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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Parks Advisory Board 2021-07-15 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, July 15, 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 15th day of July 2021. Committee: Geoffrey Elliot Chair, Rex Poggenpohl Vice Chair, Kirby Nelson-Hazelton, Vicki Papineau, Ron Wilcocks Attending: Geoffrey Elliot, Vicki Papineau, Rex Poggenpohl, Ron Wilcocks, Brian Berg, Town Board Trustee Marie Cenac Absent: Kirby Nelson-Hazelton Chair Elliot called the meeting to order at 8:33 a.m. PUBLIC COMMENT No public comment. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made and seconded (Poggenpohl/Papineau) to approve the May meeting minutes and all were in favor. WOMEN’S MONUMENT PROJECT UPDATE Member Wilcocks stated that the Women’s Monument Project is on-track. All funds needed were raised by the end of May. The Women’s Monument Committee (“Committee”) is now working on planning the dedication. Wilcocks anticipates construction beginning in the coming weeks. Supervisor Berg is working directly with the artist on site planning. Wilcocks extended his appreciation to everyone and is excited that it’s happening. Berg shared that the stone should be ready within the next two to three weeks. Preconstruction begins next week to establish irrigation and needed site work. Chair Elliot shared his appreciation for Wilcocks leading this initiative. Papineau agreed and stated that it has been a terrific grassroots effort which should set an example moving forward. Wilcocks stated that support was shown through the readiness of individuals to donate to the project. 2021 PAB INITIATIVES Chair Elliot requested an update from Member Papineau, as an Estes Land Stewardship Association (ELSA) representative for the recent weed event. Papineau stated that the June noxious weed drop-off collected over 100 bags. The larger annual weed drop-off is scheduled for Saturday, July 17, 2021 from 9 am -12 pm which will have informational booths for citizens with questions and to provide added education about noxiou s weeds. The subsequent weed events will occur in August and September, which is reflected on the Town’s website. Papineau shared that the 2021 noxious weed booklet is provided through the area hardware stores and HOAs, while also electronically provided on the Town’s website. Elliot thanks Papineau for all her work with ELSA and the community. ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY TASK FORCE Vice Chair Poggenpohl shared that the Trustees have been receiving many comments from citizens on how best to sustain the environment. The Trustees have decided to form an advisory task force to identify how to proceed in an environmentally friendly manner long-term needs. Poggenpohl shared that he feels Chair Elliot should draft a letter to the Trustees reminding them of PAB’s area of responsibility and in what ways the PAB could be involved with the task force. Trustee Liaison Cenac clarified that the task force was recommended to acquire expertise specifically in the environmental topics. Long-term solutions are needing to be determined as well as the type of group to construct. The items identified must be able to be handled by the Town. Cenac feels the group may come back to the Parks Advisory Board – July 15, 2021 – Page 2 PAB for specific items. The Town continues to recruit members for this task force and, after contacting the Town Clerk’s office, confirmed that the deadline for applications has been extended. Chair Elliot sees value in moving the needle toward environmental sustainability. In his letter, he would introduce involvement in the various efforts that impact this topic. Poggenpohl stated that the PAB currently has environmental education responsibility. A motion was made and seconded (Poggenpohl/Papineau) to have Chair Elliot draft a response to the upcoming Environmental Task Force informing members that PAB is involved in environmental issues and desire participation in related deliberations moving forward and all were in favor. AIPP PROGRAM UPDATE Poggenpohl stated that the topic of AIPP funding has been discussed for awhile and action is desired. Some feel strongly about arts in Estes Park and would like to see progress. The revised document provided in the packet outlines issues that the program has to consider, and a response from Trustees is needed. Member Wilcocks documented actions that have taken place over the past couple years and provided to Poggenpohl. These items need canvassed by the group to determine how best to proceed. First, the PAB, being responsible for AIPP, see that certain things need to be done and feel the program should be expanded in order to enhance funding with items such as an Arts Master Plan. Second, Poggenpohl stated, the PAB feels staff support for such a program would more suitably reside with the Estes Park Museum. If the program is expanded to performing arts, the Events Department would need involved. Third, when a decision is made on where staff liaison will reside, said liaison should collaborate with the art community to proceed. Wilcocks expressed his uncertainty about the recommended appointment of the Estes Park Museum unless appropriately weighed by Town Administration. Wilcocks reminded the PAB that this doesn’t only related to maintenance, but also future implementation of a variety of different forms of art. Elliot informed the group that Member Hazelton, after review of the document, stated that direction is needing requested: Arts Master Plan, community engagement and future planning. Elliot recommended addition of the three bullet points in the introduction of the document. Wilcocks stated the Downtown Plan (DP) includes both the art industry and the craft industry which would require a bigger area of responsibility that what the museum could provide, and would prefer not to identify the museum specifically. Authority should be provided by Town Administration. Supervisor Berg stated that without item 2a nothing can happen. He recommended that when redrafting the document, emphasis be added to this fact. Poggenpohl recommended the item be pulled from the list and captured in the introduction. Berg agreed. Poggenpohl stated that it basically boils down to the lack of staff time prevents this from being achieved. Elliot agrees with the structure change to the document. Wilcocks asked that not all detail be lost during the document reconstruction as many hours were spent putting it together. Poggepohl made a motion, seconded by Wilcocks, for Chair Elliot to draft the final document with assistance, if needed for presentation to the Trustees. Elliot asked to clarify whether this document is to be submitted to the Trustees prior to the next PAB meeting. Wilcocks feels strongly that the PAB have final review and discussion and withdraws his second to the motion. With no other members providing a second, Chair Elliot announced that the motion dies. Member Wilcocks then made a motion to take the input provided and produce a final document, then present to the PAB for review prior to submittal to Town Board. Review can be provided via email but no vote. Papineau seconded the motion and all were in favor. Elliot will finalize document and provide to members for review prior to submittal to the Trustees. MRS. WALSH’S GARDEN UPDATE Parks Advisory Board – July 15, 2021 – Page 3 Supervisor Berg stated that the work at Mrs. Walsh’s Garden (MWG) is moving along well despite the weather. The pond reconstruction is nearing completion, the pump is in and operable, and the waterfall is ready to be finalized. Wilcocks shared that he’s visited MWG and all is looking really, really good. Berg reminded the group that now is the time to see the garden. There are many native plants blooming at this time. PARKS DIVISION UPDATES (Parks Supervisor Brian Berg) Parks staff is working through their schedule and were able to get needed items complete by July 4. The roundabout at MacGregor Ave. & Wonderview Dr. (US 34) is now completed and irrigation for the MacGregor wall is in process. He stated the annual flowers are struggling due to weather anomalies. A new order has been received to revamp the annual beds. Berg shared his pride in his team. The Big Thompson River Recreation Area project is currently being reviewed by Community Development and may end up as a winter project as Parks waits for approval. The Women’s Monument will be the Parks Division’s top priority. A Request for Proposal (RFP) has been published for a Thumb Open Space Management Plan creation, and three consultants attended the pre -bid meeting. Additionally, the ecological survey of the Thumb has been completed. Berg has requested a letter be drafted by the ecological consultant allowing work to begin on some items in preparation for public access. OTHER BUSINESS Berg shared that once the Town Board begins in-person meetings, the advisory boards need to determine if they’d like to proceed with virtual or in-person meetings. The PAB agreed that in-person meetings were desired. Berg stated that design documents for the Downtown Estes Loop are at 95% completion. The plans have not yet gone to the public but are requesting staff reviews to identify potential fatal flaws or omissions. At time of review Berg reminded members that changes are not requested at this stage of the design. Berg then asked if the PAB would like the documents sent out for review or if a special meeting would be requested. PAB members agreed that reviewing them electronically would be appropriate and that no special meeting would be requested. A motion was made and seconded (Papineau/Wilcocks) to adjourn the meeting at 9:39 a.m. and all were in favor. Megan Van Hoozer, Recording Secretary