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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Parks Advisory Board 2020-12-17 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, December 17, 2020 Minutes of a Regular meeting of the PARKS ADVISORY BOARD of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held virtually in said Town of Estes Park on the 17th day of December, 2020. Committee: Merle Moore, Chair, Rex Poggenpohl Vice Chair, Geoffrey Elliot, Kirby Nelson-Hazelton, Dewain Lockwood, Vicki Papineau, Ron Wilcocks Attending: Merle Moore, Geoffrey Elliot, Kirby Nelson-Hazelton, Dewain Lockwood, Vicki Papineau, Rex Poggenpohl, Ron Wilcocks, Brian Berg, Kevin McEachern, Greg Muhonen, Megan Van Hoozer Absent: Chair Moore called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. PUBLIC COMMENT No public comment. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made and seconded (Hazelton/Lockwood) to approve the November meeting minutes and all were in favor. MRS. WALSH’S GARDEN COMMITTEE UPDATE Chair Moore and Supervisor Berg shared expenses to date for the operation and upkeep Mrs. Walsh’s Garden. Annual expenses are consistently around $30K. With the funds remaining available, the Request for Proposal (RFP) can begin being drafted for the work needing performed. Berg stated the contractor is excited to secure a contract and begin the work. The RFP should be issued in the very near future. PLAQUE INVENTORY – EVLT BENCHES Chair Moore requested feedback from the PAB regarding creation of a recommend template for future recognition plaques listing allowed content. This stems from the situation where a picture was requested be added to the text on a plaque, resulting in coming before the PAB to determine what is allowable. Member Papineau walked around to each of the plaques installed to see what has already been logged and fill any gaps. Papineau captured the wording and location of each plaque. Over the past couple years, there has been discussion about removing plaques from the stanchions and adhering them to large rocks near the bench. Doing so would soften the look of the Riverwalk. Supervisor Berg recently met with the Estes Valley Land Trust (EVLT) to have their final bench installed near Kind Coffee. Two EVLT benches were added over summer, but the dealer sent the benches four inches shorter than standard. Berg is working with a concrete contractor to lift the benches to standard height. Those purchasing the bench with the plaque in question used the Dick Orleans plaque as a template, and only in conjunction with the EVLT. The issue is the picture of the angel being proposed on the plaque. Upon receipt of the proposed plaque Berg questioned the content due to standards regarding Town property. Papineau stated the language is much more emotional than is typically added. The PAB needs to determine what limitations need put in place. Member Wilcocks shared his support of softening the look of the Riverwalk, as stated by Berg. Wilcocks further stated that there are already established guidelines regarding displays of a specific nature. Director Muhonen suggested that once feedback is received on a proposed template with structure, that Berg touch base with Town Attorney Kramer to determine lawfulness of expressed limitations. Parks Advisory Board – December 17, 2020 – Page 2 It was stated that it would be beneficial to limit the number of words or lines on the plaque. Multiple suggestions were made concluding that for Line 1 would be “In Memory Of. . . .”; Line 2 would include a date of some sort and lines three and four would have any added text (no images/logos, etc.) Member Hazelton agreed to the importance of following a structure similar to the others. Attorney Kramer can provide guidance on language regarding limitations. Chair Moore stated that it may be a good idea to pull samples based on Member Papineau’s research to provide as recommended styles. Muhonen recommended that the size of the plaque also be identified. Berg reminded the group that moving forward the EVLT will no longer be selling dedication benches. The Town has never facilitated a dedication bench, although there are a few that were donated for placement at the Visitor Center. Due to the unsure nature of future bench dedications, Berg requested the PAB finalize what’s being discussed understanding that the plaques fall under the Arts in Public Places (AIPP) program. Berg also stated that there’s not much room for more benches within the downtown core. Moore stated that some people are going to want bench dedications. The standard green benches the Town purchases would also work. Muhonen stated this will be a request moving forward, most likely, and is not anticipating support for this effort going away. While Trustee Liaison Cenac doesn’t have a sense for the demand, she does feel it should be discussed. AIPP GUIDELINES REVIEW PAB members performed their annual review of the Arts in Public Places (AIPP) Guidelines and came prepared with any suggestions for change. Member Papineau feels that the guidelines look good and has no recommended changes. Member Elliot stated it is important to incorporate these guidelines into the bench plaque discussions to ensure consistency. Member Wilcocks stated the guidelines look good and stated that the work Poggenpohl is doing could be added to the guidelines as an Appendix when completed. Moore stated he found no specific items needing changed during his review. Moore reaffirmed the current guidelines continue to be adequate and all agreed. Poggenpohl stated that the work done on the guidelines has been quite significant. If the Town moves forward with an Art Master Plan, it will realize these guidelines contain two- thirds of what is needed. Chair Moore stated that, regarding a potential Arts Advisory Committee (AAC), Poggenpohl captured a majority of the information necessary to define the committee’s purpose. Assistant Town Administrator (ATA) Jason Damweber composed, with assistance from Poggenpohl, a document requesting academic support in the creation of an Art Master Plan which was sent to a few universities. No responses have yet been received. Poggenpohl stated the Town would need an Art Master Plan to move forward with grant applications. Moore stated the master plan critically needs to identify and define art maintenance needs. Additional discussion is needed to determine appropriate timing for an Art Master Plan and identify where the committee should reside. Director Muhonen shared his concern about art expertise and staff time for added committees. There is no longer a Cultural Services group in the Town divisions but there are still functions in the town that may be softer, but more technical . An example is the Museum. Museum staff understand the care and maintenance of delicate artifacts. Without further discussion, their staff time may not allow this endeavor either. The bronzes maintained by the Parks Division. Estes Park is growing in many ways and an AAC would depict growth and expansion of art in the community. PAB was originally tree Parks Advisory Board – December 17, 2020 – Page 3 board, took AIPP under wing due to the bronze outdoor statues and benches. It seems it is time to make a change in how the whole art package is handled. Muhonen reached out to the ATA and Town Administrator (TA) Machalek sharing that Public Works is not specifically astute with art items. Public Works either needs staffed accordingly or a different area should manage the art program. This would include AIPP, the Decorating Utility Box (DUB) program, etc. If PAB agrees, discussions need to continue to determine next steps. Muhonen feels that the AAC should be treated the same as the PAB, advisory to the Town Board. The visions are big, and the time demands could be great. Trustee Cenac agreed, stating that the AAC would collaborate with PAB as needed. Chair Moore determined it would be best to wait for university inquiry responses prior to more discussions at this time. Moore thanked Rex for all the work done putting this information together. Member Wilcocks also shared agreement that the AAC should be managed under a different area. ESTES PARK WOMEN’S MONUMENT COMMITTEE UPDATE Member Wilcocks shared that the Women’s Monument Project is moving along well. The committee is embarking on formal fundraising and are already seeing money come in. The two competing artist teams are high caliber, with national and international recognition. One artist team was just commissioned by Congress for Women’s Suffrage Monument in Washington D.C. Wilcocks negotiated partnerships with both local newspapers who will be contributing significant in-kind work and advertising. This enables 100% of funding to go to the monument. Wilcocks further stated that final proposals are due to the committee February 28, 2021, with full models, pricing, and all other information. At that time, the information will be disseminated to the PAB. PROJECT UPDATES (Parks Supervisor Brian Berg) Supervisor Berg stated that staff is near completion of the 2021 flower order. The Parks Division has a solid budget while still maintaining cuts made in 2020, which includes seasonal staff cuts. All rocks/boulders have been delivered for the Wonderview (US-34)/MacGregor Ave. roundabout. Work to continue with hardscape and plantings in the Spring. Parks staff will then look to recreation and picnic area near the parking structure. Visit Estes Park (VEP) donated $30K to the Town to add a climbing boulder in that area. Berg is in communication with the Downtown Estes Loop design team about a few items allowing more workable irrigation, plowing, trees, and plantings. The Town can almost see a light at the end of the tunnel on the Thumb Open Space purchase. The Conservation Easement has been the most cumbersome item of the purchase. The Town is also working through title works, etc. Once the purchase is complete the master planning phase can begin. Berg will continue to inform the PAB on progress. Poggenpohl offered any assistance since he lives in that area. Berg has reached out to the area HOAs but agreed that individual citizen feedback would also be beneficial. Berg stated that the grant closing dates will not come until 2021. Berg plans to bring concept ideas that were put together in the 1990s, back to the PAB in the near future. Member Papineau shared that there is still a need for volunteers to perform trash pickup and other tasks for the Duck Race. If anyone on the PAB is interested, please contact Berg via phone or email. Berg also shared that Larimer County tilled a reseeded the area around Scott Ponds last week adding its rough country to get the seeding to take hold. Parks Advisory Board – December 17, 2020 – Page 4 OTHER BUSINESS Wilcocks, understanding that this is Chair Moore’s last meeting, thanked him for his excellent service and fantastic leadership. Asking what Moore would do next, Moore replied he had to set aside two major trips. Once he and his wife have received the vaccine, they will get back on schedule. Moore stated he has three kids, with two living on either coast. He just wants to get out and catch up with family and friends and do some traveling. Moore thanked all PAB members, stating that being Chair is easy with all that volunteer to help. He futher stated that it has been his privilege to work with all the members and Town staff. Poggenpohl stated that all members appreciate your volunteer leadership and the efforts put into the PAB. Regarding electing new officers, neither Poggenpohl nor Papineau will have the time needed for an officer role. Both are hoping Member Elliot will accept a nomination or volunteer as Chair. Moore confirmed this would be his last meeting as PAB Chair, but would continue to liaise between MWGAC and PAB as needed. Moore has served on the Parks Advisory Board since 2016, both as a member and Chair. Muhonen spoke to the deep, deep thanks for the work Moore has done on the PAB. Many successes and much work to get many foundational items for the arts program, Mrs. Walsh’s Garden, recommended plant listing for land use projects, and other investments in Estes Park. Member Lockwood shared that this would be his last meeting as well. Lockwood has served the Parks Advisory Board since 2013, when it was still referred to as the Tree Board. He has been awarded for planting over 20K trees in Nebraska, and continues to plant a minimum of 100 trees each year. Muhonen shared many thanks for his volunteer service and camaraderie. Trustee Cenac stated the information received from the advisory boards is invaluable. The Town Board cannot make informed decisions without the recommendations received. Both Moore and Lockwood will be missed. There being no further business, a motion was made and seconded (Papineau/Poggenpohl) to adjourn the meeting and all were in favor. Chair Moore adjourned the meeting at 9:56 a.m. Megan Van Hoozer, Recording Secretary