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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 02/19/2002 - FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 030, 2002, APPROPRI AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY ITEM NUMBER: 20 FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL DATE: February 19, 2002 STAFF: Marty Heffernan SUBJECT: First Reading of Ordinance No. 030, 2002, Appropriating Prior Year Reserves Designated for Community Park Improvements in the Capital Improvement Expansion Fund for Transfer to the Capital Projects Fund Webster Community Park Capital Project and the Kechter Road Improvements Project for the Purpose of Acquiring Land from Poudre School District for the Webster Community Park Site and for the Construction of Improvements to Kechter Road. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinance on First Reading. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The Capital Improvement Expansion Fee for Community Parkland is a one-time fee collected on new residential units for the acquisition and development of community parks. The Webster Community Park will serve the residents in the southeast section of the city. The land cost is $1,475,493 and the park's share of Kechter Road costs is $1,062,315. The Capital Improvement Expansion Community Parkland Fund presently has $10,500,000 in reserve. The allocation of funds at this time for Webster Park will not impact the development of Southwest Community Park in 2006. Maintenance funds are available starting in 2002 to maintain the undeveloped park site. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The Parks and Recreation Policy Plan, which was adopted by City Council in 1996, plans for community parks to be developed throughout the City. The southeast section of the community will need to be served by a 50 to 60 acre community park based on the projected density of residential development. Poudre School District and the City have looked at the Webster Site as a joint location for the new 2004 high school and a community park. The District purchased the 160-acre site in 2001. District and City staff have developed a conceptual site plan for the Webster Site. The new high school will occupy about the north 2/3 of the site. The community park will be located on the south 53.652 acres of the site. Poudre School District and its consultants have worked with City staff to develop a plan for the school/park site that maximizes benefits to the community. Outdoor school and park facilities have been planned to serve both the school and the park, resulting in a reduction in development and maintenance costs. Examples include sharing a raw water delivery and storage system, irrigation pumping plant, lighted ballfields and tennis courts, parking areas and open turf spaces. DATE: February 19, 2002 2 ITEM NUMBER: 20 It is cost effective to develop Kechter Road along the park boundary in conjunction with the construction of roads and infrastructure for the new high school. Building the road now also benefits the students and Poudre School District by improving access to the new high school. The new high school will be open in 2004. The park will go through a public design process with an opening presently scheduled for 2008. The Parks and Recreation Board discussed the Webster Community Park site at its April 25, 2001 and October 24, 2001 board meetings. The Board supported the purchase of the site for a community park. Board minutes from the two meetings are attached. ORDINANCE NO. 030, 2002 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS APPROPRIATING PRIOR YEAR RESERVES DESIGNATED FOR COMMUNITY PARK IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT EXPANSION FUND FOR TRANSFER TO THE CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND WEBSTER COMMUNITY PARK CAPITAL PROJECT AND THE KECHTER ROAD IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT FOR THE PURPOSE OF ACQUIRING LAND FROM POUDRE SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR THE WEBSTER COMMUNITY PARK SITE AND FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF IMPROVEMENTS TO KECHTER ROAD WHEREAS, the current Parks and Recreation Policy Plan,which was approved by the City Council with the adoption of Resolution 96-146 in December 1996, recommends that community parks be developed at a standard of 4.5 acres per 1,000 population; and WHEREAS,the southeast section of the community will need to be served by a 50 to 60 acre community park based on the projected density of residential development; and WHEREAS,the City and Poudre School District have looked at a 160-acre site(the"Webster Site")located one mile south of Harmony Road,along Ziegler Road,Kechter Road,and Rock Creek Drive as a joint location for a new high school in 2004 and future site of a community park; and WHEREAS, the City and Poudre School District have developed a conceptual site plan which calls for 53.652 acres to be allotted for the community park; and WHEREAS,the Parks and Recreation Board discussed the Webster Site at its April 25,2001, and October 24, 2001, meetings and voted in support of the purchase of that site for a community park; and WHEREAS,the purchase price of the Webster Site is $1,475,493 and the City is scheduled to close on the acquisition of property on March 18, 2002; and WHEREAS, as owner of the Webster Site, the City will be responsible for certain improvements to Kechter Road, which runs along the southern boundary of the Webster Site; and WHEREAS,staff has determined that it would be most cost effective for the City to construct its share of the improvements to Kechter Road in conjunction with the construction of roads and infrastructure for the new high school; and WHEREAS,the City's estimated share,as owner of the Webster Site,of the costs associated with improvements to Kechter Road is $1,062,315 and; WHEREAS,staff recommends that the purchase of the Webster Site and the improvements to Kechter Road be funded from prior year reserves accumulated in the Capital Improvement Expansion Fund for community park improvements; and WHEREAS,City Code Section 7.5.28(a)requires that Capital Improvement Expansion Fee for Community Parkland funds be used only for capital improvements related to the provision of community parks, as such improvements may be identified in the capital improvements plan for community parkland; and WHEREAS, purchase of the Webster Site for a community park and costs associated with the construction of Kechter Road at the southern boundary of the proposed park are identified in,and consistent with the Parks and Recreation Policy Plan adopted by the City Council in Resolution 96- 147 on December 3, 1996, and updated in 1999, and are also included in the City's 10-Year Capital Improvement Plan and Inventory (2001-2010); and WHEREAS, Article V, Section 9, of the Charter of the City of Fort Collins (the "Charter") permits the City Council to appropriate by ordinance at any time during the fiscal year such funds for expenditure as may be available from reserves accumulated in prior years, notwithstanding that such reserves were not previously appropriated; and WHEREAS,under Article V,Section 10,of the Charter,the City Council may,by ordinance, upon the request of the City Manager, transfer any unexpended and unencumbered appropriated amount or portion thereof from one fund or capital project to another fund or capital project provided that the purpose for which the transferred funds are to be expended remains unchanged; the purpose for which the funds were initially appropriated no longer exists;or the proposed transfer is from a fund or capital project account in which the amount appropriated exceeds the amount needed to accomplish the purpose specified in the appropriation ordinance; and WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Council to appropriate the sum of$2,537,808 from prior year reserves designated for community park improvements in the Capital Improvement Expansion Fund for transfer to the Capital Projects Fund-Webster Park project($1,475,493)and to the Capital Projects Fund-Kechter Road Improvements project($1,062,315),for the purpose of acquiring land for Webster Park and constructing improvements to Kechter Road; and WHEREAS, the purpose of the Capital Improvement Expansion Fees for Community Parkland, requested for appropriation in the Capital Improvement Expansion Fund,will remain the same upon transfer to the Capital Projects Fund-Webster Park project and the Capital Projects Fund - Kechter Road Improvements project. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS that there is hereby appropriated from prior year reserves designated for community park improvements in the Capital Improvement Expansion Fund, the sum of TWO MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THIRTY-SEVEN THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED EIGHT DOLLARS($2,537,808), for transfer as follows: . To: Capital Projects Fund-Webster Park Project $ 1,475,493 To: Capital Projects Fund - Kechter Road Improvements Project $ 1,062,315 Total $ 2,537,808 for the purpose of acquiring the land for Webster Park and constructing the City's share of improvements to Kechter Road associated with the Webster Site. Introduced and considered favorably on first reading and ordered published this 19th day of February, A.D. 2002, and to be presented for final passage on the 5th day of March, A.D. 2002. Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk Passed and adopted on final reading this 5th day of March, A.D. 2002. Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk WEBSTER COMMUNITY PARK SITE N Humony Road 0 a � a a c� y N h . Rock Creek Drive 2004 High School m :d A Webster Community Park Kechter Road flS Dery rvr ..... Council Liaison: Bill Bertschy Staff Liaison: Marty Heffernan, 224-6064 President: Lance Freeman Phone: 491-7813 (work) 484-6789 (home) Call Meeting to Order: Board President Lance Freeman called the Regular meeting to order at 5:40 p.m. Agenda Review: Marty Heffernan added "Recommended Name for the new Horticulture Center" under Other Business Items of Note: Marty introduced Bob Loeven, Manager of Parks, who has been a Parks' . employee for over 20 years. Citizen Participation: No citizen Participation Approval of Minutes: On a motion by Jessica MacMillan, seconded by Mary Carlson, the Board voted unanimously (8-0) to approve the minutes of the Regular meeting of March 28, 2001. Budget Priorities 2002-2003 Marty updated the Board on the two-year budget cycle and then distributed copies of the staffs priorities, as requested by the Board, and asked the Board for their input. Dean Hoag asked how much it costs to maintain a community park? Marty said it costs approximately $500,000 annually. Ross Cunniff asked how that figure is broken down? Marty said that staff will bring that information to the Board next month. Board members all agreed that operation and maintenance costs should be assumed and we shouldn't have to keep asking for them every year. Ross said that should be bonded into the cost of building the park. Del Price asked what is the $350,000 one time cost for Fossil Creek Community Park? Bob Loeven responded that it is for equipment, hand tools, mowers, outfitting the maintenance facility for the equipment that will be used for the neighborhood parks, trucks, computers, and miscellaneous maintenance tools. Del further asked for clarification on the new parks, trails, and medians? Marty responded that is for operation and maintenance for these new facilities and the • one time money is the equipment to maintain them. Parks and Recreation Board Minutes April 25,2001 Page 3 maintenance should be in place for all new parks and recreation facilities. Marty mentioned that the lifecycle is included in our operation and maintenance budgets. On a motion by Del Price, seconded by Mike Gavin, the Board voted unanimously (9-0) to make the following recommendation to City Manager John Fischbach regarding the 2002-2003 budget for Parks and Recreation: First priority is for operation and maintenance funding for the new parks and recreation facilities that will open in 2002 or 2003. These facilities include Fossil Creek Community Park, a new Youth Activity Center, People of the Clouds Neighborhood Park, Soft Gold Neighborhood Park, Huidekoeper Park, and new additions to our trail system. Second priority, the Board is in favor of funding to operate and maintain the second sheet of ice that will be constructed through the Building Community Choices Capital Improvement Program. Also, as a second priority, the Board supports funding for a Therapeutic Recreation Coordinator to keep up with the overwhelming demand for recreation services for people with disabilities. Also, included in the Board's second priority list is adequate funding for the annual 4th of July celebration. Capital Projects Priorities The Board prioritized their top five projects as requested by the City Manager. Paul Van Valkenburg said that when he reviewed these he had a hard time voting for something in the cemetery or street improvements. Secondly, regarding park projects, he would have a difficult time recommending one community park improvement over another community park improvement. Del asked if the City is going to charge an entry fee to Gateway Park. Marty said that we will to help cover our operation and maintenance. Del suggested that the two maintenance facilities go as one package. Paul Hudnut asked are there some items on this that are very important to staff? Del asked if we replace City Park Pool, could we put that with the City Park improvements? Dean asked on the four Community park improvements, what are the highest priorities in staff s opinion. Marty responded City Park and Lee Martinez Park. The Board voted unanimously to support funding for the following projects: • Youth Activity Center Replacement • City Park Pool Replacement • City Park Improvements • Gateway Park • Lee Martinez Park Improvements Webster and Staley Park Sites Craig Foreman illustrated on a map where this site is located. He said that it is south of Harmony Rod and bordered by County Road 7 and County Road 9. The School District bought 25 acres referred to as the Staley site and the City bought 10 of those acres for a park. The School District will use 15 acres for the school. Parks and Recreation Board Minutes April 25,2001 Page 4 The Webster site is 160 acres bordering County Road 9. PSD will use 100 acres for the new high school and then the City will buy back 60 acres of land to build a park at this site. The two staffs will get together next week and talk about the planning of this site. Housing will be constructed on the south side of this property. Lance asked why do we need both of these parks if they are across the street from each other? Craig responded the two parks are essential to serve the two different needs much like southwest Community Park and Cottonwood Glen. Lance said that the neighborhood park should be different --- more passive since we have the community park across the street. Craig explained that we still need the zones that we have in the other neighborhood parks. The McCullen Ditch runs through this site. Marty agreed with Lance that we need to have different elements in this neighborhood park, given its proximity to the community park. Paul Hudnut asked where the bike path will tie into this? Craig explained where it will be constructed and said it will be off road as much as possible. Del asked if there is a possibility of going under the road with a trail to connect the two parks and Craig said no because there is a large sewer line under the road. Mike Gavin said that there is a parental comfort issue where parents will allow their kids to use the neighborhood park, but may be less comfortable leaving the kids at the community park. Marty said that all of the Board's thoughts and comments are valid and staff will take all of these concerns into the design. Del said that there is a positive aspect of putting lighted ballfields at this site next to the high school. Mary said that when the school is built, and the neighborhood is constructed, there should be an expectation that there will be noise and lights. The Board asked staff to keep them informed. Dog Parks and Leash Laws Marty said that staff has been talking with FIDOS (Friends Interested in Dogs and Open Space) Craig said that staff attended a meeting with Boulder staff regarding dogs off leash and how they handle it. He first explained Fort Collins situation with the Natural Areas Program. We are constructing the dog parks in community parks. In Boulder, a dog management plan was implemented in 1996 and made their open space lands available to dogs off leash. Boulder has 10 rangers and most of them have worked or trained dogs. The FIDOS want to use this as a model for Fort Collins. There is a different mindset in Boulder. Mary Carlson has strong opinions on this. What is most dangerous about a dog park is the people who have confrontations. Pineridge was originally going to be an off leash area for dogs. She would like the City to designate in natural areas, parcels where dogs can be off leash. Special Events Marty advised the Board that Jackie Rael and Jackie Darner are the Special Events Coordinators for our department. This decision was made to allow for more advanced planning. He asked the Board to mark their calendars for the following dates: • Northside Aztlan Community Center Skate Park Dedication-- Saturday, May 12 • Gateway Park Grand Opening--Saturday, July 21, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. (date subject to change) • Edora Skate Park Grand Opening--Friday, August 3, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. r • k , { i fi ! �.t$u1-1 1-1,.,u:!:,,,�.,�3,°„ Council Liaison: Bill Bertschy Staff Liaison: Marty Heffernan, 224-6064 President: Lance Freeman Phone: 491-7813 (work) 484-6789 (home) Call Meeting to Order: President Lance Freeman called the Regular meeting to order at 5:45 p.m. Agenda Review: Marty Heffernan added Advertising Guidelines and Trails Subcommittee report from Paul Hudnut under Other Business. Items of Note: . • Board Member Mike Gavin called to say he would not be able to attend tonight's meeting due to work schedule conflict. • Board Member Mary Carlson referred to the last month's minutes and requested that the Board not insert humorous items in the minutes as it is public record. Citizen Participation: No citizen participation. Approval of Minutes: On a motion by Jessica MacMillan, seconded by Dean Hoag, the Board voted unanimously (7-0)to accept the minutes as revised by Mary Carlson striking the humorous content in Items of Note. Youth Activity Center Gym Jean Helburg handed out an information sheet written by the Youth Activity Center Task Force led by Brownie McGraw. The purpose of the task force is to raise money to construct a gym for the Youth Activity Center. Jean stated that the Youth Activity Center moved to its current location on September 9, after a diligent search to find accommodations for the Center. They were recently informed that they can build a full size gym at the current location so they are researching remodifying the parking lot and then adding replacement parking spaces at the west end of the lot. Bob Everitt has made arrangements to proceed with the effort and the subcommittees will work on fundraising for the $1,000,000 needed. They were presented with a Karl Carson Challenge Grant of$25,000 to be matched by citizens in the community. The task . force has formed several fundraising committees to solicit cash sponsorships and grants. They Parks and Recreation Board Minutes October 24,2001 Page 2 also have a subcommittee on recognition, reviewing how donors will be recognized and in what manner. Jean invited everyone who was interested to join the task force or donate to the fundraising effort. Lance Freeman inquired how the lease would be handled with the addition being added on to the main structure. Discussion followed with the following points: The task force has recommended that the facility be attached to the south site of the current building with a restroom. If the lease were to terminate after 10 years, the gym could be locked up and function on its own. The City would have a lease agreement of choice (up to 50 years) with just the gym, or have a buy back provision. If the City no longer wanted the gym or if the mall no longer wanted to have the YAC at that location, they would be able to get money back less depreciation. With this arrangement the City would never own it. Paul Hudnut inquired whether we could put up a temporary facility that could be moved to another location if necessary. Marty stated that they had not looked into that scenario, but he believed the City Code and lack of funding would limit them. Jean added that the current facility is at least 15 years old, so staff would like to think of it as a temporary move. Jean also stated that the group will begin publicizing the climbing wall (YAC Rocks) a bit more and will start advertising non-youth hours because the facility is showing an increase in adult use. Jean stated they would keep the Board apprised as they go along. New High School Park Site Craig Foreman presented a map of the new high school park site to the Board. The location of the school is one mile south of Harmony along Ziegler Road, Kecther Road and Rock Creek Drive. Total acreage of the site is 160 acres. About 50 acres will be allotted as a park and the remaining will be allotted to the school. An irrigation basin on the site will serve both the park and the school. Poudre School District is hoping to break ground for the school next year and open the facility in 2004. Staff is planning on constructing the park in 2009 or 2010. Craig pointed out that there is a main road that goes through the middle of the acreage to accommodate the school traffic that moves from the east side of the property on to the west side of the property. The road will have a park feel like the road in City Park. Mary Carlson inquired about bike lanes and Craig said that there would be adequate bike connections to other routes. Craig also commented that they are considering taking the tennis courts and moving them to another area over by the sports fields. He noted that they would be leaving the south end of the property as pastureland. He said that the ditch on the south end of property would make a nice feature in the park and the acreage was a good site for the City as it is a good location and it has many visual qualities. Dean Hoag noted that there was no football field on the plans. Craig said that French Field is still the main football field for PSD. Ross said that it was more cost effective for the school to have it in one location. Craig said that Southwest Community Park will probably be designed in 2003 and that staff is carefully watching the budget so we could buy this parkland with PSD. Marty said that we were putting ourselves in a more difficult financial situation to make this work, as our schedules are different from PSD. The concern is that we might face a stiff bill to buy the land and keep Southwest Community Park on track, but he felt we had enough as long as the growth continues.