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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks And Recreation Board - Minutes - 04/27/1988CITY OF FORT COLLINS PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MINUTES: April 27, 1988 President Karen Schubert called the meeting to order at 6:36 p.m. In the absence of Board Secretary Bob Aukerman, staff will take the minutes of the meeting. Agenda Review: Staff requested that an additional item be added to the printed agenda as follows: "Potential Open Space Acquisition" Minutes: The minutes of the regular meeting of March 23, 1988 were approved unanimously, as submitted, on a motion by Roger Tarum, seconded by John Rabun. Citizen Participation: No citizen participation. Rossborough Park Master Plan Staff previously distributed a report with background on the preparation of the master plan for Rossborough Park. Randy Balok and Leslie Beckmann explained the planning process. EDAW was the consultant on the project. We held two public meetings with an attendance of roughly 130 people at each meeting. In addition, about 1,200 surveys were sent out (with 250 responding) to obtain neighborhood input. The master plan reflects a neighborhood desire for a passive park. They are opposed to any programmed recreational activities (such as youth baseball and soccer) that would generate traffic and users from other areas of town. They also don't want restrooms and off street parking that they feel attracts undesirable loitering that would affect the safety and well being of neighborhood children. The park itself is 10 acres, however, the Storm Drainage Department owns five adjacent acres to the north which have been included in the master plan, but are not included in the approved development budget. We have asked Storm Drainage to contribute funds so the entire area may be irrigated and landscaped as one site. Generally, the park has one or two shelters, a playground, tennis and basketball courts, fitness trail and lots of passive open area with low impact maintenance such as native grasses mixed with bluegrass and more drought tolerant grasses, etc. The projected operation and maintenance budget for the park is up to $47,000 annually as based upon our average per acre maintenance costs. This park could cost somewhat less because of the passive design. We do not plan to proceed with construction of the park until the issue of funding the 0&M is resolved. Parks and Recreation Board April 27, 1988 Page Two Bill Loy is somewhat concerned about the neighborhood not wanting organized recreational activities and he sees this as an elitist approach. Frank Groznik of EDAW says this is somewhat of a backlash to not having enough community parks. We could actually fit at least one soccer field in the park, but we would not program it for soccer games if the neighborhood didn't want it. People could practice in the open areas, but no organized games would be played. John Rabun said there should be a restroom. Cathy Mulcahy asked how much money had been spent thus far and Randy said approximately $60,000 to acquire the land, $15,000 for street improvements, and $24,000 to the consultant. There is $380,000 budgeted in the Parkland Fund and available for construction, with $70,000 of that amount programmed for City fees. Ann Schoreder said that if 130 people in the neighborhood agree to the master plan then they should get what they want. After all, we asked them what they wanted. John Rabun wants to know if this Rossborough plan will help or hinder the need for a youth sports fields complex. Frank Groznik said it will probably help show the need for a youth sports park. Jerry P. Brown noted that the master plan of this park was prepared following all the policies and procedures that have been adopted, and that it is consistent with the Parks and Recreation Master Plan recently adopted. Bill Loy still feels that it is not appropriate to delete organized recreational fields from this park no matter what the neighborhood said. He feels that if we allow this neighborhood to have its way when the demand for sports fields is so high, that we should then tell other neighborhoods that they can get rid of sports fields as well. There was some specific discussion about Avery Park and Beattie Park as examples. Bill says the Soccer Club needs every field it can find. After much more discussion, Ann Schroeder then made a motion to approve the master plan for Rossborough Park. The motion was seconded by Bill Loy. The Board then voted 3-3-1 with Ann Schroeder, Karen Schubert, and Rick Ramirez voting yes; and Bill Loy, John Rabun, and Cathy Mulcahy voting no; and Roger Tarum abstaining. The motion failed. Staff will further review the options. Potential Open Space Acauisition Randy Balok used a map and pictures to show 600 acres of open space land available in the southwest portion of the city in the foothills, ending at the Trilby Road extension, behind the landfill. In previous years, Councilman Horak has shown an interest in this general area to remain as open space. Randy noted that the land is not in the city limits nor in the urban growth area. Randy also said an additional 90 acres adjacent to this land could be available from another owner. The cost of the 600 acres is $700 per acre. It was suggested that maybe we need the ridge area rather than the flat area. Ann Schroeder asked what the land could be used for if not open space, and Randy said much of it could be developed on 35-acre parcels. After further discussion, there were no objections to allow staff to continue with efforts to pursue this land. Parks and Recreation Board April 27, 1988 Page Three CHOICES 95 Recommendations Jerry explained the status of the CHOICES 95 process. At the March 23 Parks and Recreation Board meeting, the Board_ decided it may make further recommendations at the next meeting (tonight). Several Board members again expressed that they are unhappy that City Council did not appoint the Parks and Recreation Board to assume the duties of the CHOICES 95 Parks and Open Space Subcommittee. Karen Schubert asked Jerry to make sure the CHOICES 95 committee doesn't forget the smaller, less costly projects when looking at all the projects. Board members previously received copies of the City Council report on this issue. Rick Ramirez asked exactly what the Golf Board does and Jerry explained. Jerry also told the Board that the Golf Board unanimously opposed the recommendation to abolish the Golf Board and why they feel the way they do. Bill Loy then made a motion against the City Council Subcommittee recommendation to abolish the Golf Board. The motion was seconded by John Rabun. The vote was 4-3 with Bill Loy, John Rabun, Karen Schubert, and Roger Tarum voting yes; and Rick Ramirez, Ann Schroeder, and Cathy Mulcahy voting no. Other Business Jerry referred to the minutes of the March 23 meeting on parks rules and regulations. Page two of the minutes states that "...a curfew is really designed to give teeth to the police for enforcement when needed. Police are not going to bust citizens just walking or jogging through a park at night..." In the next paragraph it says that "...Bill Loy expressed concern that selective enforcement could be a problem if not handled correctly..." Jerry said he has been contacted by Dave Feldman from the Police Department who wants it made clear that the Police Department does not engage in selective enforcement and plans to enforce the curfew equally for all. Jerry informed the Board that the Mayor and Assistant Mayor asked that we solicit user feedback on the proposed revised EPIC advertising policy before we bring the issue to Council. Staff is now doing this. John Rabun expressed concern about the recent negative "Letter to the Editor" regarding EPIC. Rick Ramirez explained the potential situation on this subject. A Recreation Division update prepared by Jean Helburg was previously distributed to the Board members. Parks and Recreation Board April 27, 1988 Page Four The meeting was adjourned at 8:33 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Jerry P. Brown Assistant to the Director Parks and Recreation Meeting Attendance Board Members Staff Guests Karen Schubert John Rabun Bill Loy Cathy Mulcahy Rick Ramirez Ann Schroeder Roger Tarum Jerry P. Brown Randy Balok Leslie Beckmann Frank Groznik, EDAW Jana McKenzie, EDAW