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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Parks Advisory Board 2022-11-17Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, November 17, 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 17th day of November, 2022. Board: Chair Geoff Elliot; Members Christian Berry, Donovan Colegrove, Elizabeth Kostiuk, Vicki Papineau, and Ron Wilcocks; Trustee Cindy Younglund, Staff Liaison Brian Berg Attending: Chair Elliot; Members Berry, Colegrove, and Kostiuk; Trustee Younglund; Supervisor Berg; Recording Secretary McDonald Absent: Member Papineau, Member Wilcocks Chair Elliot called the meeting to order at 8:36 a.m. PUBLIC COMMENT None. TRUSTEE LIAISON UPDATES Trustee Younglund reported that the Town Board approved the 2023 Strategic Plan and 2023 Budget. A special meeting of the Town Board will be held tonight to determine the future of the Downtown Estes Loop (DEL) project. The required five-year sunset review of the PAB will take place at the January 10 Town Board meeting. Chair Elliot briefed the newer members on this annual process, and the PAB agreed that the four priority areas listed on the 2022 PAB Priority Initiatives and Steps remain its focus as an advisory board. APPROVAL OF MINUTES DATED OCTOBER 20, 2022 It was moved and seconded (Berry/Colegrove) to approve the October 20, 2022, meeting minutes with minor amendments, and the motion passed unanimously. REVIEW OF ESTES VALLEY OPEN SPACE PLAN Chair Elliot reminded the PAB that the Estes Valley Open Space Plan (EVOSP) was developed before the COVID-19 pandemic. Discussion points included the possible locations for new pocket parks, some areas of which are beyond Town limits but eligible because the Town owns or maintains them; the potential created by sidewalk expansion along Moraine Avenue south to Marys Lake Road; the possibility of adding park features (other than landscaping) on small sections of open space flanking sidewalks and other walking paths; and Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) right-of-way considerations for park planning in certain areas of the community. Supervisor Berg advised that the EVOSP will help guide the Parks Master Plan. REVIEW OF ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY TASK FORCE FINAL REPORT Parks Advisory Board – November 17, 2022 – Page 2 Chair Elliot asked whether members had identified any relevant project opportunities for the PAB when reviewing the Environmental Sustainability Task Force (ESTF) Final Report. It was agreed that the report focused mostly on Town utilities and infrastructure. If Mountain Fest is revived in 2023, the PAB could consider hosting an educational table on environmental sustainability efforts. ART IN PUBLIC PLACES ANNUAL REVIEW Chair Elliot explained the purpose of the Art in Public Places (AIPP) annual review. There was brief discussion about the policy’s limited definition of public art as “any original creation of visual art” to the exclusion of performance art, such as music; but it was clarified that, in general, any art that is mass-produced is not considered unique for the purpose of AIPP placement. It was moved and seconded (Berry/Colegrove) to approve the existing version of the AIPP for this annual review, and the motion passed unanimously. PARKS DIVISION UPDATE Supervisor Berg advised that the memorial bench at Mrs. Walsh’s Garden (MWG) was installed. Staff is assembling the 2023 annual flower order and looking forward to the new greenhouse. Parks is mixing compost at Cheley Colorado Camps until the anticipated arrival of its own, budget-approved compost sifter. A federal grant opportunity could secure two sifters, which would free up monies for equipment purchases such as a skid steer. Discussion points included the compost removal capability of the skid steer; the benefits of having an electric fence around the Cheley compost pile, and inviting the public to bring vegetable compost; the possibility of using the Town-owned boneyard area for public compositing; the general agreement that PAB could embrace more environmental projects since the ESTF ended; the unfortunate existence of litter in the area, and campaign ideas for promoting public awareness and clean-up days or adopt-a-park groups to manage litter and noxious weeds, particularly in open spaces. The bid closed October 31 for the MWG 30% Design for a New Pond Area. Other MWG work is featured in the minutes included in the packet. PAB MEMBERSHIP & MEETING FREQUENCY Chair Elliot reminded the PAB that he will not renew his membership when his term expires on December 31. Member Kostiuk intends to reapply for her membership, which would expire March 31, 2024. With Members Papineau and Wilcocks not present, the discussion of PAB’s meeting frequency will be postponed until the December 15 meeting. Supervisor Berg will accompany the potentially succeeding chairperson to the PAB sunset review at the January 10 Town Board meeting. (Recording Secretary’s note: Since PAB bylaws state that officer elections take place “at the first regularly scheduled meeting of each year,” Chair Elliot’s successor will not be elected prior to January 10). Trustee Parks Advisory Board – November 17, 2022 – Page 3 Younglund also advised that, if the PAB proposes expanding its role to encompass environmental recommendations to the Town Board, Supervisor/Staff Liaison Berg should be accompanied to the sunset review by the department director (of Public Works). OTHER BUSINESS Recording Secretary McDonald announced that the annual appreciation meal would be provided during the December 15 meeting, and it was agreed that a burrito bar was preferred. She will coordinate the meal and remind members in the packet notification email. There being no further business, Chair Elliot adjourned the meeting at 9:34 a.m. /s/Lani McDonald, Recording Secretary