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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Parks Advisory Board 2018-01-18 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, January 18, 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 18th day of January, 2018. Present Carlie Bangs Vicki Papineau Merle Moore Dewain Lockwood Wade Johnston Geoffrey Elliot Also Present: Megan Van Hoozer, Public Works Administrative Assistant Patrick Martchink, Town Board Liaison Brian Berg, Parks Division Supervisor Absent: Ronna Boles Acting Chair Merle Moore called the meeting to order at 8:35 a.m. PUBLIC COMMENT No public comments GENERAL BUSINESS It was moved and seconded (Papineau/Bangs) to approve the December meeting minutes and the motion passed unanimously. PARKS DIVISION UPDATE Youth on Board: Two students were selected to join the PAB this year. At this point there has been minimal contact and there’s been difficulty getting them to the meetings. A survey was recently sent by Jill Lancaster regarding this program and frustrations were expressed with the apparent lack of commitment by the students. It may be due to the students being of younger ages. Mountain Heritage Festival: Member Wade Johnston volunteered to be the PAB liaison with Member Bang’s scheduling conflicts for this year’s festival. The focus this year will be more on kids and kids will be presenting projects. Acting Chair Merle Moore discussed having a banner created to identify the PAB booth at the festival. Supervisor Berg stated it would be an approximate $200 investment. Since there would be annual usage, it was decided that it may not be a bad investment. Park Bench Replacement: 99.9% of the old benches in town have been replaced. Parks Division Spring Preparation:  All flowers have been ordered for the coming Spring  The Parks Division will start rehabilitation of the juniper beds this year. This will take place in front of the library, in the library parking lot, and in the Performance Parks Advisory Board – January 18, 2018 – Page 2 Park parking lot. Those in front of the library may be replaced with aspen spores as there are existing aspen trees.  The Decorating Utility Boxes (DUB) process has been reassigned to Supervisor Berg for management moving forward. This was a directive from Utilities Director Bergsten to remove staff support due to time demands. It was suggested there be a representative of Light & Power at the PAB meetings during the artwork selection process. A motion was made and seconded (Moore/Johnston) to proceed with making this request and all were in favor. The Parks Division worked with the Streets Division to remove three very large dead ponderosa pine trees on Mocassin Drive. This was a preventative measure due to the risk of the trees falling into the road. AIPP GUIDELINES: A motion was made and seconded (Papineau/Bangs) to accept the edits made to the AIPP Guidelines along with today’s final edits and all were in favor (see attached – edits highlighted in green). MRS WALSH’S GARDEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE: Supervisor Berg and Acting Chair Merle Moore introduced the agenda and minutes from the first meeting of Mrs. Walsh’s Garden Advisory Committee (“Committee”). These meetings are scheduled monthly at the Estes Valley Library. Berg described the interface to take place between the Committee and PAB / Town of Estes Park. A couple committee members have been assigned to update the inventory of Mrs. Walsh’s Garden (“Garden”). In order to identify the existing plants this work cannot take place until spring to allow for growth. There will be a review of the existing plant labels as some have been misplaced within the Garden. At that time it will be ensured that either all needed labels are available or that some will need ordered. Goals and objectives were defined at the first meeting and folks are ready to get to work in the Garden. One issue with planting native species, which is a requirement of the Garden, is the rarity of finding them in area greenhouses. Once the Garden inventory is updated, a plant list will be developed and those needing added can be identified. Joan Sapp and Acting Co-Chair Moore met soon after the 2013 flood and developed a listing of what would be included in the Garden. Moore indicated that with the Garden being donated to the Town, there is a potential for a portion of the designated funds to be applied toward an expansion of the Town’s existing greenhouse. This would allow the Town to grow the native plants in-house. Member Papineau will mention the need for greenhouse space to RMNP to see if there’s a possibility of sharing their greenhouse space . Member Geoffrey Elliot suggested the PAB reach out to the universities regarding greenhouse space and the possibility that they may have the seeds for the native species needed. The Garden of Spring Creek also has seed exchanges available. OFFICER ELECTIONS Annually, in January, officer elections take place. Member Dewain Lockwood nominated Merle Moore for Chairperson of the PAB for 2018 and all were in favor. Member Elliot nominated Carlie Bangs for Co-Chair of the PAB for 2018 and all were in favor. ESTES ARTS DISTRICT (EAD) UPDATE Parks Advisory Board – January 18, 2018 – Page 3 Nick Smith, Chair of the Estes Arts District, attended today’s meeting and appreciates the invitation by Acting Chair Moore. Smith expressed his intent to participate in the PAB moving forward. Moore asked that Smith be aware that there is intent to present something to the Town Board requesting they consider allotting a percentage of all town construction projects to be set aside which would contribute to art in the community. Moore is hoping the arts organizations in town would provide a show of support when it comes time to present to the board. Most towns with an AIPP program have 1-2% of their project funding directed to art contributions. Smith expressed his agreement with this plan and will provide support. Supervisor Berg requested Smith provide Arts District updates to the PAB at each meeting so all are on the same page and opportunities for collaboration can be identified. Smith reported that the First Friday Art Groove is February 2. This activity will stay open later than last year. There will be music, wine & cheese, and walking crews to introduce content of the individual galleries. The Friends of Folk Festival for Dick Orleans will occur on June 26. This was very successful last year and the Estes Arts District is hoping to make it even better this year. Significant changes have taken place in the EAD organization with the first being the appointment of a new chairperson, Nick Smith. EAD is changing direction to improve quality of life through arts and culture for the residents of Estes Park and Smith is committed to leading this initiative. Acting Chair Moore made it clear that the PAB fully supports participating in collaborative efforts. OTHER BUSINESS  At the previous PAB meeting, a discussion took place regarding the potential for grant availability for parks within the Downtown Estes Loop project. Member Bangs has been looking into this potential and wanted to mention that one item noted, which is consistent across various grant requirements, is the need for support and collaboration from other agencies/businesses. This is something to keep in mind.  Trustee Liaison Martchink asked if there was any type of prioritized list related to the utility boxes for DUB artwork. This may be a beneficial tool for business owners wanting their boxes painted. If their utility box is on the list of boxes Light & Power has determined will be painted, the business owner may decide to wait rather than commission an artist themselves.  Martchink had an opportunity to view the Parks Division greenhouse and with the acquisition of Mrs. Walsh’s Garden, he definitely sees the importance of expanding greenhouse space. Martchink feels it is a great idea to utilize the Garden funds to help with greenhouse expansion. These f unds would help get the project moving forward.  The end of February or first part of March was determined to be the general timeframe to publish a Request for Proposal (RFP) for 2018 DUB artwork submissions. Member Papineau plans to touch base with Member Boles to confirm. Member Wade Johnston expressed his interest in presenting art for this Parks Advisory Board – January 18, 2018 – Page 4 program. He is aware that he will be unable to vote on artwork submitted during this process. With no further business to discuss, the motion was made and seconded (Moore/Papineau) to adjourn the meeting at 9:25 am.