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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Parks Advisory Board 2018-12-20 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, December 20, 2018 Minutes of a regular meeting of the Parks Advisory Board of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in Room 202 of Estes Park Town Hall on the 20th day of December, 2018. Present Merle Moore Vicki Papineau Wade Johnston Geoffrey Elliot Dewain Lockwood Also Present: Brian Berg, Parks Supervisor Megan Van Hoozer, Public Works Administrative Assistant Patrick Martchink, Town Board Liaison Kevin McEachern, Public Works Operations Manager Absent: Chair Merle Moore called the meeting to order at 8:37 a.m. PUBLIC COMMENT Lee and Molly Kemper, along with their representative Kent Bernbeck attended the PAB meeting to present their proposal for a bronze statue of their pet elk, Annie, to be erected in Bond Park. A powerpoint presentation was shown introducing Annie as well as sample sculptures created by the proposed artist. Mr. Kemper stated that he was contacted by an Estes Park veterinarian in 1973 requesting help with Annie. She’d been orphaned and attacked by coyotes at MacGregor Ranch and was needing rehabilitation. Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) intended to shoot her however Lee stood in front of her to prevent her death. At this time there were no reintroduction methods established. Mr. Kemper has devoted his entire life to caring for the elk in his possession and has paid for all care himself. Annie is almost 30 years of age and Mr. Kemper has two of her granddaughters in his possession. He’s currently caring for these three elk and one llama. The PAB thanked the Kempers for their presentation and stated that the matter would be discussed further and a determination made. Trustee Liaison Martchink informed the PAB that he discussed the proposed Art In Public Places Fund with the other Trustees and the Town Board would like to see a draft policy presented by the PAB. More information is needed in order for an informed decision to be made on implementing an allocation to that fund. Martchink initiated an email to the Town’s Finance Direct Duane Hudson. Hudson replied providing critical information regarding capital projects and associated 1% of each project to the AIPP fund. He provided various figures with caveats regarding grants. Funds involved are dependent on the capital projects performed each year. The designated project manager would then have to add these funds to the overall project Parks Advisory Board – December 20, 2018 – Page 2 cost. Hudson also stated that there needs to be a nexus between funding mechanism and project and that management of the funds needs to be determined. Once details are ironed out a proposal needs created. Martchink would like to see a formal policy for further discussion and adoption. Member Papineau asked Chair Moore if there is a model policy to reference. Moore doesn’t have current data so he will reach out to a few communities. GENERAL BUSINESS A motion was made and seconded (Johnston/Elliot) to approve the November meeting minutes and all were in favor. MRS WALSH’S GARDEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE (MWGAC) UPDATE The MWGAC has now created a google group to collaboratively review the garden’s mission statements, program planning, etc. Member Papineau asked if MWGAC has been receiving itemized statements regarding the MWG fund expenditures. She stated the committee should know the specific expenditures. Moore stated that the MWGAC has been hoping for year-end details. This information will aid with future planning. Berg will be providing this data to the MWGAC at the end of the year. NOXIOUS WEED ORDINANCE Supervisor Berg distributed the current version of the Town’s Noxious Weed Ordinance. The Town’s Code Enforcement Office Linda Hardin is responsible for enforcement of noxious weed ordinance violations however, due to time restrictions she performs more reactive enforcement. There currently exists an unfunded State mandate to dispose of noxious weeds however no specific language is contained outlining the appropriate methods for proper weed eradication. Verbiage needs expanded to include this information. The local ordinance can have stronger requirements than the State. The PAB has the knowledge base to best restructure and further detail the language. Chair Moore stated that simply stating the weeds need to be removed “prior to seed maturity of the different weed species” with an added chart would be very beneficial. Member Elliot stated that ordinance modification should include educational information and tools to properly handle the weeds. Member Papineau stated there is a huge problem in the Estes Valley. She’s heard many complaints that revegetation efforts fail due to the existing noxious weed issues. Supervisor Berg suggested potentially creating a subcommittee of the PAB to work in collaboration with Compliance Officer Hardin to define an appropriate ordinance. There is also the potential to partner with other entities (i.e. ELSA) that would like to see a stronger ordinance in place. Papineau informed the group that the next ELSA meeting will occur on January 3, 2019. The PAB will review the content of the ordinance and bring all comments to the next regularly scheduled meeting in January. Member Papineau will help liaison the subcommittee with help from Moore and Elliot. Papineau to establish a meeting date with Enforcement Officer Hardin within the next week. Parks Advisory Board – December 20, 2018 – Page 3 SENSORY GARDEN The Sensory Garden plan established by Tricia Morales-Diaz has been vetted through the Town officials needing involved (Public Information Officer, Public W orks Director, etc.). This stage of the plan initiates the push to get signs approved and the idea moving forward. Project details will be defined at a later date. The Town is hoping to partner with Visit Estes Park, Families for Estes, and other community organizations. Berg stated the entire location for the Sensory Garden would be re-irrigated. Chair Moore suggested establishing back-up plants for those being ‘touched’ as part of the Sensory Garden. For the faux river, Member Papineau suggested contacting Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) regarding epoxy testing done near the greenhouse and that will later be used near the Alluvial Fan. Member Elliot sugge sted contacting Doug Parker at the RMNP Trails Office. PARKS DIVISION UPDATE Berg was approached by Sunrise Rotary requesting installation of one or two donated flagstone picnic tables with benches near the Gazebo by the Wiest Parking lot. Berg is concerned that outdoor furniture placed in certain areas could cause additional work during snow operations. The width of that space would be very tight with non-movable tables. There is substantial seating already available and river access is critical to this location. Chair Moore suggested the potential of placing the donated tables by the existing benches rather than sticking more seating out in the middle. Berg will factor this into his evaluation of feasibility. Another option would be to remove a planting area destroyed during the construction of the newly replaced Moraine Avenue Bridge. With the loss of a key employee, Tricia Morales-Diaz in a couple months, Berg will be attending the CSU Career Fair to scout potential replacement. Parks staff will be attending the February ProGreen conference in Denver, CO. This conference offers excellent educational opportunities for staff. OTHER BUSINESS Chair Moore stated he’s noticed that the AIPP Brochures located at Town Hall need replenished. Moore also stated that Visit Estes Park’s (VEP) website regarding bronze statues in Estes Park is not accurate, complete nor cleaned up enough to hand out. The existing art inventory lives in Town Hall. Berg reminded the PAB that all agenda items need to be funneled through Chair Moore for addition to each meeting agenda in a timely manner. The PAB discussed the Annie the Elk presentation. Member Papineau stated this would be a good learning opportunity to teach public about how to properly interact with the animals. Co-Chair Johnston is torn based on the emotional presentation by the Kempers. Member Elliot stated that while he’s sympathetic to Lee’s story, the issue still remains that these are unnatural living circumstances. Parks Advisory Board – December 20, 2018 – Page 4 Elliot’s position has not changed and he still feels that the Town should not participate in memorializing Annie by allowing the statue on Town property. Private property is not an issue. There exists a taskforce to protect wildlife and allowing this would contradict efforts by task force. Moore feels the emotion conveyed in the presentation but concurs this is a bad message to send to the public and sets the wrong precedent. A motion was made and seconded to reject the proposal as it relates to Town property (Elliot/Papineau) and all were in favor. A motion was made and seconded (Elliot/Johnston) to adjourn the meeting at 10:11 and all were in favor. Recording Secretary Megan Van Hoozer, Public Works