6301 – jrschnelzer@fcgov.com Kurt Friesen, 970-221-6618 – kfriesen@fcgov.com Bob Adams, 970-221-6354 – badams@fcgov.com Parks & Recreation Board Meeting – September 24, 2014 Page 2 of 4 Full Minutes AGENDA ITEMS: West Central Area Plan – Amy Lewin, Transportation Planner & Rebecca Everette, City Planner The purpose of this planning effort is to revisit and update the 1999 West Central Neighborhoods Plan based on emerging issues and trends. The West Central Area generally encompasses the neighborhoods south and west of the CSU Main Campus. The Plan will incorporate new information from related planning efforts and will serve as a guide for: • Land Use & Neighborhood Character (e.g., zoning, density, historic preservation) • Transportation & Mobility (e.g., connections to the new MAX bus rapid transit system, bicycle and pedestrian enhancements, intersection safety) • Open Space Network (e.g., parks and open space, wildlife habitat, drainage and floodplain management) The project will also include a new conceptual design for Prospect Road from Shields Street to College Avenue. Corridor alternatives will be developed and evaluated to establish a preferred design that is functional, safe, and well- marked for pedestrians, bicycles, buses, and cars. Given City Plan's emphasis on infill versus sprawl, CSU's increased enrollment projections, and the possibility of an on-campus stadium, it is time to re-assess the plan and its policies to preserve and enhance the quality of life and character of the West Central. The West Central Area Plan will be developed over the course of 2014, with anticipated City Council adoption in 2015. Neighborhood outreach, events, and other engagement activities will occur throughout the development of the plan. Discussion Staff – One of the issues we have, and part of the reason to bring this information to the P&R Board is to discuss access to park space for the neighborhood southeast of Prospect and Shields. One possible solution would be the possible development of Lilac Park as a pocket park with added amenities. Board – Lilac Park makes more sense as a pocket park than a neighborhood park, and should be viewed holistically with the Gardens on Spring Creek and the CSU land to the north. Who would use the park, and what are their needs? Board – The Land Use Code can be a challenge in older neighborhoods; the Code was not written to accommodate infill development. Do you think the Code will be changed? Staff – Not sure, but it is certainly something we can take a city-wide look at since this will be an on-going issue in the future as there is more infill development. Board – Is there a defined size of a pocket park? Staff – I don’t believe there is a defined size, but it relates more to the type of amenities and experience offered at that type of park. Staff – We’re also looking at the possibility of parks managed privately by HOAs or other entities as an option. Board – Would it be funded and developed by the developer/HOA? Staff – Yes, but each park would likely be tied to a specific development, so there are no details yet. Staff – We are looking at a range of park amenities and it really depends on the needs of the development and the surrounding area. Board – Would there be defined sources of funding and operation and maintenance? Staff – Yes, that would be defined; we are looking at a variety of funding source options, including Neighborhood Improvement grants for small-scale improvements, among others. Staff – Currently, we are getting the word out and there is an on-line survey at fcgov.com/west central where you can share your thoughts. This will be open until Oct 19. Board – Why does the boundary end at Mason and not all the way to College? Staff – We kept the original boundaries from the 1999 Plan; the Prospect Corridor Plan does include detailed design from Shields to College. BOB2 Projects The Board needs to decide what projects from the Culture & Recreation Projects we want to support and draft a letter to Council. The Board discussed and decided, unanimously, that the focus should be on the needs of existing projects and maintenance before new projects. The Board dubbed BOB2 as “maintenance BOB” and supported the following projects: • Water Sustainability Improvements for Parks and Golf • Completion of the Gardens at the Gardens on Spring Creek Parks & Recreation Board Meeting – September 24, 2014 Page 3 of 4 • Recreational Trail Enhancements • EPIC Pool Improvements • Preserving Our Heritage: City Park Train, Club Tico Renovations, Fire Museum • Renovation of the Historic Carnegie Building (already spent $100K) A secondary level of support went to new projects in Culture & Recreation, if money remained available: • Southeast Community Creative Center • Downtown Poudre River Enhancements As a footnote, the Board also wanted to call to the attention of Council the need for a Downtown Maintenance Facility, proposed under Economic Health. Bruce Henderson, Board Chair, will compose a letter and have Board Members review via email; with a final copy sent to City Council by October 11. Motion: Jessica MacMillan moved that the projects be presented to Council as discussed. Seconded by Michael Chalona Vote: 6:0 in favor Work Plan 2015 The Board members will each review the area of the 2014 Work Plan that they have worked on and propose any changes/updates to Bruce via email. Bruce will compile the changes/updates and have a 2015 Work Plan Draft available at the October 22 Board Meeting for final review. STAFF UPDATES Parks Updates • There will be a Smoking Ordinance Update at Council work session November 25. The enhanced Ordinance will ban smoking at Parks, Trail, Open Spaces and Events. • There is a Development Plan submitted by a private organization to change Jefferson Park into a parking lot. The area known as Jefferson Park is owned by the Railroad and leased to Parks until 2018. Recreation Updates • The Senior Center expansion has been very positive. Additional passes have been purchased and we’re coming into the season for parties and are hoping to capitalize on the additional space available to reserve for parties, etc. Park Planning Updates • There is a trail spur being constructed to connect Lincoln Middle School to the Poudre Trail. • There is a minor detour in place on the Poudre Trail at the Mulberry Bridge underpass, during the Bridge construction. Bicycle Advisory Board Liaison Update The BAC has two Plans in review. • Safe Routes to School; which is a training program for first grade thru high school on biking safely to and from school. • Master Bike Plan (Board has presentation in October); staff putting information together on data they received back from the public and the majority favored safe routes for bicyclers. Parks & Recreation Board Meeting – September 24, 2014 Page 4 of 4 Board Work Plan Items Discussed and assigned members to various work plan items. • Budget – Bruce Henderson – P&R Board endorsed 8 BFO offers – all above the “line”, except for the PSD After- School Enrichment Program and Vida Sana Program (Note from Bob Adams: The Vida Sana Program is currently funded by a Grant and it appears that Recreation will be awarded another 3-year Grant) • Communications – Jessica MacMillan & Dawn Theis – Reminder that when the Board is working on the 2015 Work Plan that the items on the list are realistic. • Sustainable Practices – Scott Sinn - No Update • Parks – Michael Chalona – No Update • Trails – Mary Carlson & Brian Carroll – No Update • Recreation – Dawn Theis - No Update • Other Projects/Programs o Natural Areas – Brian Carroll & Mary Carlson – No Update Schedule of Articles/Calendar • Scott Sinn, Article for October - The Farm at Lee Martinez • Jessica MacMillan, Article for November – Senior Center or Innovation Center Bullet Points • The Board was given a presentation on the West Central Area Plan and provided feedback to Amy Lewin • The Board discussed the BOB2 projects and decided on projects to support. A letter will be drafted by Bruce Henderson and forwarded to Council. • JR Schnelzer updated the Board on the Smoking Ban Ordinance which will be brought to the Council work session on November 25. The enhanced Ordinance will ban smoking in Parks, Trails, Open Spaces and Events. Adjournment: Meeting adjourned 7:40pm Respectfully submitted, Carol Rankin Carol Rankin Administrative Supervisor Parks Board Approved Minutes 10/22/14 - 5:0 Board Attendance Board Members: Ragan Adams, Brian Carroll, Michael Chalona, Bruce Henderson, Jessica MacMillan, Scott Sinn Staff: Bob Adams, JR Schnelzer, Kurt Friesen, Carol Rankin, Rebecca Everette, Amy Lewin Guest: None