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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Parks Advisory Board 2019-09-19 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, September 19, 2019 Minutes of a regular meeting of the Parks Advisory Board of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in the Museum Conference Room of the Estes Park Museum on the 19th day of September, 2019. Present Merle Moore Vicki Papineau Ron Wilcocks Rex Poggenpohl Wade Johnston Also Megan Van Hoozer, Public Works Administrative Assistant Present: Elias Wilson, Public Works Administrative Assistant Patrick Martchink, Town Board Liaison Brian Berg, Parks Supervisor Kevin McEachern, Operations Manager Greg Muhonen, Public Works Director Absent: Dewain Lockwood Geoffrey Elliot Chair Merle Moore called the meeting to order at 8:34 a.m. PUBLIC COMMENT Estes Arts District (EAD) – Member Wade Johnston stated that planning is taking place for next year with the potential of a band camp on an ongoing basis. League of Women Voters (LWV) President Liz Zornes, Treasurer Cherie Martin, and Member Judy Schaffer were in attendance. LWV extends their thanks for the efforts and contributions of the Town’s Art In Public Places (AIPP) program. 2020 is the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. With there being no existing pieces of significant artwork in town paying tribute to any of the founding women of Estes Park, the LWV proposes that a committee be established to identify an appropriate piece of artwork to pay tribute. It was expressed that neither Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) nor Estes Park would exist without these pioneering women. The LWV would love to collaborate with this committee on the artwork and The Estes Park Woman’s Club (EPWC) would also be interested in participating in the artwork collaboration, with the hopes of offering financial support for the project. Supervisor Berg confirmed his support of the idea and stated the PAB could explore designating such a committee. GENERAL BUSINESS A motion was made and seconded (Papineau/Wilcocks) to approve the August meeting minutes and all were in favor. Parks Advisory Board – September 19, 2019 – Page 2 ESTES PARK NOXIOUS WEED ORDINANCE - UPDATE Lt. Rick Life and Code Enforcement Officer Michael Madachy were in attendance to discuss the Noxious Weed Ordinance and associated enforcement. Life said that it has been an adventure learning about the challenges of noxious weeds and described the difficultly of positive identification due to the close relation and similarity to native plants. Life stated the importance of educating the community on identification and proper treatment. While some educational efforts are in motion, the efforts need increased. Member Wilcocks asked Lt. Life if the current enforcement aligns with state-mandated enforcement. Life specified that in order to develop the most effective plan several considerations are being made to ensure alignment with the State and to ensure the best outcomes for the Town. Life further stated that Estes Park can’t enforce anything more than is currently being done due to lack of the needed resources to maintain the entire town. Code Enforcement Officer Madachy has been educating residents about the importance of dealing with noxious weeds. It was suggested to, during the next update of the Estes Land Stewardship Association’s (ELSA) “14 Very Unwanted Weeds” booklet, ensure the descriptions and photos of the noxious weeds are more detailed to aid in better identification. 2020 AIPP FUNDING – WOMEN OF ESTES Member Wilcocks asked the PAB to vote on a resolution supporting the creation of a monument for the historic women of Estes Park to present to the Town Board. The resolution only asks for the support of the Town Board and does not ask for funding. Member Poggenpohl suggested that the resolution include language requesting Town Board approval of the PAB acting as the selection committee for the artwork. Chair Moore questioned why a sculpture would be the only acceptable artwork. Wilcocks responded that there are several bronze sculptures around town and this would ensure the piece is long-lasting and significant. Member Poggenpohl suggested that before the PAB works to narrow it down it would be beneficial to have more involvement from the community. Member Wilcocks suggested that the word “bronze” be stricken from the resolution. Trustee Liaison Martchink suggested the PAB request Town Board approval of proceeding with this concept, with selection and discussion of the designs at a later date. Member Wilcocks stated that, regarding forming a PAB subcommittee for the artwork determination, the PAB isn’t required to obtain Town Board approval. Wilcocks further stated that he wants the Town Board support of the artwork, with Bond Park being the location due to its prominent location. Budgets, fundraising, RFPs, and timeframes will need to be created, but without the support of the Town this will not be possible. Supervisor Berg stated that PAB should ask the Town Board for the specific land location of where they’d like to see this this artwork. Wilcocks strongly believes that Bond Park is the best location to pay tribute to the pioneering women. The LWV prefers the selected piece be in Bond Park because the area has been heavily influenced by women. Parks Advisory Board – September 19, 2019 – Page 3 Member Poggenpohl suggested the PAB organize a committee to come up with a proposal, then approach the Town Board for approval. Director Muhonen stated he believes the Town Board has already shown report a s evidenced at the Town Board Meeting wherein the Decorating Utility Box (DUB) selections were approved. Muhonen stated that Member Poggenpohl’s suggestion for a subcommittee would get the process moving but reminded the group that there are other areas already designated for artwork in Estes Park if the Town Board is interested. Chair Moore indicated that a resolution is not necessary at this time. Wilcocks removed the previous resolution and made a motion to form a subcommittee that will reach out to stakeholders to create the monument. Member Poggenpohl seconded the motion and all were in favor. Wilcocks will lead the subcommittee and bring recommendations for stakeholder involvement. MRS WALSH’S GARDEN COMMITTEE UPDATE At the last regularly scheduled meeting it was discussed there is a need for a professional Master Plan for Mrs. Walsh’s Garden (“Garden”). Supervisor Berg stated that the Parks Division staff will repair the waterfall and reposition the rock as these were heavily damaged in the 2013 Flood. The Mrs. Walsh’s Garden Advisory Committee (MWGAC) recommended requesting the Parks Division issue an RFP to locate a vendor with the needed expertise to create the Master Plan. Supervisor Berg stated that before this type of determination can be made, all need to be aware the design cannot be something the Parks Division isn’t able to maintain. If the plan includes too various of plants types and soil types it would be very difficult to maintain. Member Poggenpohl suggested Berg be involved with the RFP process to ensure this is addressed. Poggenpohl also suggested an employee specifically designated to the Garden would be beneficial for the Parks Division. Berg stated that, without buy-in from the staff it would be difficult to ensure that the Garden is properly maintained. The design needs to be practical. Chair Moore stated that the Garden is a native plant garden so, in some cases, it could be redesigned to better care for the plants within. He also commented that a Parks Division staff member would have to be dedicated to the Garden to ensure consistency of care. Moore stated there should be $41,000 in the Trust and that an additional amount will be added at the end of this year. Supervisor Berg said that, depending on hiring a dedicated staff member to the Garden, the budget may have $60,000 - $70,000 available for next year. Trustee Liaison Martchink asked if there any allowable funds for a Master Plan design for the Garden. Director Muhonen stated there are designated funds already in place through the trust. The Parks Division is responsible for those funds. This motion is to help guide staff on how to spend the money from the trust. Berg stated that the waterfall needs repaired this summer regardless of a Master Plan. Parks Advisory Board – September 19, 2019 – Page 4 Moore stated that without a Master Plan the Garden could end up in a situation where individuals are adding their own personal projects which may not align with the purpose of the Garden. Poggenpohl asked why the PAB can’t have a Master Plan completed this Fall with construction beginning in the Spring for the waterfall and the rest of the Garden. Poggenpohl offered to help supervise the process to ensure the designers and architects are moving along. Berg stated that getting a contractor to come install a waterfall will be a difficult task. MWGAC requests that the Parks Division issue an RFP to identify a contractor who is qualified, has the appropriate expertise, and who has demonstrated an ability to develop an overall garden master plan that incorporates planting areas designed specifically for site-appropriate native plant materials. The RFP is also to include a specific site development plan for the pond and waterfall areas and a construction bid for that portion. The recommendation was adapted to allow the Parks Division to publish the RFP and all were in favor. AIPP FUNDING RESEARCH Member Poggenpohl stated the two things needed for AIPP. The first is funding and the second is an Arts Advisory Committee to aid PAB in making decisions regarding maintenance of art. A project would need budgeted and a reserve account would be established for the determined percentage. Chair Moore asked if the changes to the guidelines will impact the ordinance. Poggenpohl suggested PAB design a new ordinance that requires funding. The $5,000 shown on the handout is open for discussion if the Town Board would like to adjust the amount. Establishing a fund would ensure the possibility of future art projects in Estes Park. Moore suggested the handout be taken home and studied. Wilcocks asked if the language of this handout would supersede what is stated in the AIPP Guidelines related to the Maintenance Fund. Director Muhonen stated the document language needs adjusted. Discussions continued about the desired amount to be requested. Moore asked for data from different towns reflecting the percentage of the programs having similar funding programs. Poggenpohl responded that 11 out of 27 had a system like this, ranging from .5% to 1.5%. This is fairly comprehensive. A cap may need set on the amount, if applying to a $27 million project, for example. A Master Plan will need to be in place prior to requesting funding for this program. At the next regularly scheduled meeting, there should be discussion on completion of an Art Master Plan. Muhonen stated that if the ordinance moves forward, it may make sense to wait and use the funding for the Master Plan. Wilcocks stated that the EAD is very open to working with the PAB and would be interested in contributing to an Art Master Plan. Wilcocks will reach out to the Arts Center of Estes Park and the Fine Arts Guild to gauge their level of desire to become involved. Muhonen suggested that once an art committee is formed their first project should be for the historic women of Estes Park. Parks Advisory Board – September 19, 2019 – Page 5 Chair Moore requested that Administrative Assistant Van Hoozer send out the notes taken during the review of the AIPP Guidelines. OTHER BUSINESS Supervisor Berg shared that Keri Kelly has submitted her resignation and that the Parks Division is in the midst of the hiring process which includes several excellent candidates. With no other business to discuss, a motion was made and seconded (Moore/Johnston) to adjourn the meeting at 10:16 a.m. and all were in favor. Recording Secretary Elias Wilson, Public Works