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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPACKET Parks Advisory Board 2021-9-16 Parks Advisory Board Agenda Current Members: September 16, 2021 Geoffrey Elliot (12/31/22) Vicki Papineau (12/31/21) 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM Kirby Nelson Hazelton (12/31/23) Rex Poggenpohl (12/31/22) Room 202 Ron Wilcocks (12/31/21) Vacant (12/31/23) Estes Park Town Hall Christian Berry (12/31/23) 170 MacGregor Ave. Public Comment Chair Geoff Elliot Approval of August Meeting Minutes Chair Geoff Elliot 2021 PAB Initiatives Chair Geoff Elliot Estes Valley Watershed Coalition Presentation Wilynn Formeller, Celeste Fraser Women’s Monument Project Update Member Ron Wilcocks Environmental Advisory Task Force Chair Geoff Elliot Mrs. Walsh’s Garden Update Parks Supervisor Brian Berg Parks Division Update Parks Supervisor Brian Berg Other Business Adjourn Marie Cenac, Town Board Trustee Liaison Brian Berg, Estes Park Public Works Staff Liaison Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, August 19, 2021 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 Town Hall on the 19th day of August 2021. Committee: Geoffrey Elliot Chair, Rex Poggenpohl Vice Chair, Kirby Nelson-Hazelton, Vicki Papineau, Ron Wilcocks Attending: Geoffrey Elliot, Kirby Nelson-Hazelton, Vicki Papineau, Rex Poggenpohl, Ron Wilcocks, Brian Berg, Town Board Trustee Marie Cenac Absent: Chair Elliot called the meeting to order at 8:32 a.m. PUBLIC COMMENT No public comment. WELCOME NEW MEMBER Christian Berry, the newly appointed member of the PAB was in attendance. Members introduced themselves and provided a brief background on their associated expertise. Berry fell in love with Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) in 1971. As of two years ago, he can now call Estes Park home. His background is in forestry and environmental engineering. He has directed forestry services, taught environmental stewardship and has volunteer for land trusts since his retirement 14 years ago. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made and seconded (Hazelton/Poggenpohl) to approve the July meeting minutes and all were in favor. Member Berry abstained due to absence. PAB BYLAWS AND POLICY 102 The Town recently updated all bylaws for consistency across the different boards. The updated PAB bylaws were distributed to the PAB for review. All incorporated changes were acknowledged and no recommendations for change were made by members. Member Hazelton shared that, when reading through the bylaws, clarification would be helpful related to the Town Board Trustee Liaison role in voting. WOMENS MONUMENT PROJECT UPDATE Member Wilcocks shared that all stone for the project has been delivered. The metal shop will begin work on the donor plaque, and anticipate its completion at the beginning of September. At this time Wilcocks is confirming with the artist, Jane Dedecker, that the dedication will occur September 30, 2021. There will be local, statewide and national press in attendance. Invitations will be published in the newspapers. Project fundraising was successful enough to purchase a second sculpture which will be donated to the Museum for ownership and maintenance responsibilities. The Museum will then donate the sculpture for display at the Estes Valley Library on the second floor. Work continues with the Museum to finalize the donation. 2021 PAB INITIATIVES Chair Elliot introduced this standing agenda item to Member Berry. He stated that this first year is intended to establish clear focus on the PAB’s role and how each item of responsibility is being addressed. Elliot stated that progress has been made in all areas of PAB’s responsibility. Parks Advisory Board – August 19, 2021 – Page 2 A. Tree City USA: Continues to be acknowledged as a result of the Mountain Heritage Festival, or some form thereof, held annually. B. Public Art Policy: Acknowledged regularly with Art in Public Places (AIPP) applications and subsequent PAB reviews and approvals. Also evident as a result of updates and inquiries to the Town Board related to AIPP funding. Member Wilcocks wanted to ensure it was recorded and made clear that the Yarn Bombings are discussed by many visitors and the feedback received has been very positive. Wilcocks hears regular praise while this exhibit is in place at his local businesses. C. Technical Standards for public/private parks, trails, plantings, invasive plants, noxious weeds, and pest control: Mrs. Walsh’s Garden and the Thumb Open Space are current areas receiving updates. D. Community environmental/wetlands educational programs: Chair Elliot is in contact with the Estes Valley Watershed Coalition and plans to have them attend a PAB meeting to share their initiatives for the year and see how PAB can assist. E. Content, implementation and compliance with any restrictive covenants: Fire restoration efforts are currently taking place in Glen Haven. ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY TASK FORCE Elliot drafted a brief letter to the Town Board Trustees which he disseminated to members after the July meeting. A motion was made and seconded (Poggenpohl/Wilcocks) to send the letter to the Trustees and all were in favor. The Environmental Advisory Task Force has been created a nd meetings have begun. Trustee Barbara McAlpine is the Town Board Trustee Liaison for the task force. No staff liaison has been assigned at this time. Elliot will send the letter and hopes to be involved in the next task force meeting. AIPP PROGRAM UPDATE Elliot drafted an update per the discussions of the past two meetings related to the work completed by Vice Chair Poggenpohl. Members provided feedback prior to the meeting. Elliot asked for any other feedback or a motion. Wilcocks recommended for item 1a. to add ‘previously presented’ or remove from the narrative. The situation is now different and he doesn’t want the phrase to mislead anyone. A motion was made and seconded to approve the letter to the Trustees with the amendment of adding “previously” in 1a. (Hazelton/Papineau) and all were in favor. Elliot thanked team for their efforts and discussions to get everything together. MRS. WALSH’S GARDEN UPDATE Supervisor Berg updated that the contractor Alo Terra is 99% complete with the Town’s request. A second entrance will be incorporated as part of master planning process. Alo Terra will create a new, smaller gate that will mimic the original gate. Within MWG there is now a small river from waterfall and a new little bridge will be added. The MWG Committee will continue with plantings next season. Berg recommended everyone go see the work that’s been completed. The contractor did wonderful job and all is working great. In 2023 there is a potential for an additional waterfall to be added at the entrance. Member Berry asked about the history of MWG and where the maintenance lies. Berg and Poggenpohl provided the information. The Town now manages MWG and Supervisor Berg works closely with the MWG Committee to carry out all garden needs. Parks staff grows native plants in-house for planting. Parks Advisory Board – August 19, 2021 – Page 3 PARKS DIVISION UPDATES (Parks Supervisor Brian Berg) Thumb Open Space: The access fund has been here the past two weeks working on established trail, remaining inclusive to accessibility with disabled bicycles/tricycles, and trail connectivity. The Access Fund has provided considerable help to get prepared for climbers, with switchbacks and strategically placed boulders/rocks. The trail now moves away from the area homes, and work has been done to eliminate the potential for social trails. Berg shared with the PAB that the Management Plan RFP provided no affordable results and will now be done in-house. Once the management plan is in place, the area will be open to public. Vice Chair Poggenpohl will be involved in the area HOA meetings. Member Berry has led trail crews in the past and would be happy to help if needed. Parks Division: Berg reported that the Parks Division is now losing the school-aged individuals serving as seasonal workers, due to the commencement of the new school year. There will be a few individuals that remain to help with the rest of the season. The Parks Master Plan is pending Town Board determination on when the effort should be undertaken. Once known, Berg will bring updates and status to PAB. There are many pocket parks and slivers of land on which parks development may occur. Big Thompson Recreation Area: No work has been initiated at this area due to the pending approval of the Town’s Community Development Department. OTHER BUSINESS A motion was made and seconded (Wilcocks/Hazelton) to adjourn the meeting at 9:27 a.m. and all were in favor. Megan Van Hoozer, Recording Secretary