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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks And Recreation Board - Minutes - 05/27/1998Call Meeting to Order: The regular meeting was called to order at 6:45 p.m. by President Marilyn Barnes. Agenda Review: No changes to the printed agenda Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the special meeting of May 20, 1998 were unanimously (6-0) approved on a motion by Jessica MacMillan, and seconded by Dean Hoag. Citizen Participation: no citizen participation Poudre River Natural Area Management Plan Two weeks ago, Environmental Planner Karen Manci sent the Board copies of the Natural Area Management Plan for their review. This plan addresses over 850 acres of natural area along the Poudre River corridor which is a habitat for over 278 wildlife species and 405 plant species. The Natural Resources Board has reviewed the plan and has developed a subcommittee to review 20 sites. Karen said the changes to the plan are: Horticulture Center was not a proposed site for Building Community Choices when the plan was written. Recreational ice hockey on Prospect Ponds by an adult group was not identified in the plan. Staff is working with Risk Management to resolve the safety issue. This evening Karen attended the Board meeting to answer questions regarding the Plan and to collect their comments. She explained that the Natural Resources staff held an open house to receive public comments on plan in February. Over 150 people made comments and those comments were handed out to the Board. Karen referred to one of the comments regarding Prospect Ponds. A group of 60 adults plays ice hockey at this location during lunch hour. Karen said that staff is working on this with the group to enable them to continue their activity. However, Risk Management has a concern about the safety. Karen said it appears that staff would have to maintain the ice and test the ice daily. Ice fishing on the Poudre River Bend Ponds is also a safety issue concern. Bob Deemer attended the meeting to represent the group that plays ice hockey on their lunch hour on the Prospect Ponds. He said his group has skated there for six years and they have not had a the snow. When the pond freezes, they begin testing the ice and they have ropes and ladders in site Parks and Recreation Board Minutes May 20, 1998 Page 2 at all times in the winter. They take significant safety steps. Del Price asked if there is any problem with kids coming out to use the pond? Janet Meisel responded that there isn't any residential housing withing one-half mile. Marilyn said it looks like fun and thinks they are very responsible. Dean asked how the pond is fed? Mike Powers said it comes from ground water. Karen said that Risk Management staff think that this activity is a liability issue, and staff needs to check the ice. Marilyn said there is a lot of interest in people using the ponds for skating in the winter. Jessica asked Karen if there is a reason for them not to be able to skate on the pond? Karen said according to the plan there needs to be a City employee testing the ice as with the procedure used at City Park. Janet said the OLNA Team (Open Lands and Natural Area) supports the activity, but needs to have a staff person checking the ice. Virgil Taylor said at Golden Meadows Park a sign is posted stating "Skate at Your Own Risk". Marty said that what the legal issue is that you have children who can't read and therefore the signs are not protecting them. Lance Freeman asked Karen if the Plan's wording would be changed to allow these ice hockey players to continue their noon -time activity? She replied that it will be worked out with Risk Management and if possible changed in the Plan to allow this activity. Jessica said it should be considered and whatever we can do, we should to help support this activity. She suggested a liaison between the ice hockey group and the City. Diane Thies said that we need to have the same uniform policy in natural areas and parks. Marilyn asked Karen to explain what is wrong with flying kites in natural areas? Karen replied that you perceive it as not disturbing the wild life, but it does. People who live adjacent to the natural areas, don't want the kites flown also. Marilyn further asked if people can canoe on the River? Karen said that is permissible. Diane Thies referred to Page 35 of the Plan and said she thinks the wording should be changed to accessible opportunities for accessible safe enjoyable use of the sites. On Page 42, Americans with Disabilities Act second pp. Diane feels that stronger language is needed "wherever possible" to whenever possible; change "upon request" as this material should be offered without request and they shouldn't have to call ahead to ask. Del Price distributed a copy of the issues he has with the policy as follows: American Black Current -- Del's concern is that the entire 23 acres of the Springer natural area is classified as sensitive when only a small quadrant (less than three acres) has American Black Current. Karen replied that when we devised the plan, knowing that there is a unique aspect "American Black Current", the surrounding areas can be effected. Del said within this concern is an underlying concern that the Natural Resources Board wants to eliminate recreation use in these areas. This concerns him a great deal. On this particular site there isn't any reason why humans can't use this site. By designating this whole area as sensitive we are giving rights to those who want to eliminate recreation use at all. Karen said a :c:, a aarms. ��« • _ _ncr wcca uei anu asks way we neeu general plans insieau or resuicuon to eercam areas. E Parks and Recreation Board Minutes May 20, 1998 Page 3 Diane Thies said she agrees with Del and we need to map out the area so people know when they are in that natural area where the sensitive sections are located. • All or None Philosophy -- 220 acres of Riverbend Ponds is classified as sensitive. One of the reasons given is that the ponds host a variety of migratory birds. He feels that during certain seasons that it should be closed during the migratory season, but not to classify it as sensitive all year long. Karen asked what is too restrictive. Del said there is a network of trails through the area. Karen said it would be possible to close certain trails through there during migratory times of the year if we thought that was necessary. • Public Comment and Input -- he questions how one public meeting is adequate. He compares this with building a new park that we should be going to the public for their input and then develop some options and finally build a plan. Janet asked how Del suggests we should get outreach? He says the staff does a good job by touching the immediate neighborhood when constructing a neighborhood park. Janet explained some of the outreaches the staff provides, i.e., letters to property owners, open houses, newspaper ads, etc. Karen said that natural areas are the same as community parks in that they are part of the entire community. Jessica said that the general populace is happy about the community and don't have a problem with the area, and therefore don't attend these meetings. Lance said he is not sure at this point what he is supposed to be representing? Have we gotten to the point that the people in Fort Collins don't want any more recreation? When taxpayers vote for natural areas tax do they think they are voting for land they can never walk on or do they think they can participate in passive recreation. What are the people in Fort Collins perceiving? He has been asking people in Fort Collins what they perceive a natural area as? He is receiving opinions that are not of the same thinking of the Natural Resources Board. The historical use of the Pine Ridge Area is one example. The feeling is that we are not touching the core of the citizens. • Interpretive Services -- Del gets the impression when reading this plan that we are lobbying instead of educating. He feels there is nothing in the plan that relates to the human habitation. There should be an incorporation of interpretation of the natural area and the human excitement of experiencing this. • Cost Data -- when these plans are completed, data should show the mayor, council, and citizens of Fort Collins what this is costing them. He feels the cost data in the five-year site management implementation plan is inadequate and in some cases misleading. For example the information lists cost per acre or mile and doesn't give any indication of acres or miles. There are several items that don't show a cost because they are listed as volunteers performing the work. However, there has to be staff associated with these volunteers. Lance asked if there is a way that we, as a Board, could interact with the Natural Resources Board on this to reach a consensus on this Plan. There should be some mediation on a plan like this with the two boards. Parks and Recreation Board Minutes May 20, 1998 Page 4 Marilyn said the part of the public input strikes a cord with her. She doesn't think the majority of the public realizes the difference between an open space and natural area. Lance requested the Board receive these plans two months prior to making any recommendations. Mike Powers said the charge for tonight is to work with Karen and Tom Shoemaker to figure out ways to make this work together with the two boards. Karen said that any changes to the Plan will be highlighted for this Board's review. Dean said that his concerns with the Plan were expressed in Del's comments regarding the natural areas and he has a major concern of not allowing people to enjoy the natural areas in the proper way. On a motion by Diane Thies, seconded by Lance Freeman, the Board unanimously (6-0) endorses the comments/concerns made by Del Price. Status of Park Development Park Planning Manager Wally Piccone gave the Board an update on the projects Park Planning is working on this summer: Neighborhood Parks Under Construction: Miramont -- Phase I Ridgeview -- final phase completing the ballfield English Ranch -- on schedule (completion date: September) Westfield -- grading for the ponds and ballfrelds (completion date: September) Dog Park -- 3-acre fenced park will be in design at Southwest Community Park. Case Park -- in design phase. A conceptual drawing of the park was displayed. Cottonwood Glen Park is in design. It is located at the end of Overland Trail south of Quail Hollow. Spring Creek Trail will go through this six acre park. It is scheduled for construction in 1999. Some of the neighborhood comments were that the park should be moved to behind the Olander School and leave this area "natural". Boltz Playground improvements will be a joint effort with the Saturn Corporation. They will contribute money to the project and do in kind service. The construction will be done in the winter. Blevins Park -- Restroom will be constructed on the west end of the park. We mailed over 2,000 flyers to the neighborhood letting them know about this project and we received many favorable comments. This project will be completed in 1999. Park Planning and Development Projects: Gateway Park -- Started entrance road design with Colorado Department of Transportation. Parks and Recreation Board Minutes May 20, 1998 Page 5 Sheldon Lake is under construction with the restoration of the shoreline. Funding of $40,000 has been received from GOCO for this project. The Youth Corp is working on this project with the City. Stormwater is going to dredge the lake and will assist on the restabilization. Restoration will begin after the 4th of July on the east side of the lake, which will include environmental learning opportunities, create a wet land, improve water quality, and rebuild and stabilize the banks. The sidewalks will be constructed along the east side of the lake and will enhance the walking path and beautify the area. Justice Center Park -- located on the Justice Center property --- this is a one -acre park that will be a joint effort between the County and the City. Latimer County is contributing $980,000 towards this project and then the park will be donated to the City for maintenance. Other Business • Lance spoke of the study session last night regarding Building Community Choices/Horticulture Center. CSU made their presentation and he felt that by the time he presented the Board's view that we had lost the interest of the Council. The Council was split on their decision of Lee Martinez Park site. Dean asked if CSU wanted to be a partner in the Lee Martinez site? Lance said that it could possibly be an option. • Mike said we are working with CSU, getting an appraisal on the properties; look at a partnership at the Resource Recovery farm, and possibly have a library and horticulture center in a 15 acre downtown site; and the last is keep looking at alternate sites. Diane said it appears to her that they (Council) didn't look at the criteria set in the beginning. Mike spoke to Gerry Bomotti of CSU today and they will write a proposal for the partnership from CSU's side and City staff will do the same. • Jessica questions what the Council defines as a partnership? Mike said the Front Range Community College and Harmony Library is a joint partnership that is a model and a true partnership. Del said that if we build the Horticulture Center on the Resource Recovery site, it would be built on City land. Marry asked what the Board thinks about the Resource Recovery Farm? Marilyn said it could work. The Board doesn't think we should give up on the Martinez site for the Horticulture Center. 7�)ace Rael, Administra ive Aide II Parks and Recreation Board Minutes May 20, 1998 Page 6 Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m. Meeting Attendance Board Members Marilyn Barnes Lance Freeman Dean Hoag Jessica MacMillan Del Price Diane Thies Staff Chuck Ainsworth Craig Foreman Marty Heffernan Karen Manci Janet Meisel Wally Piccone Mike Powers Jackie Rael Guests Bob Deemer Isabel Garity