HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks And Recreation Board - Minutes - 02/25/1998Call Meeting to Order: The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by President Marilyn Barnes.
Agenda Review: No changes to the printed agenda.
Items of Note: The Board welcomed new Board Member Dean Hoag, who has replace David
Hughes.
Approval of Minutes: On a motion by Diane Thies, seconded by Rebecca Chavez, the Board
unanimously (9-0) approved the minutes of the meeting of January 28, 1998.
City Council Liaison to the Board Bill Bertschy
Council Liaison Bill Bertschy said he was visiting the Board this evening as he feels it is important
to stay in touch with the Boards he represents. Mary Ness complimented Bill for visiting the Board.
Jessica MacMillan said that her personal opinion is that Council shouldn't allow development in the
foothills. Bill responded that if there isn't an appeal then the Council doesn't hear about it. Jessica
further asked why the development fees are so high? She thinks we need a more receptive
environment for the community and that we need to attract more manufacturing companies and with
these development fees we are not attractive and are becoming an elitist community. Bill replied
that we need to keep in mind that we need to pay for the infrastructure to keep up with the growth.
Diane Thies said that we need to discuss what are we going to build and meet the basic needs instead
of the extreme. Jessica added that College Avenue south of Harmony needs to be repainted. Bill
suggested that Jessica write him a letter with all of her concerns. The Board again thanked Bill for
attending tonight's meeting.
Building Community Choices Site Selection of Five Citywide Capital Projects
Recreation Manager Jean Helburg addressed Building Community Choices site selections process.
The RFP has been sent and bids are due to Purchasing on March 4. Staff is seeking sites on all five
projects. We are also submitting sites that are City -owned. Once the RFPs are received, the projects
will be reviewed by the appropriate boards and then there will be an open house on April 2 for public
input. The Subcommittee for Northside Aztlan Community Center will host two open houses on
March S and March 6 for those who have interest in the project. At that time, we will ask for general
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Mike Powers asked if the Board is comfortable with the site selection process with the Horticulture
Center and the Northside Aztlan Community Center. Mike reiterated the April 2 open house
meeting at the Lincoln Center from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. He said hopefully we will receive some good
feedback from the public. Mike said this is a unique process since most of the projects don't have
to be purchased now, and therefore we have time to select the appropriate site. Jessica said she
thought the Horticulture Center group wants to build at East Prospect and I-25. Mike replied that
is one of the sites the group recommends.
Tour Trails Projects
Park Planning Manager Wally Piccone and Civil Engineer Craig Foreman spoke to the Board about
a tour of trail projects. Wally said that Natural Resources Board has some concerns about some of
the trails through natural areas. Therefore, staff is organizing a tour through the affected areas:
Fossil Creek Trail West of Taft Hill Road -- The proposed location, which was identified in the
Cathy Fromme Management Plan, holds exceptional views of the prairie.
Fossil Creek Trail East of College Avenue -- The proposed trail is adjacent to Fossil Creek
Parkway and provides the best buffer to Fossil Creek and the open space. This section will allow
access to Fossil Creek Community Park and Werner School. There will be an underpass at College
Avenue and Fossil Creek.
Spring Creek Trail at Centre Avenue -- There will be an underpass at Centre Avenue where the
trail will follow the Spring Creek. It will be on the west side of the Holiday Inn. No residential
development will reoccur in this area.
Jessica MacMillan asked how far west of Taft Hill Road will the trail be completed in this phase?
Craig said that the trail will end on Luther Lane to the west of Taft Hill. The Board decided they
wanted to tour these projects on March 25 at 3:30 prior to their regular Board meeting. The tour
will leave from 281 North College at 3:30 p.m.
Poudre School District Cooperative Projects
Mike said that one of the Building Community Choices projects will fund $600,000 for a
cooperative effort with the PSD and the City. Mike said that the committee has met and reviewed
ideas for possible recreation projects. The ballot reads: "These projects provide funding to create
shared facilities with Poudre School District. These facilities may include shared ballfields,
gymnasiums or libraries. " Mike said there are other ideas in the community other than recreation.
However, PSD representatives and the Recreation staff feel that the recreation amenities are the most
needed in the conummity. Mike distributed a criteria for the shared facilities. Who benefits, needs
associates with the project, compatibility with the neighbors. The top six are: AUn lights to one or
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February 25, 1998
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more softball or baseball fields at Lincoln Junior High School; add softball and/or soccer fields at
Rocky Mountain High School; add ballfields and soccer fields at Preston Junior High School;
renovate tennis courts at some of the junior high schools; build a soccer field on Case Park property
adjacent to Fort Collins High School; add a community room to one or more schools.
Rebecca Chavez asked if only one of the fields at Lincoln Junior High would be equipped with
lights? Jean said we would probably light all three fields. Paul asked if there are cost estimates
associated with these projects? Jean said there are but they are dated figures and she is working on
current pricing. Diane said that she supports a community room at schools to share our resources.
Marilyn said there is such a demand for a community room in every quadrant in the City. She thinks
the schools should be community centers. Lance would rather see something that is multi use. He
envisions building a gym that can be used after hours by the kids -- a room that could be used by
more than one user group. Diane said we need to maximize our facilities (schools). Jean said that
this group will be able to review the list prior to presenting this to Council. Del said that we need
to make sure that we have the infrastructure dollars associated with this project. Mike will keep the
Board informed.
Other Business
- Diane asked Mike if we are going to have a Poudre School District Liaison? Mike has been
talking with Ron Daggett about this.
Jessica asked if we have a replacement for Museum Director Joy Poole? Mike said we have
sent notices to all the regional museum people and advertised for the position. Interviews
will be held by the end of March.
Diane said the hospital is going to be developing a south unit in the vicinity of East Harmony
and Timberline. It will be a clinic, wellness center, and have recreation ballfields. Diane
said that perhaps the City and Poudre Valley Hospital could do a cooperative agreement with
this facility. She and Mike have been discussing this possibility.
Jean announced the interviews for Jennifer Fesperman's position as Recreation Therapeutics
Specialist will be held on Monday, March 2.
Jackie Rael distributed a memo from Mayor Ann Azari and Council members thanking the
Board members for their contributions to the City.
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Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Meeting Attendance
Board Members
Marilyn Barnes
Rebecca Chavez
Lance Freeman
Dean Hoag
Mary Ness
Diane Thies
Paul Van Valkenburg
Del Price
Jessica MacMillan
Staff
Jean Helburg
Craig Foreman
Wally Piccone
Mike Powers
Jackie Rael
Respectfully
Rael, Administrative Aide II