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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Parks Advisory Board 2015-04-24 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, April 24th, 2015 Minutes of a Regular meeting of the Parks Advisory Board of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in the Town Hall Rooms 202 & 203, in said Town of Estes Park on the 24th day of April, 2015. Present: Merle Moore Ronna Boles Celine Lebeau Dewain Lockwood Also Present: Greg Muhonen, Public Works Director Kevin McEachern, Public Works Operations Manager Brian Berg, Parks Division Supervisor Jen Imber, Public Works Administrative Assistant Bob Holcomb, Town Board Trustee Absent: Chris Reed Terry Rustin Chair Lebeau called the meeting to order at 11:04 a.m. GENERAL BUSINESS It was moved and seconded (Lockwood/Moore) to approve the March 20th meeting minutes and the motion passed unanimously. Since the normal PAB meeting time in May falls on the date of the Arbor Day Celebration at the elementary school, members decided to move the May meeting forward to the 8th instead of the 15th. The meeting will take place on that date from 11am in the Engineering Conference Room. Ronna Boles suggested a “Life Tree” or something along those lines at the school in memory of the students who have passed away recently. Brian Berg indicated the Town would donate a tree if the school was supportive , with the school responsible for obtaining a plaque. Ronna will talk to the school superintendent about the tree donation. ARBOR DAY 2015 Chair Lebeau and Ronna Boles have been working on Arbor Day materials. Water bottles have been ordered and a portion of the books have been delivered, with plaques installed on the covers. Art contest entries have been received but have not been narrowed down, so an email vote will be taken to determine winners. Pencils and temporary tattoos will be ordered in addition to the water bottles for prizes. Ronna worked to develop artwork to be placed on the water bottles with the slogan of “plant, grow, breathe” printed on them. The event schedule will be finalized and invitations and a news release sent out in the next week. The Mayor will proclaim May the “Month of the Tree” at the April 28th Town Board meeting. PUBLIC ART POLICY AND ORDINANCE Merle Moore addressed the attorney comments to the public art policy. Brian Berg explained that issues came to light when the policy was reviewed by the Town attorney and Administration had concerns about the policy becoming an ordinance versus a policy, especially the funding portion of the program. The issues are administrative and program format more so than substance. Administration is not keen to revise municipal code and make the program an ordinance and would prefer to see it adopted as a Town policy. Director Muhonen suggested some quick changes to bring the current document in line with what Administration is looking for in the “f unds for works of art” section, with maintenance and capital being addressed through line items in the Parks budget. The concern is obligating the Town Board to fund money each year for art work. PAB members argued that the ordinance did not obligate the Board to a certain dollar amount, only that a budget proposal would be brought forward by PAB and requested of the Town Board. Parks Advisory Board – April 24th, 2015 – Page 2 Merle feels an ordinance is more concrete and a policy is not as solid. Ronna questioned whether an ordinance or a policy gives PAB more authority in case of backlash or public criticism. Celine expressed concern that Town was committing to an art program and art in town, but the policy doesn’t ensure maintenance funds even for existing art. Merle countered that the Town has demonstrated commitment to maintenance by funding it each year so far. Merle held that every other town’s program that was referred to as an example in creating Estes Park’s program is tied to an ordinance, so Estes Park would be taking a very different approach. PAB would like Merle to sit down with Administrator Lancaster and Director Muhonen to further discuss the program. The timeframe on getting the final draft to the Town Board would be need to be pushed back a bit, with PAB continuing discussion and voting on the final draft at the May 8th meeting and taking it to the Town Board in May. With no other business to discuss, a motion was made and seconded (Lockwood/Boles) to adjourn the meeting at 12:05 pm, with all voting in favor.