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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Parks Advisory Board 2018-09-20 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, September 20, 2018 Minutes of a regular meeting of the Parks Advisory Board of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in the Conference Room of the Estes Park Museum on the 20th day of September, 2018. Present Merle Moore Vicki Papineau Wade Johnston Dewain Lockwood Geoffrey Elliot Also Present: Brian Berg, Parks Supervisor Tricia Morales-Diaz, Parks Maintenance Worker Megan Van Hoozer, Public Works Administrative Assistant Absent: Patrick Martchink, Town Board Liaison Chair Merle Moore called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. PUBLIC COMMENT No public in attendance. GENERAL BUSINESS A motion was made and seconded (Lockwood/Papineau) to approve the August meeting minutes with minor corrections and all were in favor. MRS WALSH’S GARDEN (MWG) UPDATE Chair Moore reported that Parks staff have been working at MWG to remove any non- native plant materials not in accordance with scientific garden. MWG needs additional plant identification labels. MWGAC members requested more clarification on how funds for MWG are allocated. Supervisor Berg explained that the Town has two line items – maintenance and education. Supervisor Berg has already sent out line item costs to date. MWGAC is also interested in understanding budget for the potential purchase of additional land near MWG. Eventually they’d like to purchase land all the way to Elkhorn Lodge & Guest Ranch. The question was brought up about whether each year’s remaining funds are rolled over or if the funds are placed back into the endowment. The MWGAC is interested in future land purchases. Manager McEachern will confirm with the Town’s Finance Director what occurs with those funds. Trustee Liaison Martchink stated the importance of the MWGAC verifying whether land purchases are allowed with the education and maintenance restriction. Last Friday, committee members and Supervisor Berg were at MWG planting. Concerns arose about the noxious weeds growing up to the property line and MWGAC members pulled many of them. The recent Open House at MWG was successful and the hope is to make it an annual event. Glad to have supporting organizations in attendance. Parks Advisory Board – September 20, 2018 – Page 2 PARKS DIVISION UPDATE Parks crews:  have completed the last fertilization,  have been pulling pots, barrels, and select flower beds while elk are getting into a lot of the surrounding planters  Sidewalk washing occurred recently  Knoll Willows got hit hard from recent rain events. Staff need to get in and redo the work done the prior year.  Museum received a grant to repair the ruins and extend its outside platform. The Museum also received a $5K donation which will purchase a dual binocular set. Staff is planning strategic placement to enable great views.  Supervisor Berg is working on a grant application for the greenhouse expansion. There will be a couple contractors coming to view what is needed  Supervisor Berg is also working on a Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) grant, due November 30 for a new picnic shelter near the parking structure which will replicate the aesthetics of the parking structure and allow space for two tables. Member Papineau invited Supervisor Berg to view the RMNP greenhouse to see its amenities and what a larger greenhouse could look like. She also feels it would be beneficial to go over lessons learned from the layout of a larger greenhouse. OTHER BUSINESS Sensory Garden – Tricia Morales-Diaz Proposing Sensory Garden at George Hix Riverside Plaza (sight, hearing, touch and smell). Planning to install garden in the lower tier of the plaza. Morales-Diaz walked through with the PAB the plan of implementation, layout, activities, sitting areas, and entrance appeal. The garden should be fun, interactive and colorful. Morales-Diaz shared plant ideas with the PAB and requested feedback. She’s gathering information from multiple parties/municipalities for lessons learned. Chair Moore proposed putting Morales-Diaz in touch with someone from the Horticultural Therapy Institute to learn more about sensory gardens. Moore suggested this initiative be made even bigger than the plan to bring more attendance. He also suggested that the Sensory Garden be investigated further to see if Samaritan Village might consider working with the Parks Division to have such a therapy/demonstration garden developed on their property where it could be used by reside nts and be accessible to the public. Wayfinding planning – Engineering Mgr., David Hook Town is working on a wayfinding program based from the adopted Downtown Plan. Discussion about the advantages of program development. Public Works and Community Development are working together on the early stages of a plan. Hook mentioned that this information was also shared with the Transportation Advisory Board and is meeting with the PAB in preparation of the public meeting to be held October 11. Hook is gathering feedback from the citizen boards in order to make the best information available to the public. A news release will be issued soon and simultaneously the public information will be posted to the Town website. Public comment period will be allowed through the end of October. Ultimately a staff proposal Parks Advisory Board – September 20, 2018 – Page 3 will be brought before the Town Board on December 11. If approved, the implementation will occur in 2019. The key elements of feedback requested are regarding sign/kiosk locations, messaging types, and sign architecture. Hook provided handouts for review and discussion. A map with the potential pedestrian sign locations, parking signs and maps/kiosks was handed out to PAB members. He then provided sign samples for review and discussion. Chair Moore asked if these will be lighted signs. Hook stated this has not yet been discussed but will be incorporated into feedback. Moore also asked if the distance to each destination would be provided. He expressed his concern about potential over - design of the signs in this community. Hook stated this has been discussed and will be further evaluated. Other feedback received is that we shouldn’t go cheap. Materials are being discussed and will be opened up to the public during outreach. Hook is hoping to provide costs of materials to help the public make a more informed decision. Moore and Papineau both agree this is overkill. Moore likes the idea of lighted kiosks. Trustee Liaison Martchink stated the importance of there being a balance between utilitarian need and aesthetics. Member Elliott feels the signs in Concept 1 are great but there have been too many locations identified. Berg reminded Hook that, while planning, to be thoughtful of the lack of space existing on the sidewalks. Elliot requested a mock-up of a combination sign suggested by the TAB be provided for review. AIPP Funding - Chair Moore Chair Moore handed out to the PAB, a draft of a recommended proposal regarding AIPP Funding that could potentially be provided to the Town Board. Moore asked that members review the draft and provide feedback at the October meeting. Moore used other communities as sample. One question is whether or not this is practical or if we should work with the Estes Arts District for sculpture art. Member Elliott wonders how to proceed if that is what is decided. Moore stated there are multiple ways to implement, with one of those ways being contractual. Co-Chair Johnston reviewed other communities that use transient taxes (hotel/motel, etc.) to fund public art. More research is needed but this topic will be next month’s focus. AIPP Application: Yarn Bombing The PAB reviewed an AIPP Application for 201 9 Yarn Bombing. Supervisor Berg stated that last year yarn bombs were placed in annual beds although it was agreed this would not occur; the upkeep was poor and the yarn became tacky with complaints being reported. If this event is considered the applicant needs invited to the next meeting for discussion of the issues. Berg spoke to coordinator to relay issues but will send the list again and invite them for discussion. Member Elliott stated that attendance is required for consideration of approval. Chair Moore inquired as to the status of PAB openings. Megan Van Hoozer will find out and provided the information to PAB members. Moore is wondering if a review of the Bylaws is needed due to the stipulations placed on applicants: specifically the two -year residency and the boundary area. Parks Advisory Board – September 20, 2018 – Page 4 With no further business to discuss, a motion was made and seconded (Moore/Johnston) to adjourn the meeting at 10:03 a.m. and all were in favor.