HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks And Recreation Board - Minutes - 07/19/2000Call Meeting to Order: President Lance Freeman called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
Agenda Review: No changes to the printed agenda.
Approval of Minutes: On a motion by Ross Conniff, seconded by Jessica MacMillan, the
minutes of the June 28, 2000 meeting were unanimously (9-0) approved.
Citizen Participation: No citizen participation.
Taft Hill Project
Marty said as the Board will recall at last month's meeting, the staff gave an overview of the
Taft Hill project from Engineering. At that time the Board didn't make a decision. On Saturday
some of the Board members toured the site and tonight we will do a refresher of the project.
Lance added that the road is appropriate for us to review because of the width of the road impacts
the streetscape that our Parks and Forestry Divisions will maintain. The streetscape does have an
esthetic value to the road so we need to discuss that.
Mike Gavin asked if the ballot language stated a standard of how wide the road should be?
Marty looked it up and it does say that the project will be constructed to a full arterial street
standard. This was written before "City Plan".
Ross Cunniff said he wouldn't want to lose the bike lanes or sidewalks. Del Price said that the
streetscape is both for beauty and for safety. Mike Gavin said that after walking the project, and
looking at the big picture, the median is a safety factor. He added, let's keep it standard and we
need to look at it long-term and hope that it will some day look like Mountain Avenue. Lance
Freeman commented that this median is not standard with the entire road. Mike reiterated it is a
safety factor. Ross doesn't think the center median needs to be 18-feet wide. Mary Ness asked
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July 19, 2000
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about the trees on the sides of the road? Do we have to remove the trees on the sides in order to
accommodate the median trees? If so, he would disagree with doing that. He said that safety
issues are important, however, we need to let people take responsibility for their own safety.
Dean Hoag asked if the median is reduced to 4 feet would it still be safe? Del asked if there is a
tactical factor that we need to consider? He asked if the narrower or wider road affects our trail?
Marty said it doesn't. Paul Van Valkenburg feels that the City needs to give the owner on the
southeast corner an option that would make their land valuable commercial property.
Ross said that the median would be what he would vote for because of safety factors. Jessica
doesn't agree with cutting down trees just to plant median trees, and doesn't want to take away
land from property owners. She said that Taft Hill Road south of the old Harmony road is where
it is unsafe. Paul Hudnut says we don't have a consensus on the road. Del agrees with Paul and
thinks we shouldn't make a recommendation on the road and leave that to the Engineering
Department.
Trail: Craig Foreman explained that on the trail on the west side of Taft Hill where it is closest
to residential property owners would be buffered with landscaping and fencing. We will design
something with our landscape architects. Lance asked about the proposed design from the Board
members who toured. Mike Gavin said that the design Craig is proposing is a great plan. He
added that the Stormwater staff has done a great job with their project design. Marty said that
the Board members who were present on Saturday talked to Mr. O'Donnell (property owner)
regarding the trail. The trail going through the O'Donnell property will be on the edge of the
floodway and in the 100 foot buffer. Del asked if any of the Spring Creek is on O'Donnell's
property? Craig showed where the creek is on his property. Paul Hudnut asked how the City
will acquire the property rights from the property owner? Marty replied that we are in
negotiations with the property owner to buy these rights. Paul Van Valkenburg said that if
Natural Resources wants a larger buffer, then they need to purchase the land from the property
owner and that could be an option for open space in the City.
On a motion by Jessica MacMillan, seconded by Mike Gavin, the Board voted unanimously (9-
0) to recommend to Council as follows: That the Board Chairperson Lance Freeman prepare a
memorandum from the Board to the City Council making the following points:
1. That it is of critical importance for the City Council to include right-of-way for the Spring
Creek Trail in any decision they make regarding the right-of-way for the Taft Hill Road
Project.
2. That the Spring Creek Trail Project involves significant public health and safety issues
because the trail underpass under Taft Hill Road reduces the likelihood of floodwater
overtopping the road and the trail project protects trail users from the dangerous traffic on
Drake and Taft Hill Roads and from negotiating that busy intersection.
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3. It is imperative that the trail project be completed with the Taft Hill Road Project because the
trail project completes the Spring Creek Trail and is an essential link in the City's
comprehensive trail system.
4. The City's trail system is an elemental part of the quality of life of Fort Collins residents and
is as important as having good roads.
Trails Subcommittee
Lance will attend the Natural Resources Board meeting on August 2. He will give them a copy
of our objectives for the trails subcommittee. He hopes that after six months another Parks and
Recreation Board member could take his role on this subcommittee. Lance Freeman and Paul
Hudnut will represent the Board on this subcommittee.
Skate Park Update
Craig Foreman showed a model of the skateboard park for Edora Park. He said the design is
based on speed and variety. Craig thinks this is a state-of-the-art park. When it is completed, we
will have built it for half the cost of other skate parks. We involved many skaters in the
community and that population should be very proud of it and hopefully will take ownership.
This will be a model for what we will use for Fossil Creek Community Park. Lance Freeman
asked if there will be enough light for someone who is walking or running after dark that they
won't fall into the drop offs. Lance asked if we would put emergency lighting in this area.
Marty said that we will evaluate that and if it is a safety factor we will definitely find the money
to light the area or otherwise make it safe. However, if it is lighted, the kids would skate all
night. Craig said that there will probably be fencing around the high risks parts of the skate park.
Mike Gavin asked if this project has been reviewed by Risk Management? Craig said, yes it has
been reviewed by the Risk Management staff. The surface is concrete with expansion steel. Paul
Hudnut asked will the concrete be colored? Craig said that he is hoping that someone will
donate color. Construction will take approximately three months and it should be completed in
spring 2001. Craig said that Jason Stutzman and Matt Day have done a great job in their
outreach in getting the skaters involved. Marty said our budget is $180,000 for this project and
can be supplemented with community parkland money. Mary Ness said these skaters will take
ownership and will make sure it doesn't get trashed. Ross Cunniff asked if this would be a
tournament skating facility? Craig said it will be.
Other Business
• Marty said that the Horticulture Center Project has run into a bump in the road. He said that
neighbors that are near this center are concerned about the parking lot location and design.
Staff and the architect will have another meeting with the neighborhood. Neighbors don't
want weddings or concerts to disrupt their privacy. Jessica asked how late will the
Horticulture Center be open? Marry said that the summertime outdoor programs will run into
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July 19, 2000
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the early evening and classical music concerts could be part of the programming in the
amphitheater.
Board Members and Staff Comments
• Paul Hudnut said that several months ago, the Board discussed the possibility of the CSU
rodeo grounds being used for mountain biking. He wondered if the City now owns this
property? Marty explained that the University gave the City an easement for the detention
pond, however, there still could be an opportunity for mountain biking.
• Lance Freeman asked Board members if there are any items they would like to see on our
agenda for the next couple of months? The following is a list the Board would like to discuss
in the next few months:
❑ Master Plan for Lee Martinez Park
❑ Update on new Northside Aztlan Community Center
❑ Youth Center
❑ Comprehensive plan of the trail system for the build out
❑ Fossil Creek Plan.
• Dean Hoag asked about the BCC fields project? Craig said that Rocky Mountain High
School project is close to going to bid. The Poudre field is a design problem and we are
working on that. Webber and Blevins fields will be worked on next year (spring 2001).
Adjournment: On a motion by Jessica MacMillan, the Board adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
espectfully submitted,
Jackie Rael, Executive Administrative Assistant
Meeting Attendance
Board Members: Ross Cunniff, Lance Freeman, Mike Gavin, Dean Hoag, Paul Hudnut,
Jessica MacMillan, Mary Ness, Del Price, and Paul Van Valkenburg
Staff: Craig Foreman, Marty Heffernan, and Jackie Rael