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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks And Recreation Board - Minutes - 05/24/2006Call Meeting to Order: Jessica called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. Agenda Review: None Items of Note: Jessica reminded the Board of the importance of attending the meetings and being on time. Also, members need to make sure they inform staff if they are going to be late or absent. Greg arrive at 5:50 and Walt arrived at 6:00. Citizen Participation: None Approval of Minutes Jessica reminded the Board that Walt was concerned that the February 22nd Minutes did not adequately reflect the Board's comments. Walt was not present at the time the Board was approving the Minutes at the April meeting or at tonight's meeting. The Board then unanimously approved the February 22nd Minutes (7:0). Then on a motion made by 40 Ann seconded by Michael the Board approved the April 26th Minutes (7:0). Open Lands Program Update Marty introduced the Natural Areas Program Manager, Mark Sears. Mark was invited to speak to the Board on what Natural Resources has going on relating to recreation. Mark informed the Board that over the past couple of years he and Craig Foreman have spoken to a group of individuals that fly model airplanes. The group has approached the City about acquiring some land that would be suitable for them to fly their planes. Their specifications include a 700 foot paved runway, parking lot, restrooms and a play area for children. Jon asked what the population of members is and Craig believes it's about 80. Cathy asked if the group was planning on helping fund the project. Mark stated that they would like to develop a partnership with the City. He said that one opportunity is the Wellington Community Separator. The City is trying to conserve some land between Fort Collins and Wellington as a buffer between the two communities as well as a way to conserve some agricultural land. Mark said that the City would acquire a conservation easement from the existing land owner in hopes to conserve the agricultural land and to allow very little if any development. Jessica asked if a dog park could be in the remaining area. Craig said that we could add something that would fit with the air park. Mark stated that the group suggested there also be an area for remote control cars and boats. He said that the City of Thornton owns the land and want to sell it, but they aren't ready just yet. Mark stated that Larimer County is planning on building the Box Elder Trail around the area and the City would put a trail easement on there to allow the planes to fly over. Jessica asked what it would cost and Craig responded that it could be around $50,0004100,000. The Board was concerned with the City funding the project. Ann said that . she feels we need to multi use the area. Jessica feels City isn't in the position right now to spend that kind of money on funding and maintaining the project when there other things needing repair. She doesn't have a problem with the City acquiring the land for them if they want to fund Parks and Recreation Board Minutes May 24, 2006 Page 2 and maintain it. She was also concerned that future residents may have issues if the land around the area were to be developed. Walt feels we should use the land for more appropriate use. Mark discussed Bobcat Ridge Natural Area. He said that they hope to have it open in September 2006. They are in the process of finishing the design on road improvements and are working on the parking area. The area is about 2,600 acres. Jon asked if the resident ranger was still going to be out there. Mark said yes and they are going to preserve part of the historic farmhouse currently there for the resident house. Mark then discussed the Soapstone Ranch and informed the Board about preliminary work on the management plan for the area. Mark told the Board said that Natural Resources is offering tours of the area. Mary asked if the public was allowed to tour by themselves and Mark responded that the road is private road and they are working on public access. The Board agreed on taking a tour of the ranch this summer. Downtown Kayak Course Craig informed the Board that this was in Conceptual Review. Jessica asked if the course would be staffed. Marty said it would be difficult to staff because it would be drop -in use. Craig then explained the process the City has to go through. Marty believes this group is not in the position to fully maintain it nor do they have the ability to hold liability insurance in order to open it to the public so the City would likely need to take it over as a City facility, provided this is Council's direction. The group is hoping to recruit volunteers to help with the maintenance. Marty said that there are some concerns with Council about environmental impacts to the river. Jon said that he knows it is successful in other places. Jessica said that she supports it. She feels • it's a recreational activity with natural features and low-cost maintenance that could possibly bring attraction to the downtown area. Jon was a little concerned with the Board approving the kayak course and not the model airplane park. In Jessica's opinion the overall cost would be far less expensive. Michael agreed with Jessica's comment on it possibly bringing business to Old Town. Cathy believes the noise from the model airplane park could become a big issue. Marty explained that we have to consider the popularity of usage. Then on a motion made by Greg, seconded by Cathy the Board unanimously approved to support the kayak course (9:0) 2007 Budget Marty informed the Board that the City is continuing to have Budget issues. There is a possible issue with not being able to fund the Pavement Management Program. The City likes to keep the streets maintained because it's more cost effective rather than letting them deteriorate and having to repair them. It was suggested to fund this program by implementing a Transportation Maintenance Fee. Council suggested that the City look at other options as well, like a park maintenance fee, a PILOT or increasing sales tax. Unfortunately the City's Sales Tax revenues have remained flat so the City can't look at it as means of helping fund the program. The revenues for first quarter came in at less than 1%. Marty said that for 2006 we should be fine because of major influx of one-time use tax, however if this trend continues for 2007 it could create an additional 2-4 million dollar problem on top of the pavement management issue, for a total of about a 6.8 million dollar short fall. Council is receiving suggestions from outside sources to look at reductions rather than new revenue sources. They have asked the City Manager to come up with a list of reductions that is higher than the 6.8 million dollars for a worst case scenario. Marty stated that he was asked to come up with 1.4 • million dollars in cuts for CLRS, primarily from the General Fund. He has to prepare a list in early June that will be presented to Council in July. He told the Board that it is important for them to help with input on selections. • Parks and Recreation Board Minutes May 24, 2006 Page 3 Marty said that he went to Council about the Library District and they wanted to make it separate from the budget so we are going to have to manage the budget problem in ways unrelated to whether a district is formed. They did say that they are interested in citizens initiating the question to the voters in November 2006 about whether or not they would like to form a Library District. Marty informed the Board that there is a citizen group that would like to move forward with it. Jessica asked about the YAC and about the grass roots group being interested in saving it. Marty responded that the City doesn't currently have the necessary funds. Marty said we may not even be able to open the new Northside Atzlan Community Center because of the additional cuts CLRS has to make. Jon asked what would happen with the money that was received to build it. Marty responded that one possibility would be to build it but not open it for awhile. Cathy asked if a Park Maintenance Fee was totally out of the question. Marty said that Council hasn't said they were against it; they just want to fully explore all options. Marty said the Chamber of Commerce is concerned and feels that the City needs to look at things internally first. Jessica commented that the City has to be run like a business and when revenues drop you cut your costs. Mary asked if we have approached a charitable foundation to help with opening the Northside Center. Marty said all this is very preliminary and Council may not even consider delaying the opening of the new Center. It's just too early to know. Cathy asked what percentage of the budget the 1.4 is and Marty said it's about 10%. Jessica asked if the mall has made any changes. Marty said they are making progress. Jessica feels that it would be a mistake to build a brand new mall on Harmony Road and feels we should redevelop what we have and save that land for something else. Jon was wondering why the City would choose to build the is Marty Center if it's not going to be open and he suggested that the City keep the YAC open. Marty said that he just received the request to reduce the budget, so staff really hasn't had time to come up with any scenarios. Jessica asked what the cost of the YAC is and Marty said that the lease alone is around $400,000. Jessica feels that we should provide a recreation center for our youth so they don't find other means of recreation that could get them in trouble. Marty said that he wanted to inform the Board of the budget situation so they would be aware of the issue. Board Member and Staff Comments None Project Updates Craig provided the project up dates and showed slides of the locations. Oak Street Plaza Jessica asked if any branches were cut from the trees. Craig said he wasn't sure of the trimming, but four trees were removed. Jessica asked what was being done for flood mitigation. Craig went over the changes that have been made to keep the water in the street and away from the plaza. The projected time of completion is late July or August. Fossil Creek Trail Underpass Jessica asked what was being done to remove the mud and Craig explained that a subdrain was installed to pump it out. Walt asked what was being done for flooding. Craig said the City did plan for flooding and a warning system is included as part of the project. Jessica wanted to know if lighting would be installed in the tunnel and Craig said there would be good lighting. The project is expected to be completed mid June 2006. • Parks and Recreation Board Minutes May 24, 2006 Page 4 Spring Canyon Craig pointed out that there was protection put around the trees while the earthwork is taking place. He said that Connell is still doing a great job and they have been able to control the dust, but it is an ongoing concern. They are working on the underground utilities and the site is almost graded out. The Board was reminded of the construction ceremony that is taking place on June 2nd. The park is scheduled to open to the public in late 2007. Other Business Ann informed the Board that she received a call from someone wanting to know if there would be a soft trail along the Power Trail. Craig said that there will be a soft trail. Jessica was wondering if the City was constructing the waterfalls that are being built on Mountain and College. Craig said that a local landscape company has donated them. Jessica was also inquiring about the removal of some lilac bushes on Mountain. Craig responded that he wasn't sure why that was done. Michael said that he attended the Northwest Subarea Plan meeting and overall people seemed interested. They said they would like a park planned out there as the area grows. They would prefer a 4-H oriented park with a possible equestrian facility since they are looking at keeping it a more rural area with larger lots and trails. Correspondence None 0 Adjournment: The Board unanimously agreed to adjourn at 8:03 p.m. 0 especttffuulllly submitted �f l Dawn Worth Administrative Aide Board Attendance Board Members: Mary Carlson, Michael Chalona, Ann Hunt, Cathy Kipp, Mark Leuker, Jessica MacMillan, Greg Miller, Walt Peeples, Jon Sinclair Staff: Craig Foreman, Marty Heffernan, Mark Sears, Dawn Worth Guests: None