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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks And Recreation Board - Minutes - 07/22/2015Parks & Recreation Board Meeting – July 22, 2015 Page 1 of 4 BE A GOOD STEWARD: Protect & Respect your Parks, Trails & Recreation Facilities Call Meeting to Order: Jessica MacMillian called the meeting to order 5:40 pm. Agenda Review & Items of Note: None Citizen Participation: None Approval of Minutes: Discussion: None Bruce Henderson made the motion to approve the Parks & Recreation Board minutes of June 24, 2015, seconded by Dawn Theis – Minutes approved 7:0. Meeting Summary • The Capital Campaign for the Gardens on Spring Creek is on track. • The majority of Fort Collins residents are in favor of the smoking ban. The new restrictions will include parks trails, natural areas and golf. The public is being informed through outreach. This is being enforced through voluntary compliance. • There is a need for additional funding for the life cycle program. Staff will be submitting an offer during the next BFO process. PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MINUTES Regular Meeting Wednesday, July 22, 2015 5:30 p.m. Board Chair: Jessica MacMillan, Chair 2015 jessica.macmillan@greatwesternbank.com Council Liaison: Gino Campana – gcampana@fcgov.com Staff Liaisons: J.R. Schnelzer, 970-221-6301 – jrschnelzer@fcgov.com Kurt Friesen, 970-221-6618 – kfriesen@fcgov.com Bob Adams, 970-221-6354 – badams@fcgov.com Parks & Recreation Board Meeting – July 22, 2015 Page 2 of 4 Full Minutes AGENDA ITEMS: Update on the Gardens – Michelle Provaznik Michelle Provaznik, Manager of the Gardens on Spring Creek, provided an update regarding the Capital Campaign. She mentioned that we have received generous support from sponsors. The Bohemian Foundation and Woodward Charitable Trust are donating $500,000 and are challenging the community to join them in matching additional donations totaling another $500,000. Phase One Garden’s Completion - goal $2,500,000, pledged $640,000, secured $1,026,000 This phase includes completion of the remaining five acres of gardens, including the Great Lawn and stage surrounded by themed gardens, Undaunted Garden (xeriscape), Foothills and Prairie Gardens. Phase Two Visitor’s Center Completion – goal $3,000,000, pledged $50,000, secured $2,000, 000 Completion of the Visitor’s Center includes a conservatory, community meeting room, new lobby and gift shop as well as additional office. Michelle said we are constantly turning business away because currently we are limited in our meeting room availability so this will be a great addition. She informed the Board that $2.0 million will be secured by BOB 2.0 funds and Friends of the Garden will fundraise the additional $1.0 million. Phase Three Endowment Fund – goal $500,000, secured $104,000 This phase is to support facility operations and maintenance making the Gardens more financially sustainable. Michelle informed the Board that staff has met with the Butterfly Pavilion staff in Denver to negotiate a partnership for a pavilion at the Gardens. She will update the Board throughout this process. The Board thanked Michelle for her hard work and dedication to the Gardens. Smoking Ordinance Update – Delynn Coldiron Delyn Coldiron, Neighborhood Services Manager, reviewed the Smoking Ordinance with the Board. She informed the Board that City Council formally approved additional smoking restrictions at their February 17, 2015, meeting. The new restrictions ban goes into effect September 1, 2015, for all City owned and operated facilities along with all City parks, trails and natural areas. The ban will then expand to the downtown area, including Old Town January 1, 2016, and most City approved events and festivals will go into effect the 2016 event season and Delyn said they will be getting the word out at the New West Fest in August. Delyn stated that they have conducted surveys and have found that most citizens are in favor of the smoking ban. Delynn reviewed the map showing the smoke free areas in Downtown Fort Collins. She mentioned smoking is allowed in private residences, retail tobacco stores and at private functions not open to the public. She informed the Board that the ban also includes the City Golf Courses. She said they will be campaigning at the courses by posting signage at the facility entrances, on the keychains in the carts and on the scorecards. Delynn stated that the Board is welcome to contact her with any further questions and informed them that this information is also posted on the City’s website. Discussion Board - How this would be enforced? Delyn - We are hoping to get the word out through outreach. She stated at this point it will be voluntary compliance. Board - How will this affect the alternative smoking establishments? Delynn - We are going to City Council on August 18 to ask for an exemption for retail tobacco establishments in the Downtown Smoke-Free Zone. There are numerous things these businesses have to comply with including going through the permitting process to assure they meet all code requirements. Board – Will this be a challenge with the students coming back into town? Delynn - We have been working with CSU to inform students and their parents. Board - How they are getting the word out to the homeless population? Delynn - We have been working with Social Sustainability to get the word out. The Board thanked Delynn for her time. Parks & Recreation Board Meeting – July 22, 2015 Page 3 of 4 Life Cycle Update Jill Wuertz, Parks Project Manager, gave an overview of the Life Cycle Program for Parks. She explained the importance of keeping up with maintenance; renovation is more sustainable than a full replacement. We also have to assure that we are keeping up with current codes and guidelines as well as unexpected issues that may arise. She also noted that we are trying to add more natural components rather than the traditional swing, slide, etc. which creates more interaction and diversity. Jill explained that this includes projects over $5,000 and only land that Parks owns. These projects are prioritized starting with mandates, health/safety, asphalt/concrete and other. Jill reviewed the life cycle history: • Started in 1992 looked at in 1994-2021 • Updated again in in 1997-2026 • Updated in 2000 to look at 2000-2010 • Updated in 2009 to look at in 2010-2020 Historically, funding came from the General Fund, other (Recreation, O&M, and Conservation Trust) and currently funding is coming from Keep Fort Collins Great (KFCG). Discussion Board - How is Edora Skate Park is holding up? Jill - It’s doing well; we do concrete updates. Jill mentioned that it’s a challenge with new standards and increases in cost. Board - It’s important to get this message out as demographics change; and so new residents are aware of the facts and figures. Perhaps when a new resident sets up an account with the City they should provide this information in with their utility bill. The Board thanked Jill for her time. Funding Options Marty Heffernan, Director of Community Services, discussed funding needs with the Board. He mentioned the importance of revisiting the Park Impact Fee during the next BFO process. Marty said we not only need to keep up with maintenance we also need to refresh the parks to keep them modern so they are being utilized. City Park is a prime example; this is a very prominent park that is in need of a refresher. He commented that Park Planning is continuing to build out and the life cycle program is underfunded. He mentioned that Fort Collins is a great community and Parks & Recreation is a contributing factor that brings in visitors to our City; which is why it is important that proper funding is in place. Marty stated if we were to charge each resident $1.00/month on their utility bill it would generate around $3.4 million a year. Discussion Board - Do you think that our aging community is why there’s more resistance towards increases? Marty - There is a large trend in Fort Collins of grandparents taking care of their grandchildren. Board – Maybe we should publish articles regarding this on a regular basis and perhaps letters to the Editor. Board - We should also consider reaching out through Social Media. Board - It would also be beneficial to invite Councilmember Gino Campana to discuss this need. STAFF UPDATES It was suggested that Staff provide monthly updates to keep the Board informed prior to any public outreach, so the Board can also communicate information. Parks Updates • J.R. gave update on Bill Whirty’s condition. Staff videotaped the 4th of July fireworks for Bill. The Board asked that they continue to be updated regarding Bill’s progress. • Mike Calhoon was hired as the new Director of Parks with the retirement of J.R. • The Gardens on Spring Creek will now be a part of the Cultural Services Department. • Emerald Ash Borer discussion. The Ash Borer can only fly ½ mile a year, they are typically transported by firewood. So far we haven’t seen signs of them in Fort Collins. Parks & Recreation Board Meeting – July 22, 2015 Page 4 of 4 Recreation Updates • The 4th of July Parade was a success. • Bob informed the Board that John Litel published their article in the Recreator. • Fort Collins Parks and Recreation was awarded the 2015 Playful City USA. • Board supported IGA between CSU/EPIC for locker room assignment for CSU Ram Hockey. • The Farm Celebrated 30th Anniversary on July 25th. • Fencing update – The Fencing program at Northside had seen a steady decline in the past 5 years. With our Youth Sports Academy (YOSA) partnership with Qdoba the sessions have grown and are continuing to grow. Park Planning Updates • Kurt said they are in the preliminary concepts for City Park, there’s an emphasis on safety concerns with the pool and traffic. • The neighbors were pleased with the English Ranch Community Garden. • Arapaho Bend trail is coming along quickly. • Senior Center Garden is open. Board Work Plan Items No Updates. Bicycle Advisory Board Liaison Update Bruce said there wasn’t a meeting this month. Jessica expressed concerns regarding the increase in bicycle/vehicle accidents. Brian said there is a meeting regarding this on August 6th at the Agave Room. Brian mentioned that he has been discussing a 3wheeled bicycle with his daughter for their staff to utilize while traveling between campuses. He feels this could be a safer alternative for curriers etc. to utilize on the trails rather than on the streets. Marty said there specific regulations regarding motorized devices on the trails. J.R. mentioned that the wheelbase also has to be a certain width to accommodate two-way traffic on the trails. Bullet Points • The Board was updated on the Gardens. • Delynn Coldiron updated the Board on the smoking ban. • Jill Wuertz discussed the Life Cycle Update. • Marty reviewed funding options with the Board. Adjournment: Meeting adjourned 8:00 pm Respectfully submitted, Dawn Worth Dawn Worth Board Approved Minutes 8/26/15 - 9:0. Board Attendance Board Members: Ragan Adams, Mary Carlson, Brian Carroll, Bruce Henderson, Jessica MacMillan, Kelly Smith, Dawn Theis Staff: Bob Adams, Delynn Coldiron, JR Schnelzer, Mike Calhoon, Kurt Friesen, Marty Heffernan, Wendy Williams, Jill Wuertz, Dawn Worth Guest: None