Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Parks Advisory Board 2019-04-18 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, April 18, 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 18th day of April, 2019. Present Merle Moore Vicki Papineau Geoffrey Elliot Dewain Lockwood Ron Wilcocks Rex Poggenpohl Wade Johnston Also Present: Brian Berg, Parks Supervisor Megan Van Hoozer, Public Works Administrative Assistant Patrick Martchink, Town Board Liaison Absent: N/A Chair Merle Moore called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. PUBLIC COMMENT Member Johnston reported on behalf of the Estes Arts District (EAD) and stated the EAD has secured the best closing act for the Friends of Folk Festival ever. This year’s Friends of Folk Festival is the primary focus at this time and will take place on June 25. The First Friday Art Groove will have free transportation provided in 2019 that will make stops at all galleries and bars. This event takes place year-round and has seen a significant bump in participation over the past few years. GENERAL BUSINESS There was a question about a new group called the BEstes Group whose focus is on local art and that has created a map for sculpture and other art viewing for the community. Member Wilcocks will investigate as no PAB members are familiar with the new group. Chair Moore expressed concern about an article in the newspaper on March 29. The Town’s Parking & Transit Division has published a Request for Proposal (RFP) for artists to submit banner designs for the parking structure. Moore stated that this type of activity should not be initiated without first going through the PAB. He stated that the PAB should initiate all RFP’s related to art per the guidelines. Administrative Assistant Van Hoozer expressed that, as administrative support for the PAB and the Public Works Department, there would be an inability to sustain that type of support should the PAB determine all art RFP’s go through the PAB rather than bringing their selected artwork forward for approval. Supervisor Berg mentioned this RFP would be published at the last monthly PAB meeting after clarifying discussions with Director Muhonen. Berg further clarified that the selection made by the Parking & Transit Division will still go Parks Advisory Board – April 18, 2019 – Page 2 through the required AIPP process. Co-chair Elliot stated that there would be opportunity to approve or deny the artwork at that time. Moore stressed the importance of understanding the guidelines and what PAB’s role in public art selection. Trustee Liaison Martchink reminded the group that the Arts in Public Places is a relatively new process and the requests are few and far between, and the policy in place is not necessarily the final iteration. Martchink suggested the PAB review the document regularly and fine-tune as needed. This topic will be added to the June meeting agenda. The most recent review of this document was conducted in November, 2018 however the new members on the PAB have not participated in a review of this information. A motion was made and seconded (Papineau/Poggenpohl) to approve the March meeting minutes and all were in favor. MRS WALSH’S GARDEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE (MWGAC) UPDATE Chair Moore reported that the Mrs. Walsh’s Garden’s (MWG) Committee is moving slowly on establishing the educational guidelines. A plan has been proposed and submitted for landscaping the large area a large area of grasses were removed. MOUNTAIN HERITAGE FESTIVAL UPDATE: Co-chair Elliot stated that all festival information has been distributed to vendors regarding event setup and teardown for the pool, planetarium, booths, etc. Elliot also stated that new this year is attendance by the local fire district and the Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) fire district. Publications are going out to try and involve more of the community rather than only local youth. The Parks Division will be purchasing books, in collaboration with the Estes Valley Library, to donate to the school. The book selections will come back to the PAB for approval. DUB UPDATES Berg distributed to the PAB the map of utility box locations selected for this year’s program. Berg worked with the Power & Communications Division to confirm approval and get the assigned boxes ready for the season. Berg also visited with Estes Valley Recreation and Park District’s Executive Director Tom Carosello to propose the utility box located at the Community Center be added to this year’s program ad Carosello was in agreement. Understanding the possibility of construction and/or utility projects having an impact on painted utility boxes, Berg spoke to Power & Communications to confirm that if boxes are impacted (without electrical incident), they can be relocated. The May PAB meeting’s primary focus will be on reviewing the submissions provided, making artist selections and assigning utility boxes to those artist. Member Wilcocks asked if the PAB’s involvement is needed to address the mural applied behind Performance Park on the back of the Thrift Store wall. He stated it is currently blocked by piles of garbage. This concern would need to be addressed by the Town’s Code Compliance Office, Linda Hardin. Berg agreed and stated that trash from Parks Advisory Board – April 18, 2019 – Page 3 that area blows into Performance Park requiring Parks Division staff to perform regular cleanup. AIPP FUNDING INVESTIGATION UPDATE Poggenpohl distributed to the PAB his documented research on AIPP Funding and welcomed suggestions. After researching he stated it is clear there are several successful AIPP programs. He contacted the State of Colorado for a list of Colorado towns with an AIPP program within Estes Park’s population range . Poggenpohl will review the list, being selective and contact them for more information. He will also expand his research to look at other funding options. Some communities have line item in budget specifically for art acquisition (i.e.Berthoud, Greeley and Lafayette). Poggenpohl will continue to gather information stating it would take significant effort and time to get this all researched and in place for a future meeting. Poggenpohl questioned why no Town surveys issued have asked questions that would specify the importance of public art. Member Papineau will look at numbers of how many pins have been distributed for the Pikas In The Park scavenger hunt program. Papineau suggested asking the Town Administrator’s office how many pins have been purchased. Poggenpohl also spoke to the Town’s Grant Specialist Christy Crosser, about potential grant opportunities for public art. Crosser stated that new roundabouts are planned for construction in town. The Downtown Estes Loop project has a f ederal grant possibility for public art. Supervisor Berg informed the engineers that designed the Loop project brought their plans before the PAB and this was part of the discussion on more than one occasion. Crosser informed Poggenpohl that now is the time to push for public art. Member Wilcocks will gather input from local artists on their ideas or suggestions for how to support public art. Wilcocks suggested tracking success per art event held. NOXIOUS WEED POLICY UPDATE Member Papineau reported this policy will be presented to Town Board Trustees at a study session on April 23. Letters of support have been received and will be provided as well. There was only one request for a letter of support, to the Estes Valley Land Trust (EVLT), that was denied. In reading the EVLT’s background information, Papineau reported it clearly states the entity will support regulations involving weeds. Martchink stated he’s made the Town Board aware this would be coming forward for adoption and suggested they review the material ahead of time to clearly understand the policy changes/additions. PARKS UPDATE Berg reported that the Parks Division is ramping up for the season. George Hix Riverside Plaza will be the first area to beautify, followed by Confluence Park, Bond Park, Elkhorn Avenue and Performance Park. The focus is on the downtown core with a completion goal of July 4. The hardscape installation at the new sensory garden is near completion. The musical instruments will not be installed until the end and the bouncy bridges, built in-house, will soon start to form. Parks Advisory Board – April 18, 2019 – Page 4 The Platte River Power Authority (PRPA) donated 1,200 trees to the Town, plus nine Ponderosa Pines for use as a wind block at the Events Center. Utilizing funds provided by Tree City USA, trees will be purchased for the parking structure. Many other trees for the Town will also be purchased. Berg reported that Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) suggested being prepared for Spruce Beetles this year. Chair Moore expressed concern that Parks Division staff was breaking up mulch at the base of the trees in town. Moore stated that in a natural ecosystem, pine needles stay in place. He’s concerned not only that the pine needles are being removed, thereby removing nitrogen, but that the trees are not being fertilized. Berg stated that a majority of what falls is left in place and covered with mulch for aesthetic purposes. Since all turf areas are being fertilized, all trees located in and around that area are also being fertilized. He did confirm there would be no intentional addition of fertilizer to trees. Berg understands the importance of leaving a majority of the nutrients generated by the composition breakdown and will continue to keep that in mind at all times. Moore questioned the status of the Town’s greenhouse expansion. Berg will add this request in the budget process again this year. Martchink confirmed this was discussed in last year’s budget process and that Director Muhonen advocated heavily. OTHER BUSINESS A motion was made and seconded (Lockwood/Johnston) to adjourn the meeting at 9:56 and all were in favor. Recording Secretary Megan Van Hoozer, Public Works