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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Parks Advisory Board 2020-01-16 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, January 16th, 2020 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 16th day of January 2020. Present Merle Moore Vicki Papineau Ron Wilcocks Also Present: Patrick Martchink, Town Board Liaison Brian Berg, Parks Supervisor Kevin McEachern, Public Works Operations Manager Greg Muhonen, Public Works Director Absent: Dewain Lockwood Chair Merle Moore called the meeting to order at 8:39 a.m. PUBLIC COMMENT: No public comment. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made and seconded (Papineau/Wilcocks) to approve the December meeting minutes and all were in favor. NOXIOUS WEED ORDINANCE DISCUSSION Lt. Life of the Estes Park Police Department (EPPD) was in attendance to speak to the status of the proposed Noxious Weed Ordinance. Life stated he’s had meetings with Code Enforcement Officer Michael Madachy, Parks Supervisor Brian Berg, and Town Attorney Kramer, to review both the existing and proposed Noxious Weed Ordinance language. Life stated he has a list of key issues to present to the PAB. Life is requesting help to determine how the EPPD can collaborate with the PAB on establishing an education program for noxious weeds. Lt. Life would prefer to provide understanding of what noxious weeds can to do the community, thus creating buy -in, as a preferred enforcement method to issuing citations. He’d like to first get the community going in the right direction. By pointing out that some of these weeds are toxic to wildlife and are not intended to reside in the region, Life hopes that citizens and/or business owners will better relate to the severity of the situation. Law enforcement could continue to get involved per the existing ordinance, however there are issues associated with heightened enforcement and would require a specialized individual to identify, with 100% certainty that the weed is in fact, noxious. Life provided one example he’s learned which are that there are several different types of thistle, some native and some noxious. To properly enforce, there must be the ability to present a case that is beyond a reasonable doubt. Law enforcement must be able to establish probable cause and an expert must be able to confirm the weed is noxious. This process would be extremely time-consuming and potentially more costly. Madachy stated he’s cited only one individual this year but was unable to take the matter to court Parks Advisory Board – January 16, 2020 – Page 2 due to the complexity of the law. The EPPD can enforce Class C noxious weeds (i.e. Downy Brome), if local board determines it is a community threat. Unenforceable are weeds on properties bordering public rights of way and easements unless diligently maintained by the Town. Another complexity to enforcing this ordinance is ensuring that the herbicides required in order to manage some noxious weeds, are not required to be sprayed by licensed pesticide applicators. Member Papineau stated that a key educational component is the Weed Management attachment. Life stated the educational document needs to be presented and published more aggressively. Life would be hesitant to make this attachment part of the ordinance due to the complexities of modifying the document (educational sheet). Supervisor Berg suggested the potential addition to the policy. Papineau stated that this is State law and asked why this is treated differently than other State laws. Papineau doesn’t feel either education or enforcement is unattainable. She stated that it is better than in the past, with the educational component in place, but she doesn’t believe it insurmountable, especially if the primary focus is only on the noxious weeds listed in Fourteen Very Unwanted Weeds in the Estes Valley – Identification and Management Guide. Papineau has a copy of a past letter sent by the Town of Estes Park notifying a property owner of potential fines for noxious weeds. Supervisor Berg asked the PAB if all members viewed the Town Board Study Session where this ordinance discussion was held as he’d suggested. It is important to hear with the Town Board is requesting of the PAB before such an ordinance is considered. Chair Moore feels that what was asked has already been done stating the Estes Land Stewardship Association (ELSA) publishes educational material for the community each year. Papineau stated there’s potentially only one percent of property owners, once educated, that may not comply. The Town needs a strong ordinance, not as stringent, but stressing the educational component. The ordinance, as proposed, would make it easier for all parties. Member Wilcocks asked what is needed to make this acceptable for the Town Board. The language of either existing or proposed ordinance would generate the same penalties. The focus needs to be on education. Papineau recommended a meeting be scheduled to identify the needed ordinance language. The Town Board does not like the new requirements referenced by Larimer County. Papineau stated the proposed ordnance mirrors what is done in Carriage Hills and other areas of Town that are outside Town limits leaving different treatment for violations within the same town. Berg stated that Larimer County is set up much differently than the Town of Estes Park in that they’ve been assigned the needed resources and personnel to perform this level of enforcement, in addition to those performing the weed management functions on properties that aren’t being managed by the property owner. The Town does not have the ability to enforce the same way Larimer County is able. All members agree that education is the key. A meeting will be set up to review the concerns provided and a modified version will be brought back to the PAB. MRS WALSH’S GARDEN COMMITTEE UPDATE The Town published a Request for Proposal (RFP) yesterday for the Mrs. Walsh’s Garden Master Plan creation. Parks Advisory Board – January 16, 2020 – Page 3 The last committee meeting involved discussion regarding the planning for the next garden season which is June. Planning will continue and updates will be provided moving forward. The committee has a new member. Her name is Lisa Hutchins, an Estes Park resident and former Executive Director of the Audubon Society in Denver. The group continues to work toward their Google group transition from the former member that created the Google group. HISTORIC WOMEN OF ESTES SUBCOMMITTEE UPDATE Member Wilcocks stated the subcommittee is making good progress. With nearly 40 individuals on the subcommittee, there is lots of energy. Over the past couple months work has occurred determining the type of art will be used for this recognition, the desired location, and needed attributes. Wilcocks stated that a vote was held in December generating the creation of resolution with specifics, which Wilcocks provided via hand-out to the PAB. He requested the members review the information and bring their feedback to the next meeting and to discuss whether or not the resolution is ready to be presented to the Town Board. The next committee meeting will be held the first Wednesday in February, 2020. Wilcocks would like to have feedback from the PAB on any suggested edits to the language and clarification on the resolution content. He stated that the resolution asks only for the Town’s support regarding the selected location and that there’s no reference to a request for funding. As a subcommittee, the resolution would be taken to the Town Board via the PAB and staff liaison once deemed ready. Chair Moore asked Town Board Liaison Martchink if it is appropriate to identify locations at this stage of the process. Martchink doesn’t feel this is the appropriate time, however Muhonen reminded the group that the location of the monument is key to the mission of this subcommittee. Wilcocks further stated that the subcommittee critically needs to have a Fundraising Chair in place. Nominations have been solicited and the group is proceeding with ballots. Supervisor Berg stated the importance of the Sunshine Law and that any feedback provided on the resolution language needs to be individually sent to Wilco cks. It is important there are no violations. PAB members agreed to maintain only individual communication with Wilcocks on this matter until the next regularly scheduled meeting. PARKS UPDATES The Mountain Heritage Festival planning is moving forward. An individual from the school joined the group. The group decided to move the pool to the West Barn. The festival will take place on April 24th. There will be informational and educational table and the Parks Division, Estes Land Stewardship Association, the Parks Advisory Board and Mrs. Walsh’s Garden will have tables together. OFFICER ELECTIONS Chair Moore determined that, due to being in mid-recruitment for PAB members, it would be best to defer officer elections to the regularly scheduled February meeting. Parks Advisory Board – January 16, 2020 – Page 4 OTHER BUSINESS Moore asked that everyone ensure they have a full copy of the handouts for review and feedback next month (i.e. PAB Bylaws, Town Committee Policy, Code of Conduct). Moore provided a handout to the PAB containing the proposed outline of an AIPP funding presentation for the Town Board created by Rex Poggenpohl. Moore requested feedback on the document at the next meeting. Wilcocks provided the PAB a second handout with a mission statement and defined structure for the potential development of an Arts Advisory Committee (AAC). There are currently 35 stakeholders involved in discussions regarding the potential of establishment of the AAC. Wilcocks stated that, in speaking with arts community, he’s witnessed excitement for something that will bring the art community together. Wilcocks stated that even if this is not approved as a PAB subcommittee, he’s hoping for it to be its own Board. Muhonen agreed that, based on what’s been presented, it should be its own Board. He further stated that it would prove beneficial to have artists solicit support from the Town Board of Trustees, wherein majority support would be required (4), to get something established. Moore agrees there is argument for the AAC to be its own Board. With no other business to discuss, a motion was made and seconded (Papineau/ Wilcocks) to adjourn the meeting at 10:10 a.m. and all were in favor. Recording Secretary Megan Van Hoozer, Public Works 1/16/20 DRAFT Arts Advisory Committee (AAC) Mission and Structure Mission of AAC: The mission of the Arts Advisory Committee is a working sub-committee of the Parks Advisory Board (PAB) that will support the PAB, the Town, and its Art in Public Places Program with 1) the creation/socialization/updating of an Arts Master Plan for Estes Park, 2) the selection of qualified Artists and Public Art for Estes Park and 3) to advise on the ongoing maintenance of our Public Art. The Arts Advisory Committee will also help unify the many separate Arts groups in Estes Park and facilitate solid working relationships and communications between them. The Arts Master Plan will include future direction and goals for Public Art and Art Events in our Town. It will also be used to facilitate building working relationships and communication between all Arts Groups in Estes Park. Structure of AAC: The AAC is a working sub-committee that works under the Parks Advisory Board. It is formally sanctioned by the Town Board. It consists of nine Board Members: The PAB Chair, an Arts District Representative, a Fine Arts Guild Representative, an Art Center Representative, a PAB member Representative, a local Art Gallery Owner Representative, three local Artist Representatives. The AAC will meet at least once per month and will report to the PAB. The AAC will be Chaired by the designated PAB member. The AAC will utilize a wide array of expert Key Stakeholders (Artists, Gallery Owners, Parks Staff, etc.) to provide direct input and to provide local “Art” and “Art Maintenance” expertise. 1/15/20 DRAFT Resolution of Town Support for a Women’s Monument in Estes Park to honor and recognize the Historic Women of Estes Park in 2020 Be it resolved on _______________, 2020 that the Town Board of Estes Park supports the grassroots community efforts to raise funds and install a “Representational bronze statue of a historical women (real person) of Estes Park and her story AND additional surrounding bronze and/or stone elements that include multiple additional women’s stories from multiple time periods about other selected historical women of Estes Park in an interactive park like setting” in “Bond Park proper or along the Riverwalk between Casa Grande and the kid’s playground (that ultimately will be the South part of Bond Park) that recognizes and honors the “Historic Women of Estes Park” in 2020.