HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Parks Advisory Board 2022-09-15Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, September 15, 2022
Minutes of a Regular meeting of the PARKS ADVISORY BOARD of the
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in the Municipal
Building in said Town of Estes Park on the 15th day of September, 2022.
Board: Chair Geoff Elliot; Members Christian Berry, Donovan
Colegrove, Elizabeth Kostiuk, Vicki Papineau, and Ron
Wilcocks; Trustee Cindy Younglund, Staff Liaison Greg
Muhonen
Attending: Members Berry, Colegrove, Kostiuk, Papineau, and Wilcocks;
Trustee Younglund; Supervisor Berg; Recording Secretary
McDonald
Absent: Chair Elliot
Supervisor Berg called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. Note: Shortly after the official
agenda commenced, the PAB paused to welcome Member Kostiuk to her first meeting
and offered brief introductions.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
TRUSTEE LIAISON UPDATES
Trustee Younglund reported that the Town Board voted unanimously on September 13,
2022, for a supplemental, market-based compensation adjustment for all Town staff.
Support was strong due to economic factors and an ongoing staffing shortage. The Town
Board also approved increased funding for the US 36 & Community Drive Roundabout
project, which goes to bid mid-October for a completion goal of June/July 2023.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES DATED JULY 21, 2022
It was moved and seconded (Papineau/Wilcocks) to approve the July 21, 2022,
meeting minutes, and the motion passed unanimously. Note: The Parks Advisory Board
did not meet in August 2022.
PAB PRIORITIES REVIEW
Chair Elliot provided email comments on this agenda item on page 6 of the meeting
packet. Member Kostiuk was briefed on the nature of the PAB Priorities Review.
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION RESOURCES REVIEW
Chair Elliot provided email comments on this agenda item on page 6 of the meeting
packet. Member Papineau advised that she had also suggested that Estes Land
Stewardship Association (ELSA) resources be posted under Helpful Documents on the
Town’s Noxious Weeds webpage. Member Papineau will provide website updates for the
Parks Advisory Board – September 15, 2022 – Page 2
2022 Monitored Weed Drop-Offs following the season’s last scheduled event on
September 17. Supervisor Berg and Recording Secretary McDonald will collaborate on
adding the resource links and other Parks webpage updates in the coming weeks.
PARKS UPDATE
Supervisor Berg reported that the Big Thompson Recreation Area opened September 13.
The sod is mending well, and the trees and boulders are in good shape. Jute netting is
still needed for the native seeding. A temporary sign will be erected to acknowledge
donors and show a map of the location; permanent signage will be placed as part of the
Downtown Wayfinding Plan in early 2023. The railing on the nearby bridge stairs is in
need of repair.
Flower beds are in good shape after recent frost, but will be subject to the expected fall
elk activity.
Supervisor Berg distributed flyers for the September 17 Rocky Mountain FACELIFT
clean-up and trail work event hosted by Yosemite Climbing Association (final packet/
page 7). Member Colegrove requested that the flyer be emailed to the PAB for further
volunteer recruitment. Thumb Open Space (TOS) is one of the working locations, and
Supervisor Berg will speak at the event’s After Party. Access development work at the
TOS will also be performed this fall by three hired workers from the Rocky Mountain
Conservancy.
OTHER BUSINESS
Member Wilcocks reported that Jane DeDecker’s new/enhanced sculptures of Mayor
Wendy Koenig and Jean Weaver are now installed at the Estes Park Women’s
Monument, which won the 2022 Josephine Miles Honorary Award sponsored by History
Colorado. ADA access work continues, and the new cement path will be completed this
fall. Public activity at the monument shows strong enthusiasm for this educational artwork
honoring women.
Supervisor Berg reported that Mrs. Walsh’s Garden Committee discussed moving ahead
with phase 2 of the master plan, which features a new pond and waterfall in the main
entrance patio area, and the addition of a crevice garden. Member Wilcocks would like to
donate a flagstone bench for the garden, etched in memory of his son; Supervisor Berg
distributed the suggested message to be etched. It was moved and seconded
(Papineau/Berry) that the bench be donated and dedicated as suggested by Member
Wilcocks, and the motion passed unanimously.
The PAB briefly discussed the board members’ term expirations and renewal protocol,
and the need to elect a vice-chair.
With the PAB reaching the end of some major projects, members agreed that now is the
time to establish new goals and projects. Discussion points included how project ideas
are identified and developed, and the possibility of utilizing a community survey; the
purpose of Advisory Boards in presenting recommendations to the Town Board;
Parks Advisory Board – September 15, 2022 – Page 3
beautification plans for the US 36/Community Drive Roundabout project; and what the
Parks Department may need from the PAB in October prior to seeking approval of the
Parks & Open Space Master Plan.
There being no further business, Supervisor Berg adjourned the meeting at 9:21 a.m.
/s/Lani McDonald, Recording Secretary