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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks And Recreation Board - Minutes - 02/23/2011Parks & Recreation Board Meeting –February 23, 2011 Page 1 of 13 BE A GOOD STEWARD: Protect & Respect your Parks, Trails & Recreation Facilities Call Meeting to Order: Danna Ortiz called the meeting to order 5:35pm Agenda Review & Items of Note: Agenda Review: Michael Chalona needs to leave the meeting early. Propose to move election of officer’s discussion prior to approval of minutes. Discussion: None Action: Agenda Item, Election of Officers for 2011 prioritized to accommodate Michael Chalona’s need to leave early. Agenda Review: Add an additional agenda item for JR Schnelzer to discuss the roles of the Board vs. the staff liaisons. Discussion: None Action: Agenda Item added – Board Member Roles vs. Staff Liaison Roles Items of Note: From Jan 26 Board Meeting: Question: How many accidents with bikes? Answer: Accidents on trails reported through Police Services was 3 in 10 years. Discussion: Staff – will check with David Kemp and others to see if they have any additional information on accidents. Not all accidents are reported. AGENDA ITEM Election of Officers for 2011 Danna Ortiz – I nominate Michael Chalona for Chair Michael Chalona – I accept the nomination. Discussion: Brian – I see a loss with Danna leaving the Chair position, Brian Carroll nominates Danna Ortiz for Chair Danna – I would like to work on achieving some other goals, but not as the Chair, I respectfully decline. Motion: Rob Cagen made a Motion for Michael Chalona to be the Parks & Recreation Board Chair for 2011. Danna Ortiz seconded the Motion. Vote: All in Favor – 8:0 Michael – Are there any nominations for Vice Chair? Rob – What are the duties of the Vice Chair? PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD Minutes of Regular Meeting Wednesday, February 23, 2011 5:30 p.m. Council Liaison: Kelly Ohlson Staff Liaison: J.R. Schnelzer, 221-6301 Craig Foreman, 221-6618 President: Danna Ortiz Phone: 407-8794 (home) 303-833-1416 x203 (work) Parks & Recreation Board Meeting –February 23, 2011 Page 2 of 13 Michael – In the past they had a limited role, but I would like to see this position have more involvement in the meetings; perhaps run every other meeting and stand in place of the Chair as needed. I would also like to see the Vice Chair attend some of the other Boards meetings as the P&R Board representative. Rob – I would be interested in being the Vice Chair, if these were the duties; however, I am new to the Board, is there anyone else that’s been here longer that would be interested? Michel – Dawn, would you be interested, or would you like to continue on as Secretary. I see this role being utilized to communicate to the public and be a leader or coordinator of a communications sub-committee. Dawn – I am still interested in the Secretary position, especially if it took on this new role. The Bike Advisory Committee (BAC) liaison is also up for renewal this year, and I wouldn’t mind handing this to another Board Member. Rob – Shirley, what about you? Would you be interested in the Vice Chair position? Shirley – I am more interested in being a part of an outreach committee. Brian – My schedule is very hectic currently, so I don’t want to commit, but I would help with the communications sub-committee. Michael – Bruce what are your thoughts? Bruce – I would like to have more experience with the Board and focus on our goals. Dawn – I would like to focus my attention more on the P&R Board as well. If anyone is interested in the BAC, they meet the second Monday of the month at 6:00pm. Bruce – I would be interested in being part of the BAC, if I could split this duty with other Board Members. Michael – To get back to the election of officers: Motion: Michael Chalona made a Motion for Rob Cagen to be the Vice Chair of the Parks & Recreation Board for 2011 with the duties as described. Danna Ortiz seconded the Motion. Vote: All in Favor: 8:0 Rob – I will do my best, and I would like you all to know I have an open door you are welcome to contact me any time. Motion: Danna Ortiz made a Motion for Dawn Theis to be the Secretary of the Parks & Recreation Board for 2011. Selena Paulsen seconded the Motion. Vote: All in Favor: 8:0 Dawn – I think we all have great ideas about how and what we want to communicate, and I am happy to be the coordinator. I look forward to getting the sub-committee together. Michael – Bruce Henderson will be our appointed BAC liaison, and Dawn will help with the transition. <<<<<>>>>> Approval of Minutes: Michael Chalona made the Motion to approve the Parks & Recreation Board minutes of January 26, 2011, seconded by Selena Paulsen – Minutes approved 8:0 Michael – I will have to leave, so I am turning the remainder of the meeting over to the new Vice Chair, Rob Cagen. Parks & Recreation Board Meeting –February 23, 2011 Page 3 of 13 Citizen Participation None AGENDA ITEMS: Public Outreach/Awareness Discussion - John Litel, Public Relations Coordinator - Recreation John is part of the Communications Team for the City and helps to streamline communications. Their next meeting is Monday, February 28. Discussion John – What are your goals? I am here to offer guidance for communication policies. Board – We would like to communicate with the public. Traditionally there have been letters submitted to the Coloradoan, but we’re looking at other ways to engage the citizens about what’s being done at a staff level and a Board level. Board – How does Recreation get information out to the public? John – The City’s main social media outlets are Facebook and Twitter. We also use traditional outlets including media releases, websites and advertising when an advertising budget is available. Staff – We received permission from CPIO to have our own Facebook page as a way to get recreation information out to more people. We have an intern that writes press releases which go out to our media list, which consists of the Coloradoan, etc., and we also utilize the City calendar to post Recreation events. The Recreator currently has 700 followers, other departments; including the Museum and Lincoln Center average around 500 followers. Board – Until I was on the Board I was unaware of things the City was doing, especially the Parks department. Can we do a page to celebrate Parks accomplishments and include it as part of the Recreator? Staff – We talked about incorporating more things into the Recreator, but it would be up to Recreation Management as to what and how much. Board – Can the Board recommend to the Recreation Management to include additional items in the Recreator? Staff – The Board can advise staff and staff can take points to others as suggestions, then staff can report back to Board the decision. Board – How can we get the word out about being good stewards and the great things that are available to them, keep them educated on a regular basis? Board – Natural Areas has a quarterly newsletter, can we do the same as the P&R Board? Staff – Recreation has a marketing plan and communication plan, but Parks doesn’t have a communications plan as such. We can work on a communication plan to include Parks & Recreation to capture all the information to include an avenue for the P&R Board to feed in ideas. We have an annual meeting to go over goals for the year. Board – Perhaps the Board could discuss ideas to present at the annual meeting. Staff – John concentrates on marketing revenue producers. The Board could look at other avenues like the Poudre R1, Youth Advisory Board, etc. Board – What about the City web page? I would like to see humanizing articles learning about the design of a park, not always statistics. Board – Do we have to have approval to submit an article to the Coloradoan? Board – Let’s work on forming a communication subcommittee and develop some ideas that we can bring back to the Board and staff, and then staff can let us know what’s possible. Staff – The City’s overall plan is to get information out about what we’re doing with the Keep Fort Collins Great (KFCG) money. If anyone on the Board wants to write an article that would be fine. Board – Where do I look for information? Could we be added to the media list? Staff – Carol will get Board’s e-mail addresses to John. Board – Do we do anything with communication in PSD publications? Staff – Currently PSD doesn’t allow the Recreator in schools. Their concern is if they allow the City to provide their information they would have to allow everyone to do the same. Parks & Recreation Board Meeting –February 23, 2011 Page 4 of 13 Board – Both the City and PSD are already involved with each other. Rob Cagen will speak with the PSD Board to see if an alliance can be forged. Staff – The “online” version of the Recreator has over 8,000 unique views since January 1. Presentation of City Park Pool & Club Tico Outdoor Pool – Suzy Danford We had a 25% increase in revenue in 2010 due to the great weather. This year we are staying open until September 5 with the annual Pooch Plunge to end the season. I would encourage you to come, even to just watch, it’s really fun. We also have Friday movie night where we close the pool down and offer family movies viewed on the wall. We are now finished with all the drain covers to comply with the law. New this year will be coin lock lockers available at the Outdoor pool due to public need. May 26 will be our opening day from 10am-8pm. Club Tico – Barbara Schoenberger Club Tico has seen several evolutions over the years, and it became important to use to ensure its longevity. It had been neglected, so it’s being brought back to life. It’s an important Recreational space to offer for social events once it’s been completely redone. The Wilkins Trust will help refund the remodel of the south side of Club Tico. Our in-house facilities will do the work for free, and the Elks and Wilkins Trust are eager to provide the money and materials. We want to add a balcony on the southeast corner to have pool as an adornment to meetings. Timeline depends on the money for plan. Discussion Board – have you approached the Downtown Rotary for money? Staff – No, Wilkins is our main source of funding for the plan. Staff – We would also like to thank the Board for supporting us on 2B. Mulberry Pool is now up in participation and revenue. Board – Who uses Club Tico? Staff – Currently, we have dance programs and classes, but we’d like to get these moved to the Senior Center and have Club Tico available for meetings and social events since it’s such a large space. Board – Does Club Tico have a liquor license? Staff – Currently people can host alcohol, but we’re considering a pour service through a vendor. Board – Larimer/Weld County Community Foundation could be a revenue source. Board Member Roles vs. Staff Liaison Roles Board vs. Staff roles – Board is appointed by Council as advisory role and advocacy. The Board is also the conduit for the public at large to bring issues to staff, and they are an advocate for Parks & Recreation. Staff is operational; and they consider things that the Board advises them on and act as liaison for the Board to other departments and Council. Staff Updates Park Updates o With the good weather, Golf is up in revenue, February saw $54,000 in revenue which is a good sign. o One of our sweepers leaked hydraulic fluid over many sidewalks in the downtown area. This was unfortunate, but we are in the process of clean up. The fluid is clear and it was only leaking during sweeping, so the staff was unaware there was a problem during the sweeping. o City Park will be celebrating 100 years in 2012. Discussion Board – Walking through Edora the trash/recycle bins at the shelters look very nice, but the black barrels with the red stripes by the ball fields and tennis courts don’t seem to fit in. Parks & Recreation Board Meeting –February 23, 2011 Page 5 of 13 Staff – We are putting in around 100 nice ones throughout the parks; and there are five to six more solar compactors. We won’t replace all the receptacles but by the pavilions and ball fields we will. Board – The kids at the skate park move the picnic tables to make ramps. Staff – We are aware of this, but we don’t chain them so that families can arrangement them in the pavilions if they want. We move them back every time we see them out of place, but there’s not a lot we can do. Board – What’s the risk? Staff – Under government immunity, if we show we try to mitigate; which we do by moving them back, we’re okay. Board – Is Fossil Creek Lake healthy now? Staff – Yes. There was very little smell in the fall, from the west lake. The center lake with the aeration had no smell. Recreation Updates There is key fob access now at Youth Activity Center. Since Transfort has a bus stop at the Center, they have paid for ½ the cost. Park Planning Updates o Registry Ridge is out to bid o WatersWay was awarded to contractor and construction will be starting this spring. o E-BIKES UPDATE Colorado Springs is looking at doing a study this summer to see if they will allow e-bikes on their trails. Loveland and Denver do not allow e-bikes on their trails. Fayetteville, AR allows e-bikes, segways, and electric powered scooters; but do not allow golf carts nor any gas powered vehicles. They have a 15 mph speed limit, but no way to enforce the speed limit. o ADA TRAILS UPDATE PowerPoint presentation attached. The Department of Justice has made a new rule regarding “Power-driven Mobility Devices” to be affective March 15. The Rule will allow “other power-driven mobility devices” to be used by “individuals with mobility disabilities”. The rule applies to any place, both indoors and outdoors that is open to the public including parks, natural areas, trails, recreation facilities, etc. This is help from the Federal level to ensure people with mobility issues have access. Discussion Board – The Policy has to be in place by March 15 to address the new ruling. If not, does this mean anyone can start using the trails with motorized vehicles? Staff – Yes, they would have to be given access. Staff – We can control some of what’s allowed due to the width of the trails, but anything we decide must be defendable. Staff – Service animals are also part of this ruling. Currently, small ponies are also considered service animals and would need to be allowed indoors. Board – When do you think you’ll know what’s decided? Staff – We have a team working on this, but it could be mid-summer before we have this handled; or we’ll try for something before the March 15 th date if that’s doable. Parks & Recreation Board Meeting –February 23, 2011 Page 6 of 13 Board Work Plan Updates o Next month agenda item – Goals for Board. Danna will send e-mail out with everyone’s ideas. o JR will bring Mission, Vision & Values from City. o Rob called Gary Thomas, the Transportation Board Chair, and he said to come to a meeting anytime. Rob will read their agendas and go to meetings if needed. Gary also said they allow participation during public participation, but usually allows people to add to the discussion if warranted. o Brian will go to the Land Conservation & Stewardship Board. Bicycle Advisory Board Liaison Update o The BAC completed the Bike Education/Safety Plan. There was lots of information on accidents, but trending only with vehicles. o They also talked about youth education. o They are renewing/changing members. They have 15 members BPEDC, and Bike Retailers o CSU bike friendly University. Adjournment: Selena Paulsen made a Motion to adjourned meeting, Seconded by Shirley Christian – meeting adjourned 8:13pm. Respectfully submitted, VtÜÉÄ etÇ~|Ç Carol Rankin Administrative Support Supervisor Parks Department Board Approved the minutes, with the amended addition of text for Board Member Role vs. Staff Roles, of February 23, 2011 – 9:0 – Amendment made with the submission of these minutes. Board Attendance Board Members: Rob Cagen, Brian Carroll, Michael Chalona, Shirley Christian, Bruce Henderson, Danna Ortiz, Selena Paulsen, Dawn Theis Staff: JR Schnelzer, Craig Foreman, John Litel, Suzy Danford, Peggy Bowers, Barbara Schoenberger, Carol Rankin Guests: James Gist Parks & Recreation Board Meeting –February 23, 2011 Page 7 of 13 Parks & Recreation Board Meeting –February 23, 2011 Page 8 of 13 Parks & Recreation Board Meeting –February 23, 2011 Page 9 of 13 Parks & Recreation Board Meeting –February 23, 2011 Page 10 of 13 Parks & Recreation Board Meeting –February 23, 2011 Page 11 of 13 Parks & Recreation Board Meeting –February 23, 2011 Page 12 of 13 Parks & Recreation Board Meeting –February 23, 2011 Page 13 of 13 Parks and Recreation Board February 23, 2011 Park Planning and Development work items: Plan Fort Collins (City Plan): The Plan is at Council for adoption. Policy Plan: The draft of the Environmental/Sustainability Best Management Plan Manual has been completed and staff is reviewing. Budgeting for Outcomes: 2011/2012 BFO has been approved with Resourcing Our Future included. Building on Basics (BOB) Park improvement funds – 2009 funds to Roselawn Cemetery for improvements. Park improvement funds will be available in 2015. NISP: Supplemental EIS may not be ready until 2011/12. Park items: 1. Waters Way Park: Project has been awarded Walsh Construction for construction in 2011. 2. Tennis court plan as to how many courts and where are they located is being processed with Poudre School District to include their court plans. 3. Registry Neighborhood Park: Project is out to bid for construction this year. 4. Richards Lake Neighborhood Park: playground has been installed and is open for use. 5. Staley Neighborhood Park: Park is in the pilot program for The Sustainable Site Initiative program. Public process and design will begin in 2011. Trails: 1. Poudre Trail at Nix Farm: Staff will be developing the tree resting area design. Natural Resources has seeded the area with native grasses (the crested wheat has been cut). We are sensitive to this costly effort and will plan our construction of the tree resting area for a later date to minimize disturbance to the new grass. 2. Power Trail: Keenland underpass of the UP in approval process and in the second step of the railroad approval process. 3. Fossil Creek Trail along Stanton Creek north of Carpenter Road planned for 2011 construction. 4. Poudre Trail at Lemay: Mulberry Bridge to be replaced by CDOT. The design team has incorporated our trail bridge needs downstream of Lemay into the floodplain analysis. Latest from CDOT is they are planning for construction to start in the fall of 2012. The MPO has awarded $368,375 toward the construction of the $530,000 project. 5. Fossil Creek Trail and underpass at Highway 38E: Project is out to bid with construction to follow. GOCO grant. 6. Poudre Trail to Timnath: Scoping of the project in 2011. 7. Staff will start to work with CSU/Environmental Learning Center for an easement for the trail to extend to Drake Road. 8. County Road #11 and trail underpass on hold due to limited Street Oversizing funds. 9. Spring Creek Trail east of Centre Avenue to the railroad tracks. R.O.W. is working with CSU (CSURF) about the new trail easement process. We hope to acquire the easement in 2011. Miscellaneous: 1. Electric bicycle process to determine if they should be allowed on the trail system occurring in 2011. 2. (New) The Department of Justice has new rules that will allow “power-driven mobility devices” to be used on trails by “individuals with mobility disabilities”. Basically, any power-driven device that is used by an individual with mobility disabilities, including golf cart, Segway, all-terrain vehicle, motorcycle, etc. is allowed on trails. Staff has formed a team from the City Attorney’s Office, Parks, Park Planning and Natural Resources to look into this issue. The rule takes affect on March 15, 2011. 3. Veteran’s Plaza at SCCP. Info can be obtained at the web page of the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado, News and Events section, and into Veteran’s Plaza page. Construction to start on the project in March with completion set for May. 4. Disc Golf: The Hughes Stadium design effort starting. The disc golf course is part of the plan. The design of the course holes has started with Bill Wright doing the design and staff assisting with CADD work. We are proposing using Conservation Trust funds for the development of the course and are hopeful the disc golf community can find grants, GOCO grant is being applied for which will be due to GOCO on March 4th. 5. Water Craft Course – NISP impact unknown at this time and fund raising very slow. 6. Old Fort Collins Heritage Park stake park lights – Group of users are attempting to find funding to supply lights at the skate park. 7. Discovery/Museum Center – we are coordinating on this project.