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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks And Recreation Board - Minutes - 08/29/2001Call Meeting to Order: President Lance Freeman called the Regular meeting to order at 5:35 p.m_ Agenda Review: Marty Heffernan added "41h of July Critique" under Other Business. Items of Note: • Board Member Mike Gavin emailed staff that he would not be able to attend tonight's meeting. • Jim Clark introduced Nicole Davelis as our new Horticulture Technician. Citizen Participation: No citizen participation Approval of Minutes: On a motion by Paul Van Valkenburg, seconded by Jessica MacMillan, the Board unanimously (7-0) approved the minutes of the June 27, 2001 meeting. Community Horticulture Center Update Jim explained that the staff met with City Council in a Study Session and received direction from Council on the construction and capital budget for the Horticulture Center. The conclusion was to proceed with the project with the money we have available. EDAW reconfigured the master plan drawings in order to come closer to our budget. By moving the parking lot, we could save $100,000. However, that does alter the appearance of the gardens and may not be allowed by City Plan. Jim reviewed the budget sheet with the available funding of $3,000,442. He thinks it makes more sense to put as much as possible into the building and then add the gardens. It will be easier to fundraise for the gardens rather than the building. He showed the Board an illustration of a building that was the original rendering and the architect's rendering of the building we can afford. The architect is working on the final design for bids in late October/November. Parks and Recreation Board Minute - August 29, 2001 Page 2 Johnna Bavoso spoke on behalf of the Friends of the Gardens at Spring Creek. She explained that the Friends Board is privately fundraising for the Horticulture Center; act as an advocate for the project; and as a community connection for the gardens. She said that the group had a retreat and determined their purpose would be to raise funding for the gardens. They want to build the bottom of the pyramid and ask for donations for the gardens. They have to date 180 members. Their goal is to have 400 members and they feel they can reach that goal. The group is going to move forth and are determined to raise money and make this happen. The group was hoping that Council could generate $400,000 that was needed to build the facility as originally planned, but they are going on without the extra funding. Del Price asked how big of an issue would it be to move the parking lot in accordance with City Plan? Jim said that when we met with staff today it would be an administrative decision and then could possibly have to be reviewed again by the Planning and Zoning Board. Del has a continued concern that there isn't any parking in this neighborhood park. Del believes we are giving these neighbors their own private park. Marty addressed Del's concern. When we looked at this with the neighbors and City Manager, we determined that it is a mini park with trail and walk in access. We have shared parking at the Horticulture Center and most mini parks don't have vehicle parking. Ross asked about moving the parking lot south instead of north. Jim explained that if we did that would not be safe or probably feasible. There were development criteria that forced us to move the parking lot. Lance questioned the design fees of $500,000 and said that appears to be quite a bit of money. Jim said that EDAW was the low bid for design. Craig explained that Fossil Creek Community Park's design is $650,000 for a $10,000,000 project so these fees do seem high. Lance asked the Board if they want to make an opinion or statement on the Horticulture Center? Jessica asked about general conditions, contractor profit, and contingency that is estimated to cost $362,980? Jim explained that it is the unknown of problems that the contractor could encounter. Marty said that our Operations Division is managing the project. This is the contingency they feel is appropriate. Del said that the Natural Resources Board was a moving force as to where we ended up building the Horticulture Center. Why doesn't Natural Resources take the lead on the Spring Creek side as a natural area? Lance agreed with Del. However, he doesn't believe Council would go in that direction. Mike Powers responded that if the Natural Resources took over along the Spring Creek area, it would be managed as a natural area. Johnna said that we (the Friends of the Gardens at Spring Creek) haven't gotten to the master fundraising plan. We are hopeful to receive some significant donations and then go from there. Jessica said that as they are seeking contributions, they could relate to the gardens at Old Fort Collins High, which are just an example of what we could have. Lance asked staff to keep the Board informed and weigh the potentials of the alternates. The Board agreed with Lance. Parks and Recreation Board *tes • August 29, 2001 Page 3 Johnna wanted to know what the Board needs from the Friends Group? Jessica said that she would appreciate reading the minutes from the Friends meetings. She added that this Board would appreciate being updated on their progress. Park Planning and Development Updates Craig Foreman updated the Board on the following projects: Spring Park Improvements: Location: Spring Creek Drive east of the fire station. Project: We will add a restroom to the park, remove the old shelter and replace it with a new shelter that will be adjacent to the playground; replace a section of the trail with concrete trail. The budget for these improvements is $120,000. Craig said that the Junior Chamber of Commerce contacted our department requesting to do a community project for us. Craig explained that at the National Parks and Recreation conference in Denver this fall, they will have some shelters on display and we are going to purchase one of them for $5,000 which would normally cost us $20,000 and then the JC's will bolt it together on site. Timeline: This project will be completed in 2002. Funding: Neighborhood Parkland Fees. Soft Gold Park: Location: North College Avenue and Hickory Street. Project Description: Our budget for this 10-acre park is $850,000. This park will have a playground, shelter, restroom, and ballfield. There will be a transition from the groomed park to the natural area. Timeline: Construction in 2002 and open in 2003. Funding: General Fund, Neighborhood Parkland, Stormwater, and Natural Resources Comments: Paul Van Valkenburg said that we need to let Rebecca Chavez know about this park as she was an advocate for this park on North College. Note: We have applied for a GOCO grant for this project also. People of the Clouds Location: Between Trilby Road and South College on Avondale Road. Timeline: Design and build in 2002 and open in 2003. Project: This 6.1-acre park, costing $800,000, will be adjacent to a Thompson School District elementary school site. This will be the first park we have built in coordination with the Thompson School District. Mary Carlson questioned the name of the park. Craig said that it was from the German immigrants who farmed this area and they called themselves "People of the Clouds". Craig said the Thompson School District doesn't have a plan for what or when they will construct this school or the facilities it will have. Funding: Neighborhood Parkland Fund Parks and Recreation Board Minute - August 29, 2001 Page 4 Note: On Thursday, September 20, there will be an open house to begin the design process for this park. Gateway Park Craig illustrated the roadway and explained that the project moved the road about 75 feet. Because of the subsurface problems we ran into, the road had to be redesigned. The contractor will start in a couple of weeks, and it should be completed in two months. The design is to have native rock with a lesser grade than originally planned. Lance asked about the bottom line of the budget? Craig said that the original budget was $900,000 and the original estimate was $600,000 so it comes within the budget of the park. Because of the road redesign, we won't have a grand opening until spring. 4th of July Critique Bob Loeven, Manager of Parks, said that our mission for the 4a' of July is to have a family day and the big draw is the fireworks at the end. He felt that our goal was accomplished. He explained that one of the changes staff made was closing Oak Street to traffic and allowing only pedestrian access. This worked well. The Board commented on the bike access and how well that worked with a place to lock bikes. Bob reported that over 450 bikes were checked in at the parking area during the entire event. Lance Freeman said this is a real tradition to have the fireworks in City Park. Mary Carlson supports the dogs not being allowed in the park on that day. Other Business: Lance said that he had a meeting with City Council Liaison Bill Bertschy and they talked about parks and recreation facilities. He said they would meet again quarterly to discuss Parks and Recreation issues. • Lance said that he has received many favorable comments on the flowerbeds around the City. National Recreation and Parks Conference will be held in Denver this October. Marty said that there is no one venue for the Boards alone and we don't have the funding for the Board members to all attend the conference. If anyone has a particular interest in attending one session, let Marty know. Paul Van Valkenburg said that if you volunteer for a half -day, you could attend a half -day session free. Paul Van Valkenburg asked about the City's policy for the electricity in the parks. They were at Rolland Moore Park and the electricity was not activated. Bob said that we have had problems with Rolland Moore #2 shelter with the electricity and we are working on it. Parks and Recreation Board *tes 1 August 29, 2001 Page 5 Adjournment: The Board adjourned at 7:45 p.m. Meeting Attendance • R c"U" submitted,/�5 c ckie Rael Executive Administrative Assistant Board Members: Mary Carlson, Ross Cunniff, Dean Hoag, Paul Hudnut, Lance Freeman, Del Price, Jessica MacMillan, and Paul Van Valkenburg Staff. Tim Buchanan, Jim Clark, Nicole Davelis, Craig Foreman, Marty Heffernan, Bob Loeven, Mike Powers, and Jackie Rael Guests: Johnna Bavoso