Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Minutes

Regular Meeting – September 1, 2016

Meeting Location:  Parks and Recreation Administrative Conference Room

Roll Call

Board Members Present:  Kyle Emert

 Abby Landmeier

 Marc Litzen

 Scott McBrayer

 Sam Susuras

Parks & Recreation Staff Present:  Rob Schoeber, Director

 Mike Vendegna, Parks Superintendent

 Traci Wieland, Recreation Superintendent

Allison Little, Administrative Specialist

City Staff Present  Phyllis Norris, Mayor

Item 1: Meeting Called to Order by Marc Litzen at 12:00 p.m.

Item 2: Approval of Minutes

Kyle Emert moved to approve the August 4, 2016 Parks and Recreation Advisory Board minutes. Scott McBrayer seconded. The minutes were approved unanimously.

Motion approved by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board: Yes 5 No 0

Item 3: Budget Review

Rob Schoeber talked with the Board about the next steps in bringing them up to speed on the Parks and Recreation Department budget process. Rob updated the board about capital improvement projects (CIP) in process for 2016 and under consideration for 2017. He began with an overview of funding sources available for CIP projects and what guidelines each funding source carries. So far, the Parks and Recreation department has completed six different CIP projects in 2016 with another five projects underway. There are two projects that remain budgeted and under consideration for 2016. There are 13 projects under consideration for 2017. Some are projects that recur or are continued from 16 while others are dependent on grants or donations. Others will go through the city process in hopes of being funded.

Item 4: Project Updates

•  Traci Wieland updated the board on the slough project at Las Colonias Park. The project has received a grant from Colorado Parks and Wildlife that was submitted by Ducks Unlimited. There is a great deal of support from a number of agencies for returning the river to its natural state.

•  Mike updated the board on the North Avenue Median project. The contractor has almost completed their work, so the parks crew will really begin ramping up their work to complete the landscaping the sidewalks and medians.

•  Marc Litzen talked with the board about the request from the August meeting by the Western Slope Model Yacht Club. FCI is working with the Parks division at placing a boat dock. All Metals Welding has donated some materials, FCI is donating their expertise and was able to get other materials donated so that a dock will be placed on the north end of the pond near the trees. Thank you to Marc and FCI for heading up this project.

•  Rob informed the board that the Department won a Columbine award from Colorado Parks and Recreation Association for Phase 1 of Las Colonias Park that will be presented at the Colorado Parks and Recreation Association Annual Conference on September 22 held in Grand Junction. In addition, the department won two Starburst Awards from the Colorado Lottery for Tamarisk Removal at Matchett and Phase 1 of Las Colonias Park. The two Starburst Awards will be presented at the City Council Meeting on September 21.

•  Marc Litzen asked the Board if talking about the pros and cons of a Recreation District would be beneficial in a future meeting.

Item 5: For the Good of the Community

•  Kyle Emert told the Board that he had called about a large amount of glass on the Lunch Loop and he appreciated the Parks staff cleaning it up so well. Rob thanked Kyle for calling in the hazard. Mike Vendegna told the Board that the Lunch Loop was built over an old land fill and as usage continues more glass may work itself to the surface. He thanked Kyle for the call and encouraged folks to continue to call so staff can keep it cleaned up.

•  Kyle Emert also mentioned that he took some out of town family to the Canyon View Playground. The playground was great though it seemed like there was a large amount of trash. Staff does check the playground for trash twice a day.

•  Abby Landmeier told the board that United Way appreciates the partnership with the Parks and Recreation department at Pork and Hops and Pumpkins at Dark.

Item 6: Next Meeting

Rob talked briefly with the board about moving the next meeting to an evening meeting that would be a longer, workshop style meeting for the board to discuss longer term (three – five years) Capital Improvement Projects.

Item 7: Adjourn

Meeting adjourned at 1:09 p.m. by acclimation.

Next Meeting: Tentatively set for October 12, 2016 at 5:30pm

Respectfully submitted,

Allison Little

Administrative Specialist