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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks And Recreation Board - Minutes - 09/25/2013Parks & Recreation Board Meeting – September 25, 2013 Page 1 of 5 BE A GOOD STEWARD: Protect & Respect your Parks, Trails & Recreation Facilities Call Meeting to Order: Dawn Theis called the meeting to order 5:35pm. Agenda Review & Items of Note: None Citizen Participation: Rob Cagen: Rob wanted reiterate how much he appreciates the Parks & Recreation Board and that he enjoyed his opportunity serving on the Board. He had two specific topics to share. 1) He noticed the wall was up at the Utilities facility and the new pads going in for the new section of the disc golf course at Edora Park. He said the neighbors will appreciate having their park back and wanted to thank the Board for their continued effort in making this happen. 2) His son was friends with a young musician, Johnny Schou, who recently passed away. His family worked with Parks and Forestry to have a memorial bench and Oak tree placed Edora Park by the playground in honor of their son. They had a dedication ceremony, and the family said how amazing staff was in making this an easy process in a difficult time. Approval of Minutes: No Discussion. Scott Sinn made the motion to approve the Parks & Recreation Board minutes of August 28, 2013, seconded by Richard Barnhart – Minutes approved 5:0 Meeting Summary • Flood impact on the trail did cause damage in the area between Sharp Point Drive and the ELC with bank erosion which will need to be repaired. This was a big event that impacted many departments, and Parks preformed all work safely. The trail conditions were communicated and updated to the public through web pages, social media and news releases. • The Downtown Poudre River Planning Project is a development plan for the Poudre River from Shields to Mulberry. The Plan involves planning, design and engineering needs to create recreational opportunities, habitat rehabilitation and flood mitigation along the Poudre River in various reaches (sections of the river). A web site will be available in the near future to provide in-depth information of the Plan, and an opportunity to offer feedback. Once the Plan has approval, some of the projects can be included in the 2015-16 BFO process for the construction to begin. • Reviewed the potential Capital Improvement projects for BOB II from Community Service. Projects include: Trail Improvements, Water Savings, Carnegie Building (Cultural Services), Gardens on Spring Creek, Children’s Train at City Park, Poudre River Project and the Southeast Recreation Center. After the projects are further refined and more detail is available, staff will be asking the Board for their review and recommendations. PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MINUTES Regular Meeting Wednesday, September 25, 2013 5:30 p.m. Board Chair: Bruce Henderson, Chair 2013 bmhender6@gmail.com Council Liaison: Gino Campana – gcampana@fcgov.com Staff Liaisons: J.R. Schnelzer, 970-221-6301 – jrschnelzer@fcgov.com Craig Foreman, 970-221-6618 – cforeman@fcgov.com Bob Adams, 970-221-6354 – badams@fcgov.com Parks & Recreation Board Meeting – September 25, 2013 Page 2 of 5 Full Minutes AGENDA ITEMS: Flood Impacts – Parks, Recreation & Trails – Craig Foreman & JR Schnelzer In reviewing the flood plain maps, this was a “50-year” flood event, with peak flow at the Lincoln Bridge just under 9,000csf. The flood impact on the trail system was minor in comparison to other communities, but there is damage in the area between Sharp Point Drive and the ELC with bank erosion which will need to be repaired. We’re estimating around $75,000 will be the cost for this repair. This was a big event that impacted many departments, and Parks preformed all work safely. The trail conditions were communicated and updated to the public through web pages, social media and news releases. Discussion Board – How do you convert CSF to gallons? Staff – CSF is a measurement of water flow and gallons is a measurement of volume, so it can’t be converted directly; but 1 cubic foot of water is equal to 7.48 gallons so 9,000csf is approximately 67,320 gallons. Board – Why didn’t this affect Spring Creek and Fossil Creek? Staff – Because the rain started as a mountain rain, when Spring Creek flooded, it was a rain that settled in west Fort Collins so all the water was in town. Board – Is the Shields Bridge still closed? Staff – Yes, there are structural issues with this bridge. However, the trail is okay. Board – I heard this was a 500 year flood; is this number an exaggeration or did it flood to this degree depending on where the flooding was? Staff – Flooding was various depending on where it took place. For instance the flood plain maps for Longmont did show they had a 100 year flood. However, I think perhaps a 500 year flood may be a bit exaggerated. River Projects Update – John Stokes, Natural Resources Director The Downtown Poudre River Planning Project is a development plan for the Poudre River from Shields to Mulberry. The Plan involves planning, design and engineering needs to create recreational opportunities, habitat rehabilitation and flood mitigation along the Poudre River in various reaches (sections of the river). We are focusing the plan on stewardship, experiences, sustainability and education. We had an open house on September 2 and from 5:00pm-6:00pm the meeting was specifically focused on the kayak park concept and from 6:00pm-8:00pm was a general open house. There was a good turn out and those attending were very engaged. We will be taking the Plan to the October 8 Council work session for review to make sure we’re on track, and will be scheduling a few more open houses. In December we want to have a menu of projects that the community is comfortable with so we can target some of these projects to be included in the 2015-16 BFO process. The conceptual project plans are broken into five Reaches; these will be modified as we get feedback: Reach 1: McMurry Natural Area – this section already has funding and will be under construction this fall. The project will reconnect the river to the flood plain, allowing the river to flood into McMurry, and recede back into its channel naturally; helping the natural area habitat. Further enhancing this project, the Shields Bridge will be replaced by the County and will provide better pedestrian access and parking. A similar project that is currently underway is in the Sterling Natural Area. Reach 2: Lee Martinez Park & Legacy Park Area – currently, there is a lot of riprap along the bank by Legacy Park which will be removed and replaced with rock structures and egresses to provide a better place for people come to the river. The parking lot may be moved to the north with a new entrance into the park that lines up to the new lot. There is a large area to the north of the ball fields at Lee Martinez Park which is not utilized currently by habitat or people, so the idea would be to convert this into park turf that people could use for play and picnic and access to the river. We want to connect both physically and visually to the river combining natural areas and parks and by creating a functioning river in this area, there will be opportunities for many areas of interest. Parks & Recreation Board Meeting – September 25, 2013 Page 3 of 5 Reach 3: College Avenue Bride east to Lincoln – provides an opportunity for some recreational activities; and a chance to use the land to the north of the river up to Vine by creating a parking lot off of vine and a pathway to the river. It would help to have this area developed because currently there are homeless that are loitering in this area and undesirable activities are taking place. Currently, the diversion dam cuts off habitat and causes the water to back up in a flood. We could redesign the drop to create better river flow, but also provide some pools and ripples for a kayak park. The challenge with this area is that just beyond this area to the east is a designated EPA site so if we start construction and find out there are environmental issues with the area, it could halt any further construction. Reach 4: Between Lincoln Avenue & Linden Street – this area would have habitat restoration done as well as a clean-up effort at the Udall site. Reach 5: The Woodward Site – this is a major project with 31 acres on the south of the site which will be re-graded and reformed to create a more natural area, allowing for natural flooding; with the trail moved to the north away from the river. Construction of this project will be starting in January 2014. White Water Options (Kayak Park): We are working with Scott Shipley, who is a kayaking expert, as a consultant on this project and three locations have been reviewed as possible locations for a kayak park. - Lee Martinez Park – upstream of the diversion. This would be a very expensive project - Lee Martinez Park – downstream between the diversion and the railroad trestle - East of the College Ave Bridge All of the options have challenges and constraints. The DOW has concerns with a kayak park and fish migration; so there are many issues to work through. A web site will be available in the near future to provide in depth information of the Plan, and an opportunity to offer feedback. We have taken this presentation to the Natural Resources Advisory Board and they were positive and enthusiastic about the plan. And, we’ve taken it to the Land Conservation Stewardship Board and they were positive and enthusiastic about the plan but had a high level of concern with the kayak park because they can attract a lot of people. In some place that have them, on a good day more than 1,000 people can be on site, so they have a concern about the need to build infrastructure to deal with the crowds. They also are concerned with what this could pose to the habitat. Discussion Board – In Reach 2, do people feel that don’t have access to the river in this area? Staff – I’m not sure. I think for so long this area was industrial and people didn’t access the river, and then when it was converted back to a more natural area people thought they shouldn’t access it. Board – Do you think there are less homeless in general and because of moving them from all along the river that they seem more prevalent in one area because they all migrate to that one spot? Staff – I’m not sure there are less homeless, because they are in many areas all over town. However the Rangers have been working to try to have them leave the areas around the river and other natural area locations. Board – Is there anything the Board can do to help with the homeless issues? Staff – There is a social sustainability team that is currently putting a group together to work on this issue. Perhaps we can have them address the Board when they have information to share. Board – Why is there an issue with fish? Staff – In an ideal functioning river you want fish to be able to flow up and down stream. Board – Is all of the engineering for the kayak park being paid by the City and the construction being paid by private donations? Staff – We’re paying for the engineering and the kayak community has indicated that it will raise money to support construction. Board – Is there a high demand for kayaking in the river? Staff & Board – There is a persistent coalition that is very vocal about wanting kayaking available. Board – Is there any community activity with this project? Staff – We’ve invited many businesses, the North College Business Association seems to be interested and likes the ideas. Board – Is there any ability for urban design along the river like in other communities? Parks & Recreation Board Meeting – September 25, 2013 Page 4 of 5 Staff – Not a lot. Most businesses and homes have, through the years, been pushed out away from the river flood way, the set back is 300’; which after this last flood was a good thing. However, there is a business working through the plans for Plot 1 which would sit next to the river. Bob II Update – Craig Foreman & JR Schnelzer The potential Capital Improvement projects for BOB II from Community Service are: Trail Improvements, Water Savings, Carnegie Building (Cultural Services), Gardens on Spring Creek, Children’s Train at City Park, Poudre River Project and the Southeast Recreation Center. After the projects are further refined and more detail is available, staff will be asking the Board for their review and recommendations at the November/December Board Meeting. Discussion Board – What is happening with the Southeast Community Center? Staff – We will be attending the Council work session in October to discuss the Southeast Community Center so we’ll know more about Council’s direction and thoughts. Board – What is the level of funding need for these projects? Staff – As an example, there is no funding for the trail improvements, so it will take much longer for the trail projects to be completed if they are not funded in BOB II. STAFF UPDATES Parks Updates • Continuing clean-up along the Poudre Trail. • Slack-Lining which is a sport where a line is strung between trees and people walk on the line, is becoming more competitive and popular; and as such we are starting to have some issues. Staff has been meeting to work on policies to help regulate this activity. • Parks has been working with PSD staff to explore the idea of a Southeast Joint Maintenance Facility. Many details still need to be determined, but we feel this shared facility will be a win-win opportunity. Discussion Board – How much do you think it will cost for clean-up from the flood? Staff – A very preliminary estimate is around $100,000. Recreation Updates • The pool at EPIC is now open after the installation of the new fans. We are hoping that the swim teams notice the improvement in air quality. • Suzy Danford, Recreation Supervisor Aquatics, will be retiring after 39 years. She will be missed. Discussion Board – Is there any information the YAC? Staff – Not sure, but we should be able to get information to the Board in October. Park Planning Updates • Woodward Site – the section of the Poudre Trail in this area will be removed the first week in October. We will be seeking a contractor for the construction project; but with the recent floods this may be challenging. Depending on the availability of the contractor and the weather the trail will be under construction from October 2013 to possibly May 2014; but we’re hoping that the completion of the trail will be in February or March. Bicycle Advisory Board Liaison Update – Ragan Adams No Update, BAC discussing “Stop-as-Yield” initiative; informed BAC that P&R Board did not have an opinion on this topic. Board Work Plan Items – Updates • Budget – Bruce Henderson – No Update • Communications – Jessica MacMillan & Dawn Theis – No Update Parks & Recreation Board Meeting – September 25, 2013 Page 5 of 5 • Sustainable Practices – Scott Sinn – Please read article and provide opinions before 10/2. • Parks & Disc Golf – Michael Chalona – State Disc Golf Tournament Oct 4-6 • Trails – Ragan Adams & Brian Carroll – Clean up and Repairs after flood • Recreation – Richard Barnhart – No Updates • Other Projects/Programs – No Updates  Natural Areas – Brian Carroll  River & NISP – Scott Sinn  Great Lawn & Community Gardens – Bruce Henderson Schedule of Articles/Calendar Upcoming articles are: November – Brian Carroll, article on ducks December – Ragan Adams, article on Recreation’s scholarships Calendar Items: October 19 – Ground Breaking Ceremony for the Senior Center Expansion in conjunction with Sundance Festival October 22 – City Council Work Session Presenting the SE Community Park Plan Bullet Points • Discussed the flood impact on the trail system and the results were favorable with only minor damage around the ELC due to bank erosion. Preliminary estimate of cost for clean-up and repairs is $100,000. • Updated on the Downtown Poudre River Planning Project, showing ideas for the five reaches (sections of river) and what those sections might look like in the future. • Reviewed the potential Capital Improvement projects for BOB II Adjournment: Meeting adjourned 7:35pm. Respectfully submitted, VtÜÉÄ etÇ~|Ç Carol Rankin Administrative Supervisor Parks Board Approved the minutes: 5:0 Board Attendance Board Members: Ragan Adams, Richard Barnhardt, Brian Carroll, Michael Chalona, Jessica MacMillan, Scott Sinn, Dawn Theis Staff: Craig Foreman, JR Schnelzer, Carol Rankin; Mike McDonnell, John Stokes, Matt Day Guests: Roger Sherman, BHA and Greg Koch, Anderson Consulting Engineers Rob Cagen, Citizen