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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks And Recreation Board - Minutes - 04/24/2002Call Meeting to Order: President Paul Van Valkenburg called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. Agenda Review: No changes to the printed Agenda Citizen Participation: No citizen participation Approval of Minutes: On a motion by Mike Gavin, seconded by Lance Freeman, the minutes of the March 27, 2002 meeting were unanimously approved. Youth Activity Center Marty distributed a conceptual drawing of the existing Youth Activity Center and the proposed gymnasium. He explained that we have run into difficulties as the gymnasium design relates to the building envelope of the mall. All tenants must agree to building outside the envelope. In working through these issues, architect Vaught*Fry suggested that the gymnasium be built as an addition to the existing facility. The benefits are as follows • It would be the same dimensions as the original plan. • It doesn't violate any of the zoning or displace parking for the mall. • We would propose that the gymnasium be built so that it can be walled off from the YAC building so the gym can be used even if the YAC is no longer in the building. • The gymnasium will utilize the YAC's restrooms and facilities. • It will be less expensive than construction of a separate building for a new gym. It will save approximately $100,000 and will cost approximately $750,000. Jean explained that the gym addition does eliminate the tumble room and the existing gym space. Parks and Recreation Board N" •rtes April 24, 2002 Page 2 Bob Everitt is willing to donate $150,000 to the project. Fundraising will supplement the remainder of the money for this project. Marty asked the Board if they have any concerns with this design? Paul Hudnut asked if we own or lease this building? Marty said we are leasing it. Jean Helburg said that her staff is very comfortable with this design and she thinks it will be a functional facility. There were no further comments from the Board. Natural Areas Funding Initiative Marty explained that a group of citizens is proposing an initiative for the continuation of the BCC Natural Areas and Open Space tax of one -quarter cent for natural areas and community separators extend the tax for 25 years. The estimated revenue is between $275 million and $300 million over its life. Issues Marty identified are that it is an extension of an existing tax and it wouldn't be available for CLRS quality of life projects. Therefore, quality of life services would be in a situation of going to the voters for an additional tax for new capital projects. It focuses on one area and not on a variety of areas. If they receive 3,500 signatures, this will be on the November ballot as the measure would be initiated and doesn't need City Council support. Lance Freeman said that the title is a misleading statement. The current tax is not for just the natural areas and if they pass a 25-year program, Parks and Recreation will be locked out of capital projects for 25 years. Del Price asked about the Transportation shortfall? Marty said there is a variety of funding options the City is looking at for the next several years. Del said there are some basic needs the City needs to address. He asked about Building Community Choices and did staff have input? Marty said yes we did. Del said we have a strong interest in this initiative. Ross Cunniff said that we are not completely locked out because they do mention trails in this. Paul Hudnut said that this is only one group that wants funding for natural areas and there are other groups that could develop initiatives for recreation projects. Paul Van Valkenburg asked when the Council would take a position on this? Marty replied that if Council takes position, it will be after it becomes an initiative on the ballot. Dean Hoag asked if there is a time when we could take a position on this? Marty said concerns should be addressed to the group organizing the initiative. Mike Gavin said there is another group that got wind of this and are concerned about the present open space that is being preserved as a natural area and not open space area. Del is concerned about what is in the initiative and how it will be managed as natural areas preserved land. Lance said it should not be portrayed as a continuation because it doesn't include the recreation aspect. Paul Hudnut said that we need a bigger picture of the sales tax and how they are allocated. We should be aware of what they are and what the City's plans are for extension. The only ones (one -quarter cent sales tax) that expire are these three. This is our entire capital program. Transportation would take the second quarter cent, and there is some talk about taking the third quarter cent for capital needs for Transportation. The current Capital tax expires December 31, 2005. Paul Van Valkenburg said as individuals we can question this, but the Board needs to make a recommendation to Council on our position in July or August. Paul Hudnut said we Parks and Recreation Boa•[inutes April 24, 2002 Page 3 can't take a stand on a citizen initiative. Marty clarified that Council does not have to take a position, but if they are taking a position on it, then this Board could take a position. Horticulture Center Update Marty explained that the project is moving forward again. We have been in discussion with CSURF regarding storrnwater flows and the construction of Rolland Moore Drive. The City needs land from CSURF and they are now willing to cooperate on this project. It will be contingent on approval by CSURF's Board and the State Ag Board. CSURF and CSU are cooperating with us on this. Second Sheet of Ice Jean gave the Board an update on the planning process for the second sheet of ice. We have been working with a consultant on the traffic and parking impact of this facility. The concern is the impact on Timberline and Prospect. If our project causes traffic to increased by more than two percent, we would be responsible for street improvements but we are not near two percent of the impact. Staff met with the design team and we are moving along well. The fueling of the ice machines is currently propane and we will be converting to natural gas. Most ice arenas are converting to natural gas as it is safer and cheaper and we will not have to store additional tanks. We will be losing most of the staff parking with the new expansion. The City owns land on the southeast and we are working with City staff to relocate staff parking. Jean referred to the architectural renderings and explained the construction and design. She showed the conceptual design of the ice arena. There are five hockey -changing rooms, a classroom, public restrooms, the supervisor's office will have a view of both rinks. Upstairs there will be bleacher seating with approximately 200 seats. Jean showed the timeline for the project and what programs we can expand on. The timeline is to have design and development in late summer, break ground in the fall, and open March 2003. Jean is pleased with the planning process. She said Neenan has been great to work with. We are planning an open house when we have a final drawing. May 4 is the annual Follow your Dreams Ice Show, which is a fundraiser for Twice the Ice. The ticket cost is $6 and they raise about $3,000 for this. Outdoor Pool Jean said that we have had some preliminary meetings with the architect and last Friday staff visited some pools in the Denver area. She found some creative ways to enhance the existing pool. We don't have a funding resource at this time, and the downturn in sales tax is a problem. The City's architect is not an expert in pools so they have to hire Parks and Recreation Board Nv^utes April 24, 2002 Page 4 an outside consultant. Our optimal timeline is that we have a final design, a funding source, and break ground by November 1 so we could open by May 31, 2003. This is a very ambitious schedule. LaPorte Trail Connection Craig Foreman showed slides of the trail expansion. The intent is the trail will go up the rail line and to the Hyde Natural Area and cross the river and extend to Lyons Park. He showed slides. We will go back to the Natural Resources Board in May. Our timeline is to start construction in fall and open in the spring. We received one grant for $90,000 and a Legacy Grant for $300,000 and total cost will be about $700,000. Mary Carlson asked if the trail will be horse accessible and Craig said yes. Mary asked if the ponds are gravel pits and Craig said yes and we will fence the area to keep people on this side as those are privately owned. Fossil Creek Communitv Park We opened the bids for the second phase of the park and received favorable bids. We will be able to purchase water and complete the project as planned. Clark Construction in Loveland won the bid for construction. The contract will be awarded in May. The Lemay Road construction project will be completed by the time the park opens. Rolland Moore Tennis Courts Craig explained that we are using funding from Life Cycle and BCC to complete this project. The two championship courts will be replaced with concrete and will last approximately 30 years. The back seven courts will be overlaid, which will last about 20 years. Other Business Spring Creek Trail — Craig said it is on schedule and the box culvert has been installed. We will do a celebration when it is completed as we have been working on the Spring Creek Trail for 20 years. Dean Hoag said the trail crossing at Spring Creek Trail on Riverside on the east end of Edora Park is very dark. Craig will check it out. • Mary Carlson thanked Jackie Rael for coordinating Mike Powers retirement party. Lance Freeman reported they (CSU) completed their second season for Parks and Recreation gym rentals and the City can use seven courts on Saturday mornings at CSU in the fall. The joint program has been well received. • Paul Van Valkenburg said they had a FAST party at the YAC and the staff was very accommodating. He said the YAC staff does an excellent job. Parks and Recreation Bo*inutes April 24, 2002 Page 5 • • Reminder: Open House tomorrow night to talk about the downtown river enhancement project at 215 North Mason Community Room from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on April 25. Adjournment: The Board adjourned at 7:20 p.m. submitted, Administrative Assistant Meeting Attendance Board Members: Mary Carlson, Ross Cunniff, Lance Freeman, Dean Hoag, Paul Hudnut, Ann Hunt, Del Price, and Paul Van Valkenburg Staff: Craig Foreman, Marty Heffernan, Jean Helburg, and Jackie Rael Guests: Several CSU students