Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Minutes

Regular Meeting – April 6, 2017

Meeting Location:  Lincoln Park Hospitality Suite

Roll Call

Board Members Present:  Kyle Emert

 Marc Litzen

 Scott McBrayer

 Gary Schroen

 Sam Susuras

 Bob Wiig

Board Members Absent:  Chris Kennedy

 Abby Landmeier

Parks & Recreation Staff Present:  Rob Schoeber, Director

 Mike Vendegna, Parks Superintendent

 Traci Wieland, Recreation Superintendent

Allison Little, Administrative Specialist

Item 1: Meeting Called to Order by acclimation at 12:05 p.m.

Item 2: Approve Minutes

The next meeting date was incorrectly listed as April 4, 2017. Kyle Emert made a motion to approve the minutes with the meeting date corrected to April 6, 2017. The motion was seconded by Scott McBrayer and carried unanimously.

Motion approved by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board: Yes 6 No 0

Item 3: Las Colonias Update

Rob talked with the Board about the Las Colonias Amphitheater. Construction is two months ahead of schedule. Landscaping will take place in May and June. On May 6 there will be a community tree planting event at the amphitheater. Over 100 trees will be planted that day. A ribbon cutting ceremony will take place on July 6.

As a part of the Amphitheater construction a slough was constructed to divert water off the main river and allow for more passive connection to the river by park users. Colorado Mesa University has partnered with the City to study a possible extension of the current slough and add a white water feature. The project is in the early stages and must undergo a fairly extensive permitting process and be approved by Colorado Fish and Wildlife, the Army Corps of Engineers and Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

Rob updated the board on the Las Colonias Business Park. Council has approved an incentive package between the City and Bonsai Design Incorporated to bring their business to Las Colonias Park. There will be ten pad sites total. Four should ready for construction by the end of 2017 with the remaining ready by the end of 2018.

Colorado Discover Ability (CDA) met their fundraising goal in March. They have drawn up plans for a building to include storage for all their kayaks and other equipment, drive-through garage for easy loading and unloading, offices, and a prep kitchen. The City will lease them land for a minimal fee and will also maintain the landscaping (with expenses charged back to CDA). In March staff began working with CDA to change the location of their land lease, to the west of the Botanical Gardens. They expect to break ground in June.

Item 4: Motorized vs. Non-motorized Use on Trails

Rob Schoeber talked with the board about the use allowed on the River Trail. The River Trail is governed by a number of different entities. About a year ago the Riverfront Commission sent a letter to the city urging adoption of a policy prohibiting motorized traffic. That policy was based on a GOCO policy which GOCO have since backed away from due to the evolution of ebikes and other motorized options. Currently there is legislation in the State House regarding an ebike classification system which make an ordinance easier to enforce. Mike Vendegna advised the board that most municipalities he talked to are waiting for the outcome of the legislation so that they can craft ordinances around it.

Item 5: For the Good of the Community

Kyle Emert asked if there was any further information on the assault that happened on the river trail. As summer approaches there is an increase in staff and volunteers on the trail with the presence of the Bike Patrol Officers, Trail Hosts and staff.

There was a “You Said It” that appeared in the paper regarding a “junkyard beyond the driving range at Tiara Rado.” Rob advised the board that this complaint appears to be regarding private property adjacent to the golf course.

Gary Schroen asked for clarification on meeting notice. This meeting’s packet was issued less than one week in advance of the meeting. Rob indicated that while the packet was delayed the bylaws require the meeting to be noticed for a week in advance. The City Clerk’s office has had this meeting noticed for significantly more than a week.

Item 7: Adjourn

The meeting adjourned by acclimation at 1:00 p.m.

Next meeting: April 27, 2017 at 12:00pm

Respectfully submitted,

Allison Little

Administrative Specialist