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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks And Recreation Board - Minutes - 10/26/1988CITY OF FORT COLLINS PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MINUTES: October 26, 1988 The regular meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by President John Rabun. Board Member Ann Schroeder notified us that she would be unable to attend the meeting. John Barnett joined the meeting at 6:45 p.m. Agenda Review: Staff added one additional item to the printed agenda as follows: "Meeting Schedule for November and December." Minutes: The minutes of the regular meeting of September 28, 1988 were approved unanimously as submitted, on a motion by Elery Wilmarth, seconded by Roger Tarum. Dogs at Large (off leash) in Designated Areas Staff explained why the Board has been asked to review this proposal. Council has requested an ordinance amending the City code to allow dogs to be at large (off leash) within designated areas of the City. Parks Superintendent Virgil Taylor said the Humane Society supports this concept, which is similar to dog runs in rest areas along interstate highways. There is a problem on trails and in parks with loose dogs. Jerry P. Brown, Assistant to the Director, noted that a Denver area community is looking at designated areas in parks for dogs to eliminate. He said our designated fenced off leash areas could also be used for training classes and dog shows. Randy Balok, Superintendent of Park Planning and Development, suggested these areas be located in undeveloped park areas. Karen Schubert disagrees with the Humane Society because she feels people will still run their dogs and let them eliminate any where in the parks or trails that is convenient, regardless if there is a designated area. Karen is also concerned about potential liability aspects. Deputy City Attorney Steve Wiley responded he doesn't feel it is a problem because even though the City provides a site, it is up to the dog owners to regulate their animals. He feels any negligence belongs with the dog owners, not the City. Elery Wilmarth still feels we have a potential liability problem. Bob Aukerman favors the idea as a creative and unique alternative and it is a good recreation activity. It should also help with maintenance. John Rabun is concerned because there is no money budgeted for this and no money for maintenance. He is also concerned about potential locations and definitely wants neighborhood input. Roger Tarum doesn't see any reduction in trails problems because of this, and asked staff what sites could be appropriate. Randy suggested maybe Lee Martinez and Rolland Moore Parks, and Virgil said the undeveloped area at Edora Park could accommodate this, as well as some other open space areas. John Barnett doesn't favor open spaces as the fences don't really belong in them. Cathy Mulcahy is concerned Parks and Recreation Board Minutes October 26, 1988 Page Two about potential damage to the land and vegetation. She also wonders if we could recoup some revenues with dog shows, etc. Staff said yes. Board Members concurred that there needs to be a future meeting on this issue with citizen input. The Board reaction to this concept is generally favorable, but there is concern with locations, liability, funding and the need for citizen input. Elery Wilmarth made a motion that the Board table this item until the next meeting. John Rabun seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously (7:0) to table. Staff will provide a copy of the ordinance at that time. Choices 95 Several members of the Board feel that the Executive Committee report to City Council is very conservative, maintains the status quo, and contains very little innovative projects. John Barnett, who is a member of the Parks and Open Space Subcommittee, explained the process of his committee and agreed that there is lots of "stuff" that is not included in the report. John Rabun indicated that he believes Council should make every effort to hasten its decisions for the Choices 95 process. He is very concerned about the Senior Center project. Elery Wilmarth feels that individual Board members should write or contact Council with their feelings rather than trying to debate a uniform consensus. John Barnett said the City should consider a land swap, potentially in concert with the NRA project to acquire land for the senior center. Bob Aukerman totally opposes putting buildings (such as a senior center) on any existing parklands. He feels it is a terrible precedent. Elery Wilmarth had to leave the meeting at 7:20 p.m. After further discussion, the Board, on a motion by John Barnett, seconded by Bob Aukerman, voted unanimously (6:0) to oppose using parklands for buildings such as the senior citizen center; and supports other options for obtaining lands such as land trades (as potentially may be available through the NRA study). This specifically applies to the downtown areas and parks being considered for the site of the senior center. Meeting Schedule for November and December The next two meetings of the Board are scheduled for November 23 (the night before Thanksgiving) and December 28 (between Christmas and New Years). After discussion, the Board unanimously agreed to cancel the scheduled November and December meetings, and replace them with one meeting on Wednesday, December 7, at 6:30 p.m. Other Business John Barnett reported on the Open Public Meeting for the Poudre River National Recreation Area Study. Approximately 50 people of varying Parks and Recreation Board Minutes October 26, 1988 Page Three interests both for and against the NRA attended the meeting. John will follow-up with this at the next meeting. - Copies of the letter from President Rabun to John Dowd of the Fort Collins Convention and Visitors Bureau supporting their request for the Welcome Center 2.5 miles north of Colorado Route 14 at I-25 were distributed. - A new roster of Board member address and phone numbers was distributed. The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Bob Aukerman, Board Secretary (Acting) Meeting Attendance Board Members Staff Guests John Rabun Cathy Mulcahy Bob Aukerman John Barnett Karen Schubert Roger Tarum Elery Wilmarth Jerry P. Brown Deputy City Attorney Randy Balok Steve Wiley Virgil Taylor