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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Parks Advisory Board 2021-03-18 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, March 18, 2021 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 18th day of March 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, Brian Berg, Greg Muhonen, Megan Van Hoozer Absent: Ron Wilcocks Chair Elliot called the meeting to order at 8:35 a.m. PUBLIC COMMENT No public comment. Elliot invited Moore to provide updates from the Mrs. Walsh’s Garden Committee, but he was unable to attend. He provided meeting minutes to share with the PAB which are included in the packet. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made and seconded (Papineau/Poggenpohl) to approve the February meeting minutes and all were in favor. WOMEN’S MONUMENT PROJECT UPDATE Providing an update for Member Wilcocks, Supervisor Berg stated that proposals have come in and fifty percent of the funding has already been raised. He stated that both art proposals are beautiful, and it will be a tough decision. Wilcocks sent the presentations out to the PAB members for review. Berg said he will send them to those that missed the original email. ART OVERSIGHT RECOMMENDATION Vice Chair Poggenpohl reviewed with the PAB the document provided in the packet to discuss possibilities. Member Wilcocks has shared his confidence that an Art Master Plan could be created without hiring a consultant, but collaboration would be needed with the local art community. Chair Elliot suggested the biggest next step was to gain traction with the Town Board, primarily by defining an Arts Advisory Board (AAB). He stated it would be best to establish the AAB before defining the group that would handle an Arts Master Plan. Poggenpohl will bring back to the PAB in the fall. It is important for the Town to know that it is a passion for the community. Berg feels that the PAB planted a very good seed with Trustee Liaison Cenac over the past few meetings. As we go into the planning for next year, Berg can see this getting bumped up in the priorities and Town’s strategic objectives. Cenac stated her willingness to speak with the Town Board. Strategic Planning for 2021 begins in July, with budget planning in August. Poggenpohl asked the group about bringing this back to the PAB in June rather than waiting until later in the year. Elliot supports the idea and the group will continue to build each month. Poggenpohl stated he still owes the Town Board Trustees an update on the failure to obtain university assistance, via a study session. Based on today’s discussions, Poggenpohl will bring strategic ideas to the June meeting. He will soften the document contained in today’s packet and pass it on to Elliot, Berg and Director Muhonen for review prior to the study session. Berg said to keep in mind that anything in the PAB packet goes to the Town Board at time of approval, so teasers and documentation within the packet is contained and can be seen by the Trustees. Parks Advisory Board – March 18, 2021 – Page 2 2021 PAB INITIATIVES Chair Elliot shared a Google document outlining the PAB’s 2021 Priority Matrix. Elliot created the basic structure of the matrix from the PAB objectives listing in the bylaws. A. Advise the Public Works Parks Division Staff on compliance with Tree City USA Standards: Supervisor Berg stated that no negative feedback has been received from Tree City USA. This item is to ensure the Town has an ordinance addressing trees. Additions can be made to the ordinance but will need to be approved by the Town Attorney and Town Board. Poggenpohl stated that its good the Town meets the minimum qualifications but a fuller ordinance in the future, would benefit the Town. Examples of different elements for inclusion are found on the Tree City webpage. Berg shared that extreme care is needed when doing this due to the impact to the community. Tree protection is the primary concern needing added to the ordinance. Poggenpohl shared that within the Development Code there are requirements about replacing vegetation as part of construction pro jects and feels it would be a good springboard for code language. Poggenpohl asked if there were any issues with him reaching out to Community Development Director Randy Hunt for collaboration. Elliot doesn’t express issues but wants to be conscientious of Berg’s concerns. The annual Mountain Heritage Festival is also in the tree ordinance. There wasn’t much teacher buy-in due to the pandemic. Berg suggested maybe getting a tree cookie in the Library to identify Arbor Day. He plans to pursue options with Claudine Perralut in a couple weeks to see what is workable. An additional obstacle is, due to the pandemic, there is no slated budget for this festival. Poggenpohl suggested creation of a plan showing locations for placement of new trees. Berg will put something together and bring back to a future PAB meeting for review and prioritization. B. Advise the Board of Trustees regarding the establishment and implementation of a Public Art Policy that guides the acceptance and placement of public art memorials, donations, and purchases: The PAB often touches on this item. Poggenpohl clarified that the only annual items being reviewed for this purpose are the banners for the parking structure, Decorating Utility Box program, and one or two smaller items throughout the year. Poggenpohl wants to be clear on what is done and what is not done. Papineau stated that Visit Estes Park (VEP) provides information to the pubic regarding art in Town and stressed the importance of consistency among the private entities throughout Town. Poggenpohl suggested gathering the information from the private entities and adding to the document for presentation to the Town Board. Elliot will initiate communication this week. C. Advise the Public Works Parks Division Staff and the Board of Trustees on content and implementation of technical standards for public and private parks, trails, plantings, invasive plants, noxious weeds, and pest control: This is a standing item on the agenda. Related projects or tasks are Mrs. Walsh’s Garden, Parks Master Plan preparation, potential pocket parks, etc. Member Hazelton suggested addressing the request from Trustee Bangs for additional pocket parks in Town. She asked that an idea of what property the Town owns throughout the valley and how we can better utilize them (i.e., playground, bench additions, etc.). Berg has an upcoming meeting with Trustee Bangs to get a better idea of her thoughts. Berg will return in April with an update. Director Muhonen suggested combining some priority items as several fit perfectly within the Parks Master Plan which has been identified in the Town’s Strategic Plan as a goal, and Chair Elliot agreed. Parks Advisory Board – March 18, 2021 – Page 3 Poggenpohl suggested regular updates to the Town’s Recommended Plant Listing due to the various native plant conferences, introducing new plants. He will reach out to Merle Moore and will bring Moore’s comments at the next meeting. D. Support the Community environmental/wetlands educational programs in the schools and community efforts on river restoration, clean up, bank revegetation, and water quality protection: Member Papineau keeps the PAB informed on Estes Land Stewardship Association (ELSA), manages the annual noxious weed book, and collaborates with the Estes Valley Watershed Coalition as needed. Hazelton suggested that due to the recent fires, a creation of a document regarding fire revegetation guidance, or assistance to Estes Park and neighboring communities. Elliot agreed and suggested considering plantings or trees that are less flammable. Poggenpohl suggested plantings occur to replace what is removed for fire breaks to maintain balance. Elliot will clean up this document, incorporate today’s suggestions and will bring back to the April PAB meeting. PARKS DIVISION UPDATES (Parks Supervisor Brian Berg) Thumb Open Space: Berg shared that a huge step forward has been made and things are back in motion. The area Homeowner’s Association (HOA) agrees with the resolution to strike down the process of HOA oversight of climbing areas. Berg hopes to get this item in front of the Town Board in April. MacGregor Ave. & Wonderview (Hwy 34) Roundabout: Hardscaping has come together very well and is complete. Backflow is currently being added and plantings will be placed in the spring. Open Discussion: Berg reported that there have been no PAB member application submissions and asked that PAB members encourage others. All but one seasonal employee from last year have confirmed they will return as seasonal for 2021. ARBOR DAY ACTIVITIES This item was addressed earlier in the meeting. Berg will get with the Estes Valley Library Director on what is workable for 2021. BIG THOMPSON RECREATION AREA Berg wanted to extend his thanks to Engineer Ryan Barr for preparing the site map for this project. Berg shared the document with the group which shows future planned placements of picnic tables & shelters (one ADA accessible), climbing rocks, planting area, accessible concrete sidewalks. Berg is hoping plantings can be native as was done with the parking structure landscape. He showed the group where the sound and visibility buffer from the highway will be placed using trees that can withstand the salt/sand mixture placed on the nearby highway. Area will be turf for a friendly surface, and Berg is hoping for completion of this project by the end of the year. OTHER BUSINESS There being no further business, a motion was made and seconded (Poggenpohl/Papineau) to adjourn the meeting and all were in favor. Chair Elliot adjourned the meeting at 10:06 a.m. Megan Van Hoozer, Recording Secretary