Parks and Recreation Commission

Inger Hiller, Chair Brian Glotzbach, Vice Chair Parks and Recreation Commission Sarah Grider Meeting Minutes Shawn L'Esperance Korby Smith Michael Smith Wednesday, June 17, 2020 5:00 PM Virtual Meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission This meeting is open to the public and will be held in a fully virtual format. To join the meeting online, visit: https://crgov.webex.com/crgov/j.php?MTID=mf8483bcf5bed043c64250c6ec6604735 To join the meeting by phone, call +1-720-650-7664. Meeting number/access code: 146 022 5198 Meeting password: wDvJenUd634 All times indicated on the agenda are approximate. Three or more Councilmembers may also attend this meeting, during which the items listed herein will be discussed. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at approximately 5:03 p.m. Council Liaisons Caryn Johnson and Kevin Bracken were present, along with Town staff, including Jeff Brauer, Jeff Smullen, Jennifer Martin, Mike Kilman, Bob Maloney, Brian Peterson, Dan Wahl and Maia Aman. Present 5 - Vice Chair Brian Glotzbach, Commissioner Sarah Grider, Commissioner Michael Smith, Commissioner Korby Smith, and Commissioner Shawn L'Esperance Not Present 1 - Chair Inger Hiller ADDITIONS/DELETIONS/MODIFICATIONS TO THE AGENDA None. PUBLIC COMMENT DURING THIS TIME, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE INVITED TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION AND STAFF ON ITEMS THAT ARE NOT ON THE AGENDA. COMMENTS SHOULD BE LIMITED TO NO MORE THAN FOUR (4) MINUTES. None. WELCOME NEW COMMISSION MEMBERS Parks and Recreation Director, Jeff Brauer, welcomed newly appointed Commission members Korby Smith and Shawn L’Esperance. Staff and incumbents provided introductions. MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING PRAC Approval of the Minutes of May 20, 2020 2020-008 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes June 17, 2020 It was motioned by Sarah Grider and seconded by Michael Smith to approve the minutes of the May 20, 2020 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting. "I move to approve the minutes of the May 20, 2020 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting." Yes: 5 - Vice Chair Glotzbach, Commissioner Grider, Commissioner Smith, Commissioner Smith, and Commissioner L'Esperance Not Present: 1 - Chair Hiller AGENDA TOPICS PRAC Selection of Chair and Vice Chair for 2020-2021 2020-009 After a brief discussion, Sarah Girder motioned the appointment of Inger Hiller to serve as Chair and Brian Glotzbach to serve as Vice Chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission from 2020-2021. The motion was seconded by Brian Glotzbach. “I move to appoint Inger Hiller to serve as the Chair and appoint Brian Glotzbach to serve as the Vice Chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission from June 2020 to May 2021.” Yes: 5 - Vice Chair Glotzbach, Commissioner Grider, Commissioner Smith, Commissioner Smith, and Commissioner L'Esperance Not Present: 1 - Chair Hiller PRAC Return to Wellness Update 2020-010 Using the guidance of local and national public health agencies, Parks and Recreation staff established best practices for reopening the Recreation Center, pools and programs during the COVID-10 pandemic. Various practices are consistently implemented to limit possible exposure to the greatest extent possible including modified facility hours, enhanced cleaning and disinfecting, limiting reservation slots at facilities to specific areas, removing equipment that is difficult to sanitize, promoting social distancing and encouraging high-risk individuals to continue their participation virtually. Staff will adjust best practices as restrictions and variances are updated. Commission member Korby Smith asked if Recreation Center patrons were required to wear masks while exercising. Recreation Facilities Supervisor, Dan Wahl, responded by explaining that while patrons wear masks until they reach their designated workout zones, they are allowed to work out without masks. Commission member Michael Smith noted that exercise is more important now than ever and asked Korby if his privately-owned business, Crossfit Loop, was operating under similar guidelines. Korby responded by explaining that their capacity was limited to one coach and nine athletes indoors and up to 25 athletes outdoors. Crossfit Loop was also sanitizing and promoting social distancing and shared equipment was not allowed amongst athletes during sessions. Michael Smith noted he has a bleach allergy and asked Dan how long the sanitization procedures would need to continue. Dan responded by explaining the Department does not use bleach, but rather hospital-grade disinfectant between workout sessions at the facility. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes June 17, 2020 Commission member Brian Glotzbach agreed with Michael that exercise is medicine and further noted that people who are physically fit are more prone to experiencing better health outcomes when fighting diseases. The ample amount of parks and open space areas are an integral component as to why Douglas County is one of the healthiest counties in the nation. Council Liaison Kevin Bracken noted that the Town would soon be submitting a letter to the Governor’s office to request that Castle Rock be completely reopened without restriction. PRAC Park Renovation Project Updates 2020-011 The Department’s Capital Improvement Plan identifies the need for improving particular parks in Castle Rock through 2023. Renovation projects for Butterfield Crossing, Mitchell Gulch and Plum Creek area parks are slated to occur in 2021. To prepare for the various projects, design firms were contracted to help organize the public outreach process and begin planning initial designs. To gather public input, postcards will be mailed to residents who live nearby each park. The postcards will invite residents to fill out online surveys and indicate their preferences for upgrades. These renovation projects will be funded through the Conservation Trust Fund, which is comprised of three sources: Colorado Lottery Funds, Douglas County Shareback and recreation licenses. Commission member Sarah Grider asked if the Capital Improvement Plan would need to be extended to adjust to revenue reductions from COVID-19. Brian Peterson noted that the current funding source allocated for these projects is not funded through sales tax, but then cautioned that the construction industry is more expensive than normal which could impact the amount of renovations able to occur within the available budget. Council Liaison Kevin Bracken asked for clarification regarding the funding available for the Plum Creek north park site. Jeff Brauer explained that while funds were allocated for the purchase and demolition of the property by Town Council in 2019, additional funds for renovation projects were not included in the original resolution approving the purchase agreement. PRAC Douglas County Art Encounters Update 2020-012 Administrative Supervisor and Staff Liaison to the Public Art Commission, Maia Aman, presented members with an update on the Douglas County Art Encounters program. For over a decade, Castle Rock has participated in this program, which provides rotating sculptures to the residents of Douglas County. Displayed in highly visible areas in Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Parker and Roxborough, new pieces are installed each year to promote public interest in art, develop community pride and foster small-town character. Seven sculptures will be featured from summer 2020 through spring 2021 in Castle Rock. A free mobile app called Otocast will also be available this year to provide audio tours of the sculptures. Commission member Korby Smith noted that he was unable to find Castle Rock through the Otocast app. Maia responded by explaining that Otocast was still in the process of setting up Castle Rock’s sculptures and further noted that the app should be ready in time for the program’s official launch through a press release later this summer. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes June 17, 2020 Commission member Shawn L’Esperance asked what type of outreach was typically completed to let residents know about the program. Maia explained that the Town’s Community Relations Division typically issues a press release and posts program details on social media channels. Maia also noted that the Public Art Commission had discussed creating some type of scavenger hunt to encourage further use of the mobile app. PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT COMMENTS Staff provided the Commission the following updates: · Parks and Recreation staff is very excited about continuing to open services to the community. Director Jeff Brauer thanked Council for their perseverance and leadership throughout the pandemic. · Staff are preparing for a virtual site visit scheduled the week of July 20 through 24 for reaccreditation through the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies. · The Farmers Market kicked off last weekend and will be held every Sunday through September from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at Festival Park with social distancing measures in place. · The parking lot and driving range will be available at Red Hawk Ridge Golf Course to watch and enjoy fireworks. Red Hawk is slowly expanding its services as carts went from single to double riders and time increments between tee times were reduced. · Last week, the Rueter-Hess Recreation Authority authorized a construction contract to begin constructing picnic areas and 1.8 miles of trail along the reservoir. A mini incline will also be constructed as part of the contract. COMMISSION COMMENTS Korby Smith asked if there had been any discussion over the years about offering semi-private or annual youth memberships to customers of Red Hawk Ridge. Jeff Brauer responded that while discussions have occurred, the current financial model would not easily afford memberships as they would limit the course’s ability to maximize per round revenue. Michael Smith noted that his family recently experienced soccer with Rapids Youth Soccer and expressed appreciation for the successful teamwork and communication between the Rapids and park maintenance staff. While there was an issue with long grass, the Rapids staff responded positively, assuaged parent concerns and were aware that the issue would soon be addressed. Brian Glotzbach noted that when he took his son to Deputy Zack S. Parrish III Memorial Park, they noticed the zip line was drooping and asked if it could be adjusted for safety. Staff responded by explaining they would soon visit the park to address the issue. Council Liaison Kevin Bracken noted that he received an email from a resident inquiring as to whether or not a flag could be installed at the golf course. Kevin suggested making the flag installation a community project where residents could help dig the hole and complete the installation in stages. Korby Smith noted that if time allowed, it would be ideal to raise the flag on July 4. Staff will perform research to further explore these suggestions. ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at approximately 6:40 p.m.