HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Parks Advisory Board 2019-03-21
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, March 21, 2019
Minutes of a regular meeting of the Parks Advisory Board of the Town of Estes Park,
Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in the Administration Conference Room, Room
150, of Town Hall on the 21st day of March, 2019.
Present Merle Moore
Vicki Papineau
Geoffrey Elliot
Dewain Lockwood
Ron Wilcocks
Rex Poggenpohl
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: Wade Johnston
Chair Merle Moore called the meeting to order at 8:34 a.m.
Chair Moore introduced the new member in attendance, Rex Poggenpohl. Poggenpohl
shared some personal history and the existing TAB members introduced themselves.
PUBLIC COMMENT
No public was in attendance.
GENERAL BUSINESS
A motion was made and seconded (Wilcocks/Elliot) to approve the February meeting
minutes and all were in favor.
MRS WALSH’S GARDEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE (MWGAC) UPDATE
Chair Moore reported that Mrs. Walsh’s Garden’s (MWG) Mission Statement has
reached final approval by the committee members.
MWG will have a table located near the PAB table at this year’s Mountain Heritage
Festival to provide further education about the garden.
Supervisor Berg discussed the work occurring at MWG and what is yet to occur, and
expressed that he counts on the specialized knowledge of the MWG subcommittee.
Committee meetings occur on the second Wednesday of each month and are led by
Joan Sapp.
MOUNTAIN HERITAGE FESTIVAL UPDATE:
Co-chair Elliot stated that the planning phase is going very well. The festival will occur
on Friday, May 3 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The planning committee is working with
Avid for Adventure to have the pool set up at the Pavilion where the kids can enjoy fly
Parks Advisory Board – March 21, 2019 – Page 2
fishing casting and cardboard boat races. There will be music for the younger audience.
A press release will go out later in April. A planetarium will also be available this year for
middle school students and archery will be back and farm animals will be available.
There will be no Saturday activities this year.
Supervisor Berg will work with the library to identify books that the Parks Division will
purchase for the annual book donation to the grade school library. The Parks Division
will educate attendees on the proper method of tree planting. The Mayor's Arbor Day
proclamation will occur around 11:15 a.m.
DUB LOCATIONS
Supervisor Berg has selected several utility box locations that are geared to high traffic
areas in the downtown core. Member Lockwood suggested that the utility boxes located
near the drive-thru at McDonalds be done due to the high visibility. Berg stated he likes
that suggestion however those utility boxes are on private property so they would not fit
into the scope of the work for which we’re requesting proposals. Those utility boxes
near the school will potentially be addressed next year. Supervisor Berg will reach out to
the teachers to discuss the potential of the schoolkids applying their artwork.
The large utility box in Bond Park, belonging to the Parks Division, will also be done this
year. The Parks Division will be paying for the decorating of this box outside the
standard Light & Power funds used for the others.
Wilcocks stated that local artists have been asking how to get involved with the DUB
program and he agreed to spread the word. Administrative Assistant Van Hoozer will
send a notification to the PAB at the time the RFP has been posted. Box selection is
necessary to determine how many boxes we can afford to have painted this year.
PAB reviewed the locations suggested by Supervisor Berg and he discussed the
selections.
A motion was made and seconded (Poggenpohl/Wilcocks) to approve the locations
suggested and all were in favor.
WEED MANAGEMENT PLAN UPDATE
The Parks Division expanded and revised the previously approved plan, adding
information about unfunded state regulations for weed management. Supervisor Berg
requested the PAB review and make recommendations for any needed changes or
expansion. The Weed Management Plan also relates to the Noxious Weed code work
being done by Vicki Papineau and Code Compliance Officer Linda Hardin.
NOXIOUS WEED POLICY UPDATE
Officer Harden will be presenting the new policy language to the Town Board at a study
session on April 9, 2019. If letters of support are being provided, they need received by
April 1. Chair Moore is working on list of entities to reach out to for letters of support.
Moore will also draft a generic sample support letter and will provide supporting
documentation. There is a very short timeline to get this item on the April 9 agenda with
the support letters. If not all letters have been received the item m ay need added to a
future agenda. The intent was to have the new language in place for the coming weed
season.
Parks Advisory Board – March 21, 2019 – Page 3
The PAB discussed appropriate communication methods to notify residents and
businesses of the new code language. Ideas presented included: notify at distribution of
weed booklets; send out as a press release and social media updates; include language
in the Town Bugle; request distribution of information by the U.S. Bureau of
Reclamation. Supervisor Berg will work with the Town’s Public Information Officer Kate
Rusch for promotion of the new ordinance.
Trustee Liaison Martchink anticipates resistance to the new ordinance language stating
that not all residents fully understand the different weeds.
PARKS UPDATE
Berg informed the PAB that the Parking & Transit Division is actively working with the
Estes Arts District on banner design for the parking structure. All final decisions will
come to the PAB to follow the Arts In Public Places (AIPP) process.
The Parks Division currently has three or four spots remaining to be filled as a part of
the seasonal hiring process. A key member of the Parks crew, Tricia Morales-Diaz’s last
day working for the Town is April 12. Berg has decided to hold off on full-time hiring to
fill the position and see what the seasonal employees bring to the table. It is about
having a good team dynamic.
Trees along Brodie Avenue were recently removed to accommodate the new Safe
Routes to School path and other improvements this summer. Berg stated they
attempted to replant the trees but due to how they’d grown, it would not have been
successful.
Citizens attending the Citizen Information Academy (CIA) are visiting the Parks shop
today.
Chair Moore shared a concern about the serious winter problem that occurs at the east
end of the pedestrian tunnel under US 36. He stated that a solution needs identified due
to the inevitable ice that requires a pedestrian step on it to get through. Berg stated that
with the construction beginning in that location, one of the contractors is planning to cut
through there within the next month at which time he will be addressing that issue.
Moore also stated that the Mountain Ash tree that was removed at Tregent Park was
done poorly and needs addressed. Berg relayed his awareness of that but was holding
off on full removal due to irrigation currently located on the other side of tree. Berg plans
to address this tree in the spring. Moore suggested it be cut to ground.
Chair Moore stated that, due to Member Poggenpohl’s background in corporate art, he
take the lead on researching avenues for funding for Arts In Public Places for ultimate
presentation to the Town Board. Poggenpohl agreed but want to review the available
material with Chair Moore first. Member Wilcocks expressed the importance of
reviewing the adopted community vision on public art reflected in the Downtown Plan.
Wilcocks stated there is strong community and business support for public art.
OTHER BUSINESS
Elliot asked about the process for utility box painting on private property. Berg stated
that defining that process will occur in the future. The DUB process is still fairly new and
is still be refined.
Parks Advisory Board – March 21, 2019 – Page 4
Wilcocks informed the PAB that the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB), of which he is
a member, has been discussing and identifying additional trail needs, along with
priorities, and have been reviewing the Estes Valley Trails Master Plan Map.
Administrative Assistant Van Hoozer will forward the list, once finalized, to the PAB for
review and input.
Wilcocks asked if the PAB was aware of the Frisby Golf Course being put in by the
Estes Valley Recreation and Parks District. No PAB members were aware.
There was also a newspaper article about a Lost Loop Trail that begins at the Visitor
Center, winding around town to see 100+ pieces of art or other interesting areas. No
PAB members were aware of the trail plans.
Moore would like to continue a discussion about an arboretum that was planned in
years past. This was not fulfilled due to the irrigation requirements and obstacles. The
Parks Division will be thinking about a plan for a type of town-wide arboretum that
presents itself most feasible for success.
A motion was made and seconded (Elliot/Lockwood) to adjourn the meeting at 9:55 and
all were in favor.
Recording Secretary
Megan Van Hoozer, Public Works